ChrisMack

Jeez terminal that isnt helping my decision any!!! :lol: ChrisMack

Ok...what are peoples opinions on Hagen heaters? So...from opinions here anything up to 200watts for the tank, in any combination of heaters (one,or two heaters) Thanks all, ChrisMack

Thanks for the help so afr guys So in that case I could get by on a 200 watt heater? would a highter wattage be a better option, or maybe running say two 150watt heaters together..... Also, any suggestions on which heaters to buy, and which to avoid......it would be good to have a totally submersable heater too, they should be easier to hide...right? ChrisMack

Ira, and guys yes I had heard of the "freezer option" and most seem to think its the most humane way.......as the drop in temperature is over a slow period of time, and slows the fish's systems down slowly until they cease to work.....supposedly there is no stress for the fish, and it seems to be painless......How scientists figure this stuff out is beyond me...... ChrisMack

Just been reading through posts on this forum, and some seem to say to destroy the fish that is dying or sick...... ......So this poses a question, What in peoples opinions is the most humane way to dispose/kill sick, or dying fish...... This should be an interesting topic....... ChrisMack

Hi all, I've just purchased a 3 ft tank (94cm x 46cm x 46cm) and was wondering what wattage heater would be the best for this tank, or even if I might be better going to a two heater setup...... Using "fishprofiles.com" calculators gives me the following Volume readouts: Litres: 194.67 US gallons: 51.43 (trust them to be different!) UK gallons: 42.83 P.S. never realised just how much bigger a 3ft tank is than a 2ft Thanks for any help on this ChrisMack

Hmmm.....Must be a common disease in gourami's one of my Honey Dwarfs had the same symptoms....scales sticking outwards, cloudy eyes, and not too keen to eat... Sadly after reading up in reference books, I decided that disposal was the only way......Sad but True.......it's always hard to dispose of our finned friends.... ChrisMack

Gex, Check out this link to find out a little info on puffers, doesnt sound like they get on too well with each other.....! have you got some red eyes? (puffers i mean!) :lol: http://puffernet.tripod.com/lorteti.html ChrisMack

Hi Kriber, hey thanks for the offer, however the problem is now solved......managed to track down some spare silicone from a friend (no not Pamela Anderson :lol: ) and the task is underway Some might call me a lunatic...then again I have been called worse too! Once again...thanks ChrisMack

just as a sidenote...how does one tell what sex their catfish are? Hoplosternum littorale was not mentioned as a Dwarf Hoplo, these are known as Cascudo Hoplos, and grow to about 22cm according to my reference - I think this was only mentioned as a way of determining what hoplo we were looking at (tailfin shape) The Dwarf hoplo is Lethoplosternum pectorale, which is the one that we are lead to believe we are talking about! You are right in the "markings" statement, I too have read that markings may change, or indeed there may be several different markings within the species (spots, stripes etc) ChrisMack

Well then is there any way "to be sure, to be sure"? :lol: :lol: You could, be right...many a time I've cought him digging around, wonder if he's tending his crop of spuds! ChrisMack

hmmm, so if that fish is indeed a Jurupari...then what are the ones I have? You can see a pic of one of them at my (never updated) aquarium site http://www.bizarreaquarium.freeservers.com/index.html Some day I will get back to that site..... Chris Mack

SuperGlue...i thought about that...but how would that go in water??? Would it not leach out into the tank, and possibly harm the fish? Or maybe not stick under water..... Chris Mack

I've been lead to believe that port Hoplo's can take on several different appearances though(markings, colours),...so it may not be out of the question... spotted hoplo's (dwarf hoplo's) rarer? I dont know too much about that, But I have read that they breed by forming a bubblenest at the waters surface, eggs are deposited into this nest, and guarded by the male....hatching takes 3-4 days. hmmm.....I managed to pick up my pair of Hoplo's for $7.95 each here in Christchurch....a real bargain if they are rarer than most hoplo's (although they are only about 2.5 cm long) ChrisMack

He he...just bought a couple myself...and like you did a bit of research afterwards (probably should look into them first!!!!) Mine too are spotted, and it seems they could be Lethoplosternum pectorale, the Dwarf Hoplo! they grow to about 15cm The simplest way to tell is to look at the caudal fin (tail) which should be gently rounded if it is a dwarf, otherwise it could be a Port Hoplo - Truncated caudal fin. Sorry I cant post any pics either If you dont mind me asking.....how many $$ did your little guy/gal cost? ChrisMack

Strange I know but here goes my question......does anyone know if Blutack is safe to use in fishtanks??? The reason....well I have one of those lantern ornaments, and want to place my underwater light inside it, and have it held in position (im also wanting to try and close off some of the space inside to stop fish hiding in there all the time) I know you can get silicone for the job, but was looking to use something I already have - a tube of silicone is something I wouldnt use much, and I cant justify the cost for maybe 4-5 spots of the stuff! Thanks for any help, or other suggestions, ChrisMack

Looking at the picture, I dont think they have got the right picture (or species, if that a stock fish) Either that or my two guys arent what they are meant to be!!! The body looks a little too slender for the Satanoperca Jurupari (alternative name) that is swimming happily in my tank, and mine definately havent got that beautiful ( and somewhat evil) looking red eye! Or was that just the camera flash! :lol: Known names: Satanoperca Jurupari Geophagus Jurupari Demonfish (common name) ChrisMack

It's a rather funny thing this breeding of Khulli's......everyone here mentions the "spiralling" towards the surface......I was informed once by a local shop, that they had breed some by placing an upturned 1/2 coconut shell in their tank...... Maybe it could just be a case of..."if it happens, it happens" and there is no correct way..... To me, and partially because of their appearance (eel like) I would almost have a guess that their favourite spawning conditions would be deep mud or silt, where they can burrow down.......but hey Im no expert, and no mine havent bred........ ChrisMack

I'm looking to buy an external filter, and was wondering what the more experienced fishkeepers recommend? Everyone seems to mention Ehiem "Classics" as a good buy, do people agree, or are ther e other options that will do...... Critter Kingdom, here in Chch has some good savings on Jebo external bucket filters at the moment, has anyone had experience with these? Better still...has anyone got one they want to give away! :lol: Thanks for any help, ChrisMack

sadly I never had success with these guys, they are a very nice fish (well until they put on some size then to me they look a tad awkward) I found out the hard way that they are also quite accomplished jumpers, after two days of searching for my "lost loach" I found that he/she had jumped out of the (covered) tank through the cable hole, and fallen down between the tank glass, and my somewhat (at the time) saggy backing paper! I believe they are also keen on snails.....so that shouldn't be a problem for you anymore either (if it ever was) Good luck with them, they are fun to watch, as they are always on the move....... ChrisMack

Just saw these fish the other day for the first time.......and being one to like the unusual fish......I like em! partly because they just seem to remind me of an angry old man (go on look at their faces) can anyone give me some info on them.....special needs, compatible fish , are they rather rare here in N.Z., or have I just had my eyes closed too long...(oh yeah, and a possible current cost wouldn't go a miss either) Thanks all, ChrisMack

Andyman, Puffers, of any type are best suited to a species tank! Freshwater puffers though (in my account anyway) can be very nippy, or just oblivious to tankmates.....for example, When I first got my freshwater puffers, I put them into the tank with some cherry barbs (that i had used to cycle the tank) after a couple of days the barbs were left almost finless! ( i removed them and they have made a full recovery) A while later I place some guppies in the tank (for live food) and low and befold the puffers totally ignored them...they didnt even nip the fins! I guess, as far as compatibility of fish goes...it's a trial and error situation! Feeding of freshwater puffers, you'll need Bloodworms, or other "meaty" type foods....these guys wont even look at flake food (and well mine dont even really look at anything but bloodworms) and you'll need to supply them with a few snails form time to time to keep thier "beaks" ground down........ Ira has posted about the size, and yep that is about right for Freshwater puffers (as long as they are the DWARF variety) and not a mis-labelled, or different puffer species. Ira is also right about the figure 8 puffer being a far nicer species, but they grow bigger, sometimes cost more, and there does seem to be some argument over whether they are freshwater, or brackish water fish..... Hope this helps out with youe decision....... ChrisMack

Hmmm I would have a guess at saying an Albino Elephantnose would cost a fin and a gill :lol: seeing as the standard elephantnose retails from about $60. I think the Albino version would probably be something of a Very rarely seen species (maybe even worldwide) and when you concider that elephantnoses are something of a rerity to be seen in lfs', and would usually be a fish that would have to be "bought in" for the customer. But oh! what a beaut little fella he is......might have to enquire at a few sources about a cost............(and start saving my pennies) ChrisMack

I was just browsing the net (as you do!) and came across this place in america that has some truely amazing looking (and different) fish, just what I would like to add to my Bizzare collection......check it out: http://www.dolphin-int.com/ :lol: And if anyone is feeling generous...I would LOVE that albino Elephantnose :lol: (probably be d.o.a. though!) ChrisMack

lol at Ira.....Wouldn't the name be COUNTESS_SEXY_TART if that was the case..... :lol: Welcome "Count" I like you am pleasantly surprised at the Freindly (not feindly) people on this site.....and the manner in which everyone is so helpful...... ChrisMack