Aquarium and Fish Care Needs

How to 

After you have purchased your aquarium, filters, heaters, gravel, floss, buffers, food, fish, and so on, you will need to learn how to clean and care for the fish. In fact, you should have researched the market before purchasing fish or aquariums to have an overall view of how to care for fish and maintain fish tanks. To help you learn more about fish care and aquariums however, we can consider a few helpful tips. 

Heaters

Heaters are necessary to maintain tropical fish. Before your purchase your heater however, you should make sure that the filters and heater would fit into your aquarium without taking up unnecessary space. If you purchased a small tank, you will need to purchase filters and a heater than will accommodate the tank; otherwise, you may need to purchase a larger tank. 

What to buy

When you purchase your tank, you will also want to buy a gravel, plants, ornaments, food, test kits, water treatment, etc. Gravel helps to maintain natural resources, while ornaments provide a lively décor to your fish tank. Plants make the fish feel at home, while food is necessary to prolong life. You will need a test kit to keep an eye on the water’s health. Water treatment is ideal, since tap water is not pure in most areas. 

Gravel Care: 

The first thing you should do is grab a bucket and rinse your gravel to remove grime, dirt, and germs. After you purify the gravel, you will need to add water to the tank. At this time only, add half the water needed to deliver a full supply. Now, you can add your ornaments and plants to the aquarium. Once you have all your additives to the tank, you are ready to finish filling the tank with water. You should have received a manual with your tank. Follow the outlines to fill the tank properly. Once the tank is filled, you can add your heater and filtration systems. You will receive instructions with the purchase of your heater and filters, which you should follow accordingly. The last thing you will add to the tank is the water treatment. Water treatment will remove copper, metal, and related harmful chemicals. You can use products that will enable you to add your fish to the tank; otherwise, it is recommended that you wait at least a couple of weeks before adding fish. 

Water filled tanks have natural bacterial productions, which must filter to settle to a secure level for fish to swim safely. After the water has set, you can use your test kit to decide if the water temperature and chemicals are balanced. After the water is verified, i.e. pure you can start adding fish to the tank in small amounts. The recommended fish is the damsel; however, this is a saltwater fish. The aggressive fish will devour passive fish. Therefore, if you start with damsels, only add two of the same fish and gradually start adding other fish. If you choose, freshwater fish try to keep passive fish in the tank, rather than aggressive fish. 

If you want a selection of saltwater fish and freshwater fish perhaps, you should purchase two aquariums. White Cloud Mountain Minnows, Danios, goldfish, etc are nice starter fish. Additional types of fish include the bristle nose, which is a passive fish that grows around 5.5 inches. The Otocinclus is also a passive fish that grows 2 inches and prefers to live in rocks and plant areas, just as the bristle nose. Plecostomas is a passive fish, which grows 24 inches, and lives around plants and rocks as well. Marble and Veitail are passive fish, which both grow around 6 inches and prefer to live around rocks and plants. 

Help in Aquarium and Fish Care

How to 

Currently there is more than 20,000 fish, which to instruct you on care would be time consuming. Therefore, we will cover the basics in tank management to provide you a bit of help. Unlike furry critters on land, fish do not have coats that protect them. Therefore, water temperature is important. If the water temperature is too high, oxygen supply is minimized. On the other hand if the water temperature is too low, it can affect the health of your fish. Along with your aquarium purchase, you should have received a manual, or instruction brochure. It is important to read the material so that you know exactly what temperature and gravity is required to maintain healthy fish. If you have goldfish it is recommended to keep the temperature at 75 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have tropical fish the temperature should be set at 75 degrees Fahrenheit, or 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. 

With your aquarium you should supply a thermometer, and sometimes a heater depending on the type of fish you have. Goldfish for example can stand lower temperatures at times. 

How is water measured? 

Water is measured in pH, which depends on the sourness. Again, it depends on the type of fish you have. If you have saltwater fish, the water is measured at 7.8 up to 8.3. Freshwater fish measures at 6.8 up to 7.2. You want to monitor the pH measurements of water; since the higher the water is measured the more ammonia is produced. If the water temperature is too low it can become harmful to bacteria denitrifying growth, as well as to the gills of your fish. You can purchase buffers, and test kits to maintain pH balance in fish water. Furthermore, gravity is measured in water as well as oxygen, which will discuss shortly. 

How much oxygen do fish need? 

Oxygen for fish, land animals, and human beings is essential to survival. Without sufficient oxygen the brain will die, which in turn kills the body. Water as well as air, supplies oxygen to fish tanks: You can increase oxygen by using pumps or air supply, which will provide turbulence that creates oxygen. In addition, if you keep the water cool it will augment oxygen supply.  

How is gravity measured? 

Gravity is based on the amount of chemicals added to the water. If you supply your aquarium with unadulterated water it has a 1.0 gravity in ionic. If your fish come from saltwater you should have a gravity level no higher than 1.023, however you can reduce illnesses for saltwater fish by keeping the gravity level at 1.017.  Non-marine or freshwater fish can benefit from a low volume of salt added to the water, especially to reduce stress. You can purchase refactometers and test kits to maintain gravity level. 

How do I maintain saltwater fish aquariums? 

This is a stressful question; since saltwater fish are marine creatures that habitat in environments where changes are consistent. As well, it depends on the type of aquarium you’ve purchased to keep the fish. If you’ve purchased a larger aquarium it is easy to maintain saltwater fish by keeping the environment stable. If you haven’t already purchased saltwater fish take note that the Damsel’s is an aggressive saltwater fish that does not mate well with other fish. However, this type of fish is easier to maintain than a wide array of other saltwater fish. 

In conclusion, to learn more about aquariums and fish care visit the internet where you will find a wide assortment of inforamtion available to you. 

Tip: Damsels is a beginners saltwater fish that demands little attention. 

Aquarium and Fish Care Support

How to 

How to maintain Goldfish: 

Most of the accidents in aquarium fish tragedies occur from the ignorance on the owner’s part to provide proper fish care. If you plan to have fish at your home, it is important that you learn the types of fish and how to, care for them. You will also need patients. Goldfish is a commonly sold fish, which require proper care and attention. If you have any doubts while caring for your goldfish or other fish call a local pet store and ask for help. Books are available at your local library, which the books will help you to care for your fish. 

Goldfish habitat in aquariums, which it is important to maintain the tank, as well as providing sufficient room for your fish to swim: while you may have seen television programs where goldfish were kept in small containers or bowls, this is a bad idea. Goldfish need room to breathe. Goldfish demand oxygen just like any other living creature, which goldfish oxygen comes from the surface of an aquarium. Make sure that the aquarium offers sufficient space. The space is calculated by length, inches of fish, and depth of the tank. Per inch of goldfish, it is recommended that you have at least 30 square inches of surface space. Goldfish grow in size; therefore add a few extra squares to make sure the fish will have sufficient oxygen.

If you haven’t purchased goldfish or an aquarium yet, ask the service reps at your pet store what type of tank would best benefit goldfish. You must know how many fish you intend to house in the tank. In addition, there is a variety of goldfish on the market, therefore having a basic ideal or what type of fish you want can help the service rep provide you aquarium information. If you haven’t purchased an aquarium or goldfish and you have an idea what you want, it is recommended that you research. Fish are living creatures, which is an owner’s responsibility to preserve his life. Research can help you become knowledgeable as to what you will need to do, as well as what you will need in maintenance of aquarium and goldfish. If you plan to have plants or other types of fish in your aquarium you want to make sure, you have a basic knowledge of each plant and fish as well. 

Fish demand high-quality water with the exception of a few. Tap water is OK to use, however tap water tends to build up pollutants. If you want to make sure, tap water is ok to use by asking your local pet store for advice. Pet shops have an all-around ideal whether tap water in the local area is suitable to maintain fish. It is recommended when using tap water to refresh fish water that you run the tap water at least five minutes before using the water to fill the tank. Running the water by minutes will remove, or dissipate chemicals from the water. You can also let the water set overnight after running it for five minutes to remove additional chemicals. Water has chlorine, copper, metals, etc, which are all contaminating. Letting the water set overnight will minimize chlorine build up, as well as allow the water’s temperature to match with the room temperature. 

To maintain room temperature you can also use dehumidifiers, or humidifiers, keeping the equipment near the tank. At all times you must keep goldfish water pure and clear of chemicals. Filters, vacuums, gravel, floss, etc, are all available to help you maintain pure fish water. Since ammonia builds up in aquariums you want to make sure, you understand filtrations as well. Your main targets are chemical, biological, and mechanical filters. 

Aquarium and Fish Care Assistance

How to 

Fish care is extensive, since it depends on the type of fish you have. If you have damsels, which are saltwater fish then you should have a large reef tank, or marine tank. Damsels are resilient, which the fish are capable of withstanding harsh water conditions. In addition, the fish do not fuss over what they eat. Damsels however are not in distress; rather the fish can be aggressive. It is recommended that you put no more than two damsels in the same tank. If you add, more damsels or different fish prepare to lose money. If you intend to add other types of fish, make sure the creatures are aggressive also. Otherwise, purchase a new tank to store less aggressive, or delicate fish. 

If you haven’t purchased saltwater fish at this time, look for the yellow tail damsels, blue damsels, and so on, since these fish are less aggressive. The Domino and 3-striped damsels are much more aggressive. Most people purchase damsels, since the fish are easiest to take care of, as well the fish are not as costly as other types of fish. 

If you have other types of fish, you want to maintain the tank, making sure that the waters hardness is balanced. Waters alkali is concentrated and measured in terms of pH. It depends on the amount of magnesium and calcium dissolved in fish water, as to how hard the water is measured. Carbonates, hydroxides, bicarbonates, borates, and silicates dissolved in water determine the alkalinity balance. You want to purchase test kits to balance hardness in fish water. Test kits include a measuring device, which expresses pH, alkinity, and hardness of water in PPM. (Parts per million) For instance, hard water is measured at 100, yet it can reach as high as 200 in hardness and alkalinity. Since, fish require a degree of hard water it is advised that you purchase a pH buffer, as well as a test kit. 

If you have mollies, the fish can get used to salt water. However, freshwater fish typically desire unadulterated water. Mollie fish are inexpensive fish as well. The fish then can live in higher or lower pH balanced waters. To adapt the fish to saltwater, you want to start out by keeping the fish bagged in water and slowly drenching the fish over an 8-hour period in saltwater. You want to remove water from the bags before it overflows. Once you adapt the mollies to saltwater, you can prepare them for tank water. However, it is recommended that you avoid mixing the mollies with aggressive fish, such as the 3-striped damsels, etc. 

Akin to the damsels, is the clown fish. The clownfish are also resilient. However, these fish find it difficult to adapt to new environments. Since clownfish are very protective, yet the fish typically battle other clown fish. Like damsels and other saltwater fish, the fish prefer reef tanks. Reef tanks include underwater ridges, which houses rocks and coral within the body of water. The water top is right below or slightly above the surface. 

How to care for shrimp: 

Shrimp (NO I didn’t call you a shrimp) fish include a variety of fish which each differ slightly in their need for care. The clean shrimps have a white strip on red down the center of their back. This fish is one of the fewer shrimps to have, since maintenance is relatively a low demand. You should keep the clean fish in a low capacity fish tank. That is, do not add more than 4 fish to a single tank. 

Aquarium and Fish Care Hemigrammus

How to care for Hemigrammus Species 

Hemigrammus include the Erythrozonus, Rhodostomus, Flammeus, and so on. The Flammeus comes from the Hyphessobrycon group. The Hemigrammus Erythrozonus species are commonly known as the Glowlight Tetra. The fish at one time was wrongly characterized as the Hyphessobrycon Gracilis. Hemigrammus Erythrozonus comes from British Guiana, and grows 1 ¾ in size. The fish has a glow to its ruby red body. If the fish is kept in unfavorable waters however the colors was change. Hemigrammus Erythrozonus is a friendly fish that dwells well with other fish, excluding the aggressive fish. In addition, Hemigrammus Erythrozonus will eat most foods. The tetra fish are often small and bright colored, and are a member of the Characin family. The fish do well in tropical tanks. 

Water conditions: 

The tank temperature should remain at 78 degrees or 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The tank should have a dark background setting. In addition, you should enrich the tank with thick plants. 

How to breed:

The fish may breed best in peaty waters, or acriflavine methods. To learn more about breeding this fish you will need to consult with the pet shop experts. They will have helpful brochures available. The fish lay up to 400 eggs, which the hatchlings are laid in one day. 

Hemigrammus Rhodostomus fish are often called Rummy/Red Nosed Tetra. The fish come from the Amazons and grow to be 2 inches in size. The fish has a brilliantly red colored snout, which this specie has a peaceful nature. The hardy fish will eat all sorts of foodstuff. 

Water conditions 

You should keep the water conditions at 78 degrees Fahrenheit. The water should be slightly acidy, or reasonably soft. This fish is one of the harder fish to breed, therefore if you are purchasing fish for breeding purposes and do not have skills, check out other fish breeds. 

Hyphessobrycon Flammeus fish are commonly referred to as Flame Tetra, or Tetra Von Rio. The fish come from Rio de Janeiro’s neighboring areas. The fish only reach 1 ½ inches in size and are shorter fish specimen than other fish species. The lower part of the fish has a shimmering red color. This fish has a hardy behavior pattern, which makes a good aquarium fish. The fish has minimal expectations on water conditions, and breeds well. The fish will lay up to 200 eggs, which are hatched in one day. 

Other species related to the Hemigrammus Erythrozonus is the Hyphessobrycon Pulchripinnis. 

The Amazon fish is sometimes called Lemon Tetra. This is a smaller fish which grows around 1 ¾ inches in size. The fish has a distinctive pale lemony color, which includes a brilliant red patch at the upper region of the eye. 

The Lemon Tetra is ideal for social tanks. The fish is peaceful in nature and feeds off most foods. The fish prefers softer water conditions, which the temperature should remain at 80 degrees. The fish will also accept living in slight acidy waters. Male Lemon fish have a better color choice. The fish do not breed easy; therefore, if you are attempting to breed this fish try peaty waters. 

Paracheirodon innesi is a Neon Tetra Brazilian fish. The fish grows around 1 ¼ in size and is one of the most popular tank fishes sold on the market. The fish has a greenish-blue and deep red body combined. The hardy fish can care for himself amongst smaller and larger fish. The fish generally rests at the bottom of an aquarium, which he will eat all foods. This is another hard to breed fish. 

Aquarium and Fish Care Choices

How to Care for Dangerous Fish 

Characidae belongs to the Ostariophysi species. The fish have small adipose or connective tissues or fins. The fish have jaws, which include teeth. Characidae also has Weberian small bony structure (Ossicles), which links to the bladder and inner area of the fish’s ear. Characidae species tend to arrive from South and Central America; however, a small section of the world may also have these fish, such as Central Africa. You can purchase two types of these fish, i.e. the carnivores, or the omnivorous. Omnivorous will feed from vegetables and/or animals. The carnivores typically feast on meats. You will also find Characidae fish in the predominant herbivorous section. The herbivorous is probably the choice specie you want to avoid, since your aquarium will be destroyed when he finishes nibbling. 

For the most part if you choose the Characidae, make sure that you do not include in your tank, smaller fish such as the Angelfish, Fighters, etc. The Characidae tend to use their teeth to gnaw at smaller objects, including other fish. Piranhas’ fish are similar to the Characidae species. Piranhas come from South America and freshwater, which these fish also have sharp teeth. The piranhas also have strong jaws, which these jaws are dangerous, just as the jaws of the Characidae species. The fish are predatory species, which attack in large groups. The Characidae tend to attack on their own or sometimes in groups. Yet the jaws and teeth could easily rip apart terrestrial species in a relatively quick time. If you are a beginner, fish collector stay away from this specie, as well as the piranhas. 

What they eat

Characidae enjoy dining on meats, such as worms, etc. 

What type of water they enjoy? 

Characidae tend to enjoy soft swampy waters. The waters make it easy for breeding, which the fish will lay eggs that will stick to the bottom of the tank. Be aware that Characidae eat their own. Therefore, if the eggs are in the tank don’t be surprise if the Characidae devours the youngsters. If you are thinking of Characidae to breed, make sure you learn skills before you purchase the fish.  

Serrasalmus Rhombeus 

The fish are commonly called Spotted Piranha and White Piranha. The piranhas derived from the Amazon Basins and South America. Piranhas grow up to 10 inches in size. The aquarium fish only grow six inches in size. Piranhas are not ideal for those starting aquariums or fish care. These fish should not habitat with passive fish as well. Piranhas have a deep pressed body. The body has silvery or olive green colors. The piranhas have strong teeth, which they use to devour, or tear apart other creatures, as well as tanks. The fish rather resemble a bulldog, which they also have a lower jaw line that makes a person feel threatened when approaching the fish. Piranhas are aggressive fish. The fish will dine of large or small fish.

How to net 

When using a net it is important that you take extreme precaution. The fish will gnaw at your hand. 

Piranhas feed from lean meats and other fishes. The fish are carnivorous, which makes them a showpiece rather than a pet. The upside is piranhas are not picking with water conditions, and the fish will not breed in aquariums. Be aware that if you put two piranhas in the same aquarium, Mary will feast on George or vise versa. In other words, they will eat each other as well. Piranhas include the Red-Breasted and Natterer Piranhas. The Red-Breasted and Natterer Piranhas feast in the same way as the Serrasalmus Rhombeus. 

Aquarium and Fish Care How to Manual

The Catfish Solutions 

Catfish are good eating critters; as well, some of these fish will gulp down other fish. Catfish is an all time favorite, yet few catfish are more difficult to maintain than other catfish are. Since many catfish are available, we will discuss a handful, or tank full to decide on the choice aquarium fish. Few of the choice catfish include the Black Spotted Corydoras. First, I want to say that aquarists purchase catfish, since these are the best fish for cleaning photosynthetic organisms (Algae) from tanks. Catfish will also cleanse the tank of debris, such as dead fish, etc. The spotted catfish comes from Venezuela and Guiana, which this particular specie grows to be 2 ½ inches in size. The silvery fish has diminutive black spots over his body. Black Spotted Catfish are noted by the nap of his neck, which is shaped like a wedge, which the mark contrasts the black stripes around the head and eyes. The Black Spotted catfish has a good behavior, in that he will not assault, mistreat, or interfere with the life of other fish. Like the Bronze Corydoras catfish, the Black Spotted fish takes delight in Tubifex and white worms. The fish will also dried foodstuffs. 

The Peppered Corydoras listed in the Corydoras paleatus section comes from La Plata Basin and Brazil. This fish grows 2 ¾ in size and has an olive brown colored body. The fish also has shadowy black marks over his body, which is small in count. This fish is commonly found with the Corydoras aeneus group. In summary, the catfish enjoys the same delights, as well as water conditions and works to remove unwarranted debris and algae from tank water. This catfish is inbreeding of the albino strains. 

The Peppered catfish frequently moves his eyes appearing to watch onlookers’ stair at him. In addition, the Peppered catfish handles communal tank water well. 

What he eats

Peppered Catfish feast on white worms, dried foods, and Tubifex.   

Water conditions 

Alkalinity water is one of the Peppered Catfish choices, as long as the water condition is neutral. Hard water in moderation maintains a happy Peppered Corydoras Catfish. NaC1 as well as saltwater is not preferred by most Corydoras Catfish. 

Kin to the Peppered Catfish is the Leopard Corydoras. The Leopard fish received its name in the early 1900s, by Steindachner; and is found in the Corydoras julii group. 

The fish comes from the Lower Amazons, specifically near the Tributary regions. This catfish grows to 2 ½ inches in size. Leopard Catfish has a silver-gray frame, which crosses and is set off dark spotted stripes. The fish handles communal tank water just fine. His nature is peaceful. The fish prefers the same water conditions and feeding as that of the other Corydoras Catfish species. 

Loricariidae 

These particular species come from the northern and central parts of South America, which fit the category of armor catfish. The fish are family to the Callichthyidae family. On the side of this, fish are several bony plates. In fact, most of the catfish’s body is protected by bony plates. The fish’s mouth is located beneath his flat head, which is encircled by wide rounded lips. This species is also called the sucking fish. Loricariidae Catfish is one of the all-time favorites, since the fish will feast on algae. The fish will remove algae from rocks, glass, plants, etc. Aquarists should have one of these fish, since the species will cutback on your responsibilities to clean the tank. Still, you must clean the tank, since the 

Loricariidae will not rid the tank of complete contaminants. He will however remove debris and algae too large degree.