10 replies to this topic

[WAdamWH]

Hello Forum,

I have just just installed a fairly decent sized pond in my backyard here in Mandurah and am in the process of also setting up some large lotus bowls (simmilar to http://www.aquarticl.....Lily pond.jpg -but deeper ) and want to try something other than goldfish. I have put some "feeder" rosy barbs in the pond as well as a pair of paradise fish and they are doing very well.

Apart from these, Brazilian eartheaters, Buenos Aires tetras and white clouds, what other "tropical" species are hardy all year round in Perth? I have tried to do some research but there isn't that much info out there. Some species I have seen are zebra danios, guppies, medakas, Port Acaras & platies (I "rescued" some feeder guppies & platys and will give them a try). Are Port Acaras truly hardy or would they need to be brought in at some point? What other cichlids will survive a Perth winter outside?

Thanks,
Adam

[Mudjimba]

G'day Adam,

some of us have had Texas cichlids in year round ponds for a number of years.

Mine do seem to 'hibernate' a bit over winter but come out swimming in the spring.

By hibernate I mean I don't see them as much during winter.

'Murray River' Rainbow fish also do well all year round. You can get these from 'Lotus Blossum water gardens at Baldivis.
(or maybe from me ?? not sure if I can catch them.)

ps: welcome to the forum

cheers

Edited by Mudjimba, 21 April 2011 - 04:30 PM.

[WAdamWH]

Thanks Mudjimba.

Yes I have seen them up at Lotus Blossom. I think ill stick with the more showy barbs.
Texas might be a little big for me. I think Ill keep an eye out for some Buenos Aires tetras.

Adam

[Mudjimba]

G'day Adam,

yes I meant the Texas for your pond, and the MR rainbows are not very showy.

Buenos Aires Tetras are great, I have kept them in indoor unheated tank with no issues, but never a pond.

Have you thought of some of the small Perth natives for one of the bowls?

good luck with it all, would love to see pics.

cheers

[WAdamWH]

Beunos aires Tetras are great outdoors. my parents have had some in thier waterfeature for about 3 years. They are fast enough to avoid being eaten by motorbike frogs which has been an ongoing problem for them. They have also had rosy barbs and gold barbs (wild form) but they dont tend to last when the frogs make an appearance.

I did consider pygmy perch, but they looke quit simmilar to paradisefish and I dont want conflicts. I settled for some platies & guppies for the pots. Ill see how they go over winter. Will uploads some pics soon.

Thanks,
Adam

[WAdamWH]

Attached are some pics of the pond taken last week. As you can see, the fish have become quite tame after treating them to swatted mozzies on a daily basis!

Attached Files

•  IMG_1317.jpg   146.95KB   107 downloads
•  IMG_1320.jpg   125.17KB   157 downloads
•  IMG_1338.jpg   70.32KB   142 downloads

Edited by WAdamWH, 27 April 2011 - 09:00 AM.

[sydad]

I did consider pygmy perch, but they looke quit simmilar to paradisefish and I dont want conflicts. I settled for some platies & guppies for the pots. Ill see how they go over winter. Will uploads some pics soon.
Thanks,
Adam

I see little similarity between pygmy perch and paradise gouramis beyond both having fins and scales. Paradise fish are notoriously picky, so are always best kept alone. Guppies seldom do well in stuations where temperature extremes are experienced.

Syd.

[meganj]

How did your fish manage over winter, WAdamWH? Did they survive the cold?

[WAdamWH]

Hi Meganjk,
Yes, the bulk of them survived and are doing really well. The only species which disappeared over winter were the guppies.
The white clouds and Buenos Aires tetras have a tendancy to jump out of pots for some reason, but are fine in the pond.
I have thrown a couple of discounted golden gouramis in the pond. I thought they had been picked off by a reef heron that had decided to stop by for a snack, but they are doing well. I'll fish them out before it cools off.
I've also started up another pot in the shade with Odessa barbs. Apparently they are even hardier than rosies, which frankly breed like flies.
Adam

[WAdamWH]

http://www.dpi.nsw.g...es/jack-dempsey
Also just picked up a male jack dempsy from city farmers. I'll see how he goes, but apparently they're tough enough....

[malawiman85]

I have been wondering, how did the JD go?