"bullrout" Anyone Kept One Of These?

[raptorrex]

http/www.amonline.net.au/fishes/fishfact...sh/nrobusta.htm

It's a cousin of the Stonefish by all accounts. would live in a brackish or salt. just wondering if someone had tried these?

 

[andywg]

No experience, though looks a nice fish. I would worry about it being temperate and ensuring there is enough dissolved oxygen. Quite aggressive surface agitation would be necessary.

On the plus side, it appears that salt is not necessary, despite it drifting into brackish areas (unlike the Figure 8 which despite being collected in FW does better in brackish). I would expect best results to be in fresh or low end brackish (SG 1.000 to 1.005). Fishbase has some good info on them.

It appears it is currently in Family Tetrarogidae (Waspfish), so while it is still venomous, I would not expect the venom to be as bad as the stonefish of the Family Scorpaenidae (Subfamily Synanceinae). However, this is open to debate as many taxonomists still include the waspfish as a subfamily of Family Scorpaenidae.

Oh the joys of taxonomy...

 

[raptorrex]

ok thanks for the info andywg

 

[AMS]

I can't speak for everyone but I doubt anyone on TFF keeps Notesthes robusta. It's a temperate species, southern Australian fish like their temperatures right around 60 degrees, this means a (expensive) chiller and an insulated acrylic tank.

You won't find it in any LFS but there is a small chance it might pop up through the tropical fish trade. There's a good chance that the Aquatic Biodiversity Group would have it, but you have to order at least one box full of stuff for them to sell to the public.

Hope this helps.

 

[nmonks]

Notesthes robusta a.k.a. freshwater lionfish is quite widely kept in Australia, and during the 80s and 90s was quite a common import into the UK. It isn't at all difficult to keep, with the one proviso that it needs good water quality to do well. Otherwise, the main things to bear in mind are these:

• It's big: up to 30 cm.
• It eats anything alive, including small fish. Can be weaned onto dead foods, but not pellets or flake. Juveniles enjoy live bloodworms. Adults enjoy earthworms, river shrimp, etc.
• Doesn't do much, and is nocturnal, so not much fun.
• Somewhat territorial, though fine with similar sized heterospecific tankmates, e.g., monos.
• Venomous, though only mildly, but still handle with care.

Basically keep as you would a saltwater lionfish or stonefish, though at SG 1.005-1.015.

Cheers, Neale

 

[raptorrex]

Notesthes robusta a.k.a. freshwater lionfish is quite widely kept in Australia, and during the 80s and 90s was quite a common import into the UK. It isn't at all difficult to keep, with the one proviso that it needs good water quality to do well. Otherwise, the main things to bear in mind are these:

• It's big: up to 30 cm.
• It eats anything alive, including small fish. Can be weaned onto dead foods, but not pellets or flake. Juveniles enjoy live bloodworms. Adults enjoy earthworms, river shrimp, etc.
• Doesn't do much, and is nocturnal, so not much fun.
• Somewhat territorial, though fine with similar sized heterospecific tankmates, e.g., monos.
• Venomous, though only mildly, but still handle with care.

Basically keep as you would a saltwater lionfish or stonefish, though at SG 1.005-1.015.

Cheers, Neale

got the idea for the fish from an Australian guy who keeps them with Cherax depressus (Orange-fingered yabby) didnt realise they could be so boaring though thanks!!

 

[Dragonscales]

I personally would debate them being a temperate fish due to the fact that they are found as far north as queensland (definitely not temperate). I would more say they are an adaptable fish that do well in temperate to tropical conditions. I would also agree with Nmonks on keeping them in brackish conditions.

As for members on TFF who own them, hopefully I will be one in a year or two once the missus and I move further north (aiming for August but guess we'll see how it goes).

 

[raptorrex]

I personally would debate them being a temperate fish due to the fact that they are found as far north as queensland (definitely not temperate). I would more say they are an adaptable fish that do well in temperate to tropical conditions. I would also agree with Nmonks on keeping them in brackish conditions.

As for members on TFF who own them, hopefully I will be one in a year or two once the missus and I move further north (aiming for August but guess we'll see how it goes).

all the best for the move mate! let us know how i goes. and if you get one!!!

 

[Dragonscales]

Cheers mate! And don't worry, you guys will be the first to know when I get one (been wanting one for ages but can't find em down here in Victoria but should find one in Queensland no probs)