Aquila

The main difference between regular flu and swine flu is the onset. Swine flu progresses rapidly over a few hours (not days) and although the symptoms can be the same, they are much more severe. Thus, if you have so little energy and can barely get out of bed...and you are practically incapable of performing regular activities...then its a good chance you have been swined. I hate when the news does this...creates a panic over these little bugs. There was foot and mouth, mad cow, sars, bird flu, and now swine flu. There is the POTENTIAL for these diseases to become pandemic if they a) mutate into a form that can infect humans or b) become resistant to all antibiotics or useless against vaccines. However, the risk wasn't that high with these..and although I believe that we should be made away of what is happening, if the media are not careful about hyping the situation up too much then no one will believe it when there is a real serious threat. For god sakes...more people died of a regular cold/flu and SARS...and that number wasn't even close to car accidents or heart attacks. With the way we are using antibiotics, and antibacterial soaps, and other meds...it is only a matter of time before this actually happens. So instead of creating a bunch of hypochondriacs that will run to the doctor with any little sign of illness and ask for drugs even before their own bodies have a go...the media should stress the importance of building a healthy immune system, getting rid of that sterile-bubble attitude, and cutting down on meds. Arg...*pulls hair out*

Well if u set the emitter deeper in the water, then less fog will be produced so that there is only some cross the water (not a thick layer) and it doesn't go up onto the land. Poor silly little frogs! Maybe you can put some floating plants or lily pads for them to sit on?

That really really sux if they are marking up. When the guy told me about he said that not every single tank will be on sale, but the majority will and those that are will have REALLY good deals on them. I think all the fish will be buy 1 get 1 free at least...maybe we can sin something for free

What's so bad about having miniature discus anyway

Wow! Can he find one for me? :lol:

You could get an ultrasonic fog emitter!

I think most discus and guppies will get along just fine...unless he happens to be a bully I've never had both at the same time in the same tank, but there are several tanks I've seen on YouTube that do have such communities...and all the fish look really good together! Do you also have another tank which you have discus? Sorry, I may have misunderstood... If so, then I think after you quarantine this one for a long time and have him live with the guppies and there are no illnesses then I think he'd be happy with the other discus in the end.

Well hello there

Well I was trying to think it could be stress. I had my water tested a over a week ago and it was perfect. The first fish that jumped was actually a pregnant female, so that kinda made me sad and I wrote it off to her getting harassed or something (even though this was near the beginning and the tank was pretty empty. The boys seem to be more interested in the girls that are the most pregnant. But my other 2 females have given birth several times now and they can easily do their thing without being constantly nagged. The 2nd fish was a boy, and he wasn't being picked on or anything...he was actually one of the dominant 2 and the other male never chased him from what I could see. Now the tank is full of babies but they mostly hang out near the top, leaving the rest of the lower tank for the adults...so I dunno if they are feeling too crowded. I feed them lots...in fact every time they see me they go nuts at the top expecting food, so I can't see them being frightened. When I stick my hand in to clean or rearrange something they actually try to feed on it. However, both jumpers happened when there was nobody home. But I like the knife theory...I will have to start cutting my veggies on the other bench where they can't see me! Heehee. I guess their theory is reinforced every time a tank mate disappears mysteriously...haha. Anywho...I think the most probable reason must be that they are stressed from overcrowding from the babies. They will have to suck it up for a bit longer before I can sell some of the fry and also get a larger tank! Meantime I am covering all those holes! Thanks for the help

Very very efficient Spink! I aspire to more like that...so far I've only managed to get some vacuuming , laundry, and dishes to fit. Makes me feel less guilty while I'm taking a break from the horrible horrible thesis writing...hehe

Hey guys...I'm having a weird problem. I have had 2 guppies now jump out of their tank and dry out on the kitchen counter in roughly the same spot. this is weird because: 1) there are only small spaces in the lid in each corner, 2 at the front to help when lifting the lid to feed and 2 in the back to accomodate the filter/heater. Both times the fish were found behind the back right corner...suggesting that they must have swam upstream up the filter overflow! Out of all 4 corners, this is the smallest and hardest one to get out of! 2) since when are guppies such agile jumpers? hatchetfish yes...but guppies? my friend's parents had a huge lidless guppy tank and never had any jump...although they did have a lot of floating plants. So I know my obvious solution would be to put tape over any opening...but what the heck! Just thought I'd share and see if any one else has had this experience. I mean of all the fish i've owned over all the years, i've had maybe 3-4 jumpers...and now i've almost doubled that over a couple silly guppies in a few months. Milena

Welcome welcome! Can't wait to see see pictures of your landscaping projects Since I don't have the time/money for more then one little tank at the moment, I like to live vicariously through others and hilarious story Phoenix!

Hey, i've just posted this in another thread but... Koura are nationally threatened...maybe you should reconsider taking them from the wild. Maybe you get get a farmed one, like this place: http://www.clearwatercrayfish.co.nz/koura.html

The dark/green ring appears from occurs from prolonged exposure to excessive heat (overcooking) like Caryl said, its completely harmless and it doesn't make the egg bad, just unsightly. Caused by the hydrogen-sulfide gas 'staining' the yolk. If you don't chill your egg after boiling it and leave it a bit longer in the hot water, the heat trapped inside will continue to cook the egg usually resulting in the ring appearing. That is why chilling the egg after boiling is good...it does 2 things: stop the egg cooking, and causes the membrane to separate from the shell as the inside shrinks.

Koura are nationally threatened...maybe you should reconsider taking them from the wild. Maybe you get get a farmed one, like this place: http://www.clearwatercrayfish.co.nz/koura.html

very cute

What you can try is to run them (with shells) under cold water right after you have finished boiling them. As the egg cools, the inside shrinks but the shell has to stay the same size, thus the egg separates and is much easier to peel You'll have to experiment with the length of time...mine are usually good after about 1 minute under the cold water, but it may take a bit longer...

Love the tank! How do the filter and heater work when the entire wall is covered like that?

I just got an email... Animates Kaiwharawhara (probably other locations too) will be hosting 'Aqua Fun Days' on Sat 18th and Sun 19th July. They say there will be lots of bargains, competitions and fishy fun! Hmmmmm...haha. Maybe see you there?

I think you (Caryl and oeminx) are actually arguing the same thing. I don't think oeminx is saying that there aren't horrible people out their, but that the commercial did a sub-par job of conveying the message that getting drunk off your face can make you ridiculously vulnerable. I guess it was trying to show that there are men out there that specifically target women in this state because its easier...the woman wasn't even drinking sociably but just to tried to get completely hammered and none of her friends even made sure that she was ok before they left. I agree with oeminx that she has to take some of the responsibility. In a perfect world, yes, everyone should be able to get drunk as they like, pass out in bar or on the street and not suffer any consequences...but in reality, getting yourself into a situation where u don't know what's going on and you are alone really doesn't help your odds.

Red-eyed tree frogs! I used to have 3 back in Canada They are really really cute but really really high maintenance! I used to fall asleep to their barking Made me sad when I had to give them back to the breeder I don't know if they are available here...

The beaver commercial for the U tampons! What...the...hell... "Because you only have one"...I couldn't believe it the first time I saw it!

Arg...that really sux! I'm so sorry But don't let it set you back. The tank is beautiful and it won't be long before you replace the missing yellows!

I like: "The time for biscuit is upon us!"

Yeah, those ads are pretty horrible. All the Twinnings tea ads with that pompous lady are also irritating...