LA
Can you do this with Crabman?

A:  You have a Patriot Crab, Cardisoma armatum,    They go by several other names also.  You can find more info from Aqualand at Patriot Crabs and Patriot Crabs II.   LA  

A:  First, all bosses are insane.  Don't you read "Dilbert?"  Second, most 18-year olds pretty much know everything.  With that out of my system, I'd recommend you put your suggestions in monetary terms.  Show her how your suggestions will save or make money.  She'll come around.  LA

A:  Obviously she doesn't know how duct tape works.  The sticky side goes away from the animal when you make repairs.  She can fix it the way she did by placing another layer (sticky side to sticky side) atop the first layer.  She needs to take the Duct Tape 101 course at your local Community College.  Hang in there.  LA    

A:  Charlie will be much happier and healthier in his larger quarters.  Don't over-worry about that five-minute rule.  It's just a heuristic.  I once knew a guy that fed his fish for 7.5 minutes.  Of course, he was one of those guys who liked living on the edge.  To switch Charlie from blood worms, quit giving him the blood worms.  It's like giving your kids Ho Hos all day then wondering why they don't eat their broccoli.  No more bloodworms.  Charlie will not starve.  LA
PS  You can increase his need to feed by adding a small school of tiger barbs.  When he sees their ravenous consumption of your proffered victuals, he'll insist on getting his share.     

A:  Thanks for the insights.  I was working up a page on them last year when I drowned mine.  I got this far with them -- Halloween Crabs.  But since I can't get any more of them, I haven't made much progress.  I've researched G. quadratus but prefer to add my own observations before completing the page.  LA
PS  Basically I learned NOT to keep them like patriot crabs.  Without having more to work with, it looks like theyshould be kept like the Mini-Crabs.

A:  I don't know if it's common or not.  I've never seen it happen myself.  But I suspect it's pre-spawning or even actual spawning behavior -- especially if it happens when you first turn your lights on.  LA

LA
Two-inch supposed red-tail osphronemus gourami.

A:  We've got this guy in stock.  I'm not familiar with a "blue" Osphronemus.  We can get the Petenia splendida by Friday for $12.  Let us know before Thursday noon @ (515) 283-0300.  LA

A:  I'll add your comments to my guinea pig page.  Larger exercise balls and larger smooth plastic wheels are now available.  LA

A:  You have lots of room.  That's for sure.  I like iridescent sharks, although many people insist they get too large to house indoors.  Still, I like them -- especially the large ones.  They're good looking and relatively trouble free.  The fish you wind up selecting will result from a synthesis of what appeals to you and what's available.  Chicago has (maybe had) some superb fish shops, although I haven't been there since they invented the cookie-cutter chains.  You'll find many fish you like locally.  LA

A:  Thanks for the thanks.  I don't mind the controversy.  It increases my traffic.  I don't read most forums because they have so much opinion rather than experience.  Some are quite good, but not all.  The ones that bug me the most are the forums that put white san serif type on a black background.  Their result?  Near illegibility.  However that's not really controversial, just very difficult to read.  But, back to the controversies -- when I get tired of being flamed, I just print their letters in their original form (no corrections).  It's fun.  LA

LA

A:  Marine (cane) toads eat nearly anything.  Most toads want moving (live) food.  Bufo marinus toads eat it anyway -- live or dead.  Feed small ones small crickets.  Larger marine toads eat larger crickets -- lots and lots of crickets.  They'll eat any of the canned bugs as well as canned dog and cat foods.  LA
PS  They'll also "squirt" you when you pick them up.        

A:  Sorry for the slow reply.  I'd recommend phoning for quicker answers.  We do not sell puppies.  We do sell kittens.  We have only one left -- a half Manx orange male.  Kittens cost $80.  Call 283-0300 to find out what their health certificate entails.  LA

A:  We sell the pla kats for $6.  However, we do not ship.  We seldom get a few Betta imbellis, but I cannot remember the price.  There's not much local demand for the imbellis, so we don't carry them often.  LA

A:  People send bettas thru the U.S. mails all the time.  I do not know how to move them from country to country because every country has their own stupid rules.  Bringing them in with your luggage seems to work well in countries that are exporters of tropical fish.  In most cases you need to declare them at the local customs/douane office.  The ones we import come in thru brokers who expedite their progress thru customs.  LA

A:  Put your fish in a plastic bag with mostly air.  Rubber band it.  Then put that bag upside down in another bag and band it.  Box it (with whatever insulating materials you need at the specific time of year).  Take it to your local post office which may or may not accept it because they've sort of cracked down on liquids.  If they do not accept it, take it to UPS or FedEx to send it.  LA     

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A:  Will do.  LA

A:  Captive red ears do just fine on Tetra's ReptoMin.  Tetra also makes a mini-version for baby turtles.  He should grow to four inches in one year.  LA

A:  Just make sure you clean out his uneaten food at the end of the day -- every day.  The flies are looking for uneaten food.  Whack them or use olde fashioned fly paper.  Do not touch the fly paper.  LA