Caryl

You are allowed to catch them at all. Probably because of idiots who do so, discover how nasty they are, then release them in the nearest waterway that probably didn't have gambusia before they released theirs into it. I would imagine gambusia are a lot more widespread in Florida. Rules vary here from council to council. They are more of a problem (the gambusia, not the council) the further north you go with warmer temps.

Somebody with large fish ought to be able to keep him safely as they will soon put a stop to the aggression. Have you got driftwood in the aquarium? Bristlenoses need this.

The only aggression I have ever seen in bristlenoses is from the larger males chasing everyone away from the food! I guess this one has more testosterone than normal ? You should be able to sex the fish now it has grown a bit. Males have bristles running up the middle of their head. Females do not have these (but often have shorter bristles around the mouth) and are a lot wider than the males.

I must admit I have not got around to putting LEDs in my aquarium but should do so. It has very old fluorescents at the moment and I fear if I change it I will blind the fish ? Will build up the LEDs slowly, just in case.

No it isn't. You can't catch, distribute, or release, gambusia in NZ. Gambusia are vicious and attack native fish.

Many don't respond nomad fish. Many also believe it is OK to keep guppies in temperatures that are not so good for them. We try to inform and educate here, not criticise, and hope the information is taken on board.

That looks really neat but it wouldn't suit me. Why people think the sound of water is soothing I don't know as it just makes me want to pee! ?

Knowing Ira, he may already have done so since the thread was started in 2018. Always more good stuff available to use in the aquarium (or to control parts of it) as time goes by and it is good to see what others have done in their own set-ups to give others ideas. They are often cost saving too!

Depending on how many layers of cotton wool you are replacing, swap them one at a time with a couple of weeks in between to give time for the bacteria to grow. Putting them in the tank for a week or two before swapping them out in the filter also works.

Pleased to hear you managed to save most of the goldfish! That would have been a difficult undertaking. Sorry I can't help with snail locations, I just wanted to say I was impressed with the fish saving ?.

Goldfish love to pull up plants so they can eat the more tender bits at the base/roots. Your plant may have difficulty coping with this. I found the only plant they really didn't like was Java fern. I am told it tastes bitter but can't verify that personally ?

The parents won't eat the fry but other fish will. A breeding net might work but, if you have a well planted aquarium with bushy plants, a few might survive without help. A lot of surface plant with trailing root systems is ideal, like Indian fern, water sprite.

Well done!

Guppies are not cold water fish, despite often being advertised as such. They can tolerate cooler temperatures but not cold. Many keep them in unheated inside aquaria but indoor temperatures are usually relatively warm so an unheated tank does not equate with cold water.

Guppies are not cold water fish, despite often being advertised as such. They can tolerate cooler temperatures but not cold.

Guppies are not cold water fish, despite often being advertised as such. They can tolerate cooler temperatures but not cold.

They are tropical fish. Guppies, swords and bristlenose can tolerate cooler temperatures than other tropicals but they are not cold water fish, despite often being sold as such. There is a difference between tolerating lower temperatures and thriving in them.

The paradise fish will enjoy snacking on the other inhabitants.

Hi there. A lot warmer in your part of the world than here at the moment I am sure ?

Either you don't live in NZ or your fish is not a koi. We need a lot more information. Is this fish inside or outside in a pond? How old is it? What is the temperature? Anything else around it changed? New water mates, different food etc?

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.