Check out the new look FNZAS Homepage

http://www.fnzas.org.nz/

Along with recent new items and articles there is a reference to available aquatic plants in NZ hobby.
These include images of their emersed and submersed forms and flowers where possible.

Planted Tank Low Light

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Update on Stream

Its been a while since my last post. I blame work and summertime fun for my lack of blog entries. LOL

I returned to the stream that was discussed in my previous blog entry to take some photos of the regeneration of a habitat.
the scene looks much better than my last visit but still not in a state that I am happy with. My main concern is the height of the culvert out fall being too high for fish to pass.

As can be seen there is regeneration of plant growth on the banks. The Elodea Canadensis has continued to grow on the deep pool below the culvert.

The stream bed is still very muddy ( I was sinking up to my knees in the mud while standing in the water) but there is an amount of wood debris building up which is providing refuge for the fish which are present

The stream is abundant with small fish. Mainly young Inanga and Smelt.
This makes me more concerned as these fish would usually pass upstream further but are restricted by the hanging culvert. There were no obvious signs of an Bullies, although this is not a definate indication as Bullies tend to be Nocturnal in behaviour and the lack of overhanging trees meant any that were present would be in hiding.

Young fish can be seen near the top left of the above image.

A large amount of algae has formed, almost carpeting the stream bed due to the lack of overhanging trees. This has exposed the water to almost all day direct sunlight.

As the banks have been dug out it has created a restriction of the riparian growth that will be available for Inanga to spawn in. This site was known to be a spawning area for these fish.

My next trip back will be with a spotlight to see what the life is like during the hours of darkness.

Death to a Native Fish Habitat

Some of you who read my blog or have read some of my past posts about my exploration trips to some local streams may recognize the following pictures. See here for previous blog entry CLICK

These were taken about April 2010.
The location was very rich in native aquatic life. Eels, Bullies, Koura, Shrimp, Inanga, Smelt and the list goes on.

Due to a fair bit of rain during September and October and then being flat out at work in the lead up to Xmas, I had been unable to visit this location.

Today I went back to see if I could capture another Inanga to go with my single one in my Native tank at home.
I was in complete shock.

The following pictures show what I saw.

As you can see, the tree cover has been totally removed and the whole stream has been dug out.
I has sent an email to my contact at the local Regional Council asking if I can have some information about the stream. Basically why they have done it, and what are they going to do with it.
It cant be for flood prevention as the stream is about 8 feet below the road level and the culvit would not allow enough water through to cause flooding in this location.

One thing of concern is that now there is no way for fish to travel upstream. As can be seen in the first photo of this post the water level is much higher and this was about as low as water levels ever got. Now there is a huge gap that will stop most fish from moving upstream.

I went further upstream which is normally teeming with inanga, smelt and bullies and all I found was one Smelt and one large eel. There is an obvious lack of fish life upstream.

This is a Giant Bullie who was a resident in the pool below the culvert

I wonder what the fate of him and his friends was.

C.cordata spathe

Crypts and Shellies

Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia:

I also did something I said I wouldnt do, Have a dedicated African Cichlid tank.
I did a deal with a friend for some plants and an air pump for 4 young shell-dwelling Lamprologus ocellatus.

I ended up putting some Anubias in the tank as I could not bear to see it without any plants.

Wow, July Already

I have not made a blog entry for a month or so now. Wow, How time flies by. I have been very busy lately. I got engaged, turned 30 and was away with work. I also took a small holiday. So thats my excuses for no posts.

Anyway, I have a few new inhabitants.
I scored a beautiful pair of Apisto. Trifasciata from a friend.
I also bought a pair of Apisto. Agasizzii “double red”
My Bolivian Rams had some fry, and I have a tank full of Longfin Zebra Danios.
I got a pair of Electric Blue Rams which spawned for me within a few days then ate the fry and have not spawned again since.

Here are a few pics

Bolivian Rams with eggs

Apisto Trifasciata male

Electric Blue Rams spawning

Pearl Weed (Hemianthus micranthemoides)
A plant that I have been looking for for many months that was kindly given to me by another fishkeeper (neon AKA Sarah) during my time in Auckland for work.

My Wife to be and Myself

DIY Rainwater Collection

CLICK HERE to read how I collect my rainwater for my apistos

Some Native fish and Shrimp

Night Life of a Local Stream

As I am in the planning of setting up a NZ Native tank again, I decided to go and have a look at what native fish and Inverts were available in a local stream.
Armed with only a couple of torches and a digital camera I headed to a stream nearby. This is the same stream during the daytime

Here are a few pics of the creatures I found that come out at night time.

If you look closely you can see an Eel hiding in a hole with only its head showing

A young Koura (NZ Freshwater Crayfish)

An adult Koura

An unidentified Bully. Its hard to Id bullies from the top view. They can change colour with their surroundings

This photo shows how the life in the stream is camoflaged.
There are two Bullies, One Inanga (the orangey/yellow fish) and a small koura( look for the glowing eyes)