About Me:

I have kept aquariums for over 20 years and for the last 4 years have been breeding bristlenose plecos. I breed as a hobby in my spare time.

I graduated from the University of Iowa with a BS in Biology, and currently work as a Food Safety Quality Regulatory Chemist. Since I live in a condo, I have limitations on the number of tanks that I can have. Therefore, I focus more on breeding projects and quality rather than quantity. What I post for auction is usually what I have available at the time.

One of the things that makes aquabid work is the feedback system. If you leave me feedback, not only will I return the favor, but I will share my homemade super red bristlenose food recipe that really brings out their color.

How I Prepare Fish for Shipment

I run a small established canister filter in a 5 gallon bucket with a small heater. I also put a piece of slate or two for the plecos to attach to and hide to make them feel more comfortable. Fish to be shipped are added and allowed to fast prior to shipment. For bristlenose 1-1.25 inches I fast 48-60 hours. For larger bristlenose I fast a full 3 days. During the fasting period, I do 50% water changes every day. On shipping day, I add a 4.5x dose of prime before bagging the fish. This will help to neutralize any ammonia that may form during shipment. For larger bistlenose, I use poly bags and add pure medical grade oxygen. For smaller bristlenose, I use kordon breather bags and seal the bags with a heat sealer. If a heat pack is necessary, I use poly bags and oxygen for smaller plecos. I'm not sure if the heat pack will use up the oxygen in the box, so I'm just playing it safe. I ship using styrofoam lined boxes. I usually use USPS priority 2-3 day. If your are somewhat close to the Chicago area, UPS ground is often delivered next day for the same price.