F15hguy

+1 on honey gourami, the goldens are stunning. kissing gourami eventually grow to 30cm so definite "HELL NO"

ok, was researching a good reply but found out that the growth suppressing hormone released by fish can actually slow human growth :facepalm: also it is a big factor in the fact that fish will grow smaller in heavily stocked tanks with poor water quality two leopard fish born within 2 days, big one gets daily water changes and small one gets weekly, feeding regime is identical, nitrates never reach above 25ppm in weekly change tank, daily change tank never above 15ppm

lol I am planning on selling mine in a retail shop at $5 each (just need a lil bit more size) and I thought I was asking too much (I also have a funny feeling that they may be a few of my earlier babies) oh btw breeding trio of Leopard fish for sale $150 firm any takers?????

no as most filtration only removes ammonia and solids from the water, there is hundreds of other chemicals that build up slowly over time, especially hormones that the fish release some of which directly slow down the growth of other fish. food does make them grow but old water slows their growth... seriously do an experiment of your own and you may be astounded by the results (it takes me around 8-12 weeks to take fry to saleable (3-5cm) size on just high quality dried food, without the water changes takes around 3-4 months) also have you ever noticed how much the smaller fish grow if you remove the largest fish in the tank??? (its quite amazing in africans)

mine is a hailea (I think all I can see is a "H" and a "E" on the label), but its like 20-30 years old (and still has original diaphragm, says a lot about their build quality)

I always thought that catfish were introduced as a food fish in the first place. they are extremely popular in america. also if you advertise it as saving the environment by eating some nice fish, NZ'rs will pay 10X what its worth from past experience

it is technically illegal to take Trout with a net you must used an approved fishing method. and also technically illegal to take fish undersized even if for an aquarium (unless it is farmed, hence the undersized crayfish and paua in some nz marine tanks)

ive always noticed way more growth rates on fish that have lotsa water changes, africans included, 50% twice a day is easy if set up right (growout tank should be around 100L so if you have accessable taps then only takes a few mins) its more about making sure there is no uneaten food left overnight. if you are able to try in a couple of grow outs and compare I would see what happens (my leopard fish are showing aproxx 2-3 x groth rate with daily water changes than the youn that get weekly changes) Jack Wattley has done experiments which prove this in discus and seems to work on most other fish.

also post haste has limit to how rural they will go even with a rural ticket, NZ couriers will deal with you if it is rather rural.

I agree, but you also have to learn how properly is done at some time, we all had to have learnt how to do it at some point

or your exercise regime is too good my very fat girl has thinned down considerably though maybe she releases or reabsorbs the eggs if she is not ready.

I have a REALLY old airpump where the one way valves have hardened making heaps of noise, if you can replace the valves (some that are rubber can be soaked in engine stopleak to soften them (make sure you clean them off REALLY well)) you can stop the noise. most are designed to be silent anyways.

I have noticed previously that the algae wafers that are uneaten sink into the gravel and rot quite quickly (I have had a couple of issues with this before) shrimp pellets never last longer than 5 mins but the algae wafers that are uneaten can be really bad (not saying its bad to feed them, they are great for many fish, just make sure they are being eaten and not just breaking apart into your gravel ) just an observation I have made

can increase the growth rate by doing LOTSA water changes and over feeding as well (talking feeding so there is ALWAYS food available and water changes 50% 1-2 times daily to remove uneaten food) a sponge filter will help too as certain greeblies will grow on it providing live food for them. can't go past bbs and micro/grindal worms though. plus a good quality dried food as the base staple diet

both rainbows????

+1 poor girl

catfish = yummy, just annoying to get the skin off.... perch = VERY VERY yummy (plus if your ponds big enough they are great fun on light tackle =P)

Firemouths rock, unfortunately most of the ones we get here are kinda bland compared to the many new sub(?) species that are being discovered. fingers crossed we get some at some point. (don't start another importation argument here please people) great character and when they start breeding the displays are awesome!!!!! plus not too big for most people and rather peaceful towards other fish (compared to other cichlids)

considering the diffeence between a 90cm and a 120cm being 6 watts (reptileone brand) if you ran that 24 hours a day, with the same trustpower pricing plan I am using (and not counting offpeak rates) i would cost you $1.08 more per month.... i.e. even MY missus wouldn't argue

Black Ghost knife Betta's Dwarf puffers all for personality reasons haven't kept any larger puffers before but I think they would be the same just nastier. very hard call though

ok i may have been wrong :facepalm: seems that perch are allowed (maybe local bio control laws though)

welcome... 8)

all about balance. not sarcastic, but if you think about the fate of most fish in the wild.... being slowly digested alive by a bigger fish, or being slowly poisoned by pollutants, an aquarium seems like paradise. as long as the keeper puts in the effort to make it as comfortable as possible.

seriously consider tearing down the tank and starting from scratch.... there is something seriously strange going on there... do you have any children that can access the tank????

not really, i'd rather live in a small but well fed room than in a large room full of lions.... oh and btw, here is one of the coolest things in the sea.