Hi.
As a kid, the first fish I ever bought was a pair of bronze cory catfish. I didn't know very much about fishkeeping back then, so I had high fish losses. I killed just about everything I had. My water was very bad...hard and full of iron. Strange thing...this pair of cories were the first 2 in, and the LAST fish out when I quit the hobby at that time. AND...they even spawned on the tank glass! (Once) My mom made me scrape them off and dispose of them.
Never had trouble with those catfish, but the common pleco I had died. Anyway, I now know I did an incredible amount of things wrong back then. I moved many times, so did not have fish. I just re-entered the hobby in May of this year! (I'm 31 now)
I have read a TON of stuff. So far behind and so many new ways of doing things...so much more info.
I first got into Rainbows and raised a few hatches.
Then I got into trouble...I saw a picture of the Zebra pleco on the cover of a fish mag. I asked my pet store to order it! Ha ha. Of course they said it would cost me too much, etc.
So, I tried to order some myself from a crappy company in California...seven...4 were DOA in the bag, and the other 3 died shortly after...and they were covered in ICK! I had to pay more money and am still waiting for my "replacements".
Anyway, with a stroke of luck, I found a site that sold "young adults" for CAN$40 each. I bought all they were willing to sell...I got 24 of them!
AND...I believe my stock came from Mr. B. Robert. I live very close to Edmonton/St. Albert, and who else has so many "captive bred" Zebras? Speculation only. Anyway, HELLO to everyone, and Rob...I love your website!!!