JHB zoo a must see for big fish fans

Went past JHB zoo yesterday and was really good to see the amazon exhibit open
have some true tank buster including a few giant red tails and some big gars
they also have a tank with some midas, jags and other large cichlids witch really made me happy even thou these are not from amazon but central america is close enough
must see for anyone wanting a tank buster to see if they want to do community with these guys as to what tank is actually needed
was quite chuffed that I have bigger fish, more variety and girlfriend spent so much time with me she could basically name all the fish

 

Nice! I'm a friend with the vet, will ask him if he can send some pictures

 

had fluff in the phone camera lense or i would have post plenty but all are just a grey blur
recon i am going try do some trades with them
would love to see a 70cm dovii and that only possible in a monster tank

 

wow going this weekend must go see. its open at last

 

I went there just after Xmas. I was also very impressed. They still have a few tanks to fill, so something to look forward to. I have some photos at home.

I also went to the aquarium in Hartbeespoort. What a sad contrast!

 

The Hartebeeespoort aquarium's tanks were very disappointing. They advertise indigenous fish, but about the only indigenous fish they had were some barbel. In general the fish were in poor condition, with some fish showing signs of a fungus infection. The tanks were fairly bare with few plants - and those plants were terrestrial ones. Many of the labels were incorrect. Their brochure shows penguins (a draw-card for my 5 year old son) but they have none. The only highlight as a tame Cape seal that did tricks. I can't recommend it.

 

Ouch! That's my valley, unfortunately. But yes, there are better aquaria. Pretoria Zoo is actually quite nice, too. I used to go there as a student 22 years ago and visit the fish curator (Kobus, if I remember correctly), and we exchanged fish, books and knowledge. He showed me his breeding wild discus (I was in total awe), which were only kept in the strictly private section, as well as plenty of other things the visitors never got to see. Nowadays I only go there as a normal paying visitor. Don't know what's going on behind the scenes. Actually, it would make for a really interesting outing if someone could arrange a special "behind the scenes" TASA special tour of Jhb or Pta zoo. How about it - anyone in the mood to try and arrange something?

 

Also used to trade with Kobus from pta zoo, where my Midas come from. New big boss not keen on trading with public at all.
trying to hook up jhb zoo as we speak.

 

My friend says they are taking donations of South American fish.

 

Recon I will give them dovii, Midas and red terror maybe a zontas

 

Since we are on the JHB ZOO topic. I visited also in Dec. Liked the big tanks but was very disappointed with the others.

The question????

Cant we arrange some sponsorship between all the members and current sponsors to go there and better there displays? Call it some community out reach program?

Like with the 1st tank that you walk into. No deco just gravel but there is some "nice" discus, corries, pimelodus cats and a L46. Non of them likes that tank setup i can guarantee it. The other tanks is the same.