Tropical Fish Care Info

February 21st, 2010

A tank full of lively tropical fish can be a thing of beauty. The vibrantly colored fish and the silent way they glide around in the water can make it the focal point of any room. Watching the fish swim while the filter quietly gurgles can be a very relaxing experience. However, if proper care is not taken of the fish and the tank itself, it can very quickly turn into an eyesore that still attracts the eye but now for all the wrong reasons. Here are some basic guidelines to tropical fish care that will help you get started.

Now that you have decided that you want to set up a fish tank, what are the things you need to make that happen? Obviously you will need a tank. The size and shape of that tank is entirely up to you, but keep in mind that the larger the tank the more it will cost to set it up. There are a multitude of choices as to the types of decoration and fish to put into the tank but there are some things that you simply must have. They include gravel, a filter, a heater and a light source.

Take your time when you decide on the color and type of gravel you would like. It will be the single largest thing seen in your tank so you want to be sure to get it right. Think about the room you will be placing it in and the overall theme of the tank. In a child’s room, you may want brightly colored gravel while in a living room, you may want to go with the more muted, natural colors.

Filtering systems come in two basic types: those that are placed under the gravel and those that hang on the outside of the tank. Both are equally effective at cleaning the water. Some feel that the one placed under the gravel is a better choice because it cannot be seen, but they are much harder to maintain than the ones on the outside of the tank. In some cases, especially if the tank has many fish in it or is particularly large, you may find that it takes both types to keep the water quality high.

In order to keep your fish healthy, you will need to keep the water temperature around 72 degrees. A heater with a thermostat built into it is the best way to accomplish this. Tanks that are twenty gallons or below can be regulated with a single heat source. Bigger than that you will probably need two heaters placed at opposite ends of the tank.

Light fixtures often come as part of the tank’s hood. These hoods are designed to cover the entire top of the tank. This will keep the fish in and everything else out. You will have a choice of incandescent or fluorescent light fixtures. Fluorescent may be the better choice. The light bulbs last longer and they do not add any additional heat to the tank.

Once you have purchased everything that you need to get started, it is time to set up the tank. Do this where you intend the tank to stay because a tank full of water is very heavy and difficult to move. Turn on the filter and the heater and leave it to run for several days before adding fish. This will give you time to get the temperature just right and allow any chemicals that may be harmful to you fish to be filtered out.

Finally you are ready to add the fish. When you bring them home it is important to let the bags sit in the tank water for at least fifteen minutes before releasing the fish. This will give the fish a chance to acclimate to the temperature of the tank gradually. Now you can release them and enjoy their quiet grace as they move around the tank.

To get some more information about tropical fish care, please click on any of these given links: tropical fish care information tropical fish care

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American Cichlid Tankmates – Finding the Right Tankmates for Cichlids

February 21st, 2010

Choosing South American Cichlid tank mates is not difficult at all. There are a few things that you need to consider before you make any quick decisions while at your favorite pet store.

The very first thing that you need to think about is the size of your cichlids. You should not pick tankmates that could easily fit in the mouth of your favorite cichlid. That little rule may not work every time, but it is a good start.

Second, choosing tankmates that do not have the same temperament as each other. Juvenile Oscars and Angel Fish are a good example. These two species make great tankmates when they are little. But when those Oscars start to grow, the Angels will loose every battle very quickly.

Now that I have made a few obvious points about choosing South American Cichlid tank mates, let’s get to the point. When I think of South American Cichlid tank mates, I think of catfish. But more specifically I think of the gentle Corydoras. These are absolutely some of my favorite aquarium fish and they make excellent tank buddies for many varieties of Cichlids.

When choosing corys , make sure you consider the size of your Cichlids. If you have a mature Oscar tank, choosing the smaller types of corys is bad idea. Your Oscars will love the snack and vacuum them up like skittles. Choose one of the larger varieties like Corydoras aeneus.

The larger types of corys like the bronze and green varieties, will reach full size at about three inches. So they should make good tankmates for even the larger types of American Cichlids.

But consider this fact when choosing tankmates for cichlids, sometimes Oscars don’t play by the rules. It is best to raise Oscars with corys as tankmates so they get used to having them swim about the bottom of the tank. And make sure that you keep at least five or six corys at a time. They are much happier when they have a few buddies.

See this article for more information about cichlid tank mates. Visit cichlid care to learn how to keep cichlids healthy, colorful and happy.

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A Simple To Follow Tropical Fish Guide

February 13th, 2010

When you are ready to go from being a tropical fish observer to a happy tropical fish owner, you’ve got some things to take care of. You need to make sure that this is something you are really ready to take on because while it’s quite wonderful to own tropical fish, it’s hard work, too. Have no fear; you will be greatly rewarded for your diligence. This tropical fish guide may make things a bit easier for you.

It is recommended that you purchase the tank and accessories prior to buying the fish. Your tropical fish will not be happy or healthy for long in a plastic bag. You need to establish a clean and safe environment for them ahead of time. Give them something magnificent to come home to. When buying your first tank, don’t think that bigger is better. Since you’re a newcomer to the world of tropical fish ownership, start small. Once you see that you are good at taking care of them, you can increase the tank size. Just don’t bite off more than you can chew out of the gate.

If you don’t have a tank already, go purchase a small one. You also need a filter and light as well as other supplies to clean the tank. Buy the food you’ll need ahead of time as well. You can design a tank that is creative and colorful or if you prefer, very basic. Just make sure that whatever you do, you buy quality products. Things you buy that are less than well crafted can cost you down the road.

You of course need a strong and well built tank. Make sure the tank has no cracks or obvious defects. You will also need a hang on the back filter and a 5 watt light to keep your new pets happy and healthy. Wash your tank out well when you get it home and make sure that the water is pure before you begin introducing fish into it.

Make sure that your tank is completely clean and then add about an inch of rocks to the bottom of the tank. There is a variety of colored and ornate gravel that you can purchase for your tank. Get creative and give your new pets a beautiful home to enjoy.

Heat your new tank to about eighty degrees Fahrenheit. This is the prime temperature for your tropical fish. Make sure to check the temperature frequently once the fish are living in the tank. You don’t want to accidentally kill them by having them be too hot or too cold.

Set up your light in the tank before adding your fish. Fish like light but having your tank directly in front of the window will cause algae to grow out of control and you’ll have a difficult time with regulating temperature. Once you’ve got the water added, gradually warm it and then get to the pet store! There are a lot of places you can buy tropical fish from. There are specialty shops that can order any kind of tropical fish for you if they don’t have them in stock. You can also buy tropical fish in most local pet shops.

Ask the pet shop owner what the easiest to care for fish are, and then you can start with something easy. Make sure that the fish you are buying won’t eat each other. It’s very sad to wake in the morning and see that half of your fish are missing or half eaten by the others in the tank. Many pet shop owners are not truly well versed in tropical fish so you may have to do some learning on your own. If you’re in doubt, don’t mix breeds. Buy a few of one kind, bring them home and then do some online researching. You can always go back later and buy more kinds and colors of fish.

Take care when you go to feed your new pets. Tropical fish require a very specific diet and should be eating at the same time of day, every day. Never feed them too much and if you’re going away, have someone feed your fish. Take care of your tank and your fish should prosper. If you ever have problems, you can find the answers to your questions online. Good luck and enjoy your new tropical fish!

If you want to read a more extensive tropical fish guide, then please click on any of the given links: tropical fish guide for fledglings tropical fish guide

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What You Must Know About Angelfish

February 9th, 2010

Freshwater angelfish are generally recognized for their unique shape, as well as their grace and beauty, and are one of the most popular fish found in a fresh water aquarium.

Angelfish are prized for their unique body, color and behavior. Many hobbyists consider angelfish to be a relatively intelligent fish, with the ability to recognize their owners.

Oddly enough, the actually derived their name from the saltwater angelfish species, of which they are not related at all. Freshwater angelfish are originally from the Amazon basin South America. Angelfish are from the cichlid family. Cichlids are general known as an species of fish. Angelfish, however, are generally to overly aggressive but can be territorial during spawning, as are most fish for that matter.

Angelfish are cichlids, although their round bodies and triangular fins are quite different from the majority of cichlids which usually have sleeker shapes. This body design serves angelfish well however, since it permits them to stay hidden among the tall roots and plants that comprise most of their natural habitat . Angelfish are omnivores and do eat live food in the wild. They are ambush hunters in the wild and prey on smaller fish and micro-invertebrates.

Caring for Angelfish Angelfish, because they come from the Amazon Region, survive best in a warm aquarium, preferably about 76-80F. Angelfish have insatiable appetites and thus should be fed only moderate amounts of food several times throughout the day. If overfed they will become lethargic and are more likely to have health problems. When properly cared for angelfish can survive in an aquarium for up to 15 years. Aquarium water for angelfish should be soft and slightly acidic (pH of 7.0 or lower) which mimics the water of the Amazon basin where they originate.

As mentioned earlier, angelfish, although they are cichlids, are generally no overly aggressive. That being said, angelfish are opportunistic and well not pass up a meal of a smaller fish if given the opportunity.

To learn more information about how to successfully Raise Beautiful Angelfish ,visit the next link below and you be will taken a quick video concerning successful Angelfish Breeding.

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Angelfish Facts

February 9th, 2010

Fish Compatibility There are multiple different opinions concerningthe compatibility of angelfish with other fish. Generally speaking angelfish are compatible with tetras, platies, mollies, loaches, swordtails, plecostomus, danios and gouramis. In addition, the dimension of the aquarium can determine how well your fish get along. A crammed full aquarium will stress fish and cause them to be more hostile.

Everyday Angelfish Diseases One method of preventing sickness in your fish tank is to make certain that you look after your aquarium. Keeping good water quality is essential if you are to keep your angelfish content and healthy. Normal water changes will lessen the probability of any outbreak that may take place in your aquarium. Also, the most universal reason why angelfish expire is due to high levels of ammonia. The reason for high levels of ammonia is due to a jam-packed fish tank or from sporadic water changes. Make regular water changes and your angelfish should be healthy.

Universal diseases in angelfish are fin rot, mouth rot, cotton wool disease, ick, dropsy,worms, hole in the head disease and constipation. Every one are treatable although again the best means to control diseases in to sustain outstanding water quality all the time and minimize stress on your angelfish. You will be rewarded with vibrant, vigorous, happy and beautiful angelfish that live a long time.

Breeding Angelfish Breeding Angelfish is not overly complicated and can be a truly amazing experience. A fish hobbyist’s success in breeding angelfish can depend on numerous factors, including the fish themselves. Many angelfish have been so inbred that they have lost much of their rearing instincts. This often results in parents eating their young.

A typical angelfish spawn can produce anywhere from 400 to 1200 eggs. Fertile eggs will hatch in approximately 6 to 7 days, but the growth of the fry can be watched from about day 3 on. Young fry can eat live brine shrimp once the yolk sack is gone.

There are a number of variables that ought to be well thought-out when trying to breed angelfish not limited to fish tank size, water temperature, water condition, environment and lighting. Successfully breeding angelfish requires the appropriate combination of many factors that mimic an angelfishes normal ecosystem. If you discover yourself somewhat puzzled in how to bring together the needed requirements there are a number of outstanding sources offered to the hobbyist that will give you the essential tools and information to successfully breed angelfish.

Freshwater angelfish make great pets. Want to uncover further great angelfish information ? Visit our website at http://angelfishbreeding.slhost3.com. While your are there feel free to sign up for our free “Angelfish Breeding and Care” email minicourse.

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Angelfish Fry Information

February 8th, 2010

Angelfish have been bred in captivity for decades. As a consequence most angelfish are well adapted to aquarium life and getting them to successfully spawn is not too complicated. But keeping the fry living, however, is not always easy.

It does no good to have successfully gotten your angelfish to reproduce if you can’t successfully raise the fry. You set up the right conditions as far as water, filtering, lighting and food so that as soon as your fry emerge they have the greatest opportunity for survival.

Your mother angelfish ought to deal with most of the initial rearing of the fry. After your eggs hatch it will take roughly three days for your angelfish fry to fully absorb their yolk sacs. Yolk sacs on angelfish tend to be rather big and will inhibit their ability to swim for the first few days of their life. The mother angelfish habitually works hard during this time to keep the wriggling mass of fry all together into a condensed mass of wriggling fry.

If you have kept your angelfish eggs in a methyl blue bath initially you ought to be changing the water around 50% every day. By the time the fry are free swimming the water ought to be fairly clear. Any white eggs should be siphoned out of the fish tank at this point as they are unfertilized and will not hatch. If left in the tank they can cause unwanted bacterial growth. Carry on the 50% daily water changes to keep the water uncontaminated and curtail bacterial growth.

The general agreement amongst nearly all experts is that live baby brine shrimp is the best food source for your angelfish fry for the fist couple of weeks. Feeding times should be between 4 and 12 times a day. It’s important when feeding your fry to feed moderate amounts. Angelfish generally have insatiable appetites and can easily overeat during feedings. Your fry ought to be full but not overfed in appearance.

Into the eighth day of life the fry are most likely ready to be moved from the grow fish tank into a permanent fish tank. Water changes ought to still be performed and baby brine shrimp ought to still be the foremost food source..

After several weeks of growth, if all has gone well, you may have too many baby angelfish for your fish tank. Also some have grown-up more rapidly than others and may possibly need to be divided based on size. At this point, it may possibly be time to search for an active buyer for a number of of your angelfish family.

Great video showing angelfish fry development

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Keeping Altum Angelfish

February 4th, 2010

The Latin word for tall is altum, which correctly describes the Altum angelfish, the biggest of the freshwater angelfish variety. Altum angelfish come from from South America, in particular the Rio Orinoco river in Venezuela.

The Altums look is silvery with brownish upright stripes. This helps the Altum keep cover effortlessly between elongated stemmed plants growing in the Amazon river. Altums have a rather unique shaped mouth, which is rather pointed, and their forehead is sharply sloped. The first dark band runs through the eye; the second runs near the mid-section of the body, while the third runs from the tip of the dorsal fin, through the body, and to the tip of the anal fin. The final band runs on the caudal penuncle.

Being a such a sizable angelfish, they require a larger and taller tank. Tanks should be a minimum of 30″ tall and 4 ft long. The fish tank should be ornamented with sizable pieces of bogwood that if possible ought to reach the waters surface. Sizable leafed plants like Amazon swordsplants can also be helpful and are usually left alone.

The water ought to be kept in very soft water that is somewhat acidic. A pH level of 4.5-6.5 is suitable for Altum Angelfish. They favor very warm water and they are best kept in 28-30C / 82-86F. The nitrates levels ought to be kept very low and the water should be somewhat circulated to imitate the surroundings this variety are usually found in the wild. It is extremely essential to sustain high water quality to effectively keep this variety.

Unlike the common angelfish, the Scalare, Altums can be tough to keep and successfully raise in captivity. This is due chiefly to the fact that virtually all Altum sold are wild caught, not domestically farmed. Because of this they can more difficult to find and not a lot of individuals try and keep them.

Because they are wild caught fish, Altums can be challenging to come across at times. And one must be careful of fake Altums being sold. They can be tough to tell apart from Scalares if not well trained.

Altums generally do best by alone, but can be kept with other peaceful species from the matching river region, such a tetras and discus. Being cichlids, Altums can also be quite territorial in temperament. One must use caution when mixing fish with Altums. Even if from the same territory smaller fish will be consumed. They seem uniquely fond of neon and cardinal tetras.

Altums, similar to other angelfish, have an insatiable appetite. Since they are normally caught wild, live food is the favored cuisine. Most will readily accept other foods over time, such as frozen brine shrimp and blood worms.

Despite providing great water conditions and a good diet, Altum angelfish can be tough to raise and even more challenging to breed. Determining the sex can also be exceptionally tricky, as it is with nearly all of the angelfish species.

To discover more great tips on Altum Angelfish Care visit our site at http://angelfishbreeding.slhost3.com and sign up for our free “Angelfish Breeding and Care” email mini-course

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Things To Think About When Buying An Aquarium

January 26th, 2010

There are a few things to consider when you are buying tropical fish tanks. First you have to decide if you want saltwater or freshwater fish. Saltwater fish are a little harder to care for and require more to set up the tank. For this reason, freshwater tropical fish are usually recommended for beginners. Saltwater tanks can take weeks to get ready for fish while a freshwater tank can be fish ready within 24 hours.

Another main concern when buying tropical fish tanks is location. Location is almost as important as deciding the type of fish. There are a lot of rules when it comes to placing an aquarium. For example: Aquariums can’t be placed in direct sunlight because that can overheat the water and kill your fish. The tank can’t be placed somewhere that has extreme temperature changes, such as in a unfinished basement or unheated garage.

The perfect location would be somewhere out of the immediate walkway, with a level floor and easy access to an electrical outlet. It also needs to be accessible to you for cleaning and redecorating purposes. The reason you want tropical fish tanks in a slightly out of the way area is because of their size. Even a 20 gallon tank can be quite heavy when filled with water, gravel, plants and fish. Being on a level floor helps keep the weight of the water from putting stress on some seals more than others, preventing leaks. Tropical tanks need an electrical outlet mainly for their heater, but most tanks come with a lighted cover that also needs to be plugged in.

Once you have all the information you can get from your house, its time to go to the store and actually pick your tank. There are a few things to keep in mind when picking out tropical fish tanks at the store too. Your main concerns at the store will be shape, size and material of the aquarium.

First the shape. The longer and wider a tank is the larger the surface area of water, which is how oxygen gets into the water for your fish to breath. The size of your aquarium matters too. The larger a tank is, the easier to care for the fish but keep in mind where you want to put it when you get home. Finally material of the aquarium. Most aquariums are made out of glass or acrylic. Glass is easier to care for and therefore recommended for beginners.

Tropical home aquariums are beautiful and fun to own. These are basic tips for setting up freshwater fish tanks in your home.

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A Simple Guide To Aquarium Filtration Choices

January 20th, 2010

An aquarium can add beauty and interest to a room and collecting sea life for it is often a fascinating hobby. However, it is important to understand some basics in order to create a healthy environment for fish. One of the most important decisions is which Aquarium Filtration system will be used.

Filters remove toxins and chemicals from the water. They can also be decorative and help create an attractive effect. An ideal system will provide biological, chemical, and mechanical filtering. There are several types of systems to choose from, depending on individual needs.

Aquarium filtration systems come in three basic types. Each has its benefits, and all of them do a good job. Canister filters hang outside the tank, They can clean the tank for long periods of time without maintenance and are a good choice for people with little time to clean tanks. Power filters also hang outside of the aquarium, do an effective ob of filtering, and are less expensive than canister filters. This has made them very popular. Another option is undergravel filtration, which is also an attractive choice. The system can be combined with colorful gravel to create a beautiful effect.

Your choice of filters also depends on future plans for expansion and what type of fish will live in the aquarium. You may not need a powerful canister filter for your first small tank but it still might be wise to buy an Aquarium Filtration system which will support any size setup. This would allow you to increase your tank size in the future without replacing the filtering system. It is also a good idea to consider the type of fish which will be living in the aquarium. For instance, if you plan to have baby fish, you might not want to use a power system, since these can suck small fish into them. A canister filter would be a better choice, although it is more expensive.. If you prefer the decorative undergravel system but want to make sure you are getting the best filtration, a powerhead can be added to the setup.

Whatever size or type of aquarium you choose, there is an Aquarium Filtration system which will fit your budget and ensure a long, healthy life for your fish.

Aquarium power filters are just one type of aquarium filters. This simple guide discusses the different types of filtration for a home aquarium.

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Setting Up A Tropical Fish Tank For Beginners

January 11th, 2010

This will be a beginners guide to setting up a tropical fish tank. You will need to take your time and make sure not to add fish to the tank right away as this could kill your fish. You must understand that it takes a little time for the water to fully cycle so your fish can live a long time and stay healthy.

Before you go out and start buying aquarium equipment determine what kind of fish that you will want to put in there and how many. This is necessary as you will need to know what size tank to get, if you are on a budget you will have to work with it. The general rule is for small to medium fish is 1 inch per one gallon of water.

The items that you will need to set up a fish tank are the aquarium, filter pump, heat pump. Optional items that you should get also are gravel, thermometer, lamp, decorations, and a back up filter pump in case the main one goes bad.

Once you have all of the necessary items to set up the fish tank find spot in your home where you will be keeping it. Make sure it is not somewhere that is going to be in the way, and that it is not blocking anything you might need to get to later.

Next fill the tank up with water to the top, do not worry about putting any conditioner in the water yet as we are only testing to see if the tank has any leaks. Let the water sit in the tank overnight, and in the morning check around the tank for any signs of water, once you are sure there are no leaks you can empty the tank.

While you are leak testing your aquarium you can start filling up jugs of tap water. Mix the tap water with water conditioner as fish do not like plain tap water. I also add bacteria supplement to the water also. Make sure you follow the directions on the water conditioner bottle exactly.

Next you can start adding gravel, make sure that you rinse the gravel very good. Since the tank is still empty you can start putting in the gravel and decorations. It is very important to make sure that everything that you put into your fish tank is washed well, as it only takes a little bit of dish soap to kill fish.

Start setting up the filter pump and the heating pump. Add the water solution from the jugs that you already pre-mixed, fill the tank up to about an inch from the top. Put the overhead lamp on if you have one and turn on the heater and the filter pump, you now want to be patient and let the water cycle for a week at the minimum.

Let the fish tank cycle the water for at least one week. After that one week you can add a couple of fish to get the tanks ecosystem in action, but do not add anymore fish for at least 5 weeks. Be patient and your fish will be healthy and live for a long time.

The author has been putting together fish tanks of all types for many years and has great knowledge on fish tanks. You can check out his store if you need to purchase a home fish tank. Fish Tanks For Sale

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