Lisa Downing, December 9, 2005
I was driving past your shop yesterday and noticed the kittens in the window.  Are they available for purchase?  If so, are there any females in the litter?  How much are you selling them for?  Thank you for your assistance.  Your web site is amazing.

A:  I can’t remember if there are females (but probably).  They cost $80.  Give us a call at 283-0300 and we can give you more info.  Thanks for the accolade.  LA

Nick Blay, Indianola, IA, December 11, 2005
I would like to sign up for your monthly eSpecials. I was also wondering if you have any jeweled lacertas at this time Thanks

A:  You are now on our eSpecials list.  We have no jeweled lacertas at present.  I’ll keep my eyes open for lacertas on the price lists we receive.  They’re probably seasonal.  LA

Joe Heinen, DC, (Joe added SC later) December 11, 2005
I was wondering if you knew of a source for live bloodworms?

A:  You didn’t say where you’re from.  Here in Des Moines you can find the eggs in the settling ponds at Waterworks Park and in Witmer Pond.  You can probably find the eggs in most bodies of water in Iowa.  You can probably harvest the adults at night (if you can stand the mosquitoes) from these same ponds or lakes.  Use one of those butterfly nets from the Dollar Store.  They have the right size mesh.  Duct tape it to a broom handle if you intend to stay on dry land.  Refer to our blood worm page for more info.  By the way, you will have little luck finding them in our Iowa weather for about four months.  LA

Lau Brew, December 11, 2005
I need some serious help. I use to have an Oscar years ago and he lived for ten years. I just went and bought a small oscar and it died 4 days later. I went and bought 2 more and they aren’t looking too well already and I have only had them for a couple hours. They were all lively and eating when I put them in the tank but now all they are doing is lying on the bottom of the tank and barely moving. What is happening and what could be the problem?

A:  First, most new oscars hit the bottom and lie there looking up at you with one eyeball.  They usually do that the first day.  Second, baby oscars are coming in a lot smaller than they used to arrive.  They cost a third less but they’re about a third smaller and thus more tender.  We have to treat them like babies.  They need baby foods like frozen brine shrimp and live blackworms.  We’ve converted to mediums recently.  They cost twice as much as the babies but only a third more than the babies used to cost.  Keep their tank clean and warm them to 80 degrees.  Good luck with your baby oscars.  LA
PS:  Let me know how they are in a month.