Chat transcripts

[20:05 23/01/2004] <@craig> Jess, no time like the present, looks like its gonna be a slow night. :-)
[20:06 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> I've been personally keeping fish (effectively) for 4 years. I grew up with tanks and tanks and once heading off to college started keeping, thinking I knew what I was doing. Eventually, I found out I was wrong. And that's when the true fish keeping began. (not that its been perfect or even is now, mind you)
[20:06 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> I started keeping bumblebees a little over 18 months ago when my dad told me he could never keep them alive. I felt I was up to the challenge, so I purchased five and then started the research and adventure. Four of the original group are still alive and active at my dad's house. I have thirteen fry here at my place.
[20:07 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> The bumblebee goby is a cute little bottom-dwelling fish. They have a modified pelvic fin which forms a suction cup allowing them to adhere to any surface. It is not unusual to have them clinging to the walls of the aquarium, plants, rocks and whatever else holds still.
[20:08 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> These fish are found in estuaries and brackish swamps throughout Southeast Asia, more so in the islands of Borneo, Sumatra and Java. One of the most important aspects to keeping these fish is realizing they are brackish. I've read of people who manage to keep them alive in fresh, but for optimum health, brackish is required.
[20:09 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> For those who are not familiar with brackish conditions, it is merely a mix of freshwater and saltwater. In the aquarium, this can be achieved by adding a synthetic marine salt like Instant Ocean. Table salt, rock salt and aquarium salt should not be used. For bumblebees a solution of one teaspoon to three tablespoons per gallon is effective.
[20:09 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> The bumblebees are very tolerant of their salt levels and fluctuations in salinity up to a teaspoon per gallon show no ill effect on them. I do advise not making any higher jumps in salinity than that. However, it does mean that when you do water changes, you don't have to worry about matching salinity exactly.
[20:10 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> Literature suggests the bumblebee goby will grow to 1 3/4 inches. I have yet to see a bumblebee that large, but one female has reached 1 1/2 inches. Size would seem to be linked to gender as the males do not appear to be as interested in growing and have stagnated around 3/4 - 1 inch. Bumbles are a slow growing fish, even when given live foods and frequent water changes.
[20:12 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> The size of a bumblebee goby allows him to be kept in small aquariums, even down to a single gallon. A better tank is a 10 gallon as it would allow you to keep more bees and watch their interactions.
[20:13 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> The tank substrate does not seem to matter with these fish, but ample hiding places should be provided. Caves can be as simple as PVC elbows and Ts or you can provide them with barnacles or Texas holey rock. The general rule of the cave seems to be twice the diameter of the head.
[20:13 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> If you use barnacles, realize a single male may claim the entire complex to his own, so it is best to offer multiple locations if you have more than one male. I have not noticed females using caves other than to deposit eggs, so the number of caves does not need to equal the number of fish.
[20:14 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> Plants also help break up territory lines and add to comfort level. I am still experimenting with plants to find those best suited to a salty environment, but from my readings: crypts, vals, java moss and fern, watersprite and hygrophila should do fine. I've read that anubaises will do well, but the only time I ever killed an anubais was in the bumblebee tank.
[20:15 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> Young bumblebees greatly enjoy water circulation. I advise using a filter that will cycle the water no less than seven to ten times per hour. A HOB is perfectly acceptable.
[20:16 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> Along with water circulation in the tank is water circulation out of it. Water changes are very important with these guys. While they will live with few water changes, their behavior is best seen with many changes. The minimum I would advise is 50% once a week. Optimum would be doing twice weekly water changes.
[20:17 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> When this schedule is kept the fish are far more active (just notice how they perk up after any water change). They flit around the water column and jump and hop through the tank, resembling their namesakes.
[20:18 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> Feeding the bumblebee may seem obnoxious as they do not eat flakes. (Though some beekeepers have managed to achieve this). I have found that they take frozen food readily and greedily, but live foods are best. Live brine and blackworms are the live foods I feed the adults. I advise against tubifex as the few bumbles I have lost seemed to be do to an internal parasite.
[20:19 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> Live and frozen foods + frequent water changes = spawning bumbles!! :-D
[20:19 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> Some people say that bumblebees need to be in full fresh water, but my experience is that salinity does not matter, it's the number of water changes.
[20:19 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> Spawning begins with the females turning into marbles with a tail and a head. The male then chooses his best cave and proceeds to try and entice her in.
[20:19 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> Don't be alarmed when your bumblebee looks like he is coming down with some horrible disease. His spawning behavior involves throwing himself at the ground repeatedly, bouncing on his side… anything to get her attention.
[20:20 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> One she decides he's suitably crazed enough to take on the responsibility of the eggs, she enters his cave and starts laying the eggs on the upper reaches. He will dart in and out fertilizing the eggs, and also making sure that no one is going to try and steal his turf.
[20:20 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> Once they have finished the deed, he drives her off and begins his wearisome vigil. He will move from the mouth of the cave to the top, but if anything approaches, he charges them with the ferocity of a mad bull.
[20:21 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> When he's not driving off intruders, he'll fan the eggs. His job here is very important. From everything I read, removing the eggs results in their sure death. So, allow him to do his job.
[20:21 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> You can remove him and the cave to another tank, he will keep up his duties. The tank should be bare bottomed and filtered with a sponge filter.
[20:22 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> When they hatch you will see a mass of little slivers with eyes. We witnessed the one male (dubbed Roger by my little sister) actually spit the fry out of the shell. He wanted to keep at his job, and they were interfering. The fry will be free swimming for a few weeks now.
[20:22 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> At this point return the male to the main tank. We fed the fry green water for a few days. Look for the big bellies, if there isn't any noticeable size, they aren't getting enough. Vinegar eels is also another option.
[20:23 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> Green water can be achieved by taking some tank water and a plant leaf or some mulm and setting it out. Keep in mind that you'll need a lot of green water if you plant to rely solely on this. Feed 3-5 times daily.
[20:23 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> After the second day you can introduce baby brine shrimp and microworms. The fry showed no interest in anything which was not moving through the water column, so you may need to stir up the water when the microworms sink to the bottom.
[20:24 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> After 3-4 weeks the fry should start getting stripes and clinging to the walls and bottom.
[20:24 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> However you keep them, these are delightful little fish which are sure to steal your heart.
[20:27 23/01/2004] <@craig> Noname, please ask your question now. :-)
[20:27 23/01/2004] <+Noname> oh, ok, I have a question, Have you kept any other fish with bumblebee gobies, and what other things should one consider when selecting tankmates?
[20:29 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> i've kept a flounder, eel, mollies, violet goby, amano shrimp and then a puffer with them
[20:29 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> the primary thing is can the fish eat them, i.e. is it predatory and can it fit them in his mouth
[20:30 23/01/2004] <+Noname> ^_^
[20:30 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> secondary is how fast they eat. except for the mollies, all the other fish were slow feeders the bumblebee gobies did not have bad competition
[20:30 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> however, i will note that with the mollies, the gobies learned to eat fast and hard, lol
[20:31 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> also, all fish should be brackish ;-)
[20:31 23/01/2004] <@craig> Roxanne, its your turn.
[20:31 23/01/2004] <+betta4eva> I was jut wonder what age they can reproduce at/
[20:32 23/01/2004] <+betta4eva> sorry, just wondering !
[20:32 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> well, i wasn't sure on the age of mine, but from readings and looking at when mine spawn, it would indicate they reach sexual maturity around 10 months
[20:32 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> no worries on the questions, all are good :-D
[20:33 23/01/2004] <@craig> Jess, I have a question for you.
[20:34 23/01/2004] <@craig> How many bumbeleebees would you stock per gallon?
[20:34 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> i'd say it depends.
[20:35 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> the more caves and plants and objects the more bumbles you could have. a good number seems to be around 1 per gallon
[20:35 23/01/2004] <@craig> Noname, please go ahead..
[20:36 23/01/2004] <+Noname> ok, I was wondering if it would be wise housing BB gobies with fiddler crabs
[20:36 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> i've never tried it..lol..
[20:36 23/01/2004] <+Noname> fair enough
[20:36 23/01/2004] <+Noname> ^_^
[20:36 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> and i probably wouldn't, lol.
[20:37 23/01/2004] <@craig> Jess, wouldn't you say that any crab or shrimp that could catch them is a bad idea?
[20:37 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> yes, definately
[20:37 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> same concept as fish who could eat them
[20:38 23/01/2004] <@craig> At this point, I would like to thank Jess for sharing her ideas and thoughts on these cute little brackish creatures.
[20:39 23/01/2004] <@craig> Jess, thank you for taking the time to be here.
[20:39 23/01/2004] <@Fletch> I second that....
[20:39 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> sure :-D
[20:39 23/01/2004] <@craig> I am now going to open the floor for general discussion.
[20:39 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> Great presentation. You answered most of my Q's just after I thought of them :) How big are the fry at the time they start to get stripes?
[20:39 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> 3-4 mm
[20:40 23/01/2004] <betta4eva> Jess do BB Gobies show parental care like Kribs?
[20:40 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> and thanks :)
[20:40 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> Pretty small then :)
[20:40 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> once they hatch, they're lunch
[20:40 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> martin, yes, you can barely see them when freshly hatched
[20:40 23/01/2004] <betta4eva> really! Kinda like guppies?
[20:41 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> I can see behavioural parrallels with Tanganyikan Shell-dwelling Cichlids. I've kep those, but not BB's
[20:41 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> roxanne.. lunch like guppies? yeah or maybe they don't get enough food,
[20:41 23/01/2004] <@Fletch> this is not surprising
[20:41 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> i've never heard of bumbles surviving in a tank with parents, though
[20:42 23/01/2004] <Noname> I have one bumblebee goby in a 5 gallon tank, I had 5, but 4 disapeared, and the one I have now, doesnt seem to want to eat, any advice? Mabey more water changes?
[20:42 23/01/2004] <Noname> wait, no he wants to eat, and swims around looking for food, but looses interest and spits out half the food it gets
[20:42 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> definately that. what are you feeding him?
[20:42 23/01/2004] <Noname> frozen bloodworms
[20:43 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> can you get anything live? sometimes that will trigger them to eat
[20:43 23/01/2004] <Noname> no live food in area, except brine shrimp eggs, and I grew impatiant growing them
[20:43 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> What make NoName?
[20:43 23/01/2004] <Noname> one sec
[20:44 23/01/2004] <betta4eva> I use a empty 2 litre bottle to hatch mine, it works quite well.
[20:44 23/01/2004] <Noname> what make of what?
[20:44 23/01/2004] <@Fletch> vodkee bottle?
[20:44 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> the larger bumbles won't make much of a meal of BBS, though
[20:44 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> Froz Bloodworm
[20:44 23/01/2004] <Noname> ahem, "Big Al's Frozen Delights" ^_^
[20:44 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> Try Hikari
[20:44 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> what martin said...lol
[20:45 23/01/2004] <Noname> fish have brand preferences?
[20:45 23/01/2004] <@craig> I'll second the recommendation on Hikari foods.
[20:45 23/01/2004] <betta4eva> I told you cheeky this is the first time I have been out in ages!!!!
[20:45 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> quality of the frozen makes a difference
[20:45 23/01/2004] <Noname> alright
[20:45 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> There's some bum brands out there, but Hikari is nice on toast ...NOT! :)
[20:45 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> its like offering a $20 steak and a day old hamburger, which would you want?
[20:45 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> exagerated,...
[20:46 23/01/2004] <Noname> if the hamburger still cooked?
[20:46 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> but the general idea.
[20:46 23/01/2004] <betta4eva> I will have a steak!
[20:46 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> Great comparison Jessica!
[20:46 23/01/2004] <Noname> lol
[20:46 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> :-)
[20:46 23/01/2004] <betta4eva> well done please!
[20:46 23/01/2004] <Noname> Im not sure, I have had some real bad 20 dollar steaks....
[20:46 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> lol, ok, a $40 steak
[20:46 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> ;-)
[20:47 23/01/2004] <Noname> I dont think I have ever had one of those
[20:47 23/01/2004] <Noname> lol
[20:47 23/01/2004] <megan> nice presentation, jess! :)
[20:47 23/01/2004] <Noname> I am thinking of setting up a brackish (bigger) tank, my little 5 gallong gets easily forgotten
[20:48 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> thanks megan
[20:48 23/01/2004] <megan> i would convert my 10 g, but i think i need it for qt :(
[20:48 23/01/2004] <@Fletch> megs rocks
[20:48 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> Geoff, if you get a bigger tank you can get more fish..lol
[20:48 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> We have so many spares, but I'll be dead if I set one up :(
[20:48 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> lol
[20:48 23/01/2004] <@Fletch> despite that I hate sports
[20:48 23/01/2004] <betta4eva> go one go for it :)
[20:48 23/01/2004] <@Fletch> lol
[20:48 23/01/2004] <megan> lol alan
[20:49 23/01/2004] <Noname> I think I might try my crab idea, but I think I will research crabs first, again ^_^
[20:49 23/01/2004] <@Fletch> most women think its a turn-on... LOL... a guy who hates sports... imagine... LOL
[20:49 23/01/2004] <megan> lol
[20:50 23/01/2004] <@craig> So much for the topic of discussion. ;-D
[20:50 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> I'm with him! Ball sports suck!
[20:50 23/01/2004] <Noname> lol
[20:50 23/01/2004] <megan> sorry craig :)
[20:50 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> lol, geoff, if you do, let us know how it works
[20:50 23/01/2004] <betta4eva> I hate sports!
[20:50 23/01/2004] <@Fletch> ok about the bumbeleeebeees
[20:50 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> Great team colors!
[20:50 23/01/2004] <megan> LOL
[20:50 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> black and gold!
[20:50 23/01/2004] <betta4eva> Whowon the superbowl?
[20:51 23/01/2004] <Noname> kk
[20:51 23/01/2004] <megan> hehe, it hasnt happened yet
[20:51 23/01/2004] <@Fletch> lol
[20:51 23/01/2004] <megan> next sunday :)
[20:51 23/01/2004] <shell> panthers will though
[20:51 23/01/2004] <betta4eva> oh sorry!
[20:51 23/01/2004] <betta4eva> I will ask next sunday!
[20:51 23/01/2004] <megan> :)
[20:51 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> Superbowl? That two bettas in the same bowl or something?
[20:51 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> ROFL
[20:52 23/01/2004] <betta4eva> lol
[20:52 23/01/2004] <megan> lol
[20:52 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> There are several sp. of BumbleBee right?
[20:52 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> yes. 2 look like the more common ones
[20:53 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> I know somewhere I've seen drawings of the diff. stripe patterns
[20:53 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> Brachygobius xanthozona and Brachygobius nunus
[20:54 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> also apparently visible if you count the rays on the anal fins.
[20:54 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> which i never did..lol.
[20:54 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> Magnifying glass?
[20:54 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> the b. nunus has 1 spine and 7 rays
[20:54 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> I'm finding that a digicam is the only way to do that on small live fish
[20:55 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> ahh
[20:55 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> i need a tripod..lol
[20:55 23/01/2004] <@Fletch> Want one?
[20:55 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> Ray counts are a good way of distinguishing like species (sometimes):)
[20:56 23/01/2004] <@Fletch> I'll ship you one of mine
[20:56 23/01/2004] <@Fletch> only if you promise to return it
[20:56 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> lol, only until you have to count them
[20:56 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> Tripods make a HUGE difference. Craig will attest on my pics
[20:56 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> alan... i don't think i want that responsibility...lol
[20:56 23/01/2004] <@craig> Baby got back, oh yeah..
[20:56 23/01/2004] <@Fletch> lol
[20:56 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> martin, i know, i have a killer camera, and a shaky hand... :-S
[20:57 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> Took me a while to work out that I do too LOL!
[20:57 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> lol
[20:57 23/01/2004] <@craig> Since we are just totally babbling now.. :-D
[20:57 23/01/2004] <megan> lol
[20:57 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> Bbbbbbbbbll
[20:57 23/01/2004] <@craig> Martin, I upgraded the powerheads on the RT today. :-)
[20:57 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> we're talking about how to get a picture of the bumblebee for id
[20:58 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> Turbos? :O
[20:58 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> ;-P
[20:58 23/01/2004] <@craig> AC 301 and a 402.. :-)
[20:58 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> Actually she's right, We're sorta-kinda loosely on BBs
[20:58 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> hehe
[20:58 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> Rock on!
[20:59 23/01/2004] <@craig> I have the 402 set to minimum flow tho.
[20:59 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> You know you wanna :)
[20:59 23/01/2004] <@craig> Jess, leave the flash on, it helps.
[20:59 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> it is on
[20:59 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> My flash is a PITA I find
[20:59 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> but SS needs to be much faster
[21:00 23/01/2004] <@craig> Okay, get a tripod. :-D
[21:00 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> yup
[21:00 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> Three legs is better than 2 Ask a tripod
[21:00 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> 2legs isn't a tripod...imo..lol
[21:00 23/01/2004] <megan> lol
[21:00 23/01/2004] * @craig is not even gonna go close that
[21:00 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> Bi pod?
[21:00 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> lol
[21:01 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> I Pod Shmi-pod
[21:01 23/01/2004] <megan> lol
[21:01 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> LOL... iPods have only one leg...
[21:01 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> or... actually they have none..
[21:02 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> They're just Pods then?
[21:02 23/01/2004] <@craig> I'm gonna have to do some serious work on this transcript. :-D
[21:02 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> Oh yes
[21:02 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> i was wondering...lol
[21:02 23/01/2004] <@craig> Jess, you did good, the information was excellent..
[21:03 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> thanks :-D
[21:03 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> Definitely.
[21:03 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> :-D
[21:03 23/01/2004] <Noname> I agree ^_^
[21:03 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> Been keeping fish 40 years, but never kept BBs. I learened stuff I didn't know
[21:03 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> :-D cool :)
[21:04 23/01/2004] <megan> brb
[21:04 23/01/2004] <@craig> Martin, thank you for being here.
[21:04 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> This is a great idea Craig. Who's on next?
[21:04 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> yes, thanks to all who came :-)
[21:04 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> Russ is
[21:04 23/01/2004] <MT-ED> Subject?
[21:04 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> on the Aquarium Societies
[21:04 23/01/2004] <@Jessica> and why to be in one, how to start one, etc
[21:04 23/01/2004] <@craig> Russ will be up next speaking on local aquarium clubs and why people should get involved.