Aqualand Q&As August 1-10, 2007

 
Amphibians
Axolotls
Caecilian Worm
Chaco Toad
Mud Puppies

Newts General
Newts Eastern
Newts Golden

Newts Mandarin
Salamanders
Suriname Toad
Tadpoles
Terrarium I
Terrarium II
USA Toads
Water Dogs
Misc. Toads

Frogs
Bull
Clawed
Dumpy
Dwarf
Fire-Belly
Floating
Green Tree
Leopard
Pac Man
Pipa pipa
Pyxie
Red-Eyed Tree
Tomato
Misc Frogs 
Misc Frogs II
Misc Frogs III
Misc Frogs IV

Misc Frogs V

Animals
Bunnies
Bunnies II 
Chinchillas
Degus
Ferrets
Ferrets by BOB
Gerbils
Ground Squirrels
Guinea Pig
Hamsters I
Hamsters II
Hamsters III
Hamsters IV
Hamsters V
Hedgehogs
Kittens
Kids & Kittens
Mice
Mice Pets II
Parasites
Rats I
Rats II
Rats III
Rats, Hairless
S-T Opossums
Siberian Chipmunks
Sugar Gliders
Sugar Gliders II
Water Bottles

Bugs
Crabby 500
Crab 04 Results
Centipedes
Cray/Lobsters
Crayfish II
Crayfish III
Cray, Yucatan
Fiddler Crabs
Shrimp, Algae
Shrimp, Aqua
Shrimp, Red
Shrimp, Flower

Shrimp, Ghost
Shrimp, Rudolph
Hermit Crabs
Hermit Crabs II
Madagas Roach
Mantids
Mini-Clams
Mini-Crabs
Patriot Crabs
Giant Millipedes
Red Claw Crabs
Reiman Butterfly
Snail, Apple
Snail, Colombian
Snail, Land
Snail, Malaysian

Snail, Mystery
Snail, Trapdoor 
Scorpions
Tarantulas
Tarantulas II
Tarantula Night 2006
TarantulaWeen VII
TarantulaWeen 9
Misc. Bugs
Misc Bugs II  

Birds
Breeding Tips

Button Quail
Canaries

Cockatiels
Dove, Diamond
Dove, Ringneck
Finches
Love Birds
Parakeets
Pelleted Foods
Quaker Parrots

Parrot Pictures
Parrot Pix II

Parrot Pix III
Dave's Parrots


Lizards
Alligators
Anoles
Bearded Dragon

Beardies II
Calotes
Chamel, Jackson
Chamel, Panther
Chamel, Veiled
Crested Geckos
Gecko, Golden

Gecko, House
Gecko, Leopard
Gecko, Tokay
Horned "Toads"
Iguana New
Iguana Dragons
Iguana Q&A I
Iguana Q&A II
Iguana Training
Iguana Update
Cool Iguana Pics
Knight Anoles
Monitors, Nile

Monitors, Savana
Monitors, Water

Salmonella
Skinks
Skinks Blue-Tongue
Tegus
Uromastyx maliensis
Water Dragon
Misc Lizards
Misc Lizards 2
Misc Lizards 3
Misc Lizards 4
Misc Lizards 5

Misc Lizards 6
Misc Lizards 7
Misc Lizards 8
Misc Lizards 9


Snakes
Anacondas
Boa, Rosy

Boa, Red-Tail
Corn Snake
Garter Snake
Green Snake
Kids/Corn Snakes
Kids/Red-Tail Boas

Kids at Pet Expo 1

Kids at Pet Expo 2

Kids at Pet Expo 3

Kids at Pet Expo 4

Kids at Pet Expo 5
King & Milk
Python, Ball
Python, Burmese

Snakes Alive
Snakesgiving
Snakesgiving II

Misc Snake Pix
Misc Snakes II

Misc Snakes III  

Turtles/Tortoises
Box, Asian
Box, USA
Races
Snapping

Sulcata
Water

Western Painted

Live Foods
Blackworms
Blood Worms
Br Shrimp I
Br
Shrimp II
Crayfish 1
Crayfish 2
Crayfish 3 
Crickets
Daphnia
Earthworms
Feeder Goldfish
Fruit Flies
Ghost Shrimp

Glass Worms

Grindal Worms
Infusoria
Mealworms
Microworms
Rosy Reds

Super Worms

Wax Worms
White Clouds

 

Decorating
Bubbles
Driftwood
Gravel
Plastic Plants
Rocks
Slow Growing Plants

Miscellaneous
Bob's Acclimation

How to Start
How to Add New Fish
How to Keep Healthy
Which Fish Get Along?
10 Questions to Ask
What is Ich?
Under Gravel Filters

Sponge Filters
Cloudy Water

Cool Water Tanks
Gravel Vacuums
Preventing Disease
Feeding to the Max
Frozen Foods
Green Water
Nasty Chemicals
Overfeeding
Power Filters
Rift Lake Salts
Quarantine Tank
Mini-Tank
2nd Av Bait

Pet World Visit
Dandelions

Aquatic Plants
Amazon Swords
More Swords
Sword Plants III

Anubias
Aponogetons
A. boivinianus
A. fenestralis
A. ulvaceous
Aquarium/Bog
Banana Plant
Bolbitis
Bunch
Bunch Plants II
Cryptocorynes
Crystalwort
Dwarf Lily
Grassy
Grassy II
Hornwort
Hygrophila
Lace
Java Lance Fern
Java Moss
Moss Balls
Onion
Vermiculite

Watersprite

We don't ship critters or live fish.
When writing us, include your location. 
LA_Aqualand@msn.com

Elsa Wilson, Bahamas, August 1, 2007
Here are some pics of the spotted barb that my pet store claimed was a
tinfoil barb. Looks like the pics of the spotted barb on your barb page http://www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Minnows,%20Barbs.htm His eye has improved a bit, but is still a bit protuberant, u can see the swelling slightly in one of the pics. I hope he makes it. He's quite active and eating well.
Elsa in the Bahamas.

EW

A:  You can find more info on the spotted barbs by looking for Puntius binotatus.  Threat them like an average barb.  They get about half the size of the tinfoils.  LA

Jamela Wilson, August 1, 2007
I am really impressed with your website it is chock full of information which we had been looking for and kept getting numerous different opinions like what fish we could mix. Anyhow, I have a question for you. My husband just got a new tank from a friend that didn't want it anymore. The problem is that we know the fish in it before died of some sort of disease. That's why he got rid of it. So how do we insure that the tank is not contaminated and clean it before we move our fish over to this tank? If you could please help us I'd really appreciate it or even give us a site on the web to look it up. Thank you. JJ

A:  If you want to sterilize it, fill it with water and pour in a quart of bleach.  Let it soak for two days.  Then rinse thoroughly and proceed as if it were a new tank.  However, I'd just rinse it well and proceed as if there were never a disease in it.  LA

Pamela Sue Barnes, Macdoel, CA, August 1, 2007
I came across your website while trying to find out what the attached toad/frog was and wow, what a wild and wonderfully informant website you have.  You have pictures of some really different “things”; things I didn’t know existed.  I was wondering if you could help me identify the attached critters?
Two years ago I moved to Northern California and now live on a ranch.  I was thrilled to get to see a blue tailed skink; something I didn’t know existed.  I am trying to learn what critters are safe and which are dangerous here.  I have a variety of snakes to deal with while I am gardening and have pretty much figured out which to avoid and which are safe. However there is one I can not find on the internet nor does anyone know what it is.  You will have to zoom in on the photo, but it is a gray green soft skinned looking thing with big black beady eyes.  Unlike the huge gopher/bull snakes I have here, this green snake will quickly slither away as soon as he sees me.  A gal I had watering for me while we were gone stated two of them chased her…I have never experienced that.
Also, I have these cute little toads that are always in my potted plants on the patio. However I occasionally need to move them to safety as they are in an area I need to work but I am afraid to handle them without my rubber gloves.  After I move them there is always a lot of slime on my gloves. What is this and is it poisonous?  They can really jump too!  I call them Zorro toads as they look like they have a little black mask. ☺
I truly appreciate your help.

PSB

PSB

A:  Thanks for the gushy letter.  Unfortunately, I don't recognize either one of these critters.  The second one is a tree frog rather than a toad.  I'd suspect the "California tree frog," but they supposedly grow only in the southern part of your state.  You can probably get better info if you contact your California DNR.  LA
PS 
Nice pix.

Paul Cox, August 1, 2007
I went to the best fish pet store in greater Indianapolis (the reef). They had a few salvinis. They're much bigger than my guy was back in the day. I now see why you say they would not mix well w/jewels or firemouths. This guy had a nice set of chompers -- very visible teeth. And he was big! Much bigger than what I remember.
So then back to the original drawing board. What would be your thoughts on a 55 gallon tank w/several firemouths and jewels? Say maybe 6 of each? Would they all get along and play nice?

A:  Start with young ones and they should grow up well together -- at least until they pair up and spawn.  Include lots of rockworks and caves.  If you want lots of variety, just add one of each species.  Cichlids play well together until they pair off.  LA

Kelly Smith, August 2, 2007
Hi, My husband and I were out of town for three days and our 3 adult tokays (2 females, 1 male) laid 2 eggs.  This isn't the first time we've had eggs, but last time we did hatch two babies, which are doing fantastic.  We were worried because the eggs look a little bit shriveled, one more than the other.  The eggs are both attached in between a log and the glass.  We were wondering if you had any advice in caring for eggs in this situation.  Thanks

A:  Get out your sprayer/mister and lightly dampen the eggs two or three times a day.  Or you could put a dish of water below them, insert a paper towel wick, and lean it against the two eggs.  Once the eggs plump up, remove the wick.  LA

Jordan Spiva, August 2, 2007
On your Parrot Profiles page I think you made a mistake. There is a boy in an orange shirt and on his arm is a conure. You said it was a half moon conure but it looks to me like a maroon bellied conure or a green cheeked conure.

A:  Okay, as long as you're positive.  LA

Kevin Coutinho, Canada, August 2, 2007
Hi, I saw your articles and pictures of your Badis badis.  I'm not sure how old they are but was wondering if you have any in stock?   Also, do you or did you have females?    I am looking for some Badis badis, so far there's only one store in the local area that has any and they are all male.
I also noticed that your website says that you don't ship fish.   Do you know of anyone that breeds Badis badis in the US or someone that imports them?    Specifically Badis badis burmanicus.  Thanks,

A:  I shot those pix within the last two years.  Chameleon fish are not a popular fish.  They only become available three or four times a year.  We might sell 30 in an excellent year.  The burmanicus are not near as popular.  Only real fish nuts like these guys.  Congratulations.  LA

Tiffany Dostert, Minot ND, August 2, 2007
Hey, One of my many cats had her first litter of kittens about 5 weeks ago. We assume she only had 4 kittens because that's all we found. Two of them died within a week, and the third one died at like 3 weeks give or take. The last one is still alive but she caught an eye infection from some older kittens. It seems to have settled in both eyes at about 3 weeks of age. It's starting to clear up, but one of her eyes (when the gunk is cleaned off) is covered in a red piece of skin when she opens her eye.  We assume she is blind but do you think it will ever clear up?   

A:  Usually kittens are protected against most diseases for their first six weeks by the antibodies in the colostrum they get from their mother.  Your having several cats exposes your kittens to more pathogens than they can ward off.  Or, they could be genetically weak from birth.  And there's always the possibility of feline leukemia.  As for the eye, get some antibiotic ointment and apply it to the kitten's eyes.  Repeat twice a day for ten days.  LA
PS  I'm not a vet but I saw one on TV once.  You really need to take your cats to the vet.  At minimum, get them screened for feline leukemia.

Jennifer Herman, August 2, 2007
Do you have lineolated parakeets or know someone who does?  Thanks!!

A:  No and no.  But after looking them up on various sites, I decided that I want some also.  LA

To Tony West, IHS, August 3, 2007
Do you have any preference as to which of these you'd prefer on our Aqualand Home Page?


 

Tony West, IHS, August 4, 2007
Larry, They both look good. I think I like the 1st one better. Thanks for adding that to your page. I hope to see you as a vendor this year at the sale too.

A:  I don't have time to be there as a vendor.  My only day off is Tuesday.  But I'll try to get there on my lunch hour.  If I take enough usable photos, I'll make a page for your group.  I'll include one of your applications. I'll pick up one of your brochures at the sale.  LA

 

Lynn, Southern CA, August 4, 2007
Hello, I have inherited some trumpet snails. They must have come with a live plant I bought a while back. Needless to say, they are multiplying like mad!  I am taking them out of the aquarium as I see them, and placing them in a fish bowl.  I thought I read somewhere that they will not reproduce in cooler water, but that doesn't appear to be true since I just found a ton of babies floating on top of the water in the fish bowl. At first, I thought it was just little pieces of leftover fish food, but I got my magnifying glass, and sure enough, it was baby snails!
I don't have the heart to kill them (even though I drained the first batch before I realized what they were!:(), but I was wondering what, if anything, can be done to stop them from reproducing?
Thanks for your help!

A:  Put no food in their water.  They will stop reproducing.  LA

Lx, Canada, August 4, 2007
HI from Canada! You seem to know what you're talking about, so maybe you can answer my question (nobody as of yet has managed to).
I have a semi-aquatic tank containing a crayfish, 2 fire belly toads and
a fire belly newt. The substrate is gravel and there is no filtration or anything else (which has been fine so far).
I recently put in some tubifex worms that apparently didn't get eaten and now there are way too many in the tank, all sticking up and looking all gross.
It's overpopulated.
How do I kill these? I really don't want to take out all the gravel or anything like that. Any ideas? I really hope you can help me! Thanks, and great site!!

A:  Add a corydoras catfish or two.  They love tubifex worms.  LA

Dan, August 4, 2007
Hi, do you have any Siberian Chipmunks available? Thanks,

A:  Two.  LA

Robert Sunderland., Maroochydore, Australia, August 5, 2007
Hello, I just found your site tonight and thought it was great. I've been having a go at breeding bettas, but the ventral fins in most of them aren't growing at all.
It's not genetic, because this is happening with totally unrelated fish.
I've been told it's from bacteria.
Will putting large snails in the fry tank, as you suggest help this problem? It's pretty hard to clean the fry tank without sucking up the fry. Or do you have another suggestion? Thank you
 
A:  Usually a bacteria population creates a scum on the surface and suffocates small bettas. I've never heard of bacteria affecting ventral fins, but we'll take a shot at reducing bacteria.  A 90% water change with aged water will get rid of 90% of the bacteria.  Bacteria reproduce exponentially, so you'll need to do it twice a day or more.  Mystery snails always help clean up the detritus on the bottom.  They change it to a substance still available to bacteria but reduce the amount.  You can also add a sponge filter.  Rotifers grow on sponge filters and eat bacteria.  Mini-clams and flower shrimp will also filter out bacteria.  Most of the water clarifiers contain aluminum sulfate which makes small particles clump together and thus filter out more efficiently.  Potassium permanganate oxidizes organic matter and will zap bacteria.  Use it lightly.  It will oxidize anything organic (including baby bettas) if used full strength.  LA
 
Tyler Pasrdekooper, Iowa, August 5, 2007
Hello, I have a question and I was wondering if you could help me? I have a Leopard Gecko that won't shed its skin. It has shed some skin, and there is a layer of more skin that is coming off under that. I have tried to help it. I think
there's some over its eyes and it can't open them. Can you help me on how to get it to shed or should I come in or what? Thanks,

A:  Invest a buck in a small soft plastic container -- like one of those Glad sandwich containers.  Cut a gecko-size hole in the side.  Put a layer of six wet paper towels on the bottom.  Snap the lid on it and put it in his cage.  He will climb into it fairly fast and re-hydrate his skin.  Change the wet paper towels daily.  If you make the towels "loose," he can crawl between the layers and the process will take less time.  LA       

Lx, Canada, August 5, 2007
Will a cory/catfish/kuhli be ok in an unfiltered, unaerated, unheated
semi-aquatic set up? Thanks for your reply!

A:  Yes on the cory.  LA

Josh Uhlerbrook, Dayton, OH, August 6, 2007
Hi, As long as corn snakes are fed on a regular basis, will they eat one
another if they are different sizes? Thanks,

A:  Not intentionally.  However, they might accidentally.  If one corn snake starts swallowing a mouse from the head end, and the other snake grabs the mouse by the butt, one of the the two may swallow the other -- even if they're of equal size.  You can keep them together, but I'd recommend feeding them separately.  LA

Josh Uhlerbrook, Dayton, OH, August 6, 2007
Another question for you. I love reptiles and want to pick herpetology up as a side thing with my engineering. What's the best way to get into herpetology?

A:  Just google the word herpetology.  LA
 
Carol, New Jersey, August 6, 2007
I have been looking for a veiled oscar for about a year now.  I don't want an albino, and that is all that I have found.  The only problem is that I live in New Jersey, and you said that you don't ship live animals. I would pay the shipping charges and whatever entails to get a veiled oscar. Your web site is the only one that I have found that has them.   Thank you and please email me back
  

A:  Actually, your living in New Jersey and our not shipping fish are two problems.  The fact that we have no veil-tail oscars today is a third problem.  Mike (our mailer guy) on vacation is a fourth problem.  But what the heck, we're not the gummint.  Small businesses solve problems.  If you really, really want a veil-tail oscar, email me once a month until one becomes available again.  The ball is in your court.  LA        
 

Shawn Dawson, August 6, 2007
Hello, I am trying to identify a possible parasite in my fresh water aquarium.  We have possibly hundreds of them and the best way to describe them is they are round and inspection with a jewelers lens shows they have brown spots with a crease down the center of their bodies.  They are no bigger than a pin head, but they are everywhere.  They came around after our crab got out, so we thought they were babies, but I'm now doubting that, as it seems we had a male crab (he had one big claw).  I've literally searched for hours and have not found anything that can tell me what these things are.  Can you help me out?

A:  They're not parasites.  They're probably one of the many cladocera species.  They're little filter feeders that are eating the bacteria and infusoria that are eating the excess food you are feeding your fish.  LA

9792511840, August 1, 2007
Hey im buying my fiddler  crabs from wal-mart.i know how to setup the tank but what kind of dechlorominator do i have to use and does.

A:  Sorry for the late reply, but I couldn't figure out your name.  We prefer NovAqua.  LA

Dave, August 6, 2007
How do you know if the goldfish are male or female?

LA Pic
Note breeding bumps on gill cover of this male comet goldfish.

A:  Males are skinnier and longer.  Females are plumper.  During breeding season (usually spring) you can see the above breeding tubercles on the males' gill covers and sometimes pectoral fins.  Females in season will look lop-sided from the top because their ovaries fill up at different times.  I cannot tell on young ones.  LA

Robert Sunderland., Maroochydore, Australia, August 6, 2007
Thanks Larry, That was a lot of useful information. I'll put it to practice and see what happens. Another Question.
Q: Apparently nobody has ever bred Pictus Catfish in captivity. I've been doing a bit of research on their environment. But I have not seen anything to say exactly how they do spawn. E.G in a cave, in the mud or do they act like cuckoo catfish? Do you know how they spawn? Thank you.

A:  I've never considered spawning them myself, and I don't know anyone who's spawned them.  They're probably triggered by the rainy season in the Amazon river.  Could be temperature, depth, clarity, rain water, change in pH, DH, dissolved solids.  Who knows?  Send me a report if you succeed.  LA

 

Cinnamon Pace, Flagstaff, AZ, August7, 2007
Hi! I am writing you because I saw that you have mudskippers on your web page.  I am wondering if you currently have any in stock or if you know of any other aquarist that carries them? Thank you very much!

A:  We have them in stock about half the time but not today.  However, we do not ship fish.  I'm not sure who else might stock them.  LA

Cinnamon Pace, Flagstaff, AZ, August7, 2007
Hi!  Do you ever carry Periophthalmus argentilineauts, or is it strictly
Periophthalmus barbarus?  Thanks!

A:  I have no clue.  Sometimes they're listed as coming from India.  Sometimes from Vietnam.  I prefer the ones from Africa.  LA

Joel Benford, August 7, 2007
Hey, your page is messed up.  It is fine when you first go to the home page but then when you click on a link everything ends up so far to the left that you can only see the very right edge of everything.  Your page doesn't work on Safari.  Everything is off to the left out of the screen. I tried it with FireFox and everything was fine. You need to update your page for Mac browsers.

A:  I have no clue what Safari is.  Yours is the first comment I've had on this in four years.  Sorry.  Stick with Firefox.  LA

Bob, VA, August 8, 2007
Hi, Safari is a new web browser made by Apple. It comes in 3 versions. One is for windows, another is for the Iphone , and the last version is for the Mac. The windows version works fine with your site and the others should too. I still prefer Internet Explorer 6 because at 800x600 with the auto hide feature turned on, the favorites are automatically displayed by simply moving the pointer to the extreme left hand side which lets you pick and choose your favorite sites. Move the pointer to the right and the favorites slide to the left and vanish until you move the pointer to the far left again. This works only in full screen mode.

A:  Thanks.  I actually understood part of that.  The tables look weird when scoped out in Google.  The site looks best if you use Internet Explorer.  LA

Sonny Lykos, Naples, FL, August 8, 2007
I noticed Indian almond leaf on your web site, but could not find a price or how to order some packets of it.  I was told by an angelfish (freshwater) 
breeder that it's a great product to use to keep the ph down (to around 6.2)  to rid my tanks of Malaysian Trumpet Snail infestation.

A:  We don't sell thru the mail.  However, I doubt the low pH would get rid of your Malaysian trumpet snails.  Cut your tank feedings in half and they'll starve to death.  LA

Dawn deValk, Rochester, NY, August 8, 2007
Per our phone conversation.  Here's my
Chinese high fin banded shark -- over a foot long in a 50 high tank.

DV

 
A:  Nice pic.  I've never seen a large one.  I understood that their top fin shrank as they grew larger.  Guess not.  You didn't say how old he is.  I'll add your report to my hi-fin shark page.  LA
 
Dawn deValk, Rochester, NY, August 9, 2007
I bought him about a year and a half ago. He was only about 2 maybe 2 1/2 inches when I bought him. I don't think he's that old. His top fin has never shrunk though. He does school with my other shark breeds . They stay under him when he's swimming. It's really cool to watch. I will send you a better picture soon. I'm going to go get a ruler.
Have A great day!!

A:  Thanks.  LA

 
Ashlea Crosser, Des Moines, August 8, 2007
Hi, I don’t know if this is the correct place to inquire about this, but I was wondering if you guys were hiring! If you could let me know that would be great! Thanks,

A:  This is as good as anyplace.  We have no openings today.  Things slow down a bit in the summer.  You may want to check again in November.  LA

David Gersh, Houston, TX, August 8, 2007
I did a Google search for "catfish diseases" and found your site. I have an albino Pleco, about three years old, three inches in length. It has recently developed patches of gray on its body.  Is this a sign of disease or a natural color change? Thank you.

A:  I don't know.  I probably wouldn't know even if I could see your pleco in real life.  I would recommend NOT throwing any type of medication in your tank.  Cut him from the herd and give him his own Quarantine Tank.  Then treat him only if you have some idea of what the "disease" is.  LA

Kelly, August 9, 2007
Hi, How do I know when my little baby spiders are going to molt? My biggest little one who was a good eater has stopped eating and has gone a little darker? I try and spray the sides of their containers so they can get water. I know some people don't like it. I have a sponge too. If I put some water with an eye dropper, it just goes into the coco peat. I would be thankful for any input you might have. Thanks so much for your time!

A:  Sounds like he/she's ready to molt.  There's no certain way to tell, but they do slow down.  They often flip over on their backs.  Keep misting.  Most of the spiders like it.  All of them need it.  The sponge is optional.  The coco peat also holds water.  LA

Richard P., South FL, August 9, 2007
Knight anoles are VERY common in south Florida backyards. You can find at least 2-5 per yard with trees.  They are commonly called Cuban iguanas or Cuban anoles. They are pretty territorial as well. If you see one in a tree in your yard, you'll see it again in that same area weeks/years later. Love your site. It's the best I've seen for info on pets.  

A:  Thanks for the info.  I'll add it to my Knight Anole page.  LA

Nate Felix, PA, August 9, 2007
I just have a quick question for you about my black bullhead.  It is about 7" and I have been keeping it for about a year and a half now.  But, when I returned from a week long vacation, with minimal feeding (only one of those tablet things), his stomach seems to be "inside-out." It looks like it is stuck in its mouth.  He is still interested in eating, but when he sucks the pellets into his mouth, they just kind of fall out. He hasn't been able to eat for about 4 days, and I don't know what to do. Any and all information about why he is like this and what I should do will be very much appreciated. Thanks,

A:  I don't know what his exact problem is, but I'd quit feeding those pellets for awhile.  Give him some live worms (even a nightcrawler), or small feeder fish, or ghost shrimp.  He'll try much harder to eat them.  LA

Nate Felix, PA, August 10, 2007
Well, I tried the worms, and you were right, he did try much harder to eat them. But, still did not have any luck actually swallowing them.  And every time he opens his mouth you can see a pink "bubble" in his throat.  This is what I was trying to describe to you earlier. It looks like his stomach or some other internal organ.
If you have any other advice or suggestions, I would be very grateful.  And if not, do u maybe know what would cause this?  I might try to manually push his stomach back down his throat : \.  I really don't know what else to do.
Thanks again,

A:  If poking it down by hand doesn't work, try poking a hole in it with a hypodermic needle.  You need a hollow needle to empty the "bubble."  LA

Rachel Miller, North Central Arkansas, August 9, 2007
I am starting up a 20 gallon tank for some fancy guppies, and I would like to add a few BumbleBee Gobies to the tank for a little added flare. I do not know much about these darling little creatures and was happy to get some information from your web site. I see that they tend to be fin nippers. Can they be kept safely with fancy guppy males? How about water conditions? My water is about 7.0-7.8 ph and is on the GH scale of  6-11 which according to the test kit said it was plenty suitable for guppies. Would these be a good addition to my guppy tank? I know they are a little more hard to keep than the guppies, but I am prepared to care for them as I already have South American Cichlids and am used to sensitive fish. Approximately how much salt do the little Gobies like per gallon?
Thank you for any help you can offer!! I would certainly like to have some of these adorable little fishies, but I do not want to add them to the tank if they are not suited.
Also, would they eat Cherry Shrimp?

A:  I would not add bumblebee gobies to any tank with slow-moving, long-finned fishes -- especially male guppies.  Bumblebee gobies are cute but very bitey for their size.  They have a big mouth and a healthy appetite.  Your guppy water would work fine.  Add one teaspoon of salt per gallon.  Your guppies also like the salt.  Bumblebee guppies will chew on your male guppies and on your cherry shrimp.  LA

Lucas Jiang, August 10, 2007
I caught a skink from a field near my house. It was found in normal soil so the substrate I give it is soil and not sand. The problem is that it never comes out, unless I dig it out. It is also quite small, one and a half inches, excluding tail, so I cant feed it crickets. As such, I am feeding it earthworms and woodlice. Is there any way to make it come out? Also, is there any way for me to find out if it is eating?

A:  Skinks insist on hiding.  They know something larger will eat them if they come out and play.  After all, that's what they do to smaller critters.  Unless he's in a bare tank, he will try to hide.  He will be very paranoid in a bare tank.  Little lizards need a hide box.  He will eat crickets -- not breeder size adults -- of appropriate size.  To meter his consumption, feed him in a low dish his food cannot crawl out of.  Earthworms, mealworms, phoenix worms, and maggots will stay in his food dish (mostly).  Skinks eat nearly anything -- even dead stuff like a piece of chicken.  LA

Lucas Jiang, August 12, 2007
He doesn't hide in his hide box. Even if I put him in, he will run away the next day.

A:  He'll figure it out.  Lizards are not real bright.  LA

Joe Carrieri, Long Island, NY, August 10, 2007
I noticed some gaps in the info on your USA Toad page. For temperature it should be about 75-80 degrees on the warm side of the cage, and about 70 on the cool side.  USA Toads prefer higher temperatures than most other amphibians.  Toads housed at lower temps tend to have digestive problems.
For substrates moist cypress mulch or damp coconut fiber is best, I've heard of toads accidentally eating gravel or sand substrates and becoming impacted from it.
 
A:  I'll add your info to my page, but I'll have to say that our Iowa toads have adjusted to lows and highs way beyond their optimum temps.  LA
 
Joe Carrieri, Long Island, NY, August 10, 2007
On your Misc Toad page you have what you listed as a woodhouse toad. That's just another name for a Fowlers toad. They're a little more aquatic than most other toads. They're one of only 2 toad species where I live here on Long Island.

A:  Duly noted.  LA

Deanie Smock, La Porte City, IA, August 10, 2007
LA, I live in La Porte City, Iowa, about 2 hours away from Des Moines.  I have been on your site several times and am rather impressed compared to others that I have seen.
I am in search of a hatchling Iguana.  I have a 6 year old that came to me through adoption, 8 months ago.  He is not real tame.  I am working with him, and slowly he is coming around. But I would like a young one to start with. 
I have done my research and do know and have found out that they are time consuming and expensive to maintain the right way.  He is eating well these days and has the right amount of different lights on him and a temperature controlled environment. 
I have been on the net looking for Breeders and have had no luck. I am going to be in the Des Moines area on the 14th and 15 of Sept. for a convention and was wondering if you could help me out on this? Thanks so much

A:  The quickest way to tame your iguana is to cut the sharp tips off his toenails.  He's a lot easier to handle without his wrist-slashing claws.  We can probably help you find a younger ig.  We say "probably" because you're talking a month from now.  We have about a dozen right now.  We will probably have all different igs by September.  See you then.  LA

Katie Osle, Texas City, TX, August 10, 2007
Hello! My older brother showed me your site, and I had some questions about the Siberian chipmunks. I love chipmunks, so I was quite overjoyed to find a breed of them that is suitable as a pet. I had a few questions about them:
1. I live in Texas City, TX, and wanted to know if you knew of a place where I could purchase a pair of them.
2. Are they legal in states other than Iowa?
3. Do you have an idea of how much they'd cost (on average)?
If you could answer these questions, that'd be great! Thanks!

A1:  No.
A2:  Probably, but I don't know.
A3:  They'd be in the $100 to $150 range per animal.  LA

Chris Wason, Chicago, IL, August 10, 2007
Would you guys ship a clump of Java Moss to an address just outside of Chicago? If so, what would the cost be? Thanks,

A:  $7.

Amy Cassidy, August 10, 2007
Hi I was wondering what kind of South American cichlids you might suggest for a 55 gallon aquarium? Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

A:  Do not pick the ones I like.  Pick the ones YOU like.  You need to take into account local availability and the size of your wallet.  I'd suggest starting with an assortment of youngsters that you like.  LA

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