Scuba Sam

Young bristlenoses don't always shift well, or have the sense to hide!! They would make a tasty snack though, and at 3cm probably the spines wouldn't cause any problems... My Mum's goldfish got a bristlenose stuck in its mouth for a while before it all went down the hatch but it was a bit bigger than 3cm. Greedy fish!!

Gremlin is new to NZ from South Africa - he has a thread in Welcome section.

Hi Gremlin, Welcome to NZ, Northland, and the forum. You will find that if you get out of town there is far less rain - just get out to the coast, rainfall is heaps lower!! If you get withdrawal symptoms for reptiles, there is a reptile park about an hour and a half south - just north of Auckland. Cheers, Sam

Thanks so much Brookey - that is just what I was looking for, and fits with what I have been seeing. It's awesome to hear that your experience fits with my observations. Many thanks, Sam

Hi Caper, Thanks for your query. Both fish have improved since I separated them from the others. It seems they were being harassed. Each has its own tank while it recovers. Still not sure that I am on top of their health problems, but they are still hanging in there. Fingers crossed. I am treating the gourami with Wunder tonic, and wound seems a bit better. Cheers, Sam

The green spots on the glass look like the standard one we all get - related to light and nutrients in the water I think. But what about the growth on the thermometer? Is that BBA? Someone on here will have more idea than me... Sam

Thanks for your thoughts Alan. I did the maths roughly in my head and came up with three capsules - must do it properly, for the actual water level. Am I right in understanding that you are saying you think it is a worsening of the disease rather than a toxicity reaction to the drug itself? Has anyone experience of problems with Furan 2 and/or its effect on wounds as they are healing? The gourami looked worse this evening so I have done a 25% water change. Conversely, the Green Severum looks better than she has looked in a while. Time will tell I guess...

I'm starting to wonder if there is an intestinal problem causing the general susceptibility in the gourami. He hasn't been a big eater in the two or three months I have had him, tending to sit behind a rock in the community tank he was in before I shifted him for treatment. Any comments?

Hi there, I'm hoping for some advice on treatment of my fish. I have a golden severum, fit and healthy, had him for months. He is in with two fish which have not been in good condition from when I was first given them. A green severum (fin rot), and a snakeskin gourami (white patch on side). I have the three fish in a 160 litre tank for treatment. I have dosed as per instructions as best as I am able. Day One - Three capsules in tank Day Two - Three capsules in tank - gourami developed some pits on his head. Day Three - green severum looking very sad, sitting on bottom of tank, gasping. 50% water change, rather than 25% change - she looked much better Day Four - Three capsules in tank Day Five - Gourami sitting on bottom, labouring to get to top of tank for a breath. Lowered water level so less effort for him, to approx 2/3 of previous. Two capsules added. Gourami's patch on the side of body looks like its peeling. Green severum looks well. So what's happening here guys? Is the treatment making my fish sick? Am i doing something wrong with the dose? Is the patch on the side looking worse because it is getting better? I will be tempted to do the second water change at the 12 hour mark this evening rather than the 24 hour mark tomorrow as its almost like the fish can't handle the second dose. And then do I treat a second round? Your advice please, Sam

I got two large SAE's, they cleared tank one in a week, transferred to tank two and they have hardly touched the BBA in a month!! Go figure. Good luck with getting yours sorted. Sam

Hi Bedazzled, congrats on the arrival of your babies. Have you considered a breeding net? This would allow you to keep the babies safe, but in the same water as the rest of the tank, without needing to do the water changes. I might even be able to find a spare one... Sam

We bought some for the work tank, and sent the boy to buy them!! Bit strange to have on a shopping list for a teenage male!! The photos are brilliant by the way - great effect with the wood.

I have mine - thanks heaps Caryl and contributors. Just had a quick skim but love the article on planted aquaria, with the special secret Auxiliary Particles - well done to Peter. Cheers, Sandra

Hey tank looks great. Some Cabomba will go nicely in there I reckon. Love the tower. I haven't bought the plants into work yet, but will try to remember for tomorrow. If not I have enough that I can steal some from the work tank. Well done!!

Thanks to everyone for their help - I picked up my accessories kit (for CF1000/CF1200 today, less than twenty bucks, with various hose attachments and sucker feet etc. Now to get the filter going... Cheers, Sam