September 1-10, 2009 questions you asked Aqualand

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

Gerard Voon, Canada, September 1, 2009
Hello, I would like to buy:
One female F5184 Sailfin Green Pr +
One female F5172 Sailfin Gold Pr

A: You probably sent your email to the wrong address, eh? We do not ship fish. LA

Joy, September 2, 2009
Dear Aqualand Pets, I stumbled upon your website while I was searching on Google. I noticed that you guys have a lot of Plecos, so I was wondering if you could help me figure out what kind mine was? I just bought one not too long ago, and have had it for about three days. Attached is a picture of it that I took to show you. The lady I got it from at the store said that it's a cold water Pleco, and that it won't grow much bigger then it already is (about 2 1/2 inches). My main concern is...I was looking up information on Plecos, because I was wondering what breed it was, and I saw a Pleco similar in color to mine, and it said it will get about 12 inches. Are there smaller Plecos? Was the lady at the pet shop right? Sorry for all the questions. I'm just making sure because if the Pleco I have is going to get big I don't have room for it. I only have room for it to get 3 inches max. Thank you,

Joy

A: Sorry. I can't identify your pleco. I'm not sure what a "cold water pleco" might be. You may want a bristlenose pleco. They stay under 5 inches, many even under 4 inches. They cost 3 or 4 times more than small "regular" plecos, probably because they have much smaller spawns. Or go with an otocinclus -- under 2 inches. LA

Rob Becker III, Chicago, IL, September 2, 2009
Larry, My girlfriend and I have a 36 gallon tank with 2 pictus catfish, 1 kissing gourami, 1 gold gourami, 1 powder blue gourami, 2 iridescent sharks, 1 albino iridescent shark, and 1 blood parrot. We wrote you before about the African dwarf frog.
We've been having problems with our 1 iridescent shark we have had for 2 months now. About a month ago we noticed a white fuzzy chunk growing out of his nose. It has been growing rapidly, covering most of his nose over the last month. Over the last few days we noticed our 1 pictus catfish has several smaller holes on its nose. We're not sure what is wrong with them or how we can treat them. If you can help us out in any way, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for your time!

Sincerely and with gratitude,

A: Many iridescent sharks have a tendency to run into the ends of their tanks when they get excited -- especially as they grow larger. Put some plastic plants at the ends -- partially to cushion their headlong rammings and also so they'll know where the water ends. I don't have a clue on your pictus. Quarantine it and try a wide spectrum antibiotic. LA

Ashley and Rob Becker, Chicago, IL, September 2, 2009
Hello again and thanks for all your help, but we're having trouble now with the pH levels in our tank. The pH is constantly reading 6.4. We are treating it with API's pH UP, but it doesn't seem to be helping. Are there any other ways to raise the pH level?
Again thank you so much for your time and help.
p.s. Your page is amazing and sooooo helpful!!

A: Stop messing with your pH. 6.4 is good. LA

Shawn Charton, September 2, 2009
Hey, I just read your page on pictus cats and you neglected to mention their ability to go kamakazi if there's a hole in the lid or the water level is too high. Last week I bought 2 pictus' for my 40 gallon tank. They were VERY excited and I enjoyed watching them very much. (Constant motion doesn't even begin to describe it.) Then one day I walked by the tank and noticed that the constant motion had calmed to a random pacing along the back wall. Turns out one of the cats had gotten so excited in making loops that he came straight out the back of the aquarium through a hole cut for the filter system and dried up on my carpet. I lowered my water level and bought a new buddy for the other pictus which, if I didn't know better, was MOPING around the back of the tank looking for his friend. (I'm not someone who normally attributes human behaviors to fish but this was such a drastic change it really seems to be appropriate.) Anyway, love the site. Thanks for all the good info and bazillion hours it takes to create such a comprehensive site.

A: Consider it mentioned now. I added your comments to my pictus page. LA

Aftab Lokhandwala, Pune City, Maharashtra, India, Sept 2, 2009

About six months ago, we got our fish tank. It is approximately 3ft length * 2ft width * 3ft depth.

We have kept a few Koi, goldfish and angelfish and redtail sharks.

Recently, one goldfish had one eye eaten and I suspected a fish called Ramirezi here. We gave it away. What I would like to know is that is the Ramirezi guilty?

Do red-tailed sharks get along well with goldfish? Sometimes I notice the shark chasing the goldfish. My goldfish are all above one inch, with the shubunkin reaching 6 inches plus.

I also wanted to know if I introduce guppies in my tank, will the Koi eat them? The Koi seems to eat anything that fits in its mouth.

I also am planning to keep discus fish. Do three discus get together well, or should I get more? They don't seem to pick on each other. In fact, they get along quite well. Do discus form orders? Because I have observed that the larger discus always leads and eats first.

Another thing I wanted to ask is how to determine the male and the female in Shubunkin goldfish? Someone told me that I should pick it up, look at it from the top and if it appears chubbier on a side, it is a female. But the goldfish don't appreciate being picked up. I have to get a free shower every time I try. Is there any way I can tell the gender without getting wet?I have only one sucker fish in the tank. Should I get any more? The one I am talking about is only two inches long.

Thanking you, yours truly

A1: I doubt the ramirezi was the eye-biting culprit.
A2: Redtail sharks like to chase everything.
A3: Yes, your koi will eat your guppies.
A4: Don't mix discus with your other fish
A5: You can take the light off the top of your tank and view your shubunkin from the top while she's in your tank. Females are lumpier because usually only one ovary fills at a time. Unless you plan to breed them, their sex makes little difference.
A6: One algae-eating fish will usually suffice. Namaste. LA

Ariel, Atlanta, GA, September 5, 2009

Re: isolating bettas in small spaces

I could keep you in my 1x1 closet and throw you some food every now and then and you'd live. In fact, your skin would become more beautiful than others because you'd have no sun damage. Of course, you would become mentally retarded (from lack of social contact) but you would be ALIVE!!! You might even smile at me now and then (Stockholm syndrome) and I would determine you are happy in your 1x1 cage. You wanna try it out for a few years? Then you can actually speak from experience...

Try raising bettas in a pond like I have...it's a beautiful experience. You might make an earth shattering discovery like--fish like to swim!!! They also need to socialize.

What a concept. FISH_LIKE_TO_SWIM

Isolating any animal in a small space--including snakes--is cruel.

A: How long have you had this fantasy of keeping me in your closet? LA

Alexis Gueco, TX, September 5, 2009

Hey LA, I've been pondering these two questions for a while, so here goes: 1. Are you the owner of Aqualand? Because it seems like it on the website, and 2. How and when do I need to clean my Pacman Frog's enclosure? Because I feed him every other day, but I've only seen him excrete fecal matter thrice, although I do clean his water bowl daily, is that normal?

A1: When I tote up all the taxes extracted from me by the various government entities, I've decided I'm more like a tenant farmer than the owner. However, my name's on all the appropriate paperwork (as owner of Aqualand).
A2: Twice a week would probably suffice. However, daily is very good. Frogs cannot handle dirty water. LA

Robert Pierce, Singer, TX, September 6, 2009
Hey, I just got off craigslist a 29 gallon tank, and they said that it had an oscar in it. All of mine are only a year old at most, and I assumed that since it was a 29 gallon tank, surely this fish couldn't be any bigger than a few inches. Boy was I wrong. This person had been keeping a 9 inch red oscar in the tank. Because I felt sorry for the guy, I went ahead and bought the tank and fish regardless of my complete and total lack of a place to keep him. I figured he at least wouldn't be doing as bad as he was. Is it likely that my local mom and pop fish store will take him? I just want to see him cared for. He has developed the cloudy white line along the edges of his fin, and has moderate hole in the head, and a split fin that I doubt will heal. Is there anything I can do for him?

LA
Red oscar September 2.

LA
Same guy after a 75% water change (made with a gravel cleaner siphon) -- 24 hours later.

A: Change 50% of his water today using a gravel cleaner siphon. Repeat the next day. He'll be fine in your 29. LA

Robert Pierce, Singer, TX, September 7, 2009
He's doing much better. I'm still going to try to find him a new home. I hate to keep a fish that big in a tank that small. He's big enough that he's a trouble for my other oscars. Heck, I might end up just getting a new larger tank for him. I think I can get a 90 gallon reasonable enough. Thanks for your help

A: Sounds good. LA

Travis Krousie, September7, 2009
Hello, I picked up a sword Plant for my Discus tank and I am having
troubles with it. For each leaf that comes up another dies. It
isn't doing very well. I have 12 hrs of light. It's a T5 with a
plant bulb and a full spectrum bulb. pH is 6.8 to 7.2, Temp is 86
degrees. I use a mix of RO water and Tap Water 60 - 40 ratio. I add
Seachem Flourish upon each water change. Small rock is my
substrate. Should I be using a different fertilizer? Thanx

A: In a 20H your conditions sound perfect. Sounds like you likely have a 55 because you have two bulbs. Still sounds perfect. Amazon sword plants do not like having their roots disturbed. Flourish is great for Amazon swords. LA

Nicholas A. Szabo, September 7, 2009
I have done A LOT of research in the breeding and keeping of peacock gudgeons. I feel that the information you have presented to be very accurate. I have been attempting to breed this species for several months now. About every two weeks both the male and female will enter the tube (always the same one) and will remain there for an entire day, sometimes two. As always, both the male and female will exit the tube, and pay little attention to each other. I feed frozen bloodworms, frozen daphnia, frozen super brine (spirolina enhanced), live mosquito larvae (outdoor culture), and sometimes frozen tubefex. The only thing I have not tried is to separate the male and female for 7-10 days. Is there something I am doing wrong? Thank you for your time and consideration.

A: Separating the sexes and conditioning them separately is always helpful. Bumping the temp up five degrees also often helps. So do large water changes. And, you may want more than one pair of breeders. The more pairs, the better your chances of success. LA

Seth Denny, Austin, MN, September 7, 2009
Hello Larry! It's been quite awhile. Something quite interesting has been happening as of late. I have always had quite the fondness for Blood Parrots, and recently was lucky enough to find a pure red for sale at $10 at a local pet store, as well as an all black that was on sale as well. I quickly scooped up the pair and they have been inseparable ever since! Luckily enough, I got a male/female pair with just the two. They have bred twice; the first time I was unaware it was happening until the other fish in the community tank I housed them in had picked the rock clean of their eggs, so I was unable to see if any stayed viable in the long run. Lo and behold, the other day I noticed them "kissing" and today they started to lay another set. Unfortunately I have misplaced my camera in the move, so I am unable to include any photos this time around. The pair is being incredibly protective of the eggs, unfortunately due to the reading I have done and the tank mates they are currently with (an African Synodontis, about 6" in length, and a Redtail Rainbow Shark, about 3-4" in length) I'm sure they won't make it till morning. It's so nice to see such defensive behavior and great parenting skills from these two, though. My angelfish could not devour their own eggs fast enough, but these two can't bite the catfish quite enough! Ha-ha...the black male has actually turned almost completely golden, this happened about a month after I purchased him. I was worried he would turn into that ugly mottled black/yellow mix so many of the pet store fish carry, but he is almost prettier than her now! The pair is probably about 3-4" in size currently. I will keep you updated in case anything interesting occurs. I only wish I was currently employed, I would be rushing to the local store to pick up a breeder tank post haste, but I can't do that :(. I will let you know what happens!

A: If you're unable to move out your other fish, leave their lights on 24 hours. Let me know if they have living fry. None of my parrot eggs ever hatched. LA

Seth Denny, Austin, MN, September 11, 2009
Well, after a lot of vigilant protecting (they even were able to keep the eggs safe in complete darkness); I have a 99% loss and I'm sure the last 5 or so eggs will probably be white here shortly. It was a fun try, it's just probably not meant to be. It's too bad, too, these fish seem to have some of the strongest parenting instincts of any species I've owned thus far. I'll let you know if they spawn again, but for now, I hope the others enjoy the buffet...

A: Que sera, sera. LA

Sarah Power-Smith, September 8, 2009
I was wondering if you have any s-t opossoms in stock and how much they were?

A: Sorry for the late reply. I haven't seen any short-tail opossums for about three years. LA

Marassa Stark, September 9, 2009
Hi, I've been a fan of your website for a while now, using it to look up information on fish you don't often encounter in pet stores. However I have become rather addicted to loaches and the forktail loach in paticular is my favorite. Try as I might, I have yet to be able to locate a seller. I noticed a picture of yours in the "oddballs" section and was wondering if you could help me obtain some? Thank you for your time!

LA
Fork-tail loaches in four-inch sandwich container. New to us 05-04.

A: Unfortunately, I haven't seen these snakey-looking little devils for five years. See if anyone in the loach.com forum can help. LA

Ryan Levine, local, September 9, 2009
I have been thinking about breeding Crytopheros nanoluteus. It's a great little cichlid for smaller tanks and very peaceful. Would you be interested? Would practically give them away - store credit. Just a hobby and I enjoy your store.
http://www.aquariumlife.net/profiles/central-american-cichlids/yellow-convict/100140.asp
Thanks,

A: The world needs more convicts. Sure we'll take one batch. LA

DK Nihoa, Fallon, NV, September 9, 2009
Hi! My daughter won a hermit crab at a carnival. We put him in a 30 gallon tank with sand and we are following a lot of the info from your pages but one thing I want to ask is:
Are they sensitive to loud noise?
The tank is in my "jam room" where my guitars and amps are and I need to
play in there now and then. It's not REAL LOUD but still I don't want to
hurt the little guy!
Oh, and we are in Nevada. I live here because I like the dry weather but I'm sure this isn't good for the crab. As long as I have a bowl of water for him to go into he should be good right?
Thanks!

A: I haven't seen any scientific data on their sensitivity to sound. However, even little things will make them retreat into their shells. Throw a couple quilts over him when you feel the need to jam. And put a solid cover over his tank to hold in the humidity. LA

Right about here my emails decided to go a little freaky and repeat a lot of the questions I've already replied to. So I had to go back and check whether or not I had replied. That's why some of you received late answers. Plus, Norton has somehow snared my Google search engine capability and shot it in both feet. And I also had to take time out to go pay my library fines. LA

Rahul Deepak, India, September 9, 2009
Hi, I am writing to you from India, I found your website very informative. I have attached a few pictures of some of my many fish. The name on the pic best describes the fish and age etc. I would like your opinion on the fish. Since it is not very easy to find good specimens in India. Even if you do, they are extremely expensive and your best bet is to buy young fish and raise them which is what I have done in most cases.
Please feel free to post them on your website if you like them.
Unfortunately I'm allowed only 10 MB per mail. There are 3 pics in this mail and 3 more in the next. Thanks

RD
13-inch, 7-year-old female.

RD
11-inch, 3-year-old male.

A: Namaste, dude. And shukria for the pics. I picked my three favorites based on color, finnage, size and overall impact. Nice looking fish. And we can never have too many convicts. Large specimens cost a great deal everywhere -- even in Des Moines. You have to grow show specimens yourself. Keep up the good work. LA

Ryan Wilton, September 10, 2009
Hello, I wrote a while back with a crested gecko question. I've since decided against cresteds. I've now found myself drawn to corn snakes. I've made contact with a person selling babies at a very fair price ($30) and I'm planning on picking up 2 of them. I was wondering since they're only a month old, how often should I feed them? Also, I'm having a difficult time keeping the temperature in my tank above 75,. Do you think it'd be good to add a heating mat? I have a basking area (the only reason why the tank's at 75), but I've read that corn snakes aren't baskers.

LA
Lotsa variations in corn snake colors. All are pretty.

A: Corn snakes (red rat snakes) grow wild in Iowa. They don't need extra heat like the pythons and boas. Room temperature is fine unless your snake becomes ill. Then they like extra heat. LA

Melissa Smalley, September 10, 2009
Hi, I was wondering if you could help me? My husband has a golden tagu. How long do they usually live in captivity? Thanks,

A: I really don't know. I'd guesstimate 15 to 20 years. LA

Melissa Smalley, September 18, 2009
Do you know where we could find out, because ours only lived about 9 years?

A: If I knew where to look, I'd have looked and told you. Actually, though, there are numerous lizard forums. You may want to join some and ask their membership. LA

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