aquarium fun

Algae Eater Fish For the Small Aquarium

First off, being a freshwater aquarium enthusiast I am only talking about algae eater fish for the freshwater aquarium and focusing on smaller tanks, simply because if you have the expertise to set up and run a large tank, you are probably past asking questions about algae eating fish.

First off what do I call small? Well anything between 10 and thirty gallons. Anything less than this and you are into micro tanks which are managed completely differently to what I call normal aquariums. I am also going to assume that you have a planted tank simply because I believe wholeheartedly in planted tanks in preference to unplanted.

So now on to the algae eating fish. One of my favourites is the Oto Catfish. This little fellow grows to an absolute maximum of two inches, often smaller and stays quite slim so it’s load on the biological filter is minimal. They are a shoaling fish and best kept in small groups of between three and six. They will happily eat the algae off of the glass and plants without causing any damage to leaves. A word of caution, they are quite delicate so only add them to an established tank that has fully cycled and make sure that you acclimatise them slowly. Once they have settled in they are easy to keep. Supplement their algae diet with some pellet food for catfish every now and again.

Siamese Algae Eaters grow to about 4-5 inches when mature so think carefully before adding them to a smaller tank. Having said that they are probably the most effective algae eater, clearing plants and gravel of algae and uneaten food. They can be confused with other fish so always buy from a reputable dealer.

Chinese algae eaters, although great when they are young quickly develop aggressive behaviour as they grow so I would avoid them in a small community tank.

Finally the Plecostomus. The Plecostomus is probably one of the most popular algae eaters for beginners and many beginners have lived to regret the day that they got one. Get the wrong Plecostomus and it will grow up to two feet in length, far too big for all but the largest tanks. It will also eat every plant available leaving the tank bare. There are now several rivers in the USA where these fish have become a real pest, destroying the local eco-system after being released into the wild by irresponsible owners.

Don’t expect to be excited by algae eater fish. Most of them move slowly and stay in one place for hours on end. Their beauty is in how they keep the tank clean so that you can enjoy all your fish.

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Freshwater Aquarium Fish

Aquarium keeping is one of the fastest growing hobbies in many countries around the world, this hobby has stood the test of time and remained one of the most well known and enjoyed hobbies for many years now.

Setting up the aquariums is fairly straight forward, there is a wealth of information available for newcomers to the hobby so more and more people are taking on looking after a wide variety of different fish species that can be found all over the world.

There are basically three main types of aquarium set ups, freshwater, saltwater, and brackish.

The most popular of these set ups has to be the freshwater aquariums and this class can also be broken down into two further categories, coldwater and tropical.

Freshwater aquarium fish require no salt in their water, brackish set ups require a small amount of salt in the water and obviously saltwater set ups rely on the correct level of salt in the water, this is known as the salinity level.

Salt in the water can actually be detrimental to many aquarium fish that live in freshwater, scale less fish such as the Loach family can suffer from burns as the salt burns into them, and other species of freshwater fish can also suffer so always check before adding any medicinal salt to a freshwater aquarium. What freshwater aquarium fish do rely on is good clean water that is of a high quality and refreshed with partial water changes to add back vital minerals that will be absorbed by the aquarium fish, partial water changes will also help to control the level of nitrates in the water column as these can also affect the health of your fish.

As stated above, freshwater aquarium fish are found all over the world, they come in many shapes, sizes and colourations. Different species of aquarium fish will have different requirements so these must be met by the aquarium keeper, selecting the correct mix of species is also vital to keeping a well balanced tank with your aquarium fish living their life to their full life span.

Freshwater aquarium fish can be divided into three main categories as regards to their temperament and their ability to cohabit an aquarium with other fish, these are as follows:-

Community Fish (Peaceful Species of aquarium fish)
Semi-aggressive Fish
Non-community Fish (Aggressive species of aquarium fish)

Community fish are peaceful species that are usually herbivorous or omnivores; they can share an aquarium with other species of aquarium fish without attacking their tank mates or attempting to eat them. This is why a community tank gets its name; the fish live together in a community and form their own little social network together. There are many species of aquarium fish that fit into this category, most of the live bearer species are usually classed as peaceful, these include Platys, Guppies, Mollies and suchlike. Most species of Tetras are also classed as peaceful but always check, fish profiles can be found everywhere on the internet and these will provide you with the relevant information.

Semi-aggressive fish are species of freshwater aquarium fish that may be able to share an aquarium with other species of aquarium fish and indeed with their own kind. They may harass or bully smaller species of aquarium fish so you do need to take care when selecting their tank mates. Semi-aggressive species include some species of Gourami, many species of Cichlids and Barbs.

Aggressive fish are usually left to experienced keepers; these fish will attack smaller species of aquarium fish and often see them as food. These tend to be territorial and like their own area of the aquarium without other fish entering their space. Such species include many of the larger Cichlids (especially the Rift Lake Cichlids), Arowana, carnivorous Catfish and even fish such as Piranhas. These normally have to be kept in species tanks or kept with tank mates of a similar size and temperament.

Setting Up an Aquarium – Successfully

Setting up an aquarium isn’t difficult, just about anyone can do it.  Buy a tank, fill it with water, add some fish and it’s done.  Nothing to it really.

If you want to keep your fish for more than a couple of weeks then you probably need to adapt a slightly more scientific route than this.  Fish keeping is easy, but it isn’t simple.  What I mean by that is that once you know your subject, the day to day fish keeping is easy.  Feeding them, watching them, do a spot of cleaning and an occasional water change, trim the plants if you’ve got any.  None of it is difficult or particularly time consuming.

So why do Eighty percent of people who start the hobby give up within a year?

Because they didn’t do their research.  Now the word research might put you off a bit.  It sounds really heavy, like what you would do before writing a thesis.  In actual fact, it is just reading.  That’s all you have to do before you start this hobby.  Read up on it and make sure that you understand what it involves.

If you’re serious about this it must be worth an evening or two to find out how to do it properly.  If you were taking up any hobby, it would probably involve some research, it’s just that you don’t think of it as research so it’s easy to do.

There is loads of information on the internet, hobbyists, enthusiasts and suppliers are all posting huge amounts of information on the fish keeping hobby every day.  Just log on and fire up Google and away you go.  Ask around, do you have any friends who keep fish.  Most of them will be delighted to talk for hours on the subject.

Setting up an aquarium successfully is more about water keeping than fish keeping.  Yes you need to know about the fish but you need to know more about managing the water quality than anything else.

Did you get a goldfish as a kid?  How long did it live?  Goldfish can live fifteen to twenty years if looked after properly.  The record is forty three years.

The goldfish that we had as kids never stood a chance simply because there wasn’t the information around then that there is today.

So before you start keeping fish do the research, sorry, reading and be a successful fish keeper.

How to Hook Up a Bubbling Fish Tank Decoration

Bubbling fish tank decorations come in many styles.  Some classic ones are deep sea divers, opening clam shells, and pirate treasure chests.  These bubbling aquarium decor items can add visual interest to your fish tank.  This article describes how to hook them up, and the benefits they bring to your aquarium.

Types of Bubbling Fish Tank Decorations

Bubbling fish tank decorations come in two main types: air stone decorations and bubbling decorations with moving parts.  The types with moving parts gather air from the air hose under a lid of some sort, like the top clam shell or the treasure chest lid.  Then, when the air pressure builds enough, the lid opens and lets out a large bubble.

Air stones are fixtures for the ends of the aquarium air hose.  They can be manmade or natural pumice stone.  They break up the stream of air and thus turn large bubbles into smaller bubbles.  Air stone bubbling decorations do the same thing, but in a decorative way.  They could be faux coral formations, miniature castles, or small ‘No Fishing’ signs.

How to Hook Up the Bubbling Fish Tank Decoration

Every bubbling fish tank decoration needs an air pump and air hose to work.  An aquarium air pump is a small rectangle set on the outside of the fish tank.  A long tube runs from it, into the water, and is attached to the bubbling fish tank decoration.

The air hose can be affixed to the glass of the aquarium if desired.  The bubbling decoration can be displayed on the gravel at the bottom of the fish tank.  It is easier to do this when the fish tank is not yet full of water.

Bubbling Decoration Fish Tank Benefits

Bubbling fish tank decorations provide three major benefits.  The first is purely decorative.  Some fish tank enthusiasts enjoy having these items in their tank.  The bubbles will catch the light and add a sparkling quality to the aquarium.

These decorations also serve two practical purposes.  Fish breathe oxygen dissolved in the water.  Most of the oxygen comes into the water at the surface.  By introducing extra air into the water, a bubbling fish tank decoration can increase the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water.

Also, they disturb the surface of the water, thus increasing its surface area.  This facilitates further gas exchanges and helps to rid the fish tank of carbon dioxide, chlorine from water changes, and ammonia excreted by fish.

Bubbling fish tank decorations serve both ornamental and practical purposes.

The Yellowtail Damselfish

The Yellowtail Damselfish (Chrysiptera parasema ) is considered by many to be an ideal fish for the marine aquarium. Its extreme hardiness, beautiful colors, and even temperament all contribute to its desirability as a member of your saltwater aquarium.

The Yellowtail Damselfish is also known as the Yellowtail Blue Damselfish or the Yellowtail Demoiselle. With its dazzling blue body contrasted by a bright yellow tail, this fish will look stunning in any tank. The Yellowtail Damselfish is native to the lagoons and coral reefs of the Western Pacific. It will grow to a maximum length of three inches. The males are usually slightly longer and more slender than the females.

One of the things the aquarist appreciates most about the Yellowtail Damselfish is its compatibility with the other inhabitants of the tank. These Damselfish will generally not bother other fish, invertebrates, or coral. Although they may become aggressive towards their own kind, they usually do fine as a mated pair or in small, odd-numbered groups. They should share the tank with other peaceful fish.

The ideal tank for the Yellowtail Damselfish will have many small hiding places as well as a large open area. These fish are often shy and like to sleep in a protected spot. They are well suited for the reef tank. These fish can be kept in a smaller aquarium than many fish require, but it should be at least twenty gallons. The required water conditions are as follows: 72-78° F, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4, dKH 8-12.

The Yellowtail Damselfish is not a picky eater; it will adapt to eating frozen as well as dried foods. A variety of foods should be offered including mysis and vitamin-enriched shrimp, crustacean flesh, and Nori. It will eat zooplankton and algae as well, and should be fed three times daily.

Yellowtail Damselfish have been known to spawn in captivity. The male will become aggressive toward the female when ready to mate. He may become very territorial after the eggs are deposited because he is responsible for their care and protection.

Yellowtail Damselfish are a great choice for beginner and experienced aquarists alike. Their striking good looks, easy care, and semi-aggressive nature all contribute to their value as saltwater aquarium fish.

How to take care of Guppies

Take proper care of the aquarium providing home to the guppy fishes. Cleaning the guppy tank once in a while can get rid of most of the diseases and parasites that affect the guppies . Changing water regularly may help them to last longer without getting affected by diseases . Can you even think of a moment living under unclean surroundings . Guppies too cannot survive under such unclean conditions. Though its best to change aquarium water after every fortnight, make sure you at least replace it with fresh water when it starts to get cloudy or when it gives foul smell .
Minimize the fluctuations in water quality . Even though Guppies can adapt to minor fluctuations in water quality , try to make non-stressful water changes to maintain the health of Guppies . Non alkaline and warm water conditions can also be considered .The perfect temperature for an aquarium sheltering guppy fishes are about 72-80 Degree .
When you introduce new guppies into a tank , they may carry many bacteria and parasites along with them , which can infect other fishes in that tank . Therefore the best solution is to release them in a separate tank and watch them for over a month to see whether they are carrying any pathogens .
Create a home like atmosphere for your guppies . If you can keep a guppy happy , this will be reflected in its health also. Try creating a friendly atmosphere by fixing more plants and by giving it enough room . The size of the tank should not be too small as it would make the fish feel uncomfortable . Adding coloured rocks and dead crushed coral might give pleasure to your guppies and also make your aquarium eye catchy .
Feeding is another most important factor which you should keep in mind while taking care of a Guppy . They can be fed twice or trice a day but make sure that you don’t overfeed them . Supply them with their favourite food which include frozen and the flake foods. Ensure you do so, especially when their babies are in the aquarium because in the absence or scarcity of food , they are know for eating their young ones .
Check the equipments . Aquarium consists of lot of components such as pumps, filters etc which are installed for the life support of fishes . Malfunction of any of these components may greatly affect their health and therefore it would be best to clean them occasionally .
Test the pH of your water . pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution. If the difference of pH in your water and the water of the breeder you purchased from is more than .3 A , it can result in stressful conditions for the fish . If you are quite inclined to purchase a guppy from a tank with high pH difference , gather some water from the store and also add your water into the tank till the fish gets used to your pH .