Will list a few of the local marines I have kept and things a few local keepers have noted for general care.
Crested Blenny
Parablennius laticlavius
Difficulty:
Easy - Suitable for beginners who have done their research.
Description:
Crested Blennies are endearing little fish that lurk in rock work and graze algae from it surface. They can often be found with just their heads protruding from a favourite hole, watching their keeper. They are comparatively hardy and do not require a large tank, but do require clean water. Can grow up to 8 cms
Habitat:
The Crested Blenny is found around the coastline in rock pools and to depths of about 3 metres.
Temperament:
Usually peaceful, but will compete with their own species over territory.
Minimun Tank Size:
100 litres
Tank Age / Maturity:
At least 6 months
Diet:
Readily accept all foods both live and frozen Pods, mysid, raw mussel, prawn and flake foods, will also graze green algae.
Special Requirements:
Crested Blennies are generally easy to keep so long as the aquarium is well maintained and there is some green algae present for them to eat - they cannot eat filamentous (hair) algae.
Incompatibilities:
Large aggressive fish (who will eat them) and other Blennies - keep only one Blenny per tank.
Blue Eyed Triplefin
Notoclinops segmentatus
Difficulty:
NOT recommended for beginners. Suggest a mature tank before attempting these fish.
Description:
Small common (up north anyway) triplefin with striking colours. Black vertical stripes on a white body with reddish fins, gets its name from its bright blue eyes.
Habitat:
Blue Eyed Triplefin is found around the coastline in rock pools and to depths of about 3 metres.
Temperament:
Peaceful little fish that can be intimidated easily by other more aggressive triplefins
Minimun Tank Size:
100 litres
Tank Age / Maturity:
At least 6 months
Diet:
Can be difficult to get to eat and suggest a good supply of live food, either pods in tank or separately grown, from experience, some will just not eat other food, some will. Current one in my tank eats bloodworm, brine shrimp, pods from the rocks and glass, and is developing a taste finally for flake food.
Special Requirements:
Newly caught fish require live food until weaned onto other foods.
Incompatibilities:
Large aggressive fish (who will eat them).
Yaldwyn's triplefin
Notoclinops yalwyni
Pic by Puttputt
Difficulty:
Difficult, Needs mature aquariums
Description:
Stunning coloured triplefin, male bright orange fading to yellow, female duller but lovely spotted pattern. Pics show a pair.
Habitat:
Found around coastal reefs and offshore islands in the north.
Temperament:
Delicate fish, but once eating well become active and freindly, perching on jewel anenomes.
A difficult fish from my limited experience, suggest only for mature peaceful tanks.
Minimun Tank Size:
100 litres preferably larger.
Tank Age / Maturity:
At least 12 months
Diet:
The paler female refused to eat, may have eaten live food but gradually became skinny and died, the bright male on the other hand ate frozen food, blood worms and mysid, and gradually developed a taste for flake
Special Requirements:
Mature large tank, A difficult fish from my limited experience, suggest only for mature peaceful tanks
Incompatibilities:
Would not place in tank with large boisterous fish.
MORE TRIPLEFINS TO COME
Leatherjacket
(Parika scaber):
Difficulty:
Medium: Mature tank,
Description:
Diamond shaped fish with brown leathery skin and extendable trigger above dorsal fin, grows up to 35cm, Can change colours in camouflage patterning depending on mood
Habitat:
The Leatherjacket can be found as youngsters around weed in shallow water from November onwards. Larger fish can be caught by line around most N.Z. waters
Temperament:
Quite a peaceful fish in a mixed tank. Very easily tamed, but can nip if food not coming fast enough.
Minimun Tank Size:
1000 litres, when caught as 2.5cm youngsters can attain 10cm+ in their first year.
Tank Age / Maturity:
At least 6 months
Diet:
Eats everything from flake food to mysid, partial to shellfish.
Special Requirements:
If chased in tank can wedge itself in rockwork by extending its trigger, will usually release if left alone.
Incompatibilities:
No noted issues. will eat sponges and invertebrates owing to their teeth arrangement.
Sweep
(Scorpis lineolatus):
,
Difficulty:
easy to keep and recommended in a large enough tank. When young best in a school.
Description:
Similar to Blue Maomao but gray as an adult, silver with red spots on the belly as a youngster, grows up to 35cm, but commonly around 25cm.
Habitat:
Found inshore, near rocky reefs to 100m. Fry caught early summer around weedy rocks and wharves
Temperament:
A peaceful fish in a mixed tank.
Minimun Tank Size:
100 - 1,000 litres depending on size of fish.
Tank Age / Maturity:
At least 6 months
Diet:
Eats everything really, especially mysid and minced tuatua, but happy on flakes
Special Requirements:
Need room to swim,
Incompatibilities:
No noted issues.
Blue maomao
Scorpis violacea,
Difficulty:
easy to keep and recommended in a large enough tank.
Description:
Bright blue as an adult, but silver with yellow spots and fins as a youngster grows up to 35cm, but commonly around 25cm.
Habitat:
Found inshore, near rocky reefs to 100m. Fry caught early summer around weedy rocks and wharves
Temperament:
A peaceful fish in a mixed tank.
Minimun Tank Size:
100 - 1,000 litres depending on size of fish.
Tank Age / Maturity:
At least 6 months
Diet:
Eats everything really, especially mysid and minced tuatua, but happy on flakes
Special Requirements:
Need room to swim, best in a school.
Incompatibilities:
No noted issues.
