The Pet Fish Care Blog

You should maintain a perfect temperature of the waters in a fish aquarium because this is a basic step in pet fish care. The temperature of a fresh water fish  should be  between 74-78  degrees Celcius.

If the aquarium temperature tend to fall, you can make use of aquarium heaters to control the water temperature.

The tropical fishes would be healthy only during the small optimum temperature window, which means 76-80 degrees Celcius. Any time you buy a new fish, you should strict on to this optimal window. If the temperature sligthly above or below this range, your fishes life would be in danger.

To have a healthy pet fish care, please keep this point in mind to maintain a hale and healthy life of your fish.

For fish lovers, investing in aquarium is more than hobby. There are two major types of aquarium. They are marine aquarium and non-marine aquarium. In Marine aquarium sea fishes are kept and in non marine aquarium fresh water fishes are kept. The field of aquarium is so developed now, that we can change the temperature of the aquarium by switching on a water heater. We can provide intense or dim light that makes the fish life comfortable inside the aquarium.

In addition to the temperature control system, you have so many other water purification systems which can be used to increase the oxygen availability, reduce the level of toxic chemicals and clean the debris in the water tank. Some equipment is mechanical, some are electronic and some are biological.

In addition to this, wonderful equipment called automatic food distribution cum fertilized dosage system is also available. This equipment is of immense help as it takes out the hassle of remembering when to feed, what to feed and how much to feed.

The fish lovers will be astonished to know that fish tanks are now available in different sizes, colors, materials etc. You have tanks that are fitted with advanced electronic equipments. Many different equipments are available that help to improve the comfort of the fishes that are placed in the aquarium, be it fresh water fish or marine water fish. One must learn about the requirement of fresh water fish, marine water fish and cold water fish before starting the aquarium. One must know about the dangerous fish that are not recommended foe beginners like piranhas.

Let’s discuss about Gasteropelecidae family here.

1. Gasteropelecidae- this family include fishes that can fly [hatchet fishes]. These are found in northern reaches of South America. Distinctly deep figures are their characteristic features. These fishes have the ability to fly. They could do so by raising the chest fin and attempting to float in the sky, hence the name flying fish. The fish owners are advised to have a hood above the aquarium if they have flying fish. The hood should be placed at least 15 feet above the tank to prevent these fishes from falling out of aquarium.

2. Carnegiella marthae- this species is also known as blackwing hatchet fish- the origin of this species is Peru, Amazon area, and Venezuela. This species can attain a size of inch and a bit more.  The keel, ridge and chest will be black. This species perform better in aquarium. They are easy to maintain. Easy food habits, good breeding in captivity and calm temperament are the reasons why people prefer this. These fishes breed much like hyphessobrycon.

3. Gasteropelecus Levis or silver hatchet fish- the origin is Amazonian lower region.
This can grow an inch more than the blackwing variety. They have silver body with parallel stripes of blue- black tinge. They are not averse in sharing the aquarium with other fishes. They require clean water and its breeding habit is similar to blackwing variety and hence under study. Their breeding habit in captivity is yet to be understood as the study is on.

Like Gasteropelecidae family, fishes belong to cyprinidae too have very interesting species. The fishes will have bigger body and bone when compared to gasteropelecidae. They are found in Europe, North America and some parts of Asia and Africa. Few species have barbell fins instead of adipose fins. The Indian counter part is known as mahaseer. This is a fresh water fish. They have toothless jaw, soft fins, and round scales.

Aquarium is wonderful to have. It is lovely time passing for many. There are many research papers which say that fish watching cools down the temperament and are good for hypertensive patients. But aquarium is expensive and bit difficult to maintain. For beginners fresh water aquarium is the best as salt water aquarium is much more complicated than fresh water aquarium.

For fresh water aquarium, one need water tank, filter, heater, thermometer and some gravel. Let the tank be filled with water, preferably well water. Don’t rush to place the fish in it. Let the water remain in the tank for about a week. Let the biological filter cycle go on during that period. Then start placing the fishes in it.

Which fish to select?

This is invariably the first question that prop-up in every one’s mind, the moment they want to go for fresh water aquarium. There many species to choose from. You get fresh water fishes in all sizes, all shapes and all colors. Some species will live comfortably with other while some other species will fight and eat the other.

The best way to select is by going round the fresh water fish shop in your area. Observe yourself and find out which catches your eye. Discuss with the shop owner or the salesman who can also advise you in selection. Make sure that the species you had selected can live together in same tank.

For beginners, various types of cichlids, gold fish and rain bow fish are good. Cichlids are available in different colors. They can grow large [Up to three feet in wild condition.] The rainbow fishes are multicolored as the name suggests. These fishes are from Australia. Rainbow fish is very colorful and look very pretty. If you are looking for small size of fish, then you can buy neons. These neons will not grow bigger but look wonderful as they have fluorescent stripes on clear body.

Fresh Water Fish Aquarium Maintenance and Care

The water level must be maintained properly. The temperature and the PH of the water are very important for the survival of the fish. Frequent fluctuation in the temperature will kill the fish. Likewise the some fish such as discus will die if the PH of the water is not conducive. The filters are must for the fresh water fish aquarium for increasing the oxygen availability. It is better to have water heater handy to use in case of emergency especially during winter. The levels of chemicals such as chlorine and ammonia needs to be monitored periodically as both these are harmful for the fishes.