Western Pygmy Perch

[pistolknight]

As mentioned in another Thread, I was looking for a fish to host Mussels and also not eat marron juveniles, read up on Pygmy Perch and they sounded ideal, eat algae and mozzies, they are apparently very good on sneaking up on mozzies that land on water, and also larvae as well, got a hundred or so yesterday after 4 hours of driving, had a few casualties (9), but all in pond now, they are getting stuck into the algae on my mesh, so that bit is true, the pics below are about as big as they grow, as all are roughly same size, but This Link (http://www.nativefish.asn.au/westernpygmyperch.html) suggests they may grow slightly bigger, see what happens in my less crowded tank, freshwater anglers use them for bait to catch Redfin in Dams (I am told), I think they will make a good alternative to Goldfish, I wanted to do something a little different and every one has Goldfish, I have read that there is a similar Eastern Pygmy Perch that appears to be protected though and also a Southern PP that isn't protected but is only found in southern Vic as far as I can work out

[Murray]

It would appear that they will breed in captivity ? Is that right ?
If so they would be good to breed to use as food for larger fish like Barra or Murray Cod ...perhaps.

[pistolknight]

I got these from a dam Murray so yes I would say, but they only lay up to 15 eggs each, but have 2 breeding season, they tolerate 2-32c temp so are hardy, and not much difference between eastern and western (unlike the footy at the moment) but a prolific breeder is a Gambusia (sometimes called mosquito Gambusia), they can get out of control, but make good fish food, in a aquaponic situation would be worth breeding for fish food.
My Pygmy Perch are part of mt ecosystem I suppose, I want Marron< Fish & Mussels to live together and have just added floating grow beds (Strawberries), so an experiment more than anything.
A mate sells those Gambusia to perth zoo for $1 a Kilo, so they breed quick if your looking for fish food

[GaryD]

Hi,

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Mosquito Fish (Gambusia) are a banned species virtually anywhere in Australia. In most places, it is an offense to have them in your possession......dead or alive.

While I'm sympathetic to the goal of trying to breed small feeder fish, it may be worth attempting to source a native species for such purposes.

GaryD

[Murray]

It would appear that Gary is correct about the mosquito fish. They are in my back dam by the millions. One article I have read about them says that once they are in a waterway they are impossible to remove.

I reckon I could get them out of my dam by releasing 20 or so Murray Cod into the dam......but that would be unwise and unlawful, as Murray Cod are not strictly native to my local area.

I feel that Jonty might be onto a good live food source with the glass shrimp.
It would appear that they breed well in tanks and are very good fish food.

The mosquito fish are good food for the Murrays..........;)

[froggo]

Hi everyone,

the shrimp are a good option. I put some in my fish pond with the goldfish to breed up, as a food supply for my future system.

They seem to be doing quite well 12 months down the track. This spring I will try to do a count to get some idea of my success.

Murray cod, Silvers and Golden Perch all seem to love them,

God bless froggo.

[GaryD]

Hey Murray,

Since it's your duty to get rid of those Mosquito Fish, you might as well kill them by feeding them to Murray cod. It would be difficult to argue that you have them in your possession once they've been through the Murrays.

GaryD

[pistolknight]

Yes Murray and Gary correct Gambusia are banned (Not banned in WA, Fish WA would like you discreetly dispose of them if caught) but are taking over, but to breed in a separate tank for fish food they could be an option, where as Pygmy Perch would be an excellent option also, they only lay around 15 eggs twice a year, but as a longer term breeding project they are a nice and good looking option

[pistolknight]

It would appear that Gary is correct about the mosquito fish. They are in my back dam by the millions. One article I have read about them says that once they are in a waterway they are impossible to remove.

Murray why don't you catch them in the dam in small quantities and feed them to your cod, I gat a small collapsible fish trap from Ebay for less than $10 and actually were catching them with a cube of cheese as bait, (a guru put me on to it;)) they have taken over sections of the dam we got the WPP from, but moved spot and caught only WPP, on cheese I would say we had 50 in trap of Gambusia in less than 5 minutes, also caught WPP on cheese I might add, but they appear not to live together

[Murray]

I have already been feeding them to the Murrays and the murrays really carve them up....There is no mercy in the fish world.
The fish trap idea is very good. That will be a lot easier than scooping them up in a small net.
I will take a look on ebay. Thanks.

[pistolknight]

Try this link here murray http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BAIT-FISH-TRAP_W0QQitemZ150248381448QQihZ005QQcategoryZ27414QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewIt em
Is the same as the one I have

[Murray]

Thanks a lot. I have just bid on one...see how I go.

[pistolknight]

Thanks a lot. I have just bid on one...see how I go.
No worries murray, did notice they always go for same price, I went to Watto's store and found a Buy It Now trap for 9.99 and got it on way

[Martin A1]

Lads, You can catch the mossie fish using an old 2ltr drink bottle with bait inside and rope attached (similar to a poddy mullet trap).
I did this some time ago (before I got my first batch of Silvers) and caught heaps from a farm dam. I actually thought they were a fish of some value until I found out what they were!!! The dam had a large Silvers population and I had my inexperienced fingers crossed.

Don't mix them with your young Silvers as they appeared to nibble at the fins of these small fish.

Let your Cod smash 'em!

[Murray]

Hi Martin,
Can you draw a pix on how to cut the 2 ltr drink bottle to make it into a trap please.

[Martin A1]

Mate,
I actually just used a straight 2ltr milk bottle on this occassion, unmodified. There were heaps ("swarms") of mossie fish though. Just fill the bottle with soaked bread and watch them swim on in through the neck. once you have a bunch retrieve and transfer to a bucket.
You can actually buy good little bait traps at your tackle store. I just went looking for mine to take a photo for you but can't find it... bugger!

Then hit google and found this link for you which is spot on... goodluck!

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/753975/make_a_fish_trap/

[Murray]

Thanks martin, so easy to do.......