YOUR PET FISH BLOG

Tropical Fish Diseases - Choosing The Right Fishes

2007-11-14T09:50:00.000-08:00

Being able to choose the right tropical fishes for your home aquarium is one of the most important steps you can take to prevent tropical fish diseases.

There are so many types of tropical fishes that you can find any that will match your personality and lifestyle. But there are some vital tips you need to be aware of if you want to keep them healthy and happy.

Temperament:

One of the first things you need to know about the tropical fishes at the pet store is their temperament. There are three types of fish:

Social: these fishes will get along well with most other types, they include Danios, Tetras, Guppies, Swordtails, Mollies, and Corydoras

Semi-social: these fishes can be kept with other fishes that are of the same size. They include Barbs, Angelfish, and Gouramis

Aggressive: these fishes should always be kept isolated from other fishes, because as the category suggests they can be quite aggressive. Some examples include male Bettas, Oscars, and Jewelfish

Color/health:

This might sound so common sense you might think it’s not even worth mentioning, but it is an often forgotten tip: when choosing your tropical fishes make sure they have dense and well-defined color. A fish with strong colors and no marks means it is in good health. If your fish is not healthy when you purchase it, it will be more susceptible to tropical fish diseases when you introduce it into your home aquarium.

Different environments:

Just like us, different fishes have different needs when it comes to a good environment to live in. You need to know what types of tanks the fishes like, how much space they need, as well as the water temperature that is required for each fish. Some fishes prefer bigger tanks, while others like smaller spaces, some fishes like a lot of room to swim around in, while others like to have rocks, plants, and other features so they can hide, and then again some like the water to be warmer than others. If you put a fish in an environment that they do not like, they will gradually become more stressed and this will lead to tropical fish diseases.

Don’t overcrowd:

Once you know the type of fishes you want, and have made sure that they will all get along, you want to be careful not to overcrowd the tank. This is often an overlooked reason for fishes contracting tropical fish diseases. You need to number the fishes in the tank on a per gallon basis, again this depends on the preference of the fishes you purchase (picky aren’t they?). Overcrowding will lead to stress and as we all know, too much stress is just not good for the health, in people and fishes.

If you are sure what the preferences are or the temperament of the fishes you want to purchase, always ask for advice at the pet store. If you take these steps when choosing your fishes, you will be ensuring they stay free from tropical fish diseases, and remain happy and healthy.

Chrystal Summers is a tropical fish. Not really, she just loves them. If you want to learn more about how you can take better care of your fishes, so they stay free from tropical fish diseases, visit her blog here: http://tropicalfishdiseases.blogspot.com/

Popular Types Of Tropical Aquarium Filters

2007-11-14T09:48:00.000-08:00

An Aquarium filter is a required device for both freshwater and marine aquaria, and are very important for maintaining high water quality in your fish tank. Aquarium Filters can be either internal or external to the aquarium, external filters are sometimes called HOB's or hang on back. A filter will process fish waste, unconsumed food and other particulates, some filters can even filter down to the micron level. Filters are available in a wide variety of sizes and styles to work with any type or size aquarium you choose. Below are some of the most common filter styles used today.

Power Filters

Power filters are the most common and popular filter for most aquarium enthusiasts. They are easy to set up, require very little maintenance and are inexpensive which makes them a good choice for the new hobbyist. Many times power filters are used together with an under gravel filter for increased water purity.

The filter works by drawing the water through the filter media under slight pressure and forcing it back into the tank. An aerator is not usually needed when using a power filter since it provides enough water movement during filtration to keep the tank oxygenated.

Sponge Filters

Sponge filters are most commonly used in breeding tanks to keep small fish from entering the filter and are appropriate only for very small aquariums. Sponge filters use an internal form of biological filtration to keep the aquarium water clean and safe for your tropical fish. Aerobic bacteria will grow on the filter's sponge helping to facilitate the tanks nitrogen cycle. Extra care should be used when cleaning a sponge filter so as not to wash away the nitrifying bacteria.

Under Gravel Filters

Under gravel filters, also referred to as UGF are another popular type of aquarium filter that you can use for your fish tank. Under gravel filters are one of the more regularly used styles of fish tank filters due to its large area for biological filtration.

Under gravel filters are comprised of a porous plate which is placed an inch or two under the gravel substrate with one or more uplift tubes and an aerator. The UGF is a type of biological filter that draws the water through the substrate material and then returns it at the top of the tank.

The only drawbacks to this type of filter is that the fish waste tends to get pulled down into the gravel which requires regular vacuuming and live plants do not grow well planted over a UGF. Under gravel filters are sometimes paired with a power filter to provide extra filtration for the aquarium.

Canister Filters

One of the best filtration choices for any aquarium set up is a Canister Filter. Canister filters contain an internal pump connected to a sealed container where waste from the water is trapped for removal. A canister filter is an ideal choice for filtering large aquariums that contain many fish, or fish that create a lot of waste like large tropical fish or goldfish. Canister filters don't provide much aeration so bubble stones are recommended to help bring oxygen into the tank. Canister filters are great but are usually more expensive than ordinary hang on tank type filters.

Diatom Filters

Diatom filters are primarily used for occasional cleaning of tanks, and are not constantly connected to the aquarium. Diatom Filters are extremely efficient and are designed to mechanically filter out the smallest of particles all the way down into the 1 micron size range. Aquarium diatom filters also help with "sick tanks" encouraging quicker fish healing by removing organics and other parasites. They are also excellent for removing algae blooms and clean your tanks water to an incredibly pure state.

Mike LaVallee is the webmaster of Tropical Aquarium Care a website about Tropical Fish and Salt Water Aquariums. Here you will find articles, advice and resources on many tropical aquarium topics.

How Many Fish Will My Aquarium Hold?

2007-11-14T09:45:00.000-08:00

Have you got yourself a new aquarium?

If so, you need to have a plan on how you are going to fill it with those beautiful fish.

Before you work out exactly which fish you want, you need to work out have many inches (or centimetres) of fish you can accommodate in your new aquarium.

The fish will obviously have more room to swim and set up their territories in a larger aquarium, but more important than the size of the aquarium is the shape and proportions of the tank. A long, shallow tank will hold more fish than a short deep tank, even if they have exactly the same amount of water in each.

The reason for this is that the oxygen content of the water depends on how easily it can be supplied. The only place this can happen is where the air meets the water, which is at the surface of the tank, so the larger the surface, the more oxygen available. Similarly, the carbon dioxide that the fish exhale has to be expelled from the water, and this also happens at the surface.

So, to work out the capacity of an aquarium, you need to multiply the length of the aquarium by the depth to get the water surface. For instance, if your aquarium is 24in (60cm) long by 12in (30cm) deep, the answer is 288in2 (1800cm2).

The next thing you need to know is how many inches (or centimetres) of fish you can accommodate, and this will depend on the type of fish.

Freshwater Tropical Fish - 12in2 per inch body length
(75cm2 per cm body length)

Freshwater Cold Water Fish - 30in2 per inch body length
(187.5cm2 per cm of body length)

Marine Tropical Fish - 48in2 per inch body length
(300cm2 per cm body length)

So, in our example tank above you could fit:

24 inches (60cm) of Freshwater Tropical Fish
10 inches (25cm) of Freshwater Cold Water Fish
6 inches (15cm) of Marine Tropical Fish

To calculate the number of inches (or centimetres) of your fish, measure from the mouth to the start of the tail, and don't forget that the fish you see in the shops are normally juveniles and are not fully grown, you need to allow for the size they will become!

Get this right, and you're well on the way to having a successful aquarium.

Jackie Robinson is a keen hobbyist and has kept tropical fish for many years. See more information about choosing your aquarium, and other useful information about tropical fish at her website http://www.JustTropicalFish.com

3 Important Tips for Taking Care of Your Tropical Fish

2007-11-14T09:44:00.000-08:00

If you are one of the millions of Americans with a tropical fish aquarium or pond then chances are you are looking for ways to make sure your fish enjoy a long, healthy life. For the most part, tropical fish are easy to take care of and require very little additional care outside the basics. However, there are a few things you should know that can dramatically extend the lifespan of your tropical fish, no matter if they enjoy a small 3-gallon fishbowl or a 1,000-gallon aquarium.

* The most important thing for freshwater fish is that you keep their habitat clean. Under normal circumstances, a filter will do the job just well. However, there are times when it can seem as though the tank or pond gets filled with algae or waste faster than you can keep it clean. This is often caused by a filtration device that is not sized correctly for the capacity of the tank. In most situations, you want your filter to completely clean the water every 4-6 hours. This represents the equivalent of up to 4 complete cycles of the water in a 24-hour period.

While you are checking out filters at your local store, be sure to also look into slugs and other creatures that can co-exist with your tropical fish and help clear out the algae. This is especially important in outdoor ponds or tanks where algae tend to grow faster due to direct exposure to sunlight. They are relatively cheap and do a great job that otherwise would be a manual task for you to complete!

* Next, let's talk about food. Now, you and I, well we tend to eat a lot - we are a society that loves our food! However, the same isn't the same for most tropical fish. In fact, in normal circumstances most varieties of tropical fish only need to be fed once or twice a week. The most common cause of death in household fish is over-feeding. Keep in mind that if you keep your fish in an outdoor pond that you may need to adjust the feeding schedule as the fish will also obtain food from nature - bugs and other flying insects that may make their way into the pond.

* Finally, keep in mind that most fish enjoy a warm environment. If you live in a cold climate you should make sure that your tank or pond is equipped with a heating device so that during colder weather you can keep it at a steady temperature. The ideal temperature will vary for your particular variety of fish, but rarely should you let the temperature of the water dip below 75 degrees in most circumstances.

The Author, Graham Wardle, offers tips and advice about the hobby of keeping fish both indoors and outside at http://beta-tropical-and-pond-fish-news.blogspot.com and also at http://tropicalpondandfreshwaterfishnews.blogspot.com

What Type of Fish Tank Supplies Do I Need?

2007-11-14T09:43:00.000-08:00

A large factor to the proper maintaining of your fish tank is the amount of the right kind of supplies you have on hand. Many of these vary according to what kind of fish tank you have, but some of them are common in all tanks.

Replacement filter cartridges are one of the most common needed of these supplies. If you have a fish tank and what to keep the fish in it healthy, you will need to change your filter cartridge often. This may lead to you running out of cartridges in a moment of need. You would be advised to always have two or three replacements available to you whenever you need them.

Another key to keeping you fish healthy and happy, is to keep their food constant and steady. This may require you to stock up on the food that your fish are used to. Food companies are constantly changing their products, and it is best for fish to keep one food source. If you are able to find a fish tank supply store that has your food at a good price, you may be advised to buy a couple of them. This should help you in keeping your fish on a normal diet in case the food company decides to eliminate the product.

For the proper cleaning of the water in your fish tank, you need to keep a good supply of chemical cleaners on hand. These cleaners are available at most pet stores, and do a great job in keeping the water clear and healthy. They simply dissolve into the water and the chemicals rid the tank of harmful waste and debris. These chemicals should always be on hand and at your access whenever you have the need to clean your fish tank.

If you are looking to maintain your fish tank and wondering what fish tank supplies you need, keep these simple instructions in mind. They will help you greatly in your quest and ensure your fish are healthy and happy.

For more information about Fish Tank Supply, feel free to visit us at: http://www.fish-tanks-land.com/article-9-Fish-Tank-Supply.html

Freshwater Aquarium Fish Are Good Choice for Beginners

2007-11-14T09:41:00.000-08:00

If you have come to the conclusion that you would like to set up a tropical fish aquarium for the enjoyment of yourself and your family, then you are probably in need of some directions in how to get started. If you have never had an aquarium before, then it is recommended to start out with freshwater aquarium fish because they are easier to care for.

Freshwater aquarium fish, as opposed to their bright and flashy cousins of the saltwater variety, can be a good experience for people who have never cared for fish before. Saltwater aquarium tanks can be quite challenging to set up and properly maintain. For this reason, it is strongly recommended that those new to fish keeping, look first at starting with freshwater fish. After you have been able to master the challenges of keeping freshwater fish alive and their aquarium in good order, at that point you might want to broaden your fish keeping horizons and branch out into the saltwater aquarium realm.

Ultimately, it does not matter what kind of aquarium or tank that you choose for your freshwater aquarium fish, as far as care and maintenance is concerned. However, if you cannot keep to a regular, weekly schedule of cleaning and maintaining the tank, then perhaps you should not even bother setting up an aquarium.

In addition, you will also need to monitor your tropical fish tank on a daily basis. You need to be sure that the water is always properly in balance for your freshwater aquarium fish and that the correct and comfortable temperature is constantly maintained. The other daily task that you must remember to perform is to make sure that your fish receive the proper amount and type of food as needed.

After you have determined that you will be able to keep up with the regular required maintenance of freshwater aquarium fish, then you can start deciding on what kind of fish you want to include in your tropical aquarium. The tropical fish tank that you choose must be large enough so that it can properly accommodate the number and types of fish that you plan to purchase. The overcrowding of a tropical fish tank can be a deadly mistake because it can cause polluted tank water and can lead to diseased fish. Before making your final decision, make sure you ask how large the selected fish will be at maturity, as size can vary a great deal depending on the species. A newbie to fish keeping might want to start with a 10 to 20-gallon tropical fish tank and fill it with the smaller and heartier freshwater fish varieties.

In order to maintain a healthy environment for your freshwater aquarium fish, you will also need to have a quality water filtration system, a reliable heater and some nice aquarium decorations and accessories. When setting up your freshwater tropical aquarium, be sure to choose a location in the house where light and temperature can be controlled so that it remains constant. And, remember that once your tropical fish tank is set up and filled, it will be very heavy, so be sure that it is on solid footing with flooring that can handle the load.

Mike LaVallee is the webmaster of Tropical Aquarium Care a website for Aquarium Enthusiasts including Aquarium Lighting Here you will find articles, advice and resources on many tropical aquarium topics.

How Hard is it to Set Up a Tropical Fish Tank?

2007-11-14T09:40:00.000-08:00

This will greatly depend on the amount of knowledge you have on the subject. If you are not that knowledgeable, you may want to research the project before beginning. The process is basically simple, but if done wrong, your fish will pay the price.

The first thing required, is the purchase of the proper elements to keep your tropical fish tank working properly. The most important thing you will need is a tank heater. Since the fish you will keep are used to swimming in warmer water, you will need to keep your tank at that temperature. A good heater will allow the fish to swim as if they were in their own local water, resulting in a better overall tropical fish tank.

A filter is another key feature to the installation of a tropical fish tank. The filter should be large enough to handle the size of your tank. The filter is the main source of keeping the water clean and clear to better keep your fish healthy. The lack of a filter or an improper filter could lead to green water and alga deposits on your tank. This is not the desired effect of any tank and should be avoided.

The stand for your tropical fish tank will add emphasis to the tank. It can be bought or built to add style to what has been known to be an eyesore of a room. The stand must be strong enough to handle the weight of your tank and the water it will hold. Make certain that the stand can handle your specific tank or the result could be costly.

Setting up the proper tropical fish tank is not a difficult process. If you give yourself the proper tools needed, you should have no trouble. The heater, filter and stand all play a pivotal role in keeping a tropical fish tank. They are all necessary and should not be left out of the process. They will allow you to enjoy your tropical fish tank to the fullest.

For more information about Tropical Fish Tanks, feel free to visit us at: http://www.fish-tanks-land.com/article-5-Tropical-Fish-Tanks.html

How To Set Up A New Fish Tank, And Stock It With Fish

2007-11-14T09:39:00.000-08:00

So you think it is easy to set a tank up with a few tropical fish in it, think again folk's.

If you get into the technical side of things "oh boy" you are going to need a P.H.D. in everything, but that will not happen on this page, I plan on simplifying this material for you.

First things first.

1. Buy a tank and all of the other paraphernalia you are going to need.

2. You will need a water heater, pump, filter, gravel, plants, rocks and a background if you are going to use one.

3. Fill your tank with water it sounds silly but make sure it is on something sturdy, because when full they are extremely heavy, check for leaks then empty the water.

4. Wash your gravel and rocks under running water, you will be amazed at the dirt that comes out. When you think it is clean do it again, remember this is going to be your fishes home for a long time to come.

5. Put all the clean gravel in the bottom of the tank add your rocks, fit the background at this stage and make sure it is secure. Install your filter, heater and pump at this time.

If you are going to equip your aquarium with lights do it now, it is also a good idea to plant up before filling the tank with water. These are simple to do just place the plants directly into the gravel, you may have to trim them a little.

Now you can fill the aquarium with water, to me this is the exciting bit. But I hope you have not bought any fish yet, fish do not like chlorine and tap water is full of it.

You will need to buy a water conditioner there are plenty of different types on the market, that needs to be put in the tank.

It is time to turn everything on the lights, heater, filter and pump you will hear some noise and see a flow of bubbles, these will settle down to a nice steady rhythm.

If you have a friend or relative who keeps fish, you want to be going around to their house because I want you to scrounge some of their water and if they are not looking pinch some gravel.

You are going to add this to your tank as this will help to establish your water more quickly with nitrogen and bacteria, beneficial to the fish and plants.

Just make sure none of your friends fish are diseased, if they are you will only be transferring it to your tank.

Run the tank like this for five to seven days, do you recall what I said about chlorine well after this space of time it will all have dissipated.

This is without doubt the best part of keeping fish going to the pet shop to purchase some. I am going to give you a few more tips here please read carefully.

1. While you are in the pet shop looking at the tanks of fish ask the shopkeeper if he has a quarantine tank, he should have because any sick fish should be in here receiving treatment.

2. If there is no tank for sick fish leave the shop and go elsewhere.

3. After all if he does not have quarantine tanks, it means he may be selling sick fish to the public.

4. Choose your fish wisely, the kids will try to tempt you into buying fish you do not need.

5. Stick to your guns, the worst thing you could do is get some fish that will outgrow your tank, or a species that will eat every other fish in sight.

I hope you do some research before dashing off to buy fish, there are plenty to pick from and it is nice to know what you want, it beats a shopkeeper selling you what he wants to sell you.

Above all have fun, the hobby is sure to grow on you the more you become involved with it, cheers.
Chris Emmerson full of aches pains and woes but sorry folks still around contrary to some folks wishes. Why don't you pop over to my site http://www.bulldogsandallpets.com have a look around folks I am sure you will find something to interest you, don't worry its not all to do with bulldogs

Is Your Goldfish Suffering With Eyestrain?

2007-11-14T07:53:00.000-08:00

All that glitters is not goldfish friendly. Your goldfish may need protection from things you may not see. Goldfish have very well developed vision; in fact the optic lobe--the vision center--is the largest part of your goldfish's brain. Though a little short sighted, they have an almost 360 degree view of the world because their eyes are on the sides of their head. That lets them see two things at the same time - which is great for finding food and for keeping an eye open for predators.

Like us, goldfish see in color, but they can also see ultraviolet light. They have greater sensitivity to light than we do but, unlike us, they have no eyelids because their eyes are constantly bathed in water. That gives them a problem we don't have; they can't shut their eyes to avoid bright lights. Furthermore, they can't dilate their pupils, so their eyes adjust to changes in light levels much more slowly than ours. It can take goldfish twenty minutes to adapt to lights being turned on or off, which is why they often dash for cover when you turn on a light. It's impossible for them to look away so all they can do is try to hide behind rocks and plants.

It's important to protect your fish from bright lights and sudden movements and to spend a little time working out the right location for their tank.

Avoid placing your tank on or near a windowsill - the worst place for bright sunlight. If you can't avoid putting the tank near a window, make sure you shade it from the incoming light using window blinds, or the wrap-round tank 'wallpaper' that most fish shops sell.

Remember that bright sunlight isn't a problem only in the summer months. It can be worse in winter because the winter sun is lower in the sky. Think how dazzling it can be when you are driving your car towards the sun, and think how much worse it could be for your goldfish in their tank if they have to suffer that all day, every day.

Add some stones or a small upturned flower pot for your fish to find refuge in.

There may be problems with bright light that you haven't noticed. Try crouching down at each end of the tank and look through it to see what your fish see. Check for mirrors or other shiny objects that may be causing a problem for your fish but which have never been a problem for you.

Room lights can be another problem for your goldfish. Although you may think nothing of it when you switch a room light on or off, your goldfish needs up to twenty minutes to adapt to the change in light. If your tank doesn't have a lid, it's a good idea to get one, especially if you have a ceiling light shining directly into the tank. If your fish tank is fitted with a light, turn the room light on first and then wait fifteen minutes before turning on the tank light so your fish has time to adjust to the light.

At night, switch the tank light off fifteen minutes before you switch the room light off. If you have dimmer switches for any of the lights near your fish tank the job is easy. You could also consider putting your tank light on a timer so it comes on after you start your day, and goes off before you go to bed.

Sudden movement is something else your fish can't close their eyes to. When you're positioning your fish tank, it's important to think about the activity that will happen near the tank. Avoid the hallway and kitchen if you can. Both these locations might seem like good ones, but each has drawbacks. The hallway is likely to be one place in your house that gets a lot of traffic so your fish may see a lot of giant fast moving objects hurtling towards their world.

The kitchen, though a common place to put a fish tank, can also be a busy place. Cooking involves constant moving about between refrigerator, work top, cooker, and cupboards. If your fish are nearby they get a constant stream of rapid and unexpected, and possibly frightening, movement they can't escape from.

A quiet corner of your living room is often a much better location, and provides you with the opportunity to sit and relax watching your goldfish. But even here it's not necessarily relaxing for your fish. Make sure the tank is not in line of sight of the TV - a rich source of sudden movement. Your bedroom is a good location, because most of the time there's not much happening there. Your child's bedroom, however, could be a very active place, depending on the age of your child.

Of course, in every home there will always be some bright lights and some sudden movement. However, by using tank 'wallpaper' to cover one or more sides of the tank, you can protect your fish from the worst of them, and create a greater sense of security for your fish. Keeping plenty of healthy plants in the tank helps screen fish from visual noise, and makes the tank more interesting for you to look at. Developing a fish eye view of the world helps you give your fish a more comfortable and healthier home, and a longer life.

Elaine Rushmore is the author of 'The Goldfish Doctor' - a top quality, step-by-step guide to the diagnosis, treatment and cure of sick goldfish. Goldfish owners around the world have benefited from the information this book contains.

Protect your family's goldfish now - http://www.goldfishdoctor.com/