FAQs on N. American Native Freshwater Biotopes Related Articles: Biotopes - Part 1 by Alesia Benedict, Biotopic Set-Ups, Aquascaping for Beginners; Twenty Tips for Realistic Aquaria by Neale Monks, Aquascaping,  Adventures in Aquascaping by Timothy S. Gross pH, alkalinity, acidity, Treating Tap Water, Freshwater Aquarium Water Quality, Freshwater Maintenance,  Related FAQs: Treating Tap Water for Aquarium Use, pH, Alkalinity, Acidity, Freshwater Algae Control, Algae Control, Foods, Feeding, Aquatic Nutrition, Disease,

Canal fish care  - 5/11/06
I caught these fish in the canal in my backyard I know I shouldn't keep them but the people who had them released them.
   I caught:
  Dalmatian mollies
  sail fin  mollies male and female
  some sort of kill fish I forget what they are
  and these fish that are sort of green with gold spots
   < It sounds like you live in Florida! The green with gold spots sound like they may be flag fish, Jordanella floridae. The males color up beautifully! >
  they barely eat the flakes I give them but I feed them small guppies that are over populated in my pond (I wrote you about that a while ago) the flakes were left over and there wasn't much left, so when I get more what should I get? I was thinking blood worms.
< Bloodworms are a good idea. Tubifex worms and shrimp or krill would also be good food sources. Once the new fish adapt to life in a box, they will eat almost any prepared foods. Good luck!
RichardB>
veronica lilcherna

Re: canal fish   5/15/06
yes I do!
< Unfortunately over 70% of tropical freshwater that can be found in the average pet store are now native to Florida. >   
  I've also seen and caught one that looks exactly like the ones w/ green speckles but it has a red tail
< It does sound like a killie fish of some sort, but without pictures, it is only a guess. >  
  I looked for a pic. of the flag fish on line but that's not it. it has almost catfish-like scales, it looks slimy. but I could have caught a female flag fish. there's this fish I think it could be part of the child (south am.) family. it has that body shape, it has this bluish color and a black dot somewhere near his/her tail. do you have any idea what it could be?
< Get me some photos, and I'll give it a shot! >   
  only the Dalmatian mollies I see eating. but they're starting to be domesticated a little, if that's possible. when I go up and see them they don't scatter as much so that's why I think that they might be starting to be domesticated. they're in a turtle tank right now because its shallow and the canal is shallow too, but there is no turtle in there (it died, but it was my sister's) is that they're in a turtle tank OK?
< The turtle tank may be alright, but you need to do frequent partial water changes to ensure the fishes' good health. >
the mollies and the speckled fish are in the turtle tank because I think the big one (about 1 1/2 in. but wide) is a cichlid, I hope you can tell me if it is or not its really taking up my spare fish tanks.
< Show me the fish! It must be cool being able to catch your own fish! I'm jealous! >
  well ill try some blood worms. but the other fish don't really go to the top, is there any sinking worm thing (I know Tubifex worm cubes will sink after they're all wet but there is only 6 fish)
< You can squeeze the air out of the blood worms while holding them under water. This also works with the Tubifex, only tear off a little corner at a time. >  
  I also have these guppies w/ my cichlids they were small when I put them in when I had tropical fish but now they're big and the cichlids I have now are to small. one I noticed was very big, bigger than the others (we're talking fat) so I put it with my feeder fish which are also guppies, that was yesterday. today after I came home from school I saw the big guppy pooping but it wasn't poop it was a Lil' guppy! it had others about 20 but most of them were dead, so I got rid of those and took all the live ones and the mother and put them in a cup I fed them some baby fish food but I only saw one or two eat it. what else can I feed them? crushed shrimp, its really almost dust the shrimp were so dry. I have that for the guppies in my cichlid tank but they can share.
< They will also eat powdered flake food and crushed up blood worms. You could also grab some algae covered rocks from the creek, they love to graze on that stuff! >   
  hopefully my message wasn't to long and thanks for the help
< No, it wasn't too long. You are very welcome! RichardB >  

Re: canal fish  - 05/23/2006
veronica gall wrote:     I will take some photos but tell me how to show them to you.
< I would love to see them! >
I clean the tank every few days but I guess I could just change some of the water if that's better for their health.
< Changing out a portion of the water is always a good idea. I try to change out 25% once every week or two. >
  its very cool to be able to do this, but its is OK to keep them, right?
< Ethically, it is OK to keep them. There is no law against it. >
to get pics of all the fish I've caught so far ill need to go out and catch some more. some of them jumped out and died (sadly the male sail fin was 1 that died and he was very pretty like all male sail fins)
, They are beautiful! >
  I bought some blood worms and this sinking food let me go get it... tetra min tropical granules its called, it has a Betta neon tetra and some black molly. I said "well, I have  mollies." and on the container it says for small tropical fish. so I thought those were good for those who don't eat the floating stuff.
< Good idea! Try to be sparing with the foods, too much can be a bad thing. try to feed no more than the fish can eat in about 20 seconds; any more than that, and they will just pass it. >
  there aren't any rocks but there is some algae in these little plant beds, but I'm not sure I want that nasty stuff in my tank.
< I can't say I blame you there. Maybe down stream? >
  thanks again
< You are welcome! >