Caryl

This year's ? In April? Hate to tell you this Andrew but you are a bit late for April this year :lol:

Doesn't matter, kribs aren't fussy. They will spawn without a cave anyway.

I am sure most of us have been responsible for a few fishy deaths . The important thing is you are willing to read, learn and ask questions. It is not always your fault when a fish dies either.

The great thing about those plants is, when they get too big you chop the tops off and replant them - free plants! Not the hairgrass though. Many people keep kribs in a community tank. They only get aggressive when spawning. Put their cave in a corner or at an end because they will defend their territory and chase the other fish away from there. Having them at one end is easier on the other fish than having them taking over the centre of the tank.

A dying fish will often swim upsidedown, sideways etc. Sorry to hear about your fish

I myself prefer an assistant who says "I don't know" and attempts to find out, than one who spouts forth a lot of incorrect information in an authoratative manner - commonly heard in my experience.

Has it been picked on or bullied by the other clown? They are a shoaling species and you should have at least 3. If you have 2, one will become dominant and attack the other one. A lone clown can pine away. Loaches are very sensitive to water conditions and must have good filtration and regular partial water changes although they don't tolerate large changes at all. Be careful if you ever decide to use some medication in the tank as clowns do not tolerate most of them. They can cope with white spot cures though. Sorry I don't have anything more helpful to offer. Hopefully someone else has more ideas. Perhaps our new member Wayne, the almost vet can help

Would I like the same food for months on end? Hmm let's see... chocolate for breakfast, chocolate for lunch, chocolate for tea. Nope, can't see a problem :lol: Of course, I would break it first so all the calories fell out.

Bottom feeders need food too - not just the leftovers that sink from the remains of the upper inhabitants' meal.

Hi there Wayne and welcome to the fishroom. There are a lot of fishkeepers in NZ but they tend to be quiet. Perhaps you can be of help to those with sick fish questions. It is hard to find a vet who knows anything about fish at all as it doesn't seem to be part of their training. I don't see why not, they are animals. Even the basics would do but they don't even know that.

I don't have any fish but will have several bunches of red rotala plant. Minch did you get my email?

Hi Leroy good to see you in the fishroom. We have certainly had a few crossovers between us and the community tank. I have some rainbows too but am down to one tank these days. I am trying to get Grant to clear a space in the computer room so I can set up my other 4ft tank. I have sold the cabinet a lot of his stuff is sitting on so he has to move it now :lol: Gotta think laterally around here. See you around...

Good to hear it's going for the algae!

Check out various threads under FNZAS clubs. All the details are there. The auction is only open to club members. The Fish Display will be in the Tamatea High School hall.

Hi Steve and welcome to the fishroom You need to join the Hawkes Bay Aquarium Society. They are having a huge public Fish Display and members only auction on Labour Weekend. I am sure some of the members could help you get the rocks you need.

No they are not herbivorous, although they do like vege stuff. They like a variety of of live and dried foods.

This site has a lot of information on plants. Click on the 'fnzas is here' at the top of the page then click on Plant Survey on the left. You can search for the plants by name and get the information you need.

What sort of temperatures do you get in your area? Usually it is the hot summer areas where you can keep them outside. Long, hot days with no sudden cold days in between. A lot of live bearers can be put outside (in a container of water of course :lol: ) as can many barbs. They grow on very wfast and well in a large outdoor container. A wire cover ought to keep the birds and cats out.

I've always meant to try rosy barbs in a tub outside but never got around to it. Perhaps I will now

I don't do anything special either since their environment is controlled. I have heard some people clean their houses at this time of year but can't for the life of me imagine why. I am allergic to cleaning - or any sort of housework - so do the bare minimum.

Hiya Jane, about time you introduced yourself. I have seen you lurking on-line a few times :lol: We'll catch up with you in Napier as 10 of our club are going. I like congo tetras but have not had too much luck with keeping them over the years. Wrong tank conditions I think.

Madagascar rainbows like a pH of 7 - 7.5. Perhaps a little below 6 is too acidic for them.

I would forget the silver mollies. These are not a fish for a beginner as they develop white spot very easily. They also need a little salt in their tank and are not a true freshwater fish. That is not too many fish either and you won't know what sex your RTB shark is. I also agree that some bottom feeders wouldn't go amiss. Perhaps Corydoras or some Ancistrus (bristlenose catfish). It is the bristlenoses that need hardwood in their diet as Goldie mentioned.

I could not see what the point of it was as I have never had any trouble the old way either.

If he looks happy just leave him as is and his tail and fins should grow back again. I have always maintained bettas are not suitable for community tanks as their finnage is too tempting to others. Keep a close eye out for any infection and treat it then if necessary. At the rate you are going Goldie you might have to move to a bigger house - or build a garage! :lol: