How this Geezer did it in the beginning
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Paul B
Premium Member
I got these two shrimpfish last week and they are very cool. One of them is not so well as he stopped eating and is covered in parasites. He was damaged when I got him with a broken "tail", which is more like a spear, and rotted fins, clowdy eyes etc. The other one is fine and eats all the baby brine shrimp I could hatch. (you can see the3 broken tail on the one on the left)
The lights didn't come on yet so I am not sure if the sick one is alive, if he is I may try to remove him and cure him, but I don't think I could catch him. If he dies, I will replace him as I think the LFS has two more. I didn't look at this one when the guy in the store put him in the bag. That was a mistake as I usually scrutinize fish very well before I take them. If I could catch him, I can cure him in a couple of days but I have to go through setting up a tank, and all that. They are an interesting loking fish but eat a lot and are so skinny (which is why they are called Razor fish) that they need to eat at least 3 times a day. I have been having a hard time getting good brine shrimp eggs and have 3 vials of them that hardly hatch. I received new eggs yesterday so Ihopefully I will have better luck. I have been hatching shrimp for probably fifty years on and off but constantly, every day for the last 10 or 15 years. I ususlly hatch them twice a day because of all the shrimp eaters I have
The lights didn't come on yet so I am not sure if the sick one is alive, if he is I may try to remove him and cure him, but I don't think I could catch him. If he dies, I will replace him as I think the LFS has two more. I didn't look at this one when the guy in the store put him in the bag. That was a mistake as I usually scrutinize fish very well before I take them. If I could catch him, I can cure him in a couple of days but I have to go through setting up a tank, and all that. They are an interesting loking fish but eat a lot and are so skinny (which is why they are called Razor fish) that they need to eat at least 3 times a day. I have been having a hard time getting good brine shrimp eggs and have 3 vials of them that hardly hatch. I received new eggs yesterday so Ihopefully I will have better luck. I have been hatching shrimp for probably fifty years on and off but constantly, every day for the last 10 or 15 years. I ususlly hatch them twice a day because of all the shrimp eaters I have
Paul B
Premium Member
OK I got a theory. Not a very good theory, but a theory none the less. I had an epiphany, that's an idea. I was looking at my tank last night and something hit me. I mean, after my wife hit me. I read all the time of the problems, diseases, fish dying (or going off to college) water problems, ich, things that don't eat etc. I know the solution to all these fish problems. Yes, I said it numerous times but here it is again because I just thought of it again.
I think we should forget (temporarily) the water purity problem. Parameters and all that, For a minute. Just a minute. Feed the fish, then feed them again, Feed them what they are supposed to eat. No, they are not supposed to eat pellets or flakes and if that is all you want to feed them, go and watch Oprah give away a Cadillac to a bunch of homeless catfish. Overfeed the fish or feed them a couple of times a day. Fish are not like us. We worry about losing weight and not having cellulite or those bags under our eyes. Some of us belong to the Hair Club. Well, I don't but some people do. After we feed our fish (the correct foods) so that they are spawning (or at least looking at Girly magazines) then change the water. After that, change it again. But the main thing is the fishes health through food, not water. Our fish are crying out for good food, that's why disease threads predominate these forums. If your water parameters are screwed up, change the water, but feed the fish. I personally feed clams every day (along with live blackworms) I also use whiteworms because I am not prejudice to anything. But the clams are great for the fish and corals because when you shave pieces off clams (or put them in a blender like some people do, but I don't) they exude clam juice. Clam juice is composed of tiny pieces of clams along with whatever is in clam juice. I just made a big pot of clam chowder so I know clam juice is great stuff. Corals love clam juice even corals that you didn't think were eating. If they have a mouth, they eat (or at least sing)and some of them are so tiny that clam juice is the only thing they can eat. I have been feeding my fish clams for probably fifty years so that is a lot of juice going in my tank and yes, the clam juice clouds the water a little. But to corals that is an all you can eat smorgasbord. The cloudiness dissipates in a few minutes and if you look close, you can see those little polyps grinning from ear to ear, or whatever polyp's grin to.
I think we worry to much about nitrates, phosphates and anthrax and we are starving our fish and corals. Virtually all my paired fish are spawning, even the 24 year olds and it is because of the food. I do not have to quarantine
(I don't want to argue about that so if you want to debate me about it send a self addressed envelope to my house where I will ignore it) If you need to or want to quarantine, that is up to you and none of my business what you do.
But if you want to keep your fish disease free and never want to post on a disease forum, feed your fish correctly. Lettuce is also not a fish food.
So feed the fish, and change the water. Don't skimp on food because you are worrying about parameters. (or global warming) Your fish can't read the test kits anyway. If you are more into SPS corals, don't have to many fish, but feed the ones you have correctly.
I keep pipefish, shrimpfish, mandarins, ruby red dragonettes and all sorts of things that people feel are difficult with no problems. They are all even spawning. So all of this is Just my opinion of course. If you disagree start your own thread called Paul B doesn't know a fish from an Emu. :bum:
I think we should forget (temporarily) the water purity problem. Parameters and all that, For a minute. Just a minute. Feed the fish, then feed them again, Feed them what they are supposed to eat. No, they are not supposed to eat pellets or flakes and if that is all you want to feed them, go and watch Oprah give away a Cadillac to a bunch of homeless catfish. Overfeed the fish or feed them a couple of times a day. Fish are not like us. We worry about losing weight and not having cellulite or those bags under our eyes. Some of us belong to the Hair Club. Well, I don't but some people do. After we feed our fish (the correct foods) so that they are spawning (or at least looking at Girly magazines) then change the water. After that, change it again. But the main thing is the fishes health through food, not water. Our fish are crying out for good food, that's why disease threads predominate these forums. If your water parameters are screwed up, change the water, but feed the fish. I personally feed clams every day (along with live blackworms) I also use whiteworms because I am not prejudice to anything. But the clams are great for the fish and corals because when you shave pieces off clams (or put them in a blender like some people do, but I don't) they exude clam juice. Clam juice is composed of tiny pieces of clams along with whatever is in clam juice. I just made a big pot of clam chowder so I know clam juice is great stuff. Corals love clam juice even corals that you didn't think were eating. If they have a mouth, they eat (or at least sing)and some of them are so tiny that clam juice is the only thing they can eat. I have been feeding my fish clams for probably fifty years so that is a lot of juice going in my tank and yes, the clam juice clouds the water a little. But to corals that is an all you can eat smorgasbord. The cloudiness dissipates in a few minutes and if you look close, you can see those little polyps grinning from ear to ear, or whatever polyp's grin to.
I think we worry to much about nitrates, phosphates and anthrax and we are starving our fish and corals. Virtually all my paired fish are spawning, even the 24 year olds and it is because of the food. I do not have to quarantine
(I don't want to argue about that so if you want to debate me about it send a self addressed envelope to my house where I will ignore it) If you need to or want to quarantine, that is up to you and none of my business what you do.
But if you want to keep your fish disease free and never want to post on a disease forum, feed your fish correctly. Lettuce is also not a fish food.
So feed the fish, and change the water. Don't skimp on food because you are worrying about parameters. (or global warming) Your fish can't read the test kits anyway. If you are more into SPS corals, don't have to many fish, but feed the ones you have correctly.
I keep pipefish, shrimpfish, mandarins, ruby red dragonettes and all sorts of things that people feel are difficult with no problems. They are all even spawning. So all of this is Just my opinion of course. If you disagree start your own thread called Paul B doesn't know a fish from an Emu. :bum:
Ok Paul you know I took your advice and started feeding my fish clams. And blackworms every couple od days. They all love the clams, even my shrimp. But only a few will eat those worms. My fish were healthy. They still are. But my Dendro was dying. It lives the clams and their juice. It is healing up and even growing tentacles where none have been for a long time. While my fish are more important to me than the coral I do check my parameters often. Just my thing. And I am battling LH algae. But I am not turning off my lights and starving my fish! I am slowly carbon dosing though. And I know you think angelfish are so yesterday......but I have a golden angelfish that is hilarious. And she loves clams! My mandarins are still eating at their feeders. I am still waiting impatiently for my new tank. I think they had to melt the sand for the glass!
All of them may like me. But the young female red Dragonette. The one that I caught several times and you suggested putting in the 10 gallon to finish healing. Well I think she is holding a grudge against me for catching her all those times! :sad1: She runs whenever I enter the room. I have to peek around the corner just to see her. She might get over it when I place her and her friend in the new aquarium some day. :rollface:
My grandchildren are coming over tomorrow. I hope you and your granddaughter had a great time at the tide pool. :dance:
Shelley
Hi Paul,
It took me a few days to read all 42 pages of this thread and I enjoyed doing so. I also subscribed to your almost 35 year old reef thread and posted there a few times.
I know Paul may have some doubters here, but I am not one of them. I also collect local amphipods, seaweeds and rocks and add them to my tank with no ill effects. Within 2 weeks of feeding live blackworms, my pair of clowns spawned for the first time.
I have been pulling seining nets through local waters with my sons since they were strong enough to do so. We had a thriving temperate Jersey tank with local live sand, rocks and seaweed. Some of my best memories of my kids early childhood was the excitement they got in collecting. My sons are now 14 and 17 and the seining net still comes with us on every boating trip and family vacation. I am old school and love to see kids outdoors learning about and interacting with nature instead of having their faces in front of a tv or computer monitor all day.
Keep posting Paul, I look forward to seeing "that almost 50 year old reef" thread started someday!
It took me a few days to read all 42 pages of this thread and I enjoyed doing so. I also subscribed to your almost 35 year old reef thread and posted there a few times.
I know Paul may have some doubters here, but I am not one of them. I also collect local amphipods, seaweeds and rocks and add them to my tank with no ill effects. Within 2 weeks of feeding live blackworms, my pair of clowns spawned for the first time.
I have been pulling seining nets through local waters with my sons since they were strong enough to do so. We had a thriving temperate Jersey tank with local live sand, rocks and seaweed. Some of my best memories of my kids early childhood was the excitement they got in collecting. My sons are now 14 and 17 and the seining net still comes with us on every boating trip and family vacation. I am old school and love to see kids outdoors learning about and interacting with nature instead of having their faces in front of a tv or computer monitor all day.
Keep posting Paul, I look forward to seeing "that almost 50 year old reef" thread started someday!
laga77
New member
Another possible benefit that comes with proper feeding of the fish to consider is how they get along with their tank mates. In my 120G mixed reef tank, there are a Flame Angel and CBB that completely ignore my 8 inch Derasa clam. It usually is a crap shoot as to whether these type of fish will pick on a clam or not. It is my opinion that well fed, both with quality and quantity of foods, fish will get along better in the high stress life of a small glass box. This will improve the odds of them not picking on the invertebrates in the tank. I feed live black worms and white worms, chopped up clams and oysters, spirulina flake. I add new born BBS daily which gets target fed to the corals.
Paul B
Premium Member
Danmar26, that is how I came to feed blackworms in the first place. When the hobby started I had 7 blue devils. After a couple of weeks on blackworms they also spawned. That was in 1972 when very few people could even spell blackworms.
Many people resist the idea that food is a big deal with fish preferring to concentrate on water parameters. Our fish can't read the test kits so they really don't care. Food is the secret and pellets, flakes and lettuce is not the proper food although those foods will keep the fish alive. Fish fed on that are the ones written about on disease forums. One place I have never posted on.
I have written extensively on this and now need a hand operation because I wore out my hand. (working construction for 40 years may also have contributed to that) Our fish should "never" get sick. Like "never". Mine don't, I wonder why. Oh I know, people tell me I am lucky. Some of my neighbors say I am lucky because during a snow storm, I have a snow blower. When the power is out, I run my generator and on a nice hot summer day, I am "lucky" to be out on my boat. Luck is something you have when you win the lottery. Snow blowers, generators and boats are something you have because you worked hard all your life and you know where the Home Depot is. There is a guy who works at the gym I go to. He buys those scratch off lottery tickets every day. He must spend most of his salary on them. Yesterday he was very happy because he got lucky and "won" $2.00. I asked him how much the ticket cost, and he told me $5.00. But in his mind, he is lucky. Luck has nothing to do with how healthy our fish are. The fish were healthy in the sea and if they live in your tank for a week, they were probably healthy when you got them. It is up to us to keep them healthy. Throwing them into a small, bare quarantine tank is not the best thing you could do and I am quite sure more fish die in those types of tanks than in a normal, well set up tank. Sometimes I lose a fish in a day or two. I recently lost a shrimpfish in 2 days. That means he was not healthy when I got him. The rest of the shrimpfish in the store died but the rest of mine are doing just peachy and continue to write letters to their cousins in the sea telling them how happy they are to be in my tank where virtually, nothing gets sick. And luck has nothing to do with it. :dance:
Here is that blue devil in 1972 over his nest of eggs in that barnacle shell.
And these are his eggs
Paul+laga77,
I couldn't agree with you guys more about feeding. A well fed tank will be less stressful. If you throw 5 hungry inmates in a jail cell with only 1 juicy steak, the strongest one will eat while the others get lumped up.
Along with blackworms,I feed frozen sandworms, whole frozen silversides both sliced small with a razor blade. I feed the little brown Maine sea clams frozen cut in half, occasionally frozen Mysis and Cyclops eze.
The only time I will feed pellets or flakes is when I am in a big hurry. I feel that they contain fillers and binders which produce more waste from the fish.
Only 1 LFS in my area sells blackworms, some batches will live a week. My last batch started to die off in 2 days. I guess it could depend on how long the store had them?
I couldn't agree with you guys more about feeding. A well fed tank will be less stressful. If you throw 5 hungry inmates in a jail cell with only 1 juicy steak, the strongest one will eat while the others get lumped up.
Along with blackworms,I feed frozen sandworms, whole frozen silversides both sliced small with a razor blade. I feed the little brown Maine sea clams frozen cut in half, occasionally frozen Mysis and Cyclops eze.
The only time I will feed pellets or flakes is when I am in a big hurry. I feel that they contain fillers and binders which produce more waste from the fish.
Only 1 LFS in my area sells blackworms, some batches will live a week. My last batch started to die off in 2 days. I guess it could depend on how long the store had them?
laga77
New member
I run a blackworm keeper similar to this. It is at room temp and the seven months I have had it I never had a die off. I haven`t even washed it out just change the water. http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f...-212667-8.html?highlight=Black+worms+are+easy
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