Caryl

Pol's pics....

How large? I wouldn't recommend a convict as they get territorial but perhaps one would be ok. Have you thought about keyhole cichlids?

Yeah. There's a group of us who meet regularly around 9pm our time. Some are in from 8.30 and we are often still there at 10.30pm! If it was milk the kids spilled, don't cry over it

You can't have plecs and plants in the same tank. Even if they don't actively root up plants, a swish of the tail does it for them!

Bristlenoses can be odd. They will spawn madly for some time then stop for no apparent reason. I had a male who didn't do a thing for 5 years then more than made up for it for a short time again then stopped once more. The lady who was responsible for most of the bristlenoses in NZ a few years ago said hers were the same.

As the females drop the eggs the males fertilise them immediately. They then like to have a feast! :lol:

Barley straw has been used to combat algae in ponds, lakes and waterways. The exact mechanism is poorly understood but it seems that barley straw, when exposed to sunlight and oxygen, produces a chemical that inhibits algae growth, without reducing the growth of other aquatic plants or affecting the fish. Although it will not kill existing algae, it will inhibit new growth. Barley straw is most effective when applied early in the year prior to the appearance of algae (autumn through early spring). When applied to cold water (less than 10°C), it may take 6 - 8 weeks for the straw to begin working. If the straw is applied to warmer water (above 21°C), it may become effective in as little as 1 - 2 weeks. It will slowly decompose and remain effective for approximately 6 months after application. The most common amount is 2 - 3 bales per surface acre of pond. The depth of water in the pond is not important. Since most of us have ponds a lot smaller than that, you can see only a little is required for the average backyard pond. A pond 3,000 - 4,500 litres should only need about 230g of barley straw. Less than 3,000 litres use around 120g. In ponds that are frequently muddy, or those that have a history of heavy algae growth, two or three times this recommended dose may be required for the initial treatment. However, overdosing the pond with barley straw may kill the fish because straw deoxygenates the water as it decays. This is especially a problem if the pond is overdosed with straw during a prolonged warm spell. To use, tie a string to each bale (or put smaller amounts into mesh bags or netting) and attach a float at the other end (it sinks as it decomposes) and place it in your pond with the straw partially out of the water. It needs continuous exposure to both water and oxygen. You can also add it to the top of an waterfall unit or anywhere else there is good water circulation. Those living in warm temperatures year round, can add another "dose" of straw after about 5 months and remove the old ones about 2 months after that, thus overlapping doses. This will ensure a continual treatment of organic algaecide from your barley straw and you won't have to wait before the new bales become active. Those who live in colder areas should put the barley straw in the pond once the water temperature is above 10ºC. Make sure that the barley straw you get has been organically grown and free of harmful chemicals, pesticides, insecticides, etc. Another point to make sure of is that you get barley straw and not hay, wheat, or other straws. Barley straw is the most effective of the straws and hay will actually increase algae growth and deoxygenate the water as it decomposes rapidly.

Barbs would. So would white clouds, paradisefish, and leopardfish. I wouldn't put mollies in cooler water as they are very prone to white spot.

Cool pics! Cute babies

Are you sure it wasn't the room temp? My heaters don't come on at all at this time of year. In fact I often have to start cooling them down!

Define 'cold'. If you mean average room temperature then quite a few manage in a modern, well insulated home. By 'cold' I refer to around 18C. guppies white clouds of course leopardfish (also coldwater anyway) golden barbs rosy barbs for a start.

The tank (plus all the details) should go to the Freshwater Tanks section too. Do you have a pic of the tank at a distance? Is it on a full stand or sitting on some other furniture? Thanks for the pics.

Sell it Jude!!

Thanks Shae. I knew the gold (should have added it I guess but couldn't remember how to spell it and too busy to look it up) but didn't know the other.

Just let it go Jude. Cut off any bits that grow where you don't want them.

Yes my son kept whitebait for a couple of years. A very pretty fish actually. My dad called them all Patty...Patty 1, Patty 2, Patty 3 etc :lol:

Here's a couple of fish pics from Chris's place in Wgtn. Not up with killi names but I am sure he, or Alan, will be able to name the species.

Looking good Shae

I have mailed plants successfully. One way is to put them in a ziplock type bag slightly blown up so the plant doesn't get squashed (no water needed) and put into a bubble bag, or into a ziplock bag as before and put into a small carton. Fax modem boxes are a good size for this :lol:

That is the reason I suggested he not get discus for at least 6 months when the tank has truly settled.

Sorry I don't know how to post a link to the original thread but it was in Freshwater and called Native Fish not exotic enough? on page 10. The guy's name is Charles. He hasn't posted in here for ages so don't know if he is contactable or still keeping natives.

The more plants you have, the more secure the fish feel and will stay out in the open more readily.

It takes at least 6 weeks to get the required bacterial action, or whatever, going. Have patience.

Someone in this site actually breeds kokopu or some native species on a commercial scale if I remember rightly. Can anyone tell me who that was? He was complaining more fishkeepers didn't 'go native' but conceded it was hard to set them up with the right conditions. Might go have a search through old threads...

This happens a lot with female guppies in my experience. Not sure of the cause but guppies don't usually get swim bladder problems. That is more likely in the weirdly shortened deformed looking fancy goldfish Separate the female and if she looks like she is in difficulty, floating her in a breeding net (if she doesn't object to it) or separating her in a tank with a low water level would lessen the stress of trying to keep her upright. I have had them recover from this. A lot of surface plant like watersprite may give her something to rest in too.