Is it my imagination or is there an increase in mosquitoes population, come the raining season ? In the tropics, we cannot escape these mosquitoes, they are all over the place > < , most irritating insects ever created ...!
Whenever I read of dengue fever on the rise, I worry about these pesky insects ! Are they breeding in my water-lily pots or mini pond? I scooped up some water from each pot using a clear container to check, but to my relief can see no larvae! Anyway to be on the safe side I found myself trooping off to the commercial aquariums in town to buy some live fish. The guppies population seemed to have declined so I bought a few more guppies, Siamese fighting fish, red platies and mixed mollies for variety ! These are all hardy fish and can do well in the waterlily pots. This was a month back, and now the fish population is increasing with tiny baby fish appearing - what a sight to behold ! The new born baby fish are so cute and appear so helpless, resting on the water lily leaves; not unlike sunbathing ! Definitely I adore the way these babies wriggled their tiny tails as they enjoy their freedom swimming in the water ! I worry for their safety from the predator adult fish, but with plenty of foliage to hide, I guess they will stay safe !
Actually it is a nice feeling to have the fish coming for food when I feed them with baby worms or fish food pellets. It seems like the fish are perpetually hungry except for the Siamese Fighting Fish. In order to see the Siamese Fighting Fish, I have to lift the water lily leaves since they like to hide beneath these leaves. Only the promise of a worm can entice them to peep out and snatch at the wriggling worm ! I suppose they are rather shy fish despite their aggressive behavior towards their own kind. So one water lily pot only one Siamese Fighting Fish. Strangely they do not seem to mind the guppies .... and are not aggressive towards them. I guess there is something very appealing about breeding fish - am I about to acquire another hobby ? Please -- no thanks !
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| Mixed Mollies .... |
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| Mixed mollies feeding ... |
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| Blue Siamese Fighting Fish ... hey cutie ! |
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| Red Platies to scare the pesky mosquitoes from laying eggs ! |
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| Female Siamese F Fish .... |
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| Lively guppies ..... ! |
As long as I keep an eye on the ponds to ensure no larvae breeding, I guess my waterlily pots are harmless and I can continue to enjoy the fragrant and beautiful blooms! Watching over healthy, colorful and lively fish swimming in the pots is just a bonus if I can continue to keep the water clear and algae free which is not so easy a task !
Is it my imagination or is there an increase in mosquitoes population, come the raining season ? In the tropics, we cannot escape these mosquitoes, they are all over the place > < , most irritating insects ever created ...!
