pride

Just came across this great vid on youtube posted recently by Australian Biotopes. Great info and shows how devastating the impact is releasing ornamental fish in our native waterways.

Also quite a few lots of apistos

I think they said about 100 lots issued for the auction didnt show. I think about 300 and some lots went through. Lots of the usual bristlenose varieties and electric yellows. Alot of chewere and moorii and a few lots of calvus. Dont recall any lake victoria stuff go through and a few americans like angels, blue eyes, blue acara and brasiliensis. I think the big purchase buy were 11 tropheus that went for around $200. Also some rare plecos which were passed in due to not meeting reserve. I hadnt been to a major auction for some time. Enjoyed it but unfortunately not much of what i was looking out for. Congrats to club committee and volunteers who are still doing a great job running it.

Also is anyone else having issues with the forum search function with a message saying there was an error - wait 5 secs before trying again?

Ive got a JBL PRO Aquatest kit which tests everything but I have no idea on its shelf life. Would anyone know how long the test bottle solutions last? I did manage to find on the box on the back a “conservation 03.2021” which i assume could mean expiry but wouldnt think all the tests in the kit would expire at the same time. Ive had it for about 4 years. What kits are other people using or recommend? Refills seem difficult to get hold of for the JBL kit or quite expensive.

Thanks Chris, Should hopefully give me a couple of hours then and in time to grab some bargains

For the Major Auction nights what time do they usually wrap up? Want to go but have some other things on in the afternoon.

Have been messing around with Chat GPT and it can write up some great species profiles in seconds. Maybe Chat GPT can start moderating the forums and answer all questions…funny times

Thanks for that, would love to have a go at doing some proper biotope tanks for particular rivers or lakes

Came across this account on youtube and has alot of good content showing American cichlid species in their native habitat plus alot of other species of fish. https://youtube.com/@belowwater Anyone have any other good similar content found on the likes of youtube?

I actually picked today up a group of geophagus brachybranchus. Aiming to grow them out for a year then move to a 6 x 2 Will post some pics soon once settled in

I have done an angel tank years ago. Will see maybe what comes up at the NSWCS meeting in Feb

Looking for some ideas to stock this tank. Its a 4 x 18 x 18. I have some more riverstone which i may add to fill out the space some more. I looking at options maybe of a medium sized american cichlid pair which wont eat or rip out the sword plants. Was thinking maybe a pair of N salvini but from memory can be a bit skittish and hide? I already have sajica, multispinosa and trimacs (in other tanks). Would geophagus brachybranchus be suited to a tank this size or some other geophagus? Currently has a young male trimac keeping the tank going that will make way for the new occupants.

A while back I remember a list that was going around from I think the NSWCS of species available in the country which listed their status eg common, rare etc. Does this still exist? I moved away from the hobby some years ago but am slowly on my way back with a couple of tanks and wanting to sign up again next NSWCS meeting ( much to the wifes delight 🤣) Be great to see whats going around at the moment and whats needing some life put back into it.

Allfish2U at Penrith I reckon is now the better aquarium shop around Sydney with Labyrinth now gone. Have a very good range of Americans including some hard to find otherwise. No more shops with massive display tanks with tank busters. Used to love the one at St George and also Riverside/ Labyrinth. Also the front counter one at Lams at Nth Rocks with the pacu’s was cool. Le Aquatic at Canley Vale is a pretty big shop but stock a heap of flowerhorns and other hybrid junk.