Lots of Changes

Alot has changed here in my urban zoo. BIG fish tanks. Guinea pig MANSION. and new additions. In the upcoming posts I will try and get this blog up to date because I'm definitely far behind.

My Guinea Pig Cage

In Owen's cage he has an area for sleeping, eating, and going to the bathroom. Provide lots of chew toys because, like hamsters, rats, mice, guinea pigs etc. their teeth grow continuously and need to be worn down. The brown circle hanging from his cage is a mineral block. Im not sure if he even uses this but I saw it at Petco and thought why not. Always provide timothy hay and continuous water supply.

My Roborovski Hamster Tank

Mia in her sand

There is a lot going on in this tank. Remember that there are 2 hamsters in this cage and I have provided toys and wheels accordingly. Only dwarf and robo hamsters can be housed together. Although in pet stores you will see other types of hamsters together, such as syrian hamsters, this is only because they are young and have not yet claimed dominance. They will eventually create a hierarchy and hurt each other.  Try to have one wheel per hamster. If you can't do that you must have at least two wheels if you have more than one hamster in a cage. This should help avoid fighting. I love fiddle sticks (the rainbow sticks). They are great to create hideouts and tunnels. The two story house is also great. My little ones sleep in the bottom level everyday. As pictured above I have a sandbox for my Robos. They absolutely love playing together in the sand. I know I have said this time and time again but DO NOT use DUST only use SAND. If you use chinchila dust your hamsters will get respiratory problems and could die. Don't put your little ones in danger and just buy chinchila sand.

My Fancy Hamster Tank

This is a 37 gallon tank. I created an extra level using hooks I found at my local hardware store. This tank has a combination of hamster, ferret, bird, and other small animal supplies. I can't stress enough that hamsters should not be housed in the cages that are advertised for hamsters. Those are too SMALL!! I know this tank is big but at least try a 20 gallon. Really try to make their tank interesting and fun. Change up all the toys and other items every once and a while to keep them interested. I have clips holding the top on because Squishy loves to climb. 

My Agressive Tank

Plants: The two plants in this tank are live, but they are not doing so well. I think they are being eaten. I do not have any fake plants in this tank. 

Decorations: The rocks in this tank are called cichlid rocks. They are amazing for agressive fish because they provide hiding space for everyone. Make sure you have a lot so that a dominance problem does not arise. You may loose fish this way. I also have slate rock in this tank. I used it to make more hiding areas by leaning it against the cichlid rocks. 

Fish: DO NOT OVERSTOCK YOUR AGRESSIVE TANKS!!!!

- 2 Oscar Cichlids 

- 1 Blood Parrot Cichlid 

- 1 Pleco

- 1 Blue Crayfish (Lobster) 

-1 Striped Catfish

My Semi-Agressive Fish Tank

Plants: This tank has only one live plant, the rest are silk and plastic.

Decorations: The shipwreck and castle provide hiding spaces for the fish.

Fish:

- 1 Betta

- 2 Snails

- 1 Dwarf Gourami 

- 1 Gourami 

- 1 Kissing Gourami

- 1 Cory

- 3 Rosy Bards 

- 1 Bala Shark

My Community Fish Tank

I've decided to put up photos of all my tanks. I should have done this so long ago but I had camera issues. Hope these photos help anyone trying to set up a new tank.

Plants:

I have a few live plants in this tank. I bought the plant in the front right hand corner with the white streaks. I grew the plant all the way in the back that is basically just three green lines from a bulb. If you can grow plants in your tank it is a good sign that everything is good for fish and plants alike. Most of my other plants are plastic or silk, 

Decorations:  

In this tank I have a skull, hollow treasure chest, and some other structures with fake plants. 

Fish:

- 2 Dalmatian Mollies 

- 1 Balloon Molly 

- 1 Blue Electric Ram 

- 1 Angel Fish

- 2 Female Guppies 

- 1 Male Guppy 

- 2 Neon GloFish (Pink, Yellow)

- 1 Albino Cory

- 1 Rhino Pleco

LOVE THIS VIDEO

Interview with a Guinea Pig

Upcoming Post Topics

I know that I haven't posted in ages; I've been ridiculously busy with school and some problems with the little ones. I'm going to be posting a lot in the near future because I have learned so much from problems I have had with the semi-agressive tank, roborovski hamsters, and the community tank. I also have exciting news of an intension I have for my black and white fancy hamster, Squishy.

I have decided to breed my hamster Squishy. She has the most beautiful marking and wonderful temperament which I definitely do not want to waste. Her babies will be so sweet and wonderful pets. (so if anyone lives in the New York area and wants a free hamster I will hopefully have some soon and I can help with taking care of them by giving answers to any questions on my blog) I have always wanted to breed a hamster and see exactly what happens.

Topics I will cover in coming posts:
-dominance hierarchy in fish tanks
-dominance hierarchy with hamsters (as well as how to house certain species)
-fish disease and infections
-breeding hamsters (as I go along and learn from Squishy)

Today is just a day for photos...

Oscar:

Piper, Mia, and Riley

Piper and Mia (and a little bit of Riley)

Owen

This is Owen my black and white Abyssinian Guinea Pig. Abyssinian guinea pigs are characterized by the way that their hair grows, in tufts growing in multiple directions  This creates a ridged appearance. In this picture Owen has Carefresh bedding (which I still use for my hamsters), but I have recently changed over to wood shavings because its cheaper.

Roborovski Hamsters

Mia and Riley on their wheel (my Roborovski hamsters)

THE FINISHED HAMSTER CAGE (for a Fancy Hamster approx. 6")

Today I am putting together a new cage (well really a tank ) for my Fancy hamster. I am using a 37 gallon tank. If you are planning on using a tank and putting in levels, toys, etc. be creative. Use reptile, bird, hamster, ferret, and other small animal supplies. Make a sand box with chinchila sand (NEVER USE DUST!!!) Build some levels. Make it fun for you little one. They love to climb, hide, and explore. So try to accomodate these needs. Obviously they didn't originate in a tank so try to make the tank simulate their natural habitat as much as possible. Once I finish my tank I will post a picture as an example of some ideas. 

Introduciton

Hey,
I have 4 hamsters, a guinea pig, 2 fish tanks, and a dog... all in a New York City apartment. I've learned so much while having them: whats works and what doesn't, favorite foods, tricks, etc. Basically in this blog I want to try to share everything I have learned and introduce you all to my little ones :)



First off, this is my Norwich Terrier Oscar.

Pics of the little ones to  come.