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My male outgrew the 55'er, and when he spooked I thought the whole tank was coming down.

Yeah that is what I am kinda wondering to. I have also e-mailed a couple places who say they do not use trans shippers. The FedEx (or whomever carrier) declares the goods and ship them from there (from what I've been told).

So if I were to make a trip out to the coast this summer and felt like driving them back myself...

Nothing that would be red-flagged or illegal. Freshwater chichlids/other.

I am wondering what is involved in importing fish from Asia. Can I simply call 'em up, pay them the money and have them shipped to whatever airport and pick them up? or do I need to have any documentation before hand? Any horror stories?

Yeah I've contacted Spencer Jack about this and his response was that there would be no problem getting whatever crazy Apistos I wanted, the problem was that they ship a whole box (200-400+) fish and unless he gets an order for 200 he doesn't like having that many fish on hand. I don't blame him.

Tried it once, would never do it again unless a grow-out or hospital tank. Need to paint bottom to prevent the disorientating effect the reflection has on fish. Also, you really miss out on a lot of digging and landscaping activities.

Really depends on how large the tank is and how many fry you plan to keep/raise. If we are talking a 6ft tank, then the parents will be mostly able to defend the fry, you will lose some to the Oscars once the fry start free swimming. The size of your fish are somewhat important also. A small JD pair, as aggressive as they are, may not be as effective against two mature Oscars.

+1. Cheap also

I am thinking of trying Ctenopoma ansorgii this xmas. Does anyone here have any experience with this fish? I am thinking of housing a few in a planted 15g. Do these males have the dame demeanor as beta males? Would it be risky to keep with a dwarf cichlid species such as blue ram?

I am curious to know how you finished off the edges of the background so that the yellow foam does not show on the side of the tank. You do not show a clear pic of this. Also, what is your lighting set-up for this? It looks stunning! Thanks for putting all the labour into showing us, it really is an inspiration!

Yup that's a clown... Well as I am fairly new to the world of plecos I can't say with certainty what you can or cannot mix them with, however, they do make a nice addition to most communty tanks (tetras/livebearers). They are a wood eater mainly and will not do much to clean up any algae. I have mine in a planted tank and they don't even touch the plants at all! (although they love lettuce and zuccini... I wonder why they are so picky...). Anyway they only get to be about 4" long at best (from what I've researched). I purchased mine from a pet store that had them in with commons (roughly the same size), but there was also no wood for them so I picked them out right away. They are territorial against their own species and am not sure how they will react to other plecos. A good place to ask would be: www.plecofanatcs.com

I was wondering if there is anyone at this forum who is breeding/has bread Clown Plecos (L104/L162), aka Panaque maccus, or any other Panaque species. I have had what I believe (I am thinking they are still a bit young to tell for sure) to be 2f and 1m for about 4mos and have just moved them to their own breeding tank. They are about 2.5" long. The male has taken up a 'cave' and is fairly territorial. I have not yet started 'conditioning' them, nor have I est. a regimented diet (they seem to like the wood best anyway). Was just wondering if anyone could share experiences with this, thanks.

Greetings from Regina. I would consider myself an intermediate hobbyist, have had aquariums around me for as long as I can remember. Just bought my own place a couple years ago and decided it was time to get a little more serious with the hobby. I currently have a couple breeding groups of convicts on the go (my brothers Oscar enjoys the fry I can't get rid of) and I am attempting to breed Clown Pleco's at the moment (these fry will not be going to the Oscar), it is my understanding that they are a little more difficult to breed… I would someday like to get my hands on the famous L046 Zebra Pleco and attempt to breed those as well. Anyway, just thought I’d say hi, I am in Alberta prolly only a few times each year but hopefully will enjoy the help that other members can provide… Cheers!