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February 11th, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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Pearls are soooooooooo shy!!!
I've had a new pair of pearls for about a day and half, so overnight basically, and all they do is hide behind some plants I got for them, first I thought the problem was the zebra danios haunting the tank, so I removed them today, I need to know when the pearls are going to start eating, all I have at the moment is flakes and bloodworms. They are all alone in the 29g tank so they have plenty of room, especially because they're both barely over an inch apiece. I'll definitely try soaking the food in garlic if they start reaching the breaking point later on, thats just not an option right now so any other ideas are appreciated.
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February 12th, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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It's day three and they're still not eating, I really need some help before I have to take my fish back, or they might die, I'm freaking out a little just watching them sit behind all my plants sitting as still as possible. The shyness is so weird because they are all alone in the tank.
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February 12th, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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Help!
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February 12th, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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Does no one have any idea what to do with my pearls, I'm still kinda new at this and have never had a fish that won't eat for nearly three days.
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February 12th, 2008
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Fish Mentor
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Hi!
Gouramis are naturally shy fish. I heard a story a little while ago, where someone got a lone male Dwarf gourami and he took about a week before he started venturing out. Have you heard of 'Dither fish'? When you have the Cherry babrs you might be surprised how much more they come out. They will feel more confident to see lots of fish swimming out in the open - and I know that's what my Cherry barbs do.
Fish can go for weeks without food. Don't worry! In the wild, no fish expects to eat everyday. Relax! I'm betting they'll come out a lot in a week or so. Are you sure they're female?
You may want to read this page: http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_leeri.php
Although it does mention a lot of them being shy, a pair of females with active cherry barbs and plenty of plants should become really active. I'd just give them time. Pearls are just a little sensitive - they've just come into a completely different world.
Oh yeah, and I think you should go planted - (Well, maybe semi-planted) plants eat nitrates, less nitrate you have to get rid of, less maintenance! I have loads of plants in my 47gal, and I add liquid fertilizer with each water change. They thrive! And my gouramis love them.
Last edited by HatchetHaven; February 12th, 2008 at 12:13 PM.
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February 12th, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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Hatchet can I put marbled hatchets in with my gouramis? or would the cherry barbs make better tank mates?
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February 13th, 2008
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Fish Mentor
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Hi!
Marlbed hatchets tend to get a little big. They grow to 8cm long - and you need at least 6, plus they are prone to white spot and can jump up to 2M in the air when stressed - making water changes difficult. Cherrys are better tank mates. Common or Marthae silver hatchets would work. I still say Cherrys.
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February 14th, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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cool, thanks again for the advice, I thought I researched them, but I was under the impression that they only get 5cm long, guess I got a bad site.
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February 14th, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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Oh and btw I have fake and real plants in the tank, all of which are doing well but I don't know if I should keep the airstone off or not, I've heard that it keeps CO2 out of the tank which the plants need to survive. Hate to be a newb but this is the first time I've actually had real plants.
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February 14th, 2008
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Fish Mentor
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Hi!
Well, the problem with Marbled hatchets is they are prone to whitespot... They get to around 6cm if your lucky. There is a lot of debate on how big they get - due to lack of info on these species. 4cm for Common hatchet, 6-8cm for Marbled if you ask me. I'm thinking of finding out the exact measurements soon by adding a pair of Marbled hatchets to my Common hatchet school (both hatchet species school) to find out. I really love Marthae silver hatchets - they get from 3-4cm. (Lack of info - I can't find an exact measurement)
I keep my plants (I hate fake ones!) without an airstone and they are fine. No CO2, either. In normal aquarium conditions it isn't always necessary. I just add my liquid fertilizer with each water change.
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February 15th, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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I have an air stone and my filter creates bubbles in the water, will this kill my plants? I mean I knew that they needed co2 and that air stones remove it from the water but now that I have something other than gouramis in the tank don't i need some surface agitation? I hate to be a newb but plz help
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February 15th, 2008
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Fish Addict
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Really strange about the pearl gourami's not eating... have they started to munch yet? I have one and he is the fattest guy in the tank... when I first got him he was very shy because I had a gold gourami in with him that was beating him up. When I got rid of him the pearl wasnt nearly as shy. Then when I left the tank alone for a week... no moving anything, just left it alone, he became less shy... now I can do a water change and he'll come right up to my hand. His favorite is live brine... maybe you could try that? Garlic is always a good idea though when you can. Sorry Im not of much help  I know the feeling, I had a dwarf gourami that wouldnt eat and eventually died. |
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February 17th, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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The pearls just started to eat yesterday, but only a little, not to mention that they were venturing out of the darker parts of the tank. I just added six cherry barbs and the pearls are were they were, hiding and without appetite. Also the barbs are actively schooling with the two zebra danios I had in the tank. I hope the pearls come around, they're stripes are fading pretty bad. also my nitrite readings are spiking a little with no ammonia readings, really worries me. but the nitrite readign aren't serious I keep them low with adequate water change.
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February 17th, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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Sorry to say that when I woke up this morning one of the female barbs has died, the male is trying to breed with the other four constantly, While he is chasing them the zebras will join in if they pass by to close, its kinda funny but I think its stressing the females way too much.
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February 19th, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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When I had the zebras in the shrimp tank they seemed fine, I'll definitely try that again now that I found a heater for it. I'm also very glad that your lfs prmotes knowledge of the nitrogen cycle not trying to make a sale. It's also good to know that cycling is natural in the UK. Thanks for all the help and I hope to save my females when I get home.
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