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Georgia collecting trip

Started by Guest_fishlvr_* , Jun 07 2008 09:37 PM

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#21 Guest_birdpond_*

Guests

Posted 02 July 2008 - 10:16 AM

Welcome! Too bad you missed the trip last weekend, we had a great time, and saw some good stuff. Keep up with the list, you are more than welcome to join us the next time we are out. I have a little collecting spot oever in the Buford area, so I know that you have some nice fish right in your area.

In a small 60, you might do well to consider some of the top minnows that are native to south Georgia (Fundulus chysotus, or cingulatus). They are great looking fish, easy to care for and will breed for you in a container like that in our area. I don't have any to give away right now, but you can buy them from some folks on-line. Or we might have some members down that way that could help us?

Hi, thanks for the reply. Hope this goes through, I'm still figuring my way through this. When I'm up and running I'd love to try the top minnows, and I appreciate the recommendations!

Since I have so much to learn, is there a good link or book about pond building for natives that I might try? Certainly I'm doing it all wrong, (but still having a blast). Love it when froggies and things just appear 'out of nowhere', too, once a pond is built. I can see where the theory of spontaneous generation started!

By the way, when I had my heterandria I assumed they were common and must be frequent 'volunteers' (to use gardening terms) in wholesale breeding ponds of feeder guppies etc. Now I am wondering, are they tough to find?? Was I just lucky? They are such neat little fish I'd love to try some again, either in a pond or an aquarium.

Thanks!

#22 Michael Wolfe

Board of Directors

North Georgia, Oconee River Drainage

Posted 02 July 2008 - 08:54 PM

Since I have so much to learn, is there a good link or book about pond building for natives that I might try? Certainly I'm doing it all wrong, (but still having a blast).

By the way, when I had my heterandria I assumed they were common and must be frequent 'volunteers' (to use gardening terms) in wholesale breeding ponds of feeder guppies etc. Now I am wondering, are they tough to find?? Was I just lucky?

I am unaware of a book about native pond building.

And, I would say yes, that they are rather infrequent volunteers. There are other more common volunteers, but I have not seen heterandria in any plant or feeder tanks.

This forum is your best resource... go back and read old threads... there are some on ponds and some on heterandria...

Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin

#23 Guest_birdpond_*

Guests

Posted 03 July 2008 - 08:05 PM

I am unaware of a book about native pond building.

And, I would say yes, that they are rather infrequent volunteers. There are other more common volunteers, but I have not seen heterandria in any plant or feeder tanks.

This forum is your best resource... go back and read old threads... there are some on ponds and some on heterandria...

Thanks for your reply, and for welcoming me to this site. I'll check out the other threads.

Thanks, also for the invitation. What should I do to get on your 'reservation list' for your next outing?

#24 Guest_Doug_Dame_*

Guests

Posted 03 July 2008 - 11:27 PM

By the way, when I had my heterandria I assumed they were common and must be frequent 'volunteers' (to use gardening terms) in wholesale breeding ponds of feeder guppies etc. Now I am wondering, are they tough to find?? Was I just lucky? They are such neat little fish I'd love to try some again, either in a pond or an aquarium.

In most of GA (including the Atlanta area), you won't find them wild, according to the map in Petersons Field Guide ... the range barely touches the southern border, but extends in a narrow coastal band through SC and just into NC.

But in Florida, Heter pops are exceeded only by gambusia, actual mosquitoes, and (possibly) lobster-skinned humanoids wearing Mouse t-shirts. Anywhere there's relatively placid water with vegetation, there will almost for sure be Heter, generally in large quantities. ===> Use a std mesh aquarium net for best results.

(re-reply to Michael Wolfe reply) Thanks, also for the invitation. What should I do to get on your 'reservation list' for your next outing?

Keep watching here, "Same Fish Channel, Same Fish Time." Although summer's not the best time to be out collecting in the south, except for short-range local trips, since it's tougher to keep the fish from getting excessively stressed. Spring and winter are much better, and the Fall would be too except that it's really hard to watch football from a vehicle way out in the boonies.

If you make one of the GA outings, and I do too (I'm hopeful, esp. for anything to the southern half of GA), I'll bring you some, if you still want more at that time. Because they're so small, it's kinda tedious to get them out of the collecting net, so I can only catch two or three hundred in an hour before I get bored and tired and my old back gets stiff.

(Seeing Heter on Aquabid at $18 for a trio, PLUS shipping, may be the funniest thing I have ever seen in my entire life.)

BTW, in an indoor tank, this is a fish that REALLY shows up best under incandescent bulbs. If I ever do an Amano tank I'll use Heter. Great little fish.

#25 Guest_birdpond_*

Guests

Posted 04 July 2008 - 01:21 AM

In most of GA (including the Atlanta area), you won't find them wild, according to the map in Petersons Field Guide ... the range barely touches the southern border, but extends in a narrow coastal band through SC and just into NC.

But in Florida, Heter pops are exceeded only by gambusia, actual mosquitoes, and (possibly) lobster-skinned humanoids wearing Mouse t-shirts. Anywhere there's relatively placid water with vegetation, there will almost for sure be Heter, generally in large quantities. ===> Use a std mesh aquarium net for best results.
Keep watching here, "Same Fish Channel, Same Fish Time." Although summer's not the best time to be out collecting in the south, except for short-range local trips, since it's tougher to keep the fish from getting excessively stressed. Spring and winter are much better, and the Fall would be too except that it's really hard to watch football from a vehicle way out in the boonies.

If you make one of the GA outings, and I do too (I'm hopeful, esp. for anything to the southern half of GA), I'll bring you some, if you still want more at that time. Because they're so small, it's kinda tedious to get them out of the collecting net, so I can only catch two or three hundred in an hour before I get bored and tired and my old back gets stiff.

(Seeing Heter on Aquabid at $18 for a trio, PLUS shipping, may be the funniest thing I have ever seen in my entire life.)

BTW, in an indoor tank, this is a fish that REALLY shows up best under incandescent bulbs. If I ever do an Amano tank I'll use Heter. Great little fish.

Ha ha, thanks, and that makes more sense (that they're still as common as I'd thought).

Begging your pardon -- what is an Amano tank??

#26 Guest_Irate Mormon_*

Guests

Posted 04 July 2008 - 10:44 AM

I've always thought they would be great in a small Amano tank as well.

http://www.mynatureaquariums.com/

If you Google "Nature Aquarium World" you will get the idea.

#27 Guest_jimjim_*

Guests

Posted 04 July 2008 - 11:17 AM

Birdpond: Hets are rather commono5k;e'; Ever try to type with a cat walking on the keyboard? Are rather common in the ditches behind the house. Just PM me and the next time I go thru Atlanta we'll meet and I'll drop a bag off. I usually hit there about 4 -5 times a year....J;.mkm. Damn kat!....Jim

#28 Guest_birdpond_*

Guests

Posted 05 July 2008 - 01:28 AM

I've always thought they would be great in a small Amano tank as well.

http://www.mynatureaquariums.com/

If you Google "Nature Aquarium World" you will get the idea.

Mormon, appreciate the reply -- I checked out the link and Googled it and yes, that's exactly the idea I had in mind! So far though I'm not so skilled with plants, having troubles with my first attempts, but love the challenge. I used to grow and train Bonsai a little and like creaing miniature worlds, so this is right up my alley.

Jim, thanks, I might take you up on that.

By the way this forum stuff is new to me and a little confusing so thanks for bearing with me as I 'learn the ropes'.

#29 Guest_Irate Mormon_*

Guests

Posted 05 July 2008 - 08:43 PM

You are most welcome here, ropes or no ropes. When I grew up in Atlanta, Norcross was considered a backwater. My mom still lives in Tucker, not far from where I was raised (Doraville).

#30 Guest_birdpond_*

Guests

Posted 06 July 2008 - 09:08 PM

You are most welcome here, ropes or no ropes. When I grew up in Atlanta, Norcross was considered a backwater. My mom still lives in Tucker, not far from where I was raised (Doraville).

Thanks.

Ah, too bad you live so far away now. Norcross actually still has a little native wildlife left, especially birds and even deer (at least until some recent apartment construction).

The tiny(5 - 10 unfiltered gallons?) outdoor pond I built over Memorial Day weekend (full of THRIVING feeder guppies), already has a little frog taking up residence, darning needles, dragonflies and occassional DeKay's snakes drinking from it. I top it off / flush it with dechlorinated water from a gallon milk jug about twice a day, and there are lots of big and small rocks to create shade and warm sun and hiding spots. It does take attention to keep running but it is WORKING so well that my outdoor guppies are doing noticably better than the feeders (bought at the same time from the same tank) that I have indoors WITH filtration. So my first experiment in pond building is a resounding summer success.

My thinking is, as important as large wild acreage is, if I can build little habitat areas around my small suburban lot, it will at least give native wildlife a bit of a break.

I'm trying to get that outdoor electrical outlet installed so my bigger pond project can get under way, and have a pump and filter . . .hope it ends up working as well as the unfiltered one!

Besides, I figure if I put in a bigger pond I might end up attracting bigger wildlife . . .like water buffalo . . .just a thought . . .?

#31 Guest_Irate Mormon_*

Guests

Posted 06 July 2008 - 10:06 PM

You can have a lot of fun with a small pond. I have a couple of dollar store ponds out back (Plastic totes). Like you said, frogs and stuff get in them.

#32 Guest_birdpond_*

Guests

Posted 03 August 2008 - 09:18 PM

Hi, I hope it's OK to start up an older thread again.

For background, I live in the Greater Atlanta/Norcross area and would love to meet anyone nearby who might be interested in helping me learn the ropes. I am BRAND NEW in this. I am currenly having great fun keeping feeder guppies in a small outdoor pond that I built (with a rigid plastic liner). Haha so obviously I'm kinda easy to please! Is there anything in Atlanta that is either interesting to keep or, conversly, taboo to collect from local waterways?

There are lots of little streams and branches even right in Atlanta, and I am interested in just seeing what's around close to home, and the right way to go about collecting and keeping some fish if possible. (I don't want to just go to my local park and risk messing up on my own). Even if it's still too hot to try and catch and keep any fish, I'd be thrilled to learn some basics and fish-watch (although that might be 'old hat' and boring to seasoned collectors). Just a day trip on the weekend would be great. Even if the 'prize' is simply a chance to learn and a fun day out in nature. And to talk to someone else who is actually INTERESTED in talking about native fish!

Thank you!

Cathy

#33 Michael Wolfe

Board of Directors

North Georgia, Oconee River Drainage

Posted 04 August 2008 - 11:55 AM

Your welcome to come with us anytime... if we are planning something you will see it here, and you are automatically invited. It is really hot right now and that is tough on fish, but there are some really nice fish in your backyard. I don't know too many places out your way, but I am sure there are some... if you are really interested in just seeing what is out there and dragging seine a little bit, I will take a look and see what I have free the next couple of weekends. I have a couple of dip nets and a couple of seines that we could at least find out what is in the water... just got to figure out what water we want to look at.

Hi, I hope it's OK to start up an older thread again.

For background, I live in the Greater Atlanta/Norcross area and would love to meet anyone nearby who might be interested in helping me learn the ropes. I am BRAND NEW in this. I am currenly having great fun keeping feeder guppies in a small outdoor pond that I built (with a rigid plastic liner). Haha so obviously I'm kinda easy to please! Is there anything in Atlanta that is either interesting to keep or, conversly, taboo to collect from local waterways?

There are lots of little streams and branches even right in Atlanta, and I am interested in just seeing what's around close to home, and the right way to go about collecting and keeping some fish if possible. (I don't want to just go to my local park and risk messing up on my own). Even if it's still too hot to try and catch and keep any fish, I'd be thrilled to learn some basics and fish-watch (although that might be 'old hat' and boring to seasoned collectors). Just a day trip on the weekend would be great. Even if the 'prize' is simply a chance to learn and a fun day out in nature. And to talk to someone else who is actually INTERESTED in talking about native fish!
Thank you!

Cathy

Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin

#34 Guest_birdpond_*

Guests

Posted 04 August 2008 - 01:12 PM

Your welcome to come with us anytime... if we are planning something you will see it here, and you are automatically invited. It is really hot right now and that is tough on fish, but there are some really nice fish in your backyard. I don't know too many places out your way, but I am sure there are some... if you are really interested in just seeing what is out there and dragging seine a little bit, I will take a look and see what I have free the next couple of weekends. I have a couple of dip nets and a couple of seines that we could at least find out what is in the water... just got to figure out what water we want to look at.

Thank you, Michael, I'd love that.

Yes, it IS hot and I really don't need to take anything home right now, (and I need some time to get more tanks set up anyway). I am just eager to get out there and get an idea of what's around and, frankly, be out there with someone who shares my enthusiasm for it. I used to go on field collecting trips with my herping buddies (reptiles and amphibs) but it's been years and I miss the whole experience of hanging out with other enthusiasts.

There are at least two little creeks within a reasonable distance of me that I have been very interested in checking out (one being in a popular little neighborhood park near Buckhead). I also know of a network of branches in Newton County, if we can still access it due to development, that I have ALWAYS regretted not checking out (other than walking near it and wishing I could wait a while and try and net something --- but I was never with anyone who would want to spend hours kneeling there with mesquitos and gnats buzzing around, way out in the woods, while I waited for a fish to swim into my net!). I suspect there is some interesting stuff there too if we can get to it.

Another location is in Loganville that I just found, looks interesting -- again, I was not in a position to do anything other than salivate.

:smile2:

The next couple weekends are good for me if you want to get together, thanks!

#35 Guest_khudgins_*

Guests

Posted 04 August 2008 - 04:35 PM

There are at least two little creeks within a reasonable distance of me that I have been very interested in checking out (one being in a popular little neighborhood park near Buckhead). I also know of a network of branches in Newton County, if we can still access it due to development, that I have ALWAYS regretted not checking out (other than walking near it and wishing I could wait a while and try and net something --- but I was never with anyone who would want to spend hours kneeling there with mesquitos and gnats buzzing around, way out in the woods, while I waited for a fish to swim into my net!). I suspect there is some interesting stuff there too if we can get to it.

Newton County (Extreme NW, at the confluence of Rockdale and Walton as well) is my neck of the woods. I don't have any nets at the moment, which is a fault I need to correct directly, but I'm in the area and available. I've been learning a good bit, although I'm still quite new at this thing.

#36 Guest_birdpond_*

Guests

Posted 04 August 2008 - 06:14 PM

Newton County (Extreme NW, at the confluence of Rockdale and Walton as well) is my neck of the woods. I don't have any nets at the moment, which is a fault I need to correct directly, but I'm in the area and available. I've been learning a good bit, although I'm still quite new at this thing.

Great, let's keep in touch. It'll be fun to get some locations checked out for when it's time to go collecting later -- thanks!