Shane, that setup is absolutely exquisite! It wouldn't matter a whit if you kept nothing in it - such a visually beautiful presentation would have a home in my patio room anytime!

My philosophy has always been "if it works, don't change it". So many factors are involved in each situation - bio load, water parameters, maintenance schedule, etc. that it is almost impossible to state any firm rule of thumb. I hesitated to even mention the 3 Aquaclear 500 filters on the 125 ...

I have been reading through these posts and am now a little concerned with Rena cannisters. I bought an XP3 a year ago and it is still sitting in the box as it was meant for emergencies. FYI, I have 7 tanks that are up and running all the time (2 - 125's. l - 80, 3 - 50 gal and one 40 gal.) All ...

Thanks again, Larry, for your informative post. I have tried Prazil-Pro with "so'so" success and the gel foods are fine if fish will eat - mine tend to look at those gelatinous little spheres with both horror and disdain! Working in the veterinary field, I have many drugs available to me that are ...

Oh, thank you again for input! It is wonderful to converse with others who "have gone before me" in keeping these guys. I am charmed by this little "troll" and if it continues to be a positive experience, I may try to acquire more. No problem here with a tank that is not heavily planted, and if the ...

Thank you so much for the reply! I am hopeful also, but will feel beter when all foods are accepted. Thanks for the info on tank-mates. Due to a crowded household here, I will eventually try the fish in a community setting with other peaceful, non-intrusive fish. Thanks again so much for the reply!

Thank you so much, Chris, for the info! Mine has started to eat bloodworms and frozen mysis shrimp but no interest yet in prepared wafers or pellets. I think this will be a long quarantine/adjustment period but at least things are looking up. I have no idea what the mouth looks like as am not about ...

Thanks again, Larry, for the reply. I firmly believe that, just like reptile breeders finally had to rise to the increased demand for animals and diminishing resources in the wild (or flat out illegal) and concentrate on captive propogation for the pet trade, dedicated fish people need to ...

I totally agree, Larry, but quite simply, it ain't gonna happen! My husband used to work in the exotic import trade (many years ago and even then he was desperate to get out of it) and we unfortunately know all of the horrors that are connected with shipping and handling livestock. It is also ...

Now that I have discovered this wonderful site, I would like to do some "brain picking". I do feel awed to be in the company of such knowledgeable and caring folk. Would appreciate input on what preparations have been successfully used to treat the fluke overload that it seems ALL fish arrive with ...

Thank you both very much for the reply. I did check out all the info on the site before I purchased this fish and didn't forsee much of a problem. Unfortunately, here in S.E. Arizona, most fish are shipped in by only one distributor in Florida and there are two plane changes and a long truck ride ...

Although the correct taxonomical identification has been graciously listed, thought I would use the dratted "common name". Also, thought you might enjoy some trivia from a long-time fish keeper who can still enjoy life's little moments. I have 3 of them and have had them for 5 years - since I ...

I just obtained one of these fish and hope I haven't made a horrid mistake. Not in greatest shaped from lfs. Any thought on feeding? My water parameters are great, as I specialize in Amazon tanks, but this creature worries me. Got it to eat some frozen mysis shrimp by literally holding it in front ...