Recent content by GrumpyJohn

LESSON #1 IN FISH KEEPING!   Do not take a fish home until you:   A) Know something about it.   B) Know what it eats and have a ready supply.   You should have asked these questions at the pet store before you even considered buying the fish. The likelihood is that you now have a fish that is...

I just thought I'd share a couple of pics of my latest buy. I picked it up on Friday and it's settled in nicely; it really is quite a cool fish and watching it 'feel' it's way around the tank is fascinating.   That's it really!      

Any ideas what these are? A pangasius of some sort perhaps? Sorry for the rubbish vid it was taken on my mobile and made worse uploading to Youtube!   Thanks   http://youtu.be/eVB9QT6uNsA

Just to make this clear I never had a problem with snails until I introduced new stock - then the snails appeared. I do not over-feed (well, I assume I don't because there isn't a layer of uneaten food stuff on the floor, although obviously there is for the short time I am feeding).  I want the...

  So I'm over feeding and badly maintaining my tank then!!   I'm very careful about feeding (so as to not over feed - and I do have other fish in there so I don't hand feed them all) and my tank is properly maintained with regular water changes, an efficient filter, regular 'hoovering' etc. I...

  No, not at all. What I do believe is that the quoted (by specialists, scientists, researchers, etc) size of fish is that which it could grow to in it's ideal habitat, perfect water conditions, absolute ideal food sources, etc., more than likely based on the largest found. The sizes quoted by...

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.     Current tank is 150 litres but I have a 4' x 2' x 2' waiting in the wings for the eel as it grows.     Really!?! In an aquarium?!? I have seen a pair of adults that were approaching 30 years old and they were nowhere near that size. Seriously Fish...

Reports I've heard vary on the effectiveness of assassin snails; some say they work, others say they just bury themselves in the sand. I can't vouch for either view as I've not kept them as I have never really fancied them in my tank for some reason.   John

So, many, many months ago I found a few snails in my tank. A quick visit to the LFS and I returned with two little YoYo loaches that soon put paid to the snails. Over time these grew to around 3.0"-3.5" long; I never saw another snail.   Later on I purchased a young fire eel which has lived...

Festive cichlid? Possibly but I would want to see one in the flesh before I say yes.   What about the Silver Gar? I've been told they are grow to about 12", are peaceful to tank-mates they don't see as dinner, etc. Would they be a good choice? If so, are they best kept in a small group or...

Hi, yes, I do like some of the larger cichlids, especially the Blue Jack Dempsey - it's a great looking fish, gets to the right size and is relatively placid - but aren't cichlids notorius tank furniture removers/destroyers? I want to remain with a planted theme of sorts, creating a dimly light...

  Possibly sick, but maybe normal.   I hope that helps?

  Length-wise they don't get nearly as large as some, but they do get incredibly fat, thick, weighty, call it what you will. I researched them quite a fair amount as I was looking at getting one. The youngsters are very attractive fish, but imo they get fat and dullishly ugly as they get older...