March 7, 2010
Feeding Cichlid Fry Basics
Knowing what to feed cichlid fry can be confusing if you have never raised cichlids or if you are trying to raise other aquarium fish for the first time. This can be a very exciting time for the new aquarist, or the seasoned hobbyist, so I am going to give you a few pointers.
There are two main types of breeding that you will find with cichlid fish. The different types of cichlid breeding are mouth brooding and open brooding. Different variations of these two distinctive types of brooding exist, but that is enough detail to get us started. Learning what to feed cichlid fry once they are free swimming is what we are trying to figure out.
The yolk sac is the main source of food for newly hatched cichlid fry, but it will be depleted after a few days or so. After the yolk sac is gone, they will become free swimming and will need food if you want them to survive. Freshly hatched brine shrimp are a great food for free swimming cichlid fry.
There is no doubt that brine shrimp make an excellent food for any type of fish fry, but if you are not prepared, you may not have any brine shrimp ready to go. So what else can I feed cichlid fry?
How about feeding cichlid fry hard boiled egg yolks. Bet you have never heard of that one before. Just take a small amount of the egg yolk and combine it will a little bit of water. Don’t make a soup out of it. You are after more of a paste like consistency.
Be careful not to put too much of the egg yolk mixture into the tank at a time because it will foul the water. Don’t put in anymore than the fry can eat in about 20 to 30 seconds.
Be careful to control the amount of egg yolk mixture that you are putting into the tank. Use a straw or a thin pipe to lower the mixture into the tank. Release it just above them so it will slowly drift down to them.
Visit cichlid fry to learn what to feed cichlid fry. And visit keeping cichlids to keep your cichlids happy and healthy.
Filed under 1 by Carey Malloy
February 21, 2010
Tropical Fish Care Tidbits
A tank full of lively tropical fish can be a thing of beauty. The vibrantly colored fish and the silent way they glide around in the water can make it the focal point of any room. Watching the fish swim while the filter quietly gurgles can be a very relaxing experience. However, if proper care is not taken of the fish and the tank itself, it can very quickly turn into an eyesore that still attracts the eye but now for all the wrong reasons. Here are some basic guidelines to tropical fish care that will help you get started.
Now that you have decided that you want to set up a fish tank, what are the things you need to make that happen? Obviously you will need a tank. The size and shape of that tank is entirely up to you, but keep in mind that the larger the tank the more it will cost to set it up. There are a multitude of choices as to the types of decoration and fish to put into the tank but there are some things that you simply must have. They include gravel, a filter, a heater and a light source.
Take your time when you decide on the color and type of gravel you would like. It will be the single largest thing seen in your tank so you want to be sure to get it right. Think about the room you will be placing it in and the overall theme of the tank. In a child’s room, you may want brightly colored gravel while in a living room, you may want to go with the more muted, natural colors.
There are two major types of filters: those that are placed under the gravel and those that hang on the outside of the tank. Many feel that the undergravel filter is more attractive because they cannot be seen. This may be true, but the outboard filters are much easier to maintain. In larger tanks or tanks with many fish in them, it may be necessary to use both types to keep the water clean and the fish healthy.
You will need a heater to keep the water temperature around 72 degrees. If the water is much colder than that, the fish will become sluggish and may die. Much warmer than that and you will promote the growth of bacteria and algae that will be harmful to your fish.
Lights can either be purchased as part of a hood that covers the entire top of the tank or as a single unit. Either way you will want to get a fluorescent light. Incandescent lights will add heat to your tank and tend to put off a harsher light.
Now that you have gotten all the things you need to get started it is time to set up the tank. Make sure you set it up near a power source and out of direct sunlight. Once everything has been placed where it belongs, you need to fill the tank with water, turn on the filter and let it sit empty for several days. This will give you time to make sure that everything is working properly. It also allows time for any harmful chemicals that may be in your water to evaporate or be filtered out.
Finally you are ready to add the fish. When you bring them home it is important to let the bags sit in the tank water for at least fifteen minutes before releasing the fish. This will give the fish a chance to acclimate to the temperature of the tank gradually. Now you can release them and enjoy their quiet grace as they move around the tank.
To get some more information about tropical fish care, please click on any of these given links: tropical fish care solutions tropical fish care instructions
categories: tropical fish care,pets,fish,reptiles,animals,home,family,hobbies
Filed under Aquarium Fish by Greg E. Johnson
February 6, 2010
A Good Tropical Fish Guide For Amateurs
Owning tropical fish is both relaxing and fun. You can throw your stress and worries to the wind when you sit in amazement, watching your fish swim and frolic. If you have never owned tropical fish before, here’s a tropical fish guide to help you get started. Do some research on the kinds of fish you might like to buy so that once you’re ready to buy, it’s not a drawn out event. The first thing you need to do is purchase a tank.
It is recommended that you purchase the tank and accessories prior to buying the fish. Your tropical fish will not be happy or healthy for long in a plastic bag. You need to establish a clean and safe environment for them ahead of time. Give them something magnificent to come home to. When buying your first tank, don’t think that bigger is better. Since you’re a newcomer to the world of tropical fish ownership, start small. Once you see that you are good at taking care of them, you can increase the tank size. Just don’t bite off more than you can chew out of the gate.
If you don’t have a tank already, go purchase a small one. You also need a filter and light as well as other supplies to clean the tank. Buy the food you’ll need ahead of time as well. You can design a tank that is creative and colorful or if you prefer, very basic. Just make sure that whatever you do, you buy quality products. Things you buy that are less than well crafted can cost you down the road.
You need to buy a solid tank with a lid and a stand that will hold your fish tank. You also will need to buy a light and a filter for your fish tank. Before you do anything, clean your fish tank with warm water. If you use any sort of soap or detergent, it is imperative that you rinse your tank thoroughly. You don’t want to poison your fish!
Prepare your tank by cleaning it and drying it. Then add the rocks or glass beads to the bottom of the tank after you’ve washed them, as well. Any extra things you’ve purchased should be added to the tank before you start filling it with water.
Begin adding water and set your tank heater to approximately 80 degrees. This is the ideal temperature for most tropical fish. Be sure and check with the pet store before putting your fish in their new home.
Set up your light in the tank before adding your fish. Fish like light but having your tank directly in front of the window will cause algae to grow out of control and you’ll have a difficult time with regulating temperature. Once you’ve got the water added, gradually warm it and then get to the pet store! There are a lot of places you can buy tropical fish from. There are specialty shops that can order any kind of tropical fish for you if they don’t have them in stock. You can also buy tropical fish in most local pet shops.
Ask the pet shop owner what the easiest to care for fish are, and then you can start with something easy. Make sure that the fish you are buying won’t eat each other. It’s very sad to wake in the morning and see that half of your fish are missing or half eaten by the others in the tank. Many pet shop owners are not truly well versed in tropical fish so you may have to do some learning on your own. If you’re in doubt, don’t mix breeds. Buy a few of one kind, bring them home and then do some online researching. You can always go back later and buy more kinds and colors of fish.
Feed your new fish the right kind of food and always feed them at the same time of day. Don’t give them too much food and don’t starve them, either. This can lead to fish cannibalism. Again, not a pretty sight, especially for the young ones. Make sure your tank stays clean and your fish will be very happy to call your tank home.
If you want to read a more extensive tropical fish guide, then please click on any of the given links: tropical fish guide for amateurs tropical fish guide
Filed under Aquarium Fish by Harold Peterson
January 28, 2010
Keeping Your Angelfish Healthy & Full of Vigor
Angelfish are numbered among of one of the largest families of vertebrates on the planet. The family Cichlidae is made up of over 1,300 scientifically identified species in 220 assorted genera. Previously undiscovered species are being classified to this family every year. It is highly possible that there could be as many as 3,000 individual species that fall within the scientific classification of this family. This family, more commonly known as cichlids, also includes oscars, discus and tilapias. Many sources will tell you that angelfish are endemic to the Amazon River. While this is in fact true, this species also inhabits both the Orinoco River and Essequibo River basins. Substantial populations of this species exist throughout Guyana, Venezuela, and Columbia in addition to Brazil.
Cichlids have become ever more popular with freshwater aquarium enthusiasts since they started being exported by the aquarium trade after the conclusion of WWII. Angelfish are inarguably among the most popular and easily recognizable freshwater fish in the world. Their unique triangular profile makes them one of the most exotic looking freshwater species on the market. Selective breeding has increased the assortment of angelfish available to the consumer. Angels come in a variety of colors, from white, silver, gold and black to striped, marbled and Koi. Their availability keeps their price exceptionally reasonable. They are a robust species that can thrive in a variety of environmental conditions. Freshwater angels are also the easiest species to care for. Their ease of care has undeniably added to their global popularity.
While angels will not grow anywhere near the size of an oscar or a discus, they are not a small species. The angels you see in pet stores are typically quite young. Angels normally reach six inches in length in adulthood. They can be kept in a rather small volume of water as juveniles. A mature angelfish will require a minimum tank size of 10 gallons. A 20 gallon aquarium is preferable.
Angelfish have mild mannered dispositions. They are fantastic community dwellers. A note of caution: They will instinctively deem smaller tank mates as a tempting taste treat. Do not house them with species like minnows, zebra danios or guppies. You will also want to avoid housing them with fish such as barbs or tetras. Both of these fish are fin nippers by nature. An angelfish’s full, billowing fins are appetizing tidbit, perfect for nibbling on.
This is an omnivorous species. They will thrive on virtually anything. Any good quality tropical fish food will work. Brine shrimp, tubifex worms and blood worms are excellent nutritional supplements and will help maintain your angelfish’s fit and vigor.
Angelfish are natives of the Amazon River basin. They thrive in slightly acidic water. A pH factor of 6.8 and temperatures between 72-86 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. Under premium conditions angelfish have an average life span of 10 years.
When it comes to parenting, all fish can be divided into two specific categories. There are those fish that will desert their unborn eggs or even consume them with no regard to parental obligations. Then there are the fish that express varying amounts of parental intuition. All cichlids fall in the latter category. Angelfish are most often referred to as open brooders. Open brooders lay there eggs out in the open as opposed to hiding them from potential predation by cleaning a flat surface like a rock or piece of wood in order to deposit their eggs on. A common trait among brooders is that they will guard over the brood until they hatch. Typically the male adopts the role as the protector by standing guard while the female tends to the eggs. After they are hatched, both parents will take an active role in tending their offspring.
Keeping a specific fish in a fish tank that is not large enough could have catastrophic results. A savvy aquarist wouldn’t think about attempting to keep an angel nano fish tank. To discover more fun filled facts on freshwater aquarium fish browse through my online fish guide.
Filed under Aquariums by Stephen J Broy
January 8, 2010
Setting Up A Tropical Fish Tank For Beginners
This will be a beginners guide to setting up a tropical fish tank. You will need to take your time and make sure not to add fish to the tank right away as this could kill your fish. You must understand that it takes a little time for the water to fully cycle so your fish can live a long time and stay healthy.
When you are selecting an aquarium to buy you must know what kind of fish that are going to be living in it and how big the fish will get. As a simple rule, for every inch of fish that there is there should be 1 gallon of water.
Some of the things you will need to set up a tropical fish tank will consist of the aquarium itself, a stand for the aquarium, filter pump, heater pump, thermometer, water conditioner, bacteria supplement. Some other additional options you can add to your fish tank would be a lamp, decorations and wall paper for the back of the fish tank.
Now that you have all the items you need next is to set up the stand and put the tank on it. Make sure you choose a good spot that will not be blocking anything you will need to get to later on like receptacles, air vents, etc.
The next thing that I would do is make sure that there are no leaks in the fish tank. Fill up the tank with water to the top, and just let it sit there for about a day, more if you want. Once that day is up check the surrounding area for any signs of water, once you know your tank is not leaking you can empty it.
What I would do next is I will fill up multiple gallons of jugs with tap water mixed with water conditioner, and then I will add bacteria supplement 15 minutes later depending on what the directions day. I will let the water sit for a couple of hours or longer, it is up to you.
Next you can start adding gravel, make sure that you rinse the gravel very good. Since the tank is still empty you can start putting in the gravel and decorations. It is very important to make sure that everything that you put into your fish tank is washed well, as it only takes a little bit of dish soap to kill fish.
Now add the premixed water into the tank, and turn on your filter pump or pumps, heat pumps, and overhead light if you have one. Let the tank cycle for at least a week before adding any fish, as it takes a tank time to complete a full cycle.
Once it has been a week and the water is cycled you can add a few starter fish to get the ecosystem of the aquarium started. Do not attempt to add any more fish to the aquarium for at least 4 weeks, the longer you wait the better off your fish will be.
The author has been setting up aquariums of all kinds for many years and has great knowledge on fish tanks. You can visit his store if you need to purchase a home aquarium. Cheap Fish Tanks
Filed under Aquariums by James Conley







