LA
This one went for $200.

LA
10 to 12-inch apparent flowerhorn (hybrid) kicked out due to the "no hybrids" regulation.

LA
You can see this flowerhorn at the Lucky Dragon restaurant in Des Moines.

A:  Flowerhorns range from about $6 on up.  I've heard reports that some people in Des Moines have paid as much as $600 for their flowerhorns.  I'm not sure how much to rely on these reports.  Fish stories have a way of growing over the years.  I really can't put a value on your flowerhorn from a photo.  Yes, same-size plecos usually mix well with flowerhorns.  LA
PS  We have more flowerhorn info on these pages:
Flower Horn
Keo's Flowerhorns
Keo's Flowerhorns II

A:  When I receive your email, I read it at home -- after store hours.  To give you correct answers, I have to go into Aqualand the next day and gather your info.  Then I need to come home and answer your email later that day.  You can cut two days off this process by calling Aqualand @ 283-0300.  We'll answer your questions on the phone right when you call.  No lines.  No waiting.  LA

LA

A:  Here's an 18-inch clown knifefish.  The one in the tank above him is 20 inches long.  Your flounder will survive for a while.  Better mixers include bumblebee gobies and dwarf Indian puffers.  Mix your flounders with species that top out under three inches.  LA

LA

A:  Federal law prohibits shipment of apple snails across state lines.  The permits are for the shipment of mystery snails which look very similar.  LA

A:  Yes, Larry Arnold, aqualandpetsplus.com  LA

A:  Maybe four red-bellied piranhas or one managuense.  You'll need a larger tank later.  LA

LA

A:  We haven't had any of these guys for about half a year.  We suspect they're seasonal and we'll see them again later.  LA

A:  Your 7-inch leporinus will hassle your new African cichlids, but they'll adjust to it over time.  Skip the ctenopoma and shark.  Your leporinus will pick on them too much.  Select the African cichlids you like the looks of.  I'd go for a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes.  And I'd also crowd the heck out of them.  They get along better when you crowd them.  LA

A:  You have your sexes determined correctly.  Cut out a small patch of panty hose and rubber band it around your filter intake.  And don't worry about your danios.  They're speedy enough to outrun your convicts.  LA

                                                   Pic stolen from Indiana DNR

A:  Lepomis humilis (one of my favorite fishes) inhabit much of the mid-west (including IN).  The painting above shows up in all the states' DNR info on red-spotted sunfish.  It was painted by Maynard Reese (famous Iowa wildlife artist, now retired) and originally appeared in Iowa Fish and Fishing.  At under two inches, it's too small too eat or harvest as a game fish.  Most of the DNRs consider this fish a pest that tends to outcompete young bass and bluegills for food.  I know of no vendors that sell them.  Here's some sites to expand your search:
nanfa.org
nativefish.org
idianagameandfish.com
Difficult to catch on a hook, I've always seined them from shallow waters (Birdland Lagoon, specifically).  Use a small hook with a long shank.  Flatten the barb.  You might want to wait a while before you unlimber your seine.  LA

LA
17 to 18-inch pangassius catfish.

A:  Many catfish are nocturnal and prefer subdued lighting.  Both your species adapt to the day shift because of their appetites -- particularly your pictus.  Neither species is a picky eater.  Something is bothering them.  I don't know what.  Your larger iridescent may or may not be a female, but it is hogging the food.  Sex is immaterial.  You won't spawn them without carp pituitary extract -- probably not even with  it.  Your iridescents are tiny babies.  Both species are schoolers and prefer to travel in a group.  They might shape up if you add more specimens.  And it may help if you reduce their light intensity.  LA        

A:  First, your plane might be in the air for an hour.  Your fish will be in transit for much longer -- traveling to the airport, getting there early to go thru their stupidity lines, waiting to board, waiting for clearance to take off, "enjoying" your in-flight pretzels, circling your destination for whatever reason their Magic 8 Ball decides, waiting for your luggage, arranging transportation, and traveling to your new location.  You'll need separate bags for each fish plus a Styrofoam®  container to hold them  Ship them with your other luggage.  Your airline will probably hit you with a surcharge (because they can).  LA        

LA

A:  If you google "banjo catfish" + price, you'll find lots of sources and lots of prices.  Your freight will cost several times their price.  They're in season right now and you can probably find them at your local fish store -- faster and more economically.  LA

A:  Easier than bettas.  They just prefer a bigger bowl because of their size.  They will eat nearly anything you give them.  Betta food works fine.  And they need no extra heat.  LA 

A:  Earthworms make an excellent live food for fishes large enough to eat them.  Lots of earthworms will live under water for a while.  Little ones seem to live longer than larger ones.  Nightcrawlers usually kick off within a couple days.  LA

LA
12.30.05.  Under 3-inch lungfish showing up this year.

LA
11.18.08.  Under 5-inch lungfish showing up this year.

A:  As Billy Joel said: ♫ "You might be right, I might be crazy."♫  Actually, baby lungfish do have external gills which they lose.  However, those little dudes could have been juvenile salamanders.  My three years ago memory is a little muzzy today.  But most salamander larvae have legs.  We'll need to bump this up to the supreme court.  LA
PS:  It wouldn't be the first time I've been crazy.  But I am going to limit you to a single tsk.

A:  I'll trust your multiple sources.  You do not even need to notarize them.  I should have said:  I haven't seen any of these little guys grow larger than three inches.  Thanks for the added info.  I'll add it to the page right now.  You should be able to see it this afternoon.  LA

A:  Female Siamese fighting fish are aggressive -- more so when warmed up to a tropical temperature.  They are less aggressive than males and can often be kept together -- especially when kept together from a young age.  Keeping them in a larger container also helps.  Adding dither fish (your friend's three minnows) to diffuse their aggression also helps.  You probably cannot put your two together in a small bowl again.  LA

A:  You may have added a chemical that throws off your water tests.  Or you may need to test your tap water.  Since you have nothing living in your tank yet, drain the tank.  The fungus is growing on organic matter in your driftwood.  Place your driftwood in a bucket, add a cup of bleach, soak it two days, rinse well, and let dry for two days.  In the meantime, you have long ago refilled your tank and aged your water.  Reinsert your driftwood and start over.  LA

A:  Contact Carolina Biological Supply.  LA

A:  Over here when students do the same thing, we put them on ritalin (in lieu of giving them something interesting to do).  But it just sounds like your little black ghost knife fish is looking for food.  LA

A:  I like to feed them small amounts twice a day.  LA

A:  I am the owner of Aqualand Pets Plus.  However, we do not sell thru the internet.  We are a retail store located in Des Moines, Iowa (in the heart of Highland Park and just across the street from Hiland Park Hardware and Hiland Bakery, neither of which are considered world class spellers).  LA
PS  Actually, we're located on the Oak Park side of the street but we're still in the hearts (and minds) of the Highland Parkers.

A:  If you decide to come in, make it Saturday.  We have a bunch of new snakes coming in tomorrow.  We have several ball pythons on hand right now.  Call 515 283-0300 if you want a current inventory.  LA

A:  Not so much any more.  Des Moines and Iowa have both made it difficult to own snakes over six feet in length.  I can't post prices on the web.  Somebody will see the prices 20 years from now, get all excited., and insist on ordering them by mail (if mail still exists).  Just call us @ 283-0300.  LA

A:  You probably saw a corn snake.  They come in about 20 different colors.  We just (November 21) received a blood python you might like.  Here's his or her picture.  LA

LA

A1:  Most plecos eat wood.  They love it.  They prefer not to share.
A2:  Go to our Misc Mini-Fish page for small fish info.  LA