A:  We have a backup generator that we haven't used for a couple decades.  Most power failures only affect one grid.  We have a different grid across the street.  So we just run 2 to 300 feet of extension cord across the street and hook up our essential systems.  Be careful tapping into a generator.  You may need an electrician to hook into your circuit breaker box.  LA

A:  You didn't give me many clues to your location.  Sounds likke you're in the south, but not deep south.  Anyway, frogbit is an annual and should regrow in the spring.  LA

A:  Leave the egg case dangling in your cage.  Put it outside in an unheated protected area.  They go thru several freezes in the wild.  After a couple months outside, you can bring them inside to hatch.  You will get more baby mantids than you can handle.  LA

A:  Use a nylon tie to secure your cage under the eave of your roof -- out of the sun and the rain.  LA

A:  We've used three different types of betta cups.  Send me a pic of the one you mean, and I'll see what I can do.  LA

LA
These guys make a lot of cups.  You'll need to find a local supplier.

A1:  The cup on the left required us to snip off the end of that "male" lid.  As is is, there's not enough water volume for the bettas.  Our last bettas came in these.  They cost $0.45 each when purchased separately.  The roundtails come in the middle cup.  The opaque lid cuts off the light and makes the bettas hard to see.  The one on the right is semi-opaque.  Unfortunaely, I bought 1,000 of these.  I prefer the 4-inch glass rose bowls.  They look good and are easy to clean.  They do require more shelf space.  Nothing is perfect.
A2:  Your gobies evidently just ate some feeder guppies.  LA
PS  Check out their web site.

A:  We are supposed to receive 10 young degus on Tuesday, 12/16.  LA

A:  I like to add a teaspoon of salt to almost all my fish -- especially livebearers.  The black ghost knife fish do not appear to suffer from it.  LA

A:  Almond leaves are one of the few things we will ship.  We stopped stocking the trained fighters because no one would bet against them.  When you see one in action, you'll see why everyone says "No thanks."  LA

A:  Nice iguana pix.  I (my main researcher) spent an hour updating some of the iguana words I wrote last millennium.  Okay, no bananas because they can't flatulate.  I see no problem with carrots or lettuce.  Iceberg lettuce is not recommended by anybody, but it's not really harmful.  The leafy lettuce is nutritious.  We don't recommend heat rocks any more even as an alternate heat source.  Locking on to any single food long-term is never good.  Ditto locking into any single web site for info.  Thanks for your input and the pix.  The changes will upload this afternoon.  LA

A:  Odessa barbs are probably your best hair algae eaters.  However, start by pulling out most of it by hand.  Then reduce your light -- fewer hours, lower wattage, tape over part of your fluorescent bulbs, and put a screen between your tank and any window light.  Don't change your temp.  Feel free to add AlgaeSafe if the other techniques don't control it.  LA

A:  If you don't want your loaches to eat algae wafers, quit feeding algae wafers to your loaches.  Personally, I see nothing wrong with feeding them the wafers.  Algae wafers contain lots of ingredients besides algae.  The loaches that eat snails best?  Clown loaches.  However, they'll probably argue with your yo-yos.  LA 

A:  I'm sorry but I cannot recommend any web site fish mongers.  You pays your money and you takes your chance.  LA

A:  They were supposed to come yesterday or today if it did not snow.  So much for Plan A.  Both my evening classes were also cancelled.  LA

A:  Our expected hamsters are in Corydon.  They were to be delivered to our supplier near Ottumwa but the breeder felt it was too cold to transport them.  At 14 below this evening and wind chill dipping into the 30 to 40 below range, so much for that hardy pioneer stock we've heard so much about.  You just can't count on global warming anymore.  LA

A:  You can expect all catfish with long whiskers to eat more aggressively at night.  They eventually adjust to whatever feeding schedule you come up with.  Perhaps larger clumsier fish (like goldfish) will work better than tiny feeder guppies.  Earthworms, frozen bloodworms, frozen plankton, and other tasty morsels will also work.  LA

    LA 

A:  Gar -- probably short-nose gar.  LA

A:  Mixing Amercan and African ciclids usually leads to problems with very few exceptions.  The species you mention are reliably aggressive as are most African lake species.  Most of them get along quite well as long as you crowd them.  Peacocks and electric yellows are the sissiest.  Single reps from different species mix best, but remember that zebras come in many colors.  Age and temperature increase their aggression.  Then remember that cichlids tend to violate every heurism or rule of thumb promulgated on the web or in print.  LA 

LA
2-inch fish in question, Champsochromis caeruleus, Malawi trout.

A:  Thanks for the ID.  They came in with several other 1-inch fish.  Looks like they need their own tank now.  LA

LA
One cage of guinea pigs, Dec. 20, 2008.

A:  Excellent idea.  I'll send you a new photo album each day.  LA

LA
These five and two others came in while I was at lunch.

A:  These five (and two others) came in while I was at lunch.  LA

LA
The other two.

LA
Chinchilla Pictorial

A:  Tough question.  The five chinchillas in our current colony all get along together.  They're all youngsters.  We usually house the adults separately.  If you stick with two, you shouldn't have squabbles.  If you just get one, it will bond to you rather than another chinchilla.  You can let them roam the room, but note the gnaw marks on their box.  They like to gnaw on furniture and wires.  They can be neutered but you'll need to search for the right vet.  LA