LA
1-inch roseline shark (?) fry.

A:  You could be right.  I don't know.  I've removed him from his 29-gallon tank and re-homed him in a 3.5-gallon tank for observation.  I look at him every day but I've never seen an inch-long roseline shark before.  Only time will tell.  LA
PS  If you are correct, I'll add your comments to the spawning page.

LA
Mostly cabomba to "catch" the eggs.

LA
Filter system.

LA
Basically a 29 full of cabomba plants.

A:  This particular attempt was in a heavily planted 29.  My next attempt will use a 20H stuffed with vegetation.  I'm conditioning the potential breeders in their own individual 10-gallon tanks.  I'll put them together in November.  LA

A:  I get lots of my fish from two wholesalers in Chicago.  Check the local fish clubs to see which shops they recommend.  There are undoubtedly lots of good fish stores there.  I've been in several but too long ago to think they're still the same.  LA

LA
Bottom view of a 1.25-inch freshwater flounder.

A:  If by hog choker you meant the freshwater flounder, I'd say yes -- unless your pond freezes to the bottom.  LA

A:  While I was changing the water today, I saw one nearly 3-inch tiger shovelnose and one 6-inch tiger shovelnose X redtail catfish hybrid.  I can't remember prices.  Call 283-0300 and ask.  LA

LA

A:  They give you vague answers because not all African cichlids are alike in size and temperament (especially when spawning).  And males are even more unpredictable.  Your best bet is to work with your local fish store (and what's available locally).  The bigger the tank you keep them in and the more riprap you provide, the less likely they are to beat the crap out if each other.   LA
PS  You can put a lot more in there when they're juveniles than when they're adults.

Scott, October 24, 2011
Saw this pic on your website under the Aquatic plant Hygrophila

 

LA

 

Could you tell me what tall plant that is on the right side of the aquarium behind the rock?

A:  Jungle val, Vallisneria americana.  LA

A:  Turtles are not known for their rock-climbing skills.  Heat rocks have fallen out of favor with lizard (which are great rock climbers) keepers because lizards defecate on them which can cause bacterial problems.  Iguanas love heat and will spend hours on a hot rock.  If you want to warm up a turtle, a basking light works better.  Depending on your room temp, lots of U.S. turtles need no extra heat.  Some tortoises do much better at higher temps.  I don't use heat rocks for any of my captive turtles (and I can get them wholesale).  LA

LA

A:  Your Butis butis will eat your dwarf corys and eventually kill your leaf fish and butterfly fish.  LA

A:  Keep doing exactly what your vet recommended.  You could also add crickets to his menu.  LA

A:  I did not know that until now and I am shocked to hear it.  LA

A:  Because of our renovation process we have no plans to expand our guinea pig stock.  Maybe sometime in the spring?  LA

A:  I would leave them a pelleted crab food way above their water level but still reachable.  Most foods work fine until they get wet and start spoiling.  The kind of fish I always feed the patriots is dead fish (when you have several tanks of feeder fish, some always expire overnight.)  I've never fed the fiddlers a fish.  Ant oy the hermit crab foods are easier.  LA