The Caboolture Show is on this weekend. The Caboolture Show Aquarium Competition is one of the highlights of the year for Aquarium hobbyists. With lots of displays from planted and furnished aquaria, to species displays of natives, cichlids, catfish, bettas, and lots more – there’s something for everyone.
Redfish Magazine – Issue 20
Issue 20 is now available for download.
This retro-themed edition features articles on:
Redfish is a free digital magazine for freshwater and marine fishkeepers.
140,000 fingerlings being released into Warwick waterways in 2012. Georja Ryan, Warwaick Daily News
The total value of the Queensland aquaculture industry increased from $86.3 million in 2010-11 to $86.6 million in 2011-12. The hatchery sector, producing native fish fingerlings and ornamental aquarium species, sold 10.4 million fish during 2011–12; this was 5.6% more than the 9.85 million fish sold during 2009–10. The value of the hatchery sector decreased slightly, from $3.07 million in 2010–11 to $2.9 million for 2011-12.
The full report is available from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF):
the Ross Lobegeiger Report to Farmers, Aquaculture production summary for Queensland 2011-12
Setting up the Aquarium competition for the Caboolture Show this weekend (June 7-9) is well under-way and it’s looking like there will be some great displays. Unfortunately detailed photos won’t be released until judging has been completed – but here’s a sneak peak anyway.
Thanks heaps to Jarrod from Betta Australis for the photos and to QAH for organising the show. You can visit the Caboolture Show page here.
First of the Betta displays
The competition includes a display of 95 Bettas
Plenty of planted aquaria, furnished aquaria, community and species entries going in as well.
Rumour has there’ll be some top notch natives entered in the Caboolture Show as well. Definitely worth checking out…
30 May – 2 June 2013
The Aquarama International Fish Competition is the ONLY trade-based competition in the world to feature such a wide range of species and varieties in such large numbers. From dragon fish to guppies, the prizes in all the categories are keenly competed for, emphasising the ever-higher prestige attached to this sub-event. As ever, judging will be in the hands of a panel of international experts.
The stage is set at a brand new venue – the Sands Expo and Convention Center, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, the competition criteria revisited, new categories added and all the judges invited.
With 14 fish categories consisting of Discus, Dragon fish, Goldfish, Guppies, Tetras, Plecos, Corydoras, Gourami, Cichlids, Mollies, Swordtails, Platie, New Species/ Varieties/ New in Trade, Betta and the 4 tanks categories, namely the NEW Marine Nano Tank, Marine tank, Planted tank, Freshwater Nano Tank competition available, contenders and admirers from all over the world will be spoilt for choice!
Special mention to the latest Dragon Fish Cross Back Golden classes and the new commercial classes for Dragon Fish, Discus, Goldfish as well as Guppy that has been added to the competition categories this year too.
Visit the Aquarama site
From the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
Moving to a new home can be a stressful time for a little fish, but with some care and preparation, your finned friend will be happy and healthy in his new home in no time.
Fish need room to swim—would you be happy living in a tiny bowl? The HSUS recommends at least a 20-gallon [76 litre] tank for first-time fish owners. It might seem like taking care of a smaller tank would be easier, but that’s a myth: it’s actually easier to keep the water clean with a larger tank with a filter.
You might be eager to set up tank the day you bring your new fish home, but in reality, it’s very important to give the tank time to become established before adding fish.
Pseudomugil cyanodorsalis – photo © Gunther Schmida
Fill your new tank with clean tap water and test the water pH with a kit from a pet supply store, specialty store or online retailer. Most fish do best with a balanced pH (7), but some fish do best with more acidic or basic water. Let the new tank sit for at least a week before adding the first fish. This will give the water time for impurities to dissipate and gives you time to make sure that everything works as it should.
Before putting the gravel in the tank, rinse it clean with water. Add one pound of gravel per gallon of water in the tank.
Set up your tank against an inside wall and away from windows, doors, direct sunlight, vents, and other sources of drafts to ensure that the water temperature stays constant. You can also purchase a tank thermometer to make sure the water stays at the right temperature.
Provide a light source for your fish by adding a fluorescent light to your tank. Many tank lids have lights built in. A good rule of thumb is to have the light on half the day and off half the day (12 hour intervals).
Keep a hood or canopy over the tank. Some fish are jumpers, and you want to make sure that they stay safe and sound in the tank. This is especially important if you have curious cats in the house.
Fish love to play hide-and-seek, so make sure that you give them a place to hang out and hide, like plastic sea plants or a ceramic sea castle.
Without filtration, fish waste can poison the water in your tank. Invest in a high-quality filtration system. Choose a filter that is sized for your specific tank, or buy a filter rated for a larger size tank than the one you have. Follow the filter manufacturer’s instructions and change the filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
When you bring home your fish, he’ll likely be in a small plastic bag. Float the bag in the tank for about a half-hour to regulate the water temperature, then open the bag and let your friend check out his new digs. You can add more fish every couple of weeks if you like. We recommend three or four small fish or one or two medium fish for a 20-gallon aquarium.
![Melanotaenia fluviatilis [Murrumbidgee River] - photo © Gunther Schmida](http://rainbowfish.angfaqld.org.au/M.fluviatilis%20(Murrumbidgee%20River)%20GES.jpg)
Melanotaenia fluviatilis [Murrumbidgee River] – photo © Gunther Schmida
Fish are like people—not all get along, and not all like the same living environment. Make sure you choose compatible fish that can tolerate the same water temperature and conditions. We recommend three or four small fish or one or two medium fish for a 20-gallon aquarium.
Remove uneaten food and waste with a net every other day. If the water looks cloudy, it’s time to filter or change the water. Use a filtered siphon (which can be purchased at pet stores) to change 20 percent of the water every 10 days. Take out several gallons of water from the tank and replace it with clean, pre-aged water every week to remove chemical build-up that your filter leaves behind. Test the water quality with a kit, and scrape any algae build-up.
Before putting the gravel in the tank, rinse it clean with water. Add one pound of gravel per gallon of water in the tank.
Set up your tank against an inside wall and away from windows, doors, direct sunlight, vents, and other sources of drafts to ensure that the water temperature stays constant. You can also purchase a tank thermometer to make sure the water stays at the right temperature.
TWO architects behind some of the world’s most impressive aquariums will join forces to design the $35 million Cairns Aquarium.
Moving ahead: Cairns Aquarium Daniel Leipnik.
Peddle Thorp Architects and Ellick & Partners Architects were yesterday officially awarded the contract to design the three-storey building, which is set to open on a 10,000sq m site in the CBD in July 2016.
The two firms, who have designed aquariums in Melbourne, Dubai, Spain, China and South Korea, were among 13 companies who applied for the contract. They beat out firms in the UK, Malaysia and the US.
Peddle Thorp senior design architect James Hampton said designing aquariums required a special skill set.
“It’s not like designing a building. There is so much to them, you have to have that wow factor,” he said.
Ellick & Partners director Phillip Ellick said the aquarium would have a “global flavour”.
“It’s a different market and we’re not going to build a Melbourne aquarium in Cairns, that’s for sure,” he said.
Peddle Thorpwill also be drawing on the local knowledge of its Cairns office, whose 12 staff will play an active role during the design and construction phase.
Cairns Aquarium chief executive Daniel Leipnik said both firms’ expertise in designing aquariums around the world made it an easy decision. He said it was a major milestone for the project. “This stage is incredibly significant,” he said.
“You start off with the design of the project and it’s that design that really takes you from something in your mind to something much more concrete,” he said.
Mr Leipnik said the first designs could be made public as early as September, when the company hopes to lodge a development application with Cairns Regional Council.
The aquarium will be home to a collection of more than 5000 fish, animals and plants.
Original story at The Cairns Post
VALUABLE fish and accessories worth more than $15,000 have been stolen from an Exeter business.
Flagtail fish were also taken in the break-in. Source: adelaidenow
Thieves gained entry to the Semaphore Rd premises through the ceiling between 7.30pm on Saturday, May 11 and noon on Sunday, May 12.
A breeding trio of L046 plecos – also known as zebra plecos – were stolen from an Exeter business. Source: adelaidenow
They escaped through a back door after stealing fish, including a breeding trio of L046 Plecos – commonly known as Zebra Plecos – valued at more than $4000 and a Flagtail fish.
Anyone with information about this incident should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.sa.crimestoppers.com.au.
Original story at Adelaide Now
A beautiful series on YouTube by DefiniteAquascapeTV.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Tropica Aquarium Plants presents “The advanced plant aquarium”.
Establishing an advanced planted aquarium step for step using more demanding plants in terms of light, CO2 and subsequent maintenance. Produced by Tropica Aquarium Plants in collaboration with aquadesigner Oliver Knott.