minchton

Aqua By leopard fish I presume you mean Cordo. If so they are definately a coldwater fish. I kept three pair in a heated tank (19c) and had no success at all. I then moved them to a cold tank in the garage (where they basically got forgotten except for the odd feed) and before I knew it I had fry coming out my ears. Have now brought them back inside still in a cold tank but because I assume higher room temperature am not having the same success with breeding. Still getting fry but in smaller numbers. Mitch

This is a very special thank you to Caryl and her friends in the Marlborough Club for their ideas and assistance with a Christmas Float for the Taranaki Club. Caryl sent us a book of ideas and examples of things to make and having pinched all their ideas we constrcted a float using a Morris Minor ute as our fish with the aquarium on a trailer. Not only did it look good but it won "1st" place in the non commercial section of our local parade. Unfortunately I cannot add pictures as my scanner is not currently working. Once again a very big thank you to Caryl and her friends. This is what makes the federation and this forum so special. Mitch and members :lol: And a very Merry Christmas to you all

What is pool salt? The container I was given is called "Calcium Hardener" for swimming and spa pools. Ingredient Calcium Chloride. Sells for about $11 for 3Kg from Para Rubber or other pool shops Mitch

A recent addition to my tank collection houses a variety of Cichlids including 1 frontosa male and the previous owner always used pool salt to control the Ph. It seems to be a workalble idea and rather less expensive than the normal means Hope this helps Mitch

I have to agree with the comments re the weekend in Napier. Well organised auction with lots of goodies and efficient auctioneer and staff. 8) Nice also to meet up with fishroom members both new and old ( as in previously known, not old by age). We also saw lots of traffic cars and a speed camera. Whilst I can only congratulate the Hawkes Bay Club on the time and effort they put into the whole show there was a down side personally. I purchased 2 bags of "nannacara" a pair and 2 babies in one bag and 4 babies in the other. Much to my disgust when I went to collect these on Sunday it was discovered that some other person had decided they had a better right to them than I did. This was not only a kick in the guts for me but a very upsetting result for the local Club, for whom I have a lot of sympathy and thanks for the help they gave me. I can only trust that this was not the actions of a CLUB member but the work of an outsider. :evil: Mitch P.S. If these dont turn up I would appreciate any information on where to get replacements. :-?

Andrew I think any effort to continue a particular fish line is well worth while. I also know of a person who would be interested if you breed them. (no not me) Mitch

on checking my Cichlid tank I find it has become infested with some sort of worm. the worm has what appears to be a light brown case from which a tongue comes out to eat at algae on the side of the tank. it measures up to about 10mm long but very thin probably about the size of a pencil line e.g about the thickness of a typed letter. It does not appear at this stage to be affecting the fish but is spreading like wildfire. The tank was fully cleaned for our tank competition last Sunday and these creatures have appeared since then Any help please

I cant let this rubbish go unanswered. As recent as last saturday I was lucky enough to travel to Auckland and return to Taranaki. On my travels I visited 5 fish shops and saw many varietys of fish and many prices. At each shop I asked the same question regarding a sick fish and got a variety of answers.At Jansens the assistant did not know the answer but went and saw some other staff member and got the answer I required. Prices varied from shop to shop and I could slag off every one of them if I felt that a price was more than the next shop. Why should I do that. By the time I considered locality, shop rental and hours, staffing levels, turnover etc etc I would most likely get it wrong. I would reurn to Jansens as I saw some real bargain fish and some that I felt were a bit on the high side. At other shops I saw the same fish for more or less dollars. The prime example to me was a cleaning brush that I was looking for which ranged from $5.95 at Jansens to $15.95 at an unnamed shop. The moral of the story: thank your lucky stars that we do get variety at all these shops as this is what makes the hobby interesting.

I have to agree with you Andrew that it would be nice to have some idea of what is coming to the auction. Regardless it wont change my intention of coming over but could influence how many dollars I bring 8) 8) Mitch

Hi Bruce If you send any further information about the weekend please send it to me as I have the task of organising the trip. Like some of the other clubs correspondence seams to end up in the wrong hands and gets delayed or missed completely. Adress: M.A.Minchington 16 Koromiko Street Inglewood Thanks Mitch

A general warning to all. I have recently picked up two nasty viruses which nobody was able to rid me of. It would appear possible that I picked these up from or through this forum. Please I am not accusing or blaming anybody but on two recent occassions I have received e-mails purporting to come from fnzas members and both were garbled and did horrible things to my screen. As a consequence I have lost all my records of e-mail replies to the forum and am now asking that if you have sent me an e-mail could you please resend as I have lost some very important information. Especially re White clouds and Brine shrimp. Thank you all and sorry to bring bad tidings Mitch

hi Rob :oops: Now I am embarrassed. I understood the member concerned was Damon Flett, but I did talk a lot of fish at the time and may have got mixed up with dwarf rams. Mitch

Hello fee Dont know if this is of any help but I saw some fish such as you describe in the Goldfish Bowl in Hamilton. They were referred to as something blue faced and had been bred by a Hamilton member. Mitch

Msge for Warren Dont know a hell of a lot about discus but there are some new ones in the shops at the moment. Would have to sell my Rolls Royce to buy them. You would find them at Wetpets Palmerston North or alternatively AB Aquariums New Plymouth have a good range which I understand from a local arer the best price and quality of the two shops. He had pre-ordered from Wetpets and paid deposit and was dismayed to find the ones locally. Hope this may be of some help. If you want to know any more i.e. types prices etc, give me a yell Mitch

Hi Bruce Please book 2 double & 2 single rooms at nurses home for sat night of auction for TAPS members who have confirmed they are coming. Mitch

Taranaki members are also showing quite a bit of interest in attending. Hope sale not too early in evening as some have to work Saturday and probably cant make Napier until about 6.30-7pm. Keep up the good work and hope to see you all then. Our meeting is tonight. Any chance of details for then Mitch

Hello Midas Taranaki Aquarium & pond society meets first Tuesday of the month at the Community centre Egmont Village 7.30pm. If I can give you any assistance with transport or introductions dont hesitate to give me a ring on (06) 7567 521 Mitch Junior V.P.

Calling the experts I have a three foot tank with 14 cichlids. A pair of Glowlight blues, a pair of morphs, a pair of Tangerines, and the rest electric yellows. All these fish I was advised will be perfectly compatible. They have plenty of caves and hidey holes. My problem is the male Tangerine is beating up on everybody. What action should I take PLEASE. If I remove this fish will another take over the dominent role and cause the same problem. Do I leave it and hope time will settle things or what. Mitch