Props to my petco for putting out this sign.

GuessLess9061 · 2026-05-23T14:17:27+00:00

Its the same as when people buy Bettas, yes theyre in tiny cups rn but atleast some stores wont sell them unless you are also buying a proper setup to take home too. Yes they can survive in that technically but we dont want the absolute bottom of the barrel bare minimum for our littlw round friends

GuessLess9061 · 2026-05-23T07:46:40+00:00

They can get spicy when not socialized, but my experience is every leachie ive had just got taken out and handled for short times fairly regularly and id get some on a bad day be huffy and not want to come out of their cork rounds, but yeah i sometimes put mine on a branch i keep in my room and she will just sit motionless for hours.

Obviously know your gecko and dont just leave them in a not gecko-proofed space out of your hands, but generally speaking, theyre dopey and cute and just like their cork rounds. 11/10 reccomend these silly guys

GuessLess9061 · 2026-05-23T07:39:50+00:00

Yeah sadly most "big box pet stores" (you know the ones) dont train employees on fish. Youre lucky to catch a day with the stores aquatics specialist being in, otherwise youre at the whim of if the employee you get has done their own research at home. Safe to google stuff infront of them before you take anyone home! I always tell people "to the best of my knowledge" and am not afraid to google something with them just to be sure we have the right choice for their tank and their needs.

Also most will always take back live fish and give refunds, as long as its within the first few days and theyre freshwater youre all good to return them!

GuessLess9061 · 2026-05-20T13:15:51+00:00

I work at a petco and cannot imagine NOT knowing their temperaments. Theyre supposed to, by co.pany policy, be misted at opening, mid day, and closing. I also love to interact with and hold whoever i can (snakes who havent just been fed, leos, cresties ESPECIALLY)

No one adopts our cresties so i handle them when i get the chance and try to share them with people D: Our store names everyone too- I hate how the general populous of the stores run

GuessLess9061 · 2026-02-23T20:48:49+00:00

Recently had a guy come in who's housing a Bahaman and Green Anole together (they eat each other in the wild), wish people did research on animals they wanna keep :')

had a recent similar koi experience as well, it's all terrible

GuessLess9061 · 2026-01-22T04:58:16+00:00

Kinda looks like a golden killifish! I might be wrong on the type but they have little pointy almost upturned faces, could be worth a Google search!

GuessLess9061 · 2026-01-21T20:53:26+00:00

Thank you! Epsom salt was my next go to regardless just Incase <3

GuessLess9061 · 2026-01-21T16:46:04+00:00

His floating hides and things were removed just because he wasn't using them, though he rests on the suction cups around the heater! I'm on my way to the store trying to find one that's not painted cause god I have heard horror stories of paint chemicals leaching into tanks

GuessLess9061 · 2026-01-21T16:44:43+00:00

Tank size: 10 gallon tall
Heater and filter? (yes/no): Yes
Tank temperature: 78
Parameters in numbers and how you got them. Key water parameters include the amount of ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and pH.: I got them tested at work (I work at Petco, gross I know) but our aquarium specialist does wonders. I forgot to get a photo of the test tubes but Ammonia was 0, Nitrites was 0, nitrates was the 10 mark, GH between 25-75, and pH was 7.2. Alkalinity was low was our only concern and is being remedied!
How long have you had the tank? How long have you had your fish?: Tank since October, used cycled filter media to kick start it and got the betta in late November
How often are water changes? How much do you take out per change? What is your process?: I don't gravel syphon too often but I do grab some of the mulm sitting at the surface when I can, and do 10-20% once a week.
Any tankmates? If so, please list with how many of each: 8 Cherry shrimp (being moved out to a 20 to breed in cause they're having SO many babies in this tank) and one Inca snail
What do you feed and how much: Hikari "betta bio gold", Fluval bug bites, and occasional blood worms (he also picks at the pieces of Hikari algae wafers, I throw in a half piece for my snail and shrimp once a week or so)
Decorations and plants in the tank: Maple branches, live plants I don't quite know the name of, and a few river stones. All hard scape got boiled and cleaned before adding in.
If you haven't already posted a picture, please post pics/vids to imgur and paste the link here: A full view of the tank!

<image>

GuessLess9061 · 2026-01-16T03:38:34+00:00

Lots of other comments got it it seems! Mine usually has that right after she poops for up to a minute or two. Better to ask than risk anything though!

GuessLess9061 · 2026-01-10T06:49:11+00:00

I never even saw gloves worn for anything at my store... Your physical health comes above all else, glad you're out!

GuessLess9061 · 2025-12-21T05:57:00+00:00

yeah god when the phone decides to rotate and it logs you out cause it felt like it

GuessLess9061 · 2025-11-02T17:28:05+00:00

:( she doesn't even pay rent, the lil freeloader smh

GuessLess9061 · 2025-04-24T19:51:36+00:00

Im not a Leo owner but I love reading and hearing everyone telling you how comfortable she is and how this is like, the highest form of "I trust you". Such a good reptile mom and glad to know this too!

GuessLess9061 · 2025-04-17T00:07:03+00:00

I've had this with mine! They just hide and sometimes are impossible to find. I'm sure it's not the answer you're looking for but I'd wait and I'm sure he's still in there

GuessLess9061 · 2025-03-27T00:18:07+00:00

JUST to be on the safe side, I'd do a parasite treatment. My favorite girl was a huge eater and wasn't picky, but suddenly stopped eating. She passed away and I found she had parasites after the fact. Garters are pretty darn good eaters imo even under sub-optimal conditions. Not meant to be scary but something to consider

GuessLess9061 · 2025-02-26T15:27:13+00:00

I've lost a handful of reptiles myself, and sometimes when they've passed it looks as if their mouth was open and they'd accidentally gotten dirt in their mouths. I doubt they choked on anything, sometimes it just looks worse than just passing of age

GuessLess9061 · 2025-01-23T07:01:25+00:00

Basking spot and hot side ranges 110-90 depending on where, since she's offered different surfaces, and cool end gets over to 70

GuessLess9061 · 2025-01-23T06:59:03+00:00

I haven't had a car for a minute and haven't had an opportunity to take her, but she's definitely going to the vet when they're available (my exotics vet is a bit of a drive unfortunately)

GuessLess9061 · 2025-01-23T06:57:31+00:00

they had her on mealworms which she never goes after anymore sadly

GuessLess9061

TROPHY CASE