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New to Forum, Old to Native Fish


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#1 johnnymax

johnnymax
  • NANFA Guest
  • Buna, Texas

Posted 13 June 2019 - 03:49 PM

I am rebooting my tanks. I have taken down most tanks and I am restarting.

I am setting up a 75g tank (the biggest I had to date)

I am currently gathering rocks, substrate drift wood, etc.

I was thinking about Rio Grande Cichlids, but after finding this site I am not sure.

I am going from a 20g tank to having:

75 gallon

55 gallon

30 gallon

20 gallon.

10 gallon

& 5 gallon

I have been collecting tanks over the years and did not realize how many I had!

I have been a fan of native American fishes since I was 5 and put a few mosquito fish in a jar. I still remember the excitement vividly

All through school up through High School I would tromp through the marsh and woods or where ever I was to see what was in the water.

I am in my mid fifties and I am settled down enough where I can go a little crazy over something I have loved all my life.

I have not had a lot of native fishes, but I have kept turtles, perch, mollies, bass and catfish taken from the wild.

All of that was just done willy-nilly. Now, I am reading, researching and gathering the information to take it seriously.

I am glad I found this organization. If I continue to keep a strong interest, I will eventually try to contribute more here in a more serious way.

I need to wait and make sure I won't be a flash in the pan, if you know what I mean.

Thank you for everything y'all do.

I have not found, or run across anyone who has a passion for this as much as I do.

When I try to talk to anyone, they just stare at me and think I am a nature geek who keeps a dip net and bucket in his car, just in case.

I hope there are people who frequent this site here in Southeast Texas.


"I work so I can buy things, give things & do things"


#2 littlen

littlen
  • NANFA Member
  • Washington, D.C.

Posted 14 June 2019 - 06:36 AM

johnnymax,

 

     Welcome!  You are not alone.  EVERYONE on this site/forum is here because they are very passionate about native fish for one reason or another.  From hobbyists such as yourself, (me), and many others.  Scholars, researchers, Fish and Game/State biologists, educators, professional photographers, and many other professionals contribute to this great organization.  You'll find that a good amount of the discussions are about captive care.  From smaller, stream dwelling species to larger game fish, (Lepomis species for example).

     

 

     Once your tanks are filled with local fish and you begin chatting with the extremely knowledgeable people on the forum, I have no doubt you will thoroughly enjoy native fishkeeping for years to come.  It is very unlikely to be a 'flash in the pan'.  I am a paying member but haven't been able to contribute much more to the organization than my experiences with collecting and keeping native fish -- here on the forum.  But I take pride in being an official member and knowing that my annual dues goes to many great causes and grants that bring attention to North American fish species.

     There are some great vendors that supply native species for home aquariums should you like to expand your collection and fill more of your tanks moving forward.

 

     We're happy to help and offer our advice on husbandry tips should you have any.  I hope your experience with NANFA will be very rewarding.  I know mine has.

 

 

Looking forward to talking more with you.  Have a great weekend.

Nick 


Nick L.

#3 brackishdude

brackishdude
  • NANFA Member

Posted 14 June 2019 - 09:06 AM

it looks like you are only about an hour from the coast.  You have access to many of the same brackish waters that I do in South Louisiana, and there is an astounding variety of low-salt stay–small fish to be caught there.  Take a look at the oyster reef thread below.  Those are Chesapeake bay critters, but we have the equivalent, and many of the exact same, fish available to us. 

 

I keep a 180 gallon brackish tank full of gulf Coast natives including mosquito fish, mollies, 7 or 8 varieties of Killi, skillet fish, naked and code gobies, silversides, etc.  My only unfulfilled wish-fish is a handful of blennies.

Looking at the map, about an hour south of you is Texas point National wildlife refuge.  It looks like going out to the end of Jettie Road or along Highway 87 would be fruitful.  

Good luck and post pics when you get started



As your fellow, I can demand of you no more, and accept no less, than I allow to be demanded of myself

#4 johnnymax

johnnymax
  • NANFA Guest
  • Buna, Texas

Posted 14 June 2019 - 09:37 PM

it looks like you are only about an hour from the coast.  You have access to many of the same brackish waters that I do in South Louisiana, and there is an astounding variety of low-salt stay–small fish to be caught there.  Take a look at the oyster reef thread below.  Those are Chesapeake bay critters, but we have the equivalent, and many of the exact same, fish available to us...

Good luck and post pics when you get started

 

I grew up along the coast. My dad was a commercial shrimper. I grew up in Sabine Pass right on the Texas, Louisiana border and right on the coast. Our house was 6' above sea level.

I agree about the brackish water fish. I looked into a brackish aquarium. I did try to keep live oysters in the past, but did not have the right equipment, or knowledge. I may eventually make one brackish. 

 

Today I finally got the 75g in the house, still using elbow grease and vinegar to slowly scrub calcium off the glass. I still need to cut a piece of foam to put under it before adding rocks and substrate.

Attached Images

  • tank in house.jpg

"I work so I can buy things, give things & do things"


#5 johnnymax

johnnymax
  • NANFA Guest
  • Buna, Texas

Posted 14 June 2019 - 09:44 PM

Thanks Nick!


"I work so I can buy things, give things & do things"


#6 Matt DeLaVega

Matt DeLaVega
  • Forum Staff
  • Ohio

Posted 15 June 2019 - 04:05 AM

Proper entertainment center.


The member formerly known as Skipjack


#7 johnnymax

johnnymax
  • NANFA Guest
  • Buna, Texas

Posted 18 June 2019 - 04:34 PM

I have substrate, rocks and water in.

Substrate is crushed oyster shell and coral. I bought is from Tractor Supply for $10 a 50 lb. sack. I had to do a lot of washing. I am surprised the water is as clear as it is with out a filter.

I am building a sock filter today. If it works, I will post pics.  :blink:  I need to boil the drift wood I have collected and maybe add a couple of plastic plants. I will add a couple of wave makers also.

I hate the rocks and need to do something with them, but I have water in my 75g WooHooo!  :D/

 

20190618_055437-1024x576.jpg


"I work so I can buy things, give things & do things"


#8 Chasmodes

Chasmodes
  • NANFA Member
  • Central Maryland

Posted 19 June 2019 - 07:50 AM

Looking good so far.  I'm looking forward to seeing your tank progress.


Kevin Wilson


#9 Chasmodes

Chasmodes
  • NANFA Member
  • Central Maryland

Posted 20 June 2019 - 06:48 AM

BTW, I see that you are on the Cichlid-Forum.   ;)  I like your Dollar Tree sock filter idea.


Kevin Wilson


#10 johnnymax

johnnymax
  • NANFA Guest
  • Buna, Texas

Posted 20 June 2019 - 05:15 PM

BTW, I see that you are on the Cichlid-Forum.   ;)  I like your Dollar Tree sock filter idea.

 

Thanks, I am testing it now. Over night it did start clearing up my water, can't wait to get home and see if it is still clearing the water.

I am active in three forums now. Cichlid Forum, Monster Fish Keepers & NANFA


Edited by johnnymax, 20 June 2019 - 05:16 PM.

"I work so I can buy things, give things & do things"


#11 Chasmodes

Chasmodes
  • NANFA Member
  • Central Maryland

Posted 21 June 2019 - 02:46 PM

Excellent.  I hope the works well for you.  When you're satisfied with the results, folks here would probably appreciate your money saving tip too ;)  

 

Regarding forums, I know that FB and other social media seem to be outcompeting forums, but really, these forums are a much better reference if you're searching for something like your DIY filter, or info on native fish, etc.  I try and participate in several of them as well for that reason.  I learned a lot over the years on forums like this, so it's only fair to pay some back if it can help someone else.  

 

Plus, it's a great group of people here to share our common experiences.  Nice folks, lots of knowledge, and always eager to help.


Kevin Wilson


#12 johnnymax

johnnymax
  • NANFA Guest
  • Buna, Texas

Posted 28 June 2019 - 01:06 AM

I decided to stop at a ditch that ran under Hwy 62 on the way home. I always have a dip net and buckets with me. I scooped up this little gar. He sat on the bottom of the tank for about 4 hours. All my minnows were swimming all around. But when old mister gar started to slowly swim around, all the minnows disappeared.

Attached Images

  • 2019-06-28 00.56.15.jpg

Edited by johnnymax, 28 June 2019 - 01:08 AM.

"I work so I can buy things, give things & do things"


#13 Fleendar the Magnificent

Fleendar the Magnificent
  • NANFA Guest
  • Ohio

Posted 29 June 2019 - 03:44 PM

Beautiful fish and setting!



#14 Doug_Dame

Doug_Dame
  • NANFA Member

Posted 30 June 2019 - 09:08 PM

Disappeared figuratively, or literally ?


Doug Dame

Floridian now back in Florida
 


#15 johnnymax

johnnymax
  • NANFA Guest
  • Buna, Texas

Posted 09 July 2019 - 04:24 PM

Disappeared figuratively, or literally ?

 

Yes


"I work so I can buy things, give things & do things"




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