My name is Ian, in from the Chicago suburbs, graduated not to long ago from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a degree in Plant biology. I enjoy nature and the outdoors, love to camp, backpack, kayak, fish, play soccer, and fitness related stuff in general. I am interested in ecological restoration, which is how i got into native fish (during work, letting my waterbottle chill in the stream). I have had aquariums my whole life, but just tropical stuff. It wasnt until i took a few classes that i realized how many fish that are native make excellent pets. I'm not much of a sport fisherman i must say, but i love to catch all the little fish, and crayfish too. There something more rewarding about going and catching your own fish, armed with knowledge of where they should be and what methods are effective. Plus, i get to hike, so thats a 2 for 1 deal.
I've had all sorts of fish, longears, greensunfish, bluegill, various bass, stonerollers, shiners of all sorts, madtoms, darters, topminnow, chubs, and the list goes on. I really find darters the most fun. Currently my tank is geared to mimic a medium-high flow stream, with emphasis on the transition from riffle to pool to accomodate species that utilize each area. I would like to try my luck on some fish from more stagnant waters, since all my collecting has been in streams. I have also gone through many different species of crayfish, they are useful to clean algae, dead fish, uneaten food, and provide food for my longears when they molt (unless they hide good enough). I also like to introduce all sorts of invertebrates for food that i catch myself, in hopes they may establish. Im really interested in the whole ecosystem recreation as a whole.
So yea, nice to be here!
Edited by tadpoleboy, 08 February 2010 - 06:35 PM.
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