By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lee_Dobbins]Lee Dobbins
If you're looking for an unusual looking fish to add to your acquiring him then you might want to consider the Pantodon buchholzi or African Butterfly Fish.
This unique fish almost looks like a butterfly when viewed from above at his fins stick out like wing's. Native to Africa, this fish lives in the slow moving rivers of the rain forest and has been sold commercially for over 90 years. This fish can grow to be about 4 inches long and can live about five years.
While the butterfly fish is fairly easy to keep, he can be a bit sensitive and you must act relating to the tank properly. Be sure to take a bit longer than you do with other fish perhaps an hour or so to slowly introduced tank water into his floating bag. You should have an aquarium that is larger than 20 gallons and the temperature of between 75 and 82�F along with the PH of six to 7.5. Also, it is imperative that you have a good cover for your tank that has absolutely no holes in it as this fish is well-known for jumping out at even the smallest hole in an aquarium cover.
The African butterfly fish is a surfaced dweller and can be a bit nervous so it is ideal if you can put some live floating plants and the tank along with him for cover. He can be a bit territorial, though, and if you have smaller surface dwelling fish will probably eat them so you want to be careful about the types of fish you put in the query them with your butterfly fish. Having said that, he can live peacefully with many other types of fish and basically ignores anything that hangs around in the middle or bottom of the tank. It is also safe to put service drawing fish that are larger than your butterfly fish into the tank with him.
The butterfly fish is basically a carnivore and while you can feed him some pellet and flake foods he will do best in his diet has a lot of live, frozen or freeze dried protein foods. He might like some to affect forms, blood worms or brine shrimp. You can also feed him live insects such as cricketer daddy longlegs and even some small live fish every once in awhile. Whatever you feed him, be sure that it floats since he feeds on the surface only and if the food since he probably won't get a meal.
The African butterfly fish can be a good community finish as long as you adhere to the warnings above. Once he's acclimated into the tank he's fairly easy to maintain as long as you feed improperly and keep the area maintained properly.
Find out more about tropical fish by visiting http://www.fish-tank-guide.com - a website that offers articles on aquarium setup and maintenance as well as information on tropical fish such as the [http://www.fish-tank-guide.com/fish/AfricanButterflyFish.html]the African Butterfly Fish.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Garden Ponds Can Help Improve Your Home
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=David_E._Edwards]David E. Edwards
Garden Ponds can help in improving the appearance of your home. There can be no doubt that having a garden pond with it's flowers, waterfalls, fountains as well as garden pond lighting and garden accessories can transform what was once a sorry looking lawn into a piece of nature at it's best. The choice of design is infinite and a garden pond can always be complimented to the style of home and with a little creativity could make your home look just the way you want.
You could have your garden pond filled with fish and plants or even a collection of both and with the advancement in pond liner technology garden ponds can now come in all shapes and sizes. if you were thinking about a small garden pond, then you would probably be better off purchasing a preformed garden pond made from lifelong guarantee resins. For medium to large garden ponds we would suggest a flexible rubber liner.
If you are going to create garden ponds with flexible liners, you would need to calculate the length, width as well as depth of the pond and multiply by three the maximum depth. You should then add this figure to the width as well as lengths of the pond, which will give you cover for the whole of the base as well as sides, and a little extra as well.
Transforming your ordinary looking garden into something which is both appealing and aesthetic is the name of the game, and with a little imagination a very pleasing garden pond can be established and become a haven for wildlife in as little as 18 months.
However, installing garden ponds require a great deal of effort and it can also cost you a pretty penny for the initial setup costs as well as for improving it once it has been installed and is up and running. And, if you go in for elaborate garden ponds you would need to spend more money, time as well as expend greater effort for it. Also, there are endless design opportunities that can make your garden pond very attractive and appealing.
Before you decide on your garden pond there are many things to consider, such as the size of your garden, the surrounding environment, be as elaborate or as simple as you like, you may wish to install fountains and waterfalls or even a swimming pond. bridge3s and lighting also add an ambience to the garden pond. of course the more elaborate the increase in costs.
Before designing, installing as well as purchasing garden ponds, it would also help if you can get a guide that can teach you the best in all aspects of the garden pond so that your experience in building it can be successful as well as worth your while.
David 'Goldie' Edwards is managing director of an [http://www.finking.co.uk]Aquatics company based in the UK. His [http://www.finking.co.uk/pond-design/garden-designs-uk.html]Garden Pond Design webpage gives clients the opportunity to further enhance their Aquatic knowledge and skills
Garden Ponds can help in improving the appearance of your home. There can be no doubt that having a garden pond with it's flowers, waterfalls, fountains as well as garden pond lighting and garden accessories can transform what was once a sorry looking lawn into a piece of nature at it's best. The choice of design is infinite and a garden pond can always be complimented to the style of home and with a little creativity could make your home look just the way you want.
You could have your garden pond filled with fish and plants or even a collection of both and with the advancement in pond liner technology garden ponds can now come in all shapes and sizes. if you were thinking about a small garden pond, then you would probably be better off purchasing a preformed garden pond made from lifelong guarantee resins. For medium to large garden ponds we would suggest a flexible rubber liner.
If you are going to create garden ponds with flexible liners, you would need to calculate the length, width as well as depth of the pond and multiply by three the maximum depth. You should then add this figure to the width as well as lengths of the pond, which will give you cover for the whole of the base as well as sides, and a little extra as well.
Transforming your ordinary looking garden into something which is both appealing and aesthetic is the name of the game, and with a little imagination a very pleasing garden pond can be established and become a haven for wildlife in as little as 18 months.
However, installing garden ponds require a great deal of effort and it can also cost you a pretty penny for the initial setup costs as well as for improving it once it has been installed and is up and running. And, if you go in for elaborate garden ponds you would need to spend more money, time as well as expend greater effort for it. Also, there are endless design opportunities that can make your garden pond very attractive and appealing.
Before you decide on your garden pond there are many things to consider, such as the size of your garden, the surrounding environment, be as elaborate or as simple as you like, you may wish to install fountains and waterfalls or even a swimming pond. bridge3s and lighting also add an ambience to the garden pond. of course the more elaborate the increase in costs.
Before designing, installing as well as purchasing garden ponds, it would also help if you can get a guide that can teach you the best in all aspects of the garden pond so that your experience in building it can be successful as well as worth your while.
David 'Goldie' Edwards is managing director of an [http://www.finking.co.uk]Aquatics company based in the UK. His [http://www.finking.co.uk/pond-design/garden-designs-uk.html]Garden Pond Design webpage gives clients the opportunity to further enhance their Aquatic knowledge and skills
Monday, June 25, 2007
The Joys of Beta Fish Breeding
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Chris_Kerr] Chris Kerr
There are educational values as well as many joys to be found when dealing with any type of animals. Betta fish are certainly no exception. You can breed Betta fish in your own home with your children, or in a classroom as a science project.
Either way, children will be able to learn a lot about the care and breeding of the fish throughout the process, and many of the lessons learned will stay with them and can be applied to their own lives in the future.
When beginning your project, make sure that you keep the male and female Betta fish in separate tanks, or if you only have a single tank be sure to place a clear separator between them in it, so that the male does not get too aggressive towards the female early on. Once the male and female Betta fish get used to each other you can put them together to begin the mating process in your breeding tank. The optimal breeding tank conditions are five inches of water depth, which should be kept at about 80 to 82 degrees.
After a short courtship process they will mate and once the eggs are safely in the male Betta's bubble nest, take the female out of the tank. The male will take care of the eggs until they hatch and at that point you will need to also remove the male so he does not eat the baby fish.
You should now have at least several hundred fish! You can begin moving them into separate tanks after about two weeks and if you choose to sell them, you can begin sending them to new homes as well! Make sure you watch the fish closely for aggressiveness until they've been separated, and enjoy your new Betta fish!
Chris Kerr runs [http://www.bettafishpage.com] The Betta Fish Page providing in-depth information on breeding Betta fish for fun and profits.
Article Source: [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Chris_Kerr ] http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Kerr
[http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Joys-of-Beta-Fish-Breeding&id=608084 ] http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Joys-of-Beta-Fish-Breeding&id=608084
There are educational values as well as many joys to be found when dealing with any type of animals. Betta fish are certainly no exception. You can breed Betta fish in your own home with your children, or in a classroom as a science project.
Either way, children will be able to learn a lot about the care and breeding of the fish throughout the process, and many of the lessons learned will stay with them and can be applied to their own lives in the future.
When beginning your project, make sure that you keep the male and female Betta fish in separate tanks, or if you only have a single tank be sure to place a clear separator between them in it, so that the male does not get too aggressive towards the female early on. Once the male and female Betta fish get used to each other you can put them together to begin the mating process in your breeding tank. The optimal breeding tank conditions are five inches of water depth, which should be kept at about 80 to 82 degrees.
After a short courtship process they will mate and once the eggs are safely in the male Betta's bubble nest, take the female out of the tank. The male will take care of the eggs until they hatch and at that point you will need to also remove the male so he does not eat the baby fish.
You should now have at least several hundred fish! You can begin moving them into separate tanks after about two weeks and if you choose to sell them, you can begin sending them to new homes as well! Make sure you watch the fish closely for aggressiveness until they've been separated, and enjoy your new Betta fish!
Chris Kerr runs [http://www.bettafishpage.com] The Betta Fish Page providing in-depth information on breeding Betta fish for fun and profits.
Article Source: [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Chris_Kerr ] http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Kerr
[http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Joys-of-Beta-Fish-Breeding&id=608084 ] http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Joys-of-Beta-Fish-Breeding&id=608084
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Keeping a Red-Tailed Black Shark
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jackie_Robinson] Jackie Robinson
A Red-Tailed Black Shark is a stunning fish, with a velvety- black body, a bright red tail, and a lovely streamlined shape. If you are going to keep a Black Shark in your aquarium, and I highly recommend that you do, only get one, because they get very aggressive towards others of their species. When they are younger they are relatively harmless, but as they got older and bigger they can get very cantankerous.
You need to give your Black Shark plenty of hiding places to choose from, like a flowerpot on its side, or some rocks or bogwood it can hide behind, because Black Sharks do need their own space, and get very unhappy when they can�t find a place to call their own. I have a shipwreck in my aquarium (an old ship made by my husband from a kit), that had holes made in the side so the Shark can get in and out. Whenever I take the shipwreck out to clean it the Shark gets very upset and sulks for quite a while. How do I know? He is no longer a beautiful velvety-black, his body is now grey, and he swims around chasing any other fish who dare to get in his way.
Do be careful also as your shark gets older and you buy new tropical fish for your aquarium. I had a problem a few years ago, that whenever I bought new fish, by the morning they were all dead. It took me a while to work it out, but the Black Shark would wait until I wasn�t looking, and then he would chase the new fishes around the aquarium until they died from shock/exhaustion. I didn�t know fish were that clever, but this one certainly was! I ended up giving the Black Shark to a friend who had a much larger aquarium than mine, which had a big Angelfish that was the boss of his tank. The Black Shark lived happily there for a few more years, with the Angelfish keeping him in his place.
You may know the Red-Tailed Black Shark as Red-Tailed Labeo, which it probably a better name, because the fish is in no way related to true sharks, so it is rather misleading. The scientific name is Labeo Bicolor.
Jackie Robinson is a keen hobbyist, and has kept freshwater tropical fish for over 20 years. Find out more information on a variety of [http://www.JustTropicalFish.com] Freshwater Tropical Fish
Article Source: [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jackie_Robinson ] http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jackie_Robinson
[http://ezinearticles.com/?Keeping-a-Red-Tailed-Black-Shark&id=569417 ] http://EzineArticles.com/?Keeping-a-Red-Tailed-Black-Shark&id=569417
A Red-Tailed Black Shark is a stunning fish, with a velvety- black body, a bright red tail, and a lovely streamlined shape. If you are going to keep a Black Shark in your aquarium, and I highly recommend that you do, only get one, because they get very aggressive towards others of their species. When they are younger they are relatively harmless, but as they got older and bigger they can get very cantankerous.
You need to give your Black Shark plenty of hiding places to choose from, like a flowerpot on its side, or some rocks or bogwood it can hide behind, because Black Sharks do need their own space, and get very unhappy when they can�t find a place to call their own. I have a shipwreck in my aquarium (an old ship made by my husband from a kit), that had holes made in the side so the Shark can get in and out. Whenever I take the shipwreck out to clean it the Shark gets very upset and sulks for quite a while. How do I know? He is no longer a beautiful velvety-black, his body is now grey, and he swims around chasing any other fish who dare to get in his way.
Do be careful also as your shark gets older and you buy new tropical fish for your aquarium. I had a problem a few years ago, that whenever I bought new fish, by the morning they were all dead. It took me a while to work it out, but the Black Shark would wait until I wasn�t looking, and then he would chase the new fishes around the aquarium until they died from shock/exhaustion. I didn�t know fish were that clever, but this one certainly was! I ended up giving the Black Shark to a friend who had a much larger aquarium than mine, which had a big Angelfish that was the boss of his tank. The Black Shark lived happily there for a few more years, with the Angelfish keeping him in his place.
You may know the Red-Tailed Black Shark as Red-Tailed Labeo, which it probably a better name, because the fish is in no way related to true sharks, so it is rather misleading. The scientific name is Labeo Bicolor.
Jackie Robinson is a keen hobbyist, and has kept freshwater tropical fish for over 20 years. Find out more information on a variety of [http://www.JustTropicalFish.com] Freshwater Tropical Fish
Article Source: [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jackie_Robinson ] http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jackie_Robinson
[http://ezinearticles.com/?Keeping-a-Red-Tailed-Black-Shark&id=569417 ] http://EzineArticles.com/?Keeping-a-Red-Tailed-Black-Shark&id=569417
Thursday, June 21, 2007
The Wholesale World of Tropical Fish and the Dedicated Folks Who Bring Them to You
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Carolyn_McFann] Carolyn McFann
If you love tropical fish, then finding quality livestock for your aquarium is important. Most pet stores buy their fish from wholesalers, who get their fish and other animals from fish farms around the world. The world of a wholesale fish dealer is fascinating, and in very large scale.
Years ago, I knew one such wholesale dealer. Tropical Fish Distributors, Inc. is located on Lloyd Road in Willowick, Ohio (a suburb of Cleveland.) It was founded by Joseph Lora, and carries a wide variety of both fresh and marine fish, as well as reptiles, amphibians and corals. It is more fascinating than a zoo, and all the creatures are well cared for. They are fed, medicated if sick and looked over constantly, for signs of stress or illness by the owner, his resident marine biologist and staff. Walking down aisle after aisle of huge aquariums, it is fun to see the different breeds and sizes of their fish.
Many years ago, Joseph Lora, Sr. started his fish business in the basement of his house. There were aquariums everywhere, and after awhile, demand grew for his fish. He then moved into a bigger location, and it just kept growing. Due to Joe's brilliant salesmanship, dedication to his customers and quality service, that little basement business rapidly grew into a large, multiple warehouse building where it is today.
What exactly does a wholesaler do? Retail stores buy livestock from the wholesaler, who then delivers the merchandise to them. Most stores have a regular delivery schedule, or will call for an extra delivery if something special is needed. Fish and other livestock are packaged safely in thick, styrofoam containers for the trip to the store. Once they are recieved by the store owner, the bags of fish are floated in the tanks that they will be released into, to get them acclimated to the water temperature. Then, they are released into the tank, and are there for you to purchase. Avid aquarium enthousiasts welcome "fish day" because they can go see what the latest arrivals look like.
When the large pet superstores came into existence, their presence somewhat hurt private wholesalers' and pet stores' businesses, but the hardiest establishments, like TFD, survived. Loyal customers of private pet shops keep the more personal fish businesses thriving. Fishkeeping is a labor of love, because there is emphasis on making sure the fish are healthy and well fed, as well as keeping the customers happy and well supplied. The people I met at Tropical Fish Distributors are extremely passionate about what they do, and take pride in providing quality fish, turtles, lizards and snakes to aquarium and pet stores all over the United States. The creatures are shipped out on a frequent basis, to get them in good homes as quickly as possible.
The world of the tropical fish distributor is a fascinating one, if you love marine biology. When you see different tropical fish in pet stores, realize that many of them came from very far away, with the help of a chain of people (truckers, stockers, clerks, biologists and others) who made sure the fish arrive to you in healthy condition. For example, Bettas (Fighting Fish) come from Asia and have to be transported in individual bags, to keep them from fighting with one another. They cannot be put together once at the warehouse, so they are kept each in their own individual cup, that must be cleaned frequently. There is a lot more work to raising and selling fish than meets the eye. Enjoy your goldfish, cichlids, angelfish and marine corals as you realize that it took a lot of miles traveled, and manpower to bring them to your home aquarium by people who truly do care.
Carolyn McFann is a scientific and nature illustrator, who owns Two Purring Cats Design Studio, which can be seen at: [http://www.cafepress.com/twopurringcats] http://www.cafepress.com/twopurringcats. Educated at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, Carolyn is a seasoned, well-traveled artist, writer and photographer. Besides handling numerous assignments in the US, she has lived and worked in Cancun, Mexico. Clients include nature parks, museums, scientists, corporations and private owners. She has been the subject of tv interviews, articles for newspapers and other popular media venues.
Article Source: [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Carolyn_McFann ] http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carolyn_McFann
[http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Wholesale-World-of-Tropical-Fish-and-the-Dedicated-Folks-Who-Bring-Them-to-You&id=592839 ] http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Wholesale-World-of-Tropical-Fish-and-the-Dedicated-Folks-Who-Bring-Them-to-You&id=592839
If you love tropical fish, then finding quality livestock for your aquarium is important. Most pet stores buy their fish from wholesalers, who get their fish and other animals from fish farms around the world. The world of a wholesale fish dealer is fascinating, and in very large scale.
Years ago, I knew one such wholesale dealer. Tropical Fish Distributors, Inc. is located on Lloyd Road in Willowick, Ohio (a suburb of Cleveland.) It was founded by Joseph Lora, and carries a wide variety of both fresh and marine fish, as well as reptiles, amphibians and corals. It is more fascinating than a zoo, and all the creatures are well cared for. They are fed, medicated if sick and looked over constantly, for signs of stress or illness by the owner, his resident marine biologist and staff. Walking down aisle after aisle of huge aquariums, it is fun to see the different breeds and sizes of their fish.
Many years ago, Joseph Lora, Sr. started his fish business in the basement of his house. There were aquariums everywhere, and after awhile, demand grew for his fish. He then moved into a bigger location, and it just kept growing. Due to Joe's brilliant salesmanship, dedication to his customers and quality service, that little basement business rapidly grew into a large, multiple warehouse building where it is today.
What exactly does a wholesaler do? Retail stores buy livestock from the wholesaler, who then delivers the merchandise to them. Most stores have a regular delivery schedule, or will call for an extra delivery if something special is needed. Fish and other livestock are packaged safely in thick, styrofoam containers for the trip to the store. Once they are recieved by the store owner, the bags of fish are floated in the tanks that they will be released into, to get them acclimated to the water temperature. Then, they are released into the tank, and are there for you to purchase. Avid aquarium enthousiasts welcome "fish day" because they can go see what the latest arrivals look like.
When the large pet superstores came into existence, their presence somewhat hurt private wholesalers' and pet stores' businesses, but the hardiest establishments, like TFD, survived. Loyal customers of private pet shops keep the more personal fish businesses thriving. Fishkeeping is a labor of love, because there is emphasis on making sure the fish are healthy and well fed, as well as keeping the customers happy and well supplied. The people I met at Tropical Fish Distributors are extremely passionate about what they do, and take pride in providing quality fish, turtles, lizards and snakes to aquarium and pet stores all over the United States. The creatures are shipped out on a frequent basis, to get them in good homes as quickly as possible.
The world of the tropical fish distributor is a fascinating one, if you love marine biology. When you see different tropical fish in pet stores, realize that many of them came from very far away, with the help of a chain of people (truckers, stockers, clerks, biologists and others) who made sure the fish arrive to you in healthy condition. For example, Bettas (Fighting Fish) come from Asia and have to be transported in individual bags, to keep them from fighting with one another. They cannot be put together once at the warehouse, so they are kept each in their own individual cup, that must be cleaned frequently. There is a lot more work to raising and selling fish than meets the eye. Enjoy your goldfish, cichlids, angelfish and marine corals as you realize that it took a lot of miles traveled, and manpower to bring them to your home aquarium by people who truly do care.
Carolyn McFann is a scientific and nature illustrator, who owns Two Purring Cats Design Studio, which can be seen at: [http://www.cafepress.com/twopurringcats] http://www.cafepress.com/twopurringcats. Educated at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, Carolyn is a seasoned, well-traveled artist, writer and photographer. Besides handling numerous assignments in the US, she has lived and worked in Cancun, Mexico. Clients include nature parks, museums, scientists, corporations and private owners. She has been the subject of tv interviews, articles for newspapers and other popular media venues.
Article Source: [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Carolyn_McFann ] http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carolyn_McFann
[http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Wholesale-World-of-Tropical-Fish-and-the-Dedicated-Folks-Who-Bring-Them-to-You&id=592839 ] http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Wholesale-World-of-Tropical-Fish-and-the-Dedicated-Folks-Who-Bring-Them-to-You&id=592839
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Betta Fish Breeding at Home
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Chris_Kerr] Chris Kerr
Breeding fish can be somewhat difficult. Especially with Betta fish, as they tend to be aggressive towards other Betta fish. There are several steps you will need to follow in order to successfully breed your Betta fish.
You will need to make sure that your fish are at least 5 months old and fully acclimated to their tanks. You must set the male in one tank and the female in another close to each other so they can get used to one another before you bring them together to mate.
The Betta fish will begin to show signs when they are ready to mate; the male will make a bubble nest at the top of his tank where he will eventually place the eggs, and the female can develop colorful stripes.
Your breeding tank should be kept at 80-82 degrees for the baby fish to best survive. You can now place the female in with the male and he will hold her upside down so that she can release her eggs.
Betta fish can release hundreds of eggs, while some have been known to release close to a thousand. Her job done, the female will then hide and the male will take over the caring of the young.
It is best to take the mother out of the tank at this point, or the male may view her as a threat to the eggs and may get aggressive towards her.
Once the fish have hatched and are swimming freely, take the male out of the tank as well or he may begin to eat his young and your hard work will have been in vain.
Give the babies about two weeks before you change their water, and be careful that you don�t overfeed them or the tank could become cloudy.
After a couple weeks, you can begin changing the water and separating the fish into other bowls. Now all you will need to do is decide if you want to sell them, or keep them for your family.
Chris Kerr runs [http://www.bettafishpage.com] The Betta Fish Page providing in-depth information on breeding Betta fish for fun and profits.
Article Source: [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Chris_Kerr ] http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Kerr
[http://ezinearticles.com/?Betta-Fish-Breeding-at-Home&id=599915 ] http://EzineArticles.com/?Betta-Fish-Breeding-at-Home&id=599915
Breeding fish can be somewhat difficult. Especially with Betta fish, as they tend to be aggressive towards other Betta fish. There are several steps you will need to follow in order to successfully breed your Betta fish.
You will need to make sure that your fish are at least 5 months old and fully acclimated to their tanks. You must set the male in one tank and the female in another close to each other so they can get used to one another before you bring them together to mate.
The Betta fish will begin to show signs when they are ready to mate; the male will make a bubble nest at the top of his tank where he will eventually place the eggs, and the female can develop colorful stripes.
Your breeding tank should be kept at 80-82 degrees for the baby fish to best survive. You can now place the female in with the male and he will hold her upside down so that she can release her eggs.
Betta fish can release hundreds of eggs, while some have been known to release close to a thousand. Her job done, the female will then hide and the male will take over the caring of the young.
It is best to take the mother out of the tank at this point, or the male may view her as a threat to the eggs and may get aggressive towards her.
Once the fish have hatched and are swimming freely, take the male out of the tank as well or he may begin to eat his young and your hard work will have been in vain.
Give the babies about two weeks before you change their water, and be careful that you don�t overfeed them or the tank could become cloudy.
After a couple weeks, you can begin changing the water and separating the fish into other bowls. Now all you will need to do is decide if you want to sell them, or keep them for your family.
Chris Kerr runs [http://www.bettafishpage.com] The Betta Fish Page providing in-depth information on breeding Betta fish for fun and profits.
Article Source: [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Chris_Kerr ] http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Kerr
[http://ezinearticles.com/?Betta-Fish-Breeding-at-Home&id=599915 ] http://EzineArticles.com/?Betta-Fish-Breeding-at-Home&id=599915
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Before You Buy Your Freshwater Tropical Fish
By Jackie Robinson
So you�ve decided on which aquarium to buy, been and purchased it, and set it up in a prominent location in your home � what next? Before you rush out and buy your freshwater tropical fish, you need to make sure you have all the equipment necessary. At the very least you need a lid for the aquarium, lighting, heating and a filtration system. It is very important you buy the correct size for your aquarium.
For instance, the lighting needs to be sufficient to light the entire aquarium, likewise the filter must be able to cope with the amount of water you will have, or it will not work to optimum efficiency. Buying a heater which will have to work hard to keep your aquarium at the correct temperature may be cheaper, but will end up a false economy, as it will soon break. If you are in any doubt as to what to buy to go with your aquarium, check with a reputable aquatic dealer.
You will now need to decorate your aquarium. For this you need gravel, and by this I mean special gravel you buy from an aquatic dealer, the quality is important. You also need a lot of it, because you need to cover the base of the aquarium by at least 2-3 inches (5-7.5cm). This will allow the plants to root properly, and if you have an under-gravel filtration system you will need this much to cover the filter.
To complete the decoration you will need some plants, either real or artificial, and you may want to consider some bogwood, which looks attractive in an aquarium, and as it has been treated it is suitable. Do not add shells or coral, as these can hurt your fish, and can also change the balance of the water, as well as be sharp and may hurt the fish. Aquatic dealers also sell other artificial decorations that you may want to purchase. Ensure that whatever you do you give your fish some hiding places.
Next, purchase a net, a bucket, a gravel cleaner and a glass cleaner � these are essential tools of the trade, and will be used often. I would also recommend buying de-chlorinator � tap water may be great for people, but it was not made for tropical fish. All the chemicals which are put in the water are not good for freshwater tropical fish, so the water will either need to be left standing for a couple of days, and be subjected to strong aeration, or have a de-chlorinator added to it.
Finally, purchase some fish food, so that when you bring your new freshwater tropical fish home you have something to feed them.
Jackie Robinson is a keen hobbyist, and has kept freshwater tropical fish for over 20 years. Find out more information on Freshwater Tropical Fish
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jackie_Robinson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Before-You-Buy-Your-Freshwater-Tropical-Fish&id=569411
So you�ve decided on which aquarium to buy, been and purchased it, and set it up in a prominent location in your home � what next? Before you rush out and buy your freshwater tropical fish, you need to make sure you have all the equipment necessary. At the very least you need a lid for the aquarium, lighting, heating and a filtration system. It is very important you buy the correct size for your aquarium.
For instance, the lighting needs to be sufficient to light the entire aquarium, likewise the filter must be able to cope with the amount of water you will have, or it will not work to optimum efficiency. Buying a heater which will have to work hard to keep your aquarium at the correct temperature may be cheaper, but will end up a false economy, as it will soon break. If you are in any doubt as to what to buy to go with your aquarium, check with a reputable aquatic dealer.
You will now need to decorate your aquarium. For this you need gravel, and by this I mean special gravel you buy from an aquatic dealer, the quality is important. You also need a lot of it, because you need to cover the base of the aquarium by at least 2-3 inches (5-7.5cm). This will allow the plants to root properly, and if you have an under-gravel filtration system you will need this much to cover the filter.
To complete the decoration you will need some plants, either real or artificial, and you may want to consider some bogwood, which looks attractive in an aquarium, and as it has been treated it is suitable. Do not add shells or coral, as these can hurt your fish, and can also change the balance of the water, as well as be sharp and may hurt the fish. Aquatic dealers also sell other artificial decorations that you may want to purchase. Ensure that whatever you do you give your fish some hiding places.
Next, purchase a net, a bucket, a gravel cleaner and a glass cleaner � these are essential tools of the trade, and will be used often. I would also recommend buying de-chlorinator � tap water may be great for people, but it was not made for tropical fish. All the chemicals which are put in the water are not good for freshwater tropical fish, so the water will either need to be left standing for a couple of days, and be subjected to strong aeration, or have a de-chlorinator added to it.
Finally, purchase some fish food, so that when you bring your new freshwater tropical fish home you have something to feed them.
Jackie Robinson is a keen hobbyist, and has kept freshwater tropical fish for over 20 years. Find out more information on Freshwater Tropical Fish
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jackie_Robinson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Before-You-Buy-Your-Freshwater-Tropical-Fish&id=569411
Friday, June 15, 2007
Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions on Betta Fish Explained
By Simon Anderson
Betta Fish, arguably the most popular type of fish found in the home today across all the world. This astonishing fish displays a vibrant personality whilst posing the most magnificent colour and fin structure helping to create a truly jaw dropping aquarium that you can show off to your guests!
Originating from the paddy fields of Vietnam, Betta are an astounding fish and I will be answering in this article the 10 most popular questions I get asked on a regular basis about Betta Fish. So lets get started�
1. How Do You Stop Betta Fish From fighting?
This is probably one of the most popular questions I get asked!
In my experience I�ve found a few ways that work�
One way is simply to get a bigger tank. With the bigger tank you can include a couple of new plants, bear in mind you don�t want to over do it with the plants otherwise you will ruin your fish display (not very appealing to your guests!). By making the tank bigger and introducing a few more plants it creates extra hiding places for your Betta when the aggressive one is on the war path!
A second way is to simply separate the aggressive fish from the rest. This can be done by putting a divider into your tank, or by taking the aggressive fish out and putting it into a new tank. I would personally recommend putting a divider into your tank, size permitting of course, as your Betta will know the other Betta Fish are there. It also helps when it comes to the breeding process because introductions would have already been made.
Thirdly, you must NEVER, I repeat NEVER put a male Betta in with another male Betta Fish, period! Otherwise, they will fight to the death (this is why they are also known as Siamese Fighting Fish!). So by not keeping males together this will reduce fighting astronomically.
Female Betta�s have been known to be aggressive and fight between each other, particularly if you have 2 together. However, this is just an �I�m the leader� thing going on between them and usually wears off , but a technique I�ve used and seen have great success to stop this happening is to add a 3rd female into the tank. By doing this any tension between the previous two is removed � try it, you�ll be surprised how effective it is!
2. Can You Keep Male and Female Betta Fish Together?
Yes you can. However, I would recommend keeping a close eye on the male Betta just in case he becomes too aggressive and the female needs to be removed. As I mentioned above having plants in the tank can help the female hide if the male becomes aggressive.
3. How Do You Tell the Difference Between a Male and Female Betta Fish
I always remember the saying �It�s easy when you know how�� when I get asked this question because when I first started breeding Betta Fish it took me ages to recognise the difference between a male and a female�
You will tend to find that female Betta�s have fat bellies where as males tend to have a more streamlined structure. Also, you will find that males have a longer body and fins whereas the females are shorter in body size and fin length.
Also, male Betta Fish tend to have more colour and longer pointed anal fins compared to their female counterparts (sorry ladies!). You will also find female anal fins are more level to their body. The anal fin is the rigid looking fin coming from the bottom of the Betta Fish.
However, one giveaway of a female is her white spot on the underside of her belly. This white spot is called the ovipositor and is used during the breeding process.
4. What are the Best Caring Tips for Betta fish?
Lots of people have written books on the subject of caring for Betta Fish but I�m going to give you my best tips that I�ve picked up along the way�
- Test your water�s acidity level regularly. A PH level of 7 works best in my experience.
- Always try and keep the water temperature at around 75-80 Fahrenheit. I would recommend testing this regularly using a floating thermometer because big drops in water temperature can cause stress on your fish. Floating thermometers in my experience give the best accuracy reading because they are kept in the tank water.
- Always keep a lid/cover over the top of your tank with air holes in it because Betta Fish can jump and you might not be there to catch them!
- Any filtration system should be kept at a low level and you must take care not to put the air intake in such a position that it could cause your Betta to get hurt. Having your filter system at a high setting has been known to cause stress to your Betta.
- Try and clean your tank regularly, ideally twice a week. Remove bits of food caught under the stones, castles or leaves of your tank.
- As a rule of thumb I recommend 3 quarters of a gallon per Betta fish in your tank. Also, try and get a spacious tank to allow your Betta plenty of room to show off their personality, you�ll be surprised some are very exciting to watch!
I�ve always found if you love your Betta like you love your own then you won�t go far wrong, and with implementing the above you will be well on your way to having truly astonishing Betta Fish.
5. What Should I Feed My Betta Fish?
Surprisingly, Betta Fish are known to be fussy eaters (and you thought us humans were bad!). So it is best to feed them on a variety of foods, such as:
- Brine shrimp
- Daphnia
- Frozen Bloodworms
- Blackworms (Tubifex) worms
- Combination Betta Pellets from Pet Shops
- Powder Fish Food if feeding Fry
- Vegetables (such as green beans, not a whole one but in tiny portions)
I tend to find a regular feeding pattern of 2-3 times a day works best for Betta. Try as well to make portions eaten in one sitting otherwise any leftover food could lead to additional bacteria in the tank potentially causing disease for your Betta Fish.
6. What are Betta Fish also Known as?
Not a lot of people know this but Betta Fish are also known as Siamese Fighting Fish. The name originates because of the males aggressiveness and their �Fight to the Death� attitude if two males are put in the same tank together.
Betta fish are often referred to as Betta Splendens but this is a type of breed of Betta, which leads us nicely onto the next question�
7. What are the Different Types of Betta Fish Available?
There are many types of Betta Fish available, the most popular types I�ve listed below:
- Betta Splendens (the most common type)
- Betta Bellica
- Betta Coccina
- Betta Picta
Some of the most popular Tail Types of Betta are:
- Veil Tail (this generally the most common tail type that you find at the pet stores)
- Delta Fish (normally any fish under the 180 degree tail span is considered a Delta)
- Super Delta Fish (normally any Betta with a tail span of 120-180 degrees)
- Fan Tail (the Betta�s tail displays a smoothly rounded edge)
- Half Moon (as it�s name suggest it�s tail is the shape of a half moon � a 180 degrees span, this is the fish most breeders strive to achieve and display a truly fabulous colour!)
- Pin (Spade) Tail (the Betta�s tail is pointed at the end)
Depending on what you are looking for this should hopefully give you enough information to choose a Betta fish at the pet store! ;-)
8. Can I Put Bamboo in With My Betta Fish?
Bamboo or Lucky Bamboo as it is also known, the type that is sold from pet stores, can be put into your tank with your Betta Fish. The bamboo can make your tank look more attractive and appealing to your guests, which is always a bonus!
However, what I recommend is that the bamboo is washed thoroughly before entry into the tank to help ensure there are no chemicals on it that could hurt your Betta. Also, it is a good idea to check the bamboo regularly just to see if it is rotting because it could release bacteria into your tank�s water that could potentially harm your Betta fish. Changing your tank�s water often will reduce the threat of bacteria happening.
9. What Ammonia Level Should My Tank Be At?
Ideally, you want an ammonia level between 0-0.5. By changing your water regularly (about 30-50% twice a week, if you have high ammonia) this will help reduce the ammonia in your tank.
It is a good idea to monitor ammonia levels on a regular basis, because a high level is not healthy for your Betta Fish.
10. Would a Father Betta Harm His Children?
Unfortunately, a male (Father) Betta would harm his children (Fry). Although, the Father is very protective of the Fry during the spawning process it is common for them to attack the Fry as they become bigger and able to look after themselves.
I recommend removing the Father from the tank once the Fry are able to swim freely, usually 7-10 days after birth because he can become very aggressive towards them and potentially cause them harm.
That�s the answers to the 10 most asked questions I get on a regular basis. I hope you found this information useful and are able to put it to good effect.
Simon Anderson is a recognized Betta Fish Expert and has researched 37 different breeding and caring programs for Betta Fish on the Web! The best 3 he found are revealed along with his jealously guarded secrets on how to breed Astonishing Betta Fish at
http://www.BettaFishSpecialist.com
Betta Fish, arguably the most popular type of fish found in the home today across all the world. This astonishing fish displays a vibrant personality whilst posing the most magnificent colour and fin structure helping to create a truly jaw dropping aquarium that you can show off to your guests!
Originating from the paddy fields of Vietnam, Betta are an astounding fish and I will be answering in this article the 10 most popular questions I get asked on a regular basis about Betta Fish. So lets get started�
1. How Do You Stop Betta Fish From fighting?
This is probably one of the most popular questions I get asked!
In my experience I�ve found a few ways that work�
One way is simply to get a bigger tank. With the bigger tank you can include a couple of new plants, bear in mind you don�t want to over do it with the plants otherwise you will ruin your fish display (not very appealing to your guests!). By making the tank bigger and introducing a few more plants it creates extra hiding places for your Betta when the aggressive one is on the war path!
A second way is to simply separate the aggressive fish from the rest. This can be done by putting a divider into your tank, or by taking the aggressive fish out and putting it into a new tank. I would personally recommend putting a divider into your tank, size permitting of course, as your Betta will know the other Betta Fish are there. It also helps when it comes to the breeding process because introductions would have already been made.
Thirdly, you must NEVER, I repeat NEVER put a male Betta in with another male Betta Fish, period! Otherwise, they will fight to the death (this is why they are also known as Siamese Fighting Fish!). So by not keeping males together this will reduce fighting astronomically.
Female Betta�s have been known to be aggressive and fight between each other, particularly if you have 2 together. However, this is just an �I�m the leader� thing going on between them and usually wears off , but a technique I�ve used and seen have great success to stop this happening is to add a 3rd female into the tank. By doing this any tension between the previous two is removed � try it, you�ll be surprised how effective it is!
2. Can You Keep Male and Female Betta Fish Together?
Yes you can. However, I would recommend keeping a close eye on the male Betta just in case he becomes too aggressive and the female needs to be removed. As I mentioned above having plants in the tank can help the female hide if the male becomes aggressive.
3. How Do You Tell the Difference Between a Male and Female Betta Fish
I always remember the saying �It�s easy when you know how�� when I get asked this question because when I first started breeding Betta Fish it took me ages to recognise the difference between a male and a female�
You will tend to find that female Betta�s have fat bellies where as males tend to have a more streamlined structure. Also, you will find that males have a longer body and fins whereas the females are shorter in body size and fin length.
Also, male Betta Fish tend to have more colour and longer pointed anal fins compared to their female counterparts (sorry ladies!). You will also find female anal fins are more level to their body. The anal fin is the rigid looking fin coming from the bottom of the Betta Fish.
However, one giveaway of a female is her white spot on the underside of her belly. This white spot is called the ovipositor and is used during the breeding process.
4. What are the Best Caring Tips for Betta fish?
Lots of people have written books on the subject of caring for Betta Fish but I�m going to give you my best tips that I�ve picked up along the way�
- Test your water�s acidity level regularly. A PH level of 7 works best in my experience.
- Always try and keep the water temperature at around 75-80 Fahrenheit. I would recommend testing this regularly using a floating thermometer because big drops in water temperature can cause stress on your fish. Floating thermometers in my experience give the best accuracy reading because they are kept in the tank water.
- Always keep a lid/cover over the top of your tank with air holes in it because Betta Fish can jump and you might not be there to catch them!
- Any filtration system should be kept at a low level and you must take care not to put the air intake in such a position that it could cause your Betta to get hurt. Having your filter system at a high setting has been known to cause stress to your Betta.
- Try and clean your tank regularly, ideally twice a week. Remove bits of food caught under the stones, castles or leaves of your tank.
- As a rule of thumb I recommend 3 quarters of a gallon per Betta fish in your tank. Also, try and get a spacious tank to allow your Betta plenty of room to show off their personality, you�ll be surprised some are very exciting to watch!
I�ve always found if you love your Betta like you love your own then you won�t go far wrong, and with implementing the above you will be well on your way to having truly astonishing Betta Fish.
5. What Should I Feed My Betta Fish?
Surprisingly, Betta Fish are known to be fussy eaters (and you thought us humans were bad!). So it is best to feed them on a variety of foods, such as:
- Brine shrimp
- Daphnia
- Frozen Bloodworms
- Blackworms (Tubifex) worms
- Combination Betta Pellets from Pet Shops
- Powder Fish Food if feeding Fry
- Vegetables (such as green beans, not a whole one but in tiny portions)
I tend to find a regular feeding pattern of 2-3 times a day works best for Betta. Try as well to make portions eaten in one sitting otherwise any leftover food could lead to additional bacteria in the tank potentially causing disease for your Betta Fish.
6. What are Betta Fish also Known as?
Not a lot of people know this but Betta Fish are also known as Siamese Fighting Fish. The name originates because of the males aggressiveness and their �Fight to the Death� attitude if two males are put in the same tank together.
Betta fish are often referred to as Betta Splendens but this is a type of breed of Betta, which leads us nicely onto the next question�
7. What are the Different Types of Betta Fish Available?
There are many types of Betta Fish available, the most popular types I�ve listed below:
- Betta Splendens (the most common type)
- Betta Bellica
- Betta Coccina
- Betta Picta
Some of the most popular Tail Types of Betta are:
- Veil Tail (this generally the most common tail type that you find at the pet stores)
- Delta Fish (normally any fish under the 180 degree tail span is considered a Delta)
- Super Delta Fish (normally any Betta with a tail span of 120-180 degrees)
- Fan Tail (the Betta�s tail displays a smoothly rounded edge)
- Half Moon (as it�s name suggest it�s tail is the shape of a half moon � a 180 degrees span, this is the fish most breeders strive to achieve and display a truly fabulous colour!)
- Pin (Spade) Tail (the Betta�s tail is pointed at the end)
Depending on what you are looking for this should hopefully give you enough information to choose a Betta fish at the pet store! ;-)
8. Can I Put Bamboo in With My Betta Fish?
Bamboo or Lucky Bamboo as it is also known, the type that is sold from pet stores, can be put into your tank with your Betta Fish. The bamboo can make your tank look more attractive and appealing to your guests, which is always a bonus!
However, what I recommend is that the bamboo is washed thoroughly before entry into the tank to help ensure there are no chemicals on it that could hurt your Betta. Also, it is a good idea to check the bamboo regularly just to see if it is rotting because it could release bacteria into your tank�s water that could potentially harm your Betta fish. Changing your tank�s water often will reduce the threat of bacteria happening.
9. What Ammonia Level Should My Tank Be At?
Ideally, you want an ammonia level between 0-0.5. By changing your water regularly (about 30-50% twice a week, if you have high ammonia) this will help reduce the ammonia in your tank.
It is a good idea to monitor ammonia levels on a regular basis, because a high level is not healthy for your Betta Fish.
10. Would a Father Betta Harm His Children?
Unfortunately, a male (Father) Betta would harm his children (Fry). Although, the Father is very protective of the Fry during the spawning process it is common for them to attack the Fry as they become bigger and able to look after themselves.
I recommend removing the Father from the tank once the Fry are able to swim freely, usually 7-10 days after birth because he can become very aggressive towards them and potentially cause them harm.
That�s the answers to the 10 most asked questions I get on a regular basis. I hope you found this information useful and are able to put it to good effect.
Simon Anderson is a recognized Betta Fish Expert and has researched 37 different breeding and caring programs for Betta Fish on the Web! The best 3 he found are revealed along with his jealously guarded secrets on how to breed Astonishing Betta Fish at
http://www.BettaFishSpecialist.com
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Arowana Care - 3 Extremely Useful Arowana Tank or Arowana Aquarium Tips
By Rosalinda Zamora
Arowana tank or arowana aquarium is an important ingredient in the life of your arowana fish. So, you want to make sure that your tank or aquarium is appropriate for your fish.
Below are 3 tips on arowana care by having the right aquarium for your fish.
1. Tank size
Make sure that your tank is suitable for different size of arowana. A 200 gallon or 750 liter aquarium is a recommended minimum size, but it can go smaller if your arowana fish is small.
2. Tank cover
Yes, this is important because arowanas can jump up to 2 meters or over 6 feet. It means these adult arowana fish are strong and you want to have a strong cover to prevent them from jumping out of your arowana tank.
3. Tank water temperature
a. Since arowanas are tropical fish, you want to keep them comfortable in their tropical habitat. You can do this by maintaining the water temperature between 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Buy a digital tank thermometer to measure the temperature. This will help you keep track of your tank water temperature all the time.
b. Arowana tank water is preferably maintained at pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Check your tank water regularly to maintain the health of your arowana fish. Your fish can be susceptible to diseases or become weak if they don't live the water with sauitable pH level.
c. You are also advised to change about 10 to 20 percent of water when the arowana aquarium needs to have new water. Your arowana fish might go into shock if you replace more water than advised and this could be fatal to your arowana fish.
These tips are just guides. I would recommend you learn more about your arowana fish by referring to arowana experts. One way to do it is buy a few books about caring for arowana fish yourself. I'm sure this will add more knowledge on how you keep your arowana fish healthy.
Rosalinda Zamora loves arowana fish as she does to other pet fish. For more info about caring for arowana fish, visit http://www.bettafishsecret.com/arowana
Arowana tank or arowana aquarium is an important ingredient in the life of your arowana fish. So, you want to make sure that your tank or aquarium is appropriate for your fish.
Below are 3 tips on arowana care by having the right aquarium for your fish.
1. Tank size
Make sure that your tank is suitable for different size of arowana. A 200 gallon or 750 liter aquarium is a recommended minimum size, but it can go smaller if your arowana fish is small.
2. Tank cover
Yes, this is important because arowanas can jump up to 2 meters or over 6 feet. It means these adult arowana fish are strong and you want to have a strong cover to prevent them from jumping out of your arowana tank.
3. Tank water temperature
a. Since arowanas are tropical fish, you want to keep them comfortable in their tropical habitat. You can do this by maintaining the water temperature between 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Buy a digital tank thermometer to measure the temperature. This will help you keep track of your tank water temperature all the time.
b. Arowana tank water is preferably maintained at pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Check your tank water regularly to maintain the health of your arowana fish. Your fish can be susceptible to diseases or become weak if they don't live the water with sauitable pH level.
c. You are also advised to change about 10 to 20 percent of water when the arowana aquarium needs to have new water. Your arowana fish might go into shock if you replace more water than advised and this could be fatal to your arowana fish.
These tips are just guides. I would recommend you learn more about your arowana fish by referring to arowana experts. One way to do it is buy a few books about caring for arowana fish yourself. I'm sure this will add more knowledge on how you keep your arowana fish healthy.
Rosalinda Zamora loves arowana fish as she does to other pet fish. For more info about caring for arowana fish, visit http://www.bettafishsecret.com/arowana
Monday, June 11, 2007
Setting Up a Freshwater Fish Tank
By Andrew Bicknell
Adding a freshwater fish tank to your home can be a great way to add a decorative focal point that is fun for everyone. And because home aquariums are becoming more and more popular there is no shortage of fish shops supplying the latest and greatest tanks, accessories and of course fish. The good news is that most of these fish shops are owned by people who like to share their great enthusiasm for all things fish with their customers.
When you decide you would like to enjoy a freshwater fish tank there are several things you will need to keep in mind. Where would you like to put your new fish tank and what size will fit best in the area designated. Fish tanks come in a variety of shapes and sizes so it is best to visit your local fish shop to get a good feel for what is available to fit your needs. Be sure to ask questions about what you are looking for and the shop employees will be able to point you in the right direction.
As you are deciding on the type and size of tank you will also need to think about the type of fish you would like to keep. This is where research into the different species of fish is a must. You cannot simply just pick out the fish you like best at the store and mix them al together. If you are going to have a community tank, that is a tank with many different types of fish in it, then you need to have fish that get along well with others. If you are leaning more towards a Cichlid tank then you need to be more careful as most Cichlids are aggressive towards other fish.
Once you get your new freshwater aquarium it is time to set it up. While most people don't have the patience the best thing to do is to fill your tank with water, set up you decorative gravel, rocks, plants and anything that catches your eye and let it sit for a few weeks. Be sure to have all your filtration and air supplies running during this time. The reason it is important to do this is to let any chlorine dissipate out of the water and get the beneficial bacteria a chance to develop.
If you put fish in a tank that has had time to get established you will end up with new tank syndrome, which can be extremely harmful to any fish and cause them to die. This bacteria is the primary fish waste disposal resource. Without it toxic levels of ammonia and other waste gases will build up rapidly in the water. Giving the bacteria a chance to cycle will create a fish friendly environment that will protect your purchases.
A freshwater fish tank does take some work, both setting up and maintaining. But the rewards of its look in your home are more than worth it.
To learn more about setting up and maintaining a new freshwater fish tank visit the website Fish Tank Care & Supplies by Clicking Here.
Adding a freshwater fish tank to your home can be a great way to add a decorative focal point that is fun for everyone. And because home aquariums are becoming more and more popular there is no shortage of fish shops supplying the latest and greatest tanks, accessories and of course fish. The good news is that most of these fish shops are owned by people who like to share their great enthusiasm for all things fish with their customers.
When you decide you would like to enjoy a freshwater fish tank there are several things you will need to keep in mind. Where would you like to put your new fish tank and what size will fit best in the area designated. Fish tanks come in a variety of shapes and sizes so it is best to visit your local fish shop to get a good feel for what is available to fit your needs. Be sure to ask questions about what you are looking for and the shop employees will be able to point you in the right direction.
As you are deciding on the type and size of tank you will also need to think about the type of fish you would like to keep. This is where research into the different species of fish is a must. You cannot simply just pick out the fish you like best at the store and mix them al together. If you are going to have a community tank, that is a tank with many different types of fish in it, then you need to have fish that get along well with others. If you are leaning more towards a Cichlid tank then you need to be more careful as most Cichlids are aggressive towards other fish.
Once you get your new freshwater aquarium it is time to set it up. While most people don't have the patience the best thing to do is to fill your tank with water, set up you decorative gravel, rocks, plants and anything that catches your eye and let it sit for a few weeks. Be sure to have all your filtration and air supplies running during this time. The reason it is important to do this is to let any chlorine dissipate out of the water and get the beneficial bacteria a chance to develop.
If you put fish in a tank that has had time to get established you will end up with new tank syndrome, which can be extremely harmful to any fish and cause them to die. This bacteria is the primary fish waste disposal resource. Without it toxic levels of ammonia and other waste gases will build up rapidly in the water. Giving the bacteria a chance to cycle will create a fish friendly environment that will protect your purchases.
A freshwater fish tank does take some work, both setting up and maintaining. But the rewards of its look in your home are more than worth it.
To learn more about setting up and maintaining a new freshwater fish tank visit the website Fish Tank Care & Supplies by Clicking Here.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
How You Can Fast-Track Bass Fishing Success
By Arindam Chattopadhyaya
You, the Average Tom weekend angler, are on your way to explore the bass fishing experience in nearby lake. You are perhaps thinking � what are the 5 things you have to do to catch bass and what should be your first steps.
Those are the most obvious questions you will be asking yourself as you are walking towards the lake.
Here is some simple information on bass fishing:
There are mainly three kinds of bass - largemouth, smallmouth and striped. The largemouth bass is a member of the sunfish family. The largemouth bass is a freshwater fish. The habitat of largemouth bass is the upper levels of the warm water of small, shallow lakes and shallow bays of larger lakes.
Top10 helpful Bass Fishing Tips
� You need to use 1/8 ounce weight after positioning yourself in shallow waters and casting deep during spring season.
� You should try to cast your bait down hill for better results during fall seasons.
� Make your worm suspended more than 80% percent of the time
� Keep your hooks sharpened for better results
� To the extent possible, try to be natural and cast your bait in such a way that it is suspended straight in the water
� You must educate yourself to shake your bait and not drag it to make the bass think that it is really a feed and not bait.
� You need to consult with other experienced anglers to identify the correct spot first. This will improve your result.
� Experienced angler recommend to use only basic jig colors such as Brownish black or Blackish blue
� You can use plastic worms fitted with a glass head to lure inactive bass.
� You need to tighten your drag all the way down as you cast for better hooks
Day of the time is very important for bass fishing.
You also need to have watchful eyes on advertisement of bass fishing competition. This will give you opportunity to join competition. You will gather several bass fishing tips and learn new techniques from this bass fishing competition
Do you want to have the fishing trip of your dream? I'm sure your answer will be "Yes". We just published our special report on fishing and you can download it fromhttp://www.fishingletsgo.com. It's a complimentary offer to our newsletter subscribers.
You, the Average Tom weekend angler, are on your way to explore the bass fishing experience in nearby lake. You are perhaps thinking � what are the 5 things you have to do to catch bass and what should be your first steps.
Those are the most obvious questions you will be asking yourself as you are walking towards the lake.
Here is some simple information on bass fishing:
There are mainly three kinds of bass - largemouth, smallmouth and striped. The largemouth bass is a member of the sunfish family. The largemouth bass is a freshwater fish. The habitat of largemouth bass is the upper levels of the warm water of small, shallow lakes and shallow bays of larger lakes.
Top10 helpful Bass Fishing Tips
� You need to use 1/8 ounce weight after positioning yourself in shallow waters and casting deep during spring season.
� You should try to cast your bait down hill for better results during fall seasons.
� Make your worm suspended more than 80% percent of the time
� Keep your hooks sharpened for better results
� To the extent possible, try to be natural and cast your bait in such a way that it is suspended straight in the water
� You must educate yourself to shake your bait and not drag it to make the bass think that it is really a feed and not bait.
� You need to consult with other experienced anglers to identify the correct spot first. This will improve your result.
� Experienced angler recommend to use only basic jig colors such as Brownish black or Blackish blue
� You can use plastic worms fitted with a glass head to lure inactive bass.
� You need to tighten your drag all the way down as you cast for better hooks
Day of the time is very important for bass fishing.
You also need to have watchful eyes on advertisement of bass fishing competition. This will give you opportunity to join competition. You will gather several bass fishing tips and learn new techniques from this bass fishing competition
Do you want to have the fishing trip of your dream? I'm sure your answer will be "Yes". We just published our special report on fishing and you can download it fromhttp://www.fishingletsgo.com. It's a complimentary offer to our newsletter subscribers.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Relieve Stress With A Water Pond
By David E. Edwards
Trying to relieve stress on a daily basis is not the easiest of things to achieve. It may be that you cannot afford the local health club and what with the price of a massage nowadays, it's simply beyond most peoples reach. Time for you to look into the garden and reconnect yourself with nature, medically proven to reduce the stresses in your life.
A very easy and inexpensive way of attracting more wildlife into your garden is with a water pond. A cabin in the country next to a lake it is not, however it's surely the next best thing. A water pond is lower in maintenance than the average lawn and will provide hours of entertainment and enjoyment from the added wildlife attending your water ponds oasis.
A water pond is perfect if you have children, and upon correct education on how to behave around your water pond, the kids will love it. Kids just love fish and will learn quickly about all the species and not only on how to care for our fishy friends but for all of natures living creatures. planting of water pond plants and a few other plants around the edges of your water pond can be a great family time.
Try to make the whole area around your water pond as beautiful and serene as possible. this will help calm your nerves after one of those hectic days at the office. alternatively if you are a homeworker there is nothing better than to occasionally catch sight of your water pond through the window. it is calming to the senses and soothing to the soul. Water ponds have many advantages but reducing the stresses of the day is a major one. But water ponds all have one common element and that is their ability to remain environmentally friendly and stress free.
Water ponds are environmentally friendly and can act as a wildlife sanctuary for all types of inhabitants, reducing your stress levels just by having a few quiet moments observing nature at it's best. No more need either to push that lawn mower around the garden, well not where you water pond now resides anyways.
A properly built water pond will only require a minimal amount of maintenance each week, but it will tend to attract a maximum amount of your relaxation time. don't forget, nature takes care of filling up your water pond, and the pond water in return will act as a great fertilizer for your plants and flowers in those drier times.
Making the area beautiful and serene can help calm your nerves after a hectic day at the office. Or, if you work at home, having a window which looks out onto your water pond can have a profound calming effect on your nerves. Water ponds are built for many reasons to suit many purposes. But they all have one common element and that is their ability to remain environmentally friendly. They are sustainable and will only improve with age. It is calming to the senses and soothing to the soul. Water ponds have many uses, but bringing peace of mind is the major one.
David 'Goldie' Edwards is managing director of an Aquatic Supplies company based in the UK.
His Pond Supplies webpage gives clients the opportunity to further enhance their Aquatic knowledge and skills
Trying to relieve stress on a daily basis is not the easiest of things to achieve. It may be that you cannot afford the local health club and what with the price of a massage nowadays, it's simply beyond most peoples reach. Time for you to look into the garden and reconnect yourself with nature, medically proven to reduce the stresses in your life.
A very easy and inexpensive way of attracting more wildlife into your garden is with a water pond. A cabin in the country next to a lake it is not, however it's surely the next best thing. A water pond is lower in maintenance than the average lawn and will provide hours of entertainment and enjoyment from the added wildlife attending your water ponds oasis.
A water pond is perfect if you have children, and upon correct education on how to behave around your water pond, the kids will love it. Kids just love fish and will learn quickly about all the species and not only on how to care for our fishy friends but for all of natures living creatures. planting of water pond plants and a few other plants around the edges of your water pond can be a great family time.
Try to make the whole area around your water pond as beautiful and serene as possible. this will help calm your nerves after one of those hectic days at the office. alternatively if you are a homeworker there is nothing better than to occasionally catch sight of your water pond through the window. it is calming to the senses and soothing to the soul. Water ponds have many advantages but reducing the stresses of the day is a major one. But water ponds all have one common element and that is their ability to remain environmentally friendly and stress free.
Water ponds are environmentally friendly and can act as a wildlife sanctuary for all types of inhabitants, reducing your stress levels just by having a few quiet moments observing nature at it's best. No more need either to push that lawn mower around the garden, well not where you water pond now resides anyways.
A properly built water pond will only require a minimal amount of maintenance each week, but it will tend to attract a maximum amount of your relaxation time. don't forget, nature takes care of filling up your water pond, and the pond water in return will act as a great fertilizer for your plants and flowers in those drier times.
Making the area beautiful and serene can help calm your nerves after a hectic day at the office. Or, if you work at home, having a window which looks out onto your water pond can have a profound calming effect on your nerves. Water ponds are built for many reasons to suit many purposes. But they all have one common element and that is their ability to remain environmentally friendly. They are sustainable and will only improve with age. It is calming to the senses and soothing to the soul. Water ponds have many uses, but bringing peace of mind is the major one.
David 'Goldie' Edwards is managing director of an Aquatic Supplies company based in the UK.
His Pond Supplies webpage gives clients the opportunity to further enhance their Aquatic knowledge and skills
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
The Beauty Of A Saltwater Fish Tank Aquarium
By Jon Arnold
Adding a saltwater fish tank to your home or office is a great way of owning a pet that can fit into your busy lifestyle. Although there is a certain amount of care and maintenance involved saltwater fish are beautiful to watch, add a unique focal point to any room and studies have shown that being in a room and watching fish swimming is soothing to the nervous system.
One of the first things to consider is what size tank you want to have and where you want to position it, remembering that once filled with water it will be very difficult to move. You will also have to decide on what kind of pump and filter you will need to adequately filter and recycle the water in the tank. A temperature gauge is vital to ensure the water is within the correct temperature range for the health of your particular breed of fish and of course a heater. Other items that you will have to have are fish nets, saltwater test kits, saltwater fish food, cleaning apparatus to cleaning the tank and some rocks, coral and other decorations for your the comfort of your fish and to add an appealing underwater scene.
Knowing in advance the kind of saltwater fish you want to keep is a good idea and if you are a complete novice a chat with an experienced person where you intend purchasing your fish is recommended as some fish can grow to over 12 inches in length whilst others only an inch. Be aware that a small tank poses just as much, if not more maintenance than a large one. Setting up your tank can take some time and it can take up to 6 weeks before you are ready to add your fish.
Saltwater fish are very colorful and some amazing results can be achieved adding different fish to your tank which has been decorated to suit but be warned, saltwater fish tend to be much more expensive than regular fish and for the novice it may be worth starting with the cheaper ones until you know exactly what you are doing and have sorted out how to maintain your saltwater tank correctly.
Not only do the fish need to be fed everyday but you will also have to check water temperatures and nitrate levels etc in the water using your test kit. Once every week or so you will have to clean the tank and on a regular basis, test the water quality etc.
Saltwater fish tanks and the cost of purchasing saltwater fish is more expensive to set up than freshwater and freshwater tanks require less maintenance as well, but the colorful beauty of the many varieties of tropical fish you can add to your tank far outweighs the cost. With proper ongoing research your saltwater fish tank will give you and you visitors many hours of pleasure and provide you with an interesting hobby.
If you are looking for more information about a Saltwater Fish Tank Aquarium please visit our web site at http://www.fish-tank-aquarium.com
Adding a saltwater fish tank to your home or office is a great way of owning a pet that can fit into your busy lifestyle. Although there is a certain amount of care and maintenance involved saltwater fish are beautiful to watch, add a unique focal point to any room and studies have shown that being in a room and watching fish swimming is soothing to the nervous system.
One of the first things to consider is what size tank you want to have and where you want to position it, remembering that once filled with water it will be very difficult to move. You will also have to decide on what kind of pump and filter you will need to adequately filter and recycle the water in the tank. A temperature gauge is vital to ensure the water is within the correct temperature range for the health of your particular breed of fish and of course a heater. Other items that you will have to have are fish nets, saltwater test kits, saltwater fish food, cleaning apparatus to cleaning the tank and some rocks, coral and other decorations for your the comfort of your fish and to add an appealing underwater scene.
Knowing in advance the kind of saltwater fish you want to keep is a good idea and if you are a complete novice a chat with an experienced person where you intend purchasing your fish is recommended as some fish can grow to over 12 inches in length whilst others only an inch. Be aware that a small tank poses just as much, if not more maintenance than a large one. Setting up your tank can take some time and it can take up to 6 weeks before you are ready to add your fish.
Saltwater fish are very colorful and some amazing results can be achieved adding different fish to your tank which has been decorated to suit but be warned, saltwater fish tend to be much more expensive than regular fish and for the novice it may be worth starting with the cheaper ones until you know exactly what you are doing and have sorted out how to maintain your saltwater tank correctly.
Not only do the fish need to be fed everyday but you will also have to check water temperatures and nitrate levels etc in the water using your test kit. Once every week or so you will have to clean the tank and on a regular basis, test the water quality etc.
Saltwater fish tanks and the cost of purchasing saltwater fish is more expensive to set up than freshwater and freshwater tanks require less maintenance as well, but the colorful beauty of the many varieties of tropical fish you can add to your tank far outweighs the cost. With proper ongoing research your saltwater fish tank will give you and you visitors many hours of pleasure and provide you with an interesting hobby.
If you are looking for more information about a Saltwater Fish Tank Aquarium please visit our web site at http://www.fish-tank-aquarium.com
Sunday, June 3, 2007
How To Diagnose Sick Fish In Your Aquarium
By Adrian Whittle
Once an Aquarium has been set up and is well stocked with a variety of fish it becomes a pleasure to watch the coming and goings in the fish tank. This is the time when you can really enjoy the little world that you have created. With time you will come to understand how the fish act and gain a sense of their normal behavior. At times this behavior may change and could be down to a number of reasons from the fish becoming stressed, spawning or developing an illness. It is important to be responsive to these changes and determine what might be the problem. This article will deal with when your fish develop an illness. It will discuss the types of problems a fish can suffer from. How to diagnose a sick fish by their behavioral changes and what you can do to cure the illness.
The most obvious way to determine a sick fish is to view it's body for any unusual spots or growths. Ich is a common illness characterized by white spots around the gills or on the body. Ich is a species of ciliate protozoa that is often introduced by snails, new fish or caused by changes in the water condition. Should you notice these distinctive white spots you can treat the tank by adding chemicals that will kill the ciliate protozoa. You can also quarantine fish that may be infected until they are healthy.
Another way to determine that your fish may be sick is to notice it's changed behavior. A common symptom of illness is flashing. Flashing is when the fish appears to be scratching itself on the substrate or rocks and wood in the tank. Flashing could be a sign that the fish is developing an infection on the body.
The fish may also be swimming erratically. This might include darting around the fish tank, moving up to the surface or spinning round on itself in a constant motion. This erratic behavior indicates that the fish is stressed in some way. This may be because the water condition has changed or that the fish is suffering from some kind of illness. As many conditions that affect fish can be attributed to poor water quality it is important to check the water condition first. This could solve the problem immediately and in the future.
Another behavior that might indicate a problem is that the fish are staying around the filter or on the surface a lot. This indicates that they are trying to get more oxygenated water and again might be due to the water quality or may be an illness.
Once you have attained as much physical and behavioral data as possible about the fish you could then consult a fish disease book or visit a website on fish disease. These media often have diagnostic questionnaires on the condition and behavior of the fish. They will ask questions about the fish and help you to determine the problem with the fish and the appropriate action to take.
As a last resort you could take a skin scrape or biopsy of the fish and have the sample diagnosed by a professional. Of course this could create more stress for the fish that could make the condition worse and it is quite costly.
Water condition is the most important factor to consider when keeping your fish healthy. Diligent care of the water and habitat will ensure that your fish don't suffer from any of the common illnesses. If they do however you can follow the advice listed and take the appropriate action.
Find all the products you need at http://www.fishtank-supplies.com . The site has many features including picking the best fish tank lighting for your aquarium. Adrian Whittle writes about keeping both fresh and saltwater fish.
Once an Aquarium has been set up and is well stocked with a variety of fish it becomes a pleasure to watch the coming and goings in the fish tank. This is the time when you can really enjoy the little world that you have created. With time you will come to understand how the fish act and gain a sense of their normal behavior. At times this behavior may change and could be down to a number of reasons from the fish becoming stressed, spawning or developing an illness. It is important to be responsive to these changes and determine what might be the problem. This article will deal with when your fish develop an illness. It will discuss the types of problems a fish can suffer from. How to diagnose a sick fish by their behavioral changes and what you can do to cure the illness.
The most obvious way to determine a sick fish is to view it's body for any unusual spots or growths. Ich is a common illness characterized by white spots around the gills or on the body. Ich is a species of ciliate protozoa that is often introduced by snails, new fish or caused by changes in the water condition. Should you notice these distinctive white spots you can treat the tank by adding chemicals that will kill the ciliate protozoa. You can also quarantine fish that may be infected until they are healthy.
Another way to determine that your fish may be sick is to notice it's changed behavior. A common symptom of illness is flashing. Flashing is when the fish appears to be scratching itself on the substrate or rocks and wood in the tank. Flashing could be a sign that the fish is developing an infection on the body.
The fish may also be swimming erratically. This might include darting around the fish tank, moving up to the surface or spinning round on itself in a constant motion. This erratic behavior indicates that the fish is stressed in some way. This may be because the water condition has changed or that the fish is suffering from some kind of illness. As many conditions that affect fish can be attributed to poor water quality it is important to check the water condition first. This could solve the problem immediately and in the future.
Another behavior that might indicate a problem is that the fish are staying around the filter or on the surface a lot. This indicates that they are trying to get more oxygenated water and again might be due to the water quality or may be an illness.
Once you have attained as much physical and behavioral data as possible about the fish you could then consult a fish disease book or visit a website on fish disease. These media often have diagnostic questionnaires on the condition and behavior of the fish. They will ask questions about the fish and help you to determine the problem with the fish and the appropriate action to take.
As a last resort you could take a skin scrape or biopsy of the fish and have the sample diagnosed by a professional. Of course this could create more stress for the fish that could make the condition worse and it is quite costly.
Water condition is the most important factor to consider when keeping your fish healthy. Diligent care of the water and habitat will ensure that your fish don't suffer from any of the common illnesses. If they do however you can follow the advice listed and take the appropriate action.
Find all the products you need at http://www.fishtank-supplies.com . The site has many features including picking the best fish tank lighting for your aquarium. Adrian Whittle writes about keeping both fresh and saltwater fish.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Setting up a Saltwater Fish Tank
By Andrew Bicknell
A saltwater fish tank can be one of the most striking additions to any home or office. The color and brilliance of the fish and other saltwater creatures captivate just about everyone by bringing the color and activity of a coral reef right into your home.
If you are new to saltwater fish tanks then it is a good idea to seek the expert advice of a professional fish tank keeper before setting up your tank. It does take quite a bit of up-front work before you can even begin to introduce fish, corals, and anemones to a new saltwater aquarium. The water needs to be at the optimum ph, temperature and salt content before it is safe for living animals. Because the fish and other creatures are quite expensive it pays to have the tank properly set up otherwise you could end up with sick or dying fish whose cost is impossible to recoup.
The fish you can put in one of these aquariums are quite breathe taking. The lights of the tank help bring out the true colors of these fish and colored corals creating a lively vibrant habitat. One thing you can do to further the illusion of the deep blue sea is to add a solid blue background to your tank.
When it comes to choosing fish there are literally hundreds to choose from. Some of the choices include: Lion Fish, Puffer Fish, Clown Fish (think Nemo), Eels, Panther Groups, Trigger Fish, Shrimps, Crabs, and Dog Puffers. You do want to be careful with the shrimps, crabs and snails because they can and will eat any anemones you may have.
There are some saltwater aficionados who keep tanks with just living corals and anemones in them which can be quite colorful and entertaining, just at a more relaxed pace. You can keep some fish in these types of tanks but to be aware that some fish view coral and anemones as food. Even though anemones look like plants they are actually living creatures that need to be fed. This is actually quite fun because you can hand feed them. You place the on top of the anemones tentacles and then watch it curl itself around the food as it draws it into its mouth. It's quite an amazing thing to watch.
You will also need to research the type of fish you are interested in to see how they get along with other types of fish. It is important to remember that the dynamics of a saltwater fish tank will be much like that in a real coral reef. There is prey and there are predators so it makes sense to not mix certain types of fish that have this type of relationship.
There are also some types of saltwater fish that are poisonous with Lion Fish being the most notable example. They are pretty to look at and add to any tank but the spines on their fins are highly toxic if you get stung. If this does happen you will need to seek medical help.
Setting up a saltwater fish tank takes some time and planning but if it done right it will provide hours of entertainment for you and your guests.
To learn more about setting up and maintaining a new saltwater tank visit the website Fish Tank Care & Supplies by Clicking Here.
A saltwater fish tank can be one of the most striking additions to any home or office. The color and brilliance of the fish and other saltwater creatures captivate just about everyone by bringing the color and activity of a coral reef right into your home.
If you are new to saltwater fish tanks then it is a good idea to seek the expert advice of a professional fish tank keeper before setting up your tank. It does take quite a bit of up-front work before you can even begin to introduce fish, corals, and anemones to a new saltwater aquarium. The water needs to be at the optimum ph, temperature and salt content before it is safe for living animals. Because the fish and other creatures are quite expensive it pays to have the tank properly set up otherwise you could end up with sick or dying fish whose cost is impossible to recoup.
The fish you can put in one of these aquariums are quite breathe taking. The lights of the tank help bring out the true colors of these fish and colored corals creating a lively vibrant habitat. One thing you can do to further the illusion of the deep blue sea is to add a solid blue background to your tank.
When it comes to choosing fish there are literally hundreds to choose from. Some of the choices include: Lion Fish, Puffer Fish, Clown Fish (think Nemo), Eels, Panther Groups, Trigger Fish, Shrimps, Crabs, and Dog Puffers. You do want to be careful with the shrimps, crabs and snails because they can and will eat any anemones you may have.
There are some saltwater aficionados who keep tanks with just living corals and anemones in them which can be quite colorful and entertaining, just at a more relaxed pace. You can keep some fish in these types of tanks but to be aware that some fish view coral and anemones as food. Even though anemones look like plants they are actually living creatures that need to be fed. This is actually quite fun because you can hand feed them. You place the on top of the anemones tentacles and then watch it curl itself around the food as it draws it into its mouth. It's quite an amazing thing to watch.
You will also need to research the type of fish you are interested in to see how they get along with other types of fish. It is important to remember that the dynamics of a saltwater fish tank will be much like that in a real coral reef. There is prey and there are predators so it makes sense to not mix certain types of fish that have this type of relationship.
There are also some types of saltwater fish that are poisonous with Lion Fish being the most notable example. They are pretty to look at and add to any tank but the spines on their fins are highly toxic if you get stung. If this does happen you will need to seek medical help.
Setting up a saltwater fish tank takes some time and planning but if it done right it will provide hours of entertainment for you and your guests.
To learn more about setting up and maintaining a new saltwater tank visit the website Fish Tank Care & Supplies by Clicking Here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)