#seriouspollynod

[scalestails]

When people talk about cats needing to go outside and "wild instincts," I think about my grandma's cat. His name was Toby and he was an indoor cat his whole life. One time someone left the door open and he escaped. He was gone for five or so hours and we were sure he was lost, when he started scratching and yelling at the door. We opened it up and he made a beeline for his litter box. He apparently didn't know how to poop outside because he'd only ever used his box. Great wild instincts.

Sorry, weird random story, but I was going through your back-blog and it made me think of that story.

This message is old, but currently relevant. Cats don't a magical survival sense, or the ability to realize what is and is not poison (can anyone say antifreeze??).

[askscalestails]

(I rescued one fish and now everyone I know is giving me their pets). So, I will soon be the caretaker of two mice. I've read your care sheet. The cage they're in is 12x18" floor, by 24" high, and has three stories, but the top one is only a shelf 6x18". Does that count as 360" floor space? I'm also worried about their little feet and the wire shelf floors. Would that be safe or should I cover it with something solid. Also, are zip ties safe? I worry about hooks being sturdy enough and I don't

mind cutting and replacing them every day or two when I'll change out any fleece toys/bedding. They also don't have any toys, but I sew and can make a lot. Do you have any tutorials? (And as an afterthought, what would be the ideal water parameters on fire belly toads? The same for fish? I can't find any info anywhere)

Ah, glad you're taking in some mice! The cage is likely too small, but for now it will work. I strongly suggest making a bin cage, even though I dislike the way they look I love mine to pieces. But in the mean time I would cover the wire shelves with fleece, yes. Bare wire floors of any kind are dangerous and extremely difficult to keep clean.

Zip ties are perfectly safe! I've yet to see mice chew them significantly.

This post actually has a lot of good ideas for toys!

As for FB toads they tolerate a pretty wide pH level but it should be pretty close to neutral at all times. (7.0) and ammonia/nitrite/nitrates should be at 0  all the time. Waste levels will make them sick and especially hard or acidic water isn't good for them either. All amphibians I've read about can't tolerate especially low pH levels.

[askscalestails]

I've had a 20gal with 6 mollies (1 black m, 2 silver f, 3 dalmatians) for a little over a month, and the three dalmatians died in the last week without acting sick. The other three are fine as far as I can tell. Petsmart, where I bought them, said it was "probably a bad batch," but I was wondering if there was anything I could have done? Also, after waiting to make sure the other three aren't sick, could I add anything else to the 20gal? How long should I monitor to make sure they're okay?

Hmmm I would test your water, first and foremost. Any time a fish dies it's worth it to test your water!

If everything checks out then I would assume some sort of disease, maybe columnaris. It's common in livebearers and kills quickly. I would inspect your current fish daily for around 2 weeks to make sure they're not showing any symptoms! The best prevention for disease is clean water and no stress, so make sure to keep up with your water changes.

As far as other fish later on, you would do swordtails, corydoras, maybe even a dwarf pleco in there if you wanted. Or maybe platys instead?

[askscalestails]

My roommate has a 20gal tank with 5 mollies in it (3 female, 2 male) and since I'm the one caring for them and I really like neon tetras, I was wondering if it'd be possible to add some. AqAdvisor says it's okay, but I'd like a humanks opinion too and youkre the best human I could ask on this matter. :)

I wouldn't do it! Neons are very particular fish and need their pH to be low. Mollys do best in very hard water with a high pH and are also semi-aggressive. Neons could easily become targets.

Technically doable, but not in the best interest for either fish!

[askscalestails]

(Person whose roommate gave me a fish). He's started swimming around and acting like a normal active fish, so I'm not as worried about that. I think he just needed a day to adjust. He does have purple spots all over him that are iridescent and I'm not sure what those are, and his pectoral fins are just sticks. I'm just wondering if there's anything obviously wrong with him that my inexperienced'ness won't pick up.

Oh the iridescence is normal! Just part of his color. His pectorals were likely damaged from being in shitty water, they may or may not grow back. But that's ok! As long as he can get from one area to another he'll find a way to deal with it. I think you're doing fine!

[scalestails]

I had a dream last night that I got on tumblr and checked your blog which somehow teleported me to where you are, and I asked how the goldies were doing, and you said they must be feeling better because they were swimming in a conga line. And they were, sort of this big train of fish, and there was a leopard spotted one in the back of the line. I don't know if that means anything, but me and my subconscious have faith in your caretaking abilities. You do good work. <3

That is the most amazing dream ever haha. Thank you!

[askscalestails]

Can you keep ghost shrimp in a 10gal with a betta? I keep finding conflicting information.

Yes! But only 1-3 shrimp. And keep an eye on them, ghost shrimp are not friendly 100% of the time.

[thedaniverse]

seriouspollynod replied to your post:I fucking hate that for some reason my throat just...

Talk with your doctor about getting orally dissolving pills. Chewing time-release ones can be really dangerous, depending on the medicine.

so I looked up some responses on chewing melatonin tablets

it looks like it's a pretty common thing to do (I figured, since they were pretty tasteless? normally when they don't want you to chew them they're super gross). chewing these tablets just makes the effects occur faster (sleepiness) but does increase possible side effects of nausea, headaches, and cramps. so if I wake up tonight with any of those, I'll know to be a little more careful next time