New Forum?

[guppymonkey]

Much as I would love to learn about other livebearers I dont think they would give the go ahead for such a small specialised section.The fact that most lfs dont stock much outside the range of the usual livebearers means that there isnt the same level of interest in the more unusual species.Its a pity
Having said that Id certainly be a user as IMO the livebearer section is starting to show alarming similiarities to the b***a section

While it is true that there are few pet stores with a full range of livebearers outside the norm the livebearing hobby has exploded in the last few years. You are seeing more breeds of livebearers in stores. I remember when there was just guppies now there are lyretails, half blacks, snakeskins etc in stores. There are also widespread breeds of mollies, platies and swordtails. I have even seem some endlers and even the occasional mosquito fish (gambusia holbrooki) show up in stores in my area. So this part of the hobby is expanding.

I am just getting sick of seeing interestingly unusual posts getting stuck at the bottom under all the posts asking how to tell males from females, announcing the births of fry or how to tell if a female is pregnant. Its so annoying sometimes!

 

[nmonks]

I'm happy to help where I can... but my experience is limited to halfbeaks. They're certainly among the more unusual livebearers but they can hardly be called rare. Most aquarium stores seem to carry them, at least once or twice a year.

There are specialised mailing lists for those who are into the really unusual stuff, such as the British Livebearer Association's Yahoo Group. These lists allow people not only to swap information but also to trade fish. I've found these people really nice... when I had my first brood of halfbeaks, one guy sent me a starter culture of microworms for free!

I'd encourage (and would be happy to add) some pinned topics to go with the FAQ at the top. The FAQ is fine, but it doesn't seem to be addressing the commonest issues. So why not short, simple pinned topics such as these:

Your first fry -- tips on how to save, feed, and raise your new baby guppies/mollies/swordtails/platies
Breeding traps -- should you use one?
Common problems -- fungus/finrot on mollies, guppies with ragged fins, etc.
Where to buy your fish -- the pros and cons of Walmart/PetsMart versus traditional tropical fish stores
How to buy your fish -- why you need more females than males, why you need virgin females, what is hybridisation

Then, if we encourage people to check these out first before posting, we might cut down on some of the chatter. We don't want to be too snobby -- after all, I certainly remember my excitement at find a baby platy, and that experience has encouraged me to stay in the hobby for twenty years.

Cheers,

Neale

I'm sure you would be very helpful in it, and so would nmonks (I hope?) but who else?

 

[Annastasia]

I'm happy to help where I can... but my experience is limited to halfbeaks. They're certainly among the more unusual livebearers but they can hardly be called rare. Most aquarium stores seem to carry them, at least once or twice a year.

I'd encourage (and would be happy to add) some pinned topics to go with the FAQ at the top. The FAQ is fine, but it doesn't seem to be addressing the commonest issues. So why not short, simple pinned topics such as these:

Your first fry -- tips on how to save, feed, and raise your new baby guppies/mollies/swordtails/platies
Breeding traps -- should you use one?
Common problems -- fungus/finrot on mollies, guppies with ragged fins, etc.
Where to buy your fish -- the pros and cons of Walmart/PetsMart versus traditional tropical fish stores
How to buy your fish -- why you need more females than males, why you need virgin females, what is hybridisation

Then, if we encourage people to check these out first before posting, we might cut down on some of the chatter. We don't want to be too snobby -- after all, I certainly remember my excitement at find a baby platy, and that experience has encouraged me to stay in the hobby for twenty years.

I've written topics on fry, what to look for when you buy your fish, stocking..etc. All that is in the FAQs at the top of the main page of the forum. But nobody ever seems to look there when they are posting. I also wrote one on hybridizing, but that hasn't been pinned. I think the problem here, is people post before they look in the FAQs.

Or...are you talking about the FAQs in on the main page, and you don't think my topics cover it?

Edit: Oh, it's fine Weaver. I was just wondering, because I'm willing to do anything (Well...most anything ) to make this forum better.

 

[Weaver]

Thank Annastasia
Ive read your excellent article on fry and it covers all the questions most people would be asking .
The only niggle that I have is that everything is contained under one pinned topic at the top under faq and maybe if the heading was broadened a bit to include the words fry/breeding/varieties etc it might encourage more people to look and then ask their question if it isnt covered there
Im afraid its just the usual story where folks dont use the search button and dont do any research .Its easier to just post.I know a lot of people post for reassurance that they are doing everything properly and a lot of people are just really excited because its their first lot of fry.I had the neighbours in looking at my krib fry before the mother ate them(the frys mother,not my mother!)
Stii I suppose if everyone researched everything there would be no need for the forums

 

[nmonks]

Hello,

I've just added an example of short, sub-FAQ of the type that could be pinned on this board. It's deliberately skipping over the specifics, which Annastasia and other have covered perfectly well. All I wanted to do was put down answers to the most generic questions.

Your First Baby Fish! [example Of A Sub-faq For Newbies]

Comments?

Cheers,

Neale

 

[Annastasia]

Pretty good, nmonks. I added a few little nit-picks in the thread, but they really aren't much.

Are you saying you think it'd be good if we broke up the pinned topics into a few smaller ones so people can look at one that's a little more specified to their needs? Rather then search through my whole long ramblings? If so...I guess we'd need to talk to a mod about that.