Aquarium fish: -guide to buying new fish. Part 1

Aquarium fish: -guide to buying new fish. Part 1
It s very important as part of your plan for having successful aquarium to take note of the type of inhabitants, which one of them is fish. Never buy fish before finding out about its requirement first. You really need to take your time to ask questions and be very observant when you are in aquarium store. There are lots of aquarium stores with unknowledgeable owners so you don’t base your decision on their advice alone make sure you take a look at the fish yourself. If the store has staffs you can make a friend with them they will possibly tell you more about the lifestyle of the fish you are intending to pick. Though, we will be giving you some basic guidelines to consider when buying new fish. The following points all need to be considered: Is your tank at the right temperature? Are your water conditions correct? How big does it get? - It may be small now, but will your other fish be at risk when it grows? Is it a territorial - or will it be happier in a group? Can you supply the right food for it? Remember that the key to successful fishkeeping is happy, stress-free fish, so don’t be tempted into buying an incompatible species jut because you think it’s attractive - you’ll regret it. Sometimes it can be difficult to be patient, particularly if the dealer has a species of fish that you really want. But it’s important not to rush things. Don’t try to add too many fish to your tank at once - and always check that the fish are healthy. If you would like more articles on Aquariums, and Aquarium fish…come visit my new blog: Fresh Water Aquarium

For more Aquarium Info!: <a href="http://freshwater-aquarium-.blogspot.com/" title="Fresh Water Aquarium">Fresh Water Aquarium</a>

Tropical freshwater aquariums: Importance of proper temperature inside the tank
Many fish keepers house fish without basic knowledge of how-to create a suitable conditions and environment for their pets. Depending on each species, you should know it’s natural habits not through the breeding period only, but through the day, night, Winter or Summer as well. The most important aspect of proper and equalized fish tank temperature is to keep it as natural as possible.

Because the most common species available in fish shops come from tropical rainforests where it’s not unusual if the water temperature increases to 28 C through the day and lowers to 20 C through the night, you need to realise that stable temperature isn’t what your fish are looking for. Thanks to metabolism which works faster when temperatures are higher, fish are able to swim, search food, breed, breath and basically everything what they do during days. Unlike shiny middays, nights are characterized by sleepy and peaceful atmosphere; Of course, just those species take rest during nights which are active during days. It is important to keep the night temperature lower because fish need to scoop up the energy.

Unlike salt-water aquariums which require stable water temperature, freshwater species require varying temperature because of another reason; The level of oxygen in the tank. It is well-known fact that oxygen remains in cold waters easier than in high-temperature water. And because you don’t want your fishes to swim closely below the water surface all the day, you must consider improving water conditions in order to meet the imaginary quality criteria.

Let’s go to exact examples. If you keep Siamese fighting fish, water temperature shouldn’t exceed 30 C and shouldn’t be less than 20 C. Siamese fighting fish comes from tropical Asia regions. This geographic location is home of Paradise fish, Flower horn (which isn’t a natural species, it was created in laboratories!), Botia species, Gouramis, etc. Another temperatures are required by fish which come from North and Central America. Fish like Red devil cichlid or Xiphophorus species like more stable conditions; about 22 C through the night and about 27 C through the day. As we go to the South America, we will find similar environment like Asia there. Special care should be taken of African cichlids which prefer lower temperatures since they usually swim in cold waters. All in all, minimum of 20 C and maximum of 26 C will be welcomed.

Even though you must care of your pets as much as possible, there are times when you must increase temperature because of sick fish. Usually fish get the White spot disease and the best cure for such illness is increasing the temperatre to 30 C or sometimes 31 C and adding sea salt into the water.

Another reason for higher tenperatures is breeding. Almost every species breed only if temperature is higher than 26 C, which is a sign of enough food. Because tubifex, various larvae, insects reproduce themselves during hot periods, fry will have enough food. On the other hand there are species like Corydoras Panda which breed in colder waters only. So it is up to everyone which fish you keep, but bear in mind their compatibility not only from aggressivity point of view, but from required environment aspect as well.

Jan Hvizdak is the author of other articles devoted to home-kept fish and ponds. He also owns a web site devoted to fishkeeping. According to this article, you should be interested in the article on <a href="http://www.aqua-fish.net/show.php?cur_lang=2&what=article&id=62" target="_blank">aquarium thermometer</a> usage and those who keep fish outside of their houses should read the article on <a href="http://www.aqua-fish.net/show.php?cur_lang=2&what=article&id=63" target="_blank">fish pond</a>.

Top 10 Problems Dog Parents Have
In an effort to end the unnecessary and unintentional abuse pet dogs suffer because we do not understand them, Canine Kingdom presents the top 10 problems dog parents have and the top 10 products to solve them.

How To Choose A Tropical Fish Aquarium
The first decision you must make when you buy an aquarium is whether you plan to keep freshwater fish or saltwater fish. It s up to you whether you want to keep saltwater or freshwater, but if this is your first aquarium, then I suggest you start with a freshwater aquarium.

Here s why: Saltwater tanks are more expensive and more complex. You have extra things to worry about such as the salinity of the water, water conditioning, and temperature. Because of this, freshwater fish are much easier to care for if you re new to keeping tropical fish.

Here s a few other things to keep in mind when buying an aquarium:

Location
When you re deciding on a location for your aquarium, remember that it can t be placed in direct sunlight, or anywhere else that could result in changes in temperature.

Also remember that your aquarium, when filled with water, can be very heavy. As an example, a filled 20-gallon glass tank will weight about 225 pounds. Bear this in mind when you choose on a location for your aquarium as it will be impossible to move afterwards.

Level floor
You will need a level floor for your aquarium, as this will reduce stress on the tank and reduce the chance of any cracks forming over time due to the floor being uneven.

Electrical outlet
Make sure your new tank is located near an electrical outlet so you can plug in the heaters, lights and pumps.

Accessible
You ll need to have easy access to your tank so you can use the heater controls and air valves. You also need to have room for a net, and room to move decorations around.

Shape
When you re choosing the shape of your aquarium choose short, longer shapes over tall, thinner shapes. This way there will be more surface area at the top of the water, which is much better for your fish.

Size
It is best to choose an aquarium over 10 gallons. Why? Because it s just easier to take care of a fish in a larger tank than a smaller one. Whatever aquarium you choose, it is going to, over time, have a build up of waste material. In a large tank these toxic materials have more room to be dispersed. This means the water stays cleaner for longer, and will require less cleaning than a smaller tank.

Material
Aquariums can be made from glass or acrylic. Both have there pros and cons, but I recommend beginners to start with a glass aquarium. Why? Firstly, they cost less, secondly, they don t scratch so easily, and thirdly, they only need to be supported by the edges.

As you can see, you need to put some time and consideration into where you choose to place your aquarium. All these things will play a part in which aquarium you choose to buy.

Learn all about tropical fish at the author sites: <a href="http://tropical-fish-.blogspot.com">Tropical Fish</a>, <a href="http://saltwater–fish-.blogspot.com">Saltwater Fish</a>, <a href="http://freshwater—-fish.blogspot.com">Freshwater Fish</a>

Basic Fish Anatomy - "What the heck is a Peduncle?!"
Basic Fish Anatomy - “What the heck is a Peduncle?!”

I’ve read too many articles by ardent fish hobbyists to not have to know the basics of fish anatomy. If you own a fish or would like to and ever want a conversation with someone who understands the animal then it will probably help for you to understand these terms of fish anatomy.

This guide is basically for anyone interested in knowing the labels of the basic body parts of a fish; the “heads, shoulders, knees and toes” of the animal.

So without further ado, let’s get to it:

The Operculum - Latin for “little lid” the operculum is the flap of skin that covers the gills and may move when the fish is breathing. It is what generally marks the end of a fish’s head and the beginning of its body. If enflamed it will flare (remain open) and this may be a sign that your fish has a parasite.

The Dorsal Fin - The dorsal fin follows the line of your fish’ back and is mainly for stability. It is also used by your fish in turning. Some fish will have dorsal spines that are used for protection in the wild. Often there is a second dorsal fin to a fish.

The Adipose Fin - This is not found on many fish but if you have a catfish you will be able to see it. It is a very small find behind the dorsal fin.

The Caudal Fin - This is the large fin at the back, the fish-tail.

The Caudal Peduncle - A peduncle is a mass of tissue that joins something to the body so the caudal peduncle is the bit nearest the body that joins the caudal fin. See, that wasn’t so hard, was it!

Anal Fin ” This is just what it sounds like; fins near the fish’s anus.

Pelvic Fin - This fin should be on the bottom of the fish fairly near below the operculum. They are used for direction and turning.

Pectoral Fin - If your fish has one it will be located on the side, just behind the operculum.

OK now that we’ve covered the basics of the outside, I am going to describe a little of what is inside your fish. Don’t worry; we’re only covering the absolute basics.

Swim Bladder - One thing that fish have that we don’t. It is a gas filled sac that the fish uses to control its depth in the water. When it wants to descend in the water it simply empties its swim bladder of air. It has expandable walls so that it can fill to allow air in for surfacing.

Gonads - These are basically the testicules or ovaries of your fish and they are both located inside of it. When the time is right they either secrete sperm or ova.

Teeny Tiny Brain - Look at any cross-section of a fish’s body and you will see that the brain really is tiny in comparison with its body and the relative size of ours. This has led some people to come to the inclusion that fish cannot feel pain and yet we know that they have memories of up to three month and can be reliably trained.

Anyway, I hope you have found this article to be of some use to you.

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Filtering Out the Myth of Aquarium Filters
There are three main types of filtration: biological, mechanical and chemical. Mechanical filters aid in the physical removal of solid particles. Chemical filters purify the water by chemical reactions that take place at the cellular, microbial, and atomic levels. In most cases, it is best to incorporate all three types for optimum results. This article focuses on biological filtration. Biological filters encourage the growth of nitrifying bacteria that breakdown ammonia to less toxic chemicals. This breakdown process by the bacteria is known as the Nitrogen Cycle. In the Nitrogen Cycle, waste products generated by fish and invertebrates, along with any dead organisms or uneaten foods, are broken down by bacteria into ammonia. Ammonia is extremely toxic to all of the aquarium inhabitants and is broken down into nitrites by the aerobic bacteria Nitrosomonas. Although nitrites are not as toxic as ammonia, even at low concentrations in the aquarium, they can still be harmful to fish and invertebrates. Other aerobic bacteria called Nitrobacter, act in a similar way as Nitrosomonas and further breaks down nitrites into relatively harmless nitrates. Nitrates, at low to moderate levels, will not harm most fish or invertebrates, but can be the source of algae problems if not controlled by chemical filtration and partial water changes. The main ingredients for an abundance of aerobic bacteria in a biological filter are surface area and oxygen. There must be a sufficient surface area for a these aerobic bacteria to grow and their need for oxygen must be met. The capacity of a biological filter is determined by the available surface area for bacterial growth and the oxygen content of the water passing over them. Not all filters have the same capacity when it comes to biological filtration. Filters in which the biological media is exposed to the air are going to have the greatest capacity. When is comes to aquarium supply, do your research and choose carefully.

Ron Looker has been a fish enthusiast for over 20 years and received a BS in Zoology. Ron sells aquarium supply from his web site at <a href="www.aquariumsupplycompany.com">

Guidelines in Buying Koi Fish
If you are thinking of purchasing Koi fish, there are several guidelines that you must first consider before buying. It is important that you must first be acquainted with what there is to know regarding Koi fish. It is also important that you must not hastily buy the first Koi fish that you like, because you might be disappointed buying them. Remember, Koi fish are ornamental pet fish that is usually enjoyed for a long time (for those who do not know, Koi fish can live as long as six decades or sixty years and can also grow as long as three feet).Koi fish is a Japanese-bred fish that is related to the carp family and is primarily designed as an ornament. Koi fish are major attractions to homeowners and pet lovers because of the immense beauty and coloring. Guidelines in Buying Koi fish Nowadays, there are many people that are captivated by the dazzling and magnificent beauty of Koi fish. Most of them are enticed to collect numerous and sometimes expensive Koi fish. The most dazzling and magnificent Koi fish can cost as much as half a million dollars. Koi fish can be purchased on your local pet shop or through a public or private source, or through amateur or expert Koi fish breeders or collectors. A pond set up for a collection of Koi fish cannot be completed at once with just a wink of an eye. Accumulating and gathering Koi fishes for breeding usually takes time. Accumulating sufficient amount of Koi fish collections is surely an investment that accounts to sufficient money, heartache, and time devotions. Things that you must expect when buying Koi fish Most people have lots of expectations when buying Koi fish. Mostly these expectations are the main reason why they want to buy these beautiful ornamental pet fishes. For the most part, it is important that you will be the one to choose your own personal taste when it comes to the type or variety of the Koi fish that you want to obtain. If you are planning to purchase Koi fish, it is important that you first consider several factors such as the variety of the Koi fish, quality, the price range and where you will be buying the Koi fish. Most of all always make sure that your budget for the Koi fish is sufficient enough. Bear in mind that it is essential that you must have sufficient or adequate funds to sustain the maintenance of the Koi fish (such as foods, maintenance and in some cases, medications). Keep in mind that having Koi fish is not as easy as other types of pets. These dazzling ornamental pet fish require extra effort in keeping them (such as garden pond or aquarium maintenance, foods, electricity for the filter, etc.). They typically need added attention especially during spring season. That is when the water temperature of the garden pond or aquarium becomes erratic, of which can cause consequences. Read more information about guides in buying koi fish at http://www.about-koi-fish.com/buying-guides

Sherlock Four is a writer and author of http://www.about-koi-fish.com

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