TROPICAL FISH SENT BY AIR

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25737, 24 February 1949, Page 3

TROPICAL FISH SENT BY AIR

TWO CHRISTCHURCH COLLECTIONS

heavy casualties in ONE CONSIGNMENT Heavy casualties among a shipment of fresh water tropical fish which arrived from Sydney by air yesterday caused considerable disappointment to Mr Melville B. Mitchell, of Christchurch. Approximately one gross of fish left Sydney on Tuesday night, and only about half are now swimming safely in Mr Mitchell’s aquarium. Two species in which Mr Mitchell is interested are the angel fish and Sumatra barbs (Barbus sumatranus). Of these he received two dozen of each, but all the fish were dead. Several of both species exist in the aquarium, but further numbers would have facilitated breeding. It is believed that the angel fish has been bred only once successfully in New Zealand. The species is a silver fish with black bars and long barbels or feelers. “Foremost authorities on tropical fish have so far been unable to sex this species,” said Mr Mitchell. The shipment included about 12 red tetras, of which three pr four survived the journey. These will be of value, as Mr Mitchell has none of these in his collection. Most of the black line tetras arrived safely .' Only three golden leopards (Phalloceros candomaculatus). of which the female is three times as large as the male, survived. The baby jewel (Hemichromis bimaculatus) is a new species for the collection. Other species include the Barbus oligolepis. Rosy Barbs (Barbus conchonius), and black mollies, who travelled practically without loss. Mr Mitchell began his aquarium about 12 years ago when he started to collect goldfish. Three years ago he started his collection of fresh-water tropical fish, of which he now has nearly 500 in 26 lighted aquariums. In this number there are 30 varieties. The water in the aquariums is -kept at a temperature of about 75 degrees F. The diet of the fish is mainly small live worms, water fleas, and various types of meat. Sheep’s heart cooked and minced is fed. and also limited qualities of cereal foods. Diseases which may attack the fish include tail rot and white fungus. These are caused mainly by overcrowding and incorrect feeding. The water in the aquariums is never changed and. as it evaporates, it is topped up with warm water. Another Christchurch man was more successful with a shipment of tropical fish which also arrived by air yesterday. He was Mr Harold E. Otley, who received about four dozen Sumatra barbs, with a small casuality rate of 1 per cent.