Caryl

Anubias do not like their roots planted too deeply. Thy are often tied to bits of driftwood or rock. I see it still has the metal around the base. Remove this. Sometimes a plant will drop leaves when introduced to a new environment, due to stress.

Did you collect them from the wild somewhere?

Isn't it interesting how different people like different features and there is sure to be a fish for all preferences. It is the short bodies I don't like as I prefer a more streamlined fish. I am afraid the quality of goldfish in NZ is sadly lacking, compared to other countries, as they have been banned from importation for so many years there has been no improvement to the overall gene pool. Good luck with your breeding plans.

I hope they are still going! Check the top of this page under Local NZ Clubs for a contact.

Hi Fishy06. Feeding them flakes is fine. I guess, like us, they would like variety but i have always kept to the same food for my goldfish and they haven't complained 🙂 Goldfish are cold water species so do not need to be in water that warm but it will not hurt them. How many goldfish do you have and what size is the aquarium or pond they are in? If you have just filled up a container, added safe start, and several goldfish, then you are going to have problems. Google the aquarium cycle to get an understanding of what is needed. Even with safe start the fish need to be added slowly. Do you have any plants in there? The fish will like them. Goldfish are really hard on most plants, as they eat them. You should be able to go to your local river and get oxygen weed for them. It needs to be washed very thoroughly before adding it to the tank though.

Hi and welcome. I don't have any Ranchu myself. What is it you particularly love about them that makes them your favourite?

Haven't tried it myself but it looks like peppered corys are quite happy at lower temperatures. It sounds like you are keen to have a variety of fish, other than goldfish, outside in unheated water. Can you put the pond under cover? Under the eaves of the house, on the sunny side of the property, anything to keep the temperature as high as possible over winter. Having the pond n the ground, rather than free standing on top, will help too. Some sort of covering to keep the heat in might help . I have only ever kept semi tropical fish outside over summer months.

If you don't want any fry, don't put the female in the breeder box. As she drops fry she, and all the other fish, will eat the fry as they appear. Problem solved! Not sure if any LFS take fry from random people these days.

I understand they can tolerate cooler temps for a short period of time so you might be OK. Not sure how it stays at "mainly 20C" but drops to 13C. Remember you want to keep your fish in the best possible conditions, not whatever they might tolerate, especially as we are heading into winter.

When people talk about them being cold water, they mean somewhere around 18 - 22C, which many can manage over summer without heating. NZ natives are an option but harder to get. Have a look at Stella's New Zealand Native Fish Facebook page.

They can certainly survive in cooler (not cold) water but surviving and being happy are different things. They prefer the mid 20'sC but can go down to around 15C. If the temperature (including nights) where you live stays above 20C then you'll be fine otherwise, please don't do it. They will also be more susceptible to diseases at lower temperatures.

Different aquarium plants are like garden plants, each needs different things to make sure they grow well. The two you mention need strong light and not just in the afternoon. It may also be if you bought these plants as tropical, from tropical tanks, then planted them in an outdoor aquarium, the sudden change in temperature will have been a shock.

I see you are in the USA Farriis. Water treatments differ from country to country and within councils in different areas. I live in an area with nothing added to the water so have never needed to add anything when doing water changes.

Might help if you stated what area you are in.

If something is small enough to fit in its mouth I think it would eat it.