Caryl

For some reason we can never see our pond fish but the oxygen weed (yes, it is one of the noxious ones. Our local waterways are full of it) is flowering. No flowers yesterday, hundreds all over the place today ? We will be filling in the pond soon so will have to be careful how we dispose of the oxygen weed. Should be able to sell off all the lilies as they will split into multiple plants. All yellow at the moment as the pink one flowers later. Plenty of snails too!

I have always found the gold Ancistrus less hardy with fewer fry but that might just be mine. We don't have chlorine in the water so i don't know if dechlorinator affects them. I am more inclined to think it is new scales growing under older, damaged ones but don't quote me on that ?

I doubt it is skin flukes. The fish would be trying to scratch itself on objects all the time. It would be producing excess mucus in an attempt to dislofge the flukes and have reddened skin. Flukes tend to be around the gills. The male could be damaging his skin as he dives in and out of the hole in the brick. The female may have been damaged when in with him and is now shedding old, damaged parts as the new growth comes in. Did you know Ancistrus do not have scales like other fish? They have an exoskeleton. This makes them vulnerable to many antibiotics, salt and other chemicals. Have you been adding anything to the water that would fall into those categories?

Mine sometime look patchy then clear again. Scraping bits off on rocks or other decor? Damage from fights perhaps?

Guppies can change sex but also note male guppies will attempt to mate with anything that moves, from what I have observed, regardless of what sex it is.

I can't advise as I have not used Furan 2. How are the fish reacting and looking today?

A lot depends on your maintenance regime but they can certainly be kept together. In my experience, golden Ancistrus grow more slowly than the common ones and are often a little bit smaller but that might be because my browns are stroppier. If you do weekly water changes and make sure water conditions are excellent then they should be ok if you only have one of each in the tank. Make sure you have some driftwood and hiding places for the Ancistrus. They poo quite a bit so weekly siphoning of the sunstrate will help.

Probably didn't realise. I sometimes forget to check the date of the thread myself. I wonder how Nick777 got on with the move and if he's still there? ?

Hopefully I will hear more from Stella once she is fully recovered.

Try contacting Daltons direct on their website. It says suppliers are Bunnings and selected garden centres and landscapers so they may be able to tell you which garden centres or landscapers specifically in your area. I just checked my local Bunnings and they have none. Maybe Daltons closed during lockdown and have not re-opened?

Stella has only had a brief look as she is sick at the moment but she wonders if they might be dwarf galaxias as she says there is something different about them but the distribution fits. She also asks to remind people to not remove fish from their natural habitat if you don't know what sort it is and their requirements.

Thanks for all these boban_nz

I will send the pics to Stella (our native fish expert) for an ID

The poster probably gave up after no reply until now so thank you for your response anyway in case it is of use to someone else. I know nothing about mantis shrimp so could not offer an opinion.

We appreciate both your questions and your input.

Post your request in the Buy Sell and Exchange section Umar so it is seen in the correct place by those more likely to have what you want.

Did he eat the others? ?

A well written and informative reply Maxine. I am saddened members do not regularly contribute to the forums these days and I have little faith in any Facebook response unless I personally know the person, which is less likely these days..

Thank you to all who accepted nomination and commiserations to those who were voted in ?

Have the crypts I sent you last time not sent out more plants? I still have hundreds more if you want more C affinis, or Anubias nana but I fear the postage may be dearer now and it is a cold time of year to be posting tropical plants, especially if they get held up in the backlog.

Aaannnd, we like to stop for an ice cream at the Hira Store ?

Never seen a grub like that before!

I do not do CO2 injection or add anything at all to my aquarium. Not so much 'low tech" as "no tech" ? Unless I do a major cleanout, there is no room in my aquarium for any more plants but thank you for the offer. Our medical appts are on hold at the moment but once they resume I will try and remember to contact you prior if you want any Crypt affinis or Anubias nana.

Once we are able to get out and about again we could arrange to get some plants to you as we go to Nelson every 3 months for medical appointments.

Go on, you know you want to ? Just avoid convicts as they take over everything!