A:  Sounds like you have diatoms (a floating micro-algae).  Water changes encourage its growth.  Usually it's green or tan, but your symptoms sound like diatoms.  Look for a product called AlgaeFix.  If it clears up in two days you have diatoms (or used to).  If it doesn't clear up, call me in the morning.  LA

A:  I doubt diatoms would decrease the pH.  I'd think they absorb carbon dioxide and increase the pH.  I don't think UG filters deteriorate.  I've had several dozen for at last 35 years.  In our area, lime clogs up airstones in six or eight weeks.  I just take them off.  The air tubes also eventually clog with lime where the bubbles come out.  I use a piece of technical equipment to remove 5he lime (a paperclip).  Sorry for the late reply.  LA

A:  I'll have to check into the Aqueon water changer,  I've never used one.  LA

A:  Once in a while I get one right.  LA

A:  Your Federal government at work -- you need a permit to ship snails across state lines.  You can get Packs of 25 from Carolina Biological Supply.  But probably not until it warms up.  LA

A:  Basically, I don't know.  "Flowerhorn" usually refers to a hybrid between two different species of cichlids.  Who knows who's crossing what types of fish these days?  Your fish look like they belong somewhere in the archocentrus family, but I have no ides where.   I'm sorry I couldn't reproduce your photos.  They were quite nice.  LA

A1:  Namaste.  Sorry, I can't tell what went wrong by looking at your dead discus.  But because of the strange actions of your pleco, you should have your water tested.
A2:  You can put two flowerhorns in the same tank if you keep them separated with a divider.  If you have a large enough tank, you may not need the divider.  I think your flowerhorn developed his "helmet" because he reached sexual maturity.  LA

LA

A:  Relax.  She was climbing up the glass.  I didn't turn her upside down.  She crawled up the glass on her own.  Trust me.  I would never stress a female roach.  LA

A:  I enjoyed your pleco picture but I can't copy it and use it.  It's w-a-y too big.  LA

A:  Airstones work fine.  In the meantime, it sounds like you need to vacuum your gravel (Gravel Vacuums).  LA

A:  Well I finally found the instruction book that came with my camera.  I couldn't figure out how to change the "resolution."  In Nikonese they call it "quality."  I have adjusted my camera accordingly and will send you new photos in a couple days.  Use them with my permission.  As for credits, just add my website aqualandpetsplus.com.  LA

A:  January 27, 2011
Bad news, Hubert.  My computer cannot read the larger format pictures.  You have my permission to use the earlier pictures as you see fit.  LA

A:  Sorry.  We don't sell anything online.  You can probably Google up several sources.  LA

A:  I like to feed my fish lightly twice a day.  Don't worry.  Your males and females will adjust and learn to get along with each other.  LA

A:  Your pictures are too big to send thru your email.  I can't access them on my computer either.  On my 20-inch monitor, I can see less than a 9th of your picture.  My computer can't capture it and let me publish it on my web site.  Can you set your camera to take smaller pictures?  LA
PS  Kathy gets me into all kinds of trouble.

Ruan Maritz, Prince George, BC, Canada, January 27, 2011
Here i made them very small can you see them now? 

RM

A:  You betcha.  The medium one came thru best.  LA

A:  Putting him in isolation is a good start.  When I don't know what the problem is, I'd treat with Clout.  LA

A:  Short answer, no.  Long answer, no.  I've never bred them myself.  I've only known one Iowan to successfully breed them -- a Chinese professor who teaches at Central College in Pella.  Neon eggs are very sensitive to light.  Spawn them like Tetras, Spawn and protect the eggs from direct light.  Lots of luck.  LA

A:  Excellent info.  I'm adding it to my crested gecko page.  LA
PS  I would have added it anyway without all the buttering up.

LA

A:  If it were my tank I'd add six peacocks, but I'd go slow.  Add two and wait a week or two before adding two more.  They're on the picky-eater list with me.  Blackworms and frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp trip their trigger.  Add a quart of water siphoned from the UG filter of a healthy African cichlid tank to speed up your cycling process.  LA

LA
One of the critters I'm working with.

A:  I could, but right now I'm concentrating on snails and shrimps.  From the retail price of scissortail rasboras, I conclude they are fairly easy to spawn.  I might get into rasboras in a few months (after I figure out all the stats on today's snails and shrimps).  LA

A:  Give them a pint a day for three weeks.  I doubt you'll need to re-feed your infusoria culture.  Discontinue after three weeks.  Add in newly hatched brine shrimp and/or microworms during their second week.  We have microworm cultures for sale @ $3.  LA

A:  Yes, we sell teddy bear hamsters (and their food, cages, and water bottles).  Call 283-0300 to see if we have them in stock today and what are their prices.  LA

A:  Bettas prefer to live in the 75 to 80 neighborhood.  Often they do quite well at 72.  Feed yours very lightly.  Change the water once a week or whenever it gets cloudy or smelly.  Use aged water which you've set aside for a few days in a bucket or gallon jugs.  I like to watch fish also.  Some studies have shown that besides relaxing observers, aquariums also lower the observer's blood pressure.  That's why you see them in so many doctor and dentist offices.  LA

A:  I have not seen those snails for almost four years.  Since they are actually part of the apple snail gang (that devours plants like we eat M&Ms), perhaps the feds put the kibosh on them also?  LA

LA

A:  Excellent question.  No guarantees on betta interaction.  On average, he will try to spawn her.  She'll probably coöperate since you've had her awhile.  In a small tank (2 to 5 gallons) he might kill her.  In your 20H, they'll likely get along..  LA

A:  Thanks for your report.  I'm adding your personal observations to my bgk page.  I don't personally know how to sex a bgk.  No doubt someone out there in the webisphere does.  LA

LA

A:  If your water beetls looks like this guy, I would not put him in with my fish.  I wouldn't even try to hold him in my hand.  I've been nailed by them before.  Lots of water beetles prey on smaller fish.  LA

A:  We don't ship to Canada.  We don't sell stuff via our website.  LA

A:  We have tiger salamanders but cannot send them to you.  You may or may not know that California has some restrictive laws about what their citizens can bring in.  If I remember correctly, salamanders and newts can't be shipped to California.  LA

A:  Yes, since they are vegetarians.  Is that last word a typo?  I've never kept any aholes in captivity.  LA
PS  I had to leave your typo in.  I love it.

A:  Exactly like Dave, I have no idea what Mike arranged.  Call him tomorrow.  He works on Tuesdays.  LA

A:  I've never kept arowanas and shovelnose catfish together until maturity.  I think they would pretty much ignore each other as long as you give them plenty of food.  Unfortunately, your well lanted aquarium will not remain well planted.  LA