Aug 062013
 
Royal Queensland Show’s Pisciculture Competition

Royal Queensland Show’s Pisciculture Competition

It’s Ekka time again and the fish displays are shaping up nicely. There’s already some gorgeous entries –  planted tanks, community aquaria, marines, exotics, and of course New Guinea and Australian native fish including stunning rainbows and some less common natives as well (not to mention some natives that aren’t even fish…).

If you’re heading to the show be sure to stop by the  Feline, Fish, and Puppy Pavilion on Animal Boulevard.

From the RQS

Queensland’s aquarium enthusiasts come together for the Royal Queensland Show’s Pisciculture Competition. A diverse variety of breeds are judged including the common goldfish to tropical species, as well as Australian freshwater natives, crustaceans, and amphibians.

Aug 022013
 

By Tony Tucceri

ANGFA Victoria

Every ANGFA member knows the biggest show in town will be held right here in Melbourne on Saturday and Sunday 12-13 October 2013, at Ciloms Airport Lodge, 398 Melrose Drive, Tullamarine, Victoria  There is even an AGM on Friday night for those members who wish to have their say in the national organisation.

All are welcome to the ANGFA Convention.  It’s not too late, but please don’t leave it any longer.  Price is a very reasonable $150 for members or $195 non-members.  Even though your partner may not wish to participate, there will be a program available for them including guided tours of places of interest around Melbourne.

As for the venue, by popular demand, we have retained the same venue that was used at the last Melbourne convention (back in 2005), namely Ciloms Airport Lodge.  It is located a short two minute drive from Melbourne Airport and offers all the comforts you would expect. An excellent standard and variety of accommodation is available at the venue, which can be viewed at www.ciloms.com.au  Ciloms Airport Lodge is located at: 398 Melrose Drive, Tullamarine, Victoria, Australia, 3043.  Contact them on Free Call: 1800 819 443 or telephone: +61 3 9335 2788 or facsimile: +61 3 9335 4388 or email ciloms@ciloms.com.au.  Make sure you mention the ANGFA Convention when booking your accommodation as this will entitle you to a substantial discount on room bookings.

The convention itself is the highlight of the calendar for every ANGFA member.  It features information-packed presentations from well-known speakers from across Australia and from overseas including Heiko Bleher, Peter Unmack, Nick Romanowski, Mark Bachman, Mike Hammer, Brian Andrews, Ian Morris, Franz-Peter Muellenholz, Adam Kerezsy, John Sinclair, Phil Littlejohn and Glenn Briggs.

ANGFA members will recognise the names and be aware our speakers are experts who will talk about some very topical subjects.  Come and hear the experts give their informative presentations; you’ll find them fascinating as well as entertaining.

There is so much to do and see.  The ANGFA auction of rare and very beautiful fishes will be conducted Saturday afternoon, conference attendance entitles you to join in the bidding. There will be a Trade Table operating the whole weekend where members can view and buy all manner of fish-related equipment, aquatic plants and other goods at a more leisurely pace.  There is a convention dinner Saturday night which will be a buffet and cost is only $18 per person (partners are most welcome). There is a photographic competition too, with huge cash prizes and amateur photographers are encouraged to submit their favourite photo.  It’s also a great chance for you to meet ANGFA identities in person.  To encourage networking, you will have plenty of time across the weekend to talk, discuss, renew old acquaintances and make new friends.

With prizes, Special Efforts, the Trade Table, books, polos, shirts, vests, and other gifts, it all adds to the attraction of being at the ANGFA 2013 Convention – the biggest show ever in Melbourne.

See you there.

For information on the convention please go to the web site www.angfa.org.au

More details about the convention, including on-line registration can be found at the convention link http://convention.angfa.org.au

Regards,

Tony Tucceri – Hon Treasurer & Membership Officer

Aug 012013
 

The ANGFA Qld inc. committee has drafted proposed changes to the club’s constitution that will incorporate the current model rules provided by the Office of Fair Trading. It will also outline the objectives of the club, allowing us to apply for government funding and/or support that the club was otherwise ineligible for.

The proposed constitution will be put forward for a special resolution vote by the members at the December Annual General Meeting (13/12/2013). Only current members are allowed to vote so if you’d like to vote on the proposed constitution (and next year’s committee) please make sure you’ve renewed your membership for 2013.

Download here: ANGFA Qld Proposed Constitution 2013

Aug 012013
 

In-Stream 22:08, July 2013Augusts’s In-Stream is out now.

This month our esteemed editor puts the quality of our town water supply under scrutiny and discusses what it means to fishkeepng – with details about the dangers of chlorine and chloramine, and the steps you can take to keep your aquarium fish safe .

If you liked Adrian Dawson’s presentation about the production and keeping of marine ornamentals at the last meeting, then you’ll find his introduction to a marine nano tank a treat.

Adrian Tappin demystifies Pomacea diffusa (AKA Pomacea diffusa or the ‘Mystery Snail’) then takes us on a tour of Queensland’s Archer River.

Jul 312013
 
 The next ANGFA Queensland meeting is on Friday, August 9 at 7:30 and it’s going to be a good one!
Jungle perch (Kuhlia ruprestris). Photo: DAFF

Jungle perch (Kuhlia ruprestris). Photo: DAFF

Kuhlia Rupestris – Jungle Perch. DAFF

Kuhlia Rupestris – Jungle Perch. Photo: DAFF

Jungle Perch (Kuhlia ruprestris) have become quite a rarity for Queensland aquarists, as habitat modification has seen wild stocks decline to the point of local extinction from some river systems. As such there is a possession limit of one per person. Michael Hutchison of the DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Bribie Island Research Centre has spent many years researching Jungle Perch, leading projects such as testing genetic structure among east coast Queensland Jungle Perch populations and, more recently, the first ever successful captive breeding of Jungle Perch. With their success last Summer, Michael is hopeful that they’ll have a productive breeding season later this year – aiming for monthly spawns from November through the Summer. Michael’s presentation will give us some insights into the techniques they’ve used for breeding this difficult species and a look at the future for Jungle Perch restocking and recovery.

 

 

We’ll also have our Aquarama rundown from Greg Ure who’s brought back a stack of photos from the 2013 show. Definitely worth a look to find out about the latest trends in the hobby, what exotics might be on their way to Australian shores, and what the rest of the world has been up to with Australian and New Guinea natives (who could forget the balloon incisus from last time !?!).

 

If you’re not a member please feel free to come and have a look. The club shop with dry goods and supplies will be open, as will the drinks stand. There’ll be an auction after the talks where anyone can buy, though you must be a member to register as a seller.

The next ANGFA Qld meeting is at the Bar Jai hall – 178 Alexandra Road, Clayfield. Friday night 9/8/2013 starting at 7:30 pm sharp!

The next ANGFA Qld meeting is at the Bar Jai hall – 178 Alexandra Road, Clayfield. Friday night 9/8/2013 starting at 7:30 pm sharp!

Jul 222013
 

QFASThe Queensland Federation of Aquarium Societies (QFAS) is holding another combined clubs super auction this Saturday!

The combined clubs auctions are some of the biggest events on the aquarium hobby calendar for the greater Brisbane area. At QFAS Super Auction you can expect to see a lot of speciality fish, plants, aquarium furnishings, and lots of other hobby related odds and ends – much of which you’re not likely to find in a pet shop. Many club members maintain lineages that aren’t available commercially and/or regularly produce champion fish for our local shows, and bring their surplus along to the auction. It’s a great social outing and if you’re new to the hobby, a great opportunity to seek out some advice, with more fishkeepers in one place than you’d hope to see anywhere else. There’s bound to be plenty of bargains. As well as independent hobbyists there’ll be plenty of members from:

  • Betta Australis;
  • the Brisbane, Redlands, Logan Marine Aquarium Society;
  • Queensland Aquarium Hobbyists;
  • the Queensland Cichlid Group; 
  • the Gold Coast Aquarium Society; and of course
  • ANGFA Qld.

There’ll be plants, live foods, Australian & PNG natives, Africans, Americans, Bettas, livebearers, catfish, community tropicals and who knows what else… And it’s all staffed by volunteers, so all of the funds raised through commissions and the canteen go directly towards supporting the clubs that support the hobby.

This time the Gold Coast Aquarium Society is manning the Canteen, if you show them your support I’m sure they’ll appreciate it.

Nudgee Junior College, Kate st Indooroopilly.
Fish & other items in at 2.00pm-5pm.
Auction starts 4.00pm.
Jul 012013
 

In-Stream 22:07, July 2013July’s In-Stream is out now. Come and take a look at the beautiful Mimulus ‘Monkey-flower’ or perhaps find out about the Flinders Range Purple-spotted Gudgeon, Mogurnda clivicola. Our editor takes us downstream on the Coleman River before tripping around the rest of the rivers of the Cape York Peninsula.

If all of that isn’t enough the intrepid Glynn Aland provides some insight into field techniques for chasing even the most elusive of fish. You can make the most of his years of experience traipsing along the rivers and creeks of the Australian bush, adding to our knowledge of native freshwater fish, invertebrates, and other wildlife.

Jun 152013
 

If you’ve got some top notch fish that’d you’d like to show the world, or you’d like to give your aquascaping skills a shot, or you just want to have a shot at getting some prize money from your hobby… Get in quick, entries for the 2013 pisciculture competiton at the Ekka close on Wednesday (19/6/2013). You can enter online here.

2012 show champion from Peter Ford. Don't let him win again this year!

2012 show champion from Peter Ford. Don’t let him win again this year! Photo: QFAS

Jun 102013
 

Melanotaenia trifasciata (Running Creek, Weipa) - photo© Gunther Schmida

Melanotaenia trifasciata (Running Creek, Weipa) – photo© Gunther Schmida

While we can’t be sure what’s going to be on auction until the boxes come in on Friday night a few sellers have given us an early indication of what they’re planning to bring. So far we’re hoping to see some rainbows:

Melanotaenia herbertaxelrodi

Melanotaenia herbertaxelrodi

The flagfish or American flagfish, Jordanella floridae

The flagfish or American flagfish, Jordanella floridae

And possibly even some exotic tankmates:

As well as selection of plants and who knows what else…

Hope to see you there!