Went To Buy My First Fish!!!

[MadCow]

My fishless cycle finished last Saturday. I scoped out fish last week and found some awesome rummy-nose tetra at the LPS. Went in to buy a school of 10 and a few platies to start out and the girl running the fishtanks, who is awesome I might add, saw a little spot of ich on one of the fish and suggested I wait a week and let her treat the tank first. So I decided if I wasn't adding my rummy's I would wait for my platies as well. So my beautiful empty tank will remain empty another week. Guess I better go add my daily ammonia. Sheesh. At least she was good enough to not sell me sick fish just so she could make a sale. BTW is it true that the true rummy-nose tetras are getting hard to find? At least in the States? Or just a Michigan thing? I was told at a different LFS the other day that he couldn't get true rummy's and due to some sort of disease or something that had gone through them that they were pretty scarce? Anybody else hear this?

 

[heresmike]

Kudos to the girl at the fish store! And to you too for having the patience to wait another week for your first fish. If it were me, I'd be out searching for another fish store. But it sounds like you found a good store to shop at if the girl working there is conscientious enough to not sell you diseased fish. I'd stick with them.

I was just at the fish store in Minneapolis, and they have rummynose tetras of some sort. What do you mean by "true" rummynose tetras? Have not heard of any shortage.

 

[MadCow]

Apparently there are 2 different strains of rummy-nose tetras, Hemigrammus rhodostomus and Hemigrammus bleheri. From what I understand the original or true strain Hemigrammus rhodostomus is more colorful. The red on the nose is brighter and their coloring is slightly different. This is the strain that I am told is becoming rare. Here is a link that tells a little bit about the differences. http/www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Di...d=21&pCatId=901
I am going to stay with this store, it seems awful hard to find a decent store with at least someone who has a clue as to what is going on in their tanks.

 

[MadCow]

Apparently there are 3 strains here is another article I found describing them in detail: http/www.characin.com/carey/articles/98/..._rummynose.html

 

[Alia]

Congrats on your cycle and your great lfs experience!

I can't help wondering if adding a school of 10 rummynose plus "a few platies" all at once is a really good idea. Won't it put a burden on your newly cycled tank? I'm not certain the bacteria can multiply fast enough to keep up with that many fish. I would watch for spikes if you do it that way, or better yet, I would introduce the platies now, if they are healthy, wait a couple of weeks, then introduce half of the rummynose, etc. But that's just me. I'm cautious.

 

[MadCow]

My tank is processing the half dose of ammonia that was needed to reach my initial 5ppm so approx. 2.5ppm? in less than 12 hours. So I believe there to be plenty of bacteria there to handle the bio-load. From some of what I have read about fishless cycling, you can add all of your fish all at once if you want after the cycle is complete. I however am also cautious. I will definately be doing my full array of test on a daily basis. Heck I am used to it now after 3 weeks of daily tests. At least until I know how my tank will react and can get a gauge on frequency of water changes, etc.

 

[cometcattle]

I agree with alia. Rummies are VERY sensitve to water conditions.

 

[Dragonscales]

I agree with what everyone else is saying in regards to your lfs. Honest, reliable people like that are hard to find these days and if it were me I'd give the majority of my business to the shop in question. three thumbs up!