Re: [Killietalk] Anyone raise killies in tubs outdoors?

[Sandy1238 at aol_com]

 In a message dated 6/10/2007 1:02:40 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  littleleeper23 at hotmail_com writes:
H  Yall,
I have raised most killies Out side at one point or  another.  Great place for surplus males.  What you will quickly  realize is that fish outdoors become the most colorful and fastest growing  in your collection.
I have grown Gnat. zonatus to LG adult size in as  little as 3 months.  BUT the annuals tend to be burned out when you  bring them back in.  Zonatus go hump backed about 1 month back  indoors.  pers. obs.  But man that is one very nice month of  some of the prettiest Zonatus YOU WILL EVER SEE!!
The europeans grow a  lot of killies outside.  Of course many have a fascination with US  natives that we lack.
One of the best killies for a shaded rainwater  filled tub is Leptolucania ommata.  GREAT little killie and it seems  to do SOOOO much better outside than in.  I have worked very very  hard to produce 2 young inside.  Outdoors, you throw them in a tub  mostly shaded and let them go at it and pulled in 50-60 young in the  fall.
I will say Rivulus are pretty much a NO GO!!  THEY must be  covered.  They just like to wander too much.
Blue Gularis will  get your best OUTSIDE!! WOW!!!  Grow fast huge and with 10x's the  color.  However they too are excellent jumpers. so be  careful.
Lastly, if you have mosquito issue problems in the ponds toss  a couple of pairs of Swordtails in the ponds.   I have thrown a  pair in the ponds in early may and brought in 75 young adults back in, in  Sept.  Plus the original pair was FLIPPING HUGE!    Warning  KOI take swords as a tasty treat!!
Fund. notatus are great in the  pond as Mosquito feeders too.
Regarding temps.  If you live in hot  areas just put them in deep shade.  Cooler nights will prevail and  generally keep the temps mild enough!   Iowa Gets HOT 110F is  not uncommon but the nights generally get down to 80 during the hottest  months.  Most can handle it If not you will quickly realize which  ones do not.    Keep plenty of aerating plants in the  ponds!!   I prefer Najas as it is tolerant of deep sahde,   hornwort and anacharis will help too.
God Bless, lee  <><
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Hi, At this time I have A. marginatum, F. gardneri Akure and just put some A.  australe in with some young Notho's. I have had mixed results in the past but am  keeping a closer eye on what I keep this year. In So. California these fish  should be able to stay out until Sept. I have talked to a pond service man who  keeps A. mento outside all year long. Sincerely, Sandy


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