Local Collecting Trip & Guest Speaker Wild Peru 3/16/13

[mnemenoi]

Itenerary schedule

12:30-1:00pm - Meet up at Roy and Sashas place for Local Collection Trip, gather gear, determine car loads, ect.

1:00pm - Depart for Collection sites (Sasha will be at the house and can direct if anyone shows up late)

4:00pm - Return from the collection trip to our house. Take Showers if you like, take pictures of collected species, begin working on hamburgers/food. Everyone is welcome to stay and hang out, overlook the aquariums, vivariums

7:00pm - GHAC Meeting to commence (Might even be a bit earlier, I'll let Tim decide)

7:15pm - Welcome our guest speaker Brian Perkins from WildPeru to discuss Peruvian biotope, South American Killifish, Corydoras, and various plants he has collected.

8:00pm - End of the official meeting and hang out enjoying the evening

Things to Bring/Consider - Collection Trip - Sunscreen, tall boots, nets, collection bags, coolers, drinks, fishing lisence, ect.
GHAC Meeting - Chairs if possible, Chips, veggies, drinks, stuff for trade, hamburger buns, extra utensils/plates/plastic cups, anything you are inclined

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I wanted to say thanks to Tim for the interest and everyone who has wanted to go.

I imagine that a trip would be best suited for March/April at the very least, but thought I would throw out some ideas and see what everyone would be interested in the most. Some of these I have done and can list targeted species, while others are things I have not done before and am always up for something new.

1. Spring Area - Grass Pickerel, Black & Yellow Bullhead, Pirate Perch, Golden Topminnow, Blackstripe Topminnow, Sailfin Molly, Mosquitofish, Banded Pygmy Sunfish, Various Sunfish, Possible Darter Species, Scuds, Ghost Shrimp, Crayfish, Various Turtles, Various snakes, Various aquatic Insects, Various aquatic plants

[ScorpiosWife]

Have you ever tried Burroughs Park or Spring Creek Park? I'm not sure what all is out there or if we are allowed to collect from the county parks. I know Burroughs Park has a nice pond that we used to fish. I thought it would be useful to attach a map of our area, broken down by precinct, showing all the local county parks. More of a point of reference, so people know where some local parks are.

http://www.co.harris.tx.us/parks.aspx

I've never been on one of the collection trips & I'm ready! I've wanted to go, just don't know what I'll need or what I'm doing for that matter, lol.

[madehtsobi]

this sounds like fun! im down for whatever if i can leave work!

[eklikewhoa]

The past times I have collected in Galveston...

Sargassum frogfish/angler, Sargassum shrimp, sponges, Rock anemone, Peppermint shrimp, Sergeant major damsels, rockfish, etc.


St. Luis Pass was awesome when it came to Sargassum piles
Seawall Jetty for the rest.

[mnemenoi]

Have you ever tried Burroughs Park or Spring Creek Park? I'm not sure what all is out there or if we are allowed to collect from the county parks. I know Burroughs Park has a nice pond that we used to fish. I thought it would be useful to attach a map of our area, broken down by precinct, showing all the local county parks. More of a point of reference, so people know where some local parks are.

http://www.co.harris.tx.us/parks.aspx

I've never been on one of the collection trips & I'm ready! I've wanted to go, just don't know what I'll need or what I'm doing for that matter, lol.

I have tried Burroughs park!! I'd be up for nearly anywhere, though in Spring I know far too may out of the way creeks and drainage ditches that yield tons of smaller stuff folks might want in their tanks and they can get a bit dirtier as they are so close to the water and foliage to actually get collecting and sifting through nets. I have a good collection of gear and for something like this I'll be well stocked with long handled collection nets, smaller nets, and seines. Academy has a great collection and some that break down so anyone can have one in their vehicle if they spot somewhere and want to try it on their own. I'll try and grab a specimen tank for photos and release of anything that no one wants. I'll be there as well as quite a few others that are aboard to give tips, tactics, and let you know what you have in the net...

[Ballinxalex]

Where can I catch ghost shrimp? But it sounds like fun

[mnemenoi]

The past times I have collected in Galveston...

Sargassum frogfish/angler, Sargassum shrimp, sponges, Rock anemone, Peppermint shrimp, Sergeant major damsels, rockfish, etc.


St. Luis Pass was awesome when it came to Sargassum piles
Seawall Jetty for the rest.

I'd enjoy a Glaveston/St. Luis Pass trip, though I'm not nearly as good with identification, lol. I am certainly loking forward to another trip this year, I remember the one we had with Kiko and it was a blast

[gc09]

How do you collect in gtown ? Marine

[mnemenoi]

Where can I catch ghost shrimp? But it sounds like fun

Nearly any smaller overgrown ditch or waterway that has dense foliage should yield more then you can ever want. They are quite plentiful locally and adapt to captive life very well. Just avoid adding too many to your collection jar/cup/bucket as they can deplete and foul the water.

[mnemenoi]

How do you collect in gtown ? Marine

Marine would be in Galveston or a nearby spot

[eklikewhoa]

How do you collect in gtown ? Marine

Marine would be in Galveston or a nearby spot

I'm thinking gc09 meant what's the process?

net, bucket, fishing license, water.

[gc09]

Do you scoop the sand with the net or how does it work

[eklikewhoa]

Do you scoop the sand with the net or how does it work

I've never really scooped sand.

For the jettys we would use nets with rubber tubing to protect the edge of the nets and then drag them along the rocks

For the sargassum we just netted them out the water by scooping underneath the bunches of floating sargassum.

[moganman]

Sargassum has an ecosystem in itself. So many crustaceans attach themselves to it.

[mnemenoi]

Thought I might touch on some ideas for setting up smaller nano native tanks in case anyone might be interested to cycle one prior to collecting. I'll try and touch on some smaller species (suitable to 20 gallons and less) we might encounter

Pirate Perch (Aphredoderus sayanus ) a real oddball and only member of its family. Not growing larger then 4" it prefers densely planted tanks and will take anything that can fit in its mouth. Dark couloured bass like fish with irredescent gill plates.

Banded Pygmy Perch - Very small cresicular species perfectly suited to a planted nano tank. Can be hard to feed, but has been known to accept bloodworms. Very small fish (1.5") that can be a bit shy, but displays a wonderful social dynamic when used in small groups. A very good choice for a native to begin with.

Sailfin Molly - These are natives, but the males and females are spectacularly stunning and in a 30 gallon would be a great choice. These can be caught in FW and brackish areas and I would stick with the water at whatever location they are found at.

Darters - A small goby like perciform that prefers a sand covered bottom tank and strong current. Have a tendency to sand dive and emerge to feed once the threat is gone. Acclimate well to aquarium life and do well in a 20 gallon long with a few native shiners for a dither.

Golden Killiefish - Terrfic and probably the best looking local killie. Can grow to 3-3.5", but do well in groups, can be a bit nippy with other tankmates. They really color up in a planted tank and can be a real surprise when seen in full breeding colors. Another great choice and introduction to killifish.

Blackstripe killifish - A larger killifish (3.5-4") that appreciate the top stratum in the tank. Imagine a large one lined pencilfish and you are nearly there. Can be quite comical, especially with other natives. They adapt best when young and seem to accept the aquarium life with far better success.

Ghost Shrimp - Can be fun in their own right, but could be added to all the above mentioned tanks with the fish and should do well, especially in a planted tank where they exhibit flecked coloration and really shine.

Bullheads (black or yellow) can grow large (8-10") and get quite an appetite. Terrific looking fish when younger and darken with age. Not the best choice for adding to a native tank, but are very great on their own in a larger system.

Tadpole Madtom - a pygmy relative of the bullheads that has a caudal, anal, and adipose fin that are connected and appear to join. They would be a great addition to any of the above mentioned tanks.

Dwarf Livebearers - The smallest livebearing fish and can be found near here, but sadly I have never found any this far west. They are a beautiful little fish that are the best livebearer for nano tanks I can imagine. Quite the sought after species in Europe.

Crawfish - There are a few different species and a small tank would suit one. Could be a fun micro predator tank with little difficult care needed.

A little bit about tanks for natives - No heater required, they would do well even in an unheated garage. Any sand or gravel will do perfectly. Native plants are free to collect and attempt in this sort of tank. Any rock or wood is accepted by them all. Filtration is based on your tank size and bioload. Lighting is your preference, but planted tanks would require acceptable lighting. Water comnditions for us are perfect where they are, they will thrive in them and once accostomed can start taking flake/pellets/frozen. You can mix/match different species and try them out. I think many would enjoy a native tank and what wonder the fish found in our own ditches can bring when seen in a different light.