Stacey

anytime! it's good stuff

thanks murmade, I was thinking of switching him to the Hikari Bio gold brand, but never did because every store I went to only had the large bag of the medium pellets, and I've only got the one oscar........ how do you prepare cucumber and zuchinni for an oscar? I frequently feed these to the pleco (who shares the tank) but the oscar usually leaves the big chunks of veggie alone. He does however eat mushroom and lettuce.

Thanks guys, I've lowered the temp a bit, and have been trying to feed a greater variety........ I never see the "frog and tadpole bites" get eaten, but they are disappearing. I will try offering those every 2 days, and alternating between bloodworms, brine shrimp and beefheart the other days. Someone shed some skin in there today..... first time I've seen that. Both frogs that are left seem healthy and active. Seeing definate growth on the bigger frog. It's good to know Melafix can be used with these frogs, I wasn't sure. Hopefully I won't have any more fatalities any time soon.

Well, got home from work to find a another dead African Dwarf Frog......... all frogs were alive this morning. Those of you that have read my previous may remember that I lost one about two weeks ago, the first one died within hours of me bringing it home. Both frogs appeared healthy, died for no apparent reason. The worst thing is that was my 9 year old's frog. (the first one that died) She thinks this one is the replacement, also "her" frog, which we got the next day. (She's just crushed.) I'M not entirely sure......... I know it wasn't our original frog, (bought at the end of December) cuz he's the biggest, and still alive. It is one of the two bought last week. To re-cap tank parameters: -tank is 10 gallons -first frog and betta bought end of december -cycled with media/filter from other tank -2 more ADf's added 2 weeks ago, first frog died that night, replaced next day -tank contains driftwood, java fern and a plastic plant -all frogs and fish fed mostly frozen bloodworms, and brine shrimp -tank temp is 27 C -water changed once a week, 50 % -ACTUAL TEST RESULTS were fine, last I checked. Soon as I post this, I will test again and do a water change........ I hope someone can help me figure out why they died. No sign of redness on the legs, no apparent sores or any visual symptoms. All limbs/appendaged attached. I'll go do the tests and WC now, will post results........ Poor little froggies. Edited to add: test results are - 0ppm for ammonia and nitrite, nitrate 10 ppm, pH 8.0, as always.

Get the Prime. It's not cheap, but it's concentrated -so you don't use much. It will also detoxify the ammonia, BUT only for 24 hours, then it breaks down....... so you may need to dose daily until you figure out the cause of the ammonia spike.

RD - my oscar is only about 6 or 7 inches. (total length) Why do you say I might be better off feeding the oscar a larger fish formula, instead of the cichlid formula? Just because of the size of the cichlid pellets?? I will try the pleco wafers when I get a paycheque. One more stupid question...... Are there any NLS preparations suitable for African Dwarf Frogs? I currently hand feed them with (frozen) bloodworms, brine shrimp and beefheart. I also offer a packaged frog food, but I've never seen them eat it..... btw, thanks for patiently answering all my questions

RD -meant to reply to this thread sooner, life sometimes gets in the way of posting on fish forums! I looked at your site, read your article on fish food ingredients. (And refering to your last post, I really don't know if the food I chose is a good one or not, (Omega One) but it LOOKED better than the Hikari.) I join fish forums because I want the opinions of others more experienced than I. I have only 6 fish (actually 3 are frogs) and care very much about what I feed them. I saw the NLS fish food at Riverfront, and it was certainly priced like it was the best. Price normally isn't a problem, but that day I was unemployed. (not anymore, but this is Calgary) However the primary reason I did not buy the NLS chiclid formula is that they only had the medium sized jar in stock. I have only one oscar, and would like to buy the smallest possible container, for freshness. I am definitely interested in the NLS food, and have a question about the Pleco wafers. I have a common Pleco, he/she has grown about an inch a month since I got it. The folks at Plecofanatics.com suggest that a common pleco is primarily vegetarian, and should be fed accordingly. My pleco's staple diet is cucumber, (will eat his body weight in the mini ones, definately the favorite) zuchinni, kiwi friut and lettuce. I've also offered plenty of other veggies, with varying success. I supplement with pleco wafers, for protein, about once or twice a week. (again the Hikari brand, tried Wardley's and I swear he laughed at me, then said "come on, chuck in a kiwi, ya know ya wanna" (so I did)).......... Well that was long winded, can you tell I've had a :beer: or two while posting this??........ Anyway my question is...... How many times per week would you feed a vegetarian pleco the NLS wafer? I have little doubt that it contains better quality protein, but I want to ensure he gets enough, without getting too much protein. He seems to be growing well on his current diet, is now about 7.5 inches TL. You're imput is appreciated, I definately want to see for myself if the NLS food is as good as you (and others) suggest it is! Thanks, Stacey

New to Alberta - Thanks! I'm sure I'll eventually have more questions to bug you with! I believe I have the points you mentioned addressed..... nitrates are 5ppm*, frogs hide under driftwood, and I have plants that reach the surface. I feed everyone in that tank with a dropper (very cute, frogs will stand on their hind feet to get the food) I've already thought of my first question for you...... I haven't had these frogs long, still working on a varied diet. The guy at the store said bloodworms, I bought frozen and they just love those! I also offer packaged frog food, which I haven't seen them eat, (but why would they when they have bloodworms squirted in their face?) I've offered (frozen) brine shrimp, and beefheart. they all ate these without a problem....... what else should I be giving them? I'd like to offer live foods, but need to do some research, as I know nothing about growing my own, or what to look for when buying. * 5ppm nitrates was with one frog and the betta, now that I've added 2 more frogs I can expect this figure to at least double...... but water changes on the little tank are a simple thing. ( It's the 90 gallon that's labour intensive!) btw -welcome to Alberta! -where the jobs are plentiful, and so is the snow! (I'm originally fron Vancouver, don't think I'll ever get used to winter here.) Thanks, Stacey

:welcome: I'm new here as well, and was also suprised to find such an active, LOCAL forum! sorry about the platy....... hope your other fish pull through.

Unfortunately froggy didn't make it. I'm guessing he was just weak, as he only lived a few hours. The other one I bought monday is fine, as is the "older" one I bought at the end of December. The folks at Riverfront kindly replaced him for me, so now the tank again contains 3 frogs and a betta...... I know it wasn't a water quality issue, tank is cycled and paramaters were checked monday morning. (I didn't quarantine although I know I should've, but I did buy them all from the same place) Everyone I've spoken with says they're not very hardy, so thanks HOSStile, for the link, as that particular page is one I haven't seen yet. Thanks everyone, for the responses.

I bought 2 more african dwarf frogs today...... on is floating upside down, still alive but not fighting when picked up (moves though) I've taken him out of the tank......... put in large measuring cup......hubby says he just croaked (as in noise not dead) but seems to weak to swim normally....... I hope someone can help.........

RD. - After reading the label on the Hikari pellets, and conducting a little "experiment" on the frozen food, (thawed out cube, squished water out with paper towel) I must conclude that you're right. My fishes diet could use some revision....... I'll be stopping by Riverfront tomorrow, to read the labels of all the food they sell...... am I correct on assuming that I should be looking for "fishy ingredients" first on the label instead of "wheaty ingredients"?

Thanks everyone....... I think I'll look for one. One weekly (50%) water change used to be enough. The pleco must be on a growth spurt, he's eating and pooping more lately......

He only eats pellets maybe 3 times per week, about 6 or so of the small size "Hikari Staple" cichlid pellet. Mostly he gets the frozen cubes....... I feed the "San Francisco Bay" brand variety pack, containing "cichlid delight", "emerald entree", "spirulina enriched brine shrimp", and "bloodworms". He also gets the frozen "beefheart", same brand. Reading the ingredients list, these foods don't seen to contain much carbohydrates. RD. - What are bad carbs for a fish? What should I be avoiding? He doesn't seem sick, still eating..... I will do more water changes, so that I can keep looking for more "nasty gravel", hopefully this is just a one time thing, as I've never noticed it before. Thanks for the imput folks.

You could try the public library, not gonna help if you want to own the book, but you could look it over and see if it's worth buying. Also you don't even have to leave your computer screen, you can reserve books and have them sent to you're local library for pick up. (Provided of course, that the library has a copy...)

Fecal follies! HA I feed him 1 frozen cube of fish food per day,(5 different types) supplemented with pellets. Plus whatever veggies he steals from the pleco...... not much, but he does like lettuce and mushroom. I think I will up the maintenance to twice a week........ so much pleco poop on the bottom that he keeps mistaking for something delicious......

Hi everyone, I think my Oscar has been eating his gravel..... there are a few pieces of gravel that look almost surrounded in poo, like they passed through him. He is acting absolutely normal, and I've seen him pick up gravel in his mouth then spit it out.......... but I've never seen gravel that looks like it went through him before? (The poo encrusted gravel is all small pieces, smaller than his normal poos) Does anyone else's fish do this? I don't suppose there is any way to stop it, other than to take all the gravel out?? ...... only 2 posts on this forum and they're both about poo! I'm not obsessed, folks, really!!

I've only read about these things......... but it seems to me that this could be a helpful tool for someone who's Pleco thinks that his own poo makes a great decorative accessory to be draped around plastic plants like tinsel on a Christmas tree! So....... does anyone here use one? Are they for sale in stores, or do you have to shop online? (I've never seen one for sale here in Calgary) Do they do a good job? as in are they worth what you paid for it? I currently use a Python to change the water on the pleco's (90 gallon) tank...... I'm not dissatisfied with it, but it takes a weekly water change of about 50% of just to get most of the poo out........ I'm just wondering if these things powerful enough to make my aquarium maintenance quicker and easier, or am I better off just sticking to the Python? Thanks for any imput, Stacey

Thanks for the welcome everyone! :beer:

Hello everyone, I just found this place, very cool to find a LOCAL fish forum! A bit about me....... I'm 30, female, and live in NW Calgary. I've had fish for about 6 months. And about my finned-friends....... 2 tanks, both freshwater, very small collection of fish. -the 90 gallon is home to an Oscar and a Pleco.... both fish are medium sized, but growing..... I consider this tank to be fully stocked due the the adult size of these fish. -the 10 gallon is home to a male betta, and an African Dwarf Frog...... these 2 are about 1/2 an inch each....... I'd like to get a few more frogs. I look forward to hanging out here, and reading about any (and all) local fish/equiptment sales!! Stacey