February 27, 2009
The secret behind marine fish
Marine fish are not domesticated animals, and will pursue their survival instincts in the tank, just as they do in the ocean. Marine fish are found in oceans, estuaries, tidal pools or salt marshes. Almost all species of marine fish are caught in the wild. Marine fish are more colorful than freshwater fish, but also require more care.
Tropical fish generally have very specific temperature requirements. Clownfish are a common species of marine tank fish Compatibility. All marine fish are tanked for a specified period of time for acclimation, in right water parameters, under specific conditions to allow the easiest adaptation to tank life. Marine fish are the hardest of all fish to keep and maintain. lots of species of marine fish are sensitive to water parameters and do not adapt easily to a new tank, it is best to add the fish after the tank has been functioning for a few months.
Fish that are reef safe are known to not nip at corals, and also do not usually eat crustaceans that may be kept in a reef tank, such as shrimp. Marine fish, also known as saltwater fish, require a simulated oceanic environment in the aquarium. There are nearly 15,000 species of marine fish, many of which are not compatible in the same tank. For this reason, the compatibility of different species and genders within species needs to be checked before multiple fish are introduced to a tank. Lionfish, for example, may eat gobies and other species, while Clownfish are likely to attack others of the same gender if one of the opposite genders is present.
There are many differences between tropical freshwater fish and saltwater fish that may not be obvious to the newly aquarist. Marine fish even more complicated to keep and maintain are tropical marine fishes.
Marine fish are more colorful then tropical freshwater fish, they are also more sensitive to water quality then tropical freshwater fish. In most cases saltwater fish or marine fish are cost more then freshwater fish. In general, marine fish consider being hard to keep and maintain while freshwater fish are easier to keep.
lots of these marine fish also like tanks on their own so if you dream of having a well stocked tank with a lot of species make sure you understand which fish will live happily together before you put them in a tank.
Filed under Aquarium Fish by Rotem Gavish
February 26, 2009
Reef tanks supplies and maintaining
Reef tanks are usually kept at a temperature between 25 and 27 C (75-80 F). Reef tanks can be beautiful and exotic and for some a piece of nature.
The primary filtration for reef aquariums usually comes from the use of large amounts of live rock which come from various rubble zones around existing reefs. Researchers are finding that saltwater fish aquariums have therapeutic health benefits. The tanks are usually constructed from either glass or acrylic.
With advances in modern aquariums it’s recently became possible to have a piece of coral reef at home and enjoy it in the privacy of your living room without getting wet with saltwater aquarium. A reef aquarium or reef tank is an aquarium containing live corals and other animals associated with coral reefs. Unlike the marine aquarium, the main purpose of which is to house various types of fish, the true stars of the reef tank are the corals and other invertebrates.
As the aquariums we maintain contain more and more diverse animal life (sea stars, snails, worms), the need for more complete additives becomes more of a essential, and the make-up of these additives has to be more geared to the new type of tanks, in order to satisfy the requirements of all the animal life we now keep.
Water movement is important in the reef aquarium or reef tanks with different types of coral requiring different flow rates. Building water momentum using a gyre is an efficient method to increase flow, thus benefiting coral respiration and photosynthesis. Some corals such as the Mushroom Coral and Coral Polyps require very little light to thrive ” conversely, LPS coral such as Brain coral, Bubble Coral, Elegance Coral, Cup Coral, Torch Coral, and Trumpet Coral require moderate amounts of light, and Small Polyp Stony Corals (SPS) such as Acropora Coral, Montipora, Porites, Stylopora and pocillopora require high intensity lighting.
Stony corals, which are defined by their calcerous calcium carbonate skeletons (CaCO3), are the focus of many advanced reef keepers. These corals require additional attention to water chemistry, especially maintenance of stable and optimal calcium, carbonate, and pH levels. These corals also requires additives and supplements.
A reef aquarium requires appropriately intense lighting, turbulent water movement, and more stable water chemistry than fish-only marine aquaria. Nano reefs (small tanks) are very commonly sold as complete kits which contain the tank, stand, power compact T5, T8, PL lamps or Metal Halide lighting, protein skimmer, UV sterilizer, 3 or more stage filtration, a heater and a water pump or power head. However, many Nano reef keepers decide to upgrade their aquariums with better quality equipment such as a more powerful protein skimmer or lighting. In small tanks such as Nano reef even a tiny mistake can lead to tank collapsing.
Nano reefs tanks require even more diligence with regard to water changes and attention to water chemistry because the small water volume provides little room for error. Care must be exercised when stocking these tiny tanks because too many inhabitants can easily overload the tank’s ability to process wastes effectively.
Filed under Aquarium Fish by Rotem Gavisg
February 23, 2009
The hidde world of Tropical fish
Tropical fish include fish inhabit tropical region (found close to the equator) around the world, including both saltwater or marine fish and freshwater fish.
The expression tropical fish refer to only those requiring fresh water. Saltwater tropical fish referred as marine fish but to be accurate saltwater fish are indeed, tropical fish. Tropical fish are imported from there native waters as well as home bred. Keeping tropical fish is a terrific hobby.
How do you decide which tropical fish is best for? An important factor while purchasing tropical fish is the color. Another factor is that far too many people purchase poor health fish. It is very easy to see if the fish is sick, most of sick fish just don’t eat. Don’t be shy and ask the seller to feed the fish before you put your money on it. Sick fish with ich disease or fin rot disease for example are easy to noticed, “Waste” 5 minutes and check your future fish, its skin, behavior and its vitality.
There are few rules we need to remember while we keep tropical fish, first rule is to be tolerant. A high percentage of people do not take the time to read, learn and study up on the hobby before getting started. Second rule is not to overload the system, placing too many new fish into the tank can cause ammonia and nitrite to rise. The third rule is to understand the need of maintaining our tropical fish tank on a regular basis. By maintaining our tank properly (water changes, test water quality) we can avoid many problems.
There is also the attraction that once the aquarium is full with fish and running the required effort needed to keep tropical fish is relatively low, actually, there is hardly any restriction to ones normal life. Keeping freshwater tropical fish is the best starting point to this rewarding hobby and can be done so by almost any age group, even children (best start with the family), with limited supervision.
One advantage of keeping and/or raising freshwater or saltwater tropical fish is the large international community that shares your interest. Keeping tropical fish is a pleasurable hobby for families around the globe. Critical part while you acclimate your new tropical fish is to be careful while feeding them for at least 24-36 hours and preferably 48 hrs.
Fish aquariums are an excellent place to watch a habitat on a smaller scale. Tropical marine fish (saltwater fish) enjoy their temperature a little bit warmer at 80 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit (26C). Tropical fish are very colorful and beautiful and therefore very popular as aquarium fish. Tropical fish tanks have to be constantly monitored for presence of harmful bacteria, fungi, and algae. Tropical fish saltwater and freshwater as one, just like other fish, have to be fed at least 2 to 4 times a day.
Filed under Aquarium Fish by Oren Sofrin
February 19, 2009
Reef tanks, are they truly so hard to establish?
Reef tanks are usually kept at a temperature between 75-80 F (25-27 C). Reef tanks can be enjoyable and exotic. For some pepole Reef tanks are a piece of nature.
The mainly filtration for reef tanks usually comes from the use of great amounts of live rock which come from various rubble zones around existing reefs. Researchers and scientists find that saltwater fish tank have therapeutic health benefits. The tanks are usually constructed from either glass or acrylic.
With advances in modern aquariums it’s recently became possible to have a piece of coral reef at home and enjoy it in the privacy of your living room without getting wet with saltwater aquarium(also known as marine fish tank). A reef aquariums or reef tank is an aquarium containing live corals and other creatures(such as sea stars) associated with coral reefs. Unlike the marine aquarium (saltwater tank), the main purpose of which is to house various types of fish, the true stars of the reef tank are the corals and other invertebrates.
As the aquariums we maintain contain more and more diverse animal life (sea stars, snails, worms), the need for more complete additives becomes more of a essential, and the make-up of these additives has to be more geared to the new type of tanks, in order to satisfy the requirements of all the animal life we now keep.
Water movement is important in the reef aquarium or reef tanks with different types of coral requiring different flow rates. Building water momentum using a gyre is an efficient method to increase flow, thus benefiting coral respiration and photosynthesis. Some corals such as the Mushroom Coral and Coral Polyps require very little light to thrive ” conversely, LPS coral such as Brain coral, Bubble Coral, Elegance Coral, Cup Coral, Torch Coral, and Trumpet Coral require moderate amounts of light, and Small Polyp Stony Corals (SPS) such as Acropora Coral, Montipora, Porites, Stylopora and pocillopora require high intensity lighting.
Stony corals, which are defined by their calcerous calcium carbonate skeletons (CaCO3), are the focus of many advanced reef keepers. These corals require additional attention to water chemistry, especially maintenance of stable and optimal calcium, carbonate, and pH levels. These corals also requires additives and supplements.
A reef aquarium requires appropriately intense lighting, turbulent water movement, and more stable water chemistry than fish-only marine aquaria. Nano reefs are very commonly sold as complete kits which contain the tank, stand, power compact T5, T8, PL lamps or Metal Halide lighting, protein skimmer, UV sterilizer, 3 or more stage filtration, a heater and a water pump or power head. However, many Nano reef keepers decide to upgrade their aquariums with better quality equipment such as a more powerful protein skimmer or lighting.
Nano reefs tanks require even more diligence with regard to water changes and attention to water chemistry because the small water volume provides little room for error. Care must be exercised when stocking these tiny tanks because too many inhabitants can easily overload the tank’s ability to process wastes effectively.
Filed under Aquarium Fish by Oren Sofrin
February 13, 2009
Microworms – How this live food benefits your fish
Microworms are a type of live fish food that have become quite popular among breeders of many fish and other aquatic organisms. Because of the ease with which they are cultured in the home, they have become widely used by both hobby breeders and large scale breeders as well. Microworms will benefit your fish by improving their growth rate, enhancing their colors, and improving their overall health.
Microworms are nematodes that are free-living and non-parasitic. They are also called Panagrellus redivivus in scientific nomenclature. Adult microworms are up to 3 mm long, yet extremely thin. They are ideal as a first food for babies of a wide range of fish species. Young fish are attracted by their constant squiggling. This live food is great for such fish as danios, guppies, bettas, gouramies and many other freshwater fish species.
Including microworms as one of the foods you feed to your baby fish will improve their growth rate. Many people who breed fish learn that they readily accept this type of food. Because microworms are so small, just a few drops of them can feed a whole spawn of baby fish. When yoru fish are continually fed microworms or other small live fish food, they will easily outgrow other fish that are limited to store-bought foods.
Microworms are full of many of the required amino acids and fats that young fish require. Fish that are fed a wide variety of live foods will have a well-balanced diet and will be better able to synthesize the compounds that give them their colors. Thus, microworm cultures are a great addition to your arsenal of live foods if you have any species of fish that display bright colors!
Finally, adding microworms to the diet of your young fish will help improve their overall health. Fish that are well-fed have healthier immune systems and can fight off bacteria that could harm other fish. A balanced diet that contains a variety of prepared and live foods will always go far to improve the life of your fish. Live foods also help your fish act more naturally as they hunt down their prey.
Filed under Aquarium Fish by John Thistle

