We don't ship critters or live fish.
When writing us, include your location.
LA_Aqualand@msn.com

Not so Fast, Dude. I think I answered them all, but I may have lost several emails. I deleted 55 emails yesterday. I never got totally up and running until this afternoon. However, I now have a snazzy 30-inch monitor -- just one more techy unit to spazz out. I'm becoming a confirmed Luddite. The paperwork's in the mail. LA March 3, 2011

Sara Jenson, Memphis, TN, March 1, 2011
Hi! You have the most extensive collection of info I have seen on Tree Dragons, but I cannot get the page to display properly cutting the entire left half off. Is there any way that you can email the information to me?

I just purchased this as a family pet tonight. The store we got it from gave us alot of incorrect information. Thanks!

A: Sent by email March 1. LA

Sara Jenson, Memphis, TN, March 2, 2011
Thank you so much. I appreciate the information.

A: De nada. LA

rish mcglynn, Canada, March 2, 2011
Hey, I was checking out your page and thought you should know there is a page that is only half visible

http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Tetras,%20Small%20Tetras.htm

A: Works okay on my end. I tried to email you a copy but the file is WAY too big. Better reserve a PC at your local library. LA

rish mcglynn, Canada, March 3, 2011
K cool,

just thought I would let you know. I do web design and am finding that MAC vs PC can sometimes mean the site looks TOTALLY different... I am on a MAC.

Have a good night

Rish

A: Yep. That Safari program messes up some of my pages. As you suspected, I'm on a PC. LA

Steven Becker, Cranberry Twp., PA, March 3, 2011

Hi, sorry i ask so many questions, i need atleast one reliable source. i have an inch and a half long sun catfish, but i've never seen him eat. i've had him since last year, so i dont know what he's eating. he's most likely eating the cichlid pellets or drowned crickets that the ctenopoma misses. either way i've read on your page that they eat heftily even during the day. he's also somewhat sluggish, just wondering if you have any advice. Concernedly (if thats a word),

A: Probably not a real word, but I have nothing against neologisms. I've never kept sun cats singly, only in groups. Perhaps the competition causes them to eat more heartily. I think of them as Indian channel catfish that stay fairly small (compared to U.S. channel cats). LA

Sydney Lyons, Florida, March 4, 2011
Hello. We are interested in buying a land snail... however, we live in Florida. On your website, we see, you say that you will not ship critters or live fish. However, considering that these do not fall under the category of either, would it be possible to ship them? Please reply.

A: Not really possible. If you still want one in June, give me a follow up email then. I may be able to comply with your request. LA

Calvin Kwok, New York City, March 5, 2011

I fear my guppy has gotten a bad case of columnaris. I have been treating it with Maracyn and it is the second day of treatment but her condition is worsening and i don't think she'll make it. I've had other cases of columnaris but i was not sure if it was really it so this is my first time attempting to treat it. I currently have her in a hospital tank and while she was in there, she started giving birth. The thing is, i'm sure the Fry are immature because some of them have a yolk sac still attached. some of the fry have absorbed it since coming out but the others just lay on the bottom. i moved the fry into a breeder container by the way. Are there any other treatments i could do to help future cases of columnaris? and will my fry be fine?

A: If she really has columnaris, I would ethanize her. Her babies too. LA

Ruan Erasmus, Pretoria, South Africa, March 5, 2011
Hi, I am from pretoria and i was reading your description on adding new fish. It says that you should add a teaspoon of salt to every liter or so, is that just for marine fish or for freshwater and tropical fish?? Thanks

A: Good question. Freshwater only. Saltwater tanks need a specific salt formula that creates a very specific gravity. In freshwater it's one teaspoon of salt per gallon -- roughly four liters. (Teaspoons and gallons are a couple of archaic measurements we inherited from our English forebearers. You just need to approximate this "formula.") A bit of salt helps freshwater fish replenish their protective slime coat. It also decreases the ill effects of some of the waste products that often stress fish in new tanks. LA

Ruan Erasmus, Pretoria, South Africa, March 5, 2011Thanks, So i have a 20 gallon tank so should throw in 4 teaspoons??

A: I don't know how you came up with this answer. If you have a 20 gallon tank, add 20 teaspoons of salt. LA

Tandi Filpi, Chino Hills, CA, March 5, 2011

I read your information on breeding Fire Belly toads. I was so happy to find it since I think it is literally the only information on this subject on the Internet. But now I am a little confused. My toads have been "getting happy" for about 3 weeks now, but I have never seen any eggs. Is there a reason for this? Something I need to do that I may not be doing? My couple is kept in my kindergarten class. My children love listening to the male (Mr. Firelly) "call his girlfriend" and get an even bigger thrill watching them "play piggy back." So the toads don't get a lot of privacy. Is that needed? We were so hoping for some tadpoles!

Thank you for any information you can give me.

A: One (or both) could be eating the eggs. Could you put them over a layer of marbles so some of the eggs fall into hard-to-find spots? On the other hand, they could just be entertaining themselves. LA

Tandi Filpi, Chino Hills, CA, March 7, 2011
I can certainly try that. Should I see the eggs coming out right when they are mating? Shortly after? Can she keep laying eggs or does she usually only lay them a few times a season? I see them mating and/or playing at least three times a day! I've tried keeping them well fed so they wouldn't be hungry, but I have never seen any eggs. Hmmm... Thank you for your feedback.

A: They usually lay eggs after coming out of a cooler period. Does your school turn down the heat over the weekends? LA

John Skinner, Iowa, March 6, 2011

Hello, I was wondering if you accept plant and fish donations? The reason I ask is I am starting a 20G planted tank that is currently coming along nicely. However, I am looking to change out my stock of fish. I am looking to get a good school of fish going (tetras maybe) and maybe 1 or 2 fish that do well by themselves. I currently have some Barbs that I know can get pretty good in size and my tank is not big enough to keep a proper school. I was wondering if you would accept a donation of my fish - as I think I would have a hard time trying to find a good home for them on my own. Secondly, I expect that once my tank starts to take off I will have clippings of plants that would be great to re-plant and I will not have the room. Thanks,

A: Sure. We do it all the time. Just call right before you bring them in (to make sure we have the room). LA

Amy Matovich, Saskatchewan, Canada, March 6, 2011
Hi, I have been a fan of your website for a little while now, and I use it for information about my fish and snails. I have two very obvious mystery snails, one gold and one black, and everything I have ever read about mystery snails says they lay eggs and are not live bearers. Well today I saw one little baby snail crawling up the side of my tank, and I am very confused as to how this can happen when there has been no sign of eggs at all. I thought I would show you some pictures and see what you think. It was difficult to get a decent picture of the little guy, he moves around pretty fast, but you can see he is smaller than a piece of decorative gravel. I like to watch my snails quite often so it could not have been in the tank for more than a few days. The parents both have air tubes and two sets of antennae that are characteristic of the mystery snails, they go up to the surface to breathe air. I have had the gold one since the beginning of January and the black one since the beginning of February. Have you heard of anything like this happening before?

babysnail1 AM

LA
Not a baby mystery snail.

A: Your baby snail is a "wandering pond snail." You can find out more about him by referencing Ovata radix or Lymnaea peregra ovata. You can see more pics in Snails or wait for my page on them. LA

Amy Matovich, Saskatchewan, Canada, March 6, 2011
Thank you for your quick reply. So if this is a pond snail, how on earth did it get into my fish tank? The newest thing that was added was the black snail over a month ago. And I found a second baby after I did a water change. Does it ever happen that the mystery snail would lay eggs in the water? or only ever out on the side of the tank?

A: I've never seen a mystery snail lay eggs under water. If the water comes up over their eggs, they will not hatch. Pond snails are professional hitchhikers. They usually come to your house on aquatic plants. LA
PS Sorry for the delay on this, my software program frizzed a bit.

Amy Matovich, Saskatchewan, Canada, March 8, 2011
That’s alright. Will they be a bother to my other snails or my pleco? or are they just fine sharing the tank, my mystery snails seem to be a little listless lately, but that could be due to the fact that my filter stopped working Sunday night and I could not get a new one until later in the day on Monday. Either way, it is nice to know where they came from and what they are.

Thanks for all your help

A: All your snails will get along quite happily. Don't throw away your power filter just because it stopped working. Probably 90% of the time all that a seized power filter needs is a routine cleaning. LA

Larry Plover, Stow, OH, March 6, 2011

Hi- I think the "unknown turtle" on your start page is a Peninsula Cooter or Florida Cooter Pseudemys peninsularis or P. floridana (you would need to look at the spots along the edge of the plastron to differentiate). They are herbivores (but don't trust them with pet fish, crabs, etc.) that need to be kept warm. Best,

A: Not an exact match in the pics but close. I'll use your suggestion until I learn more. LA

Larry Plover, Stow, OH, March 6, 2011
Are mynah birds (or any starling relatives) kept as pets anymore? If so, do they make good pets? Thanks for any info!

A: Now that you mention it, I haven't seen mynah birds for quite some time -- decades in fact. Their talking trait is cool. Their squirting trait, not so much. LA

Alex Guecko, The Valley, TX, March 6, 2011

Hey LA, been a while since I last emailed you. How are the webinars and Youtube infomercials going?? Anyway, I've been finding some insect larvae in my cricket containers that look strikingly akin to Dermestid Beetle larvae. Ever find any there at Aqualand? And if they are dermestids, would you know where they might be coming from or if they may be useful in any way? Attached is a photo of what they look like. Cheers and have a good spring break there in Iowa.

PS. My math teacher says she's from Des Moines too, I asked her if she knew about you guys. She said no.

A: I don't know much about your math teacher or the beetle larvae. I have seen the larvae occasionally in the 1,000 count boxes of crickets. Lizards usually don't like bugs with spines sticking out all over them. LA

Dear aqua land pets plus.

Kiel McMahom, Des Moines, IA, March 6, 2011
Good morning. I have around 50 or 60 electric yellow African cichlids and I was wondering if you guys would be interested in them, most of them are medium to large size. If interested just let me and maybe we can set up a time to for me to deliver them.

A: I've got quite a few electric yellows right now. Contact me again in a week or two to check in. Calling works best because I can check the tanks as we talk. 283-0300. LA

Aileen Andrews, UK, March 7, 2011
Hi, Would you be interested in placing a small text ad for one of our clients on Aqualandpetsplus.com? We pay a fixed annual fee and typically pay within 48 hours. Please let me know if you would like more information. Best,

A: Sure. Send me the info. We'll see if it gets thru the SPAM filter. LA

David Balduc, New Hampshire, March 7, 2011
I am a relatively new fish enthusiast, i have 5 tanks, a 40 gallon, two 10 gallons, a 29 and a 2.5 that i raise scud in.
i love fish and i've been breeding guppies for about 3 months now, that was a recent start, i've been keeping fish for a few years now.
I am a reasonably new breeder of fish and i would like tips on breeding albino chocolate plecos. Also Brochis Splendor, and Spotted corys.
I would love any advice or tips that you are willing to give. i really want to make them feel at home, in a natural habitat, provide the right foods, right water temp, and the right lighting.
the info for the chocolate albino plecos is the most important.
i love your website its amazing, you do incredible work. I was wondering where you are located because i would Love to come visit someday. I live up in NH and I've caught the fish fever. ha-ha
any advice you have to offer would be awesome.

A: Sounds like you do have a bad case of fish fever.
I've never bred the albino chocolate plecostomus. It's one of the common plecos. Because they grow so large, the breeders need a much larger breeding area than you have. A better and easier pleco to breed is the bristlenose plecostomus..
I've never bred nor known anyone who has bred any of the Brochis species.
If by "spotted corys" you meant Corydoras paleatus, they will breed the same as Corydoras aeneus. LA

David Balduc, New Hampshire, March 8, 2011
Haha i do have a very bad case. i love it though. i spend 70% of my summers in and on the waters fishing and observing fish in natural habitats.

I was wondering how many fish tanks/ species of fish you have?

A: Here's part of row one. You can't see the tanks in the top rows. Somewhere between 300 and 400 tanks plus some lab tanks and some non-filled new 70s in the other room. No idea how many species -- especially since all the goldfish are one species. Ditto guppies.. LA

Rick Berry, Tennessee, March 7, 2011

I saw your posted e-mail fish comments, questions and answers on your website, so I decided to add this information.

I have a White Spotted Black Raphael catfish. I've had it for 11 years and it's still going strong. I keep it in a 3 gallon tank with only a dwarf crawfish (1" long). I've never had castles, hollow logs, nor plants (plastic or alive) in the tank for the Raphael catfish to hide in, but not having a hiding place for the Raphael catfish hasn't seemed to bother him all these years. The dwarf crawfish inhabits one of the 3 small sea shells which are the only items in the tank other than the catfish, crawfish, and gravel. Both creatures get along fine. I like the crawfish in there because he always digs through the gravel eating waste, so I don't ever do any water changes or cleanup maintenance on the tank other than just adding Tetra Aqua Easy Balance water conditioner once per month. Sincerely,

A: You are so in trouble with the "experts" that insist specific fish need lots and lots of room. And in trouble with the "geniuses" who insist you need to clean your tank like clockwork. Thanks for your report. I'll add it to my Raphael page. LA

Rick Berry, Tennessee, March 8, 2011
Thanks for the picture of the Black Spotted Raphael Catfish. That's the fish I've got. The reason I sent you my below initial e-mail ( is because I've read on web sites that people think they need to have a log or castle for the Raphael to hide in and that their tank needs to be really big. Then they're frustrated because they never see their Raphael after they do it, except occasionally when it comes out after dark.

But the details I e-mailed to you earlier are all really true, and my 5 1/2" big Raphael Catfish has been happily thriving that way for 11 years in the little tank, and still is. The little crawfish (crustacean) sleeps in one of the three little sea shells during the day, then it's up all night digging through the gravel eating all the waste it finds plus some catfish food too. That's why the tank bottom is always cleaned, so I don't ever have to clean it other than just add the Tetra Easy Balance liquid once per month. However, I'm not trying to change aquarium science here. But I am attesting, as a Penn State graduate with a dual BS degree in 'environmental resources management' and 'agronomy', that the "Experts" and "Geniuses" are wrong this time and they could learn from Nittany Lions like me because we're smart too ...

A: Got it. You shouldn't bring up that double BS degree in most discussions. Too much of a double entendre. LA

TetraPond emails an informative (and short) newsletter each month during pond season. Here's a link to check it out. LA

James Force, March 7, 2011
Hi LA, I have been a proponent of undergravel filters since I started keeping fish, and for me they have always worked great! I have found that no one wants to use them anymore, and they seem to be getting a bad reputation. If you search google for "undergravel filter" the first result is an article called "The Undergravel Filter Controversy" from another fish retailer which goes on to bash undergravel filters. For what it's worth, I thought you might be able to clear up some of the debate from this article in one of your own pages. I think it would do a lot of good for what seems to be a dying method of filtering an aquarium. Thanks! Sincerely,

A: No one person can settle this particular argument. What they say works for them. I'm still unlikely to trash out my hundred or so UG filters. I like them and the sponge filters, and the power filters, and the canister filters. One of my favorites was the diatom filter from Vortex. I think I had a dozen or so before one of our basement cleanup days. We used to rent them out a couple decades ago. They were, however, way too complicated for most people. (This was before the days of computers and even videotapes.)
Anyway, the power filter proponents left out the big reason the Europeans dislike UG filters. They feel UG filters inhibit the root growth of aquatic plants. Lots of Americans disagree with their opinion. I was at a dealer's meeting in Tampa long ago, where most of the dealers laughed when they heard the European filter theories --in spite of the fact that these same dealers traveled all the way to Tampa to attend a seminar on how to grow aquatic plants. You may have noticed that the Europeans and Asians all grow more attractive plants than we do. In fact, many USers (but certainly not all) consider two bunches of anacharis (still in their lead strips) as a heck of a good start on decorating a fish tank.
Well, I believe I have added to the contretemps sufficiently at this point in time. LA
PS I even like the little corner filters that contain carbon and floss -- especially back when we could use angel hair in them.

James Force, March 9, 2011
Thanks for the reply. I have to disagree with the european theory that aquatic plant growth is inhibited by UG filters. I have had jungle vals take over a tank with an UG filter, and they flourished! Americans seem to try and copy whatever the europeans do. High tech co2, european high end filtration, etc. As you said, most people consider 2 bunches of hornwort or anacharis to be a "planted tank". I just don't see the need for spending hundreds on a filtration system that works just as well as any other filter, and I can say this from experience. Mostly out of curiosity, I purchased an eheim canister filter. I am throughly impressed by the design and capabilities of the filter (I'm sure you've heard the saying- "buy German, buy once"). However, I have seen equally good results for biological filtration with a UG filter. I think it really boils down to maintenance. No one wants to clean a filter that's below the gravel, and they'd rather toss a filter cartridge and slide in a new one (this causes its own problems). Thanks for your time and expertise, it's good to know that I'm not the only "old fashioned" one out there. I too like corner filters- the lustar medium rounds work well for 10g tanks (discontinued in 2005) Thanks Again!

LA
Here's a Des Moines tank by Matt Helgeson.

A: Matt follows some of those crafty European techniques. No UG filter here. LA

James Force, March 7, 2011
Wow, What a beautiful tank! That has to be expensive to setup, and expensive to maintain. Thanks for sharing :) What types of fish does he have in that setup?

A: Cardinals (which can be seen in the first photo). Click on Matt's name above for more details. LA

Steve Bowman, March 8, 2011
Hello, I have a quick question and I was wondering if you could maybe answer it for me. I have had my Albino Pacman for about 6 months now and for two days now he has been flipping upside down and laying on his back. At first glance I thought he was dead but he does breathe and move (barely). Nothing new has been introduced tank or food wise and temp and humidity have all been the same. Have you heard anything like this before?

A: I haven't seen that trait in pacman frogs. But I have seen it by other organisms. I would say his prognosis is not good. LA

Brent Aitchison, Lakeville, MN, March 8. 2011
Hello, I'm curious to know if I can come directly to you (the store) to purchase/acquire one of the $40 vouchers at half price (as seen in an email I got from the SuddenBlitz operation/program), or if I will be required to go through the website link in the email that made me aware of such an offer? Thanks for taking the time, and thanks for making the half price deal available...I think that is a very cool thing for you to do & I'm hopeful I will be able to participate in the offer! Much Appreciated,

Brent A. (formerly Ames, IA)

A: No. I just initiated the program yesterday. I have to find out how it works out before I start messing with the system. LA

Curtis Lee, Spokane, WA, March 8, 2011
My western painted turtle has white long hair-like things under his front and hind legs and head area. he is moulting and I think that may be a factor.

A: I'm not sure what it is. Just take a paper towel and wipe it off. LA

Noah White, Iowa, March 9, 2011
Hey Larry, Any luck finding Steatocranius casuarius? Haven't seen them around in awhile. Also, any O.B. Peacocks in? Size? Price? Thanks,

A: We only get those lionheads in about six times a year. And we only get six at a time because they're so pricy for such a little fish. This morning we had six OB peacocks in stock. Call 283-0300 for the price. LA
PS March 10. I just found them on my supplier's inventory list. They were listed among the American cichlids. I ordered six for tomorrow. LA

Kyle Burk, March 9, 2011
Is 100 per gallon too many American toad tadpoles?

A: No. It's WAY too many. LA

Kyle Burk, March 10, 2011
what should it be then

A: Since they are so tiny, you could probably house 10 per gallon.. Five per gallon would be better. LA

Hope Lynch, IA, March 9, 2011
Do you know when the next bird fair is?

A: It's really hard to keep up with MACBS since they lost their website. To complicate it further, they did not list the meeting in my last copy of Fins and Feathers. Lisa is the Prez. LA
PS Lisa called me back this evening, and they are back on the web. Their website is up again: macbs.org

Jacob Conro, Fort Dodge, IA, March 10, 2011
RE Green terrors death
Hey I was just wondering what could have cause its death. Night before it seemed it was gasping for air then by the morning it was dead, but my other two seem to be doing great (red devil and jack dempsy all juveniles) any ideas or things to look for thanks. I'm a customer when I'm in des moines and u guys are my first choice in buying fish also I'm from fort dodge.

A: Perhaps the red devil was a factor, but you probably would have noticed that happening. In spite of their fierce name, green terrors are sissies. LA

Q&As Jan I 0109
Q&As Jan II 0109
Q&As Jan III 0109
Q&As Feb I 0209
Q&As Feb II 0209
Q&As Feb III 0209
Q&As Mar I 0309

Q&As Mar II 0309

Q&As Mar III 0309

Q&As Apr I 0409

Q&As Apr II 0409

Q&As Apr III 0409
Q&As May I 0509
Q&As May II 0509
Q&As May III 0509

Q&As Jun I 0609
Q&As Jun II 0609
Q&As Jun III 0609
Q&As Jul I 0709

Q&As Jul II 0709

Q&As Jul III 0709

Q&As Aug I 0809
Q&As Aug II 0809

Q&As Aug III 0809

Q&As Sept I 0909
Q&As Sept II 0909
Q&As Sept III 0909
Q&As Oct I 1009
Q&As Oct II 1009
Q&As Oct III 1009
Q&As Nov I 1109
Q&As Nov II 1109

Q&As Nov III 1109
Q&As Dec I 1209
Q&As Dec II 1209
Q&As Dec III 1209
Q&As Jan 1 0110
Q&As Jan II 0110

Q&As Jan III 0110

Q&As Feb I 0210

Q&As Feb I 0210

Q&As Feb III 0210
Q&As Mar I 0310
Q&As Mar II 0310
Q&As Mar III 0310

Q&As Apr 1 0410

Q&As Apr I1 0410

Q&As Apr II1 0410
Q&As May I 0510
Q&As May II 0510

Q&As May III 0510
Q&As Jun I 0610
Q&As Jun II 0610
Q&As Jun III 0610

Q&As Jul I 0710

Q&As Jul II 0710

Q&As Jul III 0710

Q&As Aug I 0810

Q&As Aug II 0810

Q&As Aug III 0810

Q&As Sep I 0910

Q&As Sep II 0910

Q&As Sep III 0910
Q&As Oct I 1010
Q&As Oct II 1010

Q&As Oct III 1010
Q&As Nov 1 1110

Q&As Nov 1I 1110

Q&As Nov III 1110
Q&As Dec I 1210

Q&As Dec II 1210

Q&As Dec III 1210
Q&As Jan I 0111
Q&As Jan II 0111

Q&As Jan III 0111
Q&As Feb I 0211
Q&As Feb II 0211

Q&As Feb III 0211
Q&As Mar I 0311

Q&As Mar II 0311

Q&As Mar III 0311

LA_Aqualand@msn.com