Recent content by FranciscoB

I misspelled the name- Rafaela Ota.

For the genus Metynnis (what you have, and what people often refer to as ‘common’ or ‘regular’, or even smaller silver dollars) it is not difficult, at least among the 4-5 species common in the hobby: altidorsalis, argenteus, lippincotianus, maculatus, and fasciatus. Only quite rarely (at most...

Sorry for the losses and frustration. Hopefully restarting will be successful. Actually, you do know what happened. You introduced fish and plants, either of which brought pathogens that wiped out your established tank. Quarantine is a must. Although not everybody does it, it is just not...

Why not just keep some extra media in one or more of your other tanks, such that you can bring it over to the q-tank when you are ready to put more fish. It is instant cycling and works beautifully. I do that, with the only caveat that I don’t bring that media from the q-tank back to my other...

Agree that it most likely was something brought with the new fish, even if they looked ok. Thus far, only the loaches have been affected, but that can change. Quarantine should never be skipped, no matter the source or the looks. It is just not worth the risk. Hope things improve. You don’t...

Clicking sounds from yoyo and clown loaches. Major gulping sounds from silver dollars catching items at surface.

Most fully submersible heaters (i.e., modern ones) typically don’t do well if stored long term dry, after having been use for a while. The rubber gaskets dry out and crack, resulting in leaks. This is particularly true if stored dry in places that withstand great variations of seasonal...

If enough shelter, it could work (soft of, as over time some cherrys will be eaten). To a new aquarist and in general, bad advice for sure. Unfortunately this is typical of many stores, either from ignorance, or from malicious intent to sell no matter what. Fortunately there are better shops...

Leerí (pearl gourami) is among the least aggressive gouramis. Is that not your experience?

White fuzz almost always corresponds to a fungal infection. But fungal infections are most often secondary to a previous injury or infection, so it will be valuable to consider previous observations/history prior to the fuzz. Salt and very clean water will help, but an anti fungal may be needed...

Freshwater mussels generally don’t do well in home aquaria. Too much trouble to feed them long term. Also, most species are considered at least vulnerable (not all) and generally discouraged or prohibited.

so, what were the fish?

My experience is that most happy fish learn to trust their providers, err who feeds them. All of mine do. Even fish people consider very skidish come to feed from my hand, even Anostomids, hemiodontids, and silver dollars. Don’t know if the fact that I only feed 4-5 days per week affects that...

I actually like the large slabs of blood worms, mysids, and brine shrimp. But I have not bought any of those lately. I wish there was a Spirulina-filled brine shrimp, but there isn’t on slabs. The little blíster packs are a rip-off but there is where I am now. I know I can order slabs but it...

What are the tankmates?