katmintblue

OK, so a new question to go with my previous one.....I am noticing that some of the babies are white while most are dark like the parents.....is this normal? Will they eventually color up like the parents? Or maybe they haven't matured as quickly as the others? They are of equal size to their siblings.....and there are only a few that haven't colored up.....Thanks for any info. Kat

Thanks everyone, so far my baby BN's are thriving. The only other fish in the tank are Daddy & a baby Swordtail. Wondering when would be a good time to return Dad back to the big tank with his mate? So far my daughter & I have counted about 100 babies. Anyone looking for BN's? LOL! Free to good homes....

So, my BN's are VERY forgiving & have blessed my with a third batch of babies! Just curious what others have done for their care. They are approx a month old, still have Dad in the baby tank, thinking of returning him to the main tank back with his mate....it is day two of all the babies staying out & not returning to their ship (cave)......I have been feeding broken algae wafers as well as spirulina flakes. They seem to be thriving so far.... All were moved to a baby tank as soon as i knew for sure that there were babies. My first batch of babies did not survive, left them with my hubby when I was away....needless to say he didn't do well caring for them. The second batch also did not make it as my Loach figured out there were babies in the ship & slammed into it repeatedly.....needless to say, there were no more babies. with this latest batch I would like to see them actually survive! any advise for care would be appreciated. Thank you in advance! Kat PS: If anyone is looking for BN's.....I have a whole lot (if they all survive this time)!

So, doing a water change on our Betta's tank, when going to put back in fresh tank he jumped, ended up in the sink, daughter tried to grab him before he went down the drain.....now he is on his side......anyone know what could be the problem? any assistance is greatly appreciated.....he is a loved member of our family!

I found a small container for him to rest on. The water in his tank is about half full and he seems to be hanging out on the container once i guided him towards it. Here's what his tank looks like right now, thank you for responding!

Hi there, yesterday around 11:30am, I noticed that my betta's tank was tipped over and all of the water was out. I went searching and found him, almost dead, and put him in a measuring cup of water with some water conditioner that helps with stress and restores their slime. We have no idea how long he was out of the water for. Today, I cleaned his tank (and gravel and tree) and put same temperature water in the tank. After putting him back, he seemed to be very stressed, so added a bit more of the water conditioner. He was laying at the bottom, lopsided. After reading some other posts about betta's being at the top of their tank and since he wasn't using his fins to swim to the top, I stuck a finger into his tank and guided him to the top where he blew some bubbles. After this, he seemed to be swimming a bit better and is able to float in the water near the top. Does anyone have any other suggestions as to what to do? UPDATE: He passed away this morning.

I live in Irricana. A small drive all things considered. If you have Danios for me I would appreciate it. Weekends, depending on weather are usually my best available times. I drive a school bus by day so don't like to travel too much just in case! You're awesome!!!! Thank you so much!!!!

Thank you to everyone that responded to my post. I have continued my bi-weekly water changes & everything else as always, except a change in lighting (back to not turning the lights on!). They are out being social again but, do go into the cave for short periods. Next chance when in Calgary.....I am going to pick up some more danios so there is a bigger school. Maybe they just didn't like the weather forecast or something LOL!

By the Way......Thank you to everyone who has posted to this so far........i forget to thank you in my respsonses......but ALWAYS.....a SUPER big THANKS!!!

Skidbro.....there is no bullying in the tank, there have been no changes in the tank other than every couple week w/c. The behaovior started about a week ago & has never been this way before. I do not have bully type fish in my tank.....if that happens......I remove the offending fish,etc. I strive for only very friendly fish. As for the dog.....she is waaaaaay to busy chasing cats & has "NO" interest in the tank. My hubby is a butt when it comes to lights on.......he always turns them off. For some reason he thinks he is saving in our energy bill. LOL! To my knowledge nothing has changed in our tank to bring on anything else......it's been business as usual. As for the list of habitants,......recently posted on the welcome? sight (new peeps), We have an unknown catfish (never see the guy.....inherited long before & prefers it to be totally dark, would love to find someone who knows about this one!!), 6 Dwarf Rainbows (we got them to keep another big Rainbow at bay.....he became a BIG bully, He died a year ago), 2 YoYo Loaches (got them as my hubby overfed on my vacay & had a snail explosion), 4 - 3 Spot Paraguay Tetras, 2 Mickey Mouse Platys, 3 Blood? tetras (look like barbs but, they are tetras?), 3 Zebra Danios & what were supposed to be 4 Cherry Barbs. I think that is all other than the 2 Crown Bettas which are in their own bowls. SuperGuppy.........I have only 3 of the Zebra Danios but, have had them for over a year so the recent change in behaviour is a mystery to me. I was a novice aquarium person & still am........OMG........I really was hoping that "MAYBE" we would wake up to babies. Recently had baby Micky Mouse Platys & didn't know until it was too late.......only found one.........then it got ate as (I think we paid too much attention)it was gone in a couple days.

Thank You Bandi for your reply. As I stated I used to only have live bearers & now don't know what to expect. I thought it would be nice if they maybe laid some eggs but, if not that's okay too. I just found their behaviour recently to be very strange for them. They have been in my tank for over a year & have never exhibited any desire to reside in the cave & until recently (when they kicked the other lil guys out of the cave.....they were supposedly cherry barbs, but, that is not true)(guess I need to pay closer attention too what the lil ones are.) I thought they somehow died or disappeared.....I have three cats that like to think they are mighty hunters but, to the best of my knowledge haven't poached a fish since the inception or us having a tank.......they just all the sudden showed up again like they were always there. I am still closely watching their behavior when I am at home to see what I can see. I guess I am in a BIG learning curve with these guys/gals. Thanks again for your response! Kat

Greetings Everyone!! I am newly returned to the world of aquariums after several years hiatus. My question is......I have Zebra Danios......they recently kicked out some little fish that had adopted the cave in my 55 gallon tank. They used to be very social fish & now it has changed. Only one came out for about 2 days, then this morning all three came out for feeding. I only feed once a day & that is in the morning, about 6:30 am. After their breakfast.......they all disappeared back into the cave. Now tonight.....only 2 of the 3 are out in general population. When they do come out of the cave....it is to go straight back. They have never exhibited this kind of behavior before so I am wondering/hoping that maybe they have eggs in the cave? I have in the past dealt with only live bearers so this is something totally new to me. If anyone has any info that can be of help I would greatly appreciate it. Even if it means that they did not lay eggs & are just being strange for their first time. Thank you in advance for any help anyone may have.......Kat!

Greetings!!! I was on this site for awhile but that was several years ago. I am so glad that it is still here. I sort of lost my enthusiasm for awhile but, the fever has arrived again! Don't know it it's lifestyle change or just a new phase in my life but, here I am again! I live in Irricana, Alberta & have a freshwater tank. Used to run 2 55 gal, 1 33 gal, 1 10 gal & a couple 2.5 gal. I am at 1 55 gal now but, still have all my other tanks. I keep nice community fish that get along with each other. Have been down the road that they are supposed to get along & find out that they don't. I now try to not impulse shop 'cause they're cute & research what I want. I currently have 2 Mickey Mouse Platys, 6 Dwarf Rainbow, 3 Blood Fin Tetras, 4 Three Spot Paraguay Tetras, 2 YoYo Loaches, 1 unidentifiable Catfish (I inherited him from friends, he doesn't come out much unless it is pitch black, feel free to ask questions.....I know I will 'cause he's a strange one!), 3 Zebra Danios & what I thought were Cherry Barbs but, for as long as I have had them they definately are NOT Cherry Barbs (they are my newest mystery!) We also have a Male & Female Crowntail Betta. My daughter used to be an enthusiast with me but, she is now a teenager & if I rely upon her to feed the fish they will starve to death. Go figure!?! I still love her though. I will be posting shortly with questions about my Zebra Danios. They have recently started acting weird. Will try to find the appropriate place for my post. Look forward to getting to know everyone again & meeting new friends! Thanks for still being here! Kat

Okay, didn't think I would be back in this department so quickly. Last night at feeding time out female Albino BN was belly up & dead. He mate has been fine until feeding time tonight. He was belly up. When we went to net him out he was actually still alive but, ailing very badly. I can find no sign of injury or anything that looks out of place on him. He looks perfectly normal as always except he has no deisre to suck to anything. I have moved him to his own tank (2 g) I used filtered water & treatment. Does anyone know what I can do for him to help him? I have been over my tank with a fine tooth comb & can not find anything amiss. (Well, other than the snails). I have had this guy for two years or so & this is the second mate he has lost. He has survived anything & everything up til now. Any advice would be appreciated also as quickly as anyone can respond. I really don't want to lose my buddy! Thanks in advance! Kristie Okay, been up with him & he is now officially gone! RIP Mr. Whiskers u will b missed! :-(

Thank You to everyone who has responded! I have received lots of information. I went to Big Al's today & after all my research & the advice of people here & consulting with the staff.....we brought home a few YoYo Loaches. I also picked up some other foods for them to eat. I already have frozen blood worms on hand. I really like my little guys! They are so cute.....I am starting to think I should have bought a couple more. They aren't very big right now only a couple inches. I try very hard to keep my tank up to snuff. Water changes, vacuuming, etc. I forgot to replace my water test kit while there but, will have to wait til my next trip to the city. The tank in question is a 55g. Bought it off a member from this site. I did check out the Assasin Snails but, wasn't really sold on them. The food issue...my Hubby only fed the tank once a day versus our twice daily feeding so I don't know about an over feed in the tank...think the daughter already does that. Though she is getting better. Will wait to see what my new YoYo's do. I even like the name!! Got called the YoYo in High School as one day I was there & one day I was not. Had a full schedule keeping up my own apartment & working full time & attending school when I was only 15. Must say I have become a great multi tasker!! Anyways......thanks again to everyone for their help I greatly appreciate it. Just gotta say....I love this site!!!!!!! Take care all!!! Kristie

Hello & thanks for your response. The only thing that has been added is just the shell. No new fish, no plants, the only other thing I can think of is a couple new shells that I picked up at Big Als for "Sunny" she's a lamprologus ocellatus "gold". But they were added months before I went on holidays. I have not noticed anything amiss until I returned. He had added the shell right after I left & I was gone for just over two weeks. That's why I was thinking it must have been the shell that he added. It is a total mystery to me! The shell had been in the garage since last fall with all the rest of my garden decorations. I did see another response about loaches eat snails. Maybe I will go shopping for some of them? Thanks, Kristie

Okay, will start off by saying I'm not sure if this is the right place for this post. What happened is my Hubby (bless his soul?) decided to put a shell in one of my tanks while I was away on holiday. After I returned & was having a good look at the tank I have found lots of snails. This shell is originally from the Pacific Ocean near where I grew up in Washington. It has resided in my flowerbed with other shells I brought from home. He didn't think it would hurt anything to put it in the tank. I have no idea what kind of snails these are. They are small maybe about a centimeter? in length. Long & cylindrical. I would like to find out 1) are they going to be a problem? 2) can I get rid of them some how? 3) if so...how the heck do I get rid of them? I think I recall something about certain types of fish that eat snails. Is this true? If so what kind would be farily docile as I am trying to keep mostly nice mellow community fish in the tank. I appreciate any & all information. I have been away from the forum lately as I have been busy working & volunteering. Thanks & look forward to some much needed information. Kristie

I have 3 black skirts and all of them, at one time or another, list sideways. Sometimes they stay 'listed' for 30 min or so, then they dart away. The first few times I observed this behavior, I was concerned that something was wrong, but they do it often and always go 'normal' again, I'm beginning to think it is part of their nature. This is only my opinion, but I have had them over a year now and they have done it since day one. Hi, We have never had this happen before with Skirty. He/She seems to be struggling to keep right side up. Is now taking to swimming in loops throughout the tank. I found it laying on the bottom tonight & thught it was dead. Still breathing & trying to keep the top side up but, I am thinking it is losing the battle. Was thinking of putting him in a tank by himself & maybe trying some epsom salt water to see if it did any good. I guess at this point it really can't hurt. V. sorry I missed your calls. Been a very, very busy day! Kat

Hi all! Just a query. I just noticed tonight that our black skirt tetra is listing to one side. He/She has always been healthy for the last year we have had it. I looked the fish over closely & noticed that the left fin looks perfectly fin & wispy looking as always but, the right fin......is stumpy & black looking! It has never looked that way before. I have been in the process of buying a new home for us so probably haven't payed as close attention as I should have. The rest of the tank is looking as great as always. Not sure if it is an age sign or if something amiss is happening. Any info anyone could impart would be greatly appreciated. By the way I know this isn't the place to put this but, my albino Bn's are holding. Hope to get some babes out of this one!!!! Yeah!!!! Kat

Well, sorry to say that they didn't spawn anything!!! I was doing some tank maintenance & decided to have a little peek & there was nothing inside the ship. DRAT! I was so looking forward to seeing some little ones around. Well, will have to wait for the next time they are acting weird! Hope it is soon! I would really like to see some babies! Kat

Thank you for the congrats!!! I am hoping to have some babies!!! :-)' It has only been a month since the female was introduced. WOW!!! That was fast!!! Now, do I leave the ship in the tank (55g) or move it w/ or w/out Mr. Whiskers???? I have a 2.5g tank for babies & it is empty at this time. Advice & thoughts are greatly appreciated! I have not been to this point before. This will be my first egg layers. I have only dealt with live bearers to this point. Thanks in advance for any & all help or advice!!!! Kat :thumbs:

Hi! Just thought I would try to find out what is up with Mr. Whiskers & Fishy Fish. Mr Whiskers is usually on his driftwood & likes to hang out in his small ship. We introduced a female "Fishy Fish" a while ago. She is usually hanging out wherever she feels. Well, since last night I couldn't find either one of them. I finally found Mr. Whiskers as he poked his head out of the ship. Shortly after Fishy Fish came out. Again this morning they were both missing. Well, several hours later, Fishy Fish is out of the ship. Mr. Whiskers will not leave the ship. He will occasionally poke his head out of the ship & then zips right back in. I even tried to tempt both of them with Zucchini. Mr. Whiskers came out of the ship & started to nibble on it but, when another fish swam by he hurried back into his ship & will not come out. There has never been any issue of another fish of any kind entering the ship. Mr. Whiskers claimed it since day one & no-one wants to challenge him for his home. I also did make a cave for them but, neither Mr. Whiskers or Fishy Fish have any interest in it! Any idea as to what is going on with these two? Thanks in advance, Kat

Okay time to end this post unfortunately....Bubby's Fish died Monday night. Hubby was good guy & went out in the middle of the night & dug a deep hole & we burried him. It was a promise I made to our daughter. She cried in the morning when she realized that he was gone. He put up a really good fight but, I noticed on Saturday night when feeding he would not eat anymore. I knew the time was near. She now picks fresh flowers every morning to put on his grave. She even has friends on the bus that have been picking boquets to add to his grave. RIP Bubby's Fish! You were great!!!!

Congrats on the new babes! My daughter & I have never really gotten over the excitement of new borns in the tank. In the big tank we try to catch the female when we think she is near & her 10g tank we let nature take its course. If & when we find the wee ones we catch them & put them in a baby tank until they are big enough to find homes for. Enjoy & nice pics of the little ones! Kat :thumbs:

They were going on a year in age. They had been in a smaller tank until a friend of my hubbys gave our daughter his 10g tank. There were only a couple small fish in it so decided to let the young ones swim around. It was shortly after that the one developed it's swordtail. It had shown no signs of one before. He had also only been in a baby tank with his remaining siblings. The one now is not quite a month old & is already sprouting a swordtail. Couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it! So far 1 male & 6 girls. The male from the earlier batch is about the same size a s his dad though much different coloring. Dad is more white bodied with an orange tail, the younger one is all orange. The new babe has no color as of yet, though some of the girls are getting some black marks on the end of their tails.