Happy birthday Darling.

Hope you are quaffing Champers and not doing water changes LOL.

V xxxxx

Here you go....

http://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/modules/ ... g/details.php?blog_id=324

There is a reason FK suggests big tanks early on Not just as they will grow fast!

My goldies (1 male, 1 female in 180L) became sexually mature at about 6 months. Thankfully, they do love one another and are tender, thank goodness. More space gives chased ladies some respite usually, or consider a tank divider if it gets too rough.

Forum member made one here, which I copied but never needed. Back in a jiffy once I find the thread.

Oh my! I too would love to try Axolotls (the weird beasties they are lol) but I'd be tempted by shellies in that size set up.

Cathie here, often has babies that you can secure from her stock if you are near

Given these fish should grow quickly when in the right sized tank you are looking at a min of 180 litres for two fancies long term.

Single tails are pond fish of course and not suited to tanks as they get to over a foot long.

Fab guide here on tank sizes:
http://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/articles ... -size-life-expectancy.htm

OK. That pH test looks odd. Water in your area is generally hard and very alkaline so a pH of 6 (when tanks can crash - i.e. not enough KH to keep the bacteria and cycle going) is worrying. Could still be old tank syndrome

Can you:

1) test the tank water again to be sure
2) run a cup of water, leave to stand for 24 hours to let gases/additives dissipate and then again test for pH

The difference between the two should give us an idea.

Do you test KH and GH at all each week?

Have a look on YouTube for some shrimpy tank inspiration when it comes to decor!

Cherries are fab and very bright and with no fish will breed readily. Lovely for your child to watch and learn

Hi M31

Cichlid. 75 litres for a pair min on their own. Given territory when breeding, larger foot print required in longer tanks, well planted. Considered community fish with well chosen peaceful tank mates, tank size permitting. Soft water/acidic species.

Loosely related to the Bolivian and Blue Rams although humans have bred/engineered these to be 'balloon' shaped so very un-natural. Most balloon species (mollies, rams etc) given the genetics we have forced onto them, don't do too well long term IMHO.

Edit: She beat me to it, lol

Wow Suey! They come up so gelatinous looking? New one for me then Thank you.

I've only seen flat tubercles to date.

Hi

Firstly, forget 'starter chemicals'. You only need a good quality water treatment to remove chlorine and chloramine - Seachem Prime, is used by many here, plus ammonia to run the fishless cycle - your pretend fish for 4-6 weeks.

Seachem Prime:
http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/Prime.html

You shouldn't really house platy/guppy (hard water, alkaline fish) with neon (soft, acidic water) as these have very different needs and at least one of the species won't fair well. This generally leads to stress = ill health = often an early demise.

If you can post your local water pH and GH we should be able to give you a better idea.

Consider live plants too as opposed to silk. The fish will nibble them - consider them their greens - and they also help with water quality.