Hilary

I was using another test kit (the one with the blue Dr. fish on the package), and kept getting very high nitrate readings. I did everything - big, frequent water changes, ran carbon, searched for causes - couldn't get the reading to change. Everybody who looked at my tank said that it couldn't look that good with those kind of readings. So I bought the other kit. This one said I have basically no nitrates, which made more sense. Not very scientific, but I'm satisfied. The instructions and measuring tools lead to a fairly controlled method to follow, and while it's still comparing colors I think it's easier with the colors/card provided. If I remember correctly it even comes with an additional chemical to use a a double-check for accuracy periodically.

I'm glad you asked that question - my fire shrimp just molted again. Kind of creepy, with legs and antennae still attached.....

I've had good luck with my Tropic Marin test kit (from AquaCo).

Cool!

VERY nice!

Same here - I wander in about once a week to say hi and see what's in the tanks.

What a great life - that's certainly my goal. I hope that your family gets a chance to celebrate as well as say goodbye. I'm sorry that you've lost him.

I've been told that they're actually doing much better in captivity now.

Looking great!

Very nice!

I tried a plastic bag with a piece of string tied around the neck and a little food in the bag when trying to catch a feisty little clown goby. Put it right next to his favorite hangout, poured a glass of wine, and put a movie on. Right about when the movie was ending the fish swam in, I jerked the string up and caught myself a fish.

And if those bugs are pods, that's a very good thing. I've worked hard to develop a good population in my tank!

Thanks all! I ended up with six of them, and added a little bit of chaeto to the breeder since I know they like to hang out in softies/in some cover. Am trying frozen rotifers and cyclopeeze, and will let you know how they do. They are so amazingly cute - each is a perfect Banggai, but tip to tip less than half the size of my pinky nail!

Cabrego, if you look at your profile you're now listed as a WAMAS member, so you should be able to see everything. Welcome!

Well, I was placing new corals in the tank tonight (thanks Rik!!), and saw some movement near the cocoworm. Ended up catching four tiny Banggai babies! Tried to catch Dad in case I could get him to spit out the rest, but he didn't cooperate. Put the little ones in a floating breeder in the display and gave them some frozen rotifers - will do cyclopeeze in the morning. Will also keep an eye out for more in case he's releasing them gradually. Woo hoo! Now I just need to try to beat Chip's 2 month mark!

The little bugger isn't cleaning - I know what that feels like. These are hit and runs!

My 3" blue cleaner wrasse gets me every time. He's one of the smallest fish in the tank, and by far the peskiest. Like Boxxr I'm startled every time even though I know it's coming. Can't count the frags I've dropped ......

I would also ask 1) how much light it's getting (looks like it's kind of under a ledge?) and 2) whether that frogspawn can reach it. The one I got from Howard is doing great, and gets direct light (though it's low in the sand). It's beautiful - hope it perks up.

Thanks for the forum (excellent!) and info, as well as all the good wishes! He still is carrying the eggs. Since I have no idea when he started, I can't really time it. That means watching for little ones in the display or sump, or trying to just catch him and put him in a breeder in the display or in my 10 g until he releases them. Glad to hear cyclopeeze can work!

Same thing happened to me. Neptune said it wasn't at all uncommon.

Noticed that one of my banggai cardinals had a really big jaw this evening, and since he's accommodating he opened his mouth to show me what he was carrying (very nice fish). Doubt that I'll be lucky enough to pull him in time, but you never know! If I'm lucky enough to catch him and time it right, think cyclopeeze from the beginning will do it? I've pulled old posts (thanks Chip) where newly hatched brine shrimp were provided, but I'm hoping to skip that......

Striped Bristletooth, then?

Nice tank! Tang looks like a blue-eye kole.

Sorry to hear that! At least you know that you tried everything possible to help him. :(

VERY nice!! I do need to stop by and see it in person!