Ahab

I'm getting advice from a friend at Napier aquarium, so I'm not flying solo.

Thanks Willy, I'll get a single shortfin. Simplifies things.

Thanks for all your comments, folks. My plan has stalled due to other commitments, but I'll be getting back on track this weekend. I have built a mesh cover for the tub, and will get a couple of very small shortfins. I'll monitor them for health/happiness and if they aren't feeding or are unhappy, I'll return them to their creek. I think I'll leave our little kokopu alone for the present. Kind regards, Tom

Thanks Caryl. I've dug the bathtub in now. About to make a mesh cover to keep the bark etc out of it. Then I'll put in some boulders for habitat, and plant some hen and chicken ferns and sedges around it for low shade. Any advice/tips from people who've kept eels would be much appreciated. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/430023464397267412/

Thanks Fellers! How do I move this post to the natives thread, or will I need to rewrite it?

PS. I have a lot of ferns and sedges that I'll plant in close, which will hopefully keep it shaded. I'll monitor this and put up shadecloth if it's getting too much sun.

Hi Kiwiraka, Thanks for this advice. I'll take it on board and see how I get on. I'm not sure of the exact dimensions of the tub, sorry. I'll check it out, as it still has its shop stickers on. I'm going to leave the plug as a functioning drain, straight into a sump of scoria. Hopefully this will allow me to be able to quickly change the water. However, I imagine that putting hose water straight in to replace the old water will be no good, as it will be chlorinated? I'll get hold of some big plastic barrels to keep the water in until it's gassed off. I've decided against putting crawlies in. It'll just be eels/an eel. Thanks again, Tom

Not sure how to add photos, sorry. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/430023464397247574/

Hi All, I'm keen to keep some small shortfin eels in a bathtub pond in my garden. I want them to be happy and healthy, and to be able to migrate when they feel like flying the coop. We're in Kingsland, Auckland Central. Some questions: Do eels need aeration, and if so, what is the best way to do this? If I just put in a lot of boulders for cover, will this be enough? What are the best aquatic native plants for this kind of pond? Will they co-exist with koura? Any other advice would be gratefully received. I'll try and upload photos of the habitat now. Regards, Tom.