What did you do with your tank(s) today?

BPSabelhaus

Well-Known Member
Is it a good idea to be trapping a threatened species?
Bad idea. But I don't know what is in there. It's a man made drainage area out of its known locations. I doubt there's anything, but I'm going to find out. If it is mud minnows I'm definitely contacting WDFW etc... so they can verify and do what they do. If anything I'm leaning sculpin or maybe sticklebacks. I don't think sticklebacks do that though and not sure about sculpins.
I am a doubter, but the description makes me wonder.
 

sir_keith

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Contributing Member Level III
I wonder what they would do if they turned out to be mud minnows. My friend owns 5 acres of Category I protected wetlands, and the two streams flowing through the property were formerly fast-flowing, but they now feed into a series of still, mid-bottom ponds. I've always wondered if there are fishes in there, and a few times imagined that I saw something, but who knows?
 

BPSabelhaus

Well-Known Member
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Right at the edge of a subdivision. It could easily be a protected wetland, but I'm pretty sure it's man made. I was also thinking maybe some species of loach that was released from an aquarium. A few different aquarium and pond invasive/ exotics are in there. But summer time it's bone dry July - Oct.
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I'm still team doubt lol But it gets the kiddo out of the house for a bit :) His friends love collecting tadpoles with me while he runs around making random noises lol
 

lloyd378

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If it dries up like that, I’d have a hard time believing that any fish live in there, but on a different note, is it not too early in the year for tadpoles? As a kid, I remember collecting them in the spring. Good luck hunting either way!
 

BPSabelhaus

Well-Known Member
If it dries up like that, I’d have a hard time believing that any fish live in there, but on a different note, is it not too early in the year for tadpoles? As a kid, I remember collecting them in the spring. Good luck hunting either way!
Late March / early April is about the earliest for those. Don't have my notebook handy lol Willow is about the only thing that stays somewhat wet. So maybe in those small pockets. Still team doubt though lol I forgot I already made a fish trap. It's attached to a fly rod lower and reel so I can drop it down the ten feet from road level to mill creek where sticklebacks are.

But, I am curious about this guys observation. I'll get out into the deeper sections this year and note the spots to check as the water levels drop. I'm wondering if he's seeing froglets in the mud.
Luck isn't really needed lol I can gather thousands to transfer to the nature park lake and still have 100x as many die as it dries up. That first week of hotter weather after a month of no rain makes it disappear quickly. Last couple years it dried up before most could finish transformation.
Worst case I document something I haven't yet. Different frog or salamander species, maybe a snail. Who knows:) I found new microfauna to id this time.
 
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DMD123

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Ugh, having one of those moments in fish keeping. I go through all the time to quarantine a new fish without pumping its tank full of chemicals as 'preventive' measures and here it is weeks later I get an Ich outbreak in the Oranda tank. Of course all the existing fish are showing it except for the newest fish which seems clear and the likely carrier. I started with a gravel vac water change, added salt and Paragard. I dont have high hopes because of how lethargic the fish are acting and how quickly it spread. I am at a mild salt mix at this point and need to increase salt concentration to a higher dose. also need to slowing raise the water temp and just plug away for the next two weeks and see if it clears and I have no losses. Depending on losses may determine if I continue doing goldfish. Well at least whether or not I will add any new ones. The ranchu tank is still very healthy and I would keep them.
 

DMD123

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Well Im increasing salt levels, adding the paragard daily as instructed and increasing temps but the fish are still very lethargic and covered in spots. Im really hating the heater right now. For the fact it is supposed to be a 500 watt, it really does not heat very well. Seems really slow to increase the temp. I added an air stone for circulation too. This is one of the fastest and intense ich outbreaks Ive ever had. In a normal situation Ive never had Ich outbreaks, It is always when new fish are involved. Even with a good quarantine, I still had an issue.
 

DMD123

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Got home today after work and Im seeing improvement, white spots reduced and the fish are active and eating again. These are good signs that they are on the road to recovery. But I am going to continue the treatment so as not to have another outbreak and get rid of the Ich entirely.
 

DMD123

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A bit of cleaning in the 300 last night with some gravel vac and glass cleaning, especially along the substrate line where I will get a bit of that algae growth. So the big tank looks a bit cleaner. Still plugging along with the Ich outbreak, with tonight's plans to do a heavy gravel vac, water change, salt and remediacate with Paragard.

Trying to rethink the aquascape on my 46 bowfront. Have my EBJD up for free, will keep my solo rainbow and move him into the 90g community but then not sure if I want to keep my chubby pleco or rehome it. Goal was to eliminate one tank, the Fluval, and move the puffer into the 46g bowfront. Also thinking to tear down and sell off the 20H hospital.
 

DMD123

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Seeing good progress with the Ich in 4 of the 5 oranada. For some reason my largest orange Yuanbao got it very heavy in comparison to the others. I would say it had at least three times the amount and is currently still covered in it but at least now is moving and eating again. The new fish which I believe brought it in, had nothing. I always keep meds on hand and was surprised that I had plenty of paragard and some other Ich drops in the fish medicine cabinet. Going to have to restock after this.
 
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