Archive for the Aquarium Fish category.
Mar 17
Purchasing a fish aquarium may seem like an easy task however tropical and saltwater fish need special care and attention to live a happy life.
The first thing you will need to decide is whether you plan on keeping fresh water fish or saltwater fish. Generally speaking freshwater fish are a lot easier to keep so if this is your first fish aquarium I would advise a fresh water fish aquarium would be a good place to start.
You will need to make sure you do not add too much food to your fish aquarium, research the type of fish you are keeping before throwing in too much or too little food, adding too much food could be harmful to your tropical fish as they can over eat, also adding to much food could potentially pollute the tank.
Having a balanced diet is essential for aquarium fish, I would recommend that you buy any fish food in small bags or containers rather than bulk buying, this is because over time the vitamin content will gradually decline so to keep your fish food in optimum condition and as fresh as possible buy smaller bags and keep them in a cool dry place.
Anything that is introduced into your fish aquarium should be properly taken care of and monitored, it is important to keep the water in the tank clean by checking for parasites, fungi and bacteria.
Although maintaining a fish aquarium is an ongoing task certain fish can lighten the load, it is well worth investing in fish that scavenge as they will clean the tank for you however it is vital to research the type of fish you buy to ascertain if they can live peacefully with the other fish residing within your tank.
It may be a good idea to create yourself a daily monthly and weekly ‘to do’ list so you can be sure that you have made all the necessary checks on the temperature control, lighting and feeding.
Toxic and harmful products can be caused by the breakdown of protein, investing in a protein skimmer can be extremely effective, a protein skimmer will remove impurities and residue from the aquarium and will purify the water.
Never keep your tank in direct sunlight, this will increase the growth of green algae making your tank unattractive and hard to see into. Having a fish tank in direct sunlight will also cause the water temperature to rise making it harder to control
The bigger the fish aquarium the easier it ill be to maintain a stable water temperature, having a larger tank will also give your fish more room to move, it is also very important to give them lots of places to hide, believe it or not the more places they have to hide the less they will hide.
If you can keep on top of the maintenance then you are sure to have a clean and happy tank.
Allen Jesson
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/how-to-look-after-your-fish-aquarium-134660.html
Mar 10
Among the various types of freshwater fish, Rosy barbs, Tiger barbs, Sumatra barbs and Red Barbs are easiest to maintain and breed. However, it is advisable to place the larger barbs with fish of similar size. In communal tanks, trouble is stirred up by the larger barbs and they also uproot the fancy plants. They are more attention seeking than the smaller barbs and therefore, they should be separated and grouped.
Ceylon is the origin of the Purple Head Barbs and the Black Ruby. The fish do well in communal tanks and grow to about 2 1/2 inches. The female barbs are yellow-gray with dark stripes running in blotches and vertical lines. They lend colorful environments to the aquarium. The male barbs are brownish-black in color and/or black with vermilion red frontals. This fish lives well in communal waters, unlike the boisterous Puntius Conchonius groups. This fish feasts on all foodstuffs and is not finicky. It is also not demanding when it comes to water conditions and will survive even in moderately hard neutral waters. This is an easier fish to breed like the Puntius. The barb spawns like other barbs and lays about 300 eggs.
The Sumatra and the Tiger Barb belong to the Capoeta Tetrazona species, which originates from Sumatra and Borneo. Their size is about 2 inches when fully grown. This is a colorful fish with reddish-yellow bodies with a wide variety of black stripes. Its attitude is changeable which is the reason for its being the most diverse fish in the market. Some people are of the opinion that this fish bullies other fish, nipping at their fins, while other people feel that they have a calm disposition.
The Sumatra and Tiger fish share the same water condition needs as other barbs. The Sumatra and Tiger Barbs flourish in impartial or practical alkalinity water, as also in hard water. Fish owners are advised to set the temperatures at 78 degrees Fahrenheit. The Sumatra and Tiger fish will crave and eat all foodstuffs heartily. All barbs spawn healthily and they are the first choice of breeders.
The male Sumatra and Tiger fish are slim and colorful while the female species are plump. The female are simple and breed like other barbs. The fry are however susceptible to bladder problems and tend to rot at the fins. The water then has to be extremely spotless and should be monitored very carefully during breeding, as the spawn of the Sumatra and Tiger fish is gnawed at by the mutants.
Ceylon is the origin of Capoeta Titteya fish or Cherry Barbs, which are about 2 inches in length. The fish have a red-brown or yellow-brown color and are outstanding by their top to bottom dark black stripes. This is a communal fish and need the same water and feeding conditions like those of other barbs. Male counterparts of Capoeta Titteya are of dark colors and change colors when bred. They are usually cherry red and black, with stripes that virtually evaporate.
Breeding of the Cherry Barbs is similar to the breeding of other barbs and they spawn nearly 200 eggs. There is variety in Cherry Barbs, with some barbs feasting on their own kind, while others refraining from it.
You should have a look at the line of Harlequins if you are a novice to aquariums and fish care and are new to the hobby.
Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/aquarium-fish-care-barbs-in-your-aquarium-740503.html
Mar 3
1. Water conditions differ in every area
Most aquariums today are quite self sufficient and do not need much caring, but the water is something that has to be checked and the conditions checked and made safe for fish to be put into. Water is different in each separate part of the world and in some places it is contaminated and has to be made suitable for fish to survive in. The plants play an important role in this too. Some fish like tetras like soft water and so when testing the water for such fish you should make sure that the water is soft.
On the other hand Cichlid is a fish that prefers hard water. These species are from Africa where there is a lot of salt from natural sources in the water. Do not add limestone as gravel in the fish tanks.
After you test the pH readings of the water you will have an idea of the condition of the water. The proper figure that the pH should be is 7.If the number is lower then the water is acidic and if it is higher than the water is alkaline. So if you maintain your water at the proper temperature and balance then you will have plants and fish that are healthy and that will live much longer. Some fish like the red nosed tetra like a lot of area to swim in and also a lot of plants around them. So make sure that the fish that you have in the aquarium all need the sort of conditions to survive in and not different. This will create a problem to maintain them properly.
2. Testing the water
To test the water you will need a test kit which you can procure at the local pet shop or online. Getting one at the pet store is more practical as the person at the store can give you some advice on how to use it and tell you what the readings mean, especially if you are new to using these kits. What are very useful are water conditioners which you can put in every time you change the water in the tank.
3. Temperature of the water in the tank
The water heater should be kept at a low volume as the water should not get over heated.
It is for this reason that the fish tank should not be kept in the living room as living rooms are pretty warm compared to the rest of the house. If you have a lot of plants in the tank and a tropical variety of fish then there should not be much of a problem, as these fish prefer warmer temperatures. The same way tropical plants also are more acclimatized to warm temperatures. So maintaining the proper temperature will give your plants and fish a longer lease of life and a healthier one too. A heater that has a heaterstats is a good buy as it automatically regulates the heat and controls it by thermostat. This heater can be fixed to the glass with suction cups and every time it comes on a small lamp that it has comes on.
Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/maintaining-aquarium-water-how-to-create-right-atmosphere-for-your-fish-740481.html
Feb 23
1. Food requirements of fish
No matter what kind of fish you have the main thing that you should know is how to feed them and give them the same food as they would live on when they are in their natural habitat. Such foods are available in any of the fish shops wither as frozen foods or in the form of flakes or tablets. You would have to add some vitamins to the food as some of the nutrients in the food are lost when the food is frozen or processed.
Fish, like humans get fed up of the same food everyday and need a change sometimes. So keep a variety of foods available and give them a change sometimes. Before you buy the fish make sure that you can get the food that they eat or else you will have a constant problem of procuring the right kind of food for your fish. Do not over feed the fish as this will create debris to collect in the tank. Fish should be only fed as much as they can consume in 2 or 3 minutes, not more. Watch and see how much they can eat and do not put more than that every time. New aquarium owners tend to over feed their fish. Once they have eaten remove all the excess food from the tank. This way you can maintain a clean tank.
2. Keep water conditions consistent always
To maintain your fish in a comfortable environment make sure that you keep the water conditions consistent like the temperature the salinity levels and the P. H. also. You should test the water everyday and make sure that you correct any changes that you see. The filter should be cleaned regularly and the water should not get cloudy.
To keep your fish happy in their new environment you should try and make this very like their natural habitat in the ocean. Get corals, plants and sponges that the fish have been surrounded by in the ocean and this will make them more at home in the aquarium. You can reduce the stress level of the fish by making their environment in the aquarium as natural as possible.
3. Do not overcrowd the tank
Never overcrowd an aquarium as this makes the fish quite uncomfortable. The natural habitat rule suggests one small fish for every ten gallons of water, but also bear in mind that what is a small fish now, may not be so small a little later. So before putting too many fish into the aquarium get to know what the grown up fish size will be and shop accordingly for your fish.
Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/salt-water-fish-aquarium-3-great-fish-care-tips-740466.html
Feb 16
1. Water conditions differ in every area
Most aquariums today are quite self sufficient and do not need much caring, but the water is something that has to be checked and the conditions checked and made safe for fish to be put into. Water is different in each separate part of the world and in some places it is contaminated and has to be made suitable for fish to survive in. The plants play an important role in this too. Some fish like tetras like soft water and so when testing the water for such fish you should make sure that the water is soft.
On the other hand Cichlid is a fish that prefers hard water. These species are from Africa where there is a lot of salt from natural sources in the water. Do not add limestone as gravel in the fish tanks.
After you test the pH readings of the water you will have an idea of the condition of the water. The proper figure that the pH should be is 7.If the number is lower then the water is acidic and if it is higher than the water is alkaline. So if you maintain your water at the proper temperature and balance then you will have plants and fish that are healthy and that will live much longer. Some fish like the red nosed tetra like a lot of area to swim in and also a lot of plants around them. So make sure that the fish that you have in the aquarium all need the sort of conditions to survive in and not different. This will create a problem to maintain them properly.
2. Testing the water
To test the water you will need a test kit which you can procure at the local pet shop or online. Getting one at the pet store is more practical as the person at the store can give you some advice on how to use it and tell you what the readings mean, especially if you are new to using these kits. What are very useful are water conditioners which you can put in every time you change the water in the tank.
3. Temperature of the water in the tank
The water heater should be kept at a low volume as the water should not get over heated.
It is for this reason that the fish tank should not be kept in the living room as living rooms are pretty warm compared to the rest of the house. If you have a lot of plants in the tank and a tropical variety of fish then there should not be much of a problem, as these fish prefer warmer temperatures. The same way tropical plants also are more acclimatized to warm temperatures. So maintaining the proper temperature will give your plants and fish a longer lease of life and a healthier one too. A heater that has a heaterstats is a good buy as it automatically regulates the heat and controls it by thermostat. This heater can be fixed to the glass with suction cups and every time it comes on a small lamp that it has comes on.
Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/maintaining-aquarium-water-how-to-create-right-atmosphere-for-your-fish-740481.html
Jan 27
I am doing research on the saltwater aquarium industry for my class and need a list of popular fish for Saltwater Aquariums. Thank you for your answers
I am doing research on the saltwater aquarium industry for my class and need a list of popular fish for saltwater aquariums. I am looking for specific names, such as Flame angels vs Angels in general. Thank you for your answers
also if possible list the source of the information
1 Angelfish (Large)
2 Angelfish (Dwarf)
3 Anthias
4 Bass & Groupers
5 Basslets & Assessors
6 Batfish
7 Blennies
8 Boxfish & Pufferfish
9 Butterflyfish
10 Cardinalfish
11 Chromis
12 Clownfish
13 Damsels
14 Dartfish
15 Dragonets
16 Eels
17 Filefish
18 Foxface
19 Flatfish
20 Frogfish
21 Goatfish
22 Gobies
23 Grunts
24 Hamlet
25 Hawkfish
26 Hogfish
27 Jacks
28 Jawfish
29 Lionfish
30 Parrotfish
31 Pipefish
32 Pseudochromis
33 Rabbitfish
34 Rays
35 Scorpionfish
36 Seahorse
37 Squirrelfish
38 Sharks
39 Snappers
40 Tangs
41 Tilefish
42 Triggerfish
43 Wrasse
Jan 27
Owning tropical fish can provide you with immense enjoyment and can become a wonderful hobby that not only you but other will benefit from also.
Although most tropical fish can be relatively easy to care for it is important to educate yourself before buying tropical fish because without proper understanding of their needs your new hobby could become extremely expensive.
You will need to know and research how to set up an aquarium, understand the size you will need for the amount of fish you are hoping to keep. Also be aware of the sizes your fish will grow to as most tropical fish are not purchased at adult size.
By reading books and looking on the internet you will be able to find out what temperature the water in your aquarium needs to be and will know how to test the ph levels, water hardness and for any toxins.
Be aware of diseases, one of the most common tropical fish diseases is white spot, this is caused by a parasite called ‘ick’ or ‘ich’ you will know if this has affected you tropical fish as you will notice white spots on the fishes scales. White spot is a very irritating disease for tropical fish, if you notice your fish rubbing themselves against objects or plants this could be a sign of infection.
It is important to treat white spot immediately. It can kill tropical fish within a few days and will be spread to others in the tank. If one of your fish has been affected you will need to treat the entire tank.
It is important to clean your fish tank and all the stones and plants that are in it, you will need to change the water checking the ph levels as you do so.
To prevent white spot from affecting your fish you should always quarantine new fish for approximately 2 days. Maintain a high water quality and always provide your fish with a balanced diet.
You should never over feed your tropical fish, this can pollute the water and also harm you fish. Provide enough food for them to survive and grow healthily. You may find that different fish will eat different food so it is worth researching this aspect. Some fish are scavengers and are happy to feed off scraps and debris from the tank others will need a specific type of food.
If you are beginner it may be tempting to rush out and buy the best tank you can see and add all the colourful fish you can find however, without being armed with the right information and the correct knowledge about owning tropical fish your efforts could result in disaster.
Your local pet shop owner or aquarium shops will be happy to talk to you about any information or concerns you have about setting up and keeping an aquarium. By knowing all the facts you will be able to purchase an aquarium and tropical fish that will be an enjoyment and pleasure to keep.
Allen Jesson
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/tropical-fish-a-beginners-guide-136843.html
Jan 23
The local Aquarium Fish shop prices fish about 0.5-2 dollars more than the wal mart.
Where should I go for fish?
Since you are hopefuly only buying these fish once, I would spend the extra couple bucks and get them from you locally owned and operated fish store if only for principle if not for the fact that fish at these stores are usualy much better cared for and are less likely to be diseased. Wal Mart has tons of money already and can go without yours. Usualy folks who work at locally owned fish stores are much more knowledgable about their fish than are anyone at Wal Mart.
Jan 19
Imagine a fish tank that has nothing but fish in it! Boring, to say the least! To make your aquarium attractive, you need to accessorize it. There are all sorts of ornaments on offer in the market today. First, you need to take into account the size of your tank and the kind of effect you wish to create. Of course, the most important consideration would be the type of fish you wish to breed in your tank. The ornamentation of a tank is more for people than for the fish. In fact, certain species don’t like gewgaws. The extras seem to get in their way. Oscars don’t like greenery, let alone trimmings! On the other hand, some fish would be lost without some place to ‘get away’. Others need some place to call ‘home’, while a few need something to play around, surprising as that may seem. If you have both small and large fish in your tank, the smaller ones would appreciate something to protect them from being preyed upon.
Select what best suits your requirements from the local pet store or an exclusive fish store. On display, you will find traditional accessories like ships and castles. You could choose seaweed and other branched greenery or imitations of these in various materials. You could pick up shimmery stones of varied hue or pretty baubles to embellish your fish tank. Besides these, there are any number of new fangled accessories to suit every pocket.
Some people are fascinated with amphibians. If you are one of these who keep pet amphibians in your aquarium, the requirement is different. These creatures love waterfalls that terminate in a pool they can luxuriate in. Waterfalls come in all shapes and sizes. You can best replicate their natural habitat by providing for a virtual ‘forest’ of water plants in their tank.
When you choose ornaments for you aquarium, keep in mind what the fish you would like to raise are partial to. Get some literature and read up on their preferences. Certain fish are more sensitive and even a few accessories may traumatize them. Goldfish make excellent pets as they don’t need much care and they don’t seem to mind what’s in the tank with them. Therefore, you can go wild and do what appeals to you. Small fish don’t seem to mind either. So it’s entirely up to you on how you ‘do up’ the tank for small fish.
If you make your aquarium especially attractive, it could become a conversation piece. Use accessories that simulate their natural habitat. That will certainly keep the fish happy! You, your children and your friends can spend hours enjoying the antics of the fish. This occupation is known to be therapeutic, to boot. So be imaginative in decorating your tank. Create your own ornaments or stick with the conventional. The outcome should give you and the fish pleasure.
George Adams
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/how-to-make-your-aquarium-attractive-88060.html
Jan 17
Just looking to know the benefits of having plants in the aquarium with my fish. I have some oscars. Will I still have to do water changes? What do I need to know and what are the best plants to have? Thanks.
None…
90% of the time the plants die and the decaying leaves cause ammonia making tank conditions even worse.
you will have to do more changes than less
do your research because keeping plants is 10 times harder than keeping fish hence the attraction.
you need the right light, co2 level and liquid ferts…
if your up for the challenge then go for it…ask anyone with a heavly planted tank the fish in it are the last thing they care about….
java ferns, amazon swords and crypts are good beginner plants….
your tank will be twice the work not less work….
I’ve been keeping planted tanks for years…
its mad science getting the perfect balance of light, co2 and ferts..
one is off and all your grow is one of 6 types of algae…
good luck
