thegpod

[thegpod]

Me, chatting with a friend about my juvenile betta: Yea, I'm not entirely positive on his gender right now, but I think I can say for sure in a month or two.

Random lady, butting in: Does she have short or long fins?

Me: Um... well right now he has short fins, but--

Lady, scoffing: Well then she's a girl.

Me: Actually, he's a juvenile

Lady: How old is she?

Me: Probably around 3 months.

Lady: Then she's a girl. I've had betta. You should be able to tell by three months and short fins means female.

Me, annoyed: Actually, his growth was stunted by being in a cup for the first month and a half of his life, and I want to wait a month or two more before I say for sure. Also, short fins 100% meaning female is wrong. There are long-finned females in some veiltail verities, and very common short finned males. They're known as plakats.

Lady: Yea, well ~gets up and walks away~

Me, looks at my friend: She probably kept her betta in a vase.

Friend: I was thinking the same thing.

[thegpod]

Reblog if u think an aquarium is a cool date idea

[thegpod]

Aquarium Plants List

(By no means a complete list.  For any suggestions/corrections, please message me.  Please research the needs of your particular plant before purchasing) Africa Foreground

Anubias Nana Petite (West Africa)

Dwarf Hairgrass (Elocharis parvula)

Willow Moss (Fontinalis antipyretica) (North Africa)

Midground

Anubias barteri (West Africa)

Anubias gracilis

Anubias augustifolia ‘Afzelii’ (West Africa)

Hairgrass (Eleocharis acicularis)

Nymphaea lotus (East Africa)

Nymphaea rubra (East Africa)

Background

Red Ammannia (ammania gracilis)

Anubias congensis (West Africa)

Aponogeton boivinianus (Madagascar)

Apoogeton longiplumulosus (Northern Madagascar)

Madagascar Lace (Aponogeton madagascariensis) (Madagascar)

Bacopa monnieri (West Africa)

Congo Fern (Bolbitis heudelotii)

Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum)

Floating Fern (Ceratopteris cornuta)

African Onion Plant (Crinum natans) (West Africa)

Lagarosiphon major (South Africa)

Nesaea cassicaulis (West Africa)

Nesaea pedicellata (Tanzania, Mozambique)

Potamogeton mascarensis (Madagascar)

Floating

Eichhornia crassipes

Duckweed (Lemna minor)

Riccia (Riccia fluitans)

Salvinia natans (North Africa)

North America Foreground

Dwarf Hairgrass (Elocharis parvula) (Cuba)

Willow Moss (Fontinalis antipyretica)

Dwarf Sagittaria (Sagittaria pusilla) (Eastern North America)

Water Cabbage (Samolus valerandi)

Fissidens fontanus (USA)

Midground

Giant Bacopa (Bacopa caroliniana) (North-Central America)

Water Hedge (Didiplis diandra)

Hairgrass (Eleocharis acicularis)

Pearlweed (Hemianthus micranthemoides) (Cuba, Southeast USA)

Hydrocotyle verticillata (North to Central America)

Scarlet Lobelia (Lobelia cardinalis)

Ludwigia glandulosa (Southern USA)

Banana Plant (Nyphoides aquatica) (Southern USA)

Giant Sagittaria (Sagittaria platyphylla)

Sagittaria subulata (Eastern USA)

Lizard’s Tail (Saururus cernuus)

Dwarf Vallisneria (Vallisneria Americana)

Background 

Acmella oppositifoli (Southern USA to Paraguay)

Round Bacopa (Bacopa rotundifolia) (Southern USA)

Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum)

Radicans Sword (Echinodorus cordifolius) (North America to Mexico)

Egeria densa

Eleocharis prolifera (Eastern USA)

Elodea Canadensis

Ludwigia brevipes

Ludwigia palustris (USA)

Ludwigia repens (North to Central America)

Lysmichia nummularia

Myriophyllum hippuroides

Myiophylum scabratum (Eastern North America, Cuba)

Shinnersia rivularis (Mexico)

Floating

Water Velvet (Azolla caroliniana)

Eichhornia crassipes

Duckweed (Lemna minor)

Riccia (Riccia fluitans) 

South America Foreground

Alternanthera reineckii ‘Lilacina’

Alternanthera reineckii ‘Mini’

Bolivian Sword (Echinodorus bolivianus) (Brazil)

Echinodorus quadricostatus var. xinguensis

Echinodorus tenellus

Lilaeopsis brasiliensis (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay)

Hemianthus callitrichoides (Central to South America)

Water Cabbage (Samolus valerandi)

Staurogyne Repens (Southern Amazon)

Midground

Amazon Sword (Echinosorus amazonicus) (Brazil)

Black Amazon Sword (Echinodorus horemanii) (Brazil)

Peruvian Sword (Echinodorus parviflorus) (Peru to Bolivia)

Echinodorus opacus

Echinodorus uruguayensis

Hairgrass (Eleocharis acicularis)

Hygrophila guianensis

Background 

Acmella oppositifoli (Southern USA to Paraguay)

Aciotis acuminifolia (Lesser Antilles to Brazil, Bolivia)

Alternanthera rosaefolia (Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil)

Althernanthera Aquatica (Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay)

Giant Cabomba (Cabomba aquatica) (Central to South America)

Green Cabomba (Cabomba caroliniana) (Central to South America)

Red Cabomba (Cabomba piauhyensis) (Central to South America)

Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum)

Braodleaved Amazon Sword (Echinodorus bleheri)

Echinodorus grandiflorus (Central to South America)

Echinodorus macrophyllus (Guyana, Brazil)

Echinodorus major (Brazil)

Echinosorus Osiris (Brazil)

Egeria naja (Brazil,Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina)

Eichhornia azurea

Spadeleaf Plant (Gymnocoronis spilanthoides)

Stargrass (Heteranthera zosterifolia)

Brazillian Pennywort (Hydrocotyle leucocephala)

Micranthemum umbrosum (Central to South America)

Brailian Milfoil (Myriophyllum aquaticum)

Red Myriophyllum (Myriopylum tuberculatum)

Potagmogeto gayii

Spathiphylum wallisii (Columbia) (Semi Aquatic)

Floating

Eichhornia crassipes

Duckweed (Lemna minor)

Amazonian Frogbit (Limomium laevigatum)

Riccia (Riccia fluitans)

Salvinia auriculata (Central to South America)

Salvinia Minima

Asia Foreground

Dwarf Hairgrass

Japanese Rush (Blyxa japonica)

Cryptocoryne walkeri var. lutea (Sri Lanka)

Cryptocoryne siamensis (Thailand)

Cryptocoryne parva (Sri Lanka)

Cryptocoryne willisii (Sri Lanka)

Willow Moss (Fontinalis antipyretica)

Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides

Java Moss

Monosolenium tenerum (India, China)

Pogostemon helferi (Thailand)

Midground

Cryptocoryne albida (Thailand)

Cryptocoryne affinis (Malaysia)

Cryptocoryne beckettii (Sri Lanka)

Cryptocoryne ciliata (Southeast Asia)

Cryptocoryne undulata (India)

Cryptocoryne wendtii (Sri Lanka)

Hairgrass (Eleocharis acicularis)

Java Fern (Microsorium pteropus) (Southeast Asia)

Nymphaea lotus (Southeast Asia)

Nymphaea rubra (Southeast Asia)

Giant Sagittaria (Sagittaria platyphylla) (Southeast Asia)

Vallisneria tortifolia (Southeast Asia)

Cyperus helferi (Southeast Asia)

Background 

Ruffled Aponogeton (Aponogeton crispus) (Sri Lanka)

Compact Aponogeton (Aponogeton ulvaceus) (Sri Lanka)

Aponogeton rigidifolius (Sri Lanka)

Aponogeton undulates (India)

Chinese Ivy (Cardamine lyrata) (China, Korea)

Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum)

Onion Plant (Crinum thaianum) (Thailand)

Cryptocoryne balansae (Thailand)

Cryptocoryne cordata (Thailand)

Star Rotala (Eusteralis stellata)

Giant Hygrophila (Hygrophila corymbosa) (India)

Water Wisteria (Hygrophila difformis) (India, Thailand, Malaysia)

Hygrophila corymbosa ‘Gracilis’

Hygrophila corymbosa ‘Strigosa’

Hygrophila corymbosa ‘Glabra’

Hygrophila stricta (Thailand, Southeast Asia)

Hygrophila polysperma (India)

Giant Ambulia (Limnophila aquatica) (India, Sri Lanka)

Dwarf Ambulia (Limnophila sessiliflora) (India, Sri Lanka)

Najas indica

Nymphaea stellata (India)

Giant Red Rotala (Rotala macrandra) (India)

Dwarf Rotala (Rotala rotundifolia) (Southeast Asia)

Rotala Wallichii (Southeast Asia)

Vallisneria spirialis

Orchid Lily (Barclaya longifolia) (Southeast Asia)

Floating

Eichhornia crassipes

Duckweed (Lemna minor)

Riccia (Riccia fluitans)

Salvinia natans

Pacifica Foreground

Marsilea hirsute (Australia)

Glossostigma elantinoides (Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania)

Monosolenium tenerum (Japan, Taiwan)

Midground

Cryptocoryne moehlmannii (Sumatra)

Cryptocoryne pondtederiifolia (Sumatra, Borneo)

Hairgrass (Eleocharis acicularis)

New Zealand Grassplant (Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae) (Australia, New Zealand)

Nuphar japonica (Japan)

Ranunculus inundatas (Australia)

Background

Chinese Ivy (Cardamine lyrata) (Japan)

Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum)

Star Rotala (Eusteralis stellata) (Australia)

Giant Hygrophila (Hygrophila corymbosa) (Indonesia)

Hygrophila corymbosa ‘Crispa’ (Indonesia)

Dwarf Ambulia (Limnophila sessiliflora) (Indonesia)

Lysmichia nummularia (Japan)

Corkscrew Valisneria (Callisneria asiatica var. biwaensis

Giant Vallisneria (Vallisneria gigantean)

Vallisneria spirialis

Orchid Lily (Barclaya longifolia) (New Guinea)

Floating

Eichhornia crassipes

Duckweed (Lemna minor)

Riccia (Riccia fluitans)

[thegpod]

He looks like my Keto! Except Keto is slightly darker and has more red in his tail. 

The beauty of Betta fish!

[thegpod]

Myths About Betta Fish

I’m sick of the pet industry always fucking animals like the betta over so let’s get some things straight ————— MYTH: bettas like small spaces, they live in small rice paddies in the wild REALITY: No they absolutely do not, sure some survive this, but it’s a cruel life to live. Rice paddies are actually quite big although shallow, the average male betta has about 3 feet of its own territory in the wild. Bettas need AT LEAST 2.5 gallons, but a 5-10 g is even better. You can get a 3 g tank from petco for like $10 ————– MYTH: you should feed your betta whenever it is hungry REALITY: a bettas stomach is the size of its eyeball, it is very easy to overfeed. I feed my betta 2 pellets a day, but lots of people feed at different times with different food so I suggest doing some research and deciding what works best for you. ————– MYTH: bettas are lazy REALITY: bettas are inactive in small tanks because they’re aware that they have no space to swim and will hit walls, in larger tanks bettas are very active ————– MYTH: bettas can only be kept alone REALITY: it is true that male betta fish cannot be kept with any other betta, but (depending on the bettas personality) bettas can be kept with fish that are smaller and drab looking that won’t bite your bettas tail. I keep my betta with 2 snails and 5 ghost shrimp and he rarely bothers them. Female bettas can be kept in groups of 5 which is called a sorority. Keep in mind that these options are only possible in large tanks with lots of hiding spots. ————– MYTH: bettas will eat live plants so you don’t have to feed them if you have plants in the tank REALITY: bettas are CARNIVORES. They won’t eat plants, they will eat blood worms and brine shrimp which you can buy frozen. In fact feeding real prey is good along with pellets or flakes. ————– MYTH: bettas don’t need filtration or heat REALITY: they need both. As far as filtration goes, strong currents don’t mix well with bettas but you can filter naturally by heavily planting your tank. ————– MYTH: bettas only live a couple months anyway, why should I be doing all this? REALITY: with proper care, bettas can live 5 years. ————– MYTH: bettas and all other fish are dumb REALITY: bettas are actually very smart and trainable. Mine was taught to jump out of the water on command and come when called (by wiggling fingers). Some people have taught bettas harder tricks such as going through a hoop. They can even learn when meal time is and be ready for it. ————– MYTH: My child will take care of the betta REALITY: your child will lose interest within a week, YOU will be taking care of their fish. If you’re not okay with that don’t buy your kid a fish. ————– MYTH: I should completely change the tank each time I clean it REALITY: you should instead do frequent partial water changes of about 40% of the water ————— MYTH: bettas are throw away pets REALITY: there is no such thing as a throw away pet and if you think there is you shouldn’t own pets

Please always read care sheets before buying a pet because -newsflash- PET STORES LIE. *drops mic*

[thegpod]

I Got Snails

Two Tiger Nerite snails. Their names are Slug and Sloth.

[thegpod]

Okay, so we've been treating Kiska and she looks fine and now I want to get another female guppy or two for in with her but I want to quarantine them this time to make sure she doesn't get sick but my parents won't let me and they keep threatening to just buy a new guppy while I'm at school and dump them in. My parents can't even tell the difference between a male and a female and after the hell Kiska has been through I don't want to breed her. Plus I don't have the space. Help?

[thegpod]

I just tried the sticky notes one and Keto is not amused at the strange things on his tank.

Bettas are intelligent fish and will often become bored, especially in a small tank. But there are a lot of enriching things you can do to combat this. A few ideas you can swap out every few days:

Draw pictures on their tank with dry-erase markers for them to investigate

Put colored sticky notes on their tank in different positions

Put a clean ping-pong ball in their tank for them to push around

Rearrange their decor every week or so

Shine a laser pointer into their tank for them to chase

Show them a mirror for a few minutes every day

Give them living food to hunt down, such as live brine shrimp, daphnia, or wingless fruit flies

Teach them tricks!

[thegpod]

Corky

Corky’s laying on her side gasping for breath and not moving. We’re going to go get some clove oil.

[thegpod]

Corky

Corky isn’t looking very good. I’ve been treating the girls with Methylene Blue since Kas died, but I don’t know if I was doing it often enough. She can’t get off the bottom of the tank and has had some white clumpy poop hanging from her for a few days. I don’t think she’s going to make it.

Parameters: PH 8.2, Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 5 ppm, 

[thegpod]

I want to upgrade the girls to a ten long and get the cycle in Keto's tank to cycle. I'd also like to get a 50 and cycle it for some comets or Shubunkins. But that's a dream . . .

What are some of yalls fishy goals for 2016?

Any cool projects?

[thegpod]

moo goes the cow bark goes the dog meow goes the cat FUCK goes the aquarist who just spilled water all over the floor

[thegpod]

Can anyone tell Keto's tail type? His front is a little distorted because of his tanks bow front but his dorsal and tail are fine.

[thegpod]

They have these at my LFS, I almost got one for Keto! I’ll make sure to let them know when I go in next.

Don’t buy this shitty decoration, I got it for one of my tanks And the paint on this shit bubbled and peeled off and the glue holding the rocks to the base dissolved in the water as well

[thegpod]

Thank you so much! I’ll make sure that she sees these. 

Comet Goldfish.

My mom is a para-educator and the teacher she works with has a Comet Goldfish in an 8 gallon aquarium. This fish is an adult, being several years old, and is about four inches long. I’m trying to find a care guide with correct information, can anyone point me in the right direction?

[thegpod]

Comet Goldfish.

My mom is a para-educator and the teacher she works with has a Comet Goldfish in an 8 gallon aquarium. This fish is an adult, being several years old, and is about four inches long. I'm trying to find a care guide with correct information, can anyone point me in the right direction?

[thegpod]

Stocking 10 gallon and Nano Tanks

Since I get this question so often, I decided to make this a single post. The following are choices for the oh-so-common 10 gallon aquarium! I have also included choices for 5 gallon tanks. Anything less than that is really unsuitable for virtually all fish, with the possible exception of a meticulously maintained betta. Remember, these tanks are only small enough for one species of fish at a time. Also remember that many of these fish must be kept either in pairs (male/female) or trios (1 male/2 females), even when kept in schools. Research them thoroughly before getting them! Many of these species are delicate, hard to find, or both! 

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