Feeder Fish

Fire-tail Gudgeons (Hypseleotris galii)

Brief Background

Fire-tail gudgeons are a small (usually 2-4cm) Australian native freshwater fish which are indigenous to the coastal rivers of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. In the wild they can form large populations, in small areas, but they do not school under normal conditions.

They are a gregarious, omnivorous fish which can tolerate a wide variety of environmental conditions. Fire-tail gudgeons can live in waters high in minerals, low in oxygen, and can live in mildly saline waters up to 10ppt. Although they are commonly found in quiet waters with plentiful aquatic weeds, they do best in a cool (15-25°C) environment which is well aerated (high oxygen).

In their native habitat, they commonly form the staple diet of many small native predators, such as turtles, wading birds, spangled perch, purple-spotted gudgeons and bass.

Uses

Fire-tail gudgeons are commercially produced as live food for a variety of aquatic animals and can be used as an environmentally friendly, biological control of mosquito larvae.

Fire-tail gudgeons are an inactive, slow swimming fish, devoid of any unpalatable spines and, hence, make an excellent live feeder fish for many species of aquarium fish, turtles and some aquatic birds.

Availability

Although fire-tail gudgeons are primarily summer breeders, their production in large (2,500m²) ponds, in south-east Queensland, makes them available as a feeder fish product throughout the year.

Packaging and Delivery

The feeder fish are packaged live in plastic bags with water and oxygen whereby they are delivered directly from our farm to your premises. They can be delivered directly to businesses, homes and shops, in most areas of south-east Queensland.

Our delivery vans service most areas between Caloundra and Tweed Heads and go as far west as Toowoomba.

Storage

Fire-tail gudgeons are a very tough species; however, survival is better under ideal conditions. The most important factor for enhancing survival at high density during storage is good water quality. The water should be cool (less than 25°C; ideally 18-22°C), well aerated water, with a neutral or slightly acidic pH. Salt applied at a rate of 5g/L will reduce stress and further enhance survival.

Cost

The cost depends on the quantity purchased. These feeder fish can be purchased bulk by weight or by a specific number.

Current prices are available on request (Phone: 07 54638 226).