Keeping Fish

[oldhenlikesdogs]

 This is good advice and I would like to add one more thing....Don't worry your fish to death!

You can over medicate. You can move them around too much. And you can change the water chemistry too much.

Make most changes slowly over time.

This is great advice

 

[Shellybean02]

Thanks everyone. I think the reason why Lynn is the only active one is the fact that she is at the top, dominance wise. She flares, chases, and bothers them(keeps edging Brooke out of her resting spot-_-). I'm wondering, did I really get all females? I know these aren't the best tell-tale signs, but they all have short fins. Brooke and Penny have egg spots, and I can't tell with Lynn because her ventral fins are always clamped to that area. Brooke and Orlando - though he is isolated - both show stress stripes. I really don't know if maybe I have plakat males, or one plakat male, or two... a little help? I am pretty sure that Brooke is a girl

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The females have been isolated most of their lives, they will work out a pecking order like chickens do, take time to observe behavior. You would not enjoy keeping ciclids.

 

[Shellybean02]

Actually, like I said before, the pet store I got them from kept them in a sorority together with a bunch of small schooling fish... I know, bad idea to put nippers and bettas but they did it. So they've been living together and with other fish too. I'll still buy things like floating plants, maybe even ONE other female betta as more females makes it easier to keep them, according to people with experience...
My dad's cichlids had a separation glass, so they didn't get to each other. They have a friend apple snail^-^

I'll just wait for them to work it out and get the extras. What would you say about adding just one other female?
And would you suggest that I wash the brine shrimp before feedings?

 

[LeafBlade12345]

Actually, like I said before, the pet store I got them from kept them in a sorority together with a bunch of small schooling fish... I know, bad idea to put nippers and bettas but they did it. So they've been living together and with other fish too. I'll still buy things like floating plants, maybe even ONE other female betta as more females makes it easier to keep them, according to people with experience...
My dad's cichlids had a separation glass, so they didn't get to each other. They have a friend apple snail^-^

I'll just wait for them to work it out and get the extras. What would you say about adding just one other female?
And would you suggest that I wash the brine shrimp before feedings?

You could just switch over to bloodworms. They have about the same nutritional value as brine shrimp, and are safer, especially for freshwater fish. You can also try krill. They really bring out the fish's colors. I use them, and you can buy them freeze dried or live.

Regards,
Leaf

 

[Shellybean02]

What do I do with the frozen brine shrimp? Would anyone on craigslist buy a pack of frozen brine shrimp missing a cube? Every penny counts because most of my money goes to my fish(christmas money; I'm too young to have a job)

 

[Shellybean02]

Brooke and Penny are exhausted... I definitely need more hiding spaces and one or two more females to even out the aggression. They're at the bottom with fins clamped, too scared to move while Lynn has taken over Spongebob. She needs some-fish to keep her in line!
Oldhen, did you say that aquarium salts reduce fish stress? I can always remove the snail temporarily, I would just need to know when the salt wears off... also I think nerites breed in brackish(?) so maybe they can tolerate a bit of salt? Not sure...

 

[LeafBlade12345]

What do I do with the frozen brine shrimp? Would anyone on craigslist buy a pack of frozen brine shrimp missing a cube? Every penny counts because most of my money goes to my fish(christmas money; I'm too young to have a job)

I doubt you can sell already opened frozen food. Your best bet is to find a friend that will either take the food or buy it for a couple of dollars. Shipping costs for a fifty cent pack of food with a cube missing is probably not worth it. But, if you can find someone who will buy it and pay shipping, kudos!

Regards,
Leaf

 

[LeafBlade12345]

Brooke and Penny are exhausted... I definitely need more hiding spaces and one or two more females to even out the aggression. They're at the bottom with fins clamped, too scared to move while Lynn has taken over Spongebob. She needs some-fish to keep her in line!
Oldhen, did you say that aquarium salts reduce fish stress? I can always remove the snail temporarily, I would just need to know when the salt wears off... also I think nerites breed in brackish(?) so maybe they can tolerate a bit of salt? Not sure...

The snail should be able to tolerate VERY small amounts, but I would take it out as a precaution anyways. I'm just curious, but why did you get the snail in the first place? They will usually eat any live plants and will often be harassed by fish. Snails were always the pest for me. I'd advise giving it away, or selling it if you want, and getting a few more females. Apple snails can be quite destructive when given the chance. It's your call though, just giving some advice. It may be easier and less complicated in the long run.

Regards,
Leaf

ETA: I hope I do not sound rude, not my intention at all! Rereading, I sounded harsh, but I'm really just trying to help out, even if I come across as rude.

 

[Shellybean02]

Unfortunately Brooke got stuck in Spongebob and drowned... RIP:-( I'll be getting two females from ebay soon.
Nerite snails, at least mine, don't eat plants.My snail eats leftover food and algae wafers. I thought I would have algae growth since my original idea was to not use a filter, but he still makes a nice tank buddy for the fish, who leave him alone.