EDITORIAL

Welcome to a new issue of Aquarium World. In 2006 I purchased my first ‘fancy’ pleco, a flash pleco, Panaqolus albivermis. Shortly afterwards I bought a few more with the naïve belief I would soon breed them. Success eluded me for 15 years, but it was the start of an addiction that continues today. In this issue I share my challenging but ultimately rewarding road to success. New Zealand has very few species of exotic reptiles that can be kept as pets. In this issue we finish our series with the aptly named blue tongue skink. These large docile lizards are easy to care for, but they do require a large enclosure. Rockfishes are remarkable intertidal fish and a great choice for a dedicated local marine aquarium. In this issue we profile the olive rockfish (Acanthoclinus fuscus), a particularly hardy species that are often found under rocks with only enough water to keep them damp. All but one species of oxygen weed is declared noxious in New Zealand and for good reason. In this issue Caryl Simpson shares her mission getting rid of one of the less desirable species from her pond. And finally, Melanie Newfield continues her great biotope series. This time with a mini-imitation of Tasik Bera (Lake Bera), a large shallow Malaysian lake with almost 100 fish species. I hope you all have a relaxing and enjoyable Christmas break.

Darren Stevens

FNZAS Editor

90 day old flash plecos Panaqolus albivermis (L204) Photo: Darren Stevens