Bruce, do you know if I can bring Archers back on my permit?? I havent
gotten the list from Canberra yet. If I can export those Alex I will get
some for the display if they can handle fresh water. The south American
Archers have a hard time with it. The hyrtlii (eel tailed cats) will be no
problem. I will have 50 or so when I return. I am hoping to find a vet that
can get me the hormone so I can spawn them (Brian) Maybe you guys in the
zoo can do this.... Also I will be bringing 50 or so empire gudgeons back
as well.
We could turn this display into the most authentic Australin display in the
country! I wonder if I could swing some plants for it as well...hummm...
It sure would be nice if they could put a plaque saying the fish were
donated by the Australia New Guinea Fishes Association. HINT HINT :-)
Call me Alex, at 970-876-2553. Not you Alan I get enough rude and obnoxious
phone calls with out you bugging me! :-)
Roy Hunter
Co-Chairman
ANGFA of North America
visit our website at:
http://www.angfa.org
----------
> From: Aleksei Saunders <asaunders at mho.net>
> To: rainbowfish at pcug.org.au
> Subject: [RML] Hybrids in a Zoo?!? Who, Me??
> Date: Tuesday, February 25, 1997 6:54 PM
>
> Uhmmm,
>
> >if you need someone to verify the fish you have now I can do this as
well.
> >There is nothing worse than a zoo with a tank full of hybrids!
>
> Ok now, here's the thing. (I can hear the growns already!). I've
> only been down here for about five months now, and as such don't pull a
lot
> of weight. The Aquarist who cared for this tank prior to me was not, how
> should I say, big on "Biotope Authenticity".
> I'm trying to change this (we've got Giant Goramys in with our
> Arapaima for pete's sake!) but in this field, at least at the moment,
> entertainment is still the big thing. Education is important, as many
> zookeepers will tell you, but sometimes the decisions come down for other
> reasons. Providing realistic displays is a personal vendetta of mine,
and
> I'm sorry to say it can be somewhat rare in zoos and aquariums.
> I will admit that in this display we've got hybrids, mostly
between
> M. splendida and M. trifasciata. We've also got G. incicus in this tank
> which I am well aware do not occur in Australia. Heck, elsewhere in the
> building we've got albino Hooded cobras. (Sorry, I've got my hackles up
> now).
>
> I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'd love to see only
> realistic biotopes depicted, I agree a tank full of hybrids is a sad, sad
> thing (at these in a "educational facility". So maybe my request for help
> was too narrow.
>
> I'm going to go out on a limb here, and ask for the help of this
> list to put together a truely realistic display on Australian fishes.
Now,
> remember I'm making no promises, but if I can swing it I try and revamp
> this whole tank. The tank is, as I've said, approx. 300 gallons, and
about
> 45cm deep (so a shallow square). I've got a small sandy shelf in the rear
> 1/6 of the tank which is generally submerged under 6cm of water.
> I guess I'm trying to depict and Australian stream, but if you'd
> like to dream outside this realm feel free. Obviously I can't liken this
> tank to a specific stream, but perhaps Northern Australia would be a good
> guide.
> Ok, now the touchy part, if I can swing this past my bosses and
> associate keepers I'll send everyone who contributes ideas a couple
photo's
> of the display and you can feel even more involved in the education of
the
> masses.
> A word of warning though, beware the danger of turning a very enjoyable
> hobby into a job! ;-)
>
> Cheers,
>
> Alex
>
> asaunders at mho.net
> Denver Zoo,
Denver,CO
> Any fish is a good fish
> (especially with a little
butter)
>
>
>
>
>