Advice on my new Cat

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
So you're problem child is the Endli? Have you ever tried posting in the Poly section? I imagine you did but figured I suggest it just in case. Or are you worried your PBB hope will be dashed? lol And I'm with you on Weeksii as far as I know Weeksii are all wild caught.

I was figuring internal injuries as well for the reason the Polys didn't make it. Most fish I had that jumped died. And I was usually nearby when they did and got them back in the water fairly quickly. Perhaps my concrete floor did them in??

I do the same as far as feedings for my preds. Most of my preds are fed every two days. I'm surprised your Polys go so long looking lean. Have you noticed any stunting? I just ask because it's my number one worry with Polys. I always worry they won't get enough and so won't develop properly.

No new fish for awhile? But why? lol I take breaks as well and actually the longer I'm in the hobby the more my choice in stock seems to be becoming more stable. Meaning I'm learning to stay away from most impulse buys since I've kept most fish available and now know more or less what works and what I like. So I wind up buying new fish less and less often. The only thing that messes me up is usually is Wes who always brings in some really cool rare fish I can't say no to.

On the pikes, you definitely gotta give them a try again someday. Look it me "Not that I'm pushing pikes on you" yet here I am pushing them on you. lol I just can't helpmyself. They're like more manageable sized PBass in many ways. They move around quite a bit and study you every chance they get. And they hit food like a beast with a loud smack accompanying every trip to the surface.

I'm glad you agree on the tank size thing and like you I imagine it puts me in the wrong at times but I believe more often then not I'm providing enough to keep my fish happy. Also IMO regardless of what one believes we should try and respect our fellow hobbyist and their choices. Respect them as we expect to be respected. We can voice our opinions and try and help a hobbyist if he/she's doing something wrong but we should temper how we do it and not shove it down their throat.

Lol, yeah I was getting all preachy on poor Hendre.


Hey kno4te, thanks for asking. Update: The Nodosus is now spending a lot of time hiding in some driftwood. Makes an occasional swim around(maybe twice a day) but when ever he comes to rest he sways with the current in the tank despite it being so minimal. Still he isn't floating like he was. So perhaps he's making a turn around for me? I'm still hoping and keeping fingers crossed.
Yea I can't really ID the endli, I posted her before but the pics weren't to good, and no one commented on whether or not she was wc or cb, I don't really care though, I like her regardless lol. And as for the lap, I know it isn't a PBB lol, I was just adding a little bit of corny humor. And my weeksii never stays still, I like her as well, and she's got some nice greens and yellows, flash makes it pop too in pictures. You're gonna make it harder for me to rehome them if I keep talking about what I like and the non-existent dislikes lol. Polys are awesome, fish I just wanna wait till I have a large set up where I can have plenty, one day. And e guys in that section are great guys, all friendly, I used to post there daily along with them, only comments no pics of my own, only when they asked lol, don't post as frequently as I used to but pop in to look at things everyday still.

And it would make sense the floor being so hard, and especially if the tank itself is over 4', then the jump only adds height, and they have the speed which behind them constantly increasing as the go down. It makes sense to me, thinking physics here lol was about to start talking velocity, mass, and gravity.

As far as the polys, it's just my weeksii and ornate that I have trouble with, the ornate less she is just picky, the weeksii idk why she rarely eats, starts to look like DMD's Nessie for a day or two when she does however lol, and I've noticed good growth from all my fish honestly, it's been consistent, I'd say the odoe slowed a while ago at 11", my curu slowed down fairly recently at approximately 14", and the bichirs I never notice their growth till I put a ruler next to them. I wouldn't say any stunting. The guys in the poly section will tell you it's normal to have stubborn polys like my weeksii though if you are interested.

And no new fish because I've gotta focus on college and providing for my self soon, my final stock for the 120 will probably be the curu, gold, odoe, and trachy. And as far as the impulsive and irresponsible buying goes, I've not made one for about 4 years when I was 14 until recently, it was a very irresponsible and impulsive buy imo because I knew so much and decided to listen to the better part of things that I told myself, I actually am kind of ashamed and been hiding it if I must say. What a coincidence it seems as the two fish are closely related... I can give a few hints and I'd bet my money kno4te or TBTB could get it. And agreed, wes is the king of rare fish, chose his business name accurately. And I've been in the hobby for 8 years maybe more where I've been the care taker of the fish alone, but I've always had fish since I was little. Hopefully I can learn to tell myself no and follow through with that decision in the future, as this has been months of deciding as the money wasn't the issue since I save for whatever in case I need it, but I think I'm fairly good at it, 2 times over the course of four years, not bad for someone who turned 18 today ;). And they sound like a good alternative to pbass, I always admired pbass but never desired them because I feel like everyone and there family has some, not even just one lol. Where as pikes are less common, which is what I like, something different, I will get into them some day again I promise bro, just not till I have a larger tank, omg be pushing it with the curu honestly, may have to rehome him some day though I hope not, reported to get 30" yet I've had him for 2 and he's half that.

As far as how we handle hints with othe rhobbyist I completely agree, I did something similar in a recent thread where they were set on a fish that will not be happy long term in their tank and I told them they shouldn't but they can do as they please and gave them an alternative approach to keeping the fish while also stating I will not continue to restate myself, cause for that they can just reread my posts lol. Hey now we're kind of preaching.

And it's good that the Nodosus is doing better than he was, I think he'll come around, don't believe much I need religion but I'll pray ;) lol.

lol This section, the Poly and Crenicichla are probably my favorites with the Poly and Catfish section IMO having some of the most knowledgeable members.
Hey don't sleep on the other characin forum ;)

And my trachy has been shipped, let's hope for the best
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: koltsixx and kno4te
Gosh you guys are awesome :D

I need to make a long post on this thread somehow lol.

Good luck with a trachy moe214 moe214
 
  • Like
Reactions: koltsixx and moe214
That's why I want a poly. Manageable beasts.

I have carpets so hopefully internal injuries are not such a risk. (Although spilt water is:eek:)

I can't wait for a 6ft tank. Ideally if I do aquaculture larger systems would be easier to come by.

I'll put up a thread later ;)


Poor me
I had hardwood floors in the past so I know all to well the worring about water leaks and spills.

So you're thinking of trying aquaculture, that would really be cool. Would love to see the set up if you do go that route.

Gotta see if you got around to putting up that thread. Would love to get a look at some impressive wild.

And poor you?? Look at all your posts on my profile page, poor me. lol

Wandered into this thread on accident, but man am I glad I did. Its posts like these that make MFK great. It's rare to see this much knowledge and info being tossed around so freely, and I just wanted to commend those that contributed.

Kolt...your collection is crazy (nice to see who got those plat kperch) so you know this kinda stuff comes with the territory. You're in unchartered waters with these ultra rare fish...a true pioneer. Win, lose, or draw with your guy, I think we've all learned a lot. This species wasn't even on my radar, but now I find myself doing my own independent research haha. Maybe I'll give these a shot when tank space opens up!

As for the loach, this species is truely on my bucket list. I fantasize about a cool water loach tank, with these guys being the star of the show. From my research, however, it seems acclimating these guys to tropical temps is a surefire death sentence. Any reports of successful long-term care start with cool/cold water. Low to mid 60s are where they seem to thrive. Looks like a chiller and a dedicated tank is just what the doctor ordered for these beasts.
Thanks Shook! It is cool, I hope guys like these members will help make MFK like it was just a couple of years ago. Where info was almost everywhere and great members where always sharing their collections and experiences and most members where supportive and either eager to learn or contribute. The Membership here really has a lot to offer the hobby at large IMO. Between all the personal experiences with all kinds of rare fish we could really open up the world of fishkeeping.

And thanks for the personal compliment but your no slouch either by far in the crazy collection dept. either. I'm also glad that as you said win, lose or draw for me that at least hopefully the community benefits from my experiences and posts. As for the species piquing your interest you maybe in luck. Wes emailed me saying he maybe getting more in, in the very near future. So start making some space bruh. lol

I really liked them as well, they do as Wes described look very much shark like IMO. Between that their decent size and predatory nature I figured they'd make an awesome wet pet. And thanks for the heads up on some info on the Tri's. I was really hoping they could be acclimated to tropical water. I guess among other things they probably need a very oxygen rich environment that tropical water just can't offer them. But man it would be cool to be one of the few to successfully keep these guys.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hendre
I had hardwood floors in the past so I know all to well the worring about water leaks and spills.

So you're thinking of trying aquaculture, that would really be cool. Would love to see the set up if you do go that route.

Gotta see if you got around to putting up that thread. Would love to get a look at some impressive wild.

And poor you?? Look at all your posts on my profile page, poor me. lol
A load of towels helps ;)

Aquaculture is my preferred career choice, I have an aquaponics set up but the control circuit my dad built isn't working. I would like to set up a pond or something with a much simpler no nonsense set up.

I was studying so I couldn't do the thread unfortunately.

Haha.

I really liked them as well, they do as Wes described look very much shark like IMO. Between that their decent size and predatory nature I figured they'd make an awesome wet pet. And thanks for the heads up on some info on the Tri's. I was really hoping they could be acclimated to tropical water. I guess among other things they probably need a very oxygen rich environment that tropical water just can't offer them. But man it would be cool to be one of the few to successfully keep these guys.
I'm thinking that a hillstream loach type set up will work but I know very little of those loaches in particular
 
Yea I can't really ID the endli, I posted her before but the pics weren't to good, and no one commented on whether or not she was wc or cb, I don't really care though, I like her regardless lol. And as for the lap, I know it isn't a PBB lol, I was just adding a little bit of corny humor. And my weeksii never stays still, I like her as well, and she's got some nice greens and yellows, flash makes it pop too in pictures. You're gonna make it harder for me to rehome them if I keep talking about what I like and the non-existent dislikes lol. Polys are awesome, fish I just wanna wait till I have a large set up where I can have plenty, one day. And e guys in that section are great guys, all friendly, I used to post there daily along with them, only comments no pics of my own, only when they asked lol, don't post as frequently as I used to but pop in to look at things everyday still.

Sorry you couldn't get a better ID but all that's important is as you said that you like her. And I know you didn't really think the Lap was a PBB just was teasing you back. lol Ahhh, your not just messing up yourself your pushing my Poly button. I want them bad and your just making it worse. lol Yeah the guys in the Poly section are great. Love the amount of info. there as well. All the talk of locations and ID's add that to the sexy Poly pics and it's hard to stay away.

And it would make sense the floor being so hard, and especially if the tank itself is over 4', then the jump only adds height, and they have the speed which behind them constantly increasing as the go down. It makes sense to me, thinking physics here lol was about to start talking velocity, mass, and gravity.
I agree especially since they where sizeable Polys. Much like you I'm trying to stay away from getting too much into physics while trying to explain it. lol Because interestingly there where probably many factors that led to the death from them falling when you get into the science behind it.

As far as the polys, it's just my weeksii and ornate that I have trouble with, the ornate less she is just picky, the weeksii idk why she rarely eats, starts to look like DMD's Nessie for a day or two when she does however lol, and I've noticed good growth from all my fish honestly, it's been consistent, I'd say the odoe slowed a while ago at 11", my curu slowed down fairly recently at approximately 14", and the bichirs I never notice their growth till I put a ruler next to them. I wouldn't say any stunting. The guys in the poly section will tell you it's normal to have stubborn polys like my weeksii though if you are interested.
I'm glad to hear, gives me hope that I maybe able to keep Poly's some day. Hopefully soon. Yeah, my Curu's growth slowed around that size as well. My guess is going forward growth is gonna be a real crawl for your Curu. I'm surprised I figure the Poly's growth would be noticeable like my Crenichla. Because they start as these thin things and tyurn into pretty solid fish. I was always surprised by my Pikes growth because an inch also meant a big increase in overall girth and I thought Poly's would be the same.

And no new fish because I've gotta focus on college and providing for my self soon, my final stock for the 120 will probably be the curu, gold, odoe, and trachy. And as far as the impulsive and irresponsible buying goes, I've not made one for about 4 years when I was 14 until recently, it was a very irresponsible and impulsive buy imo because I knew so much and decided to listen to the better part of things that I told myself, I actually am kind of ashamed and been hiding it if I must say. What a coincidence it seems as the two fish are closely related... I can give a few hints and I'd bet my money kno4te or TBTB could get it. And agreed, wes is the king of rare fish, chose his business name accurately. And I've been in the hobby for 8 years maybe more where I've been the care taker of the fish alone, but I've always had fish since I was little. Hopefully I can learn to tell myself no and follow through with that decision in the future, as this has been months of deciding as the money wasn't the issue since I save for whatever in case I need it, but I think I'm fairly good at it, 2 times over the course of four years, not bad for someone who turned 18 today ;). And they sound like a good alternative to pbass, I always admired pbass but never desired them because I feel like everyone and there family has some, not even just one lol. Where as pikes are less common, which is what I like, something different, I will get into them some day again I promise bro, just not till I have a larger tank, omg be pushing it with the curu honestly, may have to rehome him some day though I hope not, reported to get 30" yet I've had him for 2 and he's half that.
College?!? Who needs College? That's not nowhere as important as your fish collection. Just become a permanent resident in your parents house, never get a girl and get a decent job so you can have a wicked fish collection. lol Seriously though 4 years, you've got better control then me; so you shouldn't be ashamed especially since you just turned 18. IMO that actually shows that you have the makings of a very responsible adult. We all convince ourselves of things when we want something sometimes. I am curious though as to the mystery fish or should I say fish since you said you recently had a lapse. That's part of the draw of pikes for me. I like having something unique and learning something new. Plus like I said there are some real beautiful pikes, combined with cichlid personality and intelligence and you've got a great fish. Back to the Curu I believe in home aquaria they stay considerably smaller. I'm pretty sure 18-20 would be an average adult size and 24 being exceptional when kept in captivity. I'm pretty sure that's what i read but by no means take that as a definite.

As far as how we handle hints with othe rhobbyist I completely agree, I did something similar in a recent thread where they were set on a fish that will not be happy long term in their tank and I told them they shouldn't but they can do as they please and gave them an alternative approach to keeping the fish while also stating I will not continue to restate myself, cause for that they can just reread my posts lol. Hey now we're kind of preaching.
Again your better then I. Some members get to me and I reiterate and try six ways from Sunday to get them to understand. Always forgetting what I should know better. Sometimes no matter how logical or obviously correct your statement is a person won't realize it unless they want to. And many just simply don't want to, so you gotta keep it moving.

And it's good that the Nodosus is doing better than he was, I think he'll come around, don't believe much I need religion but I'll pray ;) lol.
Thanks Moe! I am hoping but unfortunately my mind is telling me it's unlikely. Currently he's acting more and more like he has trouble staying right in the water and his colors have lightened significantly. Still hasn't eaten for me and I tried everything I could think of again.

Hey don't sleep on the other characin forum ;)
I shouldn't because I used to be in there a lot before becoming a Mod and there where some seriously knowledgeable members there. Just didn't mention it cause I hadn't been in there so didn't know if it was still the same. Only Characins I'm interested in right now are SD's again and Vulpinus. I've kept both in the past and enjoyed them. Would love to have a school of Vulpinus. Just gotta find someone who still sells them.

And my trachy has been shipped, let's hope for the best
And I'll pray for your Trachy. ;) But I'm sure he or she will be fine especially once in your capable hands.
 
  • Like
Reactions: moe214
koltsixx koltsixx just wondering what ur Nodosus does at night with the lights out? Whether u tried feeding with the lights out? Let it float or sink to the bottom of the tank.

Just a thought as mine are active at night now for some reason.
 
  • Like
Reactions: koltsixx
koltsixx koltsixx just wondering what ur Nodosus does at night with the lights out? Whether u tried feeding with the lights out? Let it float or sink to the bottom of the tank.

Just a thought as mine are active at night now for some reason.
Some fish are more comfortable eating with the lights off like my knives, I would also recommend that :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: koltsixx
Give this a try your way lol, more organized.

Sorry you couldn't get a better ID but all that's important is as you said that you like her. And I know you didn't really think the Lap was a PBB just was teasing you back. lol Ahhh, your not just messing up yourself your pushing my Poly button. I want them bad and your just making it worse. lol Yeah the guys in the Poly section are great. Love the amount of info. there as well. All the talk of locations and ID's add that to the sexy Poly pics and it's hard to stay away.
I'm sure I can get an ID if I take some better pictures and make a thread asking but as I said it doesn't matter to me. And well ya got me then lol. And you pushed crenicichla in me, maybe it's my turn to push polys in you lol. They are great fish after all and not hard to keep after all, the only troubled is you'll probably always want more, due to the locations and possible new species that come in labeled as just a location lol.


I agree especially since they where sizeable Polys. Much like you I'm trying to stay away from getting too much into physics while trying to explain it. lol Because interestingly there where probably many factors that led to the death from them falling when you get into the science behind it.
lol science is so vast, but most of it is interesting.


I'm glad to hear, gives me hope that I maybe able to keep Poly's some day. Hopefully soon. Yeah, my Curu's growth slowed around that size as well. My guess is going forward growth is gonna be a real crawl for your Curu. I'm surprised I figure the Poly's growth would be noticeable like my Crenichla. Because they start as these thin things and tyurn into pretty solid fish. I was always surprised by my Pikes growth because an inch also meant a big increase in overall girth and I thought Poly's would be the same.
With the fish you keep, you are more than capable, I've never had a problem with fish jumping, only once and it was a wolf fish. And I have no extra measures, no weight on top except their food and the light to the tank, and there is spaces probably 2" squared on my tank it's always been like that. So all I can say since you had the trouble is put something in the way of any holes and put weights on the lids lol. And it may slow down, but he's got plenty of years to go lol. And the only poly growth I've noticed was my Senegal she grew the fastest to her 8"+ current state. Could you believe the only male poly I have is my lap? And it's the same with polys in the sense they get quite a bit of girth for every inch but it's just you can't predict their growth, there's been cases of them growing to a foot in under a year, and there's cases like mine with my ornate, who's probably only grown an inch in the past 2 years+ I've had her.


College?!? Who needs College? That's not nowhere as important as your fish collection. Just become a permanent resident in your parents house, never get a girl and get a decent job so you can have a wicked fish collection. lol Seriously though 4 years, you've got better control then me; so you shouldn't be ashamed especially since you just turned 18. IMO that actually shows that you have the makings of a very responsible adult. We all convince ourselves of things when we want something sometimes. I am curious though as to the mystery fish or should I say fish since you said you recently had a lapse. That's part of the draw of pikes for me. I like having something unique and learning something new. Plus like I said there are some real beautiful pikes, combined with cichlid personality and intelligence and you've got a great fish. Back to the Curu I believe in home aquaria they stay considerably smaller. I'm pretty sure 18-20 would be an average adult size and 24 being exceptional when kept in captivity. I'm pretty sure that's what i read but by no means take that as a definite.
lol I would if I could. Jk. And I'm regretted the purchase quite honestly for all the reasons I've not gotten it and especially yesterday, it has taken shots at my wolf and the wolf was giving it little bites but it didn't quit and now it seems petrified of the wolf, the wolf strongly dislikes him, won't let him move, and has left a deep gash in the fish. I can go into my experience with it but I won't as that is a thread in its own. But if you'd like I can give you hints, but then kno4te and TBTB have to agree to not guess it lol as I'm fairly positive they'll get it. And there definitly is some beautiful pikes out there. And in home aquaria the biggest I've seen grown with proof is an old member who actually inspired me to get a gold with my curu, grew his to 18" I believe. But then again he got it at around the size of mine I believe. So not so small. Then there is green who posted picture of his friends who has a curu I believe over 2', I wanna say 26" but don't quote me on that. And there is another member who claimed to have a few friends with them around 2' don't remember if he said they grew from small though, and he couldn't provide proof. But hey we'll see how this curu grows I guess lol I plan to keep it as long as I can get away with this set up.


Again your better then I. Some members get to me and I reiterate and try six ways from Sunday to get them to understand. Always forgetting what I should know better. Sometimes no matter how logical or obviously correct your statement is a person won't realize it unless they want to. And many just simply don't want to, so you gotta keep it moving.
And I learned my lesson early on in my accounts life span, me and JL had a little disagreement that lead to many pages, and I said something that could've been taken as an insult, so I got my warning, me and JL might've pmed eachother can't remember but we came to agree to disagree I believe and after that we've been cool etc. and I saw how much he has to offer to the MFK community lol. Good guy, just gets set in his opinion. Like me, lol I have to be right but if I find I'm not right I just tell the person they got it and I don't wanna hear about it no more. We're both stubborn lol.


Thanks Moe! I am hoping but unfortunately my mind is telling me it's unlikely. Currently he's acting more and more like he has trouble staying right in the water and his colors have lightened significantly. Still hasn't eaten for me and I tried everything I could think of again.
His fins colors still intact? He's held in this long we still have hope!


I shouldn't because I used to be in there a lot before becoming a Mod and there where some seriously knowledgeable members there. Just didn't mention it cause I hadn't been in there so didn't know if it was still the same. Only Characins I'm interested in right now are SD's again and Vulpinus. I've kept both in the past and enjoyed them. Would love to have a school of Vulpinus. Just gotta find someone who still sells them.
And for sure there is, it's not as active as some of the other sections but it's knowledgeable my favorite fish are wolves lol. I also like many other characins though, cudas and payaras are nice, atf, my favorite out of the open water preds are dorados.


And I'll pray for your Trachy. ;) But I'm sure he or she will be fine especially once in your capable hands.
And my hands aren't so capable lol, I let nature take its course, most I do is add salt, I've never been in much of a situation to use meds, and I don't use meds for myself lol can't say I don't believe in them cause they exist but I don't think they are needed, I've had plenty of fish get sick or have an infection and good water always did the tick for me, I've only lost fish to other fish really. And that's not to much, because I'm usually able to make some sort of accommodation to put that to an end. That's why when someone asks what meds to use I tag kno4te, he picks up my slack if he wishes to lol
 
Well it has arrived, looks maybe an inch bigger than what I was told which is good if so lol, can't fit a ruler in the bucket though so I don't know. Definitly very girthy, gonna put it in the 120, it looks like my sun cat girth wise, not sure about length. Can't say whether it's all black yet. It poked holes in the bag so it was pretty much out the water, seems sluggish, but I think it'll be fine. Acclimating it now. Will make a thread.
 
  • Like
Reactions: koltsixx and Hendre
Well it has arrived, looks maybe an inch bigger than what I was told which is good if so lol, can't fit a ruler in the bucket though so I don't know. Definitly very girthy, gonna put it in the 120, it looks like my sun cat girth wise, not sure about length. Can't say whether it's all black yet. It poked holes in the bag so it was pretty much out the water, seems sluggish, but I think it'll be fine. Acclimating it now. Will make a thread.
Tag me ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: koltsixx and moe214
MonsterFishKeepers.com