Loopy

They will be fine with many fish. Just avoid the small type. They generally just keep to themselves but can get confused at feeding time.

You can always wok around when in town

Bdspider has hit the nail on its head. We all hope the shops withdraw them untill further notice but it's their choice. Easy solution is DON'T BUY THEM atleast not at the mo. MAF. Blue section of phone book under Government Department contacts.

I agree. I don't really give two hoots about who got it started. We both contacted MAF individually. And I am very grateful that we have such a knowledgable person on this forum to identify the eels for us. I think others should learn by Coelacanth and my example and when anyone sees anything that may be a cause for concern DO SOMETHING!!!! Think of the advertising campaign they did on telly of the chemical spill and everyone just assumes that someone else will deal with it. MAF are always more than happy to hear from the public. It is one of their main ways of being alerted to problems!

Our is a glutton. Blood worms, Spirolina discs, Shimp pellets etc. Come over if you want. Mr L

We had two inspectors arrive here from the North Islnd. We questioned them as to who checked the fish in quarantine before release for sale. They were the ones who informed us that it was vets. We made the suggestion of getting some one who knows alot about tropical fish to go as an advisor. Also mentioned about getting a list of the fish to be imported, doing some research and getting pics of various stages of growth development. This would give them a quick reference folder and should reduce the quantity of unknown fish entering our beautiful country. Mr L

People in NZ. Please look for these fish in the shops and if seen put them onto this thread. They all have a responsibility in this situation and I hope they put them in the back room untill this is resolved. We will keep you all up to date as we hear things. Mr L

At this stage I can't really comment as to what to do with them. My suggestion is keep an eye on them and this thread. If they are imported eels they could grow a few feet long. If they are native then they shouldn't have been sold as such. EVERY ONE WITH THESE CRITTERS MAKE SURE THEY DON"T REACH THE WATERWAYS AND WHEN INFORMED AS TO WHAT THEY ARE AND WHERE THEY CAME FROM DO THE RIGHT THING Mr L

How we delt with these fish is a bit of a story. People are more than likely going to take a grudge against us but my wife and I think of ourselves as responsible hobby aquarists with New Zealand biosecurity on our priority list. When the fish arrived home it was noticed that they were not kuhlies. Time taken is shown when this thread was started. We contacted MAF as soon as it was realised there was a possibility they were imported eels. MAF came down here on Wednesday and euthanised (sp) them with a product they supplied. It is a clove based product with aqua in the name (possibly aqua-1). They have taken the three little critters up north to an eel expert (possibly at Te Papa) for formal identification. We are in contact with MAF about these and should know as soon as they do as to what species and if they are native or not. Mr Loopy

Ours were euthanised (sp) on Wednesday. We hope that others out there do the same in the best interest on New Zealands biosecurity.

In support of MAF. Due to everyones belief that MAF inspect the fish I will say that it is not MAF. The inspectors are actually MAF appointed VETS.

Long answer would still have a "no" in there somewhere but also an explaination which i am not prepared to give yet. I hope by the time the next TT meeting rolls round.....

short answer "no"

Hi there! and Welcome. Wilson said it

Oh dear! :oops: Umm it is "Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry" :oops: I agree it is good to hear about these responsible store who are not selling the eels anymore. And i also agree that it is great to hear everyone voice their concerns about matters like this.

With the risk that these "eels" and even 'those-red-fish-we-do-not-discuss" can pose to our fantastic enviroment and NZ's reputation, I would be surprised if MAF is NOT investigating. Anyway a little fishy has told me to watch this space!

Geez! Time flies huh!? So Saturday 7 July 5pm at 57A Hoon Hay road. Remember EVERYONE is welcome!!! And don't be shy! *waggles finger* I have photos of the conferenceand a couple of points to mention from there too. :bounce: See ya all agian soon P.S I have the mysis shrimp and blood worms here for those who expressed their interest for them last time.

Yeah note what alanmin said about the slate near the surface. That is important. Angels like to lay up high on anything smooth. If they don't think they have anywhere to lay they will lay on the glass like my latest pair did the other day. Water changes are great for getting them going too. once they start spawning though have fun turning them off. :lol:

Thank you coelacanth You have certainly solved that mystery i think. Will be interesting to see how and what they develope into.

I actually have them in a little tank. about 30cm x 15 x 15cm. And that tank is floating in one of my 2ft tanks to keep them warm. and i gave them a bit of sand to hide in. (seems like a requirement for them) They remind me of whiptails in that you can shove them round a bit and they won't dart away.

pretty darn expensive noodle! Had to have a chuckle to myself and a At the store the standard usual kuhli loach was more expensive than the finless wonders.

Cool link markoshark But i didn't see anything that looked like my guys. Little weirdos have no fins! They just look like noodles! :lol: Well not that i can see! As it is i have been gawking at them with a magnifying glass.

yeah but what about fish that come in with no label? Axelrod book says they only grow to about 10cm which is what my guys measure.

I strongly suspect these guys are "afromastacembelus ophidium" I had a squizz in my axelrod atlas and that is the closest i can find. Nothing useful on the net by that name though.

What puzzles me is that i was told when i bought them that they were just ordered as "glass kuhlis". I would have thought that you couldn't order it in if it didn't have a scientific name to identify it