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Post by Carl on May 6, 2009 9:33:48 GMT -5
First I am glad you had a safe trip and are back home safely, second I am glad to read you had no major "bad" surprises with your aquariums/fish to greet you upon your return home. Carl
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Post by barbara on May 6, 2009 10:43:32 GMT -5
Thanks Carl. I always forget how tiring this job is, until I get home. I'm glad to have some time off, to rest from it. It didn't help much that we were in a loaner truck, with no cruise control and no Jake Brakes. Made the trip harder than it had to be.
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Post by goldenpuon on May 7, 2009 15:51:58 GMT -5
Glad you got home safe. Sorry to hear you lost your fish though. Glad all the other fish are ok.
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Post by kagome on May 8, 2009 0:08:03 GMT -5
The tank with the blue tips that died, were there any visible symptoms of strep? Ever since the strep incident that killed off my tank, strep in the aquarium has been a personal research project of mine so I was just curious.
I had a thought, are there any universities or colleges in your local area and if so do you have any contacts in the biology departments? If you have another outbreak of something nasty maybe you could take a sample to them and they could look at it under the microscope for you. I would especially mention that you work with fish extinct in the wild and that you are a part of CARES. I bet that would open some doors for you and make them more willing to help out.
I'm sorry that your last run was so tiring. I have also driven for a living, locally though, not overnight or out of town. I know how much it can really suck to not have the proper equipment. I hope next time works out better for you.
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Post by barbara on May 8, 2009 11:12:08 GMT -5
Kagome, the last fish that died sort of bloated. These are omnivores, plus none had been eating well, so I don't think it was actually bloat. Plus, I did notice that one of them was quite a bit darker before death, but that was it. Piecing these things together, that's the best thing I could come up with. I'm still not sure of exactly what it was, though.
I have one left, and he seems to be fine, although every time I check on him I do expect him to be dead. I'm trying some treatments, but I'm not certain that I cure him. I'm doing my best, but we'll just have to see.
On to a happier note, I received an email from a member of CARES, requesting some of my Xystichromis phytophagus (Xmas fulu) fry. He seemed shocked when I told him I didn't sell fish, but that I'd give him some for the CARES program. Those should be shipped out on Monday, and they are going to Denver.
I'm beginning to work on a speech for the HCCC on CARES, that I will be giving at the June meeting. I'm not much of a public speaker, but I'll do my best on this. My focus will be the future of CARES and CARES for Education, and what the common hobbyist can do for the at risk species.
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Post by barbara on May 15, 2009 16:17:34 GMT -5
OK, I'm pretty pumped. Walt and I have narrowed our focus. Seems like the run of bad luck with fish had pretty much burned us both out, somewhat. We decided we're going to focus harder on less species, and have a few tanks that we just plan enjoy.
This leads to our next build. It will be an existing 55 gallon tank, that right now is holding a ton of little cichlids for grow out. We'll be moving them into a different 55 gallon grow out tank with some Xmas fulus, and redoing this tank.
This will be our first planned planted tank. I've ordered some plants online, and spent a pretty penny to get exactly what I want. We've got plants in a lot of tanks, but it's all stuff that we've been able to find locally.
We will be using Spiral Val for the backdrop, and several different types of Anubias. Some really pretty lilies that I got a great deal on, and some microsword. This will be a low tech tank, and the occupants will be the L 129's (Black Zebra Plecos) and some tetras. I have a few types of tetras in my 125, so the decision isn't clear yet what type, and they will be for show, and activity anyway.
We'll use some driftwood for hides for the plecos, and hopefully be building a sweet tank. I'll do pictures as we make additions to the tank, starting with it with no decorations, and we'll see where it goes from there.
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Post by goldenpuon on May 15, 2009 19:11:24 GMT -5
Sorry to hear that about your fish Barbra. I hope you figure out what's wrong. Just wondering, though you probably already have tried this, but have you done a MB bath on the fish affected? I gave a betta I have that was near death this week an MB bath and it saved it's life. Hope that helps and good luck on your speech!
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Post by barbara on May 15, 2009 19:50:39 GMT -5
Yes, I've tried that, with no success. The last one shows no symptoms of being sick.
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Post by goldenpuon on May 16, 2009 11:49:00 GMT -5
Sorry to hear that. At least he/she is not acting sick. Sorry I could not be of more help.
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Post by barbara on May 28, 2009 12:53:00 GMT -5
OK...my tanks are over run with Paratilapia at the moment. I have those rescued Mads in 3 tanks, and I cannot wait until this weekend, when they go to their new homes. I did not expect to have to use this many tanks for 1 species of fish, but that's how it ended up. The severely injured one seems much better. His tail is growing back, his scales look good.
Once I get my tanks back, I'll be doing some rearranging, again. I've been holding off on moving any fish around, until I can clear my tanks. I'll be able to upgrade a few things...and I think it's about time for some of the fish to find new homes. My Placidochromis electras, that I love, I think are going to have to go. Plus the breeding colony of yellow labs...that tank is so overcrowded, it is not funny. That 125 has been the dumping ground for all of the fish I didn't know what to do with...time to make some decisions. I will end up using that tank for the Paretroplus maculatus, when they grow up, because I don't see money or space for a new 6 foot tank. It's a shame, cause I've really liked those fish, but my focus has gone to the at risk species. I have a home, I think, for the dolphins, in another large tank. They are one of my favorites, and I hate to have them go.
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Post by barbara on May 30, 2009 18:49:03 GMT -5
Woohoo!! I rehomed the Paratilapia, all but the one with the injury. I decided to keep this one, possibly permanently, or let it heal enough and try to sex it, and maybe get it a mate. We'll have to see on that. But, this freed up 2 tanks for me today, and I set about filling them...LOL. I got more of the Xystichromis sp. "Kyoga Flamebacks," the fish I lost in the heater incident, and got Astatotilapia latifasciata, the Kyoga Zebra. I had these before, but had 11 females, no males, so had all sorts of problems. I'm certain of 3 males in the 8 that we bought, and I'll be able to tell fairly soon what my true numbers are. I can trade out males for females at Dave's...he's good about stuff like that.
I picked up 2 different kinds of cool eels...one is a Tang eel, the other, I have to look up. Since these tanks will not hold fry, these should be terrific tank mates for my Vics. They are really cool looking, and have actually been exploring their tank, instead of hiding, as I usually have with eels.
And the one most exciting part...Paretroplus kieneri! I have 6, and got to meet the breeder this time. He's really a nice guy, and he told me he keeps his kieneri with his Paretroplus maculatus, without incident. This means both species can move together soon, into a 125. They are really cute...very small and very little color. When we get back next week I'll try for some pictures, after they have had time to settle in.
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Post by eve on May 30, 2009 20:36:10 GMT -5
That's awesome barbara, definitely looking forward to pics of those new enquiries
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Post by brenda on May 30, 2009 20:45:04 GMT -5
Woohoo!!! This is awesome news. I expect pics Tuesday night!!!! lol It is nice the kierni and maculatas can be kept together... That means instead of a tank for each of them you can fill more tanks with other things. ;D
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Post by barbara on May 30, 2009 20:54:38 GMT -5
I agree. This will help on tank space in the future. I almost don't know what to do with an empty 55 gallon, but I think I'm going to use it for a grow out for the Prognathochromis perrieri and some other little fish...nothing Victorian, though, I don't want to confuse the species. I have little yellow labs and Rusties that would do well with them, though.
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