CalmedByFish

That makes sense. Thank you! Alright, guys. Back to finishing packing. Aaaaggghhh.

The only car that the rental company could come up with for our 4-day move reeks of cigarette. I've got to put my plastic tubs of fish in there. I was planning to run air pumps, but maybe the fish are better off not having cigarette pumped into their water! Anybody know?

Welcome! I second the anubias idea. They're hardy. I bought 1 each of 4 types, and 3 are thriving.

That is super cool. It's probably a very small percentage of the forum that got to see them in person! I'd actually like an extra-big vibrant blue betta. Almost the size of an angelfish. 🙂

Per API's liquid test, my GH is near 6 out of the tap - similar to yours. I raise it to 12 using Equilibrium, which is really pretty easy to do. API reads my pH at 7.8 - also not too far from yours. My endlers produce like rabbits, so I'm guessing if you raise GH, you're probably good to go.

Super cool! And it's great that you're *both* into aquariums. I might be jealous. 😜

I can wrap each heat pack in a small towel, and *somewhat* spread the plants out. Thanks @Zenzo.

Editing to add: I know this is far-fetched, but just incase, what's the safe way to deal with an activated heat pack that breaks open? (Maybe @Hobbit would know?) I'm just 1 week away from that 1,000 mile move. I ordered ACO's 72 hour heat packs, and mylar blankets. The fish and plants will be in 7 plastic totes. I'm thinking of wrapping 2 totes per mylar blanket, with 1 heat pack sitting between the 2 totes. (Every tote will have a thermometer that I can pluck out to check.) See any danger in that? Like the heat packs warping the plastic of the totes, or a fire hazard, etc.)

Related to that, I've heard it helps to use a tank with a small bottom. The idea is that if the boys don't need to go far to find the girls, they're more likely to succeed.

That gets to the point well. You're exactly right. And thanks for the empathy towards this human, too. That's kind of you.

I wish I'd known... I give my 1 angelfish a juvenile endler a couple times per week. The first time, to make sure I wouldn't be torturing the food fish, I watched. The angel gulped the endler fry, spat it out looking unconscious, instantly gulped it again, end of story. Since then, I haven't watched. I just notice when there aren't any food fish in the tank, then add 1-2. But today I gave the angel 1 half-grown endler, instead of a fry. Never again. The angel sucked it into his mouth, spat it back out clearly injured, and it swam (vibrating) to the other side of the tank and back. The angel noticed, and did the same thing again. That second time, the endler came out alive, but too hurt to swim. A few seconds later, the angel actually swallowed it. The process lasted 2-3 minutes. Lesson learned: Watch. If you're feeding live animals to other animals, watch to make sure it's happening in a way that isn't causing prolonged or unnecessary suffering. For me, that means the angel will never again be given live food larger than a nibble, so the eating will be "gulp, gone" instead of prolonged or painful. The guidelines might be different in your tanks, for you to meet the same goal. But regardless, it's a topic to pay attention to. I wish I had been.

Good emoji for that. 😆 Back before I had a clue what I was doing, I had a kissing gourami. He/she died when about 6" long. I only recently found out how big they get!

It appears you do not regret this purchase. 😂 What are the sizes for the tank you planned on, and the tank this dude actually needs?

@Atitagain I love that pout.

I've been thinking the same thing for years! The thought first struck me when I was in my mid thirties, remembered an experience I had near 26, and realized, "I thought I was grown! Grown?!" So now I try to respect people who think they're grown - regardless of age - as being "on the path." Whether younger or older than I am, a person who assumes their own maturity is on one of the earlier stepping stones on the path we all take. Some get farther down that path than others, some live more years than others, and they don't necessarily correlate.

As best I remember, it was Trolls - 90 bazillion times in a row, in my kid's hospital room. On the plus side, I laughed every single time. Loved it.

That's basically what I said to @Guppysnail about her lemon plecos, in a private message a few weeks ago. 😂 I opted against pursuing them, for practical reasons. But they sure are eye candy!

Fun thread! "My man" is Harold, the angelfish in my profile picture. He's the only fish with a name, and 2 of my other 3 species were bought specifically because they would be both enjoyable for me, and nutritious for him. My primary tank revolves around his needs, and he's the only pet I talk to.

How I wish bettas were a "couldn't kill it if you tried" type fish. If they were, I'd have several.

This doesn't answer your question at all, but it's interesting. I think that one is actually all guppy or mostly guppy. The tail is too big in proportion to the body for it to be only endler. The one straight above it looks all or mostly endler though, based on coloring.

This has to do with pH, right?

Welcome! The angel in your profile pic is beautiful. Is it a koi?

From the front, that looks like a surprised smile.

Welcome! I don't think I'd seen a pic of a bullhead catfish before. Having native species is interesting. Does that mean that if you end up with too many, you can release them into the same water you got them from?

Cute little babies! ❤️