Bullrout Notesthes robusta


Photo thanks to murrayman85

Temperature:
pH Level: 7.0 - 8.0
General Hardness: Moderate
Max. Size: 30cm
Realistic Max. Size: 30cm
Tank Size: 4X1.5X1.5
Feeding: Usually will take any high protein pellets, live and frozen meaty foods. Can be difficult/impossible to wean.
Temperament: Aggressive as they mature.

About: Native to NSW and Southern Queensland, Bullrout or freshwater stonefish as they are sometimes known, are sedentary, well camouflaged ambush predators that hide in amongst wooded or rocky areas usually close to aquatic vegetation that supports their most common prey.

In aquariums they appreciate some plants.

Tank mates should be open water or top level tank dwellers. Purple Spotted Gudgeons and rainbows are often recommended as good tank mates. Bullrout get quite territorial as they get older so options are limited as far as tank mates go.

They are able to live in pretty much any salinity, from fresh to marine.

Bullrout are anything but pretty but they do make sensational aquarium subjects. Their predatory behaviour, camouflage and many other unique attributes are extremely entertaining. They are sedentary though so dont expect them to be doing laps of the tank or become super interactive the way other Aussie natives do.
Bullrout are one of the most venomous freshwater Aussie fish. Their spines inflict an amazingly painful wound that you probably wont ever forget.

Finding Bullrout in Perth has proven difficult over the last couple of years (Since ive been looking out for them). Price has been about $100 each through Morley Aquariums and Livefish.com.au. Aquablue Seafoods in NSW breed them for the aquarium trade, not sure if they ship to WA Probably not as they havent bothered replying to my emails.

Article reproduced with permission of the author, Paul Cuttriss (murrayman85). Many thanks for this excellent contribution.
DE

Pics:
http://www.aquariumlife.com.au/showt...-natives/page2