The Pet Fish Care Blog

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.

1. For taking proper care, one must know the fish thoroughly.   The care depends on the type of fish you have, whether it is fresh water fish or salt water fish. Salt water fish is also known as marine fish. For salt water fish you need to provide salt water and for the fresh water fish you need to provide well water, not tap water. The chlorine content of the tap water will affect the health of the fish. You must spend every day some time observing the fish behavior. Check whether they are swimming, brisk and active. Any out of ordinary behavior must be reported to fish care specialist at the earliest.

2. One must know the eating patter of the fish stock he or she has. Some fish may need food daily whereas some other fish will need meal once in three days. Herbivores will feed on the plant in the fish tank. Hence you must understand the eating habit of the species you have.

3. The aquarium water must be kept clean. More importance must be given for this; otherwise the fishes will die one by one. The water temperature must remain constant. You can buy good quality filters and place them in the water tank or aquarium to increase the oxygen availability.  You need to add iodine two times in a week in case you are maintaining salt water fish. In addition to this calcium can also be added to the water. The algae build up in the aquarium must be cleared as and when required for the healthy life of the fishes.

4. Fifteen percent of the water present in the aquarium must be filtered once in a week and the same quantity must replace with oxygenated water. This will prevent the possible build up of chemicals that are harmful to the fish. No need for any hesitation to consult the near by fish shop owner or the salesman for clearing or preventing the chemical build up in the water tank. Take his advice in providing best available filter for your water tank.

5. The debris such as gravel needs to be cleared, before cleaning the water. You need to check for the impurities such as ammonia. Buffet system and tester kit is available in plenty in the market. Buy there best one and check the levels of chemicals like chlorine, copper, and nitrate. The checking has to be done once in two weeks. If the chemicals are found in harmful level, then corrective measures needs to be taken. Be aware the fishes produce nitrites which is not harmful. Only the nitrous acid salts required to be removed. In addition to this alkalinity build-up test too needs to be conducted. At least once in a month this test has to be conducted to determine the PH of the water in the aquarium.

6. Be prepared to invest in good quality filters. There are mechanical, Chemical and biological filters available. Buy the best suited one for you in consultation with the fish care specialist or the fish shop owner, to safe guard the health of the fishes. The filter needs to be checked once on two weeks. If the filter needs to be replaced, just do that immediately. Maintain a record for your aquarium filled with details such as species, number of fishes in each species, feeding schedule, equipment details etc.

You had decided to go for salt waster aquarium. You had also selected the species type that is going to be housed. The next important procedure is filling the salt water aquarium. There are many steps that one needs to follow carefully in filling the salt water aquarium. Let’s discuss about it here.

The filling of the salt water aquarium is not a difficult job but it requires little patience. You need to ensure that the species selected are provided the best environment for their healthy and happy living. We can’t sacrifice the comfort of the fish species for the sake of our passion by confining the species in uncomfortable environment.

First priority is to buy healthy fish. Have a very close look at them in the fish shop. Observe their behavior carefully for some time. Are they swimming in the water tank swiftly? Try and find out. Take a look at the cleanliness of the water. Have a talk with the salesman of the shop. Try to clear all your doubt about the said subject. In case you are not satisfied with the subject knowledge of the salesman or the shop owner, just head for another store without any hesitation. Never purchase any fish that are not healthy.

Never think of placing all the species at a time. The fishes need to be added one by one or maximum two at a time. Adding fishes day by day can also be considered. Let the fishes placed live comfortably for some time, then you can think of adding another species selected.

Before all, check the water level of the tank. The PH and the temperature of the water need to be checked to suit the species. The water temperature should remain constant and shouldn’t change frequently. Frequent change in temperature will affect the health of the fish. It is recommended to use a thermostat to monitor the temperature variations. You should have the water heating equipment ready in store.

Once the filling is complete, ensure that they are fed properly. You must know by now, what the fish will eat? You should also know how much they eat? One should know how often they eat? In general, the salt water fishes need to be fed once in three days. The food needs to be kept at 75-80 degrees for some time before being placed in the tank. Pieces of shrimps, romaine lettuce, commercial fish feed etc can be tried.

Some may wonder, whether it possible to have salt water aquarium? .Having a salt water aquarium is possible and it is lot of fun too. There are many benefits in having salt water aquarium. The important thing is that you can have wide range of fishes in salt water aquarium as they find it very comfortable. Like the advantages there are many disadvantages too in salt water aquarium.

Hence one must know the advantages and disadvantages of the salt water aquarium and compare them with fresh water aquarium before arriving at any decision. Let us discuss about the difference between the fresh water aquarium and salt water aquarium and the pros and cons of the same.

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If you are a beginner for aquarium, before doing it big, better understand it in and out. There are many equipments involved, their names are head spinning. One need understand the meaning of many terminologies involved. One must master all these aspects to better pet fish care. Besides one must have enough patience if they want to have aquarium. For beginner, the recommended fish is none other than goldfish. Because these are available in plenty. They look very pretty and make the fish tank colorful. They are easy to maintain.

The aquarium must be kept in good condition. Whatever may the fish that it is going to have. Be it gold fish or dangerous and aggressive piranhas. There is certain procedures one need to follow daily and weekly basis. One may see the gold fish in small container or bowls either in cinema or in real life. This is a very bad idea. In small container the gold fish will only survive for short time. The reason is faster disease spread.

If you want to have aquarium, you must consider minimum of ten gallon water with filtration facility. The filter is most important component in aquarium. This agitates the water surface thereby providing more oxygen to the water. Hence the fishes can use this oxygen for their survival. If more space is provided for the gold fish, it will swim more and remain healthy and happy. The water space provided must be in accordance to the number of gold fish you want to have. More number of fishes requires more space. Read the rest of this entry »

Are you planning to purchase salt water aquarium? Hold on for some time. There are several things one has to know about saltwater aquarium purchase. Here they are. First you must finalize what kind of fish you want to have. In case more than one type is selected, then you must know whether they can share the salt water tank without trouble. Some species will fight with the others and destroy the whole atmosphere of the aquarium. If the types of fish are finalized, then it is the time for selection of the appropriate salt water aquarium.

Size of the tank needs to be considered first. If more space is available, the fish will swim more and remain healthy and happy. But larger salt water tank requires more time for cleaning and for maintenance. The cost of the tank also increases with the size of the tank. You should remember that you have enough space in the house. Read the rest of this entry »

Fishes that belong to super order Ostariophysi contribute to the near 70 percent of the fresh water fish in the world. The characteristic features are weberian apparatus and release of alarm substances. These alarm substances are released by the fish, when it is put under stressful condition.

The fishes that are classified under Characidae family do have some characteristics that resemble characteristics of ostariophysi. Members of family characidae were discovered first in central and southern America. They are found in central Africa too.

There are two main different variations in the members of family Characidae which can be kept in aquarium. They are carnivores and omnivores. The carnivorous type will eat only the meat whereas the omnivorous type will eat both the meat and plant [vegetable matter]. It is better to avoid herbivorous type as they consume all the plant material in the aquarium. Read the rest of this entry »