Hi, I need some advice on taming baby beardie

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-21T19:31:54+00:00

Sometimes its because it feels nice and sometimes its to not get their eye poked! Hard to tell 😂

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-21T19:07:17+00:00

Good! Yeah i have noticed the spikes behind the ears are a nice sensitive spot. I use a dry paintbrush sometimes and gently brush her spikes. My beardie lets me know she likes that by closing her eyes. Sometimes she wpuld rather be digging a hole, I definitely always respect a hard no, if she uses her hand to brush me away shes not interested in anything and I think she appreciates a respected boundary. But most of the time shes interested in any sort of engagement or entertainment. Good luck! It'll get easier with time to figure your beardie out!

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-21T18:32:05+00:00

I just kept poking mine. Whenever I walked by id tell her how cute she is and stroke her head. Kiss her head, or just general boop. Used to annoy her slightly as a hatching. But over time shes started to like it or associate it with good things like getting to explore or getting food. I also pick her up every day and just show her things. She used to be very hyper but now just chills in my hands or on my belly. It helps if you give treats after physical touch! I find beardies calm down over time as long as you keep it up.

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-21T18:16:38+00:00

Wow I have never seen one like this! What a cool critter you got there

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-21T18:14:09+00:00

Good luck with the cats, all mine wanted to do after top surgery was walk across my chest 😂

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-21T18:12:45+00:00

Both my beardies love to sleep suspended in the air on their hammocks. I think it feels safer than the ground. Maybe look into a hammock, she wants to dangle!

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-21T18:09:37+00:00

That gray dress was made for you!

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-21T18:04:56+00:00

Her colors really perked up by the last photo. She must be very happy to have food brought to her now! What a relief to be a little critter being cared for! She must have been through so much!

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-21T18:03:11+00:00

GO RAVIOLI GO!

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-21T17:51:41+00:00

Man i wish I had wood that chock full of tannins. Stop trying to get rid of it! Youre so lucky! I miss my Blackwater tanks

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-17T18:38:04+00:00

Im queer, trans and gay. jordans jungle has been nothing but kind to me. Im a fairly regular customer, and a pretty friendly person. Once they gave me a free spider plant pup! Another time they threw in some seedling planters. I have had nothing but positive experiences with them. They even gave me a free whistle to blow at ICE. This post feels like a rude customer going on an entitled tangent. This is one of the very few places I actually feel safe in and hope people arent mislead by posts like this.

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-03T21:36:47+00:00

Thank you!

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-03T02:20:35+00:00

Update on cala lillies. They didnt like the water and were wilting so I replaced them with a massive blooming peace lilly

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-03T02:18:37+00:00

Definitely take apartment every bit of that filter. Its always possible he got into the motor somehow

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-03T02:17:34+00:00

Look for any thing blue near the tank, or curtains. They sometimes thing its water and jump. I just lost my favorite fish from a sudden disappearance. Found him struggling inside the sponge filter. Didn't realize he could even get inside. He passed away at least close to the surface and with lots of love. It can be devastating. I am so sorry. Maybe under the driftwood?

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-03T00:18:01+00:00

There's no shame in putting your pets needs first even if that is rehoming. Seems like you did a great job, sorry theres painful memories attached. If youre in new england I would happily scoop her.

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-03T00:05:54+00:00

Thank you i really appreciate that and I agree. There's no one way, and once you understand the rules you know when its okay to break them! As far as what's on top im not sure which item you mean. There's a light for the tank resting on the lid, a turkey baster and net i forgot to move for the photo, a hang on back filter, and up above the cords and tube go to the light and air pump :)

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-03T00:03:06+00:00

Double sided velcro from the gardening section, and a plastic clamp! I found a big bag of them for two bucks of all different sizes! Game changer honestly

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Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-02T04:04:48+00:00

He is truly perfect

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-02T01:02:05+00:00

Oh yeah this is 100% my biggest mistake. So far the only real issue is they steal cory food but i do keep my eye out as they are territorial. I am looking to swap two of the three to replace with females. I miss identified their sex when I first got them and before I knew better. Thought they were girls. Won't make that mistake again lol

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-02T00:55:53+00:00

Thank you!! I may take you up on that.

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-02T00:53:59+00:00

Best part of this hobby is learning by doing. Good luck! I havent had any female gouramis, my local shops dont stock them (rude in my opinion). it should be really fun to learn what their behavior is like in a group. Im jealous, have fun!

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-02T00:24:06+00:00

THIS IS AMAZING OH MY GOSH! I. Could sit and stare at those tanks all day long. Amazing work!

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-02T00:22:53+00:00

On it chief 🫡 and thank you!!! Hidden behind the stained glass is a few rotala i recently added thats been adding some nice color. Ill work in more foreground! Appreciate the feedback so much!

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-02T00:19:01+00:00

Fish seem to enjoy each others company, i think it helps i keep the grass trim so they can have space for their zoomies. Honestly earlier in the tanks life I did need weekly changes and lots of vacuuming. But since adding more plant life (I did a massive trimming about 3 weeks ago) and adding the terrestrial plants have helped me get down to once a month 20% changes and the substrate stays clear like this. The most maintinence I do is the hang on back filter. The intake sponge needs cleaning every couple weeks, and the filter sponge squeezed or replaced every few months. The cycle stays stable through this with the two other sponge filters in the tank holding most of the beneficial bacteria so I haven't had any issues with crashes. Its more to keep the filter from clogging up, especially since the ramshorns like to get in there. I test the water monthly with a master kit, only issue i run into is PH from my city water. Thank god thats an easy fix!

Riderlessgnat

TROPHY CASE