×
Retirement and forum shutdown (17 Jan 2022)

Hi,

John Howell who has managed the forum for years is getting on and wishes to retire from the role of managing it.
Over the years, he has managed the forum through good days and bad days and he has always been fair.
He has managed to bring his passion for fish keeping to the forum and keep it going for so long.

I wish to thank John for his hard work in keeping the forum going.

With John wishing to "retire" from the role of managing the forum and the forum receiving very little traffic, I think we must agree that forum has come to a natural conclusion and it's time to put it to rest.

I am proposing that the forum be made read-only from March 2022 onwards and that no new users or content be created. The website is still registered for several more years, so the content will still be accessible but no new topics or replies will be allowed.

If there is interest from the ITFS or other fish keeping clubs, we may redirect traffic to them or to a Facebook group but will not actively manage it.

I'd like to thank everyone over the years who helped with forum, posted a reply, started a new topic, ask a question and helped a newbie in fish keeping. And thank you to the sponsors who helped us along the away. Hopefully it made the hobby stronger.

I'd especially like to thank John Howell and Valerie Rousseau for all of their contributions, without them the forum would have never been has successful.

Thank you
Darragh Sherwin

My attempt at a native tank

More
18 Sep 2013 09:13 #61 by Joukeder (Jouke)
Ammonium, nitrite and nitrate all zero so thats good with all the fish in.
Johnny, our local fisherman friend came up with two fish he thought we would be interested in.
One larger pipe fish and one Blenny like figure we have not identified yet.
So there goes our embargo on new fish until the Connemara fishing expedition.........

Whats the Blenny type one? It has some wishers on the side of its head. So I figured 'Catfish" in horror?

Looking forward to meet Crusty Crab and the other enthusiast in Clifden this Saturday.



Attachments:

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
18 Sep 2013 09:14 #62 by Joukeder (Jouke)
A bit of Algae starts to show up on various coral pieces. trying to reduce light.
Anyone have other suggestions?

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
18 Sep 2013 10:39 #63 by CrustyCrab (Peter Biddulph)
That fish is no Blenny, it is an eating machine and will eat EVERYTHING in your tank. Please take it out. It is Myoxocephalus scorpius or Taurulus bubalis (bullhead, fatherlasher, short/long-spined sea scorpion.) Cant see exactly which it is.
The pipefish is a greater pipefish, (Syngnathus acus) and is part of the same family as the Sea Horse.
More water flow will help with the algae, as will some periwinkles (Littorina littorea) or painted topshells (Calliostoma zizyphinum)
See you at the weekend

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
18 Sep 2013 12:33 #64 by Joukeder (Jouke)
Thanks very much. Removed on first try. Back to sea with him We live about 100m from rockpools so that's no bother......
There is another suspect. Can you identify him Crusty?.
Attachments:

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
18 Sep 2013 13:07 #65 by CrustyCrab (Peter Biddulph)
Its a Cornish Sucker, Lepadogaster lepadogaster, Great Fish, becomes very tame too. I want one, but Its a hell of a hike to get them

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
18 Sep 2013 14:52 #66 by Darkslice (Stephen Walsh)
christ crusty, i think we should try get a fish you dont know :D
just to confuse you :evil:

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
18 Sep 2013 18:04 #67 by jeff (Jeff Scully)

Thanks very much. Removed on first try. Back to sea with him We live about 100m from rockpools so that's no bother......
There is another suspect. Can you identify him Crusty?.


Beautiful fish

Where the tongue slips, it speaks the truth.

A life making mistakes is not only more honourable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing at all.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
18 Sep 2013 19:43 #68 by sincgar (Feargal Costello)
Beautiful fish and what a thread. Keep it coming. Would love a native but the chiller prices put me off

Going to Galway on sat and am going to try and see aquarium but it looks like everyone will be in cliften collecting new exhibits ;) :( :cool:

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
18 Sep 2013 23:08 #69 by Joukeder (Jouke)
Why not come to Clifden on saturday? Only a short drive from Galway...........

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
26 Sep 2013 19:54 #70 by Joukeder (Jouke)
Had a wonderful weekend in Clifden where we fished twice for native species under the tutelage of Crusty. This learned gentleman taught us how to look, where to look, what stones to turn, how to put them back and how to use your net as well as what to take and what to leave.
We also enjoyed the Clifden arts week. Very elaborate and well organised.
Thank you very much Crusty, you're the man!!!!!!!

We came back with loads of mullets, gobies, 15spine stickleback, shrimp sand shrimp, sea spiders, sea weeds that will grow in the tank, live stones etc etc.

We are now much more confident with fishing at low water around our neck of the woods,

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
26 Sep 2013 20:07 - 26 Sep 2013 20:16 #71 by Joukeder (Jouke)
Have a look at some pictures of the tank in its present state.








Beautiful purple sea urchin. Moves through the tank with impressive speed!







spot the danger









On several parts we have this beautiful coloured purple calcified algae growing as here in front of the scallop. Who knows the scientific name of this?
Last edit: 26 Sep 2013 20:16 by Joukeder (Jouke).

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
26 Sep 2013 20:10 #72 by Joukeder (Jouke)
Attachments:

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
29 Sep 2013 23:57 #73 by Bullfrog (DECLAN MAC GABHANN)
It's a bit closer to home there Crusty, it's the Connemara clingfish that one. Lepadogaster. If your in Dublin or I'm in Galway I have two and your welcome to them

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
30 Sep 2013 11:19 #74 by CrustyCrab (Peter Biddulph)
That it is. Got the Lepadogaster bit :blush:
Thanks for the offer. Legs are just a little too old for the walk to where I used to trap them.

The Purple algae is Maerl, like coralline algae it grows on rocks as well as forming shapes. A few different types are found on the shore
Lithothamnion corallioides, Lithothamnion calcareum and in a few places Lithophyllum dentatum.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
30 Sep 2013 23:47 #75 by Bullfrog (DECLAN MAC GABHANN)
How are the horse mackerel getting on in your tank and what are you feeding them on? I caught some three inch ones in the marina last week in Dingle but I had no spare tanks set up to receive them in Dublin.

Keep an eye out for some cucumbers as they do quite well in aquaria despite what you read. I have had one for nearly two years and it is doing well.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
02 Oct 2013 21:54 #76 by sincgar (Feargal Costello)
Keep the pics and the news on this tank going. Its brilliant and to think it is native and just a short/walk drive away to see it in the wild
Never got to clifden but did get to see the aquarium. Loved it, could have stayed for hours. The harbour set up is so realistic. Will never look over the quay wall the same way again
The rock pool set up was good and was there at feeding time but your tank it miles better B) :) ;)

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
03 Oct 2013 13:51 #77 by Joukeder (Jouke)
Would love some cucumbers> Can you post picture please?
Jouke

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
03 Oct 2013 13:59 #78 by Joukeder (Jouke)
@ Bullfrog, Not sure if you'r addressing me or Crusty, but our hose mackerel are doing fine. Great eaters and quick eaters so you have tow arch that other fish get their share.
The gobies are so gentle in that respect.
The horses have grown to about twice their original size since we put them in only weeks ago.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
03 Oct 2013 14:03 #79 by Joukeder (Jouke)
@Crusty, our Lepadogaster guy/girl is very shy, hiding away almost 100% of the time. It does take feed from the pipet when we are feeding but no signs of getting tamer yet

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
03 Oct 2013 21:04 #80 by Bohrio (Alex Rodriguez)
The tank is looking absolutely beautiful, seriously, looking at it I wonder why I waste my time buying those exotic fishes when I could catch them myself.

I wish I had the space to built my own one... maybe one day

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
05 Oct 2013 00:53 #81 by Bullfrog (DECLAN MAC GABHANN)
Joukeder the question was for you. I will see if I can dig out a shot of the cucumber for ya

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
05 Oct 2013 19:51 - 05 Oct 2013 19:53 #82 by Jim (Jim Lawlor)
This is just brilliant - goes to show whats all around us here in Ireland but we rarely appreciate it.

Many thanks for posting the thread!
Last edit: 05 Oct 2013 19:53 by Jim (Jim Lawlor).

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
06 Oct 2013 14:33 #83 by Joukeder (Jouke)
Time for some more pictures. I made some detail shots today. We went out today and found a new site with plenty rock pools. (Crusty!!) Took away some stones with green on them and limpets some with anemones attached to them. New green ones too.
All in all there are now close to one hundred living creatures in the tank.
In my next post I will elaborate on the Do It Yourself LED lighting and the automation on this tank which is now progressing.
Enjoy the shots folks.
















Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
06 Oct 2013 14:33 - 06 Oct 2013 14:42 #84 by Joukeder (Jouke)
Last edit: 06 Oct 2013 14:42 by Joukeder (Jouke).

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
07 Oct 2013 13:19 #85 by CrustyCrab (Peter Biddulph)
the little silver fish are mullet fry, thats what was caught in the high rock pools near Clifden.
they love standard flake food.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
21 Oct 2013 09:26 - 21 Oct 2013 12:10 #86 by Joukeder (Jouke)
Had a wonderful weekend with Crusty Crab roving the seashores and going out with our friend and local fisherman Johnny O' Shea.
Amongst the rich pickings was the rare double titted Anemon , Actinaria duos pectus.




Have a look at this short video taken directly after placing it in the tank
Double titted Anemone
Attachments:
Last edit: 21 Oct 2013 12:10 by Joukeder (Jouke).

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
21 Oct 2013 09:59 #87 by JohnH (John)
I'm so impressed with your dedication to this subject and also by how comprehensively you are sharing it with us - thanks so much.

John

Location:
N. Tipp

We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl - year after year.


ITFS member.



It's a long way to Tipperary.

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
21 Oct 2013 09:59 #88 by CrustyCrab (Peter Biddulph)
It was a great weekend, and the double titted Anemone was a truely great find.
Your tank is a credit to you, looks Fantastic.
Other finds were;
Green snakelocks Anemones (Anemonia viridis)
Plumose Anemone (Metridium senile) - Both White and Orange forms
Rock Cook wrasse (Centrolabrus exoletus)
Goldsinny wrasse (Ctenolabrus rupestris)Both beautiful fish.
And the long awaited Connemara clingfish, Lepadogaster candolii !!
Thanks to Mr and Mrs Joukeder for a fantastic weekend,
both collecting, and just nattering over cups of coffee, Royal Pizza, Homemade bread and in such great company
And such a cleaver idea to check mooring bouys for inverts. Brilliant
All fish arrived safely in Clifden, via a small de-tour to Salthill beach to refresh the water.
Please pass on our thanks to Johnny, what a knowledgeable gentleman he is.
Mrs Crab is already demanding that we return !

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
21 Oct 2013 12:08 - 21 Oct 2013 13:08 #89 by Joukeder (Jouke)
Just a picture of the Urchin. It's massive, around 10cm diameter.



Attachments:
Last edit: 21 Oct 2013 13:08 by Joukeder (Jouke).

Please Log in to join the conversation.

More
21 Oct 2013 12:48 #90 by christyg (Chris Geraghty)
Cant help feel that the double titted Anemone is even more rare than you'd have us believe ;)

Please Log in to join the conversation.

Time to create page: 0.125 seconds
Powered by Kunena Forum