Choosing The Best Algae Eater For Your Freshwater Aquarium

An aquarium is a very delicately balanced ecosystem that requires special attention when an imbalance occurs in order to keep the residents alive and healthy. The environmental issues could range from pH complications to an overproduction of algae. With the health of the occupants in mind, the best algae eater for freshwater aquarium is a natural source rather than using harsh chemicals.

Snails are a fun way to rid the tank of algae and are a favorite among children. A great choice is the Ramshorn snail which has a voracious appetite and requires little space. They come in a wide selection of colors which can be matched to the scheme of your tank. There are two points against the snail however, they will eat any plants in the tank and can reproduce very rapidly.

There are also several species of fish which can accomplish your control needs. The right choice of fish can add beauty and diversity to your tank. You must consider your current fish community and size of tank before making a choice of an algae eating fish to prevent aggressive behavior, and possible loss.

The Butterfly Goodeid has an adult size between 3 and 5 inches, with a big appetite. This fish can be aggressive to other fish so an enthusiast should carefully consider the tank community before adding them to the tank, or keeping them in a species only aquarium. The Goodeid fish require a well filtered environment due to a strong sensitivity to poor water conditions.

The American Flag fish is a favorite with brilliant coloring and an easy manner. With an adult size of approximately 2 inches, they do not need a large tank to thrive. Another great choice is the Otocinclus catfish which also has a small demand for space and will not harm plants.

A common pleco is well loved by observers with large fins and an easy behavior. This fish will grow very large and has a tendency to jump from the tank making many owners reluctant to keep them. They require ample space and a lid to maintain them.

A good algae eater is the Bristlenose catfish. These are very commonly seen in pet shops. They are very hearty, and perfect for smaller tanks, this makes them a favorite for those new to the care of an aquarium or have little time to devote to the tank.

If you are looking to diversify your tank consider adding s few shrimp to your community. Amano and Cherry shrimp are both great eaters, they are peaceful and will not damage plants. Shrimp can be sensitive to the condition of the water in the tank so it is best to have an established environment before attempting to introduce them.

Knowing that your aquarium is a delicately balanced system, it is important to find the best algae eater for freshwater aquarium. Many chemicals can damage the quality of the water as a result have an impact on the health of your inhabitants. Natural means to manage the problem work in nature, why not use the same techniques to add diversity and beauty to your tank.

Next, find out more about keeping small freshwater aquariums and find out what the best freshwater aquarium filter is to help keep your tank crystal clear.

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Betta Fish Water - Improve Your Siamese Fighting Fish's Water Conditions

ByJohnathan Thomas

Does your betta fish water quality really matter? Will using tap water for your Siamese fighting fish affect its health in any good or bad ways? How do you do water changes for your Siamese fighting fish? These are common questions about betta fish water that people ask on a regular basis! Today we're going to work on answering them in an easy to understand matter!

Betta fish really do depend on high quality water parameters. The main reason for this is that bettas are all too often kept in small jars or containers without the proper amount of water changes being done on a regular basis. In small betta tanks the toxins from fish wastes can quickly add up to levels that will harm your fish. It doesn't take very high levels of ammonia or nitrites to kill or harm your betta fish. Even small amounts over longer periods of time can weaken your fish's overall health and reduce the life expectancy of a previously healthy Siamese fighter.

When it comes to tap water being safe for bettas, it's not always a simple yes/no answer. The major problem with tap water is that many communities add chlorine and chloramines to the water to kill off bacteria. Unfortunately these can be harmful to the health of bettas as well. Betta fish water should have no chlorine or chloramine in it! One way to get rid of chlorine is to store the water you will use for your betta fish in an open jar with an aquarium pump in it. This drives off the chlorine in the bubbles that rise to the surface. For the chloramine, you can buy inexpensive bottles of betta fish water conditioner either online or in your local pet store. These conditioners break down or stop the chloramine from being able to harm fish. To find out if your city uses chlorine or chloramine, you can contact the water department as they should know the answer right away.

Water changes are easy to deal with when these fish are concerned. For betta jars, changing approximately 80% of the water every few days should be enough to stop toxins from building up. If your betta lives in an aquarium you can replace about 20% of the water every week since the good bacteria help break down toxic ammonia into less toxic nitrites and nitrates. You will quickly see that as you get used to doing these suggestions you can make them part of your routine without them taking much time from your busy schedule!

For more tips on how to keep your betta fish healthy, and how to properly change betta water, you are invited to visit http://www.fishbetta.org.

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Understanding Cichlid Mating

ByKevin Jacobs

Introduction

Cichlids are either monogamous or polygamous fish with mating habits that have been shown to strongly influence many aspects of breeding behavior, including courtship and brooding.

However, cichlid mating habits and the effects they have on other aspects of breeding behavior can vary from species to species...

For example, although most monogamous cichlid species are not mouthbrooders, Chromidotilapia, Gymnogeophagus, Spathodus and Tanganicodus are all monogamous mouthbrooders.

On the other hand, several open or cave spawning cichlids are polygamous; examples of these are Apistogramma, Lamprologus, Nannacara and Pelvicachromis.

Like most animals, mating can occur only between the same species. For this reason, when setting up a cichlid aquarium, it is important to keep the number of species as small as possible.

Moreover, since older individuals tend to be more dominant and aggressive than younger individuals, all individuals in the tank should be of approximately the same age.

First signs that the mating season is approaching

As soon as the mating season comes, males that are ready to mate become paler in color (becoming highly attractive for receptive females).

Moreover, you will notice an overall increase in aggressive behavior in your cichlid society. Male individuals will commnunicate their emotional state to other males, flaring their gills and fully spreading their fins (in order to look bigger and scare competitors for the same females).

Most times, this is enough to establish dominance. However, when two individuals with comparable social rank meet, fights can occur. Some of the most common aggressive behaviors during cichlid mating season include:
Tail beating (pushing water against the competitor)BitingIncreased swiming speed in the tank

How do Cichlids mate?

Cichlid mating is usually a highly aggressive behavior. During the so-called "cichlid mating dance", scales are lost, decorations are toppled and death can occur.

Cichlids are egg layers. This means that, unlike mammals, in cichlid fish, mating (or spawning) takes place outside of the body, with no copulation between the male and the female.

The female lays the eggs and then the male releases his sperm over the eggs. From then on, both the female and the male will take care of the fertilized eggs, until the baby fish (fry) is approximately 1 inch long and can fend for itself.

Selecting a Mate

Cichlids are quite picky... they spend a lot of time choosing their sexual mates. Once a male finds a female of his liking, it starts engaging in courtship. Courtship in cichlids involves chasing, slapping the sides of their bodies together and mouth locking. Importantly, all these behaviors must be performed correctly to trigger egg laying in the female.

Examples of mating behavior in cichlids

In most cichlids, mouthbrooding starts as soon as the male attracts a sexually ripe female to his 'nest' (a little hole he has just dug for the occasion). Then the female lays the eggs which are then fertilized by the male. The female then picks the fertilized eggs and holds them in her mouth.

In other other mouthbrooders, like Cyprichromis leptosoma, a similar mating behavior has been described.

However, in this cichlid species, mating occurs in in open water. The female picks the eggs first and then the male fertilizes them.

In other cichlid species, females lay their eggs on top of flat rocks (open brooding). Only then they will be receptive to male courtship rituals. Examples include Pterophyllum, Symphysodon spp, and Anomalochromis thomasi.

In these cichlid species, male and female parents usually have separate brooding tasks. Typically, the male keeps intruders as far as possible from the eggs and females carefully fan water over the eggs, removing the infertile ones and and swimming by their fry after they have hatched.

In other species, cichlids lay their eggs in caves, crevices, holes or shells. These cichlids are called "cave spawing". Examples cave spawining cichlids are Pelvicachromis spp., Archocentrus spp, and Apistogramma spp.

Finally, in other species, females lay eggs in the open water or in a cave and take the hatched larvae into the mouth. Examples are some variants of Geophagus altifrons, and some Aequidens, Gymnogeophagus, and Satanoperca.

It takes about 21 days for the eggs to hatch. You can expect up to approximately 35 fry/couple.

During mating and, more importantly, during breeding, your tank conditions should be kept at their best. Make sure that the new parents have enough food and privacy!

For more information on cichlids and how to to set up a cichlid aquarium and ccichlid mating, visit http://www.cichlidscare.net and get instant access to my "Cichlid Care Mini Course".

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What the Pet Store Won't Tell You About Betta Fish

Many pet stores offer betta fish routinely to new aquarists because they are considered a beginner fish species - the stunning colors and splendid fin arrangements of the Betta fish have gained them quite the following in the aquarium hobby. Although, despite the reputation betta fish have acquired, there are many mistakes new Betta fish keepers make as a result of incorrect and misguided information. The most frequent have to do with water changes and diet.

Even though bettas are capable of getting air from the surface of the water, they still benefit from being kept in a well aerated, filtered tank. When you keep bettas in tiny fish tanks, it's difficult to keep the water quality good. Due to the fact that it is nearly impossible to keep the water clean in a tiny fish tank, you should try to change out the water at least every other day.

However, daily water changes are better for your fish if you are keeping it in a little aquarium. Regular water changes allow betta fish to build an enhanced immune system, exhibit better coloration and they prevent the water quality from becoming foul.

Siamese fighting fish aren't incredibly active pets, and as such, they don't require frequent feedings. This is especially true if you are housing your betta in a tank less than 5 gallons of water because they are not able to move around very well. Regardless, some of the commonly available Siamese fighting fish food bottles advise aquarists to overfeed their Siamese fighting fish.

A Siamese fighting fish's stomach isn't big enough to accommodate large quantities of food, and leaving excess food floating in the water will cause the water quality to deteriorate - this will raise the ammonia concentration in the fish tank and harm your betta fish, possibly killing it.

Before jumping into feeding your fish multiple times per day, or even every day, take the time to learn how much he will eat at a time - offer Siamese fighting fish a couple pellets at a time, and leave it at that. Feeding your betta like this will stop you from overfeeding them and causing fish problems.

Besides from the obvious water quality issues, an overfed betta will become fat, which will severely shorten the time that you have with them. You can also offer your betta a treat a few times per week, like halved peas, brine shrimp or flightless fruit flies. Your betta will be healthier and more vibrant looking if they are offered a varied diet.

AJ Houston has been keeping freshwater and brackish aquarium fish for over 6 years, and is on an ongoing quest to learn more about topical fish keeping everyday. AJ has personal experience with treating fish ick naturally, getting rid of algae and fixing cloudy aquarium water.

For more help with figuring out how to solve your fish problems please visit: http://www.fishproblems.com

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Planted Aquariums: Freshwater Plant Care Tips

Freshwater planted aquariums are found in many homes across the globe, whether they are used to house pet fish or provide a living environment for collectors. Second only to the fish, plants are what are noticed next. Common plants found in such set ups include hornwort, water sprite, banana plant and dwarf lily to name a few. There are three components needed to sustain healthy fish and plant life. They are lighting, substrate and CO2.

Adequate lighting is essential for maintaining a sustainable living environment. Consider these six principles of lighting; Lumens per watt, PAR, Lumen focus and restrike, useful light energy, output as related to bulb length, and Lux (commonly used for deeper planted aquariums). LED lights have outdated traditional lighting systems that require 3-4 watts of lighting per gallon.

Aquatic plants need approximately 12 hours of lighting per day. A timer is a useful tool to ensure the planted aquarium receives enough light. SHO CFL lights, super high output, are the latest trend in planted aquariums that are over 50 gallons and are known for their ability to help plants grow. LED lights and T2 lamps and fixtures are other popular choices among those with planted aquariums.

Besides lighting, substrate is needed to both feed and anchor freshwater plants. Rooted aquarium plants grow best in 3-5 inches of substrate which provides a sandy base. Always be mindful when cleaning not to disturb the sandy base. When choosing a substrate, read its ingredients carefully and know which mineral, such as calcium and magnesium, specific plants are required to keep the tank healthy.

Transplanting aquatic plants from one aquarium to another will need to be done with care. The environment of one tank is not exactly the same as another. Plants are often shocked after going from one aquarium to another with sterile gravel. Plants may stay in shock for long periods of time before sprouting new leaves and growing once again. Transplant method, water environment, and the plant type all play rolls in determining the shock factor.

CO2 is sometimes to keep freshwater plants healthy and is added to the aquarium naturally through fish and plant respiration. Sometimes this is not enough and CO2 needs to be added to the planted aquarium. This can be done with a CO2 system, which is more expensive, or by using products designed to increase CO2 levels.

Generally, when the surface of an aquarium is agitated, oxygen is added and CO2 is subtracted. Other causes of CO2 depletion include photosynthesizing and nitrifying bacteria. To determine when plants in planted aquariums are photosynthesizing, look for the formation of tiny bubbles on the plant leaves, referred to as pearling. Nitrifying bacteria need carbon dioxide to sustain them, often decreasing the level of CO2 in planted aquariums.

Lighting and CO2 go hand in hand and must be monitored to sustain a healthy aquarium. Too much light, more than the recommended 12 hours, can harm aquarium plants when there isn't enough CO2 in the aquarium to counter balance it. When this is the case, deposits known as biogenic decalcification form on plant leaves. This is a sign that more CO2 needs to be added to the aquarium. Having too much CO2 and not enough lighting in the aquarium can also be harmful. This results in plants being unable to photosynthesize. Fish will also begin gathering at the top of the aquarium.

It is important to keep all freshwater planted aquariums balanced which include proper lighting, an adequate substrate base, and healthy levels of CO2. Planted aquariums kept in balance are capable of providing a healthy and sustainable home to more fish and plants.

Written By Jonathan Kujawa, a passionate and long time aquarium hobbyist.

For more information check out http://www.jungleaquariums.com

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Create a Bathtub Aquarium

There is nothing I like more than marine environments. I can spend all day just staring at a pond or stream, searching for movement of aquatic critters. I love walking along the shore, looking for insects falling in and falling prey to fish, or frogs swimming away from the bank in fright.

My love for the water probably began when I was 5 years old, when my dad taught me how to fish. He rigged up a hook, line, and sinker with a worm on a little Zebco reel, and my sister and I caught little sunfish of a dock. I was hooked instantly. Ever since that day, I can not pass by a stream or pond or lake without looking for swirls on the water, giving away the movements of fish beneath. I enjoy other water sports as well- canoeing, kayaking, swimming, sailing- but nothing captures my attention or imagination quite like fishing does.

This obsession with natural marine environments and the fish in them eventually extended beyond nature. I wanted to bring fish into my own home. I wanted to be able to check in when bored and watch fish lazily gliding through the water or darting after food. At the time, however, I was in college, and did not have the funds to buy a fishtank and the necessary accouterments. What I did have, though, was a bathtub. Neither I, nor the five friends I lived with had yet to set foot in the bathtub, so we decided it was a prime candidate for a fishtank. Holding about 50 gallons of water, the tub made for a very large fishtank. We would have spent close to $200 to get an equivalent size glass aquarium.

After the bathtub decision was made, everything else fell into place pretty easily. $10 bought an assortment of small fish at Walmart. We followed this with some basic aquarium gravel, one fake seaweed tree, fish food, and some weekend feeders to keep the fish alive when we were away on break.

We brought the goods home, filled the tub, the spread the gravel and set up the tree. The minnows were finally released to dart around and explore there new surroundings. We quickly released, however, that the tub environment was a bit bland. Our fish needed something more. Looking around, we quickly settled on the perfect structures to add to our new ecosystem- empty beer and wine bottles. These glass sculptures provided new territory for the fish to explore. They even managed to swim in and out of the small bottle openings. The aquarium was set.

To maintain the health of the fish and system, we took care to plan properly. A fish feeding calendar was posted next to the tub. Over-feeding is an easy way to kill your new pets, so all feedings were marked on the board. Suffocation from lack of oxygen is another easy way to mass-murder your ichthyoids. Therefore, once a week we also made sure to replace the fish tank water with new, oxygenated water.

With our care and love, the fish survived to the end of the semester, and when we graduated, a kind lady came to pick up the 9 minnows and give them a new home. Although highly unlikely, they may even still be living to this day.

Practical Fish Tanks

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LED Aquarium Lighting For Pets and Plants In Your Fish Tank

Your aquarium can house fish, coral, plants and even turtles among other living things. Each one of these creatures requires a different type of light in the form of intensity, warmth and temperature to survive. If you have fish another differential would be if they are saltwater or freshwater.

Light emitting diodes (LED) use the diodes to work together in tandem to produce the light we see. There are a host of benefits that can be put to use with LED aquarium lighting. With variegated wavelengths produced by the diodes the human eye discerns this action, as color variance while other colors will be beyond the human scale. It's simple in most cases: red diodes give us red light and blue diodes give us blue light and so on. With different colors, a variety of effects are possible with LEDs as opposed to florescent and phosphorous bulbs only have a singular purpose. You will find that LEDs for fish tanks and plants come in the form of rods that are placed either over the top of the tank or behind it. You will find no mercury in LED aquarium lighting so they are safer than other types. If another kind of light falls into the water with mercury in the lighting it can kill what is inside.

When using LED lights for your fish tank, nothing is harmed within the tank because there is a low heat output from the lights and each one makes very efficient use of energy which in turn makes all products quite affordable. For example, if you run two LED lights each using 8 watts of energy in a 55 gallon tank all year long for twelve hours every day you would only use 78 KW the entire year and that can cost around eight bucks or so. Now, when you take a look at just one 250w HID light and keep it lit for the same amount of time as the LED you'll see the annual kW usage at around 1100 and the cost is over $100 for the year on just the one light.

If you have only one outlet near your aquarium, don't worry about it because you can find light bars that connect together. You can also find them with built-in reflectors so that you'll be able to light specific areas as needed. If you are raising plants within the aquarium or studies on marine life you have the opportunity of holding complete control over the lighting situation. LED aquarium lights last for up to ten years so they don't need to be replaced as often as other types. Not only that but they add no heat to the tank often giving off less that 15ºF. Another benefit is the fact that LEDs are safe to dispose of and can even be recyclable.

With so much control in the use of LED lights for fish tanks you will find that you can grow almost anything and whatever you have inside will thrive. As an example, if only one portion of life within the tank needs a bit more help in the growth and health area, you can zero in on that area specifically. LED aquarium lighting gives you healthy and quite colorful plants as well as enhances growth. Coral will grow differently with different types of lighting and when you use LEDs the coral will grow quickly and some species will grown compact and spread out along the flat area rather than grow upright.

LED aquarium lighting offers many benefits and features to make your tank a healthy and profitable one whether it is saltwater or freshwater.

JK Bell writes for LEDGrowLightsOnline.com an online store specializing in LED Grow Lights for researchers, the home grower or commercial businesses. They also specialize in LED Aquarium Lighting. Visit the store today.

This article may be reprinted with the following attributes. Copy must be kept intact. The article may not be changed in any way. The author's resource box must be included. All links found in the body and resource box must be included.

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The Magnificent Discus Fish

ByMarcus Copeland

There are a wide variety of fish species that exist in the planet. However, out of all the fish that exist in the planet that we live in, the discus fish is one of the most well-liked and that is why most people choose this pet as pets.

Why is this type of fish one of the most well-liked?

The discus is deemed to be smart and they have distinctive personas. This type of fish will easily warm up to the people who take care of them. Although it originated from South Africa's Amazon River, the discus is an appropriate choice if you plan on domesticating them as pets. However, you have to understand that they are not easy to manage.

Why is it called the Discus Fish?

This type of fish has a flat and round shape and it has small fins. Because of its shape, it is named as the Discus Fish. It has several colors such as green, red, yellow, and yellow to creamy white. Some members of this type of fish have diagonal and horizontal stripes on their bodies. This made them an interesting fish to look at because of its vibrant colors which is also one of the reasons why people tend to buy this kind of fish. This gorgeous fish is great to use for displays in certain events as well.

How much is this fish?

The discus fish has an expensive price. This is why you have to be very careful in taking good care of this fish in order not to waste money. Aside from its expensive value, you also have to be able to handle the fish. It is very sensitive to its environment and that is why you should be able to have an ample amount of money when you decide to purchase this fish or breed them. You have a lot of things to consider such as the size of the tank, the filter that is used to help in cleaning the water, and feeding them with the right food.

How do you maintain this fish?

If you are serious about purchasing this fish, you have to research more about them. The discus fish needs its tank to be cleaned once in a while since you have a filter to help you. However, you have to inspect your tank everyday for signs of polluted water. You can feed them with a wide variety of food. There are a lot of foods that are available and each of them is created with a purpose. For instance, the brine shrimp would help in enhancing their colors.

In conclusion, the discus fish is one of the most popular fish that fish enthusiasts select as pets. Managing them is not an easy job. However, if you plan on buying this kind of fish, you have to make sure that you are ready for the responsibility that you are faced with. Looking on a brighter side, this type of fish is a great choice for a pet.

Marcus Copeland is a Discus Fish expert. If you want to learn more about your pet Discus Fish, visit www.discusfishpro.com/.

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Proper Aquarium Maintenance Is Vital for Healthy Fish

ByJeff Sebern

When purchasing an aquarium one must take into consideration aquarium maintenance. It is a major part of owning fish and something that frustrates many fish owners. Aquarium maintenance is important to keeping fish healthy and free of disease. Providing a proper environment for the fish to live in is very important. Fish require care on a daily basis just like cats and dogs do.

The first step in proper aquarium maintenance is keeping the water clean. Having a proper water filtration system is vital to keeping the water clean. Changing the water on a regular basis is also important. The frequency depends on several factors such as the type of filtration system in use, the size of the aquarium, as well as the type and number of fish in the aquarium. Some fish owners mistakenly change all the water in the aquarium which is not healthy for the fish. Only about 15% of the water should be changed out because the remaining water has important bacteria that are beneficial to the fish and vital to their survival.

Removing algae from the aquarium is another important task that should be done on a regular basis. Aquariums that get direct sunlight for all or even part of the day will have a much quicker buildup of algae than aquariums that do not get direct sun light. It is best for aquariums to be kept out of direct sunlight if possible. Whenever algae is visible it should be removed with an algae magnet or scraper.

The water temperature should be checked daily. Because the water temperature fluctuates throughout the day it is best to check the temperature at the same time of day to get consistent readings. Some prefer to check the water temperature once in the morning and once in the evening. One should ensure that the water temperature is roughly the same temperature each day. The water temperature can drop in the winter so a heater may be required to keep the temperature consistent.

An equipment check should be performed on a daily basis. Check to make sure the filter, lights and heater are all working properly. Also check the water to make sure it is not cloudy. Examine the fish each day. Watch them swim for a few minutes and look at their skin for signs of disease. Performing proper aquarium maintenance on a regular basis will ensure healthy and happy fish for many years.

Jeff Sebern provides complete custom aquarium service and installation in and around the San Antonio TX area.
Aquarium Maintenance San Antonio TX

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Hatching Brine Shrimp for Tropical Fish

I HAVE found existing guides for hatching brine shrimp on the Internet overly complex. I have been since I was a child and can confidently say that it is not a complicated process.

Brine shrimp are a great live food source for tropical fish, especially if you are breeding fish and want to raise healthy fish spawn. They are also great for varying the diet of smaller tropical fish species.

Brine shrimp generally come in small plastic containers. Some guides will tell you to keep these in the fridge, but this is not necessary. So long as the container is kept sealed so that moisture cannot enter and glue the eggs together, brine shrimp eggs can be kept at room temperature.

Some guides suggest using a cone-shaped device for hatching the eggs. What I find works best is a small rectangular tank or transparent container of about five litres. The corners are useful for getting the brine shrimp to cluster together so that more can be extracted at once.

Add two cups (500mls) of fish tank water to your breeding tank - diluted with a teaspoon of salt. Some guides will urge you to use aquarium salt or non-iodated salt. This is best, but I've found that ordinary table salt works just as well. It's cheaper too.

You want the salted water level to be between 2-3cm. Gently sprinkle some brine shrimp eggs over the water surface and allow them to spread out. It doesn't matter whether or not the eggs sink or float but you want to ensure that none stick to the sides of the tank and dry out.

Other guides may also argue that the water needs to be aerated and heated. You can do this however you see fit if you wish, but it is not essential. In the summer months you can keep your hatchery in the sunlight near a window. During Winter, room temperature should be adequate. Also bear in mind that if your brine shrimp hatchery is in the sunlight more water will evaporate and more eggs will stick to the sides, dry out, and won't hatch.

After about two days you should see little orange movements. Your brine shrimp have hatched and are ready to be fed to your tropical fish! The shrimps are attracted to light and will swim towards it. Use a small torch or light source to attract them towards one of the corners. Once they have mustered together, suck them up with a plastic syringe or eye-dropper and slowly eject them into your fish tank.

A little salt in your tank is good for your fish. It helps ward off parasites and keeps your fish healthy. Just don't overdo it! One syringe full of tasty brine shrimp per day is ample depending on the size of your tank. Your tropical fish will love you for the treat!

More Tropical Fish Care Posts:

Tropical Fish Profiles A Beginner's Guide to Tropical FishDid you find this article helpful?00

The Importance of Water - Tip 1 of the Water Series

Always remember that any tropical freshwater fish in your keeping live in a totally different environment - one that is absolutely alien to people. We breathe air. Our fish must obtain the oxygen that they require from the gas dissolved in the water they are swimming. Because of this fact, at least a rudimentary understanding of this liquid is vital for success in keeping your aquarium fish alive.

In nature, fish do not exist in pure (distilled) water - H2O. The water has a number of very important characteristics that often make it unique for any given habitat where a particular species may be found. Pure water, H20 is not able to support fish. Rather; each species habitat can be very different from every other one depending on the geography and geology of the region. Because of the importance of water in their existence, the fish often have carefully adapted to a specific set of stable characteristics over many years. When a fish is confronted with radically different conditions in an aquarium using local water from what is has evolved to withstand, severe stress can occur. If they are too altered, the stress can lead to death.

Even though the actual conditions of the environment the fish are kept may vary radically, the water is also responsible for supporting life on many different levels. These other organisms dependent on the water in the habitat include such diverse life as bacteria and plants, besides the fish which are the original reason an aquarium is being maintained. Without it, no life would be possible in our seas, lakes, rivers and aquariums.

The water where life is supported can be very different in different parts of the world, both native habitat as well as the local municipal water supply. This means that mixing fish from different parts of the world can result in serious stress to some inhabitants, but not others, depending how close their natural requirements are to the water in the aquarium set up. It is important to try to create a community where the general conditions are similar for all fish, or there will be problems that are unavoidable and often destructive to some of the occupants.

The tap water can create widely varying conditions for native fish, and may be radically different in the aquarium where they are being kept from the what the fish require as their natural adaptation. Either fish must learn to live with these deviations, or the conditions must be custom tailored to them by the aquarist using chemicals and active water modification techniques. Seek the professional help of local live fish stores to ensure the mix of fish you are keeping are all comfortable with the water they find themselves living in. If they are stressed, they can be weakened to the point where they will not survive.

Steve Pond
Blueram Group

Visit our website, http://www.freshwater-tropical-fish-tanks.com for our extensive Aquarium Tips and FAQ section on water and many other topics designed to help any aquarist understand the environment that you have created. Freshwater Tropical Fish Tanks is dedicated to providing the information required to be a successful novice aquarist.

Keep tropical fish alive and thriving in your first aquarium through the critical first six week period after installation and beyond. Visit the BlueRam Group's website Freshwater Tropical Fish Tanks for detailed information on all aspects of the beginning and advanced aquarium.

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Choosing a Fish Tank - Budget, Size, Livestock, Type

Aquariums come in many shapes and sizes and there are a number of categories that have to be looked at when making the decision of what aquarium to buy. Four considerations that have to be made are:

Budget, Size, Livestock, and Appearance.

I tried putting these categories in order of importance but depending on your response to some of them the latter questions may have more importance for some people.

Budget
Aquariums come in all shapes and sizes but the before you look at sizes and types of aquarium at the least get a general idea of the your budget for the aquarium? There are a number of standard tanks that are affordable, but there is a chance that you are on the other end of the spectrum and can start looking at unique, or bigger aquariums? In whatever situation you are in you can probably find an aquarium that can fit your budget. Just keep in mind that the more "custom" you go with a tank the more expensive it will be. Please also consider that buying the fish tank is only the beginning of your journey. Most of the time that is only the "tip of the iceberg" when you consider all of the lighting, filters, and fish (and possibly coral!) that you will be purchasing for your aquarium as well!

Size
As mentioned earlier there are an unlimited number of possibilities when it comes to fish tank sizes. First try to understand exactly where you are putting your fish aquarium and stand, and get a feel for how much room you have in that location. Measure it out keeping in mind that you still want to give people room to get by the aquarium! After figure out how much room you have in your place for your aquarium search for an aquarium dimensions chart on the internet. Then find a standard aquarium size looks suitable to your situation and to your tastes. After finding the size and shape of the aquarium that you want then you have to find it in a store or online. You can usually either go straight to the manufacturer's website to see who distributes their aquariums or you can head to one of the bigger pet stores to find a similar size. Or you can call around and see what the local pet stores have in your area!

Saltwater or Freshwater, Fish Only or Reef Tank
After you have established the aquarium size you need to decide what you are going to put into it. The first option is to choose between a freshwater or a saltwater aquarium, because that will dictate the type of equipment (filtration system, lighting, decor, and substrate) that you will be able to put into your system. The biggest difference between freshwater and saltwater is that you typically need higher output lights and a higher quality filtration system when you go to a "full" reef tanks (with fish and corals) because corals have a lot more sensitive needs than fish. A saltwater tank with fish only (no corals) will still be more expensive than a freshwater tank but not as much as what you really need to grow corals successfully. Finally, please keep the health of your fish in mind because a lot of fish (i.e. tangs) will not be happy in a smaller size tank because they need a lot of room to swim so please talk with your pet store or with an expert before picking out fish to confirm the aquarium you choose is appropriate.

Type of Aquarium
The type of aquarium and what the tank looks like is really the last item you have to consider and it's more of a personal preference than anything. After you have decided on your budget, size, and what is going inside it's really up to you to pick the type of aquarium. Even the glass framed tanks have a few different finishes to them such as a black frame or oak style frame, and beyond that you can choose glass or acrylic, framed/frameless, circular or rectangle, and height and width. You can choose your aquarium to fit your lifestyle and to fit into your overall decorative scheme of your home.

The author has maintained saltwater reef tanks and freshwater tanks for nearly his entire life and he runs http://www.aquariumdimensions.com an informative website containing aquarium size information and brand reviews. He thinks he has learned a lot about the hobby and is hoping that others can learn from his mistakes!

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Tips on How to Create Habitable Aquarium Life Environments

ByHugh Maurice

The aquarium life is faced with threats of adverse environmental effects, which are caused by natural and man-made effects. The aquarium can be affected by many factors such as soaring marine, reef and freshwater temperatures. They can also be affected by nitrogenous waste besides pathogens that may cause diseases. Various equipments and devices have been developed to help create ideal environments for the aquarium life. These are such as the UV Sterilizers and Aquarium Chillers. The aquarium biodiversity including fish, coral and other invertebrates need to have their environment tested to ensure that they are in the right chemistry. The water properties should be checked occasionally to ensure that there are no wide variations from the normal.

The Aquarium Test Kits are used in checking various properties and elements in the water. For instance, they are used in determining the level of concentration of elements such as phosphates, nitrates and pH. The parameters are used in testing the alkalinity and iodine concentration. The hydrometer is used to measure specific gravity of water. It's mainly used in measuring the salt concentration in water such as the brackish water. Other devices available are such as Aquarium Maintenance equipments. These include gravel cleaners, aquarium scrapers and cleaning pads. These are available at competitive prices.

The Protein Skimmers are very important in creating habitable environments for the aquarium life. These skimmers produce bubbles, which forms foam that absorbs and entraps protein and amino acids before they are broken down into nitrogenous substances, which may be toxic to the aquarium life. The skimmers, coupled with the UV Sterilizers, help in eradicating pathogens, mould and virus, which may be harmful to the aquarium life. The Protein Skimmers can use ozone instead of air to produce bubbles, which create the foam that entraps the protein materials.

The Aquarium Chillers are useful in regulating the temperatures of the reef, marine and freshwaters. This is because; the aquarium life is adversely affected by the fluctuations in temperatures. For instance, with extreme low temperatures, they may not breed as desired. Moreover, some of the aquarium life, such as the corals, are quite delicate and will be affected by extreme high temperatures causing death. Therefore, the Aquarium Chillers are used to cool the waters to remain on temperature ranges that support the life of the aquarium life.

There are also Aquarium Heaters which are useful in warming the waters. It should be noted that the tropical freshwater as well as the marine aquarium life will be supported by temperatures ranging from 22-30

Reasons Why You Need Aquarium Heaters

ByAlford Alger

A fish tank adds appeal and class to your home. That is why you need to take care of it. The ecosystem in it requires the right nutrients, environment and temperatures. For instance, you need to consider aquarium heaters. These provide the right temperatures for the fish. This is because most species thrive in warm environment and only a few prefer cool temperatures. Failure to do this means the aquatic life will not survive the temperatures. Without aquarium heaters, the temperatures will change in different times of the day and this may have lasting effects on the ecosystem. For instance, since the mornings are always cooler than other times of the day, you need to have an efficient method of regulating these conditions. You have to factor the types of fish in your tank. This is because they vary and if you have the average temperature levels for all of them, some may not survive. Aquarium heaters ensure the temperature is the same all through the day and night. For some regions, you might require several of these to cater for the considerably low temperatures in different seasons. Since you want the ecosystem in your tank to survive, you have to get sufficient equipment to warm the water for longer and without fail.

This means you have to be careful when buying aquarium heaters. Manufacturers use different materials such as the contacts and wires. You have to be sure you are settling for the best and getting gold or silver contacts assures you of quality. On the same note, the metal used in production of aquarium heaters matters. Stick to the common ones and do not fall for marketing antics that sell less common metals cheaply and the known ones expensively. In essence, you should also think about electricity consumption. Since you need aquarium heaters as long as the temperatures are not conducive, you have to consider the burden it will cause on your bill. Essentially, it works depending on the amount of water in your tank. One gallon requires 5 watts. To make the most out of your electricity supply, locate the aquarium heaters on the side of the tank with faster flow.

Since you have decided to undertake this task and search for the best aquarium heaters, you should find out what brands are effective. There are various models of these products. For instance, you can go for Hagen Fluval E or M, Fluval Tronic, ProHeat LED aquarium heaters amongst others. Gather some information about care of these products because using them the wrong way puts your home in danger. For instance, you should not submerge it into the tank unless it's unplugged. In addition, check the wire leading to the socket regularly to get wind of any damage before it's too late. You should also engage in aquarium maintenance practices often because if the tank is full of debris or the water is dirty, a larger amount of electricity will be used in heating the tank up and the equipment will also be affected.

Alford Alger is the author of this article on Aquarium Chillers. Find more information, about Protein Skimmers here

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Choosing the Finest Crawfish Traps

ByJannatul Ferdous Shumi

Seafood is a favorite meal for many people throughout the world. Crabs, lobsters and prawns are a number of the most commonly used forms of fish there is. Crayfish is also very fashionable when it comes to its taste. Present in freshwater lakes all around the world, crayfish is caught after which sold by native fishermen. Catching the crayfish is considerably completely different from what you could be used to. Crawfish traps are simple to make use of and efficient in catching the crayfish too. Although there are various designs and types that provide the crawfish traps, there are mainly solely two kinds of traps: Cylindrical and mesh traps.

Cylindrical crawfish traps are very effective method of catching crayfish. The innovative design of the trap permits crayfish to enter by solely two miniature holes on the edges of the trap and then makes the fish stay contained in the trap. Bait can fairly simply be placed inside. The more fish that enter the trap, the tougher it turns into for them to get out of it. Once the fish is caught, the trap is taken out of the water and the catch is obtained.

Mesh crawfish traps work slightly bit differently. The fish simply pushes in opposition to the trap to be able to eat the bait and in this approach, they enter the trap. Different crawfish often do the same factor and start cramming up contained in the trap. Once the variety of the crawfish inside the trap increase, it turns into tough for the fish to leave the mesh by exerting the identical amount of force as before. In this way, the trap is lifted out of the water and then opened to acquire the catch.

Crawfish traps might be made up of different materials. The most generally used supplies embrace plastic, mesh and steel. The vast majority of people have a tendency to use plastic and mesh more often for catching crayfish. It's because these materials are usually extra durable than any other material and are straightforward to hold and use too. Professional fishermen, however, tend to make use of the metal made traps more often as they are more durable and are efficient as a way to catch a large amount of crayfish. Plastic and mesh made traps are easier to use, they will simply be opened to position the bait and once the crayfish is caught, they're very easy to open and might then be taken out with equal ease. However, the steel traps are considerably troublesome to make use of as the steel must be worked with a purpose to receive the catch.

Folks catching crawfish for enjoyable and not for business purposes should definitely go for the plastic and mesh crawfish traps as they're very simple to hold and then use to catch the crawfish. Such traps are also cheap and may easily be bought off local stores and likewise off the internet. Their light-weight and sturdiness give them a significant lead over the metal crawfish traps. The mesh and plastic usually take years earlier than they break and start to develop into defunct.

Crawfish Traps
How to make crawfish traps

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Types of Tropical Fish

ByRuolin Wang

As the name suggests, tropical fish are found in the tropical regions of the Earth. These fish are classified under two categories, the salt water and the fresh water fish. However, only the fresh water fish are termed as 'tropical' by those who rear fishes. Suitable for rearing in aquariums, tropical fish are imported by people from various countries. These fish have become popular because of their varied colors and hues. The type of tropical fishes range from very aggressive ones to some mild species.

Tropical fishes are mostly used for rearing in aquariums. Let's take a look at some of these tropical fish species.

Oscars: There are three types namely, the red oscar, the tiger red oscar and the pink oscar. Since the oscar fish is aggressive and likes to dominate other fishes, having less than six fishes in a single aquarium gives an opportunity for a strong oscar fish to bully others. Thus, it is advisable to keep, either a single oscar fish or more than six of them in an aquarium. This helps in reducing the tension between them. A single oscar needs an aquarium with at least 80 gallons water, while a 500 gallon aquarium is required for six oscars to live comfortably. The large plecostomus and the whitetip sharks share space with the oscar fish without fighting or nipping at each other.
Angelfish: These fish belong to the Pterophyllum genus. The angelfish, which originated in the Amazon river basin of South America, has three different species, Pterophyllum altum, Pterophyllum leopoldi and the Pterophyllum scalare. Their round body structure along with triangular fins, allow them to hide between plants and roots. This, in turn, helps them to prey on macroinvertebrates and smaller fishes. The striped body of angelfishes help them in using the ambush technique. The stripes help the fish to hide, thereby acting as a camouflage. Just like the oscar fish, angelfish too quarrel with each other. Thus, more than six fishes should be reared in an aquarium.
Tetra Fish: The tetra fish is a small, fresh water fish which belongs to the Characidae family. It lives in clear as well as dark waters, mostly off coasts of Columbia, Brazil and Peru. Neon tetra, the most popular species among the tetra fishes, grows to a maximum length of 5cm.
Tiger Barb: The tiger barb, also known as the Sumatra barb, is found in the waters of Sumatra, Borneo and the Malay peninsula. The different colors found in tiger barbs range from silver, brownish yellow, green and light yellow. The tiger barb, that is brownish yellow in color, has black vertical stripes on the body and is a schooling fish. These are aggressive in nature and nip at each other. Thus, more than six tigers barbs should be kept in an aquarium.
Black Knifefish: This black colored fish grows up to a length of 25 inches. It produces a weak electric charge. The black knifefish prefers to live in sandy creeks, its natural habitat, and requires water with pH between 6.0 and 8.0. When fully grown, the fish needs a tank with a capacity of at least 75 gallons. Peas are the staple diet of these fish.
Fancy Guppies: The fancy guppies exhibit different colors such as red, blue, green and black. However, the females don't exhibit much variety in color and are either gray or tan. The temperature of the aquarium should be maintained between 78F and 82F. The guppies can easily share aquarium space with ghost shrimps, catfish, African dwarf frogs and gouramis. Adding salt to the aquarium in little quantities, helps in the growth of these fish.
Mollies: The mollies come from the same family as guppies. They need at least 15 gallons of water, when kept in an aquarium. Mollies cannot tolerate contaminated water and easily fall ill. They need the water temperature to be between 70F and 82F.

Tropical fishes that are kept in aquariums include the fishes caught in the wild, those born in captivity and hybrid species. Scuba divers are always in search of colorful and varied species of tropical fish. Truly, the tropical fishes are nature's gift to man.

Source: aquarium fish

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Basic Information on Cichlids

ByKevin Jacobs

General Information on Cichlids

Chichlids are fishes belonging to the Cichlidae family and to the order Perciformers. To date, approximately 1300 species have been described. However, because of both peculiar anatomical and behavioral traits, new species are identified every year, which has suggested that over 3000 distinct cichlid species exist.

Body description

The cichilds exhibit a wide range of body size and color, with cichlid species as small as 1 inch in length to species over 3ft long!

The most diverse body shapes can also be found in cichlids. Highly compressed to cylindrical, disc-shaped and triangular shapes are some of the most common. Generally speaking however, cichlids come in a medium sized, oval shaped, slightly compressed body.

Anatomy and appearance of cichlids

Typically, all cichlid species have their pharyngeal bones fused into a single structure bearing a single tooth. Strong muscles control the lower and upper pharyngeal bones, which can be used as an auxiliary set of jaws to process food.

Other characteristic features of cichlids include:

One nostril opening on each side of the forehead No bony plate at the bottom of the eye Lateral line organ divided into two sections: one on the upper portion of the flank and the other running along the midline of the flank, from about halfway along the body to the base of the tail. A uniquely shaped otolith Differently to the other members of Labroidei, in cichlid fish, the small intestine's exit from the stomach is located on the left side instead of the right side.

Habitat of Cichlids

Cichlids are freshwater fish living in lakes and ponds, although many species tolerate brackish water for extended periods. The most famous species live in Africa (e.g., Malawi cichlid and Tanganyika cichlid), Central America and South America.

Although, most cichlids live in shallow depths, cichlid species such as Alticorpus macrocleithrum and Pallidochromis tokolosh have been found at 500 ft below the surface in Lake Malawi, and the Lamprologus lethops is thought to live at even 520 ft below the water surface in the Congo.

Cichlid Diet

Most cichlids are herbivores. Their diet includes primarily algae (e.g. Petrochromis) and aquatic plants (e.g. Etroplus suratensis). Other species (e.g., Corematodus) eat scales and fins of other fishes, a behavior known as lepidophagy.

Other cichlid species are "detritivores" (