flatfish

Scroll to the bottom for details on how to order   The New Zealand Native Freshwater Aquarium
$25
2018, New Holland Publishers Paperback 208 pages Back blurb text: New Zealand’s unique native freshwater fish have been too long ‘out of sight, out of mind’, but they are surprisingly charismatic, intriguing, and bursting with personality. Difficult to observe in the wild, the fish are much more accessible and tangible in the aquarium, immediately becoming advocates for the conservation of their freshwater habitats. Native fish are an interesting and unusual alternative to exotic aquarium species. They are easy to look after in the aquarium thanks to this comprehensive and practical guide. Stella McQueen’s enthusiasm and expertise is evident on every page. This book: Discusses the species most suited to aquaria, with a strong focus on conservation and ethical fish keeping. Covers how to find, catch and look after native fish, with tips on how to identify different species. Provides an understanding of the fish in their natural environment, with suggestions for creating an attractive aquarium reflecting these habitats. Is for scientists, fish keepers and the generally curious alike. A Photographic Guide To Freshwater Fishes of New Zealand
$26
2013, New Holland Publishers 144 pages Paperback Back blurb text: Highly illustrated guide to more than 60 species, complete with distribution maps Compact, easy-to-use format; the ideal pocket-size travelling companion. Authoritative, comprehensive text describing key identification features. Stella McQueen has a postgraduate diploma in freshwater ecology from Massey University. She is the author of The New Zealand Native Freshwater Aquarium. Rod Morris is one of the country’s most talented natural history photographers and filmmakers, and is the author of several books on New Zealand’s wildlife. How to Order
Aquarium Guide $25 plus $4.50 postage TOTAL: $29.50 Photographic Guide $26 plus $3.50 postage TOTAL: $29.50 Order BOTH and save on postage, total cost $55.50 Rural delivery: please add $3.70. To order, make the deposit into my account: SL McQueen 38-9007-0097395-07 Reference: the start of your email address. Then drop an email to me at [email protected], noting which books you would like, your address, and if you would like your books signed. I am happy to just sign my name or address it to you or your gift recipient. I can also provide a receipt if needed.

Some photos from 10 years ago   
 

Longnose hawkfish - Oxycirrhites typus


Blotched Hawkfish - Cirrhitichthys aprinus


Checkerboard Wrasse - Halichoeres hortulanus


Blueface Angelfish - Pomacanthus xanthometopon


Blue Ring Angelfish - Pomacanthus annularis


Purple firefish - Nemateleotris decora


Clown Anemone Shrimp - Periclimenes brevicarpalis


Blotched Hawkfish - Cirrhitichthys aprinus

 

Beautiful pics once again

Awesome fish and great pics. Congratulations

As I have now come full circle with this species I thought I would share the journey on here as inspiration to others.
For the record I am not selling these fish privately so please do not pm me about buying some. They are currently being sold exclusively by Hollywoods Fish Farm who also ship country wide I believe.
First some pictures of what the fish look like now a little over 2 years after I bought them. They are fully matured and the male regularly spawns with one of the other females. ie. they do not form lasting pairs. The largest fish are around 15cm in length and are relatively peaceful towards each other. It is important to keep these fish over a fine substrate such as sand to allow them to sift the substrate through their gills when eating.

 
October 2015: I bought 7 newly imported youngsters. These were the first fish ever to be imported into New Zealand:

March 2016: Growing quickly but still not a lot of red on their forehead:

Dec. 2016: The dominant male is now showing full sexual maturity colours and are starting to impress the girls:

May 2017: First couple formed and the female's forehead is as red as the male's. Their spawn on the glass bottom but end up eating the fry:

Sept 2017: The male has now spawned with another female and has been removed from the tank as it was him eating the fry. The fry has just started to swim freely but often seek shelter in their mothers mouth:

A week later and the female has been removed as the fry are now capable of seeking food themselves:

Feb 2018: The young has grown rapidly in an 800L tank with sand substrate, heavy filtration and weekly 50% water changes. The have now reached the same size as the ones I originally bought. Circle completed:

 
 

 

My B-line juvies are now nearly 4 months old and most are or about 5cm in size; a few are closer to 6cm.  Here is one of the growout tanks:
A number have already been sold through private channels whilst a sale post have been placed recently into one of the local Wellington Facebook groups' page.
 

Their parents have spawned a new batch of eggs within the last 24 hours.  Here's a video of them prior to spawning:
The new batch is the third one.  Like hovmoller's, most of the second batch were eaten.  I saved about a dozen of the second batch through separation.  The second batch were spawned around June, about 7-8 weeks after the first one.
For size estimates, that catappa leaf is about 22cm long, which would put the male (at the back) roughly around 12cm at 24 months old.

Heres one of my favourite plecos: a Coffeee and Cream Cactus pleco, Pseudacanthicus spinosus, L160. Very rare in New Zealand

Heres one of my favourite plecos: a Coffeee and Cream Cactus pleco, Pseudacanthicus spinosus, L160. Very rare in New Zealand

Heres one of my favourite plecos: a Coffeee and Cream Cactus pleco, Pseudacanthicus spinosus, L160. Very rare in New Zealand

Yeah it's a different species of cactus pleco to L114 and much rarer

Heres one of my favourite plecos: a Coffeee and Cream Cactus pleco, Pseudacanthicus spinosus, L160. Very rare in New Zealand

Here is one of my 'rare' fishes. It's a male Palmas buttekoferi approx. 30cm.
He has quite a lot of yellow on him compared to the other bichirs we get here.
Nice Cories guys.

I suppose these qualify as being rare in NZ:
Geophagus sp. "Red Head". Hopefully we can spread them around and make them not so rare.

Updates, the camera doesn't do them justice 

Don't want to hijack your post but my pair have finished their first spawn. Hundreds of eggs were laid on a vertical piece of wood but with 20+ bristlenoses in the tank needless to say the eggs didn't last the night. Now the pair are in their own tank ready for next round. Have already begun cleaning a rock.

I will be preparing 2 more growout tanks for the B-line fry whilst the A-line juveniles will go to a bigger tank. That is all for now.

About 30+ fry still managed to escape the stripping process.  Both parents seemed to be in good condition; head coloration is slowly returning back after almost being completely faded.
 

I managed to successfully strip the fry from the father’s mouth, possibly a hundred or more.
 

Within 24 hours, the eggs were picked up. I had only seen the male holding; his jaw had a noticeable protrusion and was in a motion on its own.  
 

The good news is that my “B” couple, now in their own tank, successfully spawned (3rd attempt).  The eggs were laid on bare glass; a lot of sand was sifted aside.
 

My apologies, it has been a while since I last updated.  I recognize the level of interest for this particular species and appreciate all previous comments.
The fry/juvies from my “A” couple (video above) are growing quite well; they are now at least 2.5cm.  I have been feeding cut prawns every other day aside from the staple Repashy/NLS mix, which is fed 3-5 times daily. They are in a small 70L tank so water changes are done daily, sometimes twice per day, at least 30% each.
 

Wow, bit late to the party but awesome to see these being bred here!!! I'm incredibly disappointed I didn't grab some from Redwoods when I had the chance, but it looks like the species in safe hands with at least two good sized groups being kept by people willing and capable of breeding them.
 
@Fruju you must have missed that great article in the last edition of Aquarium World magazine if you didn't know they were in the country!
https://aquariumworld.nz/magazine/8-September2016

Hi there,
summer is coming to an end and my outside breeding setup is getting shut down shortly with lots of nice guppies looking for a new home.
When?
Saturday, 11.03.17 between 11am and 1pm.
Where?
Kihikihi. Send me a PM if you would like to come and I will give you the address.
What is for sale?
Green Grass, Green Moscows, Blue Grass, Blue Moscows. Aquamarine, Aquamarine Blonde, Koi Swordtails, Swallow Tails, Black Lace, unsorted Moscow and Magenta Guppies.
How much?
All outside guppies:
Male guppies & Koi Swordtails = $5
Female guppies = Gold coin donation
No fixed prices for the inside guppies but if you find anything interesting, just ask and we'll see.
Anything else?
- Only while stock lasts
- First in - first served.
- No commercial quantities
- Didn't bring a container or bag? No guppies!
- Don't try to contact me via TradeMe. TradeMe sales are different to this sale.
Any questions or if you need more information just ask and I will get back to you here.
 
Cheers,
JaSa