Caryl

I'm sure the fish would be happy after the vodka whether it worked or not.

I am happy to supply you with the knowledge if you are genuinely interested. Having helped set up a couple of clubs myself I have quite a few ideas. Am also happy to help with poster design, advertising etc.

One of our members made a ply tank with the front of glass. Looks good. He keeps Africans in it.

If the other clubs aren't near you, what about forming one?

If you click on "visit the FNZAS Homepage" at the top of this page, then click on "Clubs" you will get a list of all affiliated clubs in the FNZAS. As a non-Aucklander I have no idea where in Auckland the clubs are in relation to 'west'. Auckland Fiskeepers meet in the Green Bay community centre North Shore meet in the Sunnynook community centre South Auckland meet occasionally for dinner. What actually happens at meetings varies from club to club but it is a chance to meet like-minded people and perhaps swap fish, plants etc and learn heaps about your fish

Pineapple sword have been around for years. Just a different colour strain, not dyed.

Unless the tank is well planted they wil be eaten. Separate them if you can or cycle another tank and wait until the next batch I put ordinary flake food through a fine tea strainer to feed fry.

Have you ever thought of keeping a few catfish Rob? :lol: :lol:

I don't know about calcium deficiency but do know female guppies can develop a bent spine with age so I guess platies can too.

As I said, it depends. I believe some whitebait species are OK and some are protected. The ones in your area are fine I think. I certainly kept local ones for a couple of years. There used to be a native fish group in NZ but don't know if they are still operating. They used to have a little magazine too.

It is possible it was latent in the platies and having them bagged and bought to a new environment and introduced into your tank was enough to trigger it off. Fish can get scared if people run up to the tank suddenly but generally they don't seem to take that much notice of humans quietly looking. Keep showing them off.

I believe it depends on the native. Note how I have held myself back from silly remarks here? :lol: I have a mental picture of a tank full of maori all complaining it's warmer in Auckland and they should be kept in a tropical tank.

Good to hear your samples were fine but there must be a problem somewhere as ich is usually brought on by stress or caught from adding infected fish to the tank. Did you introduce some new fish to the tank?

I only have Ancistrus and leopard corys.

Hi and welcome cliff. The more the merrier

removing your gourami while you do a water change would probably cause it more stress.

What size is that tank?

Out of curiosity, why is your nick dark? That t shirt was a lovely shade of not-orange by the way

Peas is a serious answer by the way

That isn't Nemo - he hasn't got a 'lucky fin' :lol: Good pic pies!

We have trouble with the heat in our tanks sometimes too but not as bad as yours!

Good luck with getting your club up and running nicks.

I have always found them sensitive but others have had no problems with them. Does that make them SNAGs? Sensitive New Age Gouramis? :lol:

shelled, cooked, peas have also been beneficial

Hi and welcome catbrat. Good luck with the tank building.