There are several successful breeding experiences with Empires that I know
of but I don't think many raised large numbers. The use of the finest grade
of micro-encapsulated aquaculture foods seems to have been the successful
factor. The fry hatch very quickly as immature prolarvae which are so tiny
and hard to feed.
<<What I also want to know is some info on the kinds of areas where empires
are found. Are they ever found in landlocked water bodies?>>
Although I have caught them in estuarine and even marine (rarely) areas
mostly they are found in purely fresh situations and frequently in
landlocked waters. For example on Fraser Island in many of the perched
lakes e.g. Lake Garrawongera has a pure monoculture of Empires where the
adults occupy the substrate and the juveniles swim around in schools.
<< Do you ever catch small juveniles?>>
Yes! However they are not all that easy to recognise as such - elongate
transparent slivers, often in huge numbers because they form a significant
part of the food chain for larger species.
<<Hope someone can give me some advice and encouragement :-)>>
Go for it - however the Striped Gudgeon (Gobiomorphus australis) is more of
a mystery to me and probably follows the pattern of its' NZ co-generics by
breeding in the estuaries even though they favour the soft acid
"headwaters".
Bruce Hansen
ANGFA N+Q