How about a fish profiles section?

[fishenthusiast]

Just a thought, but why not have a member submitted fish profiles section :yes:? I have written a profile for the L. Tridens for another site that I would be willing to submit here. I am also willing to write a few more for other fish I have kept in the past.

I have found many sites on Google when researching new fish. So not only do we get to further educate our existing members, we will attract new members who may be researching a new species they would like to add to their tank, or are looking for information on fish they already own.

Does anyone else agree?

[fishenthusiast]

Here is what my article for the other forum looks like, to give you an idea of what I am talking about:

Common name: Tiburon-limia

Scientific name: Limia Tridens

Family: Poeciliidae

Origin: Central America: Dominican Republic, Haiti

Maximum size: Males 3cm; Females 4cm

Minimum Tank Size: 20G

Care: Relatively easy. Prefers water that is slightly alkaline (PH: 7.2-7.6), and slightly hard (GH: 61-100). Tolerates heat in the 24-29C (75-84F) range. The collection site for some of these fish is reportedly brackish. I have kept these fish in both completely fresh water, and water that had a small amount of marine salt added, and I did not notice a change in their health or activity. Appreciates well oxygenated tanks with plenty of live plants.

Social Behaviour: The L. Tridens is a gregarious breed of fish. They do best in either a species tank, or with tank mates of a similar temperment. They tend to show their best colours and their most natural behaviour when kept in groups. They will chase smaller fish, but do not appear to do any damage.

Recommended M/F Ratio: 1M/2F

Feeding: Omnivores. Happily accepts flakes, veggies, frozen and live foods. Provide some algae for grazing, or supplement with spirulina flake.

Breeding: As with all poecilid livebearers, the male uses his modified anal fin, the gonopodium, to inseminate the female. Pregnancy lasts between 4-6 weeks, with broods ranging in size from a couple to 40+. As the females age they give birth to more fry at one time. Fry are usually 0.5-1mm in length at birth and can immediately eat live and frozen bbs, finely crushed flakes and finely chopped veggies. Provide plenty of plant cover if you want fry to survive.

Comments: while quite drab looking when young, the male of this species colours up nicely as they age. A nice addition almost any tank.


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/Fishenthusiast/Tridens14.jpg


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/Fishenthusiast/Tridens9.jpg

[Melody]

I think that's a great idea! I have a Shrimp profile in the articles somewhere, but a section under the member submitted articles would be good. Thanks!

[fishykisses]

another thing to maybe add to the fish profiles is possibly a list of local breeders
I'm not sure how possible that is but it would be great!

[Melody]

People could always post after the profile - the articles section is open to posting. Good idea!

The person posting the profile would also be welcome to mention that they breed them.

[BC_Kron]

I think a profile section is a great idea!!!!!!

[Melody]

Never one to resist a gorgeous woman with a good idea;) , it appears that my co-admin will be waving his magic wand sometime soon and creating a Fish Profiles section. :D

[fishenthusiast]

Gee if I knew it was going to be that easy I would have mentioned it sooner :laugh:. So since I brought it up I suppose I should be the first to offer to contribute. It is probably a good thing cause I get pretty bored here sometimes ;). I will strive to write profiles for

Boesmani Rainbows
Angel Fish
Three Gouramis and their colour morphs
Betta Splendens
Harlequin Rasbora
Maybe some livebearers, but Melody you have much more experience than I and I really don't mind letting you do them :notworthy:.

[Melody]

Yes, we expect you to be top submitter - only he will let you get by on your good looks :laugh: .

That would be awesome - thanks for your willingness to contribute. As I tell the mod's, I am, quite frankly, running out of things to say....lol....I'm sure everyone will enjoy some fresh voices!

[CACAdmin]

It certain looks like we have great interest in the Fish Profile section. Just a couple of details before (as Melody put it) I wave my magic wand.:twitcy:

As many of us keep more than fish, I don't think we should limit it to fish but include other creatures (snails, shrimp, corals, etc.) So the question arises as to naming the section. So we've decided to ask you for ideas.

Here are a couple of possibilities:

Profiles of Fish and Other Aquatic Creatures
Aquatic Creature ProfilesSuggestions anyone?

[Osprey]

I can cover Farlowella, Pearl Gourami and Bamboo Shrimp;) . Assuming I can catch my Pearls on camera... they never stay still...:rolleyes:

[Melody]

:thumbup: That'd rock, thanks!

[fishenthusiast]

I guess I had better get writing....

How about Fish and Inverts profiles? If I am not mistaken, corals are a type of invert, as are snails and shrimp (?).

Or Profiles - Fish and More!

Or... I can't think of anything else right now. :laugh:

[Melody]

Aquafiles!

Then nobody will have a clue what its about...

Ok back to you Ms. FishEnthusiast.

:laugh:

[CACAdmin]

Hey, I like the ring to Aquafiles (but true, it could be too vague. On that note, what about Aquafiles: Profiles of Aquatic Creature?
Keep the suggestions coming.:yes:

[Melody]

I think 'Fish & More' covers it.... or fish & friends or something like that.

[CACAdmin]

Wow! Some of you are eager to contribute already. I LOVE this! :D And so on that note, even though we have yet to formally get the section up, to facilitate your contribution we should advise you that we've set a standard format for everyone's ease of reviewing info on various species. It is as follows:

Common name:
Scientific name:
Family:
Origin:
Adult size:
Tank Specs

Minimum Tank Size:
Water Parameters (PH/GH/KH):
Temperature:
Special Requirements:Suitable Tankmates:
Minimum Group Size:
Diet:
Sexing:
Breeding and Reproduction:
Breeding:
Notes:

This will be the format for the Profiles Section. (Whatever we decide to call it.) However, for those of you who would rather just do an interesting write-up on a particular fish/creature you could simply post that in the Guest Submitted Articles Section.:smile:

We appreciate all submissions and are thrilled that you are willing to share your knowledge and expertise. :thumbup: We all benefit from shared knowledge. :yes: The Section will be up and running by the end of the week at the latest!

[Melody]

There is some room to move around the outline too, incidentally, its just the guideline. In other words, we like the profile format for easy reference, but if you don't want to include it all or word it exactly like that, we'll forgive you. ;)

If you don't want to format at all & prefer to just share what you know about a fish, then we'll call it an article.

[BC_Kron]

If you want to keep a uniform look to the profiles, how about building a form, with fill in the blanks?

[Melody]

That's a good idea, but I'm not sure if we can bring that into vB software.... I'll let Jay take that one.;)

[CACAdmin]

If you want to keep a uniform look to the profiles, how about building a form, with fill in the blanks?
Good idea. That would be easy enough to set up. How does everyone feel about having a fill-in-form? :FishQuestion:Just have to test it to be sure it's viable. Off to test now.

[fishenthusiast]

A form makes it handy, I would be willing to do it. I would probably still write my own then copy and paste into the blanks, I have a tendancy to have run on fingers and have to do a lot of editing.

I am sure glad we have a techie for an admin, I would be frightened to see what would happen if I was running the show!

[Melody]

Even techies have a lot to learn when it comes to doing a forum right. I can whip you up a website & make it pretty, but I haven't a clue when it comes to forums.:no:

[fishenthusiast]

So how should we go about submitting our profiles to you? Should I wait until it is up and running? I know it is my fault, but now I'm excited!

[CACAdmin]

I know it's hard to be patient now that we've said we're going ahead with it... all your fault you know.;) If you can just hold off a couple of days, we'll get it up and running and then you can submit to your heart's content.:yes:

[CACAdmin]

Profiles: Fish and More (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=61) has arrived!


My apologies for keeping everyone waiting. I checked into setting up a fill-in form but am unable to provide you with one (at least at this time.) I will continue to investigate our options, but I did want to get the section up and running ASAP. And so now that you have a place to post, I eagerly await the exciting additions from our members. :D

FYI: I did post a sticky in the section: Profile Guideline - Please Read before Posting (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1115) which includes the format which you can copy & paste into your thread.

[fishenthusiast]

Since I brought it up, I figured I should be the first to post, so I have! Boesmani Rainbows are up, L. Tridens on the way.

[CACAdmin]

Thanks for posting those profiles right away... awesome! That's a great start!:smile:

[Melody]

Please remember to © copyright your content and photos. We don't want people stealing your hard work, and believe me, they will!:mad:

[CACAdmin]

I'm impressed. Day three that the Profiles section is up and already 5 'fishy' ;) profiles. Thanks for your efforts! :notworthy:

Edit:... make that SIX!

[Melody]

Me too! We have a dedicated group here :smile: . There is nothing better that we can give back to the hobby, than education.

I think I mentioned it already, but don't be afraid to state in your fish profile that you breed the fish in question. Connections are what we're all about, and some return for your efforts is certainly reasonable. You are still providing a service to the community, not just with information, but by helping them find the fish they're looking for.

I think its time to look at a breeder directory Jay. :yes:

[CACAdmin]

No rest for the wicked as they say.;) No sooner do I kick back with :coffee2: and she cracks that:Whip: ! :wideeyed: :laugh:

I definitely agree we need a breeders directory.:yes: Just added it to my 'To Do' list.

[Soggybottom]

Jeez, I decided to throw a quick fig-8 puffer profile together because this is one of the most mis-kept fish in the hobby. Took forever once I realized everything I wanted to say. I hope it's not too long...

Also, this is not terribly important but only the genus part of latin names is capitalized, i.e. Poecilia wingei.

[Melody]

That bugs me - a name is supposed to have a cap, that's what every literary instructor has ever taught me - I do it wrong as often as I do it right...lol.

Its an awesome profile! As someone looking for info, you know you can never get too much and when you find details, you're shouting "BINGO!" in your head... and maybe outloud if you've had too much to drink. :laugh:

[CACAdmin]

Bingo! (and I haven't had too much to drink...yet!:laugh:) I have been curious about figure-8 puffers since i first heard about theme. Thanks for taking the time to post the profile.

Also, kudos to everyone who has taken the to post profiles... we all benefit greatly from your knowledge. Thanks! :Flowers3:

[Soggybottom]

*tips cap*