fishy_t

How did livebearers get into NZ rivers??!!

flowerhorns were produced by people, and didn't originate in the wild... Just did some searching and the only problems they have caused so far are within the hobby - apparently within the hobby they have been breeding with some of the species that they originated from (including Cichlasoma trimaculatum and Amphilophus citrinellus ) and now some of these species are almost impossible to find in their pure state (ie without being hybrids of the hybrids!), although people blame this on shops/hobbyists not identifying and seperating their fish properly... Either way I just don't see why we need to create new species of fish when there are PLENTY of amazing ones already! And if someone wants to own a ‘new’ species, just go and find one - there are plenty out there waiting to be discovered!! All said, as I said before, this is just my opinion and I realise everyone has their own opinions and I respect that

over 8.5

It might drop after about 2 decades... if you are lucky! Basically as long as there is lime (which is a big component of the concrete) in the tank, the pH will be very high. If you want a neutral pH you will HAVE to seal it...

Fair point Duncan, but what I'm talking about isn't the natural progression of evolution - I don't have any issues with that at all! I am talking about the creation of new species BY HUMANS which are causing the extinction of natural species in the wild

On purpose meaning making an active decision to produce hybrid fish, instead of some fish hybridising in your tank by mistake I think that hybrids shouldn't be encouraged as they risk the extinction of natural species It’s only my opinion, I know there are people here who agree and disagree with me, that’s ok, I just wanted to voice my opinion cause I think they are wrong!

Yeah they would as they are pretty strong! But Mine always all get eaten within 15 seconds (due to greedy fronts and 2 syno's that are always about to clean up!) And with frequent water changes you should have no problems

Thanks for sharing, but I do have to say I'm VERY against breeding hybrids on purpose

Yeah NLS is really good, but we can't get it in NZ as far as I know... I give mine trout pellets which sink really well (you can get crumbed ones too)

You could try asking at fish/pet shops The hospital (they carry meds and stuff in them) And at a Butchers too...

Yeah, I know people like them, and they do look great in a nice tank when you've got lots of them. But I really think that you need them in a group to look good. I just think there are much richer pickings from the african lakes than them... But like I said its just my opinion!

Some Tanganyikans don't get as big - I'd go for a wee colony of N. pulchers. With lots of rock work they'd be great in there Lots of interest too as they all look after the babies and are always interesting to watch. Sorry if I upset anyone but IMO electric yellows are ugly fish that get too big for their own good, and the only thing of interest about them is the fact they mouthbrood... Why do so many people keep them??!!

well - my biggest is about half that now and they are about 2 years old... So maybe 6 years till they get close to full size??!

about 40cm

What about frontosa people??!!!

Do you have a garden? Have you made homes for them?! (ie bits of wood etc?)

Yeah love giant ones, played with them when I was in South Africa, they are awesome! I keep weta in my garden

Hopefully!!

Its a date then I'm going to be coming up in my new car too!!!! I'm getting it next weekend! (hopefully - its under auction !)

Cool pics Never seen a Nicaragua Cichlid before but they look really nice! I'm going to come up to napier to visit a mate in a month or so, this time I'm going to have to make it to your house to see them all!!!

I would got for frontosa (suprise suprise!) but if you do just want to get one fish that will be really interactive, then yeah - and oscar would probably be the best...

Your kink is more just that the fish is a bit deformed - won't be to do with crossing fish, more likely inbreeding but its probably just the fact that its a bit deformed. Yours have got much larger spots than mine - your do look like clowns to me (not that I'm an expert in synos) but from what I've seen it looks like a clown...

Its never nice to loose a fish that has a great personality

thats pretty cool!

Yeah, his tank mates may be a bit too full on for him!! I'm sure he'll be ok in time, some fish take a good month to settle in. Food helps though, I'd try feeding him when the lights are on, by dropping the food next to where he is (even if you can't see him when he's eating it) then he'll get used to eating when the lights are on. Then you can start feeding him at the front once he's used to eating with the lights on... Thats what I'ddo anyway