Hello,
I've been searching the web for info on keeping native temperate freshwater species, and came across the NANFA website. I've found some great information on the forums, but I'm still left with a few questions. First, let's start with a little background:
I was born and raised in Connecticut, and I love almost everything about southern New England (besides the fact that there are too many people!). I think the landscape, the climate, and the diversity of wildlife are about the best in the country. I also have been keeping aquariums on and off most of my life, usually in the traditional manner (colored gravel, filter, plastic plants, etc.) with moderate success. Recently, I decided to take a different approach to aquaria. The 25 gal short tank I have has no filter, no lights, no heater, store-bought aquarium gravel and laterite substrate, many aquatic plants (water wisteria, moneywort, java fern, anubias, something resembling eurasian milfoil, duckweed, unknown floating clump of vegetation, a ton of black beard algae), invertebrates (hordes of Malaysian live bearing and physa snails, approx. 6 ghost shrimp), and around 25 fish (Pair of Bettas, Dwarf Gourami, 6 Oto Cats, 3 Rosy Red Minnows, approx. 10 Feeder Guppies). It's in front of a west side window, I'd say the sunlight was moderate. The only upkeep consists of feeding mid-water food once a day, topping off water approx. once every two weeks, and trimming the plants once every two months. The fish are flourishing, I've had only one confirmed fish fatality in eight months (rosy red), and a few dead shrimp here and there. The plants grow like gangbusters, everything seems really balanced and stable. After this success, I want to parlay my experience into the realm of native fishkeeping. A friend is donating a huge tank from his former iguana to the cause, and I'd like to re-create a snapshot of the flora and fauna of the Lower Connecticut River Watershed, specifically Upper Mill Pond, which is right down the street from my new house in Middletown, CT. I hope to do all of my collecting there (although I will probably end up breaking that rule!). Here are some of the questions I had:
Any good candidates for detritivores (possibly invertebrates or pond mud microbes, crayfish)?
Any nice looking local aquatic/semi-aquatic plants (pond lilies, pickerelweed, sedges, milfoil, eel grasses)?
I don't think tadpole madtoms live in my area. The tank is between 75-100 gal (will update with dimensions) is this large enough for a brown bullhead? Will a bullhead eat crayfish, and if so, will hiding spot for crayfish be adequate protection?
Any good local algae eaters (fish or invertebrate, preferably that will leave plants alone) big enough not to become dinner for bluegill/bullhead?
Any local invertebrates that won't become dinner in a tank stocked with various sunfish and possibly a catfish?
I've read here that dipnetting is the best way to collect specimens without damaging them. Any tips on technique?
Whew! O.K. I think that's it (for now).
New Member, Tank in Spring, Many Questions
Started by
Guest_apehead_*
, Nov 13 2009 01:11 PM
6 replies to this topic
#2
Guest_CATfishTONY_*
Guest_CATfishTONY_*
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- Guests
Posted 13 November 2009 - 04:04 PM
Welcome to the new world of native fish and NANFA.
try to read these web links and pdf files.
http://www.natureser...Hucs/master.htm
http://www.farmertodd.com/
http://www.epa.gov/b...lIndicators.pdf
http://jonahsaquariu...mpatibility.htm
http://www.farmertod.../Reefle/041508/
http://www.ct.gov/dep/site/default.asp
i hope some of this may help.
have a good day.
try to read these web links and pdf files.
http://www.natureser...Hucs/master.htm
http://www.farmertodd.com/
http://www.epa.gov/b...lIndicators.pdf
http://jonahsaquariu...mpatibility.htm
http://www.farmertod.../Reefle/041508/
http://www.ct.gov/dep/site/default.asp
i hope some of this may help.
have a good day.
#3
Guest_rndouglas_*
Guest_rndouglas_*
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- Guests
Posted 21 November 2009 - 10:34 PM
Make sure the former iguana tank is actually built for holding water and not just reptiles. I had a friend in high school who tried to convert an aquarium from housing bearded dragons to housing cichlids....and after a couple weeks the tank just gave way.
That said, I look forward to seeing how your tank progresses! I'll be trying something similar when we move back to Missouri this spring.
That said, I look forward to seeing how your tank progresses! I'll be trying something similar when we move back to Missouri this spring.
#5
Guest_nativeplanter_*
Guest_nativeplanter_*
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- Guests
Posted 22 November 2009 - 10:38 AM
Good luck with the tank. But for diversity of fishes you have to come South, to Alabama and Tennessee at the top of the list. New England only has two species of darters...
Don't pay too much attention to Bruce here. He just wishes he had maple syrup. There may be more variety in the south, but you do have lots of fish in the area that you can play with. Scan around in the forum - there are a number of people from New England that are keeping local tanks.
You're sure to have a blast with your new big tank. There are lots of local plants you can use. Mostly it will be by trial and error. Whether or not you want emergent plants (like pickerel weed) will make a difference in how you set it up.
I would advise against crayfish. They are very good at shredding up all your plants...
#6
Michael Wolfe
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- Board of Directors
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- North Georgia, Oconee River Drainage
Posted 23 November 2009 - 01:07 PM
...and eating sleeping fish.I would advise against crayfish. They are very good at shredding up all your plants...
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin
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