BYC Aquarium Thread

[Kevin565]

I'd love to try my luck at saltwater one day as well. I've been considering buying a nanocube for keeping seahorses.

 

[sarahswank]

I'd love to try my luck at saltwater one day as well. I've been considering buying a nanocube for keeping seahorses.

I wouldnt suggest starting with seahorses. They are notoriously HARD to keep alive. I would find something slightly more hardy as your first fish, damsels are always good (but not seahorse safe). Once your comfortable that your tank is truely cycled well (and we are talking honestly atleast 6 months of running with something in it) then trading out for seahorses if your still interested. Honestly your tank will cycle for almost 2 to 3 years before it truely reaches a stablization point, but after about a year, it is usually pretty easily controled though the swings.




Anyone have ideas on how to cull a fish? My lawnmower blenny is plain just too old, and I have noticed him slowing down and losing weight. Today he was resting oddly on a rock and when I went to clean the tank, he didnt move... VERY unusual. I easily scooped him out and seperated him from the rest of the tank, but I can tell he just doesnt have the fight left anymore. I cant deciede which is easier on him, just place him out of the water to suffocate, or place him in the freezer to freeze to death. Neither seems pleasant, but flushing is obviously even worse and I have no clove oil on hand... I would have to order from online.

anyone else have an idea?

 

[Kevin565]

I wouldnt suggest starting with seahorses. They are notoriously HARD to keep alive. I would find something slightly more hardy as your first fish, damsels are always good (but not seahorse safe). Once your comfortable that your tank is truely cycled well (and we are talking honestly atleast 6 months of running with something in it) then trading out for seahorses if your still interested. Honestly your tank will cycle for almost 2 to 3 years before it truely reaches a stablization point, but after about a year, it is usually pretty easily controled though the swings.




Anyone have ideas on how to cull a fish? My lawnmower blenny is plain just too old, and I have noticed him slowing down and losing weight. Today he was resting oddly on a rock and when I went to clean the tank, he didnt move... VERY unusual. I easily scooped him out and seperated him from the rest of the tank, but I can tell he just doesnt have the fight left anymore. I cant deciede which is easier on him, just place him out of the water to suffocate, or place him in the freezer to freeze to death. Neither seems pleasant, but flushing is obviously even worse and I have no clove oil on hand... I would have to order from online.

anyone else have an idea?

Oh yes I'm aware that they are fragile and pretty high maintenance. I think I'll stick with planted tanks for now.

Do you have any predatory fish who could do the job? I prefer swift deaths but I'd vote freezer over placing him out of the water. Suffocating would be much more stressful.

 

[sarahswank]

I would have prefera swift death too. but all my predators are freshwater fish and would never encounter something like him and might not know what to do with him. I threw some fresh ground cloves in the tank with him to atleast start the process even if it isnt a high enough level. The more I think about it the more I realize I dont think I can bring myseft to freeze him or just leave him out... I think I am going to have to call a friend to come use a knife on him (I know I cant do it myself)

I hate this part of pet ownership... Having to suck it up and do the right thing for the animal.

 

[Kevin565]

. I'm sorry you and your fish have to go through this.. It's might least favorite part of pet ownership as well but it sounds like he had a great life with you.

 

[knjinnm]

I wouldn't suggest starting with seahorses. They are notoriously HARD to keep alive. I would find something slightly more hardy as your first fish, damsels are always good (but not seahorse safe). Once your comfortable that your tank is truly cycled well (and we are talking honestly at least 6 months of running with something in it) then trading out for seahorses if your still interested. Honestly your tank will cycle for almost 2 to 3 years before it truly reaches a stabilization point, but after about a year, it is usually pretty easily control ed though the swings.




Anyone have ideas on how to cull a fish? My lawnmower blenny is plain just too old, and I have noticed him slowing down and losing weight. Today he was resting oddly on a rock and when I went to clean the tank, he didn't move... VERY unusual. I easily scooped him out and separated him from the rest of the tank, but I can tell he just doesn't have the fight left anymore. I cant decide which is easier on him, just place him out of the water to suffocate, or place him in the freezer to freeze to death. Neither seems pleasant, but flushing is obviously even worse and I have no clove oil on hand... I would have to order from on line.

anyone else have an idea?

Sorry I missed your post.
I euthanize fish by flushing them down the garbage disposal.
I know it sounds gross but it is over in a flash.
JAC

 

[chickenfreak101]

Username: Chickenfreak101
Years Keeping Fish: About 4-5?
Species I Have Keptlecos, Betas, Tetras, Guppies, Koi, GloFish, Goldfish, Hachets, Rasboras, Danios, Pencilfish, Half Beaks, Killifish, Flying Barbs.
Favorite Species: Betas
Tanks and Ponds: 3 Ponds, 1 Huge Community Tank, + Many Breeding Tanks.
Animals other than Fish: Fl Softshell Turtles, Mississippi Map Turtles, Painted Turtles,Red Eared Sliders, ADF, Dwarf Ciamin, Mystery Snails, Freshwater Clam, Ghost and Cherry Shrimp.

Advice For Newbies: Ponds are great, but do your research.

 

[BabyandCotton]

Hello! I'm looking into a planted twenty gallon shrimp tank. What should be the pH etc, are there any herbivorous species of fish I can keep with my ghost, cherry and blue shrimp? I want them to reproduce. What plants are the best for shrimp? Thanks
-Liv