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We are new to this forum and are looking for your advice and wisdom please. About a year ago we bought a 240 litre tank that came with a variety of fish. We lost a couple of the older fish at the end of last year. Early this year we purchased two Pearl Gouramis from a reputable supply. About 5 weeks ago, one of the Pearls developed a lump on its side that then turned into an ulcer looking wound. It died a couple of days later. Our second Pearl then started to not eat as much, not be as active and staying at the top of the water. We did a water change and planted some new plants and following that the Pearl changed colour. We presumed due to stress. It is only the front half of the Pearl that has changed colour. It is now about 10 days since it changed colour and it is still alive but still not eating and staying at the top of the water level. Today, we are concerned that our big Red Rainbow is sick as well as it is not as active, is not eating like normal and has turned a very dark colour. I tried researching the unusual Pearl colour change and could only find one reference to it and it indicated that it may be iridovirus. Our water tests are all ok. I have attached two photos of the Pearl with the lump and two photos of the current Pearl with the colour change. Thanks in advance for your help.

We have old fluorescents on our tank for lighting. It is very noticeable how much brighter it is when we replace the tubes! We used to have a steady supply as it was my husband's job to replace all the light tubes in his work buildings every 2 years so we had an endless supply but he has now retired and we threw out a lot of the tubes a few years ago.

If you don't want them loose in the main tank then remove them to a separate tank, don't keep them in a net. You will need to do daily water changes too. Make sure they have some driftwood plus suitable food (zucchini, peas). I have never separated my ancistrus fry as dad looks after them very well.

thank you! These are great ideas and we were just about to buy some root tabs before my dad noticed the tank light somehow decided to stop responding to being turned off. We decided to make the light period longer instead of unplugging and replugging the whole thing a couple of times a day. The pennywort (which is apparently fast growing and unkillable) has died. Though the lily has been enjoying the extra space and nutrients, it's twice the height and width it was before. Once we've sorted out the light situation and algae we'll try another fast growing plant and some root tabs. It was definitely a good choice to wait for the system to get some stable growth before adding fish. Even if this was not the type of problem we'd expected.

Hiding places and shade are the most important. Cold, clean, well oxygenated water is more important for the native fish than goldfish. Research different options for aerating ponds to help mitigate issues with heat and lower dissolved oxygen over summer.

I am thinking of creating a pond/waterfall/stream ecosystem and would love to include native fish rather than goldfish or alongside if possible. Has anyone got any ideas about what I would need to do?

Hi Can you keep baby bristlenose lpecos in a breeding net at the top of my main tank 1day old

I gather the process isn't difficult as you peel the old seal off, thoroughly clean the glass, then re-seal but ours is large, very heavy, and would have to be lifted out of its position as it is built into a large wall unit. Here's a pic of it. Water level is low in case of quakes 😉

That's rough. How difficult is it to reseal a tank? I've been looking at tanks on trademe, but I ended up buying a new one because I was afraid of buying an old one and having it spring a leak.

Fishly is a legitimate site, so im not sure whats going on there, you will need to try and contact them do they have a phone number?

I suspect many started the same way 🙂 My dad stripped an old freezer and buried it in the garden to make our first fish pond, when I was about 12, after feeling sorry for the ones in the bowl. He went on to build a larger, kidney shaped one. I have a photo of my friend and I swimming (more like wallowing) in it when I was 16 (no I am not posting it here!) I married at 18 and after a couple of years talked my husband into helping me set up our first tropical tank - we then killed all the fish thanks to incorrect information from the garden centre who sold us the gear (no internet in those days and no local pet shop!). It took a couple of years and many mistakes before we got the hang of it, thanks to helping set up a local fish club then joining the FNZAS. At the height of our interest, we had 18 aquariums around the house, as our 2 kids had their own tanks in their rooms, and you can find the progress of our pond build (2006 I think) in the cold water section here. As we are both now retired, we are down to one tropical 4ft tank which has been running since 2000 - 2002. We are considering dismantling it though as we are finding the maintenance harder to do these days and the tank is well overdue to be re-sealed. Every time there is an earthquake I fear the seals will give way! Our pond, which we enjoyed for about 18 years, was recently filled in to make way for an access ramp for my now disabled husband. Good luck with your new set-up.

Hello The first time I kept fish they were goldfish, and I was about ten. There was not as much good info available to a kid then and needless to say, it did not end well. Coming back to it as a thirty year old after much drooling over beautiful aquascapes on YouTube, I'm glad there is so much more support now. I have started off with a Betta, some golden barbs and two otocinclus. They seem happy and my dog is absolutely fascinated with these new tiny inhabitants of her house!

Yes i have purchased a bit off them and always prompt and efficient service, maybe try a reminder here https://www.facebook.com/FishlyNZ

I've not heard of them (which doesn't mean much) but I note they have a Facebook page. If you have a FB account, you could try messaging them through there. They appear to be based in Hawkes Bay.

Hi, I recently set up a new tank, and ordered plants from a site called Fishly.co.nz. Day eight since I made the order and I have received an order confirmation but nothing else. No shipping confirmation, no delivery. I have sent them an email but they have not replied. I buy a lot of things online and the site looks legit, but at this point I'm really concerned. Has anyone else purchased plants or fish from this site?

Hey Have a blue planet essentials 150L setup complete with fluval 206, LED light and stand currently running complete with substrate and a rainbow shark (which i also need to rehome) Additionally have another 150-160L tank with missing internal filter and broken light. Comes with Sun-sun 303B The catch is im up a lot of stairs and i ideally need them gone in the next couple of days. Especially the blueplanet setup. Cheers Shane

I spoke to someone who lives in ChCh and used to breed these. If you still need help by the end of the week, let me know and I will contact her again but she is at a conference this week so unable to help until she gets home.

I have never had a tank without fish but know a lot of people use root tabs successfully. Why not add a fast growing plant, like water sprite/Indian fern?

My tank has water! Finally there is something to do other than killing off some specific bacteria. Aquarium system 2.0 now has plants, a Hydrocotyle (pennywort) species and a Nymphoides indica (snowflake lily). They've put on healthy leaves since being submerged. They're going to need to provide cover for my fish, so they've still got some growing to do before any animals go in. They're in a new system without much available "stuff" to use for this, and their new growth is slowing down and looking weaker. They seem to be especially struggling with nitrogen and iron, but the idea of putting a complete fertilizer the water column is making me nervous about algae blooms. Is it worth adding root tabs to my plants to get them the missing nutrients? And is there a way to add small amounts of usable nitrogen to my water?

Yes you will need to alter it and possibly add magnesium and calcium

I was planning on using the saltwater for a tropical tank, as in 1.024 - 1.026 sg, if the salinity is too high should I just dilute with rodi water?

Sorry no idea on Waitematas water quality, if you are keeping local marine fauna no need to alter salinity my carpet sharks outgrew a 270 x 120 x 60cm in 2 years, having a circular enclosure means they can swim for a long time yes 2hp will cover that size

Do you reckon the water from around waitemata harbour is fine to use? I had a look at the water quality report from 2019 but i'm not really sure. Also will I have to adjust the salinity? Thanks edit: would a 270x220x50cm (3000 litres) be big enough for a carpet shark or skate and a pufferfish? Also do you think I could use a 2 hp chiller for 3000 litres or more?

Yes you can use natural salt water, yes you can avoid dosing elements, You may need to increase the percentage of water change as your bioload increases to not use a skimmer