Bummed

I know many of y'all have other critters besides just kitties. I got into aquariums, basically planted tanks, about a year ago. Late last fall I got a pair of Blue Rams. These fish are supposed to be sort of "intermediate" fish. They spawned, several times. And then to my absolute astonishment one of the spawns hatched! Water parameters have to be just right for the eggs of these fish to develop and hatch, and then I'd read how difficult the babies are (especially for a novice) to raise. I wasn't really prepared as I hadn't been expecting any to hatch, but I followed the advice given me on another forum in response to my frantic query and actually succeeded in keeping them alive and growing them up for the past month.

Until today . I went to feed them this morning and all my babies were dead! Wahhh !!!

There were about 15 survivors out of the spawn. I had just started feeding them commercially frozen baby brine shrimp in the last couple of days instead of the stuff I was raising, and had actually breathed a sigh of relief hoping I could close the "shrimp hatcheries" down. I was so proud of myself, I thought I was actually going to get these fish to adulthood. I can only guess that the commercial food had something to do with it.

I am really bummed right now . I mean they were "only" fish, but still ....

Oh Cindy, yes, they were "only" fish, but we're "only" people, and when you care about something and it passes or fails for some reason, it is sad. I don't know much about aquariums, but I love watching them. I'm sure you did your best, and that is all any of us can do!

Oh I'm sorry, Cindy. I know it hurts to lose fish, too. All creatures are precious to us

Thanks guys, y'all rock.

Amy I may take you up on that, although I understand dwarf cichlids (which is what Blue Rams are) are kinda a specialty. I just thought they were pretty fish! My show tank is a heavily planted tank, and you're not kidding about the work. I understand that planted tanks like this can be as much work (or more!) than a reef tank. About the only consolation is that when I do lose a fish, at least it's not some $100 saltwater investment.

At least if I have another spawn to hatch, I'll know what I'm getting into, and will hopefully be better prepared ...

I'm so sorry, Cindy. I understand how you feel. We had a couple fish several years ago and I cried and cried when they died. They might be "just fish" but they were MY fish and I loved them.

My hubby never let me get any more after that...he says they don't live long enough and he doesn't want me to go through that so often. (It's probably just as well...a fish would be an hors d'oeuvres in no time flat with Tailer around.)

I am so sorry. They weren't only fish they were your babies you raised from spawn. I hope the next time goes better for you. BTW I would love to see your tank.