Mike's Moments (Nov '94)

A column for a fish magazine? Well, I can promise neither length nor the words of Aristotle. What I can promise you, however, is a look at our hobby from a very different viewpoint - not just to be different, but because I've lasted 30 years in the hobby by sometimes taking a road that is not always well-trodden. I refuse to lecture. Lecturers are boring! I always ask questions. I'm not very "taken" by what I know - I want to know what you know and what your experiences have been. Our hobby is a matter of shuffling through experiences, tossing out the ones that don't work, using what works most of the time and really doing what works all the time . . . that is, what works for you! Most of the time I will speak of several topics, not just one idea. I rather like jumping around. My wife says it is so no one can pin me down. But here it goes!

Tetra lovers: Do you want the best cardinals and neons inside of six counties? Good food is the answer (boy, is this guy a genius??!!) But what is good food for tetras? Baby brine - that's right, they will go nuts right in front of your eyes. They will fill their bellies like you have never seen with flake food or frozen adult brine (any and all tetras, by the way). Dealers, cut your losses in half. Feed baby brine for a week after they have arrived and you won't believe your eyes. By the way, this could be frozen baby brine. We'll take about hatching and freezing of baby brine next month. But believe me, feed frozen or live baby brine to the tetras and you're ready for the shows (saltwater people, you too). Throw some frozen or live baby brine in a tank that has some damsels in it . . . ho, ho, ho. . . it's Christmas! I know, damsels are bigger than tetras. Just try it once when you think the damsels are hungry. You'll like it.

Angelfish people: Pearlscale x pearlscale give 100% pearlscale. Standard fin x Superveil gives 100% veiltail. Do you want a really super new food? Well, it's not really new, but boy is it great, and it's not even blood . . . blood worms! I've gone from 90% frozen brine (with whatever for 10%) to 90% blood worms. I've got some baby "german blue" rams almost as big as the worms that will chew on them for an hour until they are done. I know, it sounds goopy! Try it. It is super nutritious.