The Eastern Water Dragon (Physignathus lesueurii lesueurii) is from Eastern Coast of Australia. They are tolerant of humidity and cooler temperatures. The Eastern Water Dragon is hardy, not much of a fussy eater, and loves bathing in water. They must be provided a good sized water pool or pond that they can completely submerge themselves in. They also defecate in the water and very little out of the water. Therefore the water must be changed regularly. Read more

There are two types of Bearded Dragon kept in New Zealand. One is the Inland Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps), and the other is the Eastern Bearded Dragon (Pogona barbata). The Inland Bearded Dragon is from inland west New South Wales and Queensland, hates humidity, and loves a very hot and dry enclosure. If the humidity is to high it can cause respiratory infections and if not treated quickly, death can occur.The Eastern Bearded Dragon is from Eastern Coast of Australia and ranges from the Cooktown area of far north Queensland to south eastern South-Australia and is more tolerant of humidity and cooler temperatures. Read more

The Reeve's Turtle comes from mainland China and Japan, where it is poached for food to near extinction and is now classed as threatened. Hot House Turtles is proud to support Save The Asian Turtle Species, where it is hoped that one day Reeve's Turtles will be released into safe sanctuaries in their country of origin, free of poachers. Read more

The Snake-neck Turtle (or Side neck Turtle as it is sometimes referred to) is native to Australia's eastern coast from Victoria in the south to Rockhampton in the north. It's identified by it's grey/black body, black carapace (brown in younger specimens) and in older specimens white plastron with black seams joining the scutes. It has an especially long neck that must be tucked in sideways for protection. Read more

The Red-eared Turtle is the most common fresh water turtle in the world. It iseasily identified with it's read marking on the ears. The female Red-eared Turtle grows to approximately 25cm long in the shell, and males 15 - 18cm. Read more

A common complaint of many substrates is that they tend to cloud up water when first setting up a tank. This clouding can be mitigated by filling the tank slowly or adding water over a dish so it does not stir the gravel., If it is important that clouding be completely illiminated, you might want to try one of these methods... Read more

An indepth article on Seachem Cupramine, a copper treatment for Oodinium, Cryptocaryon, Amyloodinium, Ichthyophthirius, and other external parasites in fish Read more

Discus have long been know as the "King of the Aquarium” The discus is native to the Amazon and its tributaries. Here is some advice on keeping them. Read more

Tanganyikan fish come from Lake Tanganyika in Africa. Tanganyika is one of the great rift lakes of Africa. Tanganyika was created by the continent of Africa pulling apart. It is one of the lakes in Africa that is known for it’s diverse cichlid population, and unique water chemistry. Read more

Malawian fish come from Lake Malawi in Africa. Malawi is one of the great rift lakes of Africa. Malawi was created by the continent of Africa pulling apart. It is one of the lakes in Africa that is known for its diverse cichlid population, and unique water chemistry. Most African cichlids in the hobby today come from Lake Malawi. Read more

Red Eared Turtles make a fun and interesting pet. Here is some info on keeping Red Eared Turtles. Read more

Here are some tips on keeping your aquarium: Read more

Fire Bellied Newts are the next best thing to a lizard or turtle - but easier to keep!! Read on for more info Read more

Here is some advice on marine aquariums. Read more

What is the best way to make a house move as easy and as safe for your fish as possible? Moving house can be a very stressful experience not only for us but for our fish as well. The following is a brief description which highlights the key areas to concentrate on when moving your aquarium and its inhabitants to their new home, in your new house. By following these recommendations you should be able to successfully establish a healthy aquarium including a fully functional mature filter in a relatively short period of time, safe in the knowledge that your fish will have undergone very little stress during this process. Read more

The Low Down On Aquarium Filtration Why And How Read more

Want to know why you need a skimmer or what they do? Then read Read more

What is the number one problem in water gardening? Algae. Whether it's "green water" or filamentous "blanket weed," water gardeners hate it and want it gone - now! Read more

When fish and plants are added to a newly established pond, the environment is serene and natural looking and the water crystal clear. In time, however, the water can become cloudy and murky – so murky, in fact, you may have trouble seeing your fish. Read more

The clean, quiet and efficient way to a healthy aquarium or garden pond. Read more

The breeding season for the goldfish is in the late spring and early summer. In New Zealand goldfish will generally spawn anytime form early September through to late February. Usually goldfish are over 8 cm long before the sex is recognizable and they will breed. Males will get "nuptial tubercles" on their head, body, and fins when in breeding condition. Read more

The all NEW Professionel II 2026, 2028, 2126 and 2128 are breaking new ground with features such as the one-motion "Push to Prime" pump head, maintenance indicator and auto-valve release system.Thermo version comes with an electronic thermostat and a built in heating element for simultaneous filtration and temperature control. Read more

When autumn arrives, there is a whole range of jobs which need to be done in the garden, and it is all too easy to forget the pond. Yet if you don´t take a few essential precautions now, you may loose most of your fish and some of your plants as well. Read more

A few guide lines for feeding your fish Read more

The concept of reducing pathogens in a natural way is not particularly new, but the ability to perform the task has only recently been possible. The natural way to reduce pathogens is to "competitively exclude" them from the vital elements they require to grow and multiply. This requires a vibrant community of non-pathogenic bacteria that are utilizing the elements and better able to compete for them than the pathogens. Read more

Recent advertising has claimed to demonstrate conclusively that "a power head doesnt make an undergravel filter work any better "[than an air pump]. This sweeping statement is substantiated by an "independent" study that implies the only factor in the effectiveness of an undergravel filters operation is the amount of water flowing through the riser stem. Read more

Nitrogen is considered the limiting factor for algal growth in salt water, while phosphorus is the limiting factor in fresh water. Read more

Aquarium lighting is a vitally important component of an aquarium display, without it the visual aspect of what may be quite a physically imposing piece of equipment remains dull and un-interesting. Lighting brings the display alive and allows us to delight in the reflected beauty of shimmering shoals and dramatic designs displayed by the myriad of fish varieties available to the home fish keeper. Lighting also plays an important role in ensuring plants are able to photosynthesize and in some aquariums such as the reef system, is essential to the survival of many types of invertebrate life forms. Read more

Freshly hatched brine shrimp eggs are one of the best foods available for fish fry, reef tanks and small aquatic organisms because they provide proteins and fatty acids which accelerate growth and increase survival. Read more