An Intriguing Challenge

[Azaeil]

There is a little trick I developed - you know those plastic feeder spikes for live plants that have a rubber cap with a hole in them? I trimmed off the leaves of the fake plants I wanted to keep and stuck them through the hole thickly enough that they stuck, and it's heavy enough to sink. I haven't tried them yet, but I had them soaking in the bathtub for a while to make sure they aren't coated in dust anymore. Being relatively cheaper to get (A cluster of fern leaves for about $2), I can readily replace them as they get to yucky to recover from a cleaning.

As for the sale, I missed that one, but the lady at the counter said there's another one coming soon.

 

[Azaeil]

'nother fast update - I got Osel to eat again today, and I think he might actually have some vision, but only within millimeters of his eyes.

On a plus side I got to Petco and nabbed a couple of 10 gal tanks from their sale to divide between my fish, though I may have to get another one to split between two remaining fish (Osel and Kalli - the more docile of the girls), as I will be housing three per divided tank (little over 3 gal per fish). I also have two heaters and a kit as well to keep track, all that's left is the filters but as currently the guy at the garage cracked my window and I still need to get my van re-registered, my money is at a limit until I can get a job to save up a buffer for more materials for the tanks >.< Petsmart has lower prices for their filters so I'll be getting my filters and bottom material from there as well as live plants.

 

[Bettawhisperer]

Well he's not an albino. He's a Blue Butterfly Crowntail. The eye problem is most likely just a defect he was born with. A true albino will not have any body coloring which yours has. Also he has a black ring around the eye. Is he getting to the top to get air? He should be kept in a small like a 2.5g tank with only about 3" of water. That way it will be easier for him to get to the top for air. If he isn't able to eat he probably won't last much longer unless you can figure a way to get him to eat.

 

[keithp]

Sounds like your doing great and almost done, we all know you have to buy stuff for yourself too, when you get everything set up we would love to see pictures!

 

[Azaeil]

Sounds like your doing great and almost done, we all know you have to buy stuff for yourself too, when you get everything set up we would love to see pictures!

Thank you! I've selected an area in my room to put both tanks - the shelf above my daybed (It's built into the bed as a double shelf). I was going to put one on my desk shelf shelf but I saw with the empty tank beside the currently occupied space that it was too narrow, and the tank would end up being far too heavy for the glass. I'll be putting them beside each other above my bed, and move my stuff from there to the desk shelf no problem. Osel and Kalli's tank will be on my closet dresser so I can leave the door open the entire day for dim lighting for Osel, and close it when I'm down there at night so the light in my room won't irritate him. Most of the 2.5-5 gal tanks are kits that are way too expensive currently.

 

[loraxchick]

just some advice to add to whats already been said.
to help him eat regularly and make it easier to find food, gently tap the glass before placing the food in the tank (give him a sign its feeding time). then always feed him in the same corner of the tank. that way he knows food is coming (tap) and where to find it. might take a few days/weeks for him to figure it out, but will help him to eventually know when and where food is coming. you really shouldnt NEED to hand feed him. he will learn.
he a purdy guy! good luck with him.
cheers

 

[Azaeil]

Well he's not an albino. He's a Blue Butterfly Crowntail. The eye problem is most likely just a defect he was born with. A true albino will not have any body coloring which yours has. Also he has a black ring around the eye. Is he getting to the top to get air? He should be kept in a small like a 2.5g tank with only about 3" of water. That way it will be easier for him to get to the top for air. If he isn't able to eat he probably won't last much longer unless you can figure a way to get him to eat.

Dunno how this managed to get into a funky position on the page

He is getting to the top just fine, and he is in his current tank temporarily as I have stated multiple times to make sure he is eating right, and he's just eaten this morning. Putting him in a 2.5 gal tank with just 3" of water would pretty much be putting him in the same condition he is now, only not as much height.. He is moving around just fine.

@Loraxchick - That's an interesting idea, lately I've just been dropping the food within the immediate vicinity of his head when he rises, and he spooks at every minor vibration against the counter he's on, maybe he'll grow out of that enough for me to be able to use that technique.

 

[loraxchick]

he will likely "grow out of it" as you mentioned. new surroundings so hes jumpy. if you dont want to tap the glass (or the counter) swirl your finger at the surface before feeding him. anything that he will pick up on that will let him know foods in the vicinity. consistancy is the most important thing-so he knows when and where food is.
best of luck!
cheers

 

[Azaeil]

Alrighty I'll keep that in mind!