SomethingFishy

I rather like those little guys, and yes they usually come in on plants. There was a period where I was scooping out at least 50 snails per week from my 33 gallon, but, after moving the tank into a less sun-lit area, and diligent removal with water changes, the problem just sort of disappeared. I think sunlight exposure and algae growth may have something to do with snail population explosions. To remove snails, try using a container lid from cream cheese, or yogurt, etc, something with a rim on it is great to scoop them off the glass, put them into the container and voila, disposal. Anyways, to make a long story short, I have those cylindrical snails in one tank and find them beneficial and not out of control, they are more active at night. The 33 gallon tank now simply has one apple snail, I like him, he's about a centimeter wide and he just moves around and eats all day. There are still some empty shells from the other ones in the gravel bed, so they may come back one day, who knows. if they do I don't mind. Good luck and enjoy your snail, they can be good for the tank and entertaining.

I had a black skirt tetra, one of the first fish I ever got, injure his eyes on both sides, very much like the pics on this post. Kind of a white spot over the centre of the eye. If it's any consolation, this tetra is now 7 years old, happy and fine, navigates easily throughout the tank and around plants, and even chases other fish once in a while. I know it looks terrible, but the fish will be ok, I think. P.S. at first I thought it was a contagious infection and treated it as such but have never had another fish with this problem :boxed:

Very cool! Haven't seen any eggs or fry yet. I just rearranged the tank and replanted, so now I wonder if it'll take some time for them to adjust. I once had some diamond tetras breed unknown to me, and ended up with 3 babies surviving to adulthood. That are another very beautiful fish if you are looking for medium size tetras that won't bother anyone.

Thanks guys, I'm definitely over-filtering.....regardless, I did get rummy noses but put them in with the tetras. Neat effect....neons, black neons and rummy noses altogether make for nice looking.

I recently got a new tank, complete with fish, with 2 neon tetras among a bunch of cichlids and other fish that might see them as snacks. Sure enough, they disappeared, and I felt bad for their untimely demise. But.... This weekend, opened up the filter for some cleaning and surprise of all surprises, 2 neon tetras, ALIVE AND SWIMMING, stuck in the filter pipes. I actually almost flushed them until I noticed the fins where still moving and they were still swimming. So, after netting them out of the toilet, putting them in a container, observing them, and tentatively adding them to my tetra tank.....expecting death imminent.... The very next day, the 2 mislead tetras are now schooling happily with the rest of the neons, colour changed from pale sickly to a happy bright red and blue. For a fish that is not known for it's longevity and hardiness, these 2 guys are testaments to survival! Just for fun, they get bloodworms as a treat tonight I just thought it was a neat story, wanted to share...

Oh, and as far as the algae, it's still there....I moved my anubias to my other tank where the SAEs cleaned it up quick, but my swords still have the lovely green fuzz. Just cleaned out the filter and reduced lighting a while ago, we'll see how it goes. Thanks for your help!

Thanks all, I have since tried algae wafers and all of the fish in the tank eat those with gusto, but I am not sure what those ottos are eating, even now. Good news is that there is still 4 of them alive and well. Must be eating something I'll try your suggestions. Thanks.

I have 3 bleeding heart tetras and I notice that one pair does a strange 'dance', mostly in the evenings. Basically, they are side by side but head to tail, and then float almost horizontally around each other, kind of flipping, and alternatively going upright and sideways. Is this mating behavior or territorial behavior? I notice that they stake claim to a certain area near the front of the tank, and the 3 can get quite aggressive and will chase each other within this territory, while mostly ignoring other fish (except for the red minor tetras, which despite their smaller size, have no problem testing the waters, so to speak)..... By the way, for those looking for tetras, I recommend the bleeding hearts. When happy, they are a beautiful pale purplish with the heart marking standing out, they are nice to watch. Thanks

Would it be ok to add 8 or 9 rummy nose tetras in with my school of rasboras and cherry barbs? I have always loved rummy noses but my tetra tank is nearing overstocking, so I thought I could mix them into the barb tank......yes or no? Thanks

A few weeks ago added 4 oto cats to my well established, planted, algae smorgasbord tank. They seem to be doing ok, but I have read that they must be also offered food such as zucchini and cucumbers to ensure they don't starve. Tried both, they won't touch it, but the snails really enjoyed the cucumber. Should I add algae wafers? Will this cause/increase algae growth in the tank? Also, my tank has lovely green beard algae, most especially growing on the anubias, but of course they don't touch that stuff. Should I be concerned about this algae, and how do I keep it under control? Reduced lighting by 2 hours a day, seems to help, but what else? Thanks, a few questions in one post there. H

in that case, a large pair of angels would look really nice with a couple of gouramis and a school of cardinal tetras. You have to be selective what you combine with angels. They'll eat those cardinals! If they can fit it in their mouth they will.

Traded an old filter for some plants cuttings, and I have a couple crypts (species unknown), camboma, and a sword. I just have them floating at the top of the tank now, but how should I root them? Got a couple swords in my other tank and they are just inserted into the gravel and have taken root, one of them yellowed and had transparent old leaves so I cut it back and now there's bright green lush growth coming up, I assume that was the right thing to do. The other, a red sword, is growing great. Do these do ok rooted right into substrate? Is it normal to have to cut them back periodically? Camboma ended up rotting away in my other tank, after growing like crazy at first, what did I do wrong? Crypts I have no experience with, what should I do with these guys? How should I root them? I hear they like low light but is a good full spectrum bulb ok, or should I go for a dimmer light like flora-glow? (by the way, the flora glow bulb I had in other tank before really showed off the colours of my tetras beautifully, if you don't mind the slight yellowish cast - the brighter light of a sun glo makes them looked washed out). Plan to put some barbs in this tank eventually, but want the plants to be ok first. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks everyone. H

Bought a used tank that needs some cleaning up....how can I get rid of the hard water deposits on top edges of tank without using fish-deadly chemicals? Thanks all, Heather

Thanks for that....I'll just see how things go with how things are set up now. As it is, things are growing at an astonishing rate, and yes I got some hygro, along with swordplant, corkscrew and a couple others that I can't remember the names off hand right now. Funny to read that hygro is considered a noxious weed in some parts of the states. I can tell that eventually the tank will look overly full with plant cover, but for now it's just fine....I am going to start up my other tank as soon as I find a hood & light for it and will transplant a few things over into that one. Was reading some reviews about lighting, a lot of people don't like the soft yellow glow given off by sun glo lights, but I think that it looks better and more natural than the bright white light given off by higher spectrum and wattage lights. Re: the DIY CO2, I was reading some about that too...I think for now will see how it goes and will venture into that if I need it later on will try. Cheers, Heather

Hi everyone, great site, very informative, great to hear from people who are enthusiastic about the hobby, it's contagious!