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i watch keeping fish simple on youtube, and the guy just opened a new fish shop in brisbane that looks really good

Note the original question was asked in 2009. I wonder how many of the shops suggested are still in business?

Thank you for all that information. You seem to have 3 possible concerns - pyrethrin or detergent contamination and high nitrates. Any, or all, of these could be affecting your axolotls as they have permeable skin, not scales, so can easily be affected by poor water or added contaminants. We always had separate buckets that were used for nothing except water changes. They were kept away from other buckets and not where they were near detergents or anything. I would not expect a bucket bought from a shop that had them next to detergents would be bad enough to affect your axolotls though. I doubt the hose has caused problems. Best thing is to do daily partial water changes, using the new bucket (even if it was stored next to sprays etc) as, if the water has been contaminated or is high in nitrates, partial water changes will slowly correct the problem. Too much at once may be too big a shock for the axolotls.

Aquaholicsonline.com.au Excellent online store that is now under new managment. http://aquaholicsonline.com.au

Yeah I found the survey didnt explain that well to begin with ... I also on phone didnt realise I needed to scroll right to see a whole row of tick boxes until later and had to go change my questions.. tbh I dont see any new regulatory departments being set up with the govt of our day

Great photos! Apistos are lovely fish to keep.

I was stuffed with the 2nd question asking which group I was most interested in and the next question was how long I had been involved with these species. I have not kept any of the groups named (except 3 budgies & a sun conure years ago) or been involved with them. I finally decided I would express interest as (5) an enthusiast who was concerned about them in the abstract..

I have a few young Apistogramma fry available from my home breeding groups. $35 each. Species available: Apistogramma cacatuoides “Orange Flash” A popular and colourful Apisto, with males developing strong orange finnage as they mature. Generally a good option for peaceful planted or natural-style community tanks. Apistogramma macmasteri A bold and attractive dwarf cichlid, with males developing great colour and personality. Best kept with plenty of cover, caves, driftwood, plants and calm tankmates. Apistogramma hongsloi A beautiful South American dwarf cichlid, with mature males often showing red, orange and yellow tones. They do well in softer water setups with hiding places and peaceful companions. The fry are around 1 inch at this stage. Some are starting to show early signs of sexing, but I cannot guarantee males or females yet. Pictures of the adult males/dads are the actual fathers for reference only, to show potential adult colour. These are best suited to established tanks with stable water, plenty of cover and sensible tankmates. Happy to answer questions about care or compatibility. Pickup Woodridge, Wellington prefered.

I have received the below email, I did share this on the FNZAS facebook page as well. Kia ora We are writing to inform you about a Te Uku Kahika - Regional and Unitary Councils Aotearoa (TUK) led initiative to develop a more nationally consistent approach to managing the potential impacts of exotic pet species. Currently, there is no nationally consistent regulatory framework covering the management of these species. Rules instead sit within Regional Pest Management Plans, which differ between regions and can be confusing. For example, Auckland restricts breeding, selling and releasing some species, while they can still be bred and sold elsewhere. TUK is asking exotic pet owners/groups to participate in the attached survey to better understand the scale and volume of trade related to certain exotic species already in New Zealand, including some birds, terrapins, lizards, and newts. This survey also seeks views on the merits and the potential impacts of regulation. The purpose of the survey is to provide a better understanding of the domestic trade of exotic pets already present in the country that could potentially form wild populations. It will ensure potential impacts to the sector are well understood and can be fairly considered in any future processes. We appreciate any insights the sector can share into how we could collectively tackle this problem to best protect the environment while minimising impacts on those who value exotic pets. The information will help estimate how many species are kept as pets and to enable further work on management options. The information gathered will remain anonymous. Have your say – SURVEY LINK This is your opportunity to provide information to support the project. The attached survey is now live, and we will be accepting responses until the 29th of May 2026. Further information can also be found at the Te Uru Kahika website: https://teurukahika.govt.nz/our-work/biodiversity-biosecurity/biosecurity/exotic-pets-survey Ngā mihi Te Uru Kahika

My dad sprayed pyrethrin earlier in the day and fed the axolotls later in the day. I'm not sure if he washed his arms with soap or not. I don't have any clean buckets to do a water change and no clean tubs to tub them. How dangerous is this? He claims none got on his arms, I'm not sure if I believe that. His arms would have dried and he would have been rubbing against things in between. I looked it up and it said that pyrethrin breaks down quickly in water when there is sunlight and heat, which an axolotl tank has neither. The pH of the water has been around 7.0-7.6, it varies. So not acidic but also not very alkaline, which from a google search it says that alkaline water also breaks down pyrethrin. Google AI also says that it can bind to sediment in the water and last even longer. This happened 3 days ago. The reason I don't have any clean buckets is because the bucket we have I previously hosed out with the outdoor hose, I later learned that the outdoor hose had been used for a job including a pesticide/herbicide/fungicide spray, I'm not sure which. A hose end sprayer was used, and I know there is a potential for the chemicals to get sucked back in. That was about 4 months prior and the hose had been used since however. That bucket got rinsed about 3 months ago now and have been used since for the axolotls and dried. As well as the hose being used in between after the chemicals were used before the bucket got rinsed. I was told it was at least around 4 months after the chemicals were sprayed using the hose. I have another bucket however it may have had items that were placed on a towel washed with scented laundry detergent put inside it, as well as water from the ground where a weed killer had been sprayed (but fully dried and I believe rained on. I can't remember how much time in between, but most probably a decent while.) splashing back up at it as I was tipping water out of the bucket. I then bought another new bucket, but that bucket was stored next to the fly sprays and various washing products at the supermarket, you could smell the spray in the air, not very strongly but I could definitely notice it. I have been told but many different people that all of these buckets could potentially be dangerous. I feel like I'm losing my mind, because everywhere I turn is more harmful chemicals. Doing a water change shouldn't feel like diffusing a bomb, yet things seem to keep on going wrong. Common sense tells me they need to get out of the tank immediately, but I am honestly scared to touch them. And, as I mentioned, we don't have any clean tubs that haven't been washed with dishwashing detergent. And once dishwashing detergent gets used on our plastic tubs, it is near impossible to get it out. They have already been showing symptoms such as opening mouth when buccal pumping and swimming uncoordinatedly. I'm worried that there may be soap coming off hands and arms going in to there water and it is harming them. When I checked on them last night. I worried our golden albino is looking maybe more swollen. His body isn't looking very swollen, it is a similar size to his head, however I feel like typically he might be a little bit skinner. I could be wrong though. Most notably though is his chin. Also his legs look kind of a little bit swollen and wrinkly. It is hard to tell looking back at old photos if there has been a change but I figured I should include that as well. The other thing I noticed was our wild type's light patch under his chin looks like it has maybe gotten lighter. He has white and pinkish patches all over him. They were in very high nitrates water. I managed to get the nitrates lower however I need to check them again. I also accidentally picked up the wrong bottle when testing and used some of the nitrate bottle 2 without shaking it so I don't know if that could be now messing up my readings. I use API. I have been told it could be a bacterial infection. Do you know if there is any way to tell the difference between bacterial infection and normal colour change in wild types? To me the skin looks aggravated. I don't have a drivers license but I am going to ask if I can get a ride to pick up another bucket. If I can't though, what should I be doing in this situation? Thank you so much in advance.

Kia ora Koutou, Please find attached a corrected version of the previous AGM minutes. The earlier version was circulated before the corrections previously agreed had been applied. The attached version includes those agreed corrections and full legal names and should be treated as the version for consideration at the AGM on 9 May 2026. For transparency, the corrected minutes have been clearly marked as a corrected version. At AGM the corrected minutes will be ratified as being the true and correct record. Also, minor amendments have been made to the financial statement, two of the expenses had been labelled backwards and have now been corrected to read clearer. Also available is the same financial statement but now completed in XRB format, of which the society may need to use in the future to meet Government regulations. -- Maxine Lynch President, Federation of New Zealand Aquatic Societies Statement of financial performance FNZAS 2025 2026 XRB report.pdf FNZAS AGM 2025 corrected.pdf Statement of financial performance FNZAS 2025 2026.pdf

To note - the financial documents will be sent again but completed in Teir 4 XRB - this is so we can see both types of statements and yes, I'm aware that we need to make a correction on the 2025 AGM minutes

Email has been sent to all Club Delegates, Executive Committee members and any registered club email addresses.

attachments added: Reports of Executive Committee FNZAS AGM 2026 FNZAS AGM 2025 minutes FNZAS SGM 26/02/2026 minutes Statement of financial performance FNZAS 2025-2026 nominations for Executive Committee 2026 - 2028 Reports of FNZAS Executive Committee for AGM 2026.pdf Statement of finaicial performance FNZAS 2025 2026.pdf FNZAS AGM 2025.pdf Minutes of Special General Meeting 26 02 2026.pdf Nominations for Executive Committee 2026-2028.pdf

Kia ora all This is the notice of AGM for 2026 and the agenda and details for AGM The email with attachments will be sent tomorrow, this will include the reports, minutes and financial statements for FNZAS. AGM is to be held via Zoom 9 May 2026 10 am Anyone can observe the AGM but only Executive Committee and Delegates are able to speak unless requested by Chairperson. AGM is recorded - only the audio file is kept and stored digitally for the FNZAS Chair - Maxine Lynch FNZAS President, Minute taker - Christopher Drake FNZAS Vice-President Agenda Call to order Introductions (Executive Committee, Delegates, apologies, Proxies and other attendees) Reports of the running of FNZAS including President's report, Treasurers report and financial statements, Breeding Coordinator's report and Editor's report Elections of positions President - Maxine Lynch. Vice president - two nominations for one position. Votes can be cast prior to AGM for eligible voters by emailing [email protected] and [email protected] (non-member scrutineer) nomination received for Christopher Drake and Mark McElhinney. Secretary - Michael Wilson Treasurer - Patricia Lynch Breeding Coordinator - Aaron Gabb Editor - Darren Stevens Committee members (1 - 3) We have three nominations, however whomever gets the role of Vice President will likely step down from Committee Member, Executive only hold one vote even if more than one role is held (unless they are a delegate as well) nominations received for Christopher Drake, Aaron Gabb and Mark McElhinney. Remit Date for AGM 2027 Capitations Conflicts of Interest Qualifications of an officer Trophies Close meeting Topic: FNZAS AGM Time: May 9, 2026 10:00 AM Auckland, Wellington Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/97716671385?pwd=p26Z1brtlvdrP3zpgPfx35RPSVuGQK.1 Meeting ID: 977 1667 1385 Passcode: 117115 Join instructions https://zoom.us/meetings/97716671385/invitations?signature=93OXu7dbIyTwKQp440FM-gURp7Zu4BeFKmBG4nz5ea4

The bigger the better.... 150l per full sized Oscar or near there is what google was telling me If your adding 4 plus 2 others id go as big as you can at the moment

Hi there I am wanting to buy 1 or 2 female endlers. Preferably not tiger endlers, but anything else goes. Willing to pay $$$. I am in dunedin. please pm me

Will need to ask your local pet shops for females.

Yeah, I wasn't sure what they are but they were about half the size of the male guppies in the shop tank. Also they look like the endlers I've seen on trade me, but again I'm not 100 percent on that. Also where can I get females

In NZ we had 2 types of endlers imported.. red chests and tiger endlers... these can cross with guppies but also guppies can revert back to wild type colourtion I dont know if there's anyone left breeding pure red chests but I have tiger endlers. Its hard to say what you have as it could be a combination of things

I just got some or what I think are endler from my local pet shop. They had them in the male guppy tank and hey we're about half the size and not fancy. They also had a tiny little girl in there that I got for free

Ember tetras available for free. I’ve got about 8 month-old ember tetras needing a new home. These are babies of three original tetras bought from a pet shop. Pickup is from Paparangi, Wellington

Hello all, Hope all is well. I'm new to the hobby, and Oscar is my fav fish. I have 4 of them atm, and I'm thinking of a larger tank (currently they are very, very small). Do you think a tank of 500 litres would be okay for 4 Oscars and maybe 2 American cichlids?

Thank you to all, especially maxx1, for all their work on this. It was not an easy task!

Attached is the finalized FNZAS constitution that has been adopted at the Special General Meeting held on 26 February 2026 FNZAS Constitution Final 26 02 2026.pdf