Pegasus

We seem in a sense to be running our vets down in a way, but we have to look at it from their point of view also. Usually anything on "legs" they can attempt to treat, but this is not always the case either, as you would be hard pressed to find a city vet that could treat say a cow with milk fever, or a pig with mastitis. Facing a Poodle with a stomach upset is one thing, but facing a 300kg boar or sow is a different matter, and they usually give me the antibots to inject, rather than risk losing a few fingers, or legs These people spend many years of dedicated study to get where they are, and usually specialize in certain fields, much like our own doctors specialize in certain fields, and you wouldn't want your local GP doing a triple heart bypass The point Andrew made about vets being cautious about the release of drugs is one point. We are pretty "well in" with our local vet, and in the past they have on occasions supplied us certain antibiotics for our various stock needs and such, and again as Andrew points out, "Being known to them" is a benefit, but I fully agree that vets should be very wary about whom they supply drugs to. As the heading implies, "The Hypocratic Oath"... I'm sure in there somewhere there would be referernce to the distribution of controlled substances. Diagnosing fish ailments is not easy at the best of times, as there are so many permatations if the disease is an "unseen" one, such as a virus or a parasitic ailment. We reach our conclusions by "visual symptoms" like the above, but again there are so many variations of what it "could be" that perfecting the correct cure is not always easy, and one can't "really" blame the local vet for not being conversant enough in the field of Ichthyology. As above, knowing the problem and eradicating the problem is not the problem in most cases, but getting the correct drugs to treat that problem usually is, and even then we may find some unknown brand name that is only available in certain countries. Bill (Pegasus)

We occasionally get Wayne here who is a vet and as helped with many problems. Symptoms you describe. The fins stay folded, the fish swims restlessly around, and often scrapes against objects... erratic dashing around. More than likely the fish has skin parasites, or possibly ammonia probs, eg: damaged gills, but sounds like parasites. Don't know if it's a marine or not. Treat with: Parinox -or- De-Los -or- Copper Sulfate -or- Potassium Permanganate -or- Chloramine-T. The latter three should be available in one form or another from your LFS, and should have the dosage on. Chemists are sometimes helpful if you explain the situation to them. HTH

Hi Leeves, glad the dropsy prob is looking promising. Regarding the angels. This hapens quite a lot with new pairs, as if they are "trying it out" and they will spawn again in ten days or so. I would hang a low wattage low voltage 6/12v light over the tank and leave it on during the dark hours from the moment they lay the eggs, till well after the fry are free swimming, and you remove the parents.

Hi there Du, Great first post, and welcome to the NZFR. You'll find quite a few familiar names here, and lots of interesting posts. There's another part of the site (click on the twin fish at the top of the page) if you want plant info or to read some articles. Look forward to your posts Happy Days, Bill (Pegasus)

The English language can be quite fascinating at times with the way you can juggle words Should be "Both Warren an I use the same brand of silicone" :) In the early days it was Dow Corning that had the monopoly in the silicone market, but now there are several brands, and finding a proven one can be expensive, in more ways than one, but the one mentioned in Warrens post is completely reliable. Hi Pies, "payne" ... Could be a persons name. "pane" as in glass (Just a bit of fun... not meant as a correction Personally, I would seal it all in one hit for better continuity of the seams. Laying new silicone on the top of previously cured silicone is always a risk IMO. It should be well cured by the time you get the stand and cabinet built, but I would leave it at least a week for a tank of that size. Regards, Bill (Pegasus)

Hi Pies, Good luck with your project. I use the same silicone as Warren.... or is it, He uses the same one as I do A few tips here that might help you. http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/viewtopic.php?t=82 Not a job to be rushed, so take your time, and take care with that glass

Hi Kerry, A method you can use other than the suggestions is a fibreglass shell. You create this by draping fine net curtaining over a fine wire mesh frame. Punch it and push it to get a basic shape you need, then apply two pot fibre glass resin to the whole surface, and perhaps inside as well so that you completely seal it. A safe paint of some sort can be added to the resin to give you a base colour, then further applications could be added using a different colour mix to give depth and so forth. Caves and shelves can be formed prior to sealing, and a jig would need to be made the size of the tank rear, or to suit your needs. Although only a few mill thick, a shell of this sort is incredibly strong, and yet is very light. It would then need a good soaking before being used, but could be worth the effort involved. Happy Days, Bill (Pegasus)

Hi Kerry, You mention "Hot Glue" It has it's uses, but for total submersion I would use the silicone. Another factor you may like to consider is the weight of the rocks you will be putting in the tank. Several posts on several forums have been made with mention to structures falling over and cracking either the base or other glasses. This could be caused by fish undermining the structure, or tremors... although I don't think you will get many in your area, but vibrations from within, or outside the home, can have the same effect if the structure is in any way unsound. A cavity behind the rocks will cause you endless probs in my opinion. The bracing strip on the tank top will make access to the rear almost impossible, and food and dirt will certainly find it's way back there. Regards, Bill (Pegasus)

Hi Aqua, Just about everybody has Cory's of one type or another, and there are hundreds of variations. They are better in pairs or groups, and as far as being active, this is a real good sign. They love white worm, bloodworm, and will also eat flake, and even swim upside down on the surface to eat some foods as well They will work from day to day with very few breaks, and are an endless source of enjoyment to watch. They like a little private spot where they can take refuge, although nothing really bothers these little guys. They will cause no harm to any other fish, and are pretty hardy with a good resistance to disease. They prefer a graveled bottom of a smooth type with no sharp edges that may wear their barbles down, and they will spend endless hours routing among the gravel for any sign of food. If you have them in a fry tank, you will need to feed them something other than liquid fry food. Flakes will do, but don't overfeed, and try to feed it/them in one spot so that you can clean up the leftovers if needed. To me they are the "Clowns of the Aquaria" and no good tank should be without some. Try to get another one as soon as you can, you won't regret it Happy Days, Bill (Pegasus)

Hi there Kerry O, welcome to the forum. As you say, there's a great deal of info on this site. Your tank sounds fantastic, and I always say "Dream it.... Think it... Do it" I'm a bit of dreamer at times (as my sleepless nights prove) but I usually get things pretty much as I thought them out. The Silicone you want is Silaflex RTV Professional by Fosroc. Good luck with your project, and keep us informed. Happy Days, Bill (Pegasus)

Great post Annie, with lots of interesting information. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us all Happy Days, BIll (Pegasus)

So did I.... My regrets.

Great advice there Caryl No disrespect, but it would be better to offer some useful advice rather than none in this situation, or not post to the problem at all. A member with a problem asks for help, then logs on as they see a reply to their dillema in their mail , only to be faced with the latest from the wine festival. and some corporate function. :oops: Hi Disneyworld, Could be an internal disorder... worms or some other parasite. Are they passing feces at all, and if so, what colour and condition is it ? Are they "actually" eating what you give them ? What ARE you feeding them ? When did you last do a water change and check the conditions ? Any other fish in the tank that have this prob ? Older guppies tend to get a little hump backed, but not hollow bellied. Regards, Bill (Pegasus)

Place a jar of aquarium water on a sunny windowsill..... two days.... green water

HI Stephanie, There's a great many post here on CO2 in the Technical Section, and you can also find some links in the "Useful Links" at the top of this section also. If you are into plants, then clicking on the "Twin Fishes" at the top of the page will take you to another area of the forum where there is a plant survey and other great stuff. Regards, Bill (Pegasus)

Hi Aqua.... Congrats on the fry. Green water is a pretty good start for them.

HI there Pauly, Great to have another Discus keeper. Welcome to the forum. Lots of folk here with interests the same as yours. Bill (Pegasus)

Hi BlueRam, Might get more attention to your post if you put it in the Trading Area.

Hey there BlueRam, Nice informative first post there, and great to see you are (like the rest of us) addicted to the hobby once more. There's has been, as you say, lots of changes made to the forum, with lots more topics, members and thousands of interesting posts. You'll be in good company here Great to see you here. Look forward to seeing you here often. Happy Days, Bill (Pegasus)

Hi Mitch, A four footer seems a rather big tank for a dozen fish. Is there no way you could divide the tank off and leave the Angels to it. ? Worth the effort if you can do it (see Nomadic Angel post) Happy Days, Bill (Pegasus)

Hi Stephanie, Real pleased you could join us. Always great to see new faces on the forum, especially if they have similar interests Look forward to seeing more of your posts, Happy Days, Bill (Pegasus)

Goldie said: As I may have said elsewhere, I just leave them to it, no water changes, no overfeeding, no disturbances. My last pair that spawned is still looking after the young after.... well.... the eggs arived on the 22nd, were moved on the 26th, etc... and it's the 4th of Feb.... mmm around two weeks. Young look more like daphnia at the moment with their pink belllies and swimming tail down most of the time. Not to worry Goldie, set them up in a seperate area and use some water from their original setup. Try to include the thing they spawned on. They should spawn again shortly if you feed them up. Bill (Pegasus)

What's the situation here Goldie, Did you have any survivers ?

Great Link Andrew... Thanks.

The "Net System" as mentioned in the other Danio posts works a treat, with the best results (IMO) for all the dainos and barbs.