Tag Archives: Water Conditions

Illness in Fish

Article from: My Family UK

Sick fish can be harder to diagnose than other animals, but signs to look out for include unusual growths or spots on the fish, problems balancing, sticking to the bottom of the tank, lack of appetite or having trouble breathing.

Preventing illness in fish

Poor water conditions (temperature, pH and so on) will cause ill health in your fish, so do your research on the right tank conditions for particular species and clean the tank regularly.

Stress can also be a big factor in illness, so don’t overcrowd your tank or move fish unnecessarily. Quarantine new fish to make sure they haven’t got infectious diseases or parasites before introducing them to your tank or pond. Certain parasites can also attach to water plants and other tank decor so these need to be quarantined as well.

Below are some common signs of illness in fish, to keep an eye open for.

1) Oxygen starvation

Gulping at the surface of the water could indicate your fish don’t have enough oxygen to breathe. Oxygen level in the water can be improved by cleaning the tank or pond, adding plants, using a water pump and changing the water regularly.

2) Fungal disease

White strands like cotton wool on the body of your fish may indicate fungal disease. Treat with anti-fungus medication that can be added to the water.

3) Constipation

Watch out for a brown thread trailing behind the fish. Prevent or treat the symptoms by varying the fish’s diet. Give them live food and vegetables alongside their usual dried food.

4) White spot disease

Caused by a parasite that penetrates the skin of the host fish. Watch out for white spots on the skin and gills about 1mm in diameter. Treat the whole aquarium with a chemical treatment as well as trying to improve the water quality of your tank.

5) Swim bladder inflammation (SBI)

This viral disease particularly affects carp, although it can affect other fish species. It affects the swim bladder of the fish and can cause a distended abdomen and an inability to balance. Consult a vet if you think your fish may be suffering from SBI.


Further Information

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Information on Harlequin Fish Care

Harlequin fish or Rasbora Heteromorpha groups come from Thailand, Sumatra, and the Malayas. The fish are smaller breeds, which grow around 1 ¾ inches in size. Harlequin fish is one of the aquarium keeper’s favorites, since the fish have colorful figures. The fish are shaped like wedges, which blue-black shades setoff its rosy pink and violet forms. Harlequin fish are easily trained; as well, the fish do well in communal tanks. The species however are beautiful formed and colored that residing in a sole tank could produce natural effects to your home area. The fish will dine on all foods, and prefers water conditions such as soft water, sensibly acid waters, and peaty waters. Harlequin fish are not much for breeding. The fish pair in well-conditioned waters, or peaty waters. The balance preferred is pH-6, pH-2, or hard water at 40-ppm. Harlequin fish mate while turned upside down at a leaf surface. The fish typically lay less than one hundred eggs, which are fry in one day. The Harlequin fish group is commonly referred to the Red Rasbora fish.

In addition to the Harlequin, is the Cobitidae family. This fish will help keep tanks clean by gnawing at algae. The scavengers are similar to Carps, in that the fish have teeth. This family of fish also has four barbel located in its upper jaw. The fish are akin to any European freshwater Cyprinids. Cyprinids are family to minnows and Carps, which the fish sometimes have round scales, softer fins, and toothless jaws. Spiny Loach is the family of Cobitidae. This fish composes bifid spines, which is located beneath the eyes. The bifid will erect from its folded, flat position if the fish is put to the test. Predatorily fish will not like the results produced by this fish in the event they decide to challenge the Spiny Loach. Spiny Loaches and Cobitidae fish tend to surface often to seek oxygen. The fish prefer to live in murky, mud-spattered waters. The murkiness and mud limits oxygen, which is why the fish surface often. Weather Fish is amongst the group of Spiny Loaches, which this fish will not adapt well to atmospheric situations, which cause stress.

The Loach fish include the group of Acanthophthalmus Semicinctus family. The fish come from the east parts of India and grow up to 3 ½ inches in size. The fish is popularly called the Half Band Coolie. The Coolie fish have bodies shaped like a snake, which the body covers yellow and black marks. You can find the sub-species of the Coolie family in the Kuhlii family. Kuhlii fish tend to fall into the Salmon category, since the fish may have pink bellies, as well as yellow and black marks. Coolie fish are communal tank fish, which have a peaceful nature. The tanks should be limited to plants, since this fish will hide in closed spaces. You should at deposits of compact decomposed organic debris at the bottom of the tank. (Peat) These fish tend to eat Tubifex and algae, which makes the fish a good cleaning system. As well, the fish will eat all foodstuffs. Coolie fish do not place a high demand on water condition, yet they tend to do well in moderate or neutral waters. The water temperature should remain at 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

In addition to the Coolie fish is the Clown Loach, Tiger Botia, Siluridae, and so on. Over the Internet, you will find a wide assortment of information related to freshwater fish, which include tropical fish, Coldwater fish, sea, or saltwater fish.

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The Asiatic Tooth Carps

Somewhere down in the drain ditches, ponds, and fast-moving streams are the little wonders of life, known as the Asiatic Tooth Carps. The Genera Aplochelilus and Oryzias carps reside in water conditions between 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The Tooth Carps tend to live off surface areas, which the fish detest hard alkalinity waters. Tooth Carbs inhabitant home enables them to feast on insects, such as mosquito larvae and related bugs. Tooth Carbs on occasion will enjoy dried foods, however while in captivity you should continue feeding the Tooth Carps their desired foods.

Tooth Carps prefer to live in smaller or medium aquariums, which have a maximum of 10 gallons of water. The fish adore moderate hard water, and reasonably, acid based where deposits of organic debris reside. The peaty waters should include fine leaf plants, gravel free of lime, and plants that float.

How they spawn

The Tooth Carps will produce a rapid growth of spawn. The fish mate well, and will produce a small number of eggs daily over the course of three weeks. Tooth Carps will not harm the spawn; however once they become fry, the Carps tend to feast on its own kind. If you want to save the fry, move mom and pops out of the tank before the eggs hatch. Aquarists also have the option of removing the eggs to another tank, which is loaded with plants. The first choice is the better option for aquarists, since the method takes less time to accomplish. In addition, when the eggs fry, you want to occasionally sort through the carp size to avoid cannibalism.

Kin to the Tooth Carps is the Dwarf of Green Panchax, which is sometimes called the Panchax Parvus. This breed comes from the Aplocheilus blocki group. Dwarf fish originated in the waters of Ceylon and India. The fish mature at 1 ¾ in size. The smaller fish are aquarium choice fish. Dwarf of Green Panchax has a green-yellow shaded body, which is set off by rows of yellow and red marks. Dwarf of Green Panchax can handle tank water, since the fish is naturally mild in temper. Dwarf of Green Panchax feasts on dried and live dishes.

Water conditions
During breeding the Dwarf of Green Panchax, prefer water conditions set at 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When spawns are produced, they generally fry in two weeks, sometimes earlier. You should mate the Dwarf of Green Panchax with two choice males and a selection of female fish.

Kin to the Dwarf of Green Panchax is the Oryzias latipes, which is popularly known as the Geisha Girl Medaka. The fish is commonly known as the Ricefish and Japanese Medaka as well. Obviously, the fish comes from Japan. Geisha Girl Medaka typically grows ½ inches in size. Geisha Girl Medaka has an amusing breeding pattern, which makes this an amusing fish. The fish has gray-green bodies, which the Strain kin has golden or red toned bodies. The fish are colorless.

Geisha Girl Medaka breeds will feast on all foodstuff, and adapt well in soft moderate waters. The fish also adapt to soft acidy waters. If you choose acidy waters, it is recommended that you add 1-leveled teaspoon of salt to 3 gallons of water. The fish dwell in water conditions, or temperatures set at 78 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the best option. The fish can also live in waters at 75 degrees Fahrenheit and up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Finally, if you are breeding the Geisha Girl Medaka or members of this family you can spot the female by their rounded fins and plumper body. As well, the fish are shorter than their male counterpart.

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The Gasteropelecidae Fish

Tank maintenance is based on the fish type. However, today’s tanks have switches that enable you to change the water temperature. In addition, tanks today enable you to dim or intensify tank lights with switches. Water is purified via a filtration system. The quality of water is controlled by electronic devices. Automated features enable you to distribute food, as well as fertilize dosage. The water resistant tanks today come in a variety of shapes in size, and use electrical advanced solutions to maintain safety. In addition, tanks today enable you to stock plants and fish of all species. The lights today can be adjusted to accommodate most fish types. Still, fish are different in many ways. To understand this, you must have an overall ideal of what the 22,000 species prefer. The fish types include the freshwater fish, which its counterparts are Coldwater fish and the tropical fish. Seawater or saltwater fish is a different species, i.e. the fish prefer dissimilar water conditions and meals. In addition, the dangerous species on the market must also be learnt before you attempt to purchase these breeds. The dangerous species include the Piranhas. In addition, we have fish that fly, which is our next subject.

The fish that fly

Gasteropelecidae include the Hatchetfishes. The fish are marked for its pressed exceptionally deepen figure. This fish primarily habitats in the northern South America. The fish is also called the flying fish, since he is proficient in flapping his chest fins skillfully. The gliders can escape tank water and land fifteen feet away from the aquarium. Therefore, it is wise to keep a hood on your tank to avoid loss.

Akin to the Hatchetfish is the Carnegiella Marthae. This popularly known Blackwing Hatchetfish originated in the Amazons, Orinoco, Peru, Rio Negro, and Venezuela. The Hatchetfish from this breed grow at 1 and ¼ inches in size. The Hatchetfish are small fishes, which have a black chest. The ridge like parts or keel is also black. The tank species relate better in peaceful waters, or fish of his breed. The fish is small, and has a quiet and calm nature. Hatchetfish of this breed will accept all foods, and prefers soft water condition, yet will relate to insignificant acidy waters. The fish breeds similar to the Hyphessobrycon. There is no available information as to how the fish breed however.

Gasteropelecus Levis or the Silver Hatchetfish comes from the lower regions of the Amazon. This fish grows around 2 ½ inches in size. The silver colors of this fish are setoff by blue-blackish thin parallel stripes. As long as tank conditions are good this fish can habitat in communal tanks. The vigorous fish feeds in the same way as other Hatchetfishes. The water conditions are expected to be the same as other Hatchetfishes as well. This fish in particular has no records of breeding in aquariums.

Outside of the Hatchetfish rests the Family of Cyprinidae. This family includes the Carp-like fish and the Carps. The fish come from a large body of bony families, which spread out through the lands of North America, Asia, Europe, and Africa. This classical fish have pharyngeal bones, which make up for teeth. A few types of Carp fish have a set of barbel fins, which make up for adipose fins. Carps grow up to 8 feet.

The Indian Mahseer Carp known as Barbus tor is the largest Carp breed. Carps are freshwater fish, which includes the family of minnows. The fish sometimes have round scales, which include soft fins. As well, the fish have toothless jaws. Minnows are freshwater baitfish akin to the carps.

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