Monster Fish Keepers - Blogs http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php Monster Fish Keepers Forum - The Fastest Growing, Largest, and Most Actively Visited Freshwater and Saltwater Online Community Dedicated to Rare, Exotic, and Predatory Fish. en Thu, 15 May 2008 20:56:38 GMT vBulletin 1 http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/ms_icons/misc/rss.jpg Monster Fish Keepers - Blogs http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php New Baby Pacu Pictures! http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=378 Wed, 14 May 2008 22:33:10 GMT Here's a picture of the new babies. It's kind of hard to see them behind the plants.. plus, they're tiny! They are roughly 1" right now.

Yesterday, they started schooling with the silver dollars and have been with them ever since. I think my silvers are glad to have new fish in the tank that look similar to them.. at least for now!

I'll try to get some better shots later.

]]> ifoundnemo http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=378 Bringing The Baby Monsters Home! http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=377 Wed, 14 May 2008 20:57:38 GMT So I was browsing through my LFS the other day to see what had come in since my last visit (lucky for me they carry cat litter and whatever odds and ends I needed for my other animals, so I visit quite often!) Anyway, I'm browsing their stock when what should appear before my eyes.. but PACUS! I couldn't believe it. They have never ever carried any monsters. Or anything halfway interesting for that matter. The closest shop that does is about an hour and a half away from me - I usually only go there when I absolutely have to, thanks to the obscene gas prices.

So here I am, overcome with joy that I can finally get my first monsters!! :nilly: I ring the bell for 'fish assistance' and wait impatiently.

Then this kid comes bumbling over. He looks to be about 16, and asks me if I want fish. Mind you, I just pressed the button that buzzes in the back room to tell him that someone wants fish. And I was the only person in the store. So I tell the rocket scientist yes, give me two pacus. "Two what??" he asks, scanning every other tank besides the one I'm pointing at. Once he gets his act together, he starts trying to slam them into a corner and into his little net. Meanwhile, I'm like "Careful! Don't squish them!.. just sneak up on them. Be gentle! God!" So finally I just take the net and gently scoop two little pacus out myself. I lecture the noob about how you can't just smack 'em with the net and expect them to jump right in. What a genius, really. :duh: I hope the rest of the pacus in the tank survive. Poor little buggers were in a I-just-got-slammed-into-the-glass-daze.

So after my adventure at the LFS, I head home with my new red pacu babies, resisting the urge to name them (it's bad luck!! i swear!!). I moved them in with my gold severum, rainbow shark, nicaraguan cichlid, and silver dollars. Sure enough, my silver dollars took to them immediately and it's a happy tank still. I'm hoping that by putting them with my calm, trusting fish they too will become calm and trusting. I am going to try my very best to prevent them from being tankbusters down the road. I usually hand-feed bloodworms so that all my fishies get super excited when 'Mommy' gets near the tank. Hehe. ;)

They're as cute as a button - and about the size of one too! (1" to be exact) - for right now, but I know they'll quickly become monsters and I need to be as prepared as I can be. There's only so many books and articles I can read.. it's the first-hand experiences that really help! Any advice is always appreciated.

Right now, they're sharing the 75g with my other babies but I know that won't last long at all. I'm sure I'll be posting about my DIY projects very soon!

Like I said, any and all advice is appreciated. I'm sure I'll be posting to this blog a million times in the next few weeks.. I feel like a new mom! I'll post some pictures once I get home from work too! :D ]]> ifoundnemo http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=377 LFS Visit: 4 Stores!! http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=376 Mon, 12 May 2008 23:23:22 GMT _Petsmart (Terre Haute)_ - The best petsmart I have ever been to. *Postives:* - Not ONE dead fish in any of the tanks - Fish were all in great condition, even the cichlids, no torn fins or anything - Had some decent sized leopard ctenopoma, usually all I see are very small ones Petsmart (Terre Haute)

- The best petsmart I have ever been to.

Postives:

- Not ONE dead fish in any of the tanks
- Fish were all in great condition, even the cichlids, no torn fins or anything
- Had some decent sized leopard ctenopoma, usually all I see are very small ones

Negatives:

- chain store so there was nothing too exciting stock wise.


Petco (Terre Haute)

Postives:

- Clean tanks, healthy fish
- Did have a decent looking ropefish

Negatives:

- Petcos have the most basic stock imaginable.
- Prices suck

Petland (Terre Haute)

I haven't been to this store in ages. It has changed a lot. Must have gotten in a different manager or something. WAY back in the day it had awesome, LARGE fish a lot of times, then it got real ****ty for a while. Now it seems better again

Positives:
- A lot of the tanks were very well planted, some even with live plants. The tanks looked more like home aquariums and not fish store aquariums.

- Fish seemed very healthy

- Some interesting stock, including small rocket gars, which I haven't seen in person ever. Had some pirhanna, LARGE dojo loaches, good sized elephant nose that was outgoing (not hiding at all), and some nice angel fish.

Negatives:

- Tanks were cloudy.

Pet Food Center (Terre Haute)

This place is basically like petland, in the way that it used to be awesome, then got really ****ty, and it is just ok now. When I was in high school, some of my friends worked there (and they kept nice tanks) and they had one guy there that kept lots of tanks as well. So they always had interesting stock and nice display tanks. When those people left, it went to hell.

Positives:

- One display tanks had some nice sting rays in it.
- Some interesting stock, including a pike cichild (and not an orange pike like I have seen before), buffalo head cichlids which I have never seen in person before and somethign I have wanted for a while (but now I have no room :(), lima shovelnose catfish, and some other things that escape my memory at the moment.

Negatives:

- The display tanks went to complete hell. They had a really nice brakish water display tank... which is now just some ugly looking koi tank.

- The number of saltwater tanks keeps growing while freshwater gets smaller :(



All in all, I wish I still lived in Terre Haute. These 4 stores are all better than the ones I have here, and I didn't even visit the best store in town because it is on the other side of town. ]]> dbcb314 http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=376 <![CDATA[my 75gl with oscars & 55 gl with african cichlids]]> http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=375 Mon, 12 May 2008 22:59:24 GMT my 75 gallon with 3 oscars my 75 gallon with 3 oscars
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]]> jbonez http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=375 hey guys im new to MFK!!! http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=374 Mon, 12 May 2008 21:03:41 GMT hey im new to mfk and i don't even know if i'm in the right section or what. well i just wanted to say hey to all u guys!!! ]]> ilovezack http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=374 PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=373 Sun, 11 May 2008 03:05:48 GMT I live in south fla. and I would like to get my hands on a fw stingray. does anyone know where or what number I can call to get one. Even a website that sells them. Thanks. please e-mail me @ jk04g@yahoo.com if you know where I can get one. Thank you I live in south fla. and I would like to get my hands on a fw stingray. does anyone know where or what number I can call to get one. Even a website that sells them. Thanks. please e-mail me @ jk04g@yahoo.com if you know where I can get one.

Thank you ]]> jk04g http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=373 New Fish http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=372 Sun, 11 May 2008 02:09:06 GMT Copadichromis sp. "Mloto Undu"

I finally broke down and bought one from the local LFS. He was already showing color in the tank. I know they do not hormone fish. I use to work there. So I can not wait for him to grow up
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]]> mike dunagan http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=372 08/05/08 http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=371 Sat, 10 May 2008 19:34:07 GMT 30-40% water changes in all three. Filter cleaned in small tank. 30-40% water changes in all three. Filter cleaned in small tank. ]]> Buttercup_21 http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=371 hey i have questions about what kind of fish to put in my tank http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=369 Fri, 09 May 2008 04:19:20 GMT i have a 10 gallon and a 29 gallon the 29 has 2 pictus cats, 3 tiger barbs, a pleco, and an angelfish. but the 10 only has 3 convicts but i am getting rid of them so i need some ideas for some fish make them cheap cause i am just a beginer at the fish thing but i think i might just get some african... i have a 10 gallon and a 29 gallon the 29 has 2 pictus cats, 3 tiger barbs, a pleco, and an angelfish. but the 10 only has 3 convicts but i am getting rid of them so i need some ideas for some fish make them cheap cause i am just a beginer at the fish thing but i think i might just get some african cichlids and put them in the 29 and move my other fish to the ten what does anyone think I NEED HELP!!! ]]> firefox03 http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=369 Fish Profile#1: My Trio of Rope Fish http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=368 Fri, 09 May 2008 01:38:38 GMT [Every one in a while I will do "fish profiles"... sometimes its of my fish, sometimes its just any fish in general. Like this time it says "MY" rope fish, but other times it may just say "red devil cichlid," meaning just the cichlid in general and not a fish I have]

Common Name: African Rope Fish, Rope Fish, Reed Fish

Scientific Name: Erpetoichthys calabaricus

Bought?: One was ordered and bought at Delilah's Pet Shop in Bloomington. Two were bought at Atlantis in Terre Haute. I got the first one and then read they like to be in groups and searched and searched for a couple more. Went to my parents and on the way home went to the best fish store in town and they had 2 really healthy ones that I couldn't pass up!



I have 3 rope fish... and none of them are alike. In fact, they aren't really like anything you read on internet sites... they are just an odd trio of fish. And they all have different personalities.

The one I have had the longest is also the smallest one. And he is the crazy one that doesn't swim right. Check my youtube vids to see for yourself (www.youtube.com/dbcb314). When I first got him, he did not eat a thing for 2 months and I thought he was going to die multiple times because he didn't swim right. Everything I read online said it was a sign of death basically. So I took him out, put him in a bucket with an air stone waiting for him to die. He would flip on his back constantly and just lay there... but he never died. Eventually I just quit worrying about it and put him back in the tank, where you did the same stuff... but never died. Eventually 2 months later he tasted some live black worms... and hasn't stopped eating since. He is a PIG. Once food hits the water he is the first rope fish out and he is the last to stop searching for food.

One of the other rope fish is the one I see the most. It doesn't really hide at all, he is usually out in the open swimming around and looking for food. Not shy one bit.

The third rope fish hides all day long. Never comes out unless there is food it will eat (aka worms) and then is the last fish to come out for food. Once the food is gone... back under a rock it goes not to be seen until the next feeding of worms. Very frustrating. I do not know why it started doing that. At first it was just as active as the second rope fish. But when I switched the sand out for river pebble, it found a crack under a rock it could slide under... and just stays there now.

Another thing odd about my ropes is that they do not hang out in a group at all. One is always under a rock by itself, and the other two are usually in a rock by themselves or swimming around. I was told ropes like to be with their own kind and hang out together, but that hasn't happened at all. I was also told if you had 3 or more they are more active. Once again, that hasn't happened either. In fact, one of the few times one rope did interact with another... they were fighting! That is something I have no read about either. I have always read they are completely peaceful, but these two were fighting like their cousins (bichirs).

Speaking of bichirs, the ropes do sometimes interact with the sens.. but only if they are fighting over the same piece of shrimp, or fighting over the same rock crevice to look for worms.

But, although they may be odd... they do have their own personalities and I wouldn't trade them at all. They were not in my plans to buy and it just sort of happened that I ended up with 3 of them, but they are some cool fish. ]]> dbcb314 http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=368 5/7/08: Activity http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=367 Thu, 08 May 2008 01:26:15 GMT - Should be updating almost daily now. No more school just work and lifting - A couple days ago I saw two of my rope fish FIGHTING. Everything single thing I have read so they love to be in groups and are more active in groups and all hang out together. And now two of mine fight lol. The rope fish... - Should be updating almost daily now. No more school just work and lifting

- A couple days ago I saw two of my rope fish FIGHTING. Everything single thing I have read so they love to be in groups and are more active in groups and all hang out together. And now two of mine fight lol. The rope fish saga just never ends... 3 rope fish and none of them seem normal. Oh well. I don't know what they were fighting about, but one munched on the others "tail" (I guess... the end of its long body) and then did it again the the rope fish (crazy one) ran off. Odd. More on my rope fish soon. They deserve there own post

- Haven't been feeding much because I have been busy. Haven't done a water change in forever either. All my fish are just dandy though. Water changes are so overrated.

- Stole some black worms from work tonight. Woot, the ropes and knife fish will be happy

- I am going to switch my light out eventually in my tank when I get some money. I don't like the lighting + i want a more powerful one so I can grow some low light plants. Nothing fancy, just some java ferns and anarchis or something. I am thinkign about getting rid of my fake floating plant, but I do not know how my fish will react. My ABF hangs out in it, the smaller bush fish hang out in in, and my sens occasionally go up in there too. Maybe I will take it out and see what happens. Seems to be taking up too much space IMO. ]]> dbcb314 http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=367 devils hand problem http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=366 Wed, 07 May 2008 18:24:43 GMT i just bought a devils hand a week ago:nilly: and i have no seen had it open up yet. It is turning bright yellow along the bottom of the fingers and is producing a web of some sort that is starting to cover it i just bought a devils hand a week ago:nilly: and i have no seen had it open up yet. It is turning bright yellow along the bottom of the fingers and is producing a web of some sort that is starting to cover it ]]> smallsalthabit http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=366 Calcium Montmorillonite?!?!?! http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=365 Wed, 07 May 2008 06:05:39 GMT Fish are not just fish
Ask any owner…
Your livestock are not just fish. To collectors, breeders and even casual observers, our fish friends are works of art to be cared for, nurtured and protected. That's why a rapidly growing number of owners have discovered that the secret to healthy thriving livestock.
TerraPond is 100% Natural
In fact, TerraPond Powder is the perfect, all natural, product that will polish and detoxify your water. It will enhance fish color and confirmation, and improve your fish's immune system, as well as other aquatic species in your tanks or ponds.
TerraPond is recognized by breeders worldwide as the foremost source of the precious minerals and nutrients so necessary to maintain that championship look and confirmation that win awards. You simply introduce TerraPond Powder directly to your pond water. The negatively charged clay dissolves into micro fine particles, and the flocculation process begins. In a short time, dependent upon your water type, your pond water will begin to clear. Your livestock will start to absorb the minerals and nutrients through their skin, through their gills, and directly, as they eat.

How does it work? Through the negative electrical charge of the clay, a natural process of "opposite polarity attraction" known as "flocculation", clears and detoxifies water.

What are some of the other benefits? TerraPond adds micro nutrients to the water that the fish absorb through their gills and skin to maintain a higher state of health and stronger immune system.

Can TerraPond be ingested?
Yes, in the rock form as it melts in the water, (about 20 minuets).

What is the average particle size of our clay? 20 microns or less and in some cases is even measured in angstroms, (one ten billionth of a meter).

What is a micron? One millionth of a meter; to give that some relative size, a human hair is about 75 microns in diameter. Most of the clay in TERRAMIN is smaller than a germ. In fact, how it kills germs is by surrounding it with clay platelets and separating that germ from its nutrient source; thus it dies.

What is the importance of particle size? Usually the finer the particle size, the higher the absorbability and the larger the surface area per gram or any unit of measurement.

Will you notice the difference?
Absolutely! The water will become clearer. You'll see the colors of your fish and other inhabitants become more vibrant and sharper, they will enjoy a healthier and longer life. If you have plant life in your pond or aquarium, it will be healthier, greener and more abundant, even the salt water coral will begin to bloom.
TerraPond is also a powerful and effective treatment for water gardens, golf course waterways, and lakes and ponds where clarity and purity are important environmental concerns, because it offsets the harmful effects of the herbicides, pesticides, heavy metals and many of the toxic substances harmful to the water supply.
TerraPond is the purest form of calcium montmotillonite clay in the world. It is mined from an exclusive site in an area known as the Colorado River Delta. For centuries this "living clay" has been used by Native Americans as an internal and external healing agent. In fact, Native American healers would use mineral rich clay to treat open wounds, as well as to relieve stomach or intestinal distress.

Why is it good for my fish?
TerraPond improves your fish's immune system through clean water, nutrition and detoxification. In addition, it helps eliminate toxic waste products, bacteria and decomposed organic matter suspended in the water. When these harmful particulates are absorbed, flocculated, and safely removed by a normal pump and filter system, the result is healthier fish and clear pond water.
Hobbyists and breeders of Koi have long known that the secret to raising the healthiest, largest and most beautiful livestock is to emulate the "mud ponds" of Japan. The Japanese mud ponds are packed and lined with natural earth clay, rich in micronutrients and containing montmorillonite, the active ingredient in TerraPond found in our own calcium montmorillonite mines. With our product, you can now introduce the same environment to your livestock and enjoy all the benefits they provide.
When introduced to your tank or pond, the toxins, bacteria and pathogens-which carry a positive, electrically charged ion-bond to the negatively charged ion particles in TerraPond. These toxins are then suspended inside the clay particles and are discharged through the filtration system. The water becomes clearer, and the fish become healthier and more beautiful. ]]> crashinc25 http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=365 SEX MY DOVI! http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=364 Wed, 07 May 2008 04:53:32 GMT I am usure if this is a MALE or FEMALE dovi. Any help would be aprreciated I am usure if this is a MALE or FEMALE dovi. Any help would be aprreciated
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]]> hightowerpc http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=364 Regreting the Past http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=363 Tue, 06 May 2008 22:53:34 GMT Approximately two weeks ago, I bought a silver arowana for my 150 gallon tank. It was $60 and about 18" long. When I was in the process of getting it, the arowana jumped twice. The owner, unfortunately not too knowledgable on the fish, eventually wrapped the fish in a carpet and then placed it in the carry case that she had. The conditions of the fish were not too good; it used to be in a 55 gallon tank with a plecostomus who would try to suck on its sides frequently and the water was a murky yellow-green with a large amount of 2" goldfish.
When I got the arowana home, it was pretty scared so it jumped again out of the carry case, but we were ready and so we put in in the tank after wrapping wet towels and gently letting it go. I noticed that many scales were lost in the case from when the past owner caught him, and also that both of his pelvic fins were torn off!
It became acclimated to the tank soon after and lazily drifted around. Meanwhile my other fish were scared into a frenzy because there was this huge monster in their tank... Nothing much happened though.
A few days passed and the arowana had not eaten- at least I hadn't seen him eat, and I have found out that he is shy- not allowing many people to watch him or he gets hysterical. About four days past when I got him, I was watching a movie with the family and I heard a splash from the tank and saw the arowana going after my Texas!
This arowana will not eat any of the food that I usually feed my fish, nor any processed food that I buy for it. I have even tried to feed it thawed shrimp and a little bit of beef liver, but no, it must have live feeders (which are by the way about 15 cents each around here)...
I am really starting to regret getting this fish. I was hoping he would fit in my tank for a while, but already I feel bad for him because when he begs (when I feed my fish, and there are feeders all around (a little exagerated) him) he almost can not extend the full length of his body. This is because he is not 18" like the owner said, he is larger than that, I would hazard a guess at about 20". Anyway, I am thinking of selling him on MFK to a good owner with a hopfully much larger tank.
His pelvic fins are growing back though. ]]> DwarfCichlid101 http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/blog.php?b=363