Got fish?

[bokisaurus]

I thought that since people are sharing pictures of their beloved pets, I should introduce mine ;D I have two fish tank, a marine reef tank and a small 10 gal.
The reef tank is my pride and joy! Pictured is my beloved Queen Angelfish. He is going on 7 years now, I got him when he was just a little juvie ;D It was amazing watching him grow and change, he is nothing like what he looked like when he was young! I have a shrimp, few hermit crabs to keep him company. And yes, the corals are real. They are all very old, some going on 10 years and has moved with me from one place to another.
The 10 gallon tank is where my little turtle live ;D I will find a photo of him and add it later. He is a character! He loves to beg for food. He is also a big baby, he is afraid of earthworms! ;D
I don't name my pets, every time I do they die, so no names. Although I call the fish fishieee (he responds to it too, he will swim to the other end of the tank and beg for food ;D)
[img src="http://i344.photobucket.com/albums/p323/Bokichops/DSCN3409.jpg"

[therizinosaurus]

Wow, he's beautiful! I used to have some cool fish, but now all I have are 2 goldfish.

[Tyrannax]

OMG Boki, I love that fish! The only "swimming fish" I have is a bala shark. ;DI have mostly bottom dwelling oddballs, like my eels, ropefish, bichirs, etc.

Great guy!

[tomhet]

Wow, I totally missed this! Great fish boki!

[Meso-Cenozoic]

Boki, he is beautiful! You must be taking really good care of him.

[[][][]cordylus[][][]]

I got fish. They always keep dying though. I have, however, a plecostimus that I have had for almost four years now, since the second grade!!!

[Tyrannax]

I have an eel topic up, but no one seems to like eels. ;D

Oh well.

[sbell]

Nov 13, 2008 4:15:52 GMT Tyrannax said:

OMG Boki, I love that fish! The only "swimming fish" I have is a bala shark. ;DI have mostly bottom dwelling oddballs, like my eels, ropefish, bichirs, etc.

Great guy!

I've had many bichirs over the years! I only have the one P. palmas now--he's in my office at work.

[[][][]cordylus[][][]]

Nov 13, 2008 4:15:52 GMT Tyrannax said:

OMG Boki, I love that fish! The only "swimming fish" I have is a bala shark. ;DI have mostly bottom dwelling oddballs, like my eels, ropefish, bichirs, etc.

Great guy!

I hope you have at least 2 others.

[stoneage]

Dec 7, 2008 17:43:45 GMT [][][]cordylus[][][] said:

I got fish. They always keep dying though. I have, however, a plecostimus that I have had for almost four years now, since the second grade!!!

;D Try a 33% water change every two weeks! ;D

[[][][]cordylus[][][]]

^ I do that! And I filter the gravel every month. The stupid things just hate me. I even spent like fifty dollars on live plants for them a couple of weeks ago, and they ATE ALL OF THEM!!!

[stoneage]

Dec 8, 2008 1:02:27 GMT [][][]cordylus[][][] said:

^ I do that! And I filter the gravel every month. The stupid things just hate me. I even spent like fifty dollars on live plants for them a couple of weeks ago, and they ATE ALL OF THEM!!!

Okay what type of fish do you have and what size tank do you keep them in? How do they die?

[[][][]cordylus[][][]]

Mollies + guppies, a plecostimus, 2 loaches, and a rainbow shark. The tank is a thirty gallon. when all the fish lengths are added up, it equals about 26 inches. I have no clue how they die. Sometimes they just disappear, other times they will already be dead witht other fish eating them.

[stoneage]

Dec 8, 2008 1:30:04 GMT [][][]cordylus[][][] said:

Mollies + guppies, a plecostimus, 2 loaches, and a rainbow shark. The tank is a thirty gallon. when all the fish lengths are added up, it equals about 26 inches. I have no clue how they die. Sometimes they just disappear, other times they will already be dead witht other fish eating them.

What are you feeding them? Do you do water test? What kind and size Pleco do you have.

[[][][]cordylus[][][]]

I am not sure waht kind of pleco he is, but he is about 8 inches long. I feed them vegeterian fish flakes, fresh vegetables, a special "color- enhancing" pellet, regular fish flakes, algae wafers, dried seaweed, and freeze-dried bloodworms and shrimp.

[Tyrannax]

Not to sound hard, but most plecos should be much larger then 8 inches if you've had one since 2nd grade. Plecos, even at a young age, also need a lot of room. You may want to upgrade from a 30 to a 55 gallon.

Also, try feeding your pleco avocado, and try feeding your fish frozen brine shrimp. Fish love eating frozen food rather then dried food. It is also better for them. When you change out the water, only change 25 percent once every month. You don't want to get rid of beneficial bacteria that promote your fishes' well being. I own 2 bichirs, a ropefish, a bala shark, a common pleco, 2 snails, and 2 jewel gobies (Not all in one tank). I also own 2 salthingyer eels, and have had experience with fish since I was 3ish.

[[][][]cordylus[][][]]

OK, just checked the pleco's length- It is actually about 10 1/2 inches long. Is that good?

I have read that mollies, guppies, and plecos are vegetarians, and shouldn't have too much animal protein. I'm guessing feeding brine shrimp all the time would be bad, yes?

I change the water about every 3-4 weeks, about 30%. Is that good?

I feed the pleco things such as romaine lettuce, zuchinni, orange, and the seaweed. I will see if I can get some avacado for him.

I really have no other place to put a 55 gallon. Is there anything I can add to the tank to make it seem larger to them?

And no, you don't sound "hard" at all. ;D You telling me what's wrong is helpful.

[Tyrannax]

Depending on the species, that could be about right. Some species however, are usually full grown after that many years. You may either have a small species, one that is deformed a little bit and won't grow any larger, or it may, unlikely as it is, be due to the lack of food. I doubt that though judging by your care.

My goodness no, brine shrimp will be good for the plecos development. Try buying a pack at petco some time.

Hmmm...because you have such small species, I would probably not take so much water out so often. Its fine, but try 25 % every month. You know how your supposed to wait a week before actually putting fish in a new aquarium? Thats because bacteria needs to establish itself in the tank. Ridding of too much water too often can harm your fish basically.

Avocado is excellent, and brine shrimp is jsut as important. All of your fish will appreciate brine shrimp.

Does this help..?

(Pay close attention to nitrate, nitrite, pH, and ammonia levels in your aquarium.)

[[][][]cordylus[][][]]

^ yep, that all helps. I am going to get some unplateable plants for christmas, that will lower nitrate and ammonia and that kind of thing to lower levels.

[Tyrannax]

Yes, plants are awesome for freshwater aquariums! Make sure the fish are keeping are suitable for plants because some may eat the plant, and some plants may be toxic to fish.

Also make sure the plant has specialized lighting...this is why I don't bother with them...too much trouble. I've had a pleco since I was in 3rd grade and she's a big gal.