Hiding Places for Your Desktop Aquarium Fish

ByJim May

Have you given some thought about what kind of ornaments you'd like to have in your desktop aquarium? Your fish and invertebrates need hiding places to live a happy and healthy life so its vital that you provide them with this. Hiding places serve an important function as you fish will exhibit lower levels of stress if they're allowed their natural behaviors as in the wild. These hiding places becomes a protective area or shelter for them. But of course aquarium ornaments are also your decor. With a little bit of thought and careful placement, these ornaments can literally transform your desktop aquarium.

Plants

One of the more common is a bunch of hardy plants that can provide refuge for your fish, from newly born fry to adults. Among some of the more popular includes the Java moss, Anacharis, Hornwort, Java fern, guppy grass, and water sprite. With plants, you'll need to provide the correct exposure of light to ensure they stay alive. These mentioned are quite hardy, and require moderate to low levels of light. The Java moss or Java fern does well in low light, but the rest as mentioned here will need about 2 or more watts of light per gallon of water. Usually these require not much They also don't require supplemental carbon dioxide, so maintenance is very easy once you setup the correct amount of light.

Driftwood

Driftwood are excellent ornaments as they provide lots of hiding places for your fish and add a very natural and textured look to your fish tank. Not only that, they serve as anchors for your plants if you have them. You can buy driftwood that are meant for aquariums, or collect your own. But bear in mind if you do try to collect your own, there are risks involved. People who collect their own driftwood usually boil it thoroughly first as there could be parasites, predators, or pathogens. These can pollute your desktop aquarium and the water, potentially harming your fish.

Rocks

You can purchase rocks that are aquarium-safe. Again they add a great natural look and provide plenty of hiding places for your fish. However, some rocks may contain calcium, heavy metals or other minerals that can affect your water chemistry, so make sure you purchase your aquarium-safe rocks from reputable sources. If your own bigger-sized aquariums with big and heavy rocks, you'll need to make sure your arrangement of rocks are stable and wont topple easily from external vibration or movement.

Aquarium Ornaments

If you're more adventurous, there are no shortages of decorative ornaments you can buy to recreate a specific aquascape. Sunken ships, Roman columns, fake miniature reefs, and plenty more provide excellent hiding places for your fish. As long as they're sold for aquarium use, they're safe and won't leach harmful chemicals into your fish tank's water. You do need to be careful to make sure that there are no sharp edges by filing away the edge with a nail filer until it's smooth. A suprising best seller on Amazon these days are the SpongeBob SquarePants series of desktop aquarium ornaments.

You can visit my site at Desktop Aquarium to read more great articles about smaller sized aquariums such as the Fluval Edge and Chi reviews.

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Ideas for Stocking a 10 Gallon Desktop Aquarium

ByJim May

With around 10 gallons as your desktop aquarium, your options in terms of stocking fish increases. When you have less than 5 gallons, it is better to keep your fish tank limited to either a single feature fish like a betta, or a very limited number of small schooling fish like guppies or their cousin the endler's livebearers. But when you go 10 gallons and above, you'll be able to add in a few more to give your desktop aquarium some diversity (companions!). Stocking fish isn't an exact science so depending on who you talk to there are going to be a difference of opinion whether it is overstocked or not. The issue is not the fish, but the proper environment you can maintain for the fish to be healthy.

In order to keep your tank environment clean and healthy for your fish, be sure to have proper filtration, heating, cleaning, and periodic water changes depending on your selection of fish. With small sized tanks such as these, they are all vital components of your desktop aquarium as the water chemistry is more sensitive to little changes either made by your fish or the room the tank is in. So given a 10 gallon and above desktop aquarium, here are some ideas on how to stock your tank.

Small community fish tank

When you have at least a 10 gallon tank, you can keep a small community tank. Less than this, then you're better off keeping a single feature fish with a few invertebrates. The uniqueness of desktop aquariums is that they're meant to be a small so you feature them in places that a medium or big fish tank just can't. So it is impractical to create elaborate or complex aquascapes filled with dozens of different fish. For beginners it is still a better idea to stick to having a centrepiece fish along with some companions as a small community tank. A betta is always a great feature fish (and arguably the more popular fish among aquaria enthusiasts) but a great alternative is the dwarf gourami. But don't be tempted to put them both in the same tank as they can get aggressive towards each other.

Dwarf Gourami is a great feature fish

Dwarf gouramis (Colisa lalia) are great beginner's fish, as long as you keep them with other small and peaceful species. They are often spectacularly hued, with iridescent bars and orange-red feelers, which makes them a great centrepiece fish. They grow to a maximum of 2-3 inches, perfect for a desktop-sized aquarium. They are hardy fish just like the betta, and prefers a heavily planted tank for hiding places.

Neon tetras or harlequin rasboras

Alongside the dwarf gourami, you can keep 6 neon tetras (Paracheirodon innesi). One of the more popular tetras, neon tetras are also quite hardy fish and suitable for beginners. They are schooling fish so keep a minimum six of them to give you a great shoaling effect when they swim around the tank. As their name suggests, they are great to look at and grows to about 1 inch.

An alternative to the neon tetras are the harlequin rasboras (Trigonostigma heteromorpha). They are also schooling fish so you can keep a minimum of 6 or more depending on the size of your desktop aquarium. A unique little fish, they have a distinctive black triangle mark on their side, a bit like the costume of a Harlequin. They grow to about 1 to 2 inches.

Ghost shrimps and snails

With a dwarf gourami, if you decide on the 6 neon tetras you could include a few (up to 12) ghost shrimps (Palaemonetes) into your tank. Otherwise limit it to 6 ghost shrimps for the harlequin rasboras. They're almost transparent in the water, hence the name "ghost". They walk along the bottom of the tank to collect small food particles to eat, so essentially they're helping you to clean up any excess food. They're also very interesting to look at, that more people are dedicating entire tanks to shrimps alone. Give them some vegetation or plants as hiding spots.

Consider including an apple snail, as they dine on a diet of decomposing plants, algae, and dead animals. They are highly dedicated cleaners that will keep your water quality up and reduce algae levels.

Shape of your fish tank matters

One extra detail you don't want to overlook when deciding what and how many fish to stock is the shape of your desktop aquarium. Rectangle shaped tanks give more horizontal space for your fish to swim, while boxed or hex shaped tanks works great with long and tall plants. Consider reducing the number of fish or invertebrates if you have these boxed or hex shaped tanks to give your bigger feature fish more space and privacy.

If you have a smaller desktop aquarium, you can read my article about stocking a 5 gallon fish tank, or you can visit my site Desktop Aquarium for more informative articles.

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Freshwater Aquarium Setup Tips

Nothing can match the beauty of well-maintained fish aquariums. Setting up a freshwater aquarium can be fairly easy when you follow the correct steps for doing so. If you would like to have an aquarium in your home or office, you can start by thinking of the kind of fish you would like to have.

Selecting the fish you want will determine a few things about the tank you choose. One is the size and another is the type of plants you may want to add. Many beginners choose to use fake plants to avoid trying to care live plants while mastering the care of fish and aquariums first. Some fish only grow to be a couple of inches long while others can grow to be as large as your hand. Make sure you know how big the fish will get when choosing tank size.

Getting together all the items needed for set up is important. You do not want to get started and realize you have forgotten a vital item back at the pet shop. Making a list is best to avoid this happening. In addition to an aquarium, you will need gravel, a filter and replacement filter media, heater, thermometer, water test kit, and a pasta strainer for washing gravel before putting it into the tank.

Other important items needed include a special vacuum just for aquariums, fish food for the kind of fish you want, a small fish net, and a scrubber made for the walls of active aquariums. Keep in mind caring for aquariums and fish is a great responsibility. Water changes must be performed regularly and you will need to stay on top of any changes you see taking place with your fish and with the water for preventing disease or death.

Select an area in your home or office for placement of your tank. Be sure to choose a spot that is out of direct sunlight. Do not put the tank near drafty areas or too close to heat or air conditioning units. When buying your tank, make sure to get the right aquarium heater for the size of tank you are taking home. Maintaining a certain temperature is vital to a healthy environment for fish to thrive happily in. Place your thermometer away from the heater on the other side of the tank so you will get the correct readings.

Everything you choose to put into your tank will need to be washed in mild soap. Rinsing well is an important part of preventing chemicals from contaminating the water in the tank. Making sure you rinse away all soap residues to prevent this from happening. Wash gravel by putting it into a pasta strainer and turning it over and over under running water. Fake plants can be easily washed and rinsed in the kitchen sink as well.

Pour gravel into the aquarium you have wiped clean of dust and small debris. Some people rinse the tank out and wipe it dry with a lint free, clean cloth. This can be done depending on the size tank you select due to the weight involved in some larger versions. Be sure to never use soap of any kind inside your tank. Add gravel before placing plants or other decorations.

Place a small bowl or saucer plate in the middle of the gravel before pouring water into it. In this way, you avoid disturbing the placement of your gravel and other decorations from the force of the pouring water. Pour half way so you can arrange plants and decorations a final time before filling to the top about an inch from rim.

The cycling step of setting up your aquarium is vital for fish to thrive healthily. This process might take anywhere from two weeks to a couple of months. Cycling is a process that occurs naturally in water that allows balancing of nitrates, nitrites, ammonium, and ammonia. This is the time you will need to use your water test kit to measure for proper levels of each one. Ammonia and nitrate both are harmful to fish while ammonium and nitrates are beneficial. Follow specific testing instructions that come with your test kit for making sure tank water is completely safe for adding fish.

You might think about not using fish to start the cycling process when setting up a freshwater aquarium to prevent their death. Start your cycling by adding a few flakes of food to the tank each day. When the food begins to decompose, you will have the release of ammonia to start the process. Keep putting a little in each day until your test readings are perfect for safely adding fish.

Once you have your tank setup, one of the most important things is maintaining the eco system of your freshwater aquarium. You can find out more about that and get other tips on keeping healthy, vibrant fish at http://www.fish-tank-guide.com

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Facts About Fish Tank Accessories

ByPaul De Vizard

If you are thinking of designing your own aquarium for the first time, you will be glad to know there is a huge selection of fish tank accessories available. However, due to the wide choices available it can be a daunting task to make the right selection. Here are a few ideas that will help you in the right direction.

Water Filters

First, you need to decide on the filtration system for your aquarium. You will want to consider the types of fish you would like to keep, and the volume (in gallons of water) that will be required for your tank. You will need to use the appropriate tools according to the rating of the filtration system.

Oxygen Plants

There is a large selection of aquarium plants available in different designs and styles. For instance, you could go for actual living plants, but you need to know their requirements, as each of them needs a certain amount of substrates and light to survive. Some fish might tear apart certain plants, and the debris will need to be cleaned and removed.

Types of Fish

Selection of fish breeds will require quite a bit of online research, as not all fishes are compatible with each other. Certain fish are quite expensive, and it is not wise to waste money on them until you have some experience about proper maintenance of your aquarium. In the beginning, simply stock the tank with beautiful fish that are reasonably priced. People, who buy expensive fish without much experience, usually have to watch them perish because of an unknown disease or illness.

Internal Ornaments

Aquarium ornaments are available in a wide variety of designs and styles. Certain types of ornaments can be installed with the air pump, and you can observe them moving when every time the air is pumped. The selection is so huge that you can easily find items, which suit your taste, and the way in which you want to decorate your tank.

Having an aquarium tank is definitely an amazing experience and it can give a fascinating new look to your home and living space. Just as you find a huge selection of tanks, you can also find a wide range of fish tank accessories. You only need to base your choice according to the fishes you have chosen, and the type of tank you have. Once you are clear on this point, setting up a beautiful aquarium is easy and fun.

Paul de Vizard is a writer on many different subjects. This includes all manner of marketing, ideas and complex theories. He also likes to learn about Hobbies that interest him. To read more on his hobbies check out his article on How to chose a Fish Tank Stand and where to find the best Fish Tank Decorations from FishTankstands.org

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What Is Dropsy?

Dropsy is a terrible illness in goldfish care that is nearly always fatal to any fish that contracts it. While there are measures you can take to provide your goldfish the very best possibility of getting healed of this ailment. All things considered, delivering excellent water quality in your aquarium is a great way to ensure that your goldfish will not be infected with dropsy.

Precisely

Firstly, dropsy is not a disease. As stated by Wikipedia, it is the concentration of liquid in the body tissues and cavities that leads to the fish's abdomen becoming inflated and gives it a bloated look. For that reason dropsy is only the visible symptom of the real illness or infection. This condition is normally the observable outcome of a bacterial infection which often attacks the kidneys and other key organs of the goldfish creating renal failure. Lack of kidney activities produces the inability of the goldfish to appropriately adjust the quantity of liquids inside their bodies. Equivalent health conditions of fluid retention can be observed in men and women who have problems with kidney failure.

Symptoms

The conditions which are commonly linked to dropsy are actually the last phases of an advanced internal bacterial infection. Consequently dropsy, as it is commonly known is almost always deadly when observed in fish. For that reason I urge goldfish keepers to seek out the symptoms of internal bacterial infection which happens to be more difficult to determine. Nonetheless, exposing the symptoms early will drastically increase your odds of avoiding the final, observable stage of dropsy. A few signs of an internal parasite or bacterial infection that may be noticed ahead of time include goldfish gasping constantly at the top of the water for air, clear or white stringy waste and goldfish experiencing swim bladder issues after feeding which can be confused with constipation in goldfish. The more advance stage of dropsy is made obvious by 'pine coning'. In this state the water retained inside the goldfish has induced so much discomfort that their scales start to stick out similar to a pine cone. This could be better spotted from the top view of the fish than taking a look at a goldfish sideways. A goldfish with this malady will become lethargic and their brilliant hue fades making the goldfish look pale. This could be followed by a disinterest in food and reduction their ability to swim in an upright manner.

Goldfish Treatments for Dropsy

One of the very frustrating activities for me when I started goldfish care was waiting on remedies to work. There are several tips I have learned from this past experience.

1. The same thing that worked for somebody else might not necessarily meet your needs.
2. Giving fish excess medication is certainly not an appropriate idea; go over guidelines on remedies attentively and use only as instructed.
3. The most crucial thing I learned is that good water condition can resolve a lot of goldfish ailments.

For dropsy specifically, there are various medications that can be used to fight internal parasites and or bacteria that may be useful in fighting the root reason behind dropsy. Various salt therapies have also been suggested and improving the overall quality of your aquarium water will be key.

Learn more about different types of goldfish. Smart Goldfish Care is a site dedicated to helping everyone begin and enjoy the hobby of goldfish keeping. Goldfish Care the smart way!

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How To Keep a Pond Clean

Keeping a pond clean, whether it is a garden pond or fish pond, is a problem that almost every pond owner will consider to make the pond an attractive part of the landscape. There are many reasons to keep a pond clean.

Fish need a clean place to live and the water should be clear to make it easier to see the fish. The more fish we have, the greater the need to keep the water clean. Otherwise, it is just another small body of water with stuff in it that detracts from the value of your property. So it is important to consider and determine the best and most cost effective way to keep it clean.

There are several options:

1. Leave it alone and let Mother Nature take its course. This is what most of us pond owners do. It is easiest, can be effective and the water is usually kept clean enough for fish to live in and sometimes it can be used for recreation. Not a bad choice if the pond is large enough and does not have too many fish in it.

2. If you are considering building a pond or have a small pond, the easiest way to keep it clean is to make the pond as natural as possible. That means having enough water flow so that wastes can be naturally filtered out and debris will not collect on the surface.

Most of us have smallish ponds not big enough to be "natural", and none of us are going to dredge the pond, so we need some other way to clean the pond or modify it to take care of itself. Now that is what I am talking about.

3. Add some filtration systems. There are many systems on the market that will take wastes out of the water, kill algae and add oxygen that is beneficial to your fish. I use a sand filter and have had no problems with it and I use the backwash feature to control the water level.

4. Build some water treatments such as a waterfall or fountain to circulate the water and help put oxygen in the water. This will also make the pond more attractive and inviting. This, of course, will require some planning and out of pocket money, but the end result will be well worth the effort.

Clean water is vitally important to having healthy fish and an attractive addition to your home. I prefer to have water treatments that clean the water, add oxygen and be attention getting. If you have a pond, consider adding a waterfall to your pond. You will be able to enjoy the relaxing sound of running water and have an addition that people can enjoy year round.

Learning is absolutely necessary to get the most enjoyment out of it and to preserve the value it adds to your home. People enjoy it more and your fish and plants will be healthier. CLICK HERE and get more information about how to keep your pond clean and attractive.

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Types Of Freshwater Aquarium Fish For Your Fish Tank

The addition of an aquarium to your home is indeed a great one. Watching fish can provide hours of entertainment and relaxation as well. The most beautiful tanks, however, are those best cared for. Choosing the right species means a lot in how healthy the entire aquarium community thrives. Follow these tips for learning the types of freshwater aquarium fish that live together peacefully.

Bettas are popular species and while they have an infamous reputation for being aggressive, beginners should know they are usually only like that towards their own kind. In most cases, two male bettas will fight until one is dead. In community tanks, with the right choices of other species, these beautiful aquatic creatures reside just fine with others. Keep in mind the lone betta should remain in a tank of about six and one half gallons. Heat and oxygen flow should be monitored regularly to provide optimal health.

Adding species that are uniquely colored and different is a great way to enhance the beauty of an aquarium. The Archerfish is a good choice for not only adding beauty, but also interesting personality. Beware, however, because these unusual silver and black fish are terrific jumpers. Take care to only place in aquariums with hoods fitted securely on top of them.

Gouramis are other kinds of colorful choices that can add a lot of flavor to your tank. However, some of them can be aggressive towards one another, especially in the case of the Kissing Gourami. This fish will pester smaller Kissing Gouramis and cause them to be stressed. Placing one Gourami in a tank is the best way to add this species to a community.

Slow moving species can add a peaceful aura to aquariums. One great choice for this effect is the African Butterfly. This is beautiful species whose fins appear to like butterfly wings when you look at it from above. They prefer slow current, spending a lot of their time floating slowly around in the water. You may want to make sure smaller species are not in the community with the African Butterfly because they may get eaten.

The tank with smaller species is a perfect environment for the Ghost Shrimp. These are tiny, unique invertebrates that can add a unique appeal to your tank. Other small species of invertebrates like the Red Cherry Shrimp add a gorgeous splash of color while the Inca Golden Snail does as well. These snails also add the benefit of being an algae cleaning service.

Platies are an excellent choice for beginners. These fish come in many colors and are hardy livebearers. You can choose from a salt and pepper color or even one that is dubbed the Mickey Mouse. These are docile creatures and do well in the community of other gentle species. Platies are some of the most popular choices sold for the freshwater tank.

Most everyone has heard about the infamous and popular Guppy. These are great for adding comical personality to your community tank as well as color and uniqueness. These are some of the reasons these fish are one of the most popular choices. Guppies are easy to care for. However, they are livebearers and have many small fry at a time. Make plans to separate the young fry or they will be eaten by not only their parents, but by other tank inhabitants as well.

Choosing to add an algae eater to your tank carries great benefits. One good choice is the Clown Pleco for not only its love of eating unwanted algae, but for its unique and unusual appearance. These peaceful, non-aggressive fish mostly stay on the bottom and take their time in making in their way around the tank. Another bottom feeder you might consider is the Striped Raphael Catfish. These are indeed beautiful and grow to be up to nine inches long, so you might consider this species for a larger tank. The Raphael Catfish makes an unusual sound while eating that is similar to croaking, making this species a certain conversational point for when you have guests over to your home.

Making your choices from the many types of freshwater aquarium fish can be challenging when they all are so colorful and unusual. Each species has been given its own special look and nature made sure to include many of them. The tank with these fish is certainly one you will be proud of and want to show off. Always remember the care you will need to provide makes all the difference in the world at how awesome your aquarium looks.

Next, find out more about tropical freshwater aquarium fish like freshwater aquarium sharks that can add interest to your fish tank as well as how to setup and maintain your freshwater aquarium.

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Feeding Your Freshwater Puffer Goldfish Is a Death Sentence Waiting to Happen

While some puffers are truly piscivorous (fish eaters), the majority of freshwater pufferfish are not. Most of the commonly purchased puffers eat a diet rich in crustaceans, like shrimp, mollusks and snails. All puffers require hard foods so that their beaks don't overgrow - similar to the teeth of a pet hamster. Unfortunately, the soft flesh of a feeder fish is not going to do anything when it comes to filing down such a hard surface. However, the softness of the common feeder goldfish is not where the harm really lies.

Live Feeder Fish Transmit Disease to Freshwater Pufferfish

The live feeders that you see at your local pet store are not ordered or kept so that they can be sold as pets. While some people may purchase the common comet goldfish as a pond fish, most use them as a live feeder for another animal. And as such, they are typically housed in overcrowded, disease-ridden conditions - it's nearly impossible to keep more than a thousand fish healthy in such a small space. This means that without proper quarantine procedures, live feeder fish have the potential to wreak all kinds of fish problems on your puffer fish tank - like fungus and different types of parasites.

Feeder Goldfish aren't Nutritious for Freshwater Pufferfish

Aside from carrying a high risk for disease and parasitic infestation, feeder goldfish do not contain the right mix of fats, proteins, and other essential minerals and vitamins that your puffer needs. In fact, they're primarily composed of fatty tissue, which is definitely not healthy for any type of predatory fish on a long term basis - including Oscar's and other cichlid fish.

Live Alternatives to Feed Freshwater Pufferfish

There are plenty of other live feeders that you can use for your puffer, like crabs, snails, and shrimp. In fact, I even throw in a few feeder insects every once in a while to keep my puffers diet varied and interesting for them - I've found that most of my puffs seem to enjoy the second larval stage of the darkling beetle. However, I would still recommend quarantining any type of live aquarium residents before you offer them to your fish - you never know what kinds of pathogens you could transmit, even with something as innocent as a snail. This is especially important to do with live feeder shrimp because they are often housed with unhealthy feeder fish.

If you do need to buy your feeders from a pet store, then you will need to learn how to quarantine and treat them for parasites properly. One of only a few books specifically about keeping pufferfish, the Beginner's Guide to Keeping Freshwater Puffers, is an excellent resource for any budding hobbyist, and it includes a chapter teaching you about all the ins and outs of feeding puffers the right way.

You can check it out for completely free at http://www.freshwaterpufferfish.org

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How to Breed Diamond Tetra Fish

The Diamond Tetra fish, better known to aquarium lovers as the Moenkhausia pittieri, is a member of the family Characidae and was originally found living in the Venezuelan Lake Valencia and a few select Venezuelan rivers. Male species of the fish may grow between two to 12 inches, but females are usually smaller. Though not a brightly colored fish, the Diamond Tetra is a silver color with greenish-colored highlights, and it stands out due to its beautiful reflective scales. In baby Diamond Tetras, the shimmering effect of its scales hasn't developed yet, but it will become evident as it ages.

Aquarium Environment

In terms of aquarium environment, the Moenkhausia pittieri should always be part of a school with a minimum of six fish. These should include others of their own species, and fish of others species should be around the same size. Within this school, one male will always be the dominant one. This male tolerates the others, but is always in control. Diamond Tetras have an ideal pH range of 6.6 to 7.0 and temperature preference of 74-82 degrees Fahrenheit (26-28 degrees Celsius), and if kept outside of this range, might take on a different appearance. Also, these fish like having lots of plants in their aquarium, and are luckily not very picky when it comes to feeding time. Moenkhaussia pittieri will love you for offering living food, but can eat anything from flakes to frozen food. Having learned a bit about this type of fish and its basic requirements, steps towards breeding it can now be taken.

Breeding Diamond Tetra Fish

The most difficult process of breeding Diamond Tetra fish is getting the right pairs together. Mature males have longer fins than females, especially when it comes to dorsal fins. Though females will most likely be smaller than the males, females that are ready for breeding often appear to be of a stockier shape. After selection of a pair of Diamond Tetras is complete, they should be separated and conditioned with good food. During the conditioning phase, they should be fed their preferred live food and also some frozen food. This should last for around 10 days.

While conditioning is going on, a separate spawning tank should be prepared. It doesn't have to a very large tank, but needs to include lots of plants, especially those with dense leaves. The conditions in this tank should be similar to the tank that the other Diamond Tetras live in, though at first, there should be no light in the spawning tank. Soft water should always be used over hard water. Gravel is not required, but some netting should be included towards the bottom of the tank. It should be far down enough to give the breeding pair enough space to swim. The holes in the netting also need to be large enough for the eggs to fall through to the bottom of the tank. The spawning tank should also be placed in a quiet area of the home where there can be no disturbances to the fish.

After the allotted time for conditioning has expired, the selected pair should be placed in the spawning tank in the evening when it is dark, and again, no lights should be used in the vicinity of the tank. In the event that the pair of Diamond Tetras is compatible, spawning might take place immediately upon the fish being placed in the spawning tank or might not take place until a day or two afterwards. Sometimes the lighting that is present in the environment where the tank is situated will help speed up the process. Though the male may spend most of his time following the female, when the time has come for spawning, the female will release the eggs at the same time as the male releases the sperm. The eggs must then become fertilized, in which case it is helpful to have soft water in the tank. The netting is very important here, because Moenkhaussia pittieri tend to eat their eggs, and in order to prevent this, the eggs must fall through the netting, separating the eggs from their parents. After spawning has taken place, the male and female fish should be removed from the spawning tank and returned to their regular aquarium.

Though the eggs may see movement within 36 hours, it can take up to a week before the baby fish are capable of swimming around their spawning tank. The fry will be very hungry, but in an aquarium with lots of plants, will find things to eat in their first few days. After that, fry food is acceptable, and once they are large enough, appropriately sized live food is good for them. Keeping the spawning tank clean while the fry are developing is very important. Because they grow so quickly during their first few weeks, baby Diamond Tetras soon look like the adults, though smaller. Their coloring will be plain at first, with their breathtaking shimmering scales being fully developed around the time the fish are 9 months old. Once they have reached a size that wont put them in danger, they can be moved into the adult tank and the spawning tank can be utizilized again with a new pair of adult fish.

Breeding Diamond Tetras can be a challenge, mainly because it may take several tries to find a compatible pair of male and female fish. It is important to keep the adult Diamond Tetra environment healthy so as not to adversely impact their well-being and ability to spawn at a later time. Likewise, the spawning tank should be kept clean and the temperature, pH, and softness should be checked regularly. Enough time and resources should be spent on the conditioning portion of the breeding process, as it is of great importance. Keep different types of food, including fry food, on hand at all times, even if you are doubtful that spawning could occur. Within several weeks or months, you will be rewarded in all your efforts as you watch the eggs hatch and can see your fry growing up and gaining those beautiful shimmering scales the Diamond Tetra are known for.

Having had fish tanks for over ten years, enjoying freshwater tropical fish, I now decided to write about my experiences on FreshwaterTropicalFish.org.

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5 Reasons to Have a Fish As a Pet

Having a pet is awesome. It makes you smile, laugh, move around, and relax knowing you have company. But sometimes domesticating an animal can be a hassle. You can to feed it, give it a bath, walk it, and even clean after it. Most common pets people have are dogs and cats. There has been allergic reactions reported all because patients have these creatures living with them. They can even be rabid enough and could cause life-threatening harm than good. That's why having a pet fish if far more well than having a four-legged creature roaming around your living space.

1. Take note that hairy animals like dogs and cat leave of fur around the house that can cause allergic reactions to those with sensitive respiratory system. You'll be regretting you had these kinds of pets. Plus the fact that they have the tendency to chew or scratch off any fabric they come across. They'll be doing more harm than good if that's the case. A pet fish, on the other hand, doesn't possess any harmful threats at all. It just swims gracefully around it's tank, making makes that makes kids and kids at heart smile and stare at its beauty.

2. A pet fish is far more practical compared to having a dog or cat. You don't have to walk it, clean after it, or even give it bath. All you have to do is feed it twice a day and clean its tank twice a month. While having a dog or cat takes a lot of effort and time to take care of. Plus it even gets rabid when not taken care properly. This is not advisable especially those who want to start a family. Kids have sensitive lungs and exposure to common allergen such as these kinds of pets is never advisable.

3. Dogs and cats often makes disturbing noises since this is the only they can communicate. Sometimes they bark or howl for no apparent reason. Maybe because they can heighten senses but this disrupts the peace and serenity. A pet fish doesn't make any noise, on the other hand. Although some air pumps or filters may cause vibrating sounds, this could easily be taken care of.

4. Another reason why you should have a fish is they are "holiday friendly". Whenever you are planning to go vacation, you may easily leave your fish behind and install a automatic or slow-release feeder. You also might want to ask a friend to stop by to check the filter, heater, and of course, you fish if it's doing O.K. Having a feline or canine can be hassle since you have to leave it with a sitter or have a boarding kennel.

5. Having a pet fish is extremely cheap. You don't have to spend much to buy one or two. With just a few dollars, you can have the most gorgeous, graceful, and attractive fish you can ever have. Although setting up an aquarium might cost a little, but the expense doesn't still level off compared buying a dog with a good pedigree.

Bernard Yao invites you to http://www.petsinfoplace.com dedicated to sharing useful information on raising happy and healthy home pets for the online community. Come on by for more great updates on fish and fish care.

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Some Freshwater Aquarium Information You Need to Know

ByColin Barton

A lot of individuals enjoy keeping aquariums, and you can buy them at many places along with learning the freshwater aquarium information to care for them.

The term aquarium originates with the Latin word "aqua" which means water and the Latin word "rium" which has the meaning building or place. So the term basically means water building!

There are actually thousands of various styles for aquariums you will find to buy today, and trying to explain them all would not just be lengthy it would be downright ridiculous.

For some freshwater aquarium information on the styles, you can find the plain little fish bowls that we all had as kids up to the highly advanced systems with a filtration for the water, large number of fish, living plants growing up special-made plastic.

History of an Aquarium

Today's types of aquariums started evolving during the 1850s; these do echo the history behind them. When the Sumerians kept wild fish they did so in ponds until it was time to cook them for meals.

Koi and goldfish both have been in existence since the 1st century at least with the Chinese breeding them, and in the Song dynasty the goldfish lived in ceramic bowls even. This is a lengthy history with many details.

Even the Egyptian art from ancient times depicted an early aquarium; the fish of that time lived in temple pools of rectangular shape, this is very interesting freshwater aquarium information to learn that most do not even imagine about aquariums.

Having fish for a hobby started big after World War 1 was over which was in the mid to late 1800s. While the aquariums could be viewed at the museums and other special places, the modern filtration and lighting setups allowed people to have fish at home.

As keeping fish became to be more popular in the modern age, companies rapidly came up with new unique and fascinating items for people to add to their tanks, along with coming up with the best way to keep the water clean and the fish healthier.

This is why today that we have such a large number of choices available for people who own aquariums. You can select from the lost of numerous items and total into the thousands to complete your setup and make it fun, interesting and even unique.

Real Big Aquarium

One of the largest and most fascinating aquariums is not located in the USA, it is in Japan. This Osaka aquarium has a volume of 5,400 cubic meters and holds more than 580 different species! How's that for freshwater aquarium information?

Colin Barton has been a lifelong lover of freshwater aquarium information. He have already set up tons of fresh water aquariums and been caring for fish for over 10 years now. To learn more about the proper caring of fresh water aquarium please visit his website at http://www.freshwateraquariumscare.com/

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How to Choose Plants Compatible With Betta Fish

Betta fish are a species of hardy, elegant and easy to care for freshwater fish. They have a labyrinth organ that acts as a set of lungs allowing the fish to breathe air at the surface, as well as a set of gills for filtering air through water. The aggressive males can only be kept alone; gill displays shown by them are beautiful but they are also a warning of their hostility to other males. Most betta lovers keep the male betta, whose long flowing fins and bright colors are much prettier than the short finned, mutely colored female. Females flare their fins as well, but they lack the flowing elegance of the male. Because of the solitary nature of the male betta, a great deal of creativity can go into decorating his tank. Some people will place a clear plastic divider in the middle of a tank and put a betta on each side of it. The resulting displays between the two males is quite beautiful behind the safety of the divider.

Bettas in the wild are not as beautiful as those loved by the betta collector. They resemble the females moreso than the well known males who are bred for their beautiful fins and markings. Betta fish are found in the rice paddies of Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia and do not require much room; they do not roam as other fish do. Because of this, they do can do quite well in smaller bowls in a warm room of the house.

One popular betta fish display involves an aquatic plant placed on top of the water in a display called a betta vase. This isn't without its problems because the plant could die and poison the water. Because of this, be sure the plant you are using is truly aquatic; some pet stores will try to sell terrestrial plants for the vases. When the leaves of these plants remain submerged in water, they will die and become toxic. The betta will not eat the roots of the plant as some believe, so he still must be fed, and the roots will not clean the water so the bowl still must be cleaned. Popular plants for a betta vase are the chinese evergreen, peace lilly, ludwigia, annubias nani and various types of philodendron. Great care must be excercised that the plant does not become large enough to keep the betta from being able to grab a bit of air at the surface or keep him from getting to his food; the upturned mouth of a betta makes him a surface feeder. It has been suggested that putting some straws through the plant can help the betta receive a good supply of air. Male bettas form bubble nests at the surface of the water, and will attach these nests to the floating plants. A betta vase is a beautiful display, and can be maintained with a sharp eye on the health and size of the plant, removing any dead or dying leaves promptly.

Live rooted plants are another option, but they do require a substrate at the bottom of the tank. Live plants provide oxygenation and filtration for the tank. Bettas do not require heat while some tropical aquatic plants do, so be sure to check the compatibility of your plants with your tank set up. Eelgrass is a good selection for the betta tank, as are cripts, water sprites, hygro and java ferns. Vallis, hornwort, foxtail and the amazon sword are also popular for betta tanks. These plants generally do not need excessive lighting, do well at room temperature and do not require circulated water to thrive.

While bettas can be kept at room temperature, their ideal water temperature is 75 to 85 degrees farenheit. It is at these temperatures that the true beauty of the betta can really shine. Adding a heater and mild lighting can expand your choices of plant life for the betta. Be very careful choosing a heater if you are housing a betta in a small tank, as too large a heater can overheat the water very quickly. Creeping jennies, java moss red leaf ludwigia, riccia fluitans, and banana plants are choices popular for betta tanks. Shy by nature, the betta seeks vegetation that it can hide in, around and under, so consider broad leafed plants in his tank. Multiple plants in the tank can be beneficial and creative, but always keep in mind the betta will need room to swim and get to the surface for air.

Artificial plants are a popular choice for the betta fish tank. Obviously these need no heat or light, but maintenance is required to keep algae off of them. Simply rinsing them off when you change the water is sufficient. Artificial plants are usually plastic or silk and come in an endless assortment of colors and styles. There are websites that give instructions on making artificial plants to save money and personalize the tank.Finding a plant that shows off a betta's color is a great way to add impact to his tank, and when added to a colored background and substrate, the effect can be stunning. While artificial plants cannot die and cause toxicity, they don't provide oxygen as a living plant does. Choosing a small, low powered aerator stone is a good way to ensure the betta is getting enough oxygen in his water. An artificial plant should still be chosen with the reticent nature of the betta in mind, and broad leafed plants are preferable.

You can house your betta fish with other tropical fish such a gouramis and mollies. He will do well with peaceful community fish, but keep an eye out for any bullying. Some fish species cannot resist nibbling on the betta's long fins, so plants are very important if he is in a community tank.

Plants in the tank or bowl provide many benefits to the long term health of your betta. With so many plant options, betta tanks can be created to suit any liking.

Having had fish tanks for over ten years, enjoying freshwater tropical fish, I now decided to write about my experiences on FreshwaterTropicalFish.org.

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LED Aquarium Light 101

ByHuey B

When LED aquarium lights first came out, aquarists really liked them for lighting up their tanks at night. Nowadays, savvy aquarists know that LED lights are also the best choice for daytime illuminations for a number of reasons. One main benefits of LED is that it saves money. It simply takes less power to run an LED light than a standard bulb - up to 70% less, in fact! LED aquarium lights have long operational life. With proper care and handling, your LED aquarium lighting system will last for years, even if you light your tank almost continuously. Another benefit of LED is that your tank won't get overheat. This sort of lighting generates little or no heat, which is one reason why they do not burn out quickly. To make them last even longer, keep a fan near your tanks to disperse excess heat. Additionally, there are even "green" varieties of LED aquarium light that are recyclable and have very little risk of being broken due to being made from very tough polycarbonate tube. This type of aquarium light is water-resistant and reduces the risk of overheating and even electrocution that can be posed by standard bulbs.

LED aquarium lights are great looking both in style of housing and in the natural quality of light. These lights are particularly suited to freshwater fish living in lakes and rivers. Tropical freshwater fish, such as guppies, goldfish, Siamese fighting fish and other commonly kept freshwater tropical fish also do well with LED lighting; so do freshwater plants. Additionally, fish that thrive in brackish water (slightly salty) do well with LED lighting; however, you must keep in mind the kind of lighting that is natural to the habitat of the fish when choosing the strength and type of lighting you will use on your tank.

Commonly kept saltwater fishes and fauna such as sea cucumbers and coral can also do well with LED lighting, however, you should discuss the precise type of LED lighting necessary for this type of tank when you visit your local fish store. Be aware, though, that you should not simply take the word of the clerk at the local fish store. Take his or her recommendations with a grain of salt. Do your own research online regarding the types of fish you are considering. Read books about fish care. Read the information contained with the LED aquarium light you are considering purchasing. Visit online forums to get information from people who have had experience. This is always good advice when thinking of setting up a tank, adding fish to an existing tank or making any kind of changes in your aquarium setup.

LED aquarium lights are great alternative to traditional aquarium lights and more energy efficient. You should consider looking at LED aquarium.

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An Aquarium Vacuum Cleaner Helps With Aquarium Maintenance

ByZach Winsett

There are a huge number of aquarium vacuum cleaners on the market today. Many do a fine job when it comes to performance, but ultimately what makes the difference is how well it handles gravel. You want to be sure that you are using a product that can handle the work load and deal with gravel without shortening its lifespan or cleaning capabilities.

An aquarium vacuum cleaner can range anywhere from ten to fifty dollars in cost. Like most products, when it comes right down to it, cost does not equal quality in all cases. It is best to know about the product you are planning to buy and to also be aware of the kind of job you will need it to perform before you make any kind of investment.

One key feature that you may want to be aware of when shopping for an aquarium vacuum is how well it cleans without removing aquarium water. Many battery operated vacuum and siphons are not designed to clean objects without removing the water. In fact, many siphons meant for changing water are used as vacuums themselves! The battery operated Mr. Clean by TOM Aquarium Maintenance is a product that vacuums without removing valuable water. The product is inexpensive and has grown to be fairly popular among aquarium enthusiasts. This product uses an external filter and a gravel brush as well. This brush is reported by many to simply be a hindrance to the actual vacuuming action.

In the high range vacuums, judging strictly by cost is the EHEIM Quick Vac. In this case, the money really does make a difference when it comes to the actual product. While still battery operated, this model of aquarium vacuum requires no buckets or hoses to function and works seamlessly in up to three feet of submersion. The product is ideal for complete cleaning of any aquarium but is also not much of hassle when it comes to spot maintenance. This vacuum does a thorough job of cleaning without removing excessive amounts of water or completely redistributing the gravel. It is designed to capture both minor and large debris as well. While prices hover around the sixty dollar mark, the investment is worth the expense.

Having a quality vacuum for your aquarium not only helps with the transparency of the water in your aquarium, it also helps to keep your fish or plants healthy to enjoy a longer and fuller life. A quality vacuum also extends the period of time in which you must change the water in your tank, minimizing the effort on the part of the aquarium owner. Invest in a quality aquarium vacuum today and enjoy watching your aquarium thrive with ease.

If you are having trouble keeping your aquarium clean then an aquarium vacuum cleaner might do the trick. These devices make it easy to perform water changes and clean your gravel with ease.

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What to Do If You See Your Goldfish Floating

It might be a surprise to some that even the smallest of goldfish also suffer from various ailments. Some pet owners might not be aware of this, but one of the illnesses that these fish might suffer from causes them to float. If your pet is currently experiencing this, do not be worried. This is a fairly common occurrence among goldfish. Fortunately, it is also easy to solve.

There are some things you need to be aware of if you see your goldfish floating towards the top of the tank. Fish from the tropical areas are rarely affected by this ailment. If, however, you happen to pass by a pet shop that has at least one goldfish in an aquarium swimming higher than its companions, then chances are its domestic environment is the one to be blamed.

One of the most suggested reasons for this phenomenon involves buoyancy. Different types of fish suffer from various buoyancy problems. In some cases, the fish can also be seen swimming too low. Both cases are curable in a matter of days. In some cases, however, the buoyancy problem can be pinpointed with the fish's swimbladder, a problem that might prove harder to correct. It is therefore important to know the reason why your fish has a swimbladder-related problem:

1. It might be due to the consumption of too much air whenever it eats on the surface.
2. There is probably a build-up of gas within its bladder that causes it to bloat and float to the top of the water.
3. Bacterial infection is possible which can lead to a build-up of toxic fluids within the fish's body.
4. Physical damage resulted from fellow fishes.
5. Genetically incorrect growth process.

Whichever the reason is, rest assured that they are all treatable as long as you have the right knowledge regarding the matter. Here are things you can try if you see your goldfish floating:

1. Avoid feeding it its normal diet for a day and see if it will expel any form of gas. Small peas are helpful once in a while as these serve as aids to allow the fish to eliminate unnecessary gases inside its stomach.

2. Try to increase the temperature of the water by a few degrees. This can help the fish flush away excess gas that might be the cause of the ailment.

3. An old-fashioned cure involves adding salt to the water. There are also certain products available in the pet shops that can help your fish. Try to buy sodium chloride, better known as tonic salts. According to experts, these work wonders on a fish's swimbladder problem.

4. An anti-bacterial medication is oftentimes done by veterinarians. Whenever one sees a goldfish floating, the person must be responsible enough to know if it is severe or not. It may prove a bit expensive compared to some the methods listed above, but this is one of the surest ways the swimbladder problem will be cured. Moreover, the buoyancy of the goldfish will be returned to normal.

For more information on a goldfish floating in your tank, please visit My Goldfish Care: http://MyGoldfishCare.com

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Do Goldfish Sleep?

If ants sleep, why can't goldfish? It might have never passed through the minds of ordinary folks the fact that fish can sleep. Yes, even our small swimming buddies doze off once in a while, but it is definitely not the same as tucking yourself under the covers and having a good night's sleep.

Scientists have done some research that verifies the fact that some animals do not sleep. The mayfly, for example, is known to live for only a number of hours after birth. Hence, these insects only spend a considerable amount of time flying around before they die. They do so without rest so as to maximize their lifespan. A lifespan of a goldfish can be as long as ten years with the possibility of this number doubling. The lifespan also depends on whether or not the fish is actually well-fed by its owners. Because of their long existence, goldfish do get tired and need to take a break once in a while.

In answering the question "" we need to consider the way their methods differentiate from other organisms. Like the majority of animals on this planet, they basically take one spot while sleeping. They do not float around the way people always see them do, although there is the occasional hovering which is caused by buoyancy. At times they would even hide behind large aquarium decorations.

The difference, however, lies in their concept of sleep, which is actually a form of resting. They sleep with their eyes open-as they do not have any eyelids-and only undergo a trance-like state. Because of this, they are basically aware of what is going on around them. When another fish nudges them or when a certain light is turned on, sleeping goldfish would quickly swim away as if they were not sleeping in the first place. Their brain is also very small in size, and it is said that animals having this physical characteristic do not actually enjoy sleep since they lack the necessary termination of brain activity. This is why it is known that goldfish only sleep a few hours a day. Since goldfish exhibit certain awareness during their state of sleep, they retain the ability to move their fins to stay afloat and to maintain their position. They also do this to satisfy the needs of their gills to have sufficient oxygen as they move.

The next someone asks you the question "" always say yes, but be prepared to explain that their methods are far different from ours. They need sleep just like us human beings. They can also experience fatigue or get tired if they do no rest. Like us, they also sleep better with the lights off, so if you are one of the numerous goldfish owners who care about their pets, make it a point to dim the lights whenever you see them floating on one specific spot. If you do, goldfish sleep patterns will not be disturbed. Remember that since they do not have eyelids, they are also prone to distraction brought about by brightness.

Do goldfish sleep? For more information, please visit My Goldfish Care: http://MyGoldfishCare.com

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How to Recognize the Signs of the Common Goldfish Diseases

If you own a pet goldfish then it is very important that you know about goldfish diseases and what their symptoms are. Knowing the signs of sickness in your goldfish will allow you to catch the illness before it gets worse; most goldfish fatalities are the result of their owners not realizing that their pet is already sick. In this article the most common of the diseases that goldfish comes into contact with is discussed, and hopefully this will help you extend the life of your goldfish.

Swim Bladder Disease - The signs that there is something wrong with your fish's swim bladder is if it either stays at the bottom of the tank or near the surface. Their swim bladders act as the ballast for fish, enabling them to dive or surface whenever they like, if there is something wrong with the bladder then swimming becomes problematic for the fish. If you think that your fish has swim bladder disease, try feeding it with frozen peas, if the problem still persists then take it to the veterinarian.

Ich - or white spot disease, is caused by a parasite called Ichthyophthirius multifiliis. Ich is one of the more common goldfish diseases, it can be recognized as white spots appearing all over the fish's body. When your fish contracts Ich, you will find it rubbing its body against the hard decorations in your tank in order to scrape away at the growths on its body. This illness is usually caused by introducing an infected fish into your fishtank; which is why it is very important that you only get your goldfish from a reputable breeder.

Dropsy - This is one of the most fatal of goldfish diseases. If this disease is left by itself and allowed to progress, there is little or no chance that your goldfish will survive; that is why it is very important to recognize this disease at an early stage so that treatment can be administered. The symptoms of dropsy are swollen eyes (usually one at a time), massively swollen belly, and the goldfish's scales stick out of its body rather than lying flat. This disease is mostly caused by bad water condition and poor tank maintenance.

Anchor Worm - Just like Ich, anchor worm is caused by a parasite that has infected your goldfish, but instead of white spots you will see hanging growths at different parts of the fish's body. And like Ich, anchor worm will cause your goldfish to rub themselves against any rough or hard surface trying scratch the growths off. By itself anchor worm does not pose any serious threat to your fish, though it greatly weakens it's immune system, making it very susceptible to other kinds of goldfish diseases.

It is true that goldfish are a hardy fish that are able to thrive in any kind of water condition, but they are far from perfect; they still get sick just like other animals. But by recognizing the signs of goldfish diseases you will be able to treat them before they get worse.

For more information on goldfish diseases, please visit My Goldfish Care: http://MyGoldfishCare.com

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Egg Layers

ByRichard D Ross

or scatterers are a group of Tropical Fish that reproduce by laying eggs and then fertilizing them. Depending on the species of fish, the eggs will be either placed or dropped on plants, or directly in to a substrate nest. The female will spawn the eggs and the male will then fertilize them.

Mouth Brooders are a unique kind of fish, that carry their eggs or hatched fry around in their mouths, to protect them. Both the males and the females will perform this duty. Some fish will drop adhesive eggs on to the leaves of fine leafed plants, which are better for this purpose, than broad leafed ones. Plants like Cabamba and Myriophyllum are very egg friendly.

Their leaves are delicate and perfect for eggs to stick to and hide newly hatched fry. Others place their eggs into nests they build in floating plants, called Bubble Nests.The male fish will blow and place small bubbles on to the plants and glue them together with saliva.

No matter what the method, once fertilized, the egg sacks develop into little fry and then hatch. The egg sack remains attached and provides nutrients until the little fry can fend for themselves. The fertilized eggs are small and transparent. In the wild, hatched fry have a good chance to survive. But in the home aquarium, good luck. Unless protected, they become food for larger fish, even their parents! In the home aquarium, you can get to spawn, under the right conditions. They prefer softer water, pH 7.0 to 7.5. The water temperature should be in the mid seventies.

Breeder plants, should be placed in a tank with established plants, like Vallisneria and Java Fern. Some hobbyists are lucky enough to have breeder tanks, where females are placed. They are fed a diet of fresh foods like brine shrimp or raw fish finely chopped. When the male is introduced after a few days, the pair are apt to spawn and fertilize the eggs. once this is done, remove the parents from the tank to give the babies or fry a chance to live.

Most of us with just one tank, simply clip the egg laden leaves and put them in a smaller floating hatchery, placed in the top of the tank. Once they hatch, the young are safe from larger fish. If they are isolated and fed quality food, the new fry will prosper, though a few of them will not survive. Genetically, some fish are just hardier than others. Barbs, Tetras and Catfish are examples of popular egg laying fish given the proper environment, these and others will give hobbyists a good chance at success.

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Richard D. Ross has been an aquarium hobbyist for many years. His love is Fresh Water tropical fish. He has a personal website: http://www.pellonesportal.com

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Tips on How to Feed Goldfish

Part of becoming a pet owner involves the responsibility of feeding your animals. The most important part in having a good relationship with them is that you know exactly the dos and don'ts when it comes to stuffing food in their mouths. In the case of feeding goldfish, beginners might have a bit of trouble in satisfying the diets of their fish.

What you need to remember is that goldfish are omnivores. They can eat both meat and plants. Like human beings, they need to eat regularly in order to satisfy their body's need for nutrients. There are many pet shops that sell fish food so it is best to pay these places a visit in order to know which type of food your goldfish needs. You may buy fish flakes or fish pellets made especially for your pet, but it is also ideal to read the ingredients before you do so. Some food contains lesser nutrients compared to the others, so always compare and contrast before you make your purchase. Another tip on how to feed goldfish is that you can still save money by feeding them brine shrimps or even small worms which can be caught in any normal garden. They can also eat small bits of lettuce which are high in vitamins. Make sure, however, to rinse these before throwing them inside the tank in order to avoid any unwanted germs from mixing in the water inside the aquarium.

Now you need to know how frequently you should feed your goldfish. Their ideal feeding rate is once a day, but depending on the size of the fish you can opt to do so twice. It is important to feed them in small amounts. A good way to measure the quantity is to calculate how much food one can consume in less than three minutes. If it takes them longer to eat the amount you give them, it means you are feeding them too much. Be wary that even goldfish can die from overfeeding as too much food can rupture their small stomachs.

Another tip on how to feed goldfish is to notice the amount of food they leave in the tank. If it happens that they quickly get full and leave some bits of food floating in the water, it is highly recommended to clean these bits up in order to avoid polluting the aquarium. Buy a fish net from pet shops so you can easily scoop out the small bits of leftovers. Remember that if excess fish food is left out to float around inside the tank, there is the possibility that the water's ammonia level will increase to a point where it can kill your fish.

Pet owners need to become more aware of the right ways on how to feed goldfish. Remember that goldfish are like any other animals. They need to have a proper diet in order to survive longer. Feed them less and they will starve, feed them more and they will most likely die as well.

For more information on how to feed goldfish, please visit My Goldfish Care: http://MyGoldfishCare.com

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Goldfish Types That Are Suitable for Beginners

Are you planning on keeping goldfish as pets, but you are not sure as to which of the goldfish types to get? If you are a newcomer to the world of fish keeping, goldfish are great choices for being your first pets because they are beautiful, low maintenance, and they are more hardy than other types of aquarium fish. If you are looking for like you then here are some suggestions:

Common Goldfish

The common goldfish are the ones that are given away as prizes at county fairs. These are one of the best when it comes to resistance to disease and water condition as compared to the other goldfish types, which is why even beginners can take good care of them.

This type of flat-bodied goldfish are agile swimmers and can grow to more than a foot in length if given enough room, they are also able to live for more than 10 years depending on the level of care that it gets. They are omnivorous, meaning you can feed them just about anything from fish pellets, flakes, live worms, and even frozen peas.

Comet Goldfish

These goldfish are similar in appearance to the common goldfish except that they have longer and more pronounced fins. The tail fin of the comet goldfish is one of the longest among all of the goldfish types, the tails are almost as long as the main body of the goldfish itself; it is really impressive to see an adult comet goldfish that is almost a foot in length with a graceful tail that is almost the same length or even longer.

And just like the common goldfish, comet goldfish are a hardy bunch making them a perfect choice for beginners.

Shubunkin Goldfish

These goldfish are similar in body shape as the common goldfish; the shubunkin's body is just a bit more streamlined than the common goldfish. The coloration is also different in this goldfish, instead of the gold and white metallic colors found in common goldfish; the shubunkin has a combination of metallic and transparent scales of different colors, which is why the shubunkin is also called the calico. The shubunkin goldfish comes in a variety of different color combinations ranging from white, black, gold, blue, red, and purple; shubunkins that have blue colorations are very rare making them more valuable than the others.

And just like the other flat-bodied goldfish types, the shubunkin goldfish does not need much maintenance to keep, you can even keep them in a pond in your backyard if you like, just remember to place them in an indoor tank when the weather gets too cold.

Goldfish are one of the most popular pets for many years, and they do not seem to lose any popularity as time passes by. If you are a budding enthusiast in raising these beautiful fish, the types pf goldfish mentioned above will be able to give you lots of practice in raising and taking care of the other goldfish types.

For more information on goldfish types, please visit My Goldfish Care: http://MyGoldfishCare.com

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How Long Is Goldfish Lifespan?

Contrary to popular belief, goldfish lifespan can last for years given the right habitat and care. The lifespan of a goldfish is also dependent on what variety it is, as some are known to live 10 years while some can go for 20 years or more. Here are some types of goldfish with their known lifespan and some tips on how you can make them last for as long as they can:

Common Goldfish

The common goldfish is one hardy breed of goldfish; they can live in just about any kind of water condition and will also eat anything. It doesn't take much to keep these goldfish happy, you just need to feed them often and keep them in a tank where the water temperature is not too cold. If they do not get any ailments or serious diseases the common goldfish lifespan can exceed 10 years.

Shubunkin Goldfish

Shubunkin goldfish are not gold colored at all; they are more like a combination of different colors. Most shubunkins have a combination of translucent and metallic scales that are colored silver or white, with splotches of black, red, brown, or blue. The shubunkin goldfish is a lot like the common goldfish because they are very low maintenance pets, perfect for beginners. The average shubunkin goldfish lifespan is more than 15 years.

Black Moor Goldfish

The Black Moor Goldfish is characterized by its black and velvety coloration and its protruding eyes; though they do not protrude as much as those of the telescopic eye goldfish's. This kind of goldfish is also great pets for beginners since they are not picky on food, and they are pretty resistant to most diseases that goldfish usually get. Among the other goldfish varieties, the Black Moor Goldfish lifespan is by far the longest. The average lifespan of a Black Moor is 20 years or so, but there have been reports of them living for more than 25 years.

Tips on Extending Goldfish Lifespan

The lifespan of the goldfish stated above are the results of giving the fish the proper care that they need. In order for goldfish to live to the extent of their life spans it is necessary that you take care of them properly and place them in an environment where they can live happily.

One great tip is to remember to not overfeed your fish. For one, when goldfish are overfed their bodies swell up too much because of the amount of food, making them sluggish and prone to numerous diseases. If you also put in more food than your fish can eat, they will just dissolve into the water and make it murky.

Another tip for extending goldfish lifespan is to always keep the water in the tank clean. You should replace at least 25 percent of the tank's water every month. Placing a filter in the tank can also help in keeping the water clean and clear, and it also helps in circulating the water and keeping it oxygenated.

By following these simple tips on extending goldfish lifespan, you will be enjoying the company of your pet goldfish for a very long time.

For more information on goldfish lifespan, please visit My Goldfish Care: http://MyGoldfishCare.com

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Taking Care of Your Pearlscale Goldfish

The pearlscale goldfish is one of the numerous varieties of goldfish and is also one of the most commonly-bought pets. It takes the shape of an egg, looking like they have just swallowed a round object. It scales, filled with calcium carbonate, are also varied in shape that complements its spherical body. The calcium carbonate contained within these scales sort of makes a pattern of small-colored domes which create the optical illusion that the shapes are jutting outwards. The head of this type of goldfish is small, which makes the body stand out even more.

Its dorsal fin stands erect on its back. It begins from the middle and extends itself all the way to a part of the body called the caudal peduncle. The other fins of this goldfish variety are paired with ends that are rounded, with lobes that appear forked at the tips. Whenever this goldfish swims these lobes often wave upwards instead of downwards. This type of goldfish comes in several colors. Some have scales that resemble the color of metal along with a couple more distinct hues. Some, however, retain their orange color similar to the majority of goldfish nowadays.

Breeders of this goldfish often prefer one with a head one-thirds shorter than its total length. Since the fish has two different types-those with headgrowths, and those who have none-there exists a sort of favoritism among breeders that the ones having headgrowths are considered to be more valuable compared to others. The Pearlscale goldfish is fortunately not picky when it comes to eating. It will eat almost all types of food that other goldfish eat. You must, however, watch out for its diet. Avoid giving it food in large chunks as its internal organs are not fit for consumption of such. If it eats too much, there is a possibility that its round body will not take the pressure, rupturing the stomach in the process.

Like several other fish of this type, it grows in a relative manner. It requires almost ten gallons of water whenever a pet owner plans to keep it in an aquarium. Ponds, however, are more ideal for goldfish of this type, as it is considered to be its perfect habitat. The best part about keeping a fish of this variety is that it can be housed along with fishes of other types as it does not pose a complete threat. There are, however, a select few types that are considered unsafe for the Pearlscale goldfish, namely the Comet goldfish, the Shubunkin goldfish, the Waking Goldfish, and the janitor fish.

If you are one of the numerous owners of the Pearlscale, keep in mind that they require absolute care. Their bodies, round and heavy for their own good, are not suitable for environments that are stressful. Swimming fast is definitely not their cup of tea. A calm and serene atmosphere inside the tank must be taken into consideration. Avoid placing unnecessary toys or objects in the aquarium to avoid scaring the fish.

For more information on the Pearlscale goldfish, please visit My Goldfish Care: http://MyGoldfishCare.com

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Black Moor Goldfish - The Perfect Pet for Beginners

Black Moor goldfish is one of the most beautiful varieties of goldfish. As their name implies, they are velvety black in color that fade to a dull silver along the belly. They are also characterized by their protruding eyes that seem to pop out from its skull; the protruding eyes are the reason why they are also called black dragon eyes, and the more endearing popeyes.

The Black Moor goldfish has a lifespan that is one of the longest of all the goldfish. The average Black Moor can live to more than 20 years, but if given enough care and room to grow, they can last for more than 25 years. They can also grow in length to about 8 inches to 10 inches, depending again on the room provided to them.

Because this goldfish is a hardy little fellow, it does not take much to keep it happy and healthy. For as long as you give it enough food, ample room in the tank, and clean water to swim in it will surely last for years; given that it does not get any serious diseases of course. Because it is low maintenance, the Black Moor is the perfect fish for beginners at keeping fish.

The things that you need to concern yourself about when keeping a Black Moor goldfish as a pet is that it has relatively poor eyesight because of its bulging eyes, it is also not the most agile swimmer in the world so it can be hard keeping them in a tank with faster moving fish because it will not be able to keep up with the feeding frenzy of the other fishes. Because of these handicaps these fish are more relegated to being kept in indoor tanks with other slow moving fish rather than in outdoor ponds that have a lot of obstructions that it has to navigate around in.

But besides its incapability of keeping up with the faster fishes, the Black Moor makes up for it in its high resistance to illnesses and it is also not very sensitive to water quality unlike other fish. You can keep Black Moors in tap water for all they care; but if you want your Black Moor to be a lot more healthy and happy then you should check the pH balance of their tank water and the temperature from time to time, just to see if they are in the right levels.

This goldfish do require that the water in their tanks are well-oxygenated, so keeping them in a fishbowl with a small opening at the top is not really advisable. A tank that has a wide opening at the top will be a better suited Black Moor goldfish environment, you could also add in a good water filtration system in the tank to keep the water clean and circulating so that it gets oxygenated.

Black Moor goldfish is really one of the most suitable pets for beginners; it is beautiful and very low maintenance, what more can you ask for?

For more information on Moor goldfish, please visit My Goldfish Care: http://MyGoldfishCare.com

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How to Breed Goldfish the Right Way

Have you ever considered multiplying your aquarium's goldfish population? Instead of buying new ones, you can always opt to breed your existing fish. Not only is it a practical way to increase their number, it is also fun and worth your time. Be wary, though, as beginners are most likely going to have a difficult time doing this. Here are some helpful tips on how to breed goldfish.

First, make sure that each of your fish is at least one year old, although most breeding experts would suggest them to be more than two to three years old. A huge factor to consider before breeding is the ideal season which runs from May to August.

Of course, breeding will not be possible without a male and a female. You must first determine the genders of your goldfish. Take note that females are usually stouter when viewed from the top, while mature males have tubercles on their heads or small bumps that resemble a star.

The next step on how to breed goldfish involves isolating them in separate tanks. In case you have more than two, separate them into dual tanks depending on gender. Make sure you regularly feed them with equal amount of food such as live worms and brine shrimp.

The aquarium must be taken care of. You will need to set up a tank fit for breeding. It should have fresh water and proper ventilation tools. Plants are also necessary additions as these will be the place the fish will lay its eggs. The temperature should be adjusted at about sixty-four degrees Fahrenheit to support proper breeding.

Once you have placed the goldfish in the breeding tank you will then have to wait for the females to lay eggs, which will be fertilized by the males. You need to partially change the water every day. Remove twenty percent of water from the tank and replace it with fresher water from the tap. This stimulates the spawning process. Be as strict with the amount as possible because a slight change will stress the goldfish, rendering them unable to reproduce.

A strong sign that your goldfish is beginning to spawn is color change. Their skin hues begin to intensify once the female and the male begins the fertilization process. You might notice that some males will break away from the group and chase a female energetically. You will know if they are mating when the male begins to push the female to a point where they begin to revolve around each other. This process allows the female to push out her eggs which will most likely land on the plants you have provided.

The eggs will hatch after a few days, with colors beginning to appear after a month. The right way on how to breed goldfish does not stop here, though, as you will still need to feed your baby goldfish with nutritious food four to six times a day. It might test your patience, but at least the aquarium will soon be filled with enough goldfish for you to sell or take care of.

For more information on how to breed goldfish, please visit My Goldfish Care: http://MyGoldfishCare.com

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Caring for Your Discus Fish

BySteven P Martin

Discus are a popular tropical fish species to keep in the home. If looked after they can live for quite a few years but on average it is four to five. There are some key tips for keeping Discus Fish in good condition. Some of these are typical to all tropical fish and some are specific to Discus.

As they are quite a large fish, they need a lot of space and a large tropical fish tank should be used. The size will vary depending on how many fish you intend to keep but a tank of at least 40 gallons should be used.

The temperature needs to be kept at a fairly constant and Discus like it quite hot (about 82-86 deg Fahrenheit). To maintain this temperature, the tank should be kept away from sources of cold and heat such as draughts from windows and external doors, direct sunlight and fires or radiators. A reliable aquarium heater should be used, and if you have a large tank it is worth having more than one to distribute the heat evenly and as a back up.

The first time you fill the fish tank it should be left for two to three weeks for the filters to settle in and the water should be treated with a chemical agent. Any fish tank equipment, ornaments or gravels need to be thoroughly washed a few times, to remove dirt and bacteria, before placing them in the water.

Discus Fish will eat a variety of foods including flakes and frozen shrimp.

The tropical fish tank should be cleaned regularly and as Discus are a large fish, they produce a lot of waste so the water should be changed, or at least partially changed on a weekly basis to ensure a healthy environment. It is also a good idea to use a large and efficient filter to as Discus need very clean water.

Discus are a communal, and generally non-aggressive species and several can be kept together. Ideally if you intend to add any new fish to the aquarium, they should be kept in a separate quarantine tank for a few days and observed for any signs of disease or other issues before introducing them into the main fish tank with other fish. Other tropical fish can be kept in the same tank but it is best to avoid other large fish or fast swimmers. Bottom feeding catfish make an ideal tank companion.

Discus's live on average four to five years but may last longer if you look after them well.

If you found the information in this article useful then please visit our site links below for more information on tropical fish tanks and fish keeping: You may print this article or display on your website providing you include the Authors name and link to: Discus Fish Care and Tropical Fish Tanks

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A Buyers Guide to Choosing the Right Lighting for Your Saltwater Aquarium

Lighting for saltwater aquariums is probably one of the most important decisions you will have to make when creating a tank. What good is creating a visual effect under water when you can't see it properly?

The type of fish that will be kept in a saltwater aquarium will have come from warm shallow seas with a lot of light shining on them. So recreating that original setting is a must for your tank to flourish.

Types Of Tanks

Before you buy the lighting you need to consider first what type of aquarium you will have. Whether it be a fish only tank, fish only with live rock, or a reef tank.

Depending on what you decide will affect the choice of what lighting you will use for your saltwater aquarium. You don't want to underlight it and you don't want to overlight it causing the water to overheat.

Types Of Fish

The next thing to consider before you buy your lighting is what type of fish you will have in your tank. You also need to think about what species can be put together in the same tank and what their needs are. Some species require higher levels of lighting. Also you need to research what the requirements are in a reef tank particularly. Some organisms don't work well together.

What Lighting To Use

For fish only tanks use fluorescent lighting as these aquariums don't require a lot of lighting. Fluorescent lighting is cool in temperature, inexpensive and is evenly spread throughout the tank. This is the lighting you see in offices. The bulbs have a long life. The rule of thumb for lighting with fluorescent lighting is 1W per gallon.

For fish with live rock tanks you might consider power compact fluorescent lighting. This is put basically fluorescent lighting bent in half. They are available in spectrums of Daylight, Actinic Blue and 50/50. This type of lighting will help with coralline algae growth. If you're not too concerned with this algae growth then you can just use fluorescent lighting.

For a reef tank it might be best to consider a more complicated sort of lighting. It may require something with a very high output, (VHO) but the water temperature has to be considered. You may have to think about buying fans and chillers. You can also use metal halide lighting. Halides are usually used for invertebrates and photosynthetic corals. Be sure that comes with an ultra violet filter. Or you could combine with mercury vapour types, they may have to come with reflective mechanisms to direct the light rays. Halide lighting isn't as strong and so it creates a shadow effect on the reef making for a more dramatic appearance.

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All About the Angelfish

Angelfish are one of the most popular freshwater fish for aquarium owners. They have an elegant appearance, have a mild disposition. Other interesting information on Angelfish is that they swim up to the glass when being observed by people. They are easy to keep due to their hardiness and can withstand a wide range of water conditions and are able to feed on a range of foods.

Species and Strains

Freshwater Angelfish come from the Cichlidae family named Pterophyllum ("winged leaf"). There are three species in this family, the P. Altum, P. Leopoli and P. Scalare. The P. Scalare is the most popular and is what you will see in most aquariums. Even though it is referred to as P. Scalare, it is in fact the culmination of generations of selective breeding and cross breeding and mutations that now give us such fish as Silver, Gold, Zebra, Black Lace, Zebra Lace, Smokey, Chocolate, Halfblack, Koi, Leopard, Blue Blushing, Silver Gold Marble, Ghost and more.

History

Talked about in 1824 by Lichtenstein, then later bred in captivity in the 1920s and 1930s in the United States. They originate from the Amazon River, Orinoco River and Essequibo River in South America.

Description

Described as a "silver angel" the Angelfish is not like other cichlids, they have a flat body with a triangular shaped dorsal and anal fin. Angelfish in the sea will often have stripes to help camouflage it. Angelfish will grow to 4 inches in length and up to 8 inches in height.

Aquarium Requirements

Angelfish like to be kept in warm aquariums around 80F (27C). You should not put more than 8 breeding size angelfish in a 50 gallon tank. When a breeding pair has been established they can have a 20 gallon tank of their own. Angelfish should not be kept with aggressive fish because they are mild natured and tend to get their fins nipped.

Diet
Angelfish do well on a mixture of flakes, frozen and live food. Be careful to not overfeed them though because they will not stop feeding and this may cause their death. Their favorite foods are blood worms, white worms, tubifex worms and brine shrimp. They can still thrive if not given live foods.

Breeding

Angelfish like to select their own mates and because of this are unlike other chiclids. It is best to introduce around 6 juveniles into a tank and let them grow up together. Just before a year old they will force other fish away from their section of the tank. At this stage it is best to give them their own tank.

Diseases

Regularly maintaining your tank is a good way to prevent sickness with your Angelfish. The common diseases with Angelfish are bacterial and parasitic. Bacterial diseases are cotton wool disease, dropsy, bleeding or red streaks on skin and fish TB. Parasitic diseases are hexamita, ich or white spot disease and velvet disease.

With this information on Angelfish you can't go wrong when introducing these popular chiclids to your fresh water aquarium.

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Can You Overdose Chlorine Remover? - Tip 8 in the Water Series

It is extremely difficult to overdose chlorine remover. The active ingredient for most chlorine removers is sodium thiosulphate. It is a chemical that, when used in a reasonable manner, will not cause any damage to the fish or other living organisms in the aquarium. This is true especially when using a commercial preparation to remove the chlorine from the water before it is added to the tank. In cases such as these, ten or even more times the dosage will not cause any harm. Although sodium thiosulphate can be purchased in bulk, we do not recommend trying to add the pure chemical to the water. The dosage would be quite high in this concentrated form. But, even in circumstances such as these, it rare to experience any problems from overdosage when used for the removal of chlorine.

The use of this chlorine remover results in a chemical reaction, the chlorine is neutralized and a white precipitate is formed. In most cases normal water maintenance with a gravel cleaner will pull this precipitate out of the tank and there is no chance of any further reactions and prevent any overdose chlorine remover from occurring. There is one case, however, where the use of chlorine remover has been seen to cause serious problems within the habitat. It is extremely rare; and requires some very specific conditions. When they are met, however, the chemical reaction reverses and chlorine is freed back into the aquarium, often killing the fish in the process.

The problem I am discussing requires an aquarium situated in a location where the water supply is treated with chloramine - not chlorine, since this requires at least a double dose of chlorine remover to break the original chlorine-ammonia bond.

The second condition needed for a reverse reaction is that the tank is poorly maintained, if at all. This is where partial water changes are non-existant, and water replaced only when the level of evaporation becomes too great.

The third condition is that the chlorine remover is heavily overdosed whenever new water is added. The need for chloramine removal often results in strongly overdosing the replacement water with the chlorine remover. Over time the precipitate will build up in the substrate, since regular gravel cleaning is not done to groom it.

After about a year or two of this neglect, and strong overdosage of chlorine remover, the phenomenon where the chemical reaction suddenly reverses may occur. Instead of chlorine being neutralized by the addition of a water conditioner, chlorine is actually released. In this extraordinary case, chlorine accumulates rather than dissipates and no amount of chlorine treatment will eliminate it.

At this point, it most often best to do some serious maintenance in the aquarium, before it will once again support life.

Steve Pond
Blueram Group

Visit our website, http://www.freshwater-tropical-fish-tanks.com for our extensive Aquarium Tips and FAQ section to view the video versions of these tips on water and 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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Controlling Changes in Water - Tip 10 in the Water Series

Controlling the gradual changes in water of both its chemistry and characteristics in the aquarium water as time goes by is important. This entire series of tips on the water used in the aquarium is meant to heighten your awareness of the ever changing qualities of water. It is a liquid that is not stable or steady,it changes as time goes by. Since it is the universal solvent, it is continuously dissolving compounds in the aquarium and changing its characteristics over time. The amount of life that it supports also changes the compounds and characteristics over time as well.

Most life processes will create acid by-products, creating some large changes in water. These compounds are also added to the chemical soup that fish find themselves kept in. The bacteria responsible for decay and which work on all organic material also create more acids as they do their work.

Gradually, over time, if there is nothing done to prevent it, the water will tend to get more and more acid in nature. If there are compounds that can be dissolved by this acid in the substrate or decorations; alkalinity is created which may help to balance those acidifying effects - but you should never count on that. In most cases the aquarium pH will be gradually lowered over time

The removal and replacement of water (NOT the simple replacement of evaporated loss) will help greatly in maintaining an even and safe level of pH and hardness over time. If evaporation only is replaced, the water will continue to concentrate many hardening elements and nitrate and acidifying agents will not be diluted. As time goes by, any new water added will be more and more different from the water in the tank, especially as the set-up matures and ages. Regular maintenance of the water through partial contents removal using a gravel cleaner, and replacement with conditioned tap water helps to dilute a lot of compounds, most notably nitrate, which doesn't go away any other way.

Standard maintenance also keeps the tank from getting too hard or losing its buffer which could allow sudden varying of pH in wide swings. Regular water changes stably maintain a number of the characteristics that fish require for their ongoing good health.

Without even and consistent water characteristics, the fish will become severely stressed and lose their ability to ward off the effects of changes, even gradual changes, in their habitat.

Steve Pond
Blueram Group

Visit our website, http://www.freshwater-tropical-fish-tanks.com for our extensive Aquarium Tips and FAQ section to view the video versions of these tips on water and 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 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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