Caryl

Here are parts of an article that was written at the time. Nothing with the details you asked about though... Many years ago someone released some tropical mollies into the hot springs there and they have been breeding prolifically ever since. The mollies have all reverted back to their original colouring but are still pretty. Every now and then a Hunt is organised, just for the fun of it. This time around it was also a chance for some members of the FNZAS website forum “The Fishroom” to finally meet face to face after only communicating via the forum or chat room. It is always good to put a face to a name but disconcerting when the person looks nothing like you pictured them to look like! The gathering started at 10am with a short lecture from Dave, the DOC man. He wanted to make sure we were aware of didymo and the effect it has on our waterways. We were informed that as long as all our nets and gear were dried out and left for at least 48 hours, it was then safe to use them in other waters as the organisms would have died by then. Although didymo has not yet been found in the North Island it is probably only a matter of time. Having checked none of our gear had been used in other waterways in the 48 hours prior to the hunt as well, we were cleared to start wading. The water is extremely hot in places so it was recommended shoes be worn to avoid feet getting burnt. Even so, a few reported mild burns after getting to close to an underwater vent. A large variety of nets and containers were utilised by all and sundry. Some had very small nets while others had such huge ones we looked to see if they had a ship attached! Catching the mollies was very simple (usually) as you just swept along with your net to try and catch the fish between the net and the bank, or reeds. Separating them from the mud was another matter. It wasn’t long before the water was very muddy and you couldn’t see a thing, apart from various bodies wading along or coming to an unexpected halt as their shoes got stuck in the muddy bottom. I ended up with pockets full of car keys, cell phones and sundry other goods as waders realised it might not be a good idea to have these things on them in the middle of the swamp. The majority of mollies are female, with the few males lording it over the very large female numbers. This picture shows the steam rising from the water behind Dave and Andrew. This shows how hot it was as the air temperature was reasonable with most wearing T shirts, except for those of us who decided rainwear was a better idea. The fine mist continued the whole time we were there, which was just over an hour. Although we were told koi carp and catfish used to be found in this area, none were spotted on the day. It is possible the water is now too hot for them and they have escaped through the culverts to cooler waters. As well as having 20 people from The Fishroom, we had 7 FNZAS clubs represented - Kapi-Mana Aquarium Club, Wellington Aquarium & Watergarden Society, Waikato Aquarium Society, Auckland Fishkeepers Association, Western Bay of Plenty Aquarium & Watergarden Society, NZ Killifish Association and the Marlborough Aquarium Club. So, as you can see, people travelled from as far away as Auckland in the north and Blenheim in the south. A great turn-out and good fun was had by all.

Here are the pics (198) from 2007... http://smg.photobucket.com/user/carylnz ... t=2&page=1 Some close-ups of the fish in amongst all the other stuff.

Buy a battery or electric mower

If you mean does anyone have them in a tank, I have no idea. As you see, those pics were taken 10 years ago. I seem to remember those few who managed to keep them alive and then thriving could not mix them with captive bred fish. I shall look through past magazines and see if I can find any other info for you.

That is where we went molly hunting. Parts of the waterway are full of them! They are very hard to keep alive and need to be aclimated to a tank very very slowly. Here are pics from the Molly Hunt 2003. Note the first few pics are NOT of these fish :-) http://smg.photobucket.com/user/carylnz ... t=2&page=1 There are 2 pages. In the past few years I am not sure what it is like. Perhaps Jim is right and they have now gone.

You are not adding more fish, you are increasing their water volume. The amount of bacteria would be the same if you just put the old media in the new filter.

Welcome. Can you not use the filter (or media) from the small tank in the new one? Then there is no need to wait for it to cycle.

We cycled our son's filter here then took it to Christchurch (it was 5 - 6 hours between being unplugged then plugged in again) and set it up on a new tank, fully stocked immediately with no losses. As long as the media stays wet enough bacteria seem to survive to seed the new stuff.

Do you have some to spare Ira? Jippy is in Wgtn.

:gopo: What he said :bggrn:

Squeezing dirty filter water or using old filter media is a common way to kick start a filter.

I normally steer clear of Fastways as they are the most mis-named company locally but I ordered some stuff from Whangarei on Sunday. The company shipped the goods, via Fastways, Monday morning and I received it Tuesday. The product was well wrapped and arrived in one piece.

He says each area, and company, is different when it comes to disposal so ring your local power companies and ask.

I guess they are given away or sold off depending on type as I got this reply... What sort do they want, treated pine or hardwood? Why I am asking, because hardwood poles are charged for and treated pine, second hand I dont think are charged for, but will check on that. How many and when? I said I did not know why you were asking and that you were in Dunedin.

Well, that was last October. This is what the pond looks like now... We have hung some ferns off the front of the deck at the far end... This is the view of the pond as you come around the end of the house... PS: Still no sign of the turtle so it must have gone back to its own home :dunno:

I will ask my friend who works for the local power company and has been a linesman for over 40 years :smln:

I was told that fish food starts losing nutritional value once the packet has been opened to air so you are better buying smaller containers that you would use within 3 months. Was the food in its original container or had it been a larger one split into bags? If repackaged, I think it is safe to use (unless it smells odd) but may not not nutritionally as satisfactory. If you are breeding fish or raising young ones I suggest you use fresher food. My goldfish are eating from a container I was using last year but they are in a pond and getting live foods as well. Of course, what I was told may be total rubbish but it makes sense to me :dunno:

I have someone who wants to buy it. We are just trying to work out a fair price 8)

The money is going to a good cause. I do not want to undersell the clump but also don't want to overcharge the buyer!

Welcome. It would help if you added your location to your profile. Also, are you selling commercially? If so, we need to change your status to reflect this.

If I sold the clump of Anubias in the centre of this tank shot what do you think a fair price would be? (And don't say "Whatever someone is willing to pay for it" either thank you). It is probably about 15cm across by 10cm high (I am useless with estimating sizes but it is a 4ft tank.) Selling some of this would be a good way to raise funds for the Hospice tank. Last time I looked in the shops they were selling small pieces of Anubias for $10 - $15.

This one has been seen in action chasing and chomping down on other fish. Anyway, the tank it is in is too small for it so it is being re-homed :thup:

And here is a shot of the tank itself Apparently much enjoyed by patients, staff and visitors (except when they see the shark chomping down another inhabitant!)

Our club (mainly SallyJ) has looked after the Hospice tank for quite a few years now. They called today to say they were having a problem with cannibalism and could I come and have a look? Get there to find someone (and nobody knows who, it just appeared) had added this... Needless to say, it has been munching its way through the inhabitants. There used to be 30+ black widows (although, to be fair, they are all now quite old and some could be natural attrition) but now there's only about 6. There is 1 penguin tetra left and I discovered a Bolivian butterfly ram and this fish which I am embarrassed to say I am not sure what it is. I thought it was a kissing gourami but someone else has suggested a severum To top it all off the nurse said how her favourite was the little one that usually sat on the log. Bristlenose, I thought. No... :roll: So, if anyone knows of someone who wants a silver shark, or gourami/severum let me know or the shark will be whacked on the head :-?

and welcome to the forum. Guppies breed like demented rabbits all the time, not just at the moment Most livebearers will eat their young (and the young of others)