Long beach is in Nassau County--Long Island. It's a great little secret. All the neighbors know each other, everyone is friendly--and you're never the craziest on your block
We have a great, lovely beach that is never ever crowded... oh wait. I better shush. I want to keep the secret!! Are you near New Hope?
I cannot stop getting tank stuff! I have mentioned on the forum, my fiance and I have actually had ... well, not arguments but... "differences" about my turtle care. I spend WAY too much time, too much money... etc. etc. but then on the other hand, I go food shopping and come home to find him crouched on the floor near the tank, leaning out the door and whispering "shh! Look! They're basking--together!" I guess I spent about $500 at first, on many things I didn't wind up needing but, also on different ramps, etc. till I found what they liked.
We bought feeder fish when we got our turts--that's what the pet store fed them exclusively (not very good). They never touched them! So we bought a few nicer ones, and slowly but surely, we have two guaramis, some dalmataion... um, fish, some mickey mouse platys, and a pleco (algae eater--yay!) We had four tetras that disappeared--while I was cleanign the tank (one of my fish is a "tetra"eater?? All the fish were in a bowl together during cleaning--NO TURTS. WEIRD.). Other than that, one goldfish on the first day I had it went, um, MIA; and the second was a bit mauled the third day (fins cut short). I'm okay with the feeder fish thing. I don't have to worry about my turt's health, as they have proven very unlikely to gorge and have too much protien via fish. But I'm SO NOT okay with buying a fish (feeder or otherwise) and putting it in a living hell each night. When that fin was shorter on day 2, and then another fin on day 3? I felt HORRIBLE. So I asked the neighbor to take the (apparently unlikable) goldfish. Other than that... I've had the others about 3-4 months, and no fish gone! I would recommend starting with feeder fish like rosie minnows. If your turt doesn't eat them, he may not be into that. Then you can try others. But really nothing too big and nothing that isn't called "tropical" and fresh. (Turned out goldfish actually preferred colder water. I had ours for a total of 3 days. I sure hope I don't die and see a giant goldfish in the sky!)
Also? The very same fiance was the one in favor of getting all these fish in the first place. And getting a second turtle. And a bigger tank. And I still get scolded for taking three hours to clean the tank on a weekend! Haw haw haw! Kinda just makes me giggle--I tell him he's jealous of turtles.
And since I am kinda new, if I'm off on the whole fish thing... anyone feel free to say so!
