While tropical fish can be a wonderful hobby that many people enjoy, they also can be susceptible to diseases that if not caught early on can lead to early death of the fish and also risk of it spreading to other fish in the same habitat. Although there are literally hundreds of diseases that tropical fish can acquire, there is usually only a handful that most owners have to be on the watch for. Let's look at some of them and help you understand how to identify them.
* Sometimes, straight from the store, fish will die. This is usually caused by something that is termed "new tank syndrome" and while not a disease as we traditionally think of them, it can be a problem unless you learn how to avoid it. All new fish should be introduced gradually to any environment. A minimum of 24-48 hours of keeping the bagthe fish is in from the store emerged in the new water will usually take care of this problem. However, if it persists it could be an indication that the water is not the right temperature for them to survive or that there are contaminants in the water that is causing the sudden death.
* If you see something that looks like wool or cotton on the fish that does not mean they are preparing for winter. It is a sign of an infection and if caught early enough can be treated with an anti-fungal and/or a salt bath. Most experts recommend the anti-fugal treatment, and many pet and fish stores can recommend what it best for your environment.
* White spots on tropical fish are a very common disease that has a habit of showing up in new aquariums. This is usually an indication that a parasite is making its home in your aquarium. Again, there are a number of treatments available for this and many stores recommend that new aquariums be treated before any fish are introduced.
* If your fish appear bloated this is a symptom of a bacterial infection. It may also be indicated by what appears to be raised fins. Most of the time the cause is poor water conditions. Check your filter and if necessary, upgrade the filter to handle your aquarium size. There are medications available but they rarely work unless the root cause (poor water) is resolved.
* If your fish appear to have flaking scales, or dull color this can also be a sign of poor water conditions or the presence of parasites. The parasites carry a disease known as slime disease and there are medications available for this. The poor water can be solved as noted above.
We've given you a quick overview of some of the more common conditions you may notice in your aquarium with your tropical fish. By making sure you keep on top of the general health of your fish you can ensure that they will provide years of enjoyment and beauty in your home or office.
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Picking the Right Aquarium Size for Your Tropical Fish
Perhaps you've enjoyed your tropical fish for many years, or maybe you are just getting started with this wonderful hobby. Whatever the case, you may have questions and concerns about how to size your aquarium to best fit your needs. Finding the right size aquarium that will provide the right habitat for your fish is a process that doesn't take much time and will ensure that you have an environment you and your fish can enjoy for years to come.
* The first thing you should ask yourself is just how much room do you have for an aquarium? Perhaps you just have a small desk in the den to set a small aquarium on, or maybe you have a huge inset wall that you could place a 200+ gallon tank in. While you are taking inventory of where you might be able to place your tank, also look at the environment near where you have in mind. Avoid placing anaquarium directly below or above an air conditioning or heater vent. Also, do not place the aquarium near a window that gets strong sunlight all throughout the day. Finally, keep in mind that you will need a power source and a storage area for the food and other materials.
* Next, decide what type of tropical fish you would like to have in your tank. Each different species of fish has specific requirements for the amount of water and space they need in a tank. Do not make the mistake of adding fish to your tank without taking into accounthow much room they need. Most stores tend to over-populate their aquariums with way too many fish because of the turnover they have in selling them. This can lead you to believe that you can actually place more fish in your tank than it can safely handle. If you have any questions abouthow much room your particular tropical fish will need ask the salesman or consult a handbook.
* Now remember, most aquariums have more than just fish in them. They also may include tropical plants, other freshwater creatures (such as slugs or snails), decorative items and wood or rock pieces. Each of these items takes up valuable real estate in youraquarium. Yet they are all vital components of a successful aquarium. Tropical plants can do wonders in keeping your tank clean and water well aerated. Likewise, snails and other freshwater creatures can also help keep algae down in the tank which can sometimes be a problem depending on what environment you have.
Now that you have mapped out all the requirements for your aquarium it's time to go shopping. Here your bank account may dictate what type of aquarium you can purchase. Larger tanks require more heavy duty filtration devices and water aerators. This can add up quickly. Many people who are just getting into the hobby may be better suited in checking out local yard sales, online auctions and the classifieds for people who are selling old aquariums for a fraction of the price!
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* The first thing you should ask yourself is just how much room do you have for an aquarium? Perhaps you just have a small desk in the den to set a small aquarium on, or maybe you have a huge inset wall that you could place a 200+ gallon tank in. While you are taking inventory of where you might be able to place your tank, also look at the environment near where you have in mind. Avoid placing anaquarium directly below or above an air conditioning or heater vent. Also, do not place the aquarium near a window that gets strong sunlight all throughout the day. Finally, keep in mind that you will need a power source and a storage area for the food and other materials.
* Next, decide what type of tropical fish you would like to have in your tank. Each different species of fish has specific requirements for the amount of water and space they need in a tank. Do not make the mistake of adding fish to your tank without taking into accounthow much room they need. Most stores tend to over-populate their aquariums with way too many fish because of the turnover they have in selling them. This can lead you to believe that you can actually place more fish in your tank than it can safely handle. If you have any questions abouthow much room your particular tropical fish will need ask the salesman or consult a handbook.
* Now remember, most aquariums have more than just fish in them. They also may include tropical plants, other freshwater creatures (such as slugs or snails), decorative items and wood or rock pieces. Each of these items takes up valuable real estate in youraquarium. Yet they are all vital components of a successful aquarium. Tropical plants can do wonders in keeping your tank clean and water well aerated. Likewise, snails and other freshwater creatures can also help keep algae down in the tank which can sometimes be a problem depending on what environment you have.
Now that you have mapped out all the requirements for your aquarium it's time to go shopping. Here your bank account may dictate what type of aquarium you can purchase. Larger tanks require more heavy duty filtration devices and water aerators. This can add up quickly. Many people who are just getting into the hobby may be better suited in checking out local yard sales, online auctions and the classifieds for people who are selling old aquariums for a fraction of the price!
Source: Free Articles
Care for a Coral Aquarium
Many aquarium owners crave to someday own a saltwater tank displaying numerous kinds of coral. This may be achieved is fast easy steps if you use coral starter kits to grow your own coral. This is recommended over buying coral from a store. By growing your own, you ensure it is properly acclimated to your tank. Setting up and caring for the coral aquarium, or reef aquarium is a task that requires a bit of knowledge before starting. There are some steps to take when setting up a new coral aquarium. The process may seem to take a long time, and because of this, many people opt to use fake coral instead. However, the time spent waiting will be well worth it when you are later able to display your own coral aquarium. If you follow some simple steps and have patience for about 12 weeks, you will be able to create and own your piece of underwater paradise.
To begin, the first thing to do is assemble your aquarium. Find a spot in the home that you wish to have it displayed. Follow through with the set up as you would a freshwater tank. When you are ready to add the water to the tank, follow these simple steps. First, pour the sand into the bottom of the tank. Add dechlorinated water to the tank. Next, add the salt and make sure it is mixed until the specific gravity measures 1.205. After the water and salt are added, arrange your live rock as desired and install the heater and the hood of the tank. After doing these things, you must then wait 4 weeks to move ahead.
After the four weeks has passed, you will then add your first living creatures to the tank. It is best to add fish later, and slowly as to make sure the salt balance in the tank is correct and remains that way. At this time, you can add a variety of snails or crabs if you wish to have them part of your tank. You will also need to install a protein skimmer. The tank should be functioning as if it were full of fish. Make sure the filters are working properly and the lighting is right. Remember not to leave the light on for more than 10 to 12 hours a day as it may promote algae growth. After adding some snails or crabs, wait another 2 weeks before proceeding.
Now at week 6, you will add your first pieces of coral. There are many types of coral used in saltwater coral aquariums. Some of the most common are Button Polyp, Yellow Polyp, Hairy Mushroom Coral and Bulls eye Mushroom Coral. Make sure when adding your coral, it is attached to the live rock at the bottom of the tank. Wait another 2 weeks. Don't get frustrated... you're almost there! During the eighth week, you can add Aqua culturedCoral such as Pumping Xenia, Starburst Polyps and Spaghetti Finger Leather Coral to name a few. Place these corals into the live rock as you did with the previous set of coral.
Now you have succeeded in creating your reef aquarium. During the course of the 10 to 12 week mark, you may begin adding your fish to your underwater world. It may seem a long drawn out process to get acoral aquarium up and running, but the time and hard work will pay off for years to come. Creating and caring for your coral aquarium will bring you much enjoyment and a wonderful sense of accomplishment for creating a spectacular coral aquarium.
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To begin, the first thing to do is assemble your aquarium. Find a spot in the home that you wish to have it displayed. Follow through with the set up as you would a freshwater tank. When you are ready to add the water to the tank, follow these simple steps. First, pour the sand into the bottom of the tank. Add dechlorinated water to the tank. Next, add the salt and make sure it is mixed until the specific gravity measures 1.205. After the water and salt are added, arrange your live rock as desired and install the heater and the hood of the tank. After doing these things, you must then wait 4 weeks to move ahead.
After the four weeks has passed, you will then add your first living creatures to the tank. It is best to add fish later, and slowly as to make sure the salt balance in the tank is correct and remains that way. At this time, you can add a variety of snails or crabs if you wish to have them part of your tank. You will also need to install a protein skimmer. The tank should be functioning as if it were full of fish. Make sure the filters are working properly and the lighting is right. Remember not to leave the light on for more than 10 to 12 hours a day as it may promote algae growth. After adding some snails or crabs, wait another 2 weeks before proceeding.
Now at week 6, you will add your first pieces of coral. There are many types of coral used in saltwater coral aquariums. Some of the most common are Button Polyp, Yellow Polyp, Hairy Mushroom Coral and Bulls eye Mushroom Coral. Make sure when adding your coral, it is attached to the live rock at the bottom of the tank. Wait another 2 weeks. Don't get frustrated... you're almost there! During the eighth week, you can add Aqua culturedCoral such as Pumping Xenia, Starburst Polyps and Spaghetti Finger Leather Coral to name a few. Place these corals into the live rock as you did with the previous set of coral.
Now you have succeeded in creating your reef aquarium. During the course of the 10 to 12 week mark, you may begin adding your fish to your underwater world. It may seem a long drawn out process to get acoral aquarium up and running, but the time and hard work will pay off for years to come. Creating and caring for your coral aquarium will bring you much enjoyment and a wonderful sense of accomplishment for creating a spectacular coral aquarium.
Source: Free Articles
Aquarium Care - Freshwater Fish
Freshwater fish are perhaps the easiest fish to care for in comparison to saltwater species because they are usually hardier fish. A basic aquarium set up will be required. You will need a tank, some rocks or substrate to line bottom of the tank. You will also need a filter, and some lighting.
When choosing fish, it is imperative to make sure the fish are compatible. Not only do they need to be compatible for water temperature and P.H., but they also should have similar food requirements. Try to keepthe fish relatively the same size. It has been said that if a fish is small enough to fit in another fishes mouth, that is usually where it ends up. So don't be discouraged if this happens. Even fish that have been housed together for several months have been known to disappear on occasion.
Freshwater fish should be fed twice daily. Feed only a small amount that can be consumed within the first two to five minutes. Over feeding is a common mistake among novice fish keepers.
Any excess food should be lifted with a net if possible, as it will become debris and quickly dirty the tank. Water should be kept regulated and tested weekly. Any discrepancies in P.H. and water temperature should be corrected immediacy in order to minimize stress caused tothe fish.
Stress is significant because it causes illness in fish. It is important to monitor the activity and overall well being of the fish in an aquarium. The signs of stress will be fairly obvious. Slow moving or lethargic looking fish will require a stress coat that can be purchased at a local pet store. Try to avoid overcrowdingthe tank. This should help to reduce the amount of stress caused to the fish.
Change about a third of the water in the aquarium at a time, because this type of change will cause the least amount of disturbance to the fish and other inhabitants. This will need to be done every two to three weeks. Use either a bucket or a siphon to remove the water fromthe tank. Try to remove any loose or floating debris at this time.
When adding the new water to the aquarium, be sure that it is within approximately two degrees of the tank water. The sides of the aquarium should be scrubbed regularly to remove an algae build up. Again be careful not to disturb the fish. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling the aquarium. Lastly, check the manufacturer's recommendation on filters and change them accordingly. Filters collect any fish waste or left over food. They can't function properly unless they are clean.
Introduce hardy fish to a new tank. These fish can withstand higher nitrite levels that are present in a new aquarium. Choose fish such as danios, barbs, gouramis, and live bearers. Don't add more than three to four small fish per week.
Acclimation times vary per species, so check with your retailer before adding any other new fish.
Source: Free Articles by david deanne
When choosing fish, it is imperative to make sure the fish are compatible. Not only do they need to be compatible for water temperature and P.H., but they also should have similar food requirements. Try to keepthe fish relatively the same size. It has been said that if a fish is small enough to fit in another fishes mouth, that is usually where it ends up. So don't be discouraged if this happens. Even fish that have been housed together for several months have been known to disappear on occasion.
Freshwater fish should be fed twice daily. Feed only a small amount that can be consumed within the first two to five minutes. Over feeding is a common mistake among novice fish keepers.
Any excess food should be lifted with a net if possible, as it will become debris and quickly dirty the tank. Water should be kept regulated and tested weekly. Any discrepancies in P.H. and water temperature should be corrected immediacy in order to minimize stress caused tothe fish.
Stress is significant because it causes illness in fish. It is important to monitor the activity and overall well being of the fish in an aquarium. The signs of stress will be fairly obvious. Slow moving or lethargic looking fish will require a stress coat that can be purchased at a local pet store. Try to avoid overcrowdingthe tank. This should help to reduce the amount of stress caused to the fish.
Change about a third of the water in the aquarium at a time, because this type of change will cause the least amount of disturbance to the fish and other inhabitants. This will need to be done every two to three weeks. Use either a bucket or a siphon to remove the water fromthe tank. Try to remove any loose or floating debris at this time.
When adding the new water to the aquarium, be sure that it is within approximately two degrees of the tank water. The sides of the aquarium should be scrubbed regularly to remove an algae build up. Again be careful not to disturb the fish. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling the aquarium. Lastly, check the manufacturer's recommendation on filters and change them accordingly. Filters collect any fish waste or left over food. They can't function properly unless they are clean.
Introduce hardy fish to a new tank. These fish can withstand higher nitrite levels that are present in a new aquarium. Choose fish such as danios, barbs, gouramis, and live bearers. Don't add more than three to four small fish per week.
Acclimation times vary per species, so check with your retailer before adding any other new fish.
Source: Free Articles by david deanne
How Many Fish Will My Aquarium Hold?
Have you got yourself a new aquarium? If so, you need to have a plan on how you are going to fill it with those beautiful fish.
Before you work out exactly which fish you want, you need to work out have many inches (or centimetres) of fish you can accommodate in your newaquarium.
The fish will obviously have more room to swim and set up their territories in a larger aquarium, but more important than the size of the aquarium is the shape and proportions of the tank. A long, shallow tank will hold more fish than a short deep tank, even if they have exactly the same amount of water in each.
The reason for this is that the oxygen content of the water depends on how easily it can be supplied. The only place this can happen is where the air meets the water, which is at the surface of the tank, so the larger the surface, the more oxygen available. Similarly, the carbon dioxide that the fish exhale has to be expelled from the water, and this also happens at the surface.
So, to work out the capacity of an aquarium, you need to multiply the length of the aquarium by the depth to get the water surface. For instance, if your aquarium is 24in (60cm) long by 12in (30cm) deep, the answer is 288in2 (1800cm2).
The next thing you need to know is how many inches (or centimetres) of fish you can accommodate, and this will depend on the type of fish.
Freshwater Tropical Fish – 12in2 per inch body length
(75cm2 per cm body length)
Freshwater Cold Water Fish – 30in2 per inch body length
(187.5cm2 per cm of body length)
Marine Tropical Fish – 48in2 per inch body length
(300cm2 per cm body length)
So, in our example tank above you could fit:
24 inches (60cm) of Freshwater Tropical Fish
10 inches (25cm) of Freshwater Cold Water Fish
6 inches (15cm) of Marine Tropical Fish
To calculate the number of inches (or centimetres) of your fish, measure from the mouth to the start of the tail, and don’t forget that the fish you see in the shops are normally juveniles and are not fully grown, you need to allow for the size they will become!
Get this right, and you’re well on the way to having a successful aquarium.
Source: Free Articles by jackie robinson
Before you work out exactly which fish you want, you need to work out have many inches (or centimetres) of fish you can accommodate in your newaquarium.
The fish will obviously have more room to swim and set up their territories in a larger aquarium, but more important than the size of the aquarium is the shape and proportions of the tank. A long, shallow tank will hold more fish than a short deep tank, even if they have exactly the same amount of water in each.
The reason for this is that the oxygen content of the water depends on how easily it can be supplied. The only place this can happen is where the air meets the water, which is at the surface of the tank, so the larger the surface, the more oxygen available. Similarly, the carbon dioxide that the fish exhale has to be expelled from the water, and this also happens at the surface.
So, to work out the capacity of an aquarium, you need to multiply the length of the aquarium by the depth to get the water surface. For instance, if your aquarium is 24in (60cm) long by 12in (30cm) deep, the answer is 288in2 (1800cm2).
The next thing you need to know is how many inches (or centimetres) of fish you can accommodate, and this will depend on the type of fish.
Freshwater Tropical Fish – 12in2 per inch body length
(75cm2 per cm body length)
Freshwater Cold Water Fish – 30in2 per inch body length
(187.5cm2 per cm of body length)
Marine Tropical Fish – 48in2 per inch body length
(300cm2 per cm body length)
So, in our example tank above you could fit:
24 inches (60cm) of Freshwater Tropical Fish
10 inches (25cm) of Freshwater Cold Water Fish
6 inches (15cm) of Marine Tropical Fish
To calculate the number of inches (or centimetres) of your fish, measure from the mouth to the start of the tail, and don’t forget that the fish you see in the shops are normally juveniles and are not fully grown, you need to allow for the size they will become!
Get this right, and you’re well on the way to having a successful aquarium.
Source: Free Articles by jackie robinson
Choosing The Right Freshwater Tropical Fish
You have probably been to your local pet shop or aquarist dealer and seen a large variety of tropical fish to choose from. How do you go about choosing the right combination of fish for you?
You can’t just choose any fish you like and expect them to all get along well together, it doesn’t work like that - you need a plan.
Firstly, do you want a community aquarium or a species tank? A community aquarium will hold a variety of different fish that will all live in harmony with each other. A species tank, as the name suggests, will only hold one variety of fish.
Most people start with a community aquarium, and it is a very good place to start.
Before you work out exactly which fish you want, you need to work out have many inches (or centimetres) of fish you can accommodate in your newaquarium . A long, shallow tank will hold more fish than a short deep tank, because it is the amount of oxygen in the water that is more important than the actual quantity of water.
As a guide you can expect to be able to fit one inch of fish for each gallon of water, so a good place to start is to calculate the number of inches of fishes you can accommodate. This is measured from the mouth of the fish to the start of the tail, and don’t forget to find out how big the fish will grow to, don’t just look at the size of them in the shop as they will almost certainly grow.
How do you go about choosing the right fish for you? Firstly look around and see if there are any fish which you definitely want, and start your plan there. You need to know what size the fish you want will grow to, and how many you should keep together. Some fish are fine singly or in pairs, others only really thrive when they have friends to shoal with.
When you have chosen the fish you want to base your aquarium on, look to see how many you need to get, and how many inches they will use up. Next, will they live in harmony with all other fishes, or are there some they don’t get along with? Also, take note of where they live in theaquarium. Some fish are bottom dwellers, some live mainly at the top, and others in the middle of the aquarium.
The best way to have a balanced aquarium is to have some fish that live in each level of the aquarium, as well as some fish that will keep the bottom clean, like corydoras. I also always like to have fish that will keep the sides clean, like a pleco (suckermouth catfish).
Source: Free Articles
Jackie Robinson is a keen hobbyist and has kept tropical fish for many years. See more information about breeds of tropical fish, and other useful information about tropical fish at her website http://www.JustTropicalFish.com
You can’t just choose any fish you like and expect them to all get along well together, it doesn’t work like that - you need a plan.
Firstly, do you want a community aquarium or a species tank? A community aquarium will hold a variety of different fish that will all live in harmony with each other. A species tank, as the name suggests, will only hold one variety of fish.
Most people start with a community aquarium, and it is a very good place to start.
Before you work out exactly which fish you want, you need to work out have many inches (or centimetres) of fish you can accommodate in your newaquarium . A long, shallow tank will hold more fish than a short deep tank, because it is the amount of oxygen in the water that is more important than the actual quantity of water.
As a guide you can expect to be able to fit one inch of fish for each gallon of water, so a good place to start is to calculate the number of inches of fishes you can accommodate. This is measured from the mouth of the fish to the start of the tail, and don’t forget to find out how big the fish will grow to, don’t just look at the size of them in the shop as they will almost certainly grow.
How do you go about choosing the right fish for you? Firstly look around and see if there are any fish which you definitely want, and start your plan there. You need to know what size the fish you want will grow to, and how many you should keep together. Some fish are fine singly or in pairs, others only really thrive when they have friends to shoal with.
When you have chosen the fish you want to base your aquarium on, look to see how many you need to get, and how many inches they will use up. Next, will they live in harmony with all other fishes, or are there some they don’t get along with? Also, take note of where they live in theaquarium. Some fish are bottom dwellers, some live mainly at the top, and others in the middle of the aquarium.
The best way to have a balanced aquarium is to have some fish that live in each level of the aquarium, as well as some fish that will keep the bottom clean, like corydoras. I also always like to have fish that will keep the sides clean, like a pleco (suckermouth catfish).
Source: Free Articles
Jackie Robinson is a keen hobbyist and has kept tropical fish for many years. See more information about breeds of tropical fish, and other useful information about tropical fish at her website http://www.JustTropicalFish.com
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