Horizons

Even so, looks ultra cool. Nice one.

Awesome tank, fish + thread. At the risk of sounding slightly thick... The leaves in the tank - will they not go...off? Or are they a special kind of leaf? Sorry, its just not something I'd thought of doing before. Its a neat idea, though.

Had 3 of the females for a few months, and I got the other female and 'male' a week ago. Will get a pic at some point tonight. Just about to head out to the pub :happy1: 4 of them are the standard female yellow colour. The other is the half hearted (in my opinion) colour of a male. The difference between the colours is obvious, but I just want to figure out if the dark one is a male or a dominant female. Long day at work - venting hadn't crossed my mind (Duh). I guess that is the most conclusive way to tell?

....Auratus? Hello, all. I've recently acquired a colony of Auratus. (4 definite females, and 1 coloured as a male). The colours of the 'male' look....questionable. The underneath of the belly shows a few patches of brighter colour, and the 'black' colours aren't completely jet black. The horizontal stripe seems to be more yellow than white. Also, during transit, it also showed colour fade. How can I absolutely confirm, without breeding, if it is indeed (as I suspect) a female coloured up as a male? Have I given enough description for a conclusive answer? Or is a picture needed? Cheers in advance.

Yes, I would like that. Apparently I've had a warning from you. So its only fair that others get the same treatment, right? I got flamed to hell and back, purely for having an opinion. I've modded before, and we were told that consistency was the main thing.

I've had enough of those aimed at me from other users. I expect that action has been taken against these people?

Nah. I fished it out and had a quick feel for an airy lump. Couldn't see / feel anything out the ordinary, so I knew it was relatively minor. I wouldn't have done the needle unless it was a matter of life / death and I was certain it would cause no lasting harm. So yeah, 2 happy Fronts again

Nope. In fact, its fully recovered. The floating pellets were no good. Its an agressive feeder, and was gulping in air. I held off food for a few days. Then fed peas. Then started feeding sinking pellets. All sorted.

I can't accurately say how big it is without taking it out and measuring. Oscars vary at full size - from 24cm to 30cm usually, I think? Mine is probably around 12-15cm. Hence the 'half grown' comment and highlighting of 12cm. Either way, it means the same thing - not full grown + still has a lot of growing to do. I've had users make me out to be absolute scum, when I'm actually not. Its just...disappointing. Can someone not have a differing opinion without being flamed? Don't call me mate. So I'm not a real fishkeeper? Ok, whatever helps you sleep at night. For your information, a 60 x 30 x 30 has a capacity of 60L. And don't 'duhh' me. Being talked down to is a pet hate of mine. I guarantee I'm more intelligent than you. Don't even try me. If you can't be civil, then don't bother talking to me. Does this place have an 'ignore' function?

Mine is only a Juvie, yet people have been slagging me off as much as possible. I had a differing opinion that people didn't like. I was basically called every name under the sun, and someone went as far as telling me to just give up keeping fish??!? You know, we're all entitled to an opinion. I'm not stupid. In fact, I'm a Law student at University. I've been keeping tropicals for a couple of years. And trust me, I look after my fish. I would not do anything to them that I felt would cause harm. Ask anyone that knows me in real life - my fish are my pride and joy. I've chatted with many experienced fish keepers, and they've all said the same. Oscars do NOT need hundreds of litres of water as long as the dimensions and filtration are right. My Oscar is fine at the moment whilst it is growing. Although you may like to hear that I have just picked up a 76 x 38 x 38 tank. The Oscar will be living by himself with VERY adequate filtration. Will it get a bigger tank at some point? Most likely. But for now, it is fine. Active, feeds from my hand, nice colours, no signs of stress etc. The second it even hinted at being stressed, things would change. People warned me that this website 'is full of people that love to show off and shoot people down to boost their ego'. Looks like they were right. I never got a chance to explain myself. Instead, I had my head ripped off - all for having a differing opinion. I'll keep my account active for the sake of the trade forum and learning new things to boost my knowledge. Just don't expect me to post much - some of you have shown your true colours.

Ok, will report back here in the morning. Also, one last thing. Shall I switch to sinking pellets? I've been using floating and they're rushing up, mouth wide open. I'm only going to feed Peas for a couple of days, but after that I should go sinking?

Thank you for that. I got 2 of them a couple of weeks ago. The float isn't terrible, but it is definitely noticeable. Its so frustrating. That Youtube video in your link (needle in the fish) - I'm guessing it is a bad idea to do that? Or is it ok as a last resort?

1. You're* 2. Yawn. If you don't want to help, then sod off.

Hello. A mature female of mine recently started showing the common buoyancy associated with swim bladder. All my other fish are fine. Conditions are fine. I think its because when my Fronts feed, they seem to go mental - HUGE gulps etc etc. Makes me think the fish sucked in too much air. What do I do now? Peas only for a few days? Help

Let people start flaming me. This thing is my baby. If he seems happy and acts happy, then in my opinion, it isn't a problem. People keep full grown Arowanas in 5ft tanks that are only 2 ft wide. The things can't even turn around properly and aren't able to swim their body length. Yet thats apparently perfectly acceptable. At least my Oscar (lovingly named Oscie by my girlfriend) can swim around and turn around happily. No stunting whatsoever. Add some quality filtration, perfect PH etc and I don't see a problem. The second he starts looking sad, he will get a bigger tank. But right now it is perfectly happy.

I have a half grown Oscar living by himself in a tank 60cm x 30cm x 30cm. Minimum decoration, good filtration. I don't plan on getting him a bigger tank any time soon. He will be able to turn around quite easily and can swim his body length when full grown. I've had no issues at all. Very active, always swimming happily, coming up for food etc. Don't listen to the idiots that say an Oscar needs 60G of water or whatever - they're full of crap.

Mildly obsessed with this song at the moment. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9-XA7FRb_Q So much emotion.

Nah, thats cool. Thought it may have been a cross. Even so, its an awesome fish. So glad I saw it.

Sorry for the double post!

Just found my camera. Charging the battery now

Hello. I'm 99.99999999% sure its a Malawi. Its a dark yellow with dark green vertical stripes all the way down it. If I didn't know better, I'd say it was a Bumblebee. Cheers.

Are they available in NZ? Can't find anything online with their legal status. Thanks.