Hello , My name is John Shreve from south bend Indiana. I had a great opportunity from a very good friend to attend the ala convention in Michigan this year. It was so awesome I wanted to join the ala. I met a lot of great people and hope to get to know a lot more. Look forward to hearing from people all over.

Chip
That is what we are here for. Check charles website. Goliad Farms. He does have some guppies and all his fish are american raised. I know his mollies are the best in the industry. Very hardy fish as well as many award winners every year.
I have his number if you want to call him. I personally do more frequent water changes about the same amount. I use an ozone machine and it eliminates chlorine and all bad bacteria. Since I started using it I have never had fin rot and very seldon any other disease. If sal works for you keep doing what is working for you.
Later
gerard
gerard94114@yahoo.com

I salt -it seems to be the only way to keep even the 25% or so I manage alive. I do 25% water changes every Monday religiously and we have excellent source water. As for breeding, if this were more of a hobby and I was not trying to do this for a living, I'd love to. Interesting to hear about arsenic poisoning -I am saddened to think anyone would do such a thing. It is very short sighted and simply gets customers out of the hobby. I think the best option is to either find a farm that can sell me some US sourced fish or just drop them from the freshwater fish that I stock. I will speak to my wholesalers about it and let you guys know. I didn't mean to turn my introduction thread into a care discussion, still, I appreciate the thoughts!

Arsenic is probably the problem. You might do better off getting american raise and bred guppies. I know that some importeted fish have been give arsenick so the systems statr breaking down and the survival rate is low so peopl have to go back an buy more. I buy fish from pet stores not expecting the adults to live long. I exppect to get the fry and work with them. Chales at Goliad Farms and I have spoke about this and we agree that this is what is happening. He really know his stuff. I have never see this with guppies but highly possable.
You might do best set up a few tanks in the back of your store and raise you own guppies or keep in contact with local breeders in your area and sell american bred and raised. Check you local craigs list and other resources and see if you have better luck. When I grew up and raised guppies I never added salt. People now seem to thin adding salt is the cure all. I believe more frequent waterr changes is more effective. There was this same myth about mollies. I learned frequent partial water changes did more. A little salt may jut be all you need. You will have to find out what works for you.
Later
gerard
gerard94114@yahoo.com

Salt?

Survival rate on guppies in my shop has been terrible. I have tried from 3 wholesalers, though I assume most of the guppies are imports. Babies that I grow up do fine, but new guppies have the highest attrition rate of any fish in my store, salt or fresh.

I got a sneak peak aat the journal and it looks fabulous. Really worth joining. We are a very fast growing club with alot of enthusiasm. W4e also want to know what you raise and what you may be looking for.
Later
gerard
gerard94114@yahoo.com

Tell us a little about what you raise and what you are looking for. We especially want to hear from new members here in this location
gerard
gerard94114@yahoo.com

What exactly do you mean. Do you mean that you cannot keep them in stock or you cant get them to survive. I am sure there are people here to hel you when it is clear what you want. I raise Black moscow guppies and now have a black tail snake skin I am developing.
Later
gerard

Hi folks. I am Chip and I own Blue Ridge Reef and Pet in Black Mountain. I have over 25 adult years as a hobbyist and a little over 5 years as a store owner. And lately, I can NOT keep guppies! So that's what brings me here, and I look forward to learning from you guys as well as helping when I can.