Aquarium Fish Care – Barb Care Tips For Beginners

Sumatra barbs, red barbs, rosy barbs and tiger barbs are all different varieties of freshwater fishes. They are easy to maintain and breed. But the larger barbs can only be kept with big fishes. The large barbs can cause trouble in communal tanks and destroy your structured plans. They require more attention than the smaller ones and therefore the barbs have to be separated and grouped.

The purple head barb and the black ruby are from Ceylon. These fishes grow to the size of around two and half inches and live in communal tanks well. The female ones create a colourful and vibrant environment by flaunting their grey-yellow bodies that also show stripes or dark blotches. The male lot are mostly either black or brown and/or have their fronts that are vermilion red. They are not like the boisterous group of Puntius Conchonius groups and live comfortably in communal waters. They are not finicky when it comes to food and they hence eat anything. They also have no demands when it comes to the water conditions, they are best suited for natural water which is hard water. These types of fish are also easy to breed. They lay around three hundred eggs and like other barbs also spawn.

The Sumatra and tiger fish belong to the species of Capoeta Tetrazona. These come from Sumatra and Borneo and grow up to two inches. They are colourful and set off the tanks with their colours and stripes. The fish keeps changing its behaviour and because of this nature it happens to be among the most diverse in the market. This is proved as some people say the fish is mild and calming while others refer to it as the bully who terrorises the other fishes!

The Sumatra and tiger fishes need the similar water conditions as compared to other barbs. They tend to live in the practical as well as impractical alkaline water. The fish does well in salt water too. The temperature that is recommended is 78 degrees Fahrenheit. These fishes have good appetites and they are not fussy and eat everything. Breeders will benefit as barb fishes are all healthy spawns.

Female Sumatra and tiger fishes are fat and differ from the male ones who are slim and colourful fishes. The female ones are quite ordinary and plain and they breed. They however do have some bladder problems and the fins have a tendency to go rot. The water hence should be clean and spotless. The tank also should be watched over during breeding as the spawns laid by the fishes are likely to be bitten by the mutants.

Capoeta Titteya or Cherry barbs are fishes that come from Ceylon too and they grow to the size of two inches. They are normally brownish-yellow in colour or brownish red. These fishes differ from the others to look at as they consist of top to bottom dark black lines. They are good communal fishes and require the same water and feeding conditions like the other barbs. The male in these are of darker colours and during breeding they undergo change in colours which appears to be black or even cherry red but the stripes evaporate eventually.

These barbs breed like the others too and even lay up to a number of 200 eggs. The cherry barbs consist of a wide variety and the fascinating thing is that while some types feed on other barbs itself; the other types don’t do this.
Concluding if you are a beginner then to get better acquainted with tips on aquarium and fish care you can check the new Harlequins line out.

Aquarium Fish Care – 4 Basic Things Beginners Must Know

Presently there are around 20,000 types of fishes and to instruct on care for each of them is going to be a very hard task. Hence I have decided to help you out by giving you the basics in fish and tank care. Unlike animals with fur coats fishes do not have any protection. This is why the temperature of the water is so vital. If it is very high then the supply of oxygen would be affected and if it is too cold then too the health of the fishes would be in danger. Make sure you read the manual properly so that you can ensure the right gravity and temperature is maintained for healthy fish. For goldfishes you must keep the water temperature at 75 degree Fahrenheit. For tropical fishes keep the temperature of the water between 75 to 80 or 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

While buying the aquarium, make sure to buy a thermometer and also a heater to cater to different type of fishes. Like Goldfishes which can withstand low temperatures at some times.

1. How to measure water?
The measuring of water is done in pH, depending on the sourness of water and also on the different types of fishes you have. For saltwater fishes, the water should be measured from 7, 8 to 8.3 and for freshwater fish you should measure from 6.8 to 7.2. In case you should monitor the pH measurement of the water where as water is measured more ammonia will be produced. If the temperature of the water falls too low it could become harmful to the growth of bacteria and also for the gills of the fish. In order to maintain the pH balance in the fish water, you could also buy test kitsand buffers. Further, we will discuss how gravity and oxygen is measured in the water.

2. How much of oxygen is needed for fish?
Human beings, animals and even fishes require oxygen in order to survive. If there is no sufficient supply of oxygen to the brain then it will die and slowly the rest of the body too will collapse. Both air and water give the needed oxygen to the fish tanks. The oxygen level can be increased by the usage of air supply or pumps which gives the oxygen. The other thing that you can is keeping the water cool.

3. How to measure gravity?
The chemicals added to water is the basis of gravity. If the aquarium is supplied with unadulterated water the ionic gravity is 1.0 If the fish is a saltwater one the gravity level should not be more than 1.023. Anyhow, illnesses of saltwater fish can be reduced by keeping the water gravity level at 1.017. Freshwater fish or non-marine fish can benefit by adding a lesser volume of salt to the water, particularly to reduce stress. The gravity level can be maintained with the help of test kits and refactometers .

4. How are saltwater fish aquariums maintained?
This question is stressful as saltwater fish being marine creatures, their habitat and environments change consistently. It also depends on the kind of aquarium that is purchased to keep your fish. When a larger aquarium is purchased, maintaining saltwater fish is easy when you keep the environment stable. However if the saltwater fish is yet to be purchased, it has to be noted that Damsel, an aggressive salt water fish hardly mates with other fish.

To conclude, visit the internet to know more about fish care and aquariums , where you can get a wide range of information.
Tip: Damsel fishes are ideal for beginners as they require very little attention.

Betta Fish Care – Keeping your Fish Healthy and Colorful

Despite the fact that betta fish can be successfully kept without a large aquarium or a complicated filter, betta fish care does necessitate a certain amount of work and effort. This article will provide you with the basics on keeping your betta healthy and happy.

Good betta fish care dictates giving your pet a continer that is large enough for the fish to swim around at least a little bit. While it is possible for bettas to survive in the tiny containers that pet shops often place them in, these containers are hardly a healthy home and bettas subjected to such limited space may become listless and lose color. Bettas don’t need a huge amount of space, but a little room to swim, and a decent amount of surface area for the fish to get gulps of air in are recommended. As a suggestion, a 1 to 2 gallon fish bowl is a good option.

Betta fish can and will jump, so whatever container you are using, be sure that it can be covered (dont use an airtight cover!) to prevent your fish from jumping out.

The next part of betta fish care that is critical to the health of the fish is to keep the container and water very clean. Part of keeping the container clean is to use care when feeding your fish. Excess food will accumulate at the bottom and cause bacterial growth and cloud the water. I recommend feeding betta food pellets to your fish just one at a time, up to three or four times each day. Not only will this help keep the container clean, it will also prevent overfeeding which can cause swim bladder problems which can kill betta fish.

Another way to make sure the water is clean is to change part it on a frequent basis. The amount and frequency of water changes will depend on the size of the container because smaller containers will accumulate waste products much faster than larger ones. If your fish is in a container with half a gallon of water or less, it is a good idea to change at least a third of the water every 3 days or so. For a one to two gallon or larger container, changing about a third to a half of the water about once per week should be sufficient.

When changing the water, there are various test kits, water treatment chemicals, aging techniques, etc. that can be used to remove toxic substances like chlorine and to establish the preferred neutral pH of the water. There is a much simpler trick to betta fish care with regards to water though. You can buy ordinary distilled water and not have to test or treat it at all. Distilled water is free of contaminants and has a neutral pH – perfect for your betta fish, and much simpler than trying to get your tap water to the right chemical balance! Just be sure to get DISTILLED water instead of spring water, drinking water, etc.,to be sure of purity and the right pH.

Good betta fish care also means keeping the water to a warm temperature. Bettas come from tropical regions and are happiest at temperatures at about the 75 to 80 degree (Farenheit) range.

Betta fish prefer to rest on objects off of the bottom of the container, so some decorations are a good idea. It is important to use objects that are smooth and don’t have any sharp edges, because the betta’s fins are very delicate and can be easily damaged. Even artificial plants can damage a betta if the material is too hard.

Using the tips you have just learned, you will be well on your way to keeping a healthy, happy betta fish. The show of brilliant color on your fish will be your reward for your excellent betta fish care.

Quick Notes on Tropical Fish Care

It’s interesting how many people think that tropical fish care is difficult and so detailed that you need to get everything just right or your fish are going to choke away and die. Yes, you do need to provide fish with a healthy environment and a clean tank as well as the right amount of food and things such as this, but it’s really not that difficult to learn about tropical fish care and to have a successful tank. Here are a few quick pointers.

Successful tropical fish care really boils down to understanding what fish need and what their natural environment is like and then providing them with an home tank that is as close to that as possible. As an example, it’s very bad tropical fish care to use bleach or other cleansers on your tank because of course bleach doesn’t exist in their natural habitat and any residue of this harsh cleaner is going to be very bad for them. Imagine how bad you feel when you swim in a pool that has too much chlorine; your skin gets dry, your eyes get bothered, and so on. It’s the same with fish when they’re swimming in a tank that has been cleaned with bleach or some other chemical. So when it comes to tank cleaning and tropical fish care, usually damp rags are sufficient.

Feeding is another important area when it comes to tropical fish care. Believe it or not the most common mistake that many fish owners make is to feed their fish too much and too often. Fish don’t have that “full” sensation that humans do and can literally eat themselves sick; additionally any leftover flakes that remain in your tank will degrade and upset the chemical balance of the water. A few flakes here and there are not a problem but when you have quite a bit still remaining after feeding your fish this is bad for them. In their natural habitat fish don’t eat twice a day and sometimes they don’t even eat every single day. Understanding how bad it is to overfeed them is an important part of tropical fish care and can help to avoid many health problems down the road.

It’s also important that you don’t have too many fish in one tank; all the tropical fish care in the world won’t make up for a tank that is overcrowded with too many fish or with fish that are too large for the space. Fish need room to swim around for their physical health but their emotional health as well. When fish are too crowded they have a tendency to act out and nip at other fish in their territory. There’s not much you can do by way of tropical fish care when your tank is too crowded. If you can’t afford a huge tank be sure you scale back the number of fish and the size of them so that they’re all happy and healthy.

Betta Fish Care – Tips to Have Healthy and Beautiful Betta Fishes

Betta Fishes are a very popular type of fish that are found in many homes across the globe. It is therefore important that to know the art of Betta fish care. These fishes are so beautiful, and their vibrant color never seize to attract persons, even those who have never had to care for fish before. If you follow this article, then caring for Betta fishes should be quite simple as it will provide some stunning tips to help you to maintain an aquarium filled with healthy bettas.

If you have just taken home some Bettas, the first thing you want to do is to get familiar with their actions and behavioral patterns. Doing this will help you to spot changes in the future. You will have an idea if they are not healthy or if their surrounding is not at optimum conditions. For example, changes in the temperature of their water.

1. The size of the aquarium or container that you keep your betta fishes in is very important. Your Bettas should be able to swim around without tearing their fins or shedding their scales.

2. Try your best to keep the water clean as your Bettas will strive in the cleanest water possible. To ensure that the water is clean, you can take out about 1/3 of the volume every 3 days and refill then tank with water that has been set out for at least 24 hours.

3. Betta strive in neutral water conditions. This means that their surrounding water should not be acidic nor basic. The pH should be around 7.0 You can get pH testers at your pet store as well as solutions to help you keep the water at a neutral pH.

4. Keep your betta container covered. Bettas love to jump and so you don’t want to find your Betta fish on the surrounding table top. To reduce this problem, you may keep the water in the container at least two inches from the top.

That’s it! These tips for caring for your Betta fish will have you well on your way to keeping a healthy fish.

Fish Care

Tips for Good Fish Care

Always inspect a fish before you buy it to check for any physical problems. It is important that you do not start off with a fish that is already injured. If you bring a new fish into your aquarium that already has a disease or infection, it is likely to spread it to your other fish as well.

Ensure that fish you buy are compatible with each other. Putting incompatible fish together is a common mistake and will likely result in one eating another.

Read as much as you can about fish care tips and the fish you wish to buy so you understand beforehand any necessary requirements. Temperature is also a major concern as tropical fish generally have low tolerances when it comes to water temperature.

Regularly monitor your fish for signs of disease. Many parasitic infections have very few signs before it is too late. You will also need to monitor the activities of the fish because changes in behavior can often indicate a health problem.

Buying your First Fish

Do not buy a fish from an aquarium where dead or dying fish are. Even fish that appear to be healthy are likely to have been affected.
Before buying a fish, be sure to inspect its physical condition and avoid any with visible signs of damage.

It is important to slowly add new fish to an aquarium. They will almost certainly fall victim to new tank syndrome. Adding too many fish can also disrupt the balance of the aquarium.

Overfeeding your tropical fish causes the tank to become polluted and can also cause significant growth of algae which can be damaging to the fish. Read up on fish care and feeding tips.

Setting up Your Aquarium for Tropical Fish

Do not place the aquarium in a place where it will receive excess sunlight. Sunlight will increase the rate at which algae grows in your tank, requiring frequent cleanings. Incoming sunlight will also make it difficult to maintain an appropriate temperature inside the aquarium.

Place the tank away from windows, doors, vents and radiators. Also place the tank in an area that does not have people walking around frequently or in an area in which doors are often opened and closed. All of these actions cause vibrations which disturb your fish.

Cloudy Aquarium Water

If the water in your aquarium is cloudy or has a green tinge, you most likely have an abundance of algae growth. Generally this will not negatively harm your fish. However, if the algae growth continues over time, it can become harmful to the fish.

Replacing some of the water over the course of a few days will help reduce this problem. Approximately twenty-five percent of the water should be changed daily until the water clears up. You should also put less food in the tank as any excess food will only promote algae growth. Try leaving the tank light off as much as possible. Implementing these tips should be enough to clear your tank up over the course of a few days.

If all else fails, there are always additives you can buy from your local pet store that will clean the algae up fairly quickly. More fish care tips can also be found by asking your vet or visiting your local pet store.
For more information visit http://www.animal-world.com.

How to: Breeding Discus Fish

Breeding discus fish to get baby discus is not so easy task as many discus fish owners know. You need to find right mates for breeding which is not an easy task because discus likes to choose their own partners alone, so its hard to find right one for the breeding. There is two solutions for breeding discus fish. You can raise them them in a group so there’s a chance they form a couple or you can buy a couple. Discus fish couple can be expensive to buy, prices can go up to hundreds of dollars.

Best way to get a pair together is to buy a group of six young unrelated fish of the same color type and let them pair up themselves. This might happen from when the fish are very small, spawning usually occurs when they are ¾ of their adult size. The fish will usually remain a pair until the remainder of there lives. If you are unlucky there’s no couples forming up. How to see if there’s a young couple? New mates having a enclosed environment in the tank and they start defending it against trespassers.

From here you should have separate tank for the young couple which is as simple as could be. You don’t need anything in the bottom of the tank. Vertical surface is all they need to lay down their eggs. Spawning should begin soon for your breeding discus fish. Some of the eggs might look a bit white and those are infertile for sure. There’s also possibility that the parents will protect some of them and eat others. You dont need to feed siblings for a few weeks, because breeding discus fis feed their own siblings.

You have to move the fry into special tank after few weeks so that the breeding discus fish are not getting injured by the babies. For example little discus fish may eat their parents scales. After moving he fry the breeding discus fish couple begin new reproduction cycle which may give you more siblings after short period. Its important to keep breeding discus fish well fed and the water well maintained.