Typus and longirostris habitat - In and around Cairns, QLD

[fishmosy]

Time to post up some of the pictures from my recent trip to Cairns with Northboy aka Bob. Once again massive thanks to Bob and Linda for putting me up for the extended weekend.

I flew into Cairns at around 8.15am and by 9am we were at our first location sampling some typus and longirostris.

When we got there, we were quite worried that there might not be enough water (or shrimp). Our worries were not justified though.

Some habitat shots

The typus were found in their greatest numbers hanging onto the white roots of the surrounding trees that grew down into the water.

And here it is

Unfortunately I wasn't able to get good pictures of the variation in colour of these shrimp.

We were also able to find lots of longirostris. Below is a small sample after about 15 mins of netting.

And here is why you need to keep a lid on your buckets. Typus and longirostris are very good climbers!

Also found this little guy.

Further upstream

Through the culvert was a moss wall

And after grabbing some moss samples, we headed off to the next spot in Cairns.

And the result of this trip - a shot of my typus in my tank at home today.

 

 

Edited June 13, 2015 by fishmosy

[Grubs]

Great to see the habitat shots.  Any water params?

I like how the typus in your tank is also hanging out in the roots.

[fishmosy]

Can't remember if I did tests here. I know I did all the other locations we visited, but might have missed this one as it was the first. If I didn't, the water would likely be the same as creeks nearby - temp 19-21, tds 10-20, GH <20ppm, KH < 10ppm, pH 6.8-7.0. 

Bob can confirm. 

[NoGi]

Nice work

[Callan]

Very nice thanks for sharing. I would have expected a lower ph being natural water source. It must be being buffered by the rocks I suppose .. 

[fishmosy]

Very nice thanks for sharing. I would have expected a lower ph being natural water source. It must be being buffered by the rocks I suppose .. 

The TDS, GH and KH are too low to stop the pH falling. carbon dioxide - CO2 (which dissolves in water to form carbonic acid) would be the main determinate of pH. I think the riffles (not the shrimp!) and fast flowing water would cause much of the CO2 to gas off. Therefore pH stays relatively high. 

[fishmosy]

Also in Cairns, Bob took me to a man made water hole where Oscars are found (Oscars as in the fish from South America that gets to approx. 30 cm). We counted eight in the 10 mins that we were there but unfortunately I couldn't get a decent shot. In flood times, the pond overflows into brackish water (with Jacks and barra, ect.) so the Oscars seem contained for the time being.

You can see the rainbows in the same pool in the shots below. They were the biggest rainbows I've ever seen - at least 15cm in length. Plenty of food for the Oscars. Also lots of lilies in the pond.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 15, 2015 by fishmosy

[yeswaitnosorry]

How did the Oscars end up there? Illegally dumped?

[fishmosy]

How did the Oscars end up there? Illegally dumped?

Correct.

[kizshrimp]

Thanks for the field reports fishmosy, I wish I'd been there. Have you got more to post yet? I'm kind of hanging to see it all...

[fishmosy]

@kizshrimp I've been motivated by your posts to get them up so I'll be doing my best to get them up this weekend. The Malanda habitat will be of special interest to you.