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Post by parker002 on Aug 27, 2014 11:56:06 GMT -5
You're lucky that your rainbow sharks still eat algae. Of course, my livebearers still pick at algae but they don't really control it.
The only fish I have that haven't gotten lazy and settled for fish food are the otocinclus. They're awesome.
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Post by angelminx on Aug 28, 2014 15:06:54 GMT -5
I was too busy to log on yesterday, but on Tuesday Petco called and said that my Siamese Flying Foxes were in (but that they were very small--didn't think to ask how small). I told them I would be in yesterday to get them--the weather was SUPPOSED to be cooler. When I got there, I found the tank which was marked "hold all Flying Foxes for Shirley", but I couldn't find them anywhere. They moved everything around in the tank, even digging thru the gravel--none of us really thought they would bury themselves, though--and we even checked the other tanks, in case the wrong tank got marked. There was no sign of them. Non of the other fish in the tank (guppies and glowlights) were large enough to have eaten them--unless they were extremely small--but there was a 3" white "lobster" in the tank that was flushed out during the search. We can only assume that he ate them. So, we are going to try to order them again.
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Aug 28, 2014 17:08:05 GMT -5
We can only assume that he ate them. So, we are going to try to order them again. oh no
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Post by angelminx on Aug 29, 2014 0:19:06 GMT -5
I tried going to the article that was linked in The Krib (I made a copy of the one that comes up on the link), but the HTML translation of the AGA version that is referenced (and is supposed to be more accurate and "better") does not come up. I went straight to The Krib to try to find it, and found my way to where it is listed in the AGA Journal "page", but I can only get the thumbnail of pages in that particular journal, which are too small to read/copy. To get the article, you have to get the "Tag Archive DVD" of that Journal, which is only available to members. I'll probably do a little more checking later.
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Post by angelminx on Sept 11, 2014 1:16:11 GMT -5
The saga continues....
Tuesday I stopped at Petco to pick up some cat food, and my SAEs had come in, they just hadn't had a chance to call me before I left. They were in a different tank this time. They only got 5 in this time.
I asked the salesgirl if she could net one up for me so I could look at it close up in the specimen container. She did, but the poor thing died (?)from shock as she did. That left 4. Anyway, we looked at the dead one closely, and I decided to go ahead and get the others. 2 died before I got home (which left 1), and the other one died the next day when I put it in a specimen container to get another good look. That left 0. I'm going to wait a little longer to see if I can get some that are a little older next time.
Now, about the fish: I looked at the dead ones again when I got home. All of the fish were 1" long (I measured the dead ones) so it was hard to tell if they only had one pair of barbels or not, but that's what it looked like. The 2 dead ones were definitely SAEs, all the markings were correct, including the "outlined" scales on the dorsal half of the body. The one that was still alive (the most active of the three--i.e. frantic) was much more golden in color. I had noticed this when I glanced at them in their insulated carrier when I stopped for gas on the way home (it was cheaper closer to home than in Edwardsville). At home, I looked him over in the specimen container before I added the MB and started the acclimation process. His stripe was faded (that's why I wanted to take a close look again today, after he had a chance to darken back up--he was still golden, however), but it did look like there was a slight zig-zag edging to it; it looked as if stripe did continue into the tail; and the stripe did go all the way to the tip of the nose. Also, there was no color to the fins, and, again looked like there was only one pair of barbels. There was, however, no dark edging to the scales. I know Chinese Algae Eaters come in golden, but it did not have a sucker-mouth, and definitely had barbels, even though it was hard to tell how many pairs since the fish was so small.
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Sept 11, 2014 9:21:21 GMT -5
That's too bad. I would say stress too if they just got the fish in. Then had to be bagged back up. I'm sorry for the difficulties. I'm glad you know what you are looking for when looking at fish.
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Post by babygeige on Sept 14, 2014 8:15:24 GMT -5
That's a shame about the fish. I know it's late in the conversation, but I thought I'd chime in on SAE's vs. Flying Foxes. I have one of each (thanks to a mis-ID by the LFS) and the Flying Fox is more aggressive than the SAE. They were in the same tank for a while, but the fox picked on the SAE so badly that I had to move the SAE to my 55 gallon tank - where he absolutely thrives. The SAE is one of my favorite fish, very active and doesn't really bother any of the other fish in the tank despite being one of the biggest guys in there at 5 inches or so. The Fox doesn't do any damage to the other fish in his tank, which consists of 1 adult male kribensis, a bunch of juvenile kribs (anyone need some?), and a lone Harlequin rasbora. He will chase the adult a little bit, but nothing harmful. But yes, it's important to know the difference. I didn't at the time (and neither did the person at the LFS), but I didn't want to take the fox back, and I do like him - he's fun to watch zip around and gnaw on the plants, but I like the SAE a lot more.
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Post by angelminx on Sept 14, 2014 17:31:01 GMT -5
Babygeige, I was planning on getting 6 of them (because they are supposed to "enjoy" each other's company), but if you think yours is doing fine on his/her own, maybe I'll go that route (since they can get so big). I don't want to overcrowd the tank, and I would like to replace my Rams and/or get some Rummynose or Emperors. For those who don't know: my tank is 55G and I currently have an Amano Shrimp (I haven't seen the smaller one for a while), a Bamboo Shrimp, a few Ghost Shrimp, a couple of Chocolate Rabbit Snails, various Nerite Snails, an albino Bristlenose Pleco, 6 cories (I had 8, but 2 of them died within the last week or so), 7 Black Phantom Tetras, 12 Black Neons, and 2 adult Angels--as well as plants. I used to have some Marble Hatchets, once upon a time, and I enjoy them too, but they haven't been available around here for quite a while.
There are a couple of places online that I can order the SAEs and get them in a larger size, but I hate to go that route since you can't personally inspect the fish, and you never know if the photo they provide is a "stock photo" or one of the actual fish (unless they state this--which I've never seen with SAEs). And, of course, with THIS fish it matters!
I talked to the girl at my Petco that orders the fish, and they don't actually get to talk to anybody when they place their orders, so she can't ask about when/if larger ones will be available, and most of the fish on their lists do not offer a size.
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Post by babygeige on Sept 18, 2014 16:26:25 GMT -5
I've had my SAE for 4 or 5 years, I think. He's been in the big tank for a couple of years. The worst thing he does is try to push cories around at dinner time, but they don't really seem too bothered. They just move onto another piece of food, no damage is ever done. The SAE likes to zip around a lot and perch on stuff, which I find cute. I can't really say how they are in a group. It was my intention years ago to get like 4 of them, but ended up with 3 Flying Foxes and one SAE. I returned two of the foxes because they were picking on the smallest fox and the SAE. I kept the small fox because I felt bad for him. Then as they grew, the fox started picking on the SAE to where the SAE wasn't eating properly. Fortunately, this was after I had an established 55 gallon tank, so I was able to relocate the SAE. He's doubled in size since then and looks great. I don't have any snails or shrimp, so I'm not sure how he'd get along with them. This is what I have for SAE tankmates: 7 Colombian tetras, 6 cories, 1 angel, 1 common pleco, 2 adult female kribs, and a bunch of krib teenagers. I know what you mean about ordering online. I haven't gotten the courage to do that yet either, and I definitely don't blame you for not wanting to take that chance on SAE's. Who knows what you'd end up with!
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Post by angelminx on Dec 9, 2014 17:26:33 GMT -5
Hi All!
I'm waiting on my SAEs, the order should have been placed last Friday. Hopefully now (a few months later) they won't be quite so small and delicate.
Carl, I am wondering if there is any problem they might have that should be treated prophylactically. I know Cories and Plecos are prone to worms and/or gill flukes, but I've never heard anything about SAEs. Should I put in a medicated Wonder Shell while they are in quarantine? What would you suggest I do?
Angelminx
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Dec 9, 2014 18:27:02 GMT -5
Hi All! I'm waiting on my SAEs, the order should have been placed last Friday. Hopefully now (a few months later) they won't be quite so small and delicate. Carl, I am wondering if there is any problem they might have that should be treated prophylactically. I know Cories and Plecos are prone to worms and/or gill flukes, but I've never heard anything about SAEs. Should I put in a medicated Wonder Shell while they are in quarantine? What would you suggest I do? Angelminx I don't know of anything they are prone too... I've had them for some time with no issues. I would recommend the wonder shell in quarantine. Always with new fish in quarantine. Carl might know more.
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Post by Carl on Dec 9, 2014 20:05:28 GMT -5
Hi All! I'm waiting on my SAEs, the order should have been placed last Friday. Hopefully now (a few months later) they won't be quite so small and delicate. Carl, I am wondering if there is any problem they might have that should be treated prophylactically. I know Cories and Plecos are prone to worms and/or gill flukes, but I've never heard anything about SAEs. Should I put in a medicated Wonder Shell while they are in quarantine? What would you suggest I do? Angelminx I don't know of anything they are prone too... I've had them for some time with no issues. I would recommend the wonder shell in quarantine. Always with new fish in quarantine. Carl might know more. Other than a simple bath with Methylene Blue (no meds), I would suggest the Medicated Wonder Shells as Devon noted. Carl
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Post by angelminx on Dec 10, 2014 0:41:05 GMT -5
Thanks Guys, I didn't think there would be an issue, but wanted to check with you all just in case you'd heard of anything. If I can get the sand and bowl for the sandbox, I was planning on moving the Banjo Catfish (their quarantine period has passed) to the 55G, but (seeing their stomachs in the Banjo thread) do you think they should stay in with the SAEs and Medicated Wonder Shell for a while instead? [I have been swabbing them 2-3x/day with the MB/Triple Sulfa solution Carl recommended trying for my angel, after I swab HER sore (she has 2 more days of baths to go). I hadn't used the MWS with the Banjos, since the 3-week period between uses wasn't up yet when I got them, and never thought about adding them after the time was up . Thanks again.
Angelminx
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Dec 10, 2014 11:10:35 GMT -5
Thanks Guys, I didn't think there would be an issue, but wanted to check with you all just in case you'd heard of anything. If I can get the sand and bowl for the sandbox, I was planning on moving the Banjo Catfish (their quarantine period has passed) to the 55G, but (seeing their stomachs in the Banjo thread) do you think they should stay in with the SAEs and Medicated Wonder Shell for a while instead? [I have been swabbing them 2-3x/day with the MB/Triple Sulfa solution Carl recommended trying for my angel, after I swab HER sore (she has 2 more days of baths to go). I hadn't used the MWS with the Banjos, since the 3-week period between uses wasn't up yet when I got them, and never thought about adding them after the time was up . Thanks again.
Angelminx
I would finish the swab treatments before moving them into the 55gal. It will be easier to keep an eye on them and more chance for success with the treatment.
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Post by angelminx on Dec 12, 2014 16:41:27 GMT -5
Update: I finally got my new SAEs, it turns out that they were the ones that came in earlier (that rarely happens: when new fish come in they are usually sold within a couple of days, and the stores won't hold for more than 2 days, disallowing the "let them sit in the dealer's tanks for a week before purchasing" rule). They range from ~1 3/4-2". The sad news is that when I was in the process of transferring them into the quarantine tank I "mislaid" one --there were 6. I looked around on the floor and didn't see it, so assumed it somehow got scooped up at the same time as one of the others--I was transferring one at a time. The next morning I found it dried up on the floor, behind where I had been standing, almost under the bed . I would like to replace it, but don't know if I should do it now, or wait. The 1st 2 were taken just before starting the acclimation process, and the 3rd is the reading (sorry it's yellowish, it was taken at night under artificial light--I tried with flash, but there was too much glare) of their transfer water:
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Post by angelminx on Dec 12, 2014 16:47:36 GMT -5
These are shots of the Anubias with BBA that resides in the 10G/quarantine tank (one was taken with flash), hopefully it will be to their liking, since not all SAEs will eat it: The last one is of 3 of them the day after I got them: (King is coming out from a rest inside the barrel.)
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Post by angelminx on Dec 12, 2014 16:52:52 GMT -5
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Post by angelminx on Dec 12, 2014 17:00:41 GMT -5
There are 2 in this shot (hanging out at the base of the sponge filter): The 3rd shot is a close-up I made from another pic (unfortunately his--single pair--barbels are not in the photo because he started to swim out of the shot just as I was taking the shot): Other than a full view of the last pic, that's all I have for now. [I haven't noticed them eating yet.}
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Post by Carl on Dec 12, 2014 18:52:03 GMT -5
Congrats on your new SAEs!!! Carl
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Dec 13, 2014 16:21:29 GMT -5
I "mislaid" one I'm sorry about that.
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