Gauramis discus

Question
Hi Karen,
i just read in a book(T.F.H), that there is a fish called chocolate gaurami. I also read that its requirements are pretty high. Can you tell me more about this fish? (the picture looks similiar to my Brown Algae Gauramis, but all the same the Chocolate does look different)

Have you bred plecos? I just thought i might try my hand at breeding plecos. By the way...there is an Essay Writing Contest conducted by my local aquarium club called "Daniel Aqua!". The topic is " The best fish i have ever had". I am planning to participate in it. Can you please help me with it ? I am planning to to write about my exquisite Betta. Or can you choose between my betta, Jaguar cichlid or Parrot cichlid?

Thanks!
....Srinivas
(have you foung anything on Oysters? What is the biggest fish you have kept?)

Answer
(FOLLOUP BELOW)
Hi there Srinivas,
Chocolate gouramis are rather sensitive. None of my local fishshops have ever stocked them in so I've never had the chance to keep them. I do know they are hard to keep alive and require very soft water conditions. Here is some other info--
Maximum size--1.75-2 inches
Water conditions- Low pH, low dissolved solids
*dH- 2-4 pH 6.0-7.0
Feeding--omnivore, loves most foods
Groups-keep in pairs
Breeding-mouthbrooder
Temperament- Shy, retiring
Aquarium setup--lush planted aquarium, extremely peaceful tankmates..Frequent water changes are a must!
I hope this helps! If you can keep them alive and thriving, let me know! ;-)

Haven't breed plecos. I believe they are pretty difficult. There are no distinquishing characteristics that I know of between the male and female fish. I would try it if I were you Srinivas, Along with researching about Oysters some more (can't find any info but I will soon..)I'll research about breeding plecos. What species are you keeping? Common, Zebra, Bristlenose other?
~Hmm...About the Essay writing contests...Go for it! I will help all I can with whatever you need. So the top three favorites of yours are- Jaguar cichlid, Parrot cichlid, or the little betta? Hmm...What was your first fish that you kept? Maybe write everything about your first experience about your first fish. But of course you can also use some other species you found was quite a joy to keep. I think you'll have to choose.. What fish is most personable to you? Write the essay on everything you can think and the most interesting things about that certain fish. i hope this helps..If you need anymore help--just let me know.I will be happy to help!

Remember, I haven't found anything YET about oysters..But I will get back to you soon along with info on pleco breeding.
*Biggest fish?? Probably my 11-12 inch oscar at the moment, next in line are my 9-10 tinfoil barbs and almost equally large Severums. I once had goldfish that were well over a foot at least.--Not much room for 'monster' fish at the moment! What about you?

Best wishes and Happy fishkeeping, take care,
Karen~
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Oyster care and keeping-
For your 2 gallon aquarium, you might be able to keep about 2-3 oysters to avoid overstocking your tank. I hope this was the size tank you had in mind (can't remember!)
A best setup includes-
*Crushed coral for substrate
*Airpump, tubing and Airstones plus undergravel filter plate
*Mechanical filter for keeping undergravel filter clean
*Synthetic sea salt-- or try using collected ocean water
*Thriving bacterial colony of course
*dechlorinated water of course!
* Hydrometer
* thermometer
*Invertribrate diet  by kent marine or Solid blocks
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Maintain salinty and temperature as close to their natural habitat as possible. It is said that they do not need heaters.
Because oysters are filter feeders you'll need to turn off the mechanical filter when feeding and be sure to turn it off when they're done.
A monthly water change is very important. At least 30-35%
GOOD LUCK!

Plecostomus-
The common plecostomus is not easily spawned in aquariums and aquarists say they are best spawned in huge tanks of 200-500 or more gallons with a suitable pair and lots of algae plus few distractions. Due to their massive size and territoriality, it is very difficult.
They are often spawned in ponds in places like Florida around here.
Your best bet is the Bristle-nose pleco. These are my favorite plecos. They don't grow large like their relatives attaining a size of 5-8 inches at most. They have been bred in aquariums...
The male bristle nose establishes a spawning and territory site which can be in a pvc pipe or under or on a hunk of driftwood from which he defends from any males present. A ready female will join the male in his spawning site and many amber colored eggs are laid on the "ceiling" of the nest site. The male guards the eggs until they hatch up to 10 days later. The young feed off their yolk sack for many days and then begin feeding on algae off the surfaces.
The eggs and fry should be perfectly safe with the parent fish. Male and female fish can easily be distinquished by the males extra fancy bristles and adornments.
I hope all this helps!
Here is a link to Bristle nose pleco breeding for more info--
"HTTP://aquarticles.com/articles/breeding/peters_bristlenose_plecostomus.html"

Best of luck and best wishes,
Happy fishkeeping!
Karen~