Tag Archives: Upkeep

Choosing a Pet Fish

Article from: My Family UK

A good option for small homes, fish generally require less space than other pets. After the initial expense of setting up a tank, their upkeep is also relatively inexpensive.

Do your research about the kind of environment your fish will need, and, when keeping different kinds of fish together, avoid overcrowding and make sure they are compatible with each other. Read up on common health problems to look out for, as veterinary treatment is not generally an option.

Equipment

To keep fish well and happy their environment must be carefully controlled. Research what your fish needs and buy the equipment in advance. Basic equipment includes: a tank, filter, heater, lighting, gravel or sand for the bottom of the tank, real or plastic plants and other decor items and a net for moving your fish.

Get out of the tank

Alternatively, if you have space in your back garden, consider setting up a fishpond outside. Goldfish are commonly kept as pond fish, and come in more than 100 varieties, although not all these will be hardy enough to overwinter outdoors. Koi carp are a good option for more experienced fish owners. These ornamental fish have beautiful colouring and markings, but can be extremely expensive to keep and difficult to protect from herons and other predators.

Choosing a fish

Fish vary greatly in appearance and habits. Here are some popular options you might want to consider.

1) Danios

Small, slender fish, hardy, attractive and easy to look after Good for keeping with other fish, prefer the upper level of the tank Sociable fish, enjoy a strong current, plants and other diversions Omnivorous, eat dried food and enjoy treats of live food Common types include Zebra, Pearl, Leopard, Gold, Blue, and Giant

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2) Clown Fish

The distinctive orange, white and black fish of Finding Nemo fame These saltwater fish need their environment and diet to be carefully controlled – an inappropriate environment can be fatal Omnivorous, eat dried food and occasional live food as a treat Naturally has a symbiotic relationship with anemones that can be recreated in a tank Fish in a shoal are all male except one female; if she dies the largest male will change sex to replace her

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3) Piranhas

A more unusual option, these carnivorous fish can live for up to 25 years Naturally hardy so good for the beginner, but please do mind your fingers Can grow quite large so need a big enough tank Young fish will eat flakes and freeze dried food but older ones prefer lean beef, chicken and fish, and some fresh fruit and vegetables Types include Red Belly, Black, White, Gold and Wimple


Further Information

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Upkeep Of The Loach Fish

Loach fish come from the family of Cobitidae, Acanthophthalmus Semicinctus, and the Botia Macracantha group. Online you will find helpful information that will inform you about the different types of fish, which in this article we will cover, a small selection.

Acanthophthalmus Semicinctus

Acanthophthalmus Semicinctus includes the various Loach families. Loach fish such as the Acanthophthalmus Semicinctus breeds come from India. The fish mature to 3 ½ inches in size. Acanthophthalmus Semicinctus is commonly known as the Half Band Coolie fish, which the off breeds include the European group. Half Band Coolie Loaches has a body like a snake. The body resembles an Eastern Coral Snake, in that the yellow and black shades offset a pinkish colored belly. Acanthophthalmus Semicinctus includes the sub-species and distinct species. Acanthophthalmus Semicinctus are generally communal fish, which have a calming nature. The tanks however should have minimal plants, as well as deposits of debris. (Peat) These breeds of Half Band Coolies tend to hide. The fish enjoy feasting on photosynthetic organisms, as well as Tubifex. The fish will eat all sorts of food, yet they require a clean water system. Half Band Coolie fish often do not stress water condition, yet the fish are inclined to moderate or neutral waters. The water temperature should remain at 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
Botia Macracantha is commonly known as the Tiger Botia or the Clown Loach fish. The fish grow around 4 ½ inches and size and come from Borneo and Sumatra. The fish have similar colors compared to the Tiger Barbs. The body color is golden yellow, which is offset by 3-shadowy bluish black stripes. The Botia Macracantha of this breed makes a nice friendly communal tank resident. However, these fish are skirmish to light and demands a place to hide. If you are looking for a hunter, thus the Botia Macracantha Tiger of Clown fish is your choice.

Water conditions

Botias enjoy moderate hard water, or alkalinity based water. It is recommended that you avoid acidity waters. In addition, the water temperature should remain at 70 degrees Fahrenheit and no higher than 75 degrees Fahrenheit. This is not a breeding fish.

Siluridae comes from the family group of fish known as the Asiatic. The fish is also akin to the European catfish. These particular species is now one of the popular fish sold for aquarists’ usage.

In fact, the Siluridae rests more along the family side of the naked skin European catfish. The fish family from Asia typically enjoy climatic conditions, including flora, and faunas.

Into the bargain are the algae gnawers. The gnawers include the family group of Loach fish known as the European freshwater Cyprinids off breeds, such as the Cobitidae. The fish hunters are comparable to the Carp group, in that the fish have teeth. Cyprinids sometimes have four barbels, which is located around its upper jaw. Cyprinids are also kin to the minnows. The Minnows, Carps and sometimes the Loach fish have rounded scales, soft fins, and toothless jaws. The Spiny Loach compiles bifid spines, which is positioned just under the eyes. Spiny Loach’s bifid erects from a flat folded position when threatened. The Spiny Loaches request an area to surface, since the fish naturally live in murky, mud-spattered waters. The murkiness and mucky waters sets boundaries for oxygen intake. Amongst the spiny loach is the weather fish. These fish, like other types of loach fish do not take kindly to stressful waters.

In addition to the Loach, fish is the body of Glass Catfish. This group of fish is listed under the family of Kryptopterus Bicirrhis.

To read about dangerous sharks and freshwater sharks, visit the Types Of Sharks site.

Gasteropelecidae Fish Upkeep – 3 Useful Facts!

It is a proven fact that investing in an aquarium is more than just a hobby or passing phase for real fish lovers and knowing which to buy depends largely on whether you intend keeping marine (sea fish) or non-marine (freshwater fish) in the tank. The lucky part about modern living is that now we have tanks fitted with switches that enable one to change the temperature of the water contained in it so a dim or intense tank light makes for for comfortable surroundings inside.

Besides temperature control, modern tanks can also benefit from the huge variety of purification systems available for filtering out toxins and debris from the tank environs, helping keeping the water oxygenated and clean for the inmates. Some are mechanical while others are electronic in nature; however, more than these, the innovation in fishcare for aquarium owners comes by way of an automatic food distribution cum fertilized dosage system that takes the hassle out of remembering to feed the fish and when to do so!

Fish owners today are spoilt for choice when it comes to buying aquariums as so many different sizes, materials and advanced electronically-aided tanks are available in the market for keeping piscean pals and botanical buddies in them; of course, researching the 22,000-odd species and their preferences when it comes to keeping fish healthy in a tank is sure a task, but an enjoyable one for those that love the hobby. Learning about coldwater or tropical fish as opposed to simply freshwater and marine creatures is important for tank hygiene and fish health besides learning which are the dangerous species and should not be kept in captivity i.e Piranhas.

1. There are fish that fly, Gasteropelecidae, include the Hatchetfishes and these are found mainly in South America’s northern reaches, known for their distinctly deep figures. They are referred to as flying fish because of their affinity to raising the chest fins and attempting a float in the sky; for this reason, tank owners are advised to keep a hood on the aquarium with flying fish in them to prevent them from escaping like they are prone to doing – at least 15 feet away from the tank!

2. Another species similar to the first are the Carnegiella Marthae, also known as Blackwing Hatchetfish that have their roots in the Amazon areas, Peru and Venezuela. They typically grow to only an inch or a quarter more in size, boast a black chest, ridge and keel and do better in peaceful waters and others closer to their species. A calm temperament and easy food habits are advantages of keeping this variety of fish that prefer soft waters and breed in a fashion much like that of Hyphessobrycon.

3. The Silver Hatchetfish or Gasteropelecus Levis originate from the lower Amazonian regions, growing to an inch more than the Blackwing variety with a silver body and blue-black tinge of parallel stripes and are generally non-fussy about sharing a tank with other fish, provided they are kept in a clean environment. Its breeding habits, much like the Blackwing variety is currently under study and not much is known about them breeding in tanks.

Besides this family, that of the Cyprinidae, which covers Carps and other similar fish, is of interest; these fish tend to have big bodies and bones and are generally found across North America, Europe and some parts of Africa and Asia. Their pharyngeal bones also double up as teeth and few of them have barbel fins, which make up for adipose fins – 8feet is a normal size for them. The Indian version is named the Mahaseer and is among the largest Carp breed found in freshwaters, sometimes boasting round scales, soft fins and toothless jaws in the minnow variety used for baits, much like the Carps.

Abhishek is an avid Fish Lover and he has got some great Aquarium Care Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 105 Pages Ebook, “Aquarium Care Made Easy!” from his website http://www.Wonder-Homes.com/636/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.