You've picked a bad time for your fry to leave town. All that algae that you killed off was more than likely teaming with infusoria that would have kept them alive just fine. Try leaving the lights on around the clock and getting it back. Copper treatments such as Had-a-Snail work good on hydra and are safe for vertebrates provided you don't overdose too heavily. Bob Dixon ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is the apistogramma mailing list, apisto@majordomo.pobox.com. For instructions on how to subscribe or unsubscribe or get help, email apisto-request@majordomo.pobox.com. Search http://altavista.digital.com for "Apistogramma Mailing List Archives"!