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RE: Ghost Shrimp

FisheLady — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 07:54:16 GMT

Hey, I'm still a "newbie" the The Fish Channel, but I've been keepin fish for more than 20 years. There's lots of good info here and you get a chance to sound your ideas off other hobbyists like yourself. You never know who may have a suggestion for solvin a problem like yours in a way that works better than in a book. I'm havin the time of my life and wouldn't think of stoppin now! Great thing to do is your research on your prospectve fish and their care first. Good lookin out!!! Your fish will love:kiss:you for that.

RE: Ghost Shrimp

FattFishy — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 19:11:54 GMT

Yes, an HOB (hang-on-back) filter will work perfectly. Fry never got sucked up mine but if you're a little worried, a pantyhose or unused sponge would work. Just put it around the intake tube and voila! fry-proof filter.

But, if you're worried about the current, use a sponge filter. They're cheap, easy to maintain, and no current! Many breeders use it for that specific purpose.

As for reptiles, I have red ear slider turtles... although I have NO idea about their needs. I don't take care of them that's why. My dad and sister do.

I do like the bearded dragon lizard thingy. They're cute.

Ahaha... I was wondering about what IMO and IMHO... MOA always said it.

The gourami (especially males, like the ones sold in chain stores Petco, PetSmart) might get a little vicious and aggressive. Watch it as it grows, that's when the annoying behavior kicks in. I learned this from MOA so credit, once again, to him! Hooray for MOA!

Once again, GOOD LUCK!!!!

RE: Ghost Shrimp

FastFoward5k — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 19:02:33 GMT

Well IMO means "in my opinion" and IMHO (I'm just guessing on this) probably means something along the same lines, "in my ___ opinion" or something like that.

Yeah, I saw the picture and I've asked about all the fish I have bought so far at my LFS and they have all been tank bred (the killis, the gourami, the cory, oops... I forgot to ask about the pleco :w00t: ).

Reptiles are great pets. They are different, fun to watch (and for certain ones, to hold), beautiful (some :P ), and awesome! I am probably getting a crested gecko soon, which I am very excited about and maybe later a Lined Day Gecko. But you don't know what I'm talking about (no offense) so I'll just stop talking about reptiles.

And the balloon mollies, once the female gets really prego, I'll move her into the nursery to give birth, then put her back in the big one. And can I use a hang on back filter with balloon molly fry? And if it would suck them in, could I put a sponge around it or something like? :D

RE: Ghost Shrimp

FattFishy — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 18:51:36 GMT

I'm exactly opposite of you. I have NO idea what reptiles need and the like but am really knowledgeable about fish. But I haven't been in this hobby for 1 year yet. Yup, I'm a fish freak ahaha and too much time on my hands.

Did you read the reply after it was edited? I added the oto pic and other stuff...

Out of plain, random curiousity, what does IMO and IMHO mean?

RE: Ghost Shrimp

FastFoward5k — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 18:47:14 GMT

Oh, I definitely wouldn't leave because other aquarists are better than me. Most of the people on here are more knoweledgeable than me and I know that. You (FattFishy), Hailey, MOA, and many others are way more experienced than me. I like fish a lot, but my true love is herps (reptiles and amphibians). I am much more knoweledgeable about them than I am about fish. I know plenty about water parameters, fish that I have, tank sizes, etc. to keep my fish healthy, but I can't ID most fish off the top of my head or calculate the amount of space each fish needs (I know the basic 1 gallon per inch of fish rule).

All labyrinth fish (paradise fish, gouramis, and bettas) are very light on the bio-load (from what I've heard). Plus Pearl Gouramis are a peaceful, community fish. And I may get rid of (return to my LFS) the Pleco and Cory if they cause too much trouble and get a Mini Clown Loach (a special strain that stays small).

Thanks for your replys and help! :D

RE: Ghost Shrimp

FattFishy — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 18:30:37 GMT

It's not a risk anymore because of the behavior exhibited by your betta. It depends on the betta, the betta ignored it completely. Not a risk at all... that's what I meant.

I was just saying that you might leave because, well... many new members come, see their status as new member, become somewhat discouraged by the amount of posts needed (that REALLY doesn't sound like a good reason to leave though) and leave. Also because of intimidation (if you're really self-conscious) that other fishkeepers are here that are "better" than yourself... I've seen many people never come after what? one or two visits. But I don't see that in you though by your posts. :D

Isn't that tank sort of overstocked? I mean in amounts of fish.

The pearl gourami is a little big for that tank. You might want to upgrade tanks... maybe 20-30 gallons if you're fully stocking it.

Golden Wonder Killies, I like them... although not my fave. Once the balloons are added, tell me how the act to each other. I want to see if the killies will become mean or nice... or just completely ignore them.

The Otocinclus would be a nice addition... just be careful where you buy them. Places like LiveAquaria.com only sell netted otocinclus, unlike many chain stores (PetSmart or Petco) that sell ones that were chemically lagged and made easier to catch. The abuse during shipping also increases the fragility of the oto. If you have to get them like Petco, wait a while to account for die-offs and then buy the healthiest looking ones. Here's a pic of a good looking oto:

Ignore the numbers. What I want you to see is what #10 is pointing at. It's the caudal fin. It should be nicely pointed. Make sure all the fins are erect and the oto is active. The picture is from www.otocinclus.com, home of the dwarf suckermouth catfish.

Although otos need soft acidic water, just stability of your water should be the key point. Try them in hard, alkaline water. Some people actually have good luck in that water. Oh, one last point. Have the store test their water in front of you for pH and GH (general hardness). This'll determine if the otos are used to the water... dang another point. Ask if they're farmed or wild.

As for the balloons, if you're going to breed them, make sure they're in their own tank. Other fish can eat the fry... of course, you probably already know this.

The peppered cory needs others of it's kind... at least 3. This way, it'll feel less lonely, more active, and exhibit its corydorine behaviors.

The cardinal tetras you're going to have to do the same things as the otos. Ask whether they're farm raised or wild, and test the pH and GH in the store tanks in front of you.

So much to say... lastly, aggressive feeders like livebearers and killies (not exactly sure if killies eat FAST) will out-compete other fish like cories, gouramis, basically slower fish.

Hope your tank will work out.

RE: Ghost Shrimp

FastFoward5k — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 17:21:27 GMT

The tank that finished cycling is 10 gallons. You can look at my signature for its final stocking list. Right now it has: 2 Golden Wonder Killifish, 1 Pearl Gourami, 1 Peppered Cory, and 1 Candy Stripe, or other type but it is very small, Pleco. The ammonia is at 0, the nitrates are good, and the nitrite is a TINY drop high, but I did a 25% water change right before I put the new fish in which should have fixed that.

What do you mean by you don't think it is a risk anymore for the shrimp. I don't think it is because they really just ignore each others presence completely, but you seemed worried earlier. I added to live plants so there is plenty of space to hide. The plant is tall, seaweed-looking and is very hardy. It is doing good so far (but it's only been like 5 hours).

The two worst things about fish keeping: the cost $$$ (more so in saltwater) and the cycling.

Why would you think I would be leaving FishChannel? Now that I have my tank going (and will be breeding balloon mollies [which I noticed are one of your favourite fish]) I will be needing more help from everyone here more than ever. I'm not going anywhere soon. ;)

RE: Ghost Shrimp

FattFishy — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 15:32:54 GMT

The plants like Anubias sp., Java Moss and Fern will do alright with natural light. Just be careful with the algae blooms and such. Exactly what species is the plant?

How big is the tank that you mentioned finished cycling?

It actually doesn't matter if the shrimp doesn't fit into the mouth. The betta can rip it apart after the shell sheds and eat it. I don't see it as a risk anymore though.

Cycling is a bore isn't it? If you're gonna get another tank, put extra filter media for bacteria to colonize. Then take the media out, plop it into the new tank, give it an ammonia source (fish flakes will do), wait 1-2 days and your tank is "seeded." Make sure you test ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate though too be sure.

I hope you stay at FishChannel for a long time. Many people join... and never come back.

RE: Ghost Shrimp

FastFoward5k — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 15:22:53 GMT

I went up to my LFS today to look at the ghost shrimp (and get my water tested, IT IS FINALLY DONE CYCLING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I added a Pearl Gourami and a Golden Wonder Killifish and in a week I'll add Cardinal Tetras and Balloon Mollies.) And they were way too big to fit in my betta's mouth (1"-1.5") and they don't even bother each other. They are doing great together and the bowl already seems cleaner. And I put in some live plants but do you think they'll survive with no lighting? I have a lot of natural light in my room and they are a hardy, any-kind-of-light plant. Thanks. :D

RE: Ghost Shrimp

FattFishy — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 08:58:49 GMT

1. In the 4 gallon, it'll just eat the scraps the betta misses.

2. It literally needs the amount of care of a betta, no care whatsoever. Keep the betta happy and that's it for the shrimp.

3. 1/2 gallon is a little restricting and the ghost shrimp might get eaten. Put the shrimp in after the 4 gallon comes so that the betta has more space.

The betta might eat the shrimp, depends on the betta. Try it, it might work.

Ghost Shrimp

FastFoward5k — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 06:46:56 GMT

I have a betta in a 1/2 gallon right now. (I will be moving him into a 4 gallon soon.) I want to add a ghost shrimp in with my betta. But my mom won't let me unless it requires next-to-none care, so here are my questions:

Does it need to eat anything other than algae and crumbs?

Will it make a bigger mess than it cleans up?

Can it be in a 1/2 gallon, and then in a 4?

Thanks. :D