Aquarium and Fish Care

2017-08-26

Aquarium Snails - Unusual Fish Tank Pets

If you have an aquarium, besides fish, you can have many other creatures in it. One of the animals that make superb aquarium pets is the aquarium snail. Not only does the snail add a little variety to your aquarium, it will also help to keep your tank clean.

There are many species of snails that you can purchase from your local pet store. Some people purchase snails to add some variety to their tanks, while others specifically ask for the snails as they want them as pets. Sometimes, you can also get snails in your aquarium without purchasing one. This happens usually when you buy plants for your aquarium. These snails are already on the plants and when you introduce them into your aquarium. So, they manage to find their way into your tank. However, these snails can be pets. But do not worry as there are many other species of snails that can be kept as pets.

Great ramshorn - Photo by Katty Fe

As the name suggests, the Ramshorn snail has a shell shaped like that of a ram's horn. These snails are very interesting to look at. Their shells can be red or black in color. Sometimes, they can also have a checkered pattern on their shell. However, these snails are prolific breeders and can eat plants in no time. So, if you want to keep the plants in the aquarium alive, the Ramshorn snail may not be the ideal aquarium pet for you.

The Trumpet snail is perfect for those who want to keep their plants alive. The snail feeds on the debris that is present in the substrate and helps to keep the bottom of the tank clean. However, this snail tends to come out in the night to eat and you will see it hanging on the wall of the aquarium during the day time.

Another interesting and popular snail for aquariums is the Apple snail. There are four species of this snail and some of them eat plants, while others are carnivores. One of the species of Apple snail can grow up to six inches. You can get Apple snails in many different colors, like yellow, blue and brown.

If you have fish like White Cloud Minnows, Guppies or Neon Tetras, you can easily keep snails in your aquarium without any worries.

Not only will you have some unique pets in your fish tank, the snails will also help to keep your tank clean. If the snails are pests that have hitched a ride on your aquarium plants, then you can introduce Clown Loach into your aquarium. This fish will be more than happy to feed on the snails.

Kum Martin

EzineArticles

2017-08-25

How to Buy AFRICAN CICHLIDS For Sale Online

Buying African Cichlids from an online retailer has pros and cons. One of the advantages to buying from a local fish store is you see the fish with your own eyes before picking one out. The disadvantage is many stores buy fish in bulk from farms that breed mass quantities of fish without the degree of care that a local breeder would do. Furthermore, major aquarium retail chains stock fish that sell well, not necessarily what you want and often with inbred or poor genetic strains.

Before making a tropical fish purchase from an online retailer consider the criteria listed below:

A shell-brooding cichlid of the genus Lamprologus from Lake Tanganyika in East Africa
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Are the fish you will be receiving the same fish photographed on their website? Some online African cichlid stores post pictures that are very different in size and color than the fish you will be receiving. A reputable retailer shows actual photographs of the fish for sale taken from their own tanks. "What you see is what you get" photos are time-consuming and labor intensive so at a minimum, you should only buy African cichlids with photos that are nearly identical to the real fish for sale. Do not be fooled by misleading stock photos.
Where do they get their livestock for sale? The fish are either bred locally, wild caught, or purchased from a major distributor or fish farm. You don't have to know their trade secrets, but you should be able to get an idea of how they obtain their livestock.
How do they ship African Cichlids? Shipping fish is unlike taking a product from a shelf and mailing it. Call your retailer and ask them how they prepare their livestock for shipment. Fish should be double bagged in 2 mil bags with oxygen and an additive to slow metabolism and respiration. An ammonia detoxifier should also be added before packing everything into an insulated box.
What kind of dead on arrival guarantee is offered? A reputable online cichlid breeder guarantees that your fish arrive alive and healthy. In the event fish are dead on arrival, they quickly replace it with shipping included at their expense. At a minimum, a cash refund should be offered.
Do they respond quickly to email or telephone inquiries? If they are difficult to reach before the sale, they may be impossible to reach when a problem arises. Reputable online tropical fish stores are focused on good customer service.

In conclusion, there are many advantages to buying African cichlids for sale online. You can find rare and exotic fish with genetic strains that are unavailable at your LFS, pricing is usually cheaper, the quality of fish from a breeder is almost always better, and fish that come from a reputable and ethical online dealer arrive healthy and disease free as described on their website. Finally, a live arrival guarantee is always included.

Robert Ortiz

http://www.breedcichlids.com

EzineArticles

2017-08-24

TERRAPIN TURTLES - A Step by Step Instructional Guide

Owning terrapin turtles as pets can be a very rewarding hobby, but the average owners know next to nothing about them or how to look after them.

A hatchling Ornate Terrapin (Terrapene ornata ornata)
at the South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

They are an excellent choice for a pet because they are generally low maintenance, relaxing creatures, and are ideal for families with young children, because they can be kept in a set area of your home, but be aware they do have a long life span and will require a life long commitment by the potential owner.

If the terrapin turtle is for a child you must take into consideration that they require a consistent maintenance regime and any child must be willing and able to commit to this responsibility.

They take less care than the usual pets such as cats and dogs, but they do have very specific requirements that you must be aware of before you buy to ensure your pet stays healthy and happy.

What is the difference between Terrapins and Turtles?

In the United Kingdom and some of its territories, they are known as terrapins which is given to any kind of small turtle like creature that can be kept as a pet, where a turtle is generally the larger species that lives in the sea and cannot be kept as a pet.

In all other countries, they are known generally as Terrapin Turtles or Turtles.

Different Variations of Terrapin Turtles

There are four kinds of terrapin turtles: Terrapins, Turtles, Tortoises and Sea Turtles.

Because terrapin turtles can move and live on both land and water, many people are unsure whether they are reptiles or amphibians.

They are actually from the reptile family and belong to a group of reptiles known as the 'Chelonia.group'.

The ones that only live in water are known as aquatic and consist of sea turtles and fresh water terrapins. Sea turtles live in the world's oceans and can grow in excess of 6 feet and cannot be kept as pets.

Then you have the semi-aquatic terrapin turtles that live on both land and water.

The terrapin turtles that live only on land are called terrestrial and are known as box turtles in the US and tortoises everywhere else. It is important to remember that box turtles or tortoises cannot swim and will drown if put in deep water.

Other differences in terrapin turtles are in their shell structure, size, and their limbs. Sea turtles are the largest of this species and have the hardest shells in the reptile world. Fresh water terrapins, on the other hand, are much smaller and have softer shells.

How Big will they get when fully grown?

Before you decide what terrapin turtle to get you must also find out how big it will get when fully grown. They can be as small as 6 inches or as large as two feet!

They need different types of habitat!

Creating the right environment for terrapin turtles really depends on a number of factors which need to be researched well.

Find out how big the breed will get when fully grown, remember they all start out small. You really don't want the expense of buying a new habitat when they grow.

How many will you keep together? The more you have the larger the habitat will have to be.

You then need to decide if you will keep them indoors or outdoors and obtain the correct container to a suite. This can vary from pond liners for outdoors to glass or plastic containers when kept indoors.

Whether kept indoors or outdoors the habitat that terrapin turtles live in has to be both wet and dry.

A very important factor that you must be aware of is that the temperature must be conducive for that species to ensure its well-being.

By Morgan Ofay - Article Source: EzineArticles

Red Nesaea - Ammania gracillis

Red Nesaea - Ammania gracillis

2017-08-23

Can You Have SHARKS in a Freshwater Aquarium?

Sharks are certainly one of the most captivating creatures in the water. They excite, frighten, and intrigue us like no other sea creature. Everybody knows that sharks are from the ocean, but are there such things as freshwater sharks? Is it possible for the adventurous aquarist to keep sharks in a freshwater aquarium?

Shark Catfish Pangasius hypophthalmus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There are a couple of shark species that venture into the fresh water, such as river sharks and occasionally bull sharks, but they generally need at least brackish (somewhat salty) water to survive. So since there are no true sharks that live in freshwater it is impossible to keep them in a home freshwater aquarium.

If you have done any browsing in a fish or pet store it is possible that you came across some fish that were labeled "sharks". If they were not in a saltwater tank, then they weren't sharks. There are a few tropical fish that, due to their appearance, have been given a common name containing "shark", but they are not true sharks. A few of these so-called sharks are very popular in freshwater fish tanks, though, and are worth a look if you are stocking a tank.

The most common of these is the red-tailed shark, scientific name Labeo Bicolor, which earned its name of "shark" because of its dorsal fin, but that is a stretch. Regardless, the red-tailed shark and the rainbow (or red-finned) shark are great additions to almost any community tank. They have distinct coloration and get to be decent size without growing too big. They are generally shy but they do get a bit territorial, although they rarely inflict any damage to other fish in the tank.

The Bala shark is another falsely named but very popular freshwater aquarium fish. The Bala shark is very peaceful and makes a good addition to a larger community aquarium. They definitely prefer a bigger tank because they are very active swimmers and by home aquarium standards, get fairly large (5" or so). They are excellent jumpers so a covered tank is a must.

One other common "shark" is the black fin shark catfish, sometimes called a black tipped shark. Of all of the freshwater fish mistakenly called sharks, this one has the closest actual resemblance. It has a gray, streamlined body with a dorsal fin very similar in shape to a shark, but alas, it is simply a catfish. This fish is not the best choice for general community tanks; it will grow fairly large, chase other fish, and eat small fish if they will fit in his mouth. It is best kept with other larger fish.

For those looking to stock "real" sharks in a freshwater aquarium, you are out of luck. On the plus side, some of the commonly available "sharks" at the fish store are wonderful fish to add to a community aquarium and are well worth considering.

Drew Bartlett

Drew Bartlett has over 30 years experience with setting up and maintaining freshwater aquariums. He is the author of The ~~Essential Beginners Guide to Freshwater Aquariums.~~

Article Source: EzineArticles

2017-08-22

Freshwater Aquarium SNAILS

If you think you only need fishes, plants, and substrates in your freshwater aquarium, you are wrong. There are a lot of people who are not aware that a freshwater snail in an aquarium is a very helpful one. Getting interested? Well, here is why freshwater snails are advantageous.

Physidae Bladder Snail - Photo: Wikimedia

Snails can be used for good and bad purposes, as most forces on this earth are. Commonly, they have gained a reputation as pets for they can destroy plants and do things that will turn your day upside down. They tend to be called as pets for their ability to multiply fast, more so when you put it in a confined area just like a freshwater aquarium. The first question that will probably pop into your mind is " Will they eat all my plants out?". That is possible in reality but with proper management, snails can actually do a lot of good in the maintenance of your aquarium. All you have to do is to introduce factors that can bring balance in their numbers. If successful, you can utilize their use and can even be good pets for you too!

There are one major purpose or use of freshwater aquarium snails. You must know that the diet of a snail depends on different materials. However, the majority of them are scavengers that will be fed on plants, especially those that are already decomposing, algae and dead animals. Others will hunt for smaller animals such as gastropods. So, with a freshwater snail, you can have a help in removing dead animals, algae, and decomposing plants from your aquarium. In short, you have a natural way of keeping the water in your tank clean and free from harmful in your aquarium, right?

They serve as cleaners which you can depend on highly. But always keep in mind that it needs your cooperation to actually be successful. Otherwise, the snails can deter the balance in your freshwater aquarium. You will not have a hard time keeping the snails away from the fish eggs because the eggs seem to be less delicious for snails. They tend to snob those eggs away, unlike other scavengers that can easily be tempted by the look of the eggs. This makes the freshwater snails a friendly neighbor.

One of the ways to control the number of your freshwater fish is to control the food. Make sure that you are feeding your fish in enough amount only. Otherwise, the left over will be devoured by the snails. When this happens, snake blooms occur. Another way to keep their number is to introduce predators. There are species of fishes that can gobble up snails in minutes. If you think their numbers are already conquering your aquarium, then simply place a Pufferfish in the tank and observe how they decrease. Most of all, you can apply the lettuce method. Put the lettuce leaf on the bottom of the tank by tying something heavy to it. After that, you can pick the leaf out of the tank after the snails have attached themselves to it already.

Here are the types of snails which you will find very interesting- snails with Cup-shaped shells, Drop-shaped shell, Discoidal shell, Globose shell, Conical shell.

By Nikki Aquino - Article Source: EzineArticles

AQUARIUM FILTERS - The Pros and Cons of Each Filter

Having a good aquarium filter can make the difference between enjoying fish-keeping or not. Here are descriptions of the different kinds of aquarium filters available, what kind of tanks they are best for, and the overall pros and cons of each option.

My Afternoon - Photo by armigeress

Corner filters

These small clear plastic box filters have an airstone that pushes water up through layers of floss and charcoal. The box sits in the gravel in a corner of the tank. Sometimes they need to be weighted down to keep them from floating. They are very cheap, but not terribly efficient. While they do add some aeration to a tank, you are not going to clean up a dirty tank with this kind of filter.

Sponge filters

These are similar to corner filter, but there is no floss or charcoal or even a plastic box -- all filtering is done through a sponge. Again, this is not a very efficient filter, but it does help. Sponge filters are used in fry and quarantine tanks because they create no strong currents, and they do clean up a tank a bit, and they provide some aeration. Fry may also enjoy nibbling algae off the sponge.

Undergravel filters

Undergravel may be the best choice for a standard community tank. You can also combine an undergravel filter with an exterior box filter for some extra clean water. The benefits are that undergravel filters are relatively cheap, they do a good job once they are established, and they do not create strong currents that some fish, like bettas or discus, will not like. These filters use biological and mechanical filtration by pulling the dirty water in the tank down through the gravel. The plastic aisles of the undergravel filter hold the gravel up so there is a small space at the bottom of the tank. This is where most of the debris is captured. The clean water is pushed up through two tubes on either side of the back of the aquarium and pushes the clean water out -- fairly gently -- through two window-shaped grates.

Undergravel filters use your aquarium's gravel as the filtration media. While there is mechanical filtration, most of the action is happening via biological filtration in the gravel. So these filters may take a few days to show you clean water. There's also no way to upgrade them aside from adding a powerhead, which is only going to add more pull. You will also need an air pump to run an undergravel filter. The stronger it is, the more filtration you will get.

External/hang on the side filters

These filters are boxes that do most of their work just outside of the tank. They hang on the side with an uptake tube that goes down into the tank. The dirty water is pulled up the intake tube and pushed through a series of sponges and usually a bag of activated carbon. This performs biological, mechanical and chemical filtration. The clean water is pushed out through a trough formation that spills into the tank.

These kinds of filters do create a bit of current, especially if you have got a large tank. They can handle tanks up to 100 gallons, and if you had a larger tank than that (lucky you) you could just add a second filter. These kinds of filters have to be cleaned about every week to two weeks by squeezing out the sponges until all the trapped particles are released. Sometimes small fish get caught or pulled up by the intake tube, but this only happens with very, very small fish. That said, do not use these kinds of filters in a fry tank. Otherwise, they do a pretty good job and are a very good filter for the money. They run about $20 for a 20-gallon tank. "Trickle" filters are similar technology.

Canister filters

These are the "big dogs" of the filter world. Unless you have a community tank that is over 50 gallons, using a canister filter is a bit like swatting a fly with a cannonball. The benefit to canister filters is that they do a very, very good job and you do not have to clean them more than once a month if that.

Some people "cheat" and buy canister filters made for tanks two or three or even four times the size of their aquarium and then (sometimes) they can get away with cleaning the filter less than once a year. If you have lots of extra money, but very little extra time, this is a viable trick for those of us who hate cleaning the fish tank (you still have to do water changes, though). The downside is that cleaning canister filters is a big deal and they are quite expensive ($75 to $300).