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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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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.

Learn about endangered sharks and sharks habitat at the Types Of Sharks site.