A:  As I mentioned on my Indian Almond Leaf page, I have not been able to track down the magic powder.  However, the leaves (Betta Leaf ) themselves work just fine.  LA

Null A:  The main message I get is do not put large amounts of money into the banks of China, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Germany, Eire, et al. or you will surely die.  LA
PS  The jury is still out on lottery tickets.

A:  I couldn't find any fish clubs in Nevada.  How far are you from Los Angeles?  You should be able to find plenty of bristlenose plecos there.  LA

A:  How's this?  LA

The Sacramento Aquarium Society (SAS) is a local fish club that meets at 7:00 pm on the first Saturday of each month.   We are a non-profit organization  with an objective to encourage and further the interest of the care and breeding of tropical fish and to promote the exchange of information between amateur aquarists.  Meetings typically include a guest speaker, bowl show, raffle, attendance prize, and an auction which includes fish, aquatic plants, and aquarium supplies. Many of the auction items go for less than wholesale prices.

Next Meeting Saturday, June 7th
Program:
"MEGA AUCTION"
OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC!  You do not have to be a member of SAS to participate.  See Rules.
Meetings start at 7pm.  Click here for driving directions.   Family fun - kids welcome!

A:  If they were my hermit crabs, I would not mix other species.  Yes, we do sell mudskippers.  LA

A:  I still wouldn't mix the hermit crabs with the other varmints.  Just add more hermit crabs.  We sell mudskippers for about $30.  If we shipped one anywhere in its own aquarium, it would probably cost over $100.  However, we don't ship fish.  LA

A:  I'm surprised you can't find a sponge filter in California.  I'll turn your request over to Mike.  In the meantime, change your betta's water more often.  Bettas don't eat much.  Most people overfeed them.  LA

A:  We can sell you a Jungle Dirt Magnet for $11 plus $4 or $5 postage.  Mystery snails do not like cichlids or any other fish that nips on their tentacles.  Most small community fish work fine.  LA

A:  Too big.  Just fill a gallon jug with water and let it age.  Then do 100% water changes weekly.  LA

A:  Aging the water plus adding the water conditioner is the best of both worlds.  LA

A:  If it's a tumor (our spelling), there's not much you can do.  If it's an accumulation of excess fluids behind his eye, you may be able to draw off the excess with a hypodermic needle.  The problem is figuring out exactly where to poke the needle.  Your oscar will not like the process.  You may decide to just put up with the problem or try another medication.  LA

A:  Apistogrammas and Microgeophagus are hard to find.  They seldom appear on wholesaler lists.  As far as I can determine, the Apistogramma Study Group is in indefinite hiatus.  You will need to join one of the Cichlid groups (such as our Midwest Cichlid Association) and ask around.  LA
PS  You cannot afford to purchase fish from a wholesaler.  Also, there's no cost to join the MCA.

A:  Thanks.  I'll add your report to my SAE page.  LA

LA
These little 3/4-inch carps are taking over.

A:  Some plecos will suck on larger slow-moving fishes (even angelfish).  So will all livebearers.  But I've never seen any of the shiners or fatheads emulate the sucking habits of plecos.  As far as natives go, there's quite a few of them I've never kept.  Our native suckers are being pushed out by those foreign carp.  Goldfish are also invasive but can't stand up to our channel cats.  LA

A:  I was just out last night with a Mag-Lite searching for toad eggs.  You can find some ponds easier at night because of the racket.  Saw one deer but only caught one incredibly well camouflaged (but incredibly noisy) grey tree frog on the ground.  No eggs.  My toad tadpoles are legging out already.  I use the 32-ounce QT cups myself.  Thanks for the daphnia alert.  I did not see any but I wasn't looking for them.  Plenty of water to search.  LA
PS  Lots of luck on the upcoming mosquito plague -- within 10 days.

LA
Newly caught daphnia plus minnows.

A:  Your daphnia mention inspired me to try some daphnia mining on my lunch hour.  The bettas loved it.  Plus I stocked about 20 empty tanks.  LA

LA
This guy was inspecting my work as I caught the daphnia.