DISCUS FISH Keeping Tips - Simple Things You Must Know When Caring For Discus

Many new aquarists who try their hand at discus fish keeping have tried and failed. Some keep at it, hoping they will get the hang of it. While one group may live longer than the last, they just do not seem able to get past a certain critical point. And with these fishes being expensive as they are, it becomes disheartening after a while. If this is you, do not despair. With a little foreknowledge you can succeed with keeping them alive and thriving.

Discus fish (Symphysodon aequifasciatus)  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

To get you going, here are simple things you need to know about discus fish keeping.

Set The Temperature

While they are very peaceful and make ideal community fish, their tank-mates may not appreciate it. They require fairly high temperatures to be comfortable. Their ideal temperature is most times too high for other tropical fish. They require it to be between 80 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Most other fishes prefer it to be between 72 and 78.

So you can see the discrepancy there. It might not seem big to you, but if you were cold blooded and your normal range was the lower one, then when you are subjected to the higher ranges, you will feel like you are having a fever. You would not be very comfortable. The discus at lower temperatures will feel like they are experiencing cold chills.

Perform Water Changes Regularly

These guys need pristine water conditions at all times. You will need to change it on a regular basis and never miss one, ever!

Schoolmates

These are schooling fish and so they will not be happy in groups smaller than six.

The Book (not anymore available)

You might want to look at this book for all the secrets to successful discus fish keeping. So, click here for the secrets. Article Directory: EzineArticles

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AXOLOTL Housing - Axolotl Tank

The Aquarium

For someone looking to keep an axolotl in captivity as a pet it is recommended to use a long aquarium with a minimum of 18 inches in length. A standard 20 gallon aquarium is typically large enough for one adult axolotl.

An albino axolotl in captivity in my own tank. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

You don't want to fill the entire tank with water, you only need enough to cover the axolotl and allow some room for movement. Typically most enthusiasts fill the tank up about halfway to the top in most tanks, this allows a good depth of water for the axolotl, and enough space on top so water does not overflow from the movement of the axolotl.

Underneath the tank it is recommended you place black plastic of black paper, since the bottom of the aquarium, it can help the axolotl to have a more natural and darker tank bottom. Enthusiasts often use polystyrene board wrapped in a black plastic bag to help with the color and to spread the weight more evenly.

Filtration

Filtration is not necessary for axolotls, provided that you're willing to regularly change the water. If you choose to use a filter there are a number of options available, such as under-gravel, external "hang on" filters, and canister filters, all will work fine for axolotls but are not required if you opt to change the majority of the water in the tank weekly.

Axolotls excrete a lot of waste, mainly in the form of ammonia (NH3). Through the process of nitrification, ammonia is converted into the less harmful substance nitrite (NO2). This process is one of the most important aspects of filtration and is known is biological filtration.

If you plan on using a mechanical filter, we recommend "aging" your tank for at least two weeks after filling it up with water and installing the filter, before adding any axolotls. Doing this will aid in the development of the bacteria on the filter media, and in preparation for the addition of your axolotl.

Substrates

Axolotls cannot "grip" the bottom of a glass tank, and can cause unneeded stress over time, so we recommend you use a substrate such as sand or rock.

Standard aquarium gravel is not recommended for use in your axolotl tank because the small pieces can become lodged in your axolotls gut and you can risk injuring or killing your axolotl.

If you do wish to use gravel you must use gravel is at least pea sized, about 1/4″ or larger in diameter. Alternatively you can also use fine sand since it does not cause any blockages in the axolotl.

A popular gravel used in most axolotl tanks is a aggregate coated in polymer to prevent it from leeching any chemicals into the water and harming the axolotl. The gravel comes this way, already coated in polymer, and comes in many shapes and sizes.

Lighting

Axolotls do not require any special lighting, standard aquarium fluorescent lighting will work just fine for all axolotl tanks. Unless you are keeping live plants, a standard "hood" style aquarium light will work perfect for your tank.

Axolotls do not need light to survive, the light is purely for display purposes. The only requirement would be if you were keeping live plants in your aquarium, which would require special lighting.

Temperature & Heating

The water in your axolotl tank should be kept between 57-68 degrees, which in most homes does not require any heating or cooling to stay within this temperature.

Temperatures below 57 degrees leads to slower metabolism and a sluggish axolotl. Temperatures above 68 degrees raise the risk for disease, and fluctuations between warm and cool temperatures between nigh and day can also be stressful to your axolotl.

If you do require heating for your aquarium, standard heaters used in fish aquariums, both under the tank and in tank, will work fine for your axolotl tank.

Decoration

Adding decoration such as plastic plants, caves, and rocks gives the axolotl an added sense of security, and is visually appealing to the human eye.

By Josh Range - [http://Axolotl.us]     Article Source: EzineArticles

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ALBINO CORYDORA Catfish

Belonging to the Catfish family, Albino Corydoras grow to about 2- inches in length, the female being a bit larger than the male. They are white to pink in color with pink eyes that appear to be looking directly at you. Surrounding their mouths are barbels with which they hunt for food. It is vital to have nothing in the aquarium with jagged edges as the barbels are quite delicate and even rough gravel can damage them. Check everything for roughness before putting it in the aquarium.

"Albino Cory Spawning" by Docmarius - via Wikimedia Commons.

These fish are non-aggressive in nature, yet are able to hold their own against a more aggressive fish due to their spined fins. Because they are schooling fish, Corydoras are happiest in a group of five or more of their own species. They are playful and love to chase each other, taking occasional breaks to swim to the surface for a gulp of air, sometimes making a good splash before swimming back to the bottom.

he Albino Corydoras are a fish that can thrive in the smaller aquarium. It is acceptable to house a group of 6 -- 8 in a 10- gallon tank. They are hardy enough to withstand most water conditions, with the exception of salted water. Keep the temperature ot the water between 72 -- 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Have for them plenty of plant life as they will rest under the plants to take refuge of the lights from time to time. These fish will eat flaked foods, but being bottom feeders they will wait until the flakes have made the journey to the floor of the aquarium. If you have other species in the aquarium who feed from the surface, consider giving sinking pellets to the Corydoras. They will welcome treats such as live worms and frozen brine shrimp too.

Breeding is no problem for the Albino Corydoras. After spawning, the mother carries the eggs with her ventral fins to deposit them onto plant life and aquarium decorations. If you wish to raise the fry, carefully remove a plant that she placed the eggs onto and put it into a separate tank. But you will have to act soon, as the adult fish will waste no time devouring the eggs. In the end, the mother will have scattered up to 200 eggs. After about one week the fry will hatch.

Be sure to lower the setting of the air filter afore-hand because a powerful stream will injure the tiny fry. Feed microworms to them for the first week, after which you may slowly introduce them to flakes and pellets. When they reach about 3/4- inches in length they will be safe in the community tank. It's quite amusing to see the adult Albino Corydoras and the babies together, as the babies look like exact replicas of their parents, barbels and all. And with a little tender loving care, you can expect these babies to live approximately five years.

By Cybil Frost http://www.cybilf.webs.com - Article Source: EzineArticles

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#1 Way For Your Saltwater Aquarium Setup – Choosing A TANK

Following on from our introduction to saltwater aquariums this segment is designed to give you some idea of a typical saltwater aquarium setup.

A newly set up Temperate Reef (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The type of saltwater aquarium setup you choose depends on a few factors. For example, the kinds of species you want to stock, the space you have available, and your budget. In general you will want to buy the biggest saltwater aquarium setup you can afford that will fit nicely into your living environment.

This is so that your fish and other animals can have the most comfort possible as they grow. The fish and other invertebrates that you choose to stock your tank with need enough space to swim and grow in and enough oxygen to survive. When you choose a saltwater aquarium setup remember that these two factors are determined mainly by the size of the tank.

So let’s talk about the oxygen component of a saltwater aquarium setup. The amount of oxygen in the water is related to the tanks surface area. This means the amount of area on the tank’s surface that is exposed to the air. The greater the surface area of your saltwater aquarium setup, the more room there is for exchange of oxygen to happen at the surface.

The more oxygen that is allowed to enter the tank and the more harmful gases like carbon dioxide are allowed to leave the healthier your saltwater aquarium setup will be. The oxygen content of the water is also influenced by its temperature. In general, the warmer the water, the lower the oxygen content will be.

Most marine species from the tropics like water that is 75 degrees or higher so this means that less oxygen is going to be available to them. This is when it becomes important to increase the surface of the tank by making sure your saltwater aquarium setup is as large as possible.

How do you do this? There is no typical saltwater aquarium setup. Marine tanks come in a variety of shapes and size, but it is the shape of the tank, not its volume that influences surface area. This means that even where two tanks have identical volumes they might not have the same surface area depending on their shape. A saltwater aquarium setup that is tall and slender won’t get a good rate of gas exchange. An ideal design would be one that is short and wide.

Once you’ve chosen your tank its time to start thinking about its residents. Of course the size of your tank is going to dictate how many fish and invertebrates it can house. The main thing to avoid in your saltwater aquarium setup is overcrowding. Too many inhabitants and your tank’s filtration system will be overloaded. Fish living in cramped conditions become stressed and this can lead to illness and death.

You can calculate how many fish your saltwater aquarium setup will hold by stocking one inch of fish per four gallons of water for a period of six months. After this period increase the number of fish slowly to one inch per two gallons. This means that a 40 gallon aquarium should not contain more than 10 inches of fish for the first six months.

So, for example, you might choose one 3-inch queen angel, two 1-inch clownfish, one 2-inch regal tang, one 1-inch bicolor blenny and two 1-inch Beau Gregory’s. Once the six month period is over you could increase the total number of inches in your saltwater aquarium setup to 20.

Of course, your fish are going to grow so you have to adjust for the changing sizes of your fish. The shape of your fish is also important. If your fish are likely to be on the heavy side you will need to stick to the low end of the capacity of your saltwater aquarium setup.

A saltwater aquarium setup will cost you time and money so accept this and don’t skimp. Even if you devote considerable time and effort to a small tank you can still encounter problems. If you choose the wrong one initially you will probably end up having to buy another one and this may be discouraging. In short, if you don’t have the money to buy a tank that’s at least 30 gallons, don’t invest any money at all.

When you choose a saltwater aquarium setup there are many options. You can choose from glass and acrylic and you can even get reef-ready styles complete with pre-drilled holes for equipment and plumbing. Glass tanks sealed with silicon rubber cement are a common choice. Rectangle designs are popular but they are also found in octagon and hexagon. They are non-toxic and don’t scratch easily.

The downside to a glass saltwater aquarium setup is that they are heavy. This means that large tanks will have very thick glass. Try to find one with a plastic frame that will make the tank more stable. Plated glass is shatterproof but not as strong as tempered.

An acrylic saltwater aquarium setup is molded with few seams so they are more transparent. However your view may still be distorted at the corners. Acrylic tanks are not as heavy as glass and so come in a wider variety of shapes and sizes. Acrylic is also stronger than glass. On the downside acrylic tanks can get scratched and are more expensive than glass. They are easily scratched by algae scrapers and decorations. It is possible to buff these marks out with a special kit.

Whichever saltwater aquarium setup you choose make sure it provides a healthy environment for your fish. You also need to make sure that you can afford to maintain it properly and that it suits your lifestyle and available time. Once you have everything set up correctly you will be able to enjoy the colorful antics and shapes of your fishy friends, corals and other invertebrates. Enjoy the wonderful world of your saltwater aquarium!

The Rudiments Of WATER CHEMISTRY

A relatively cheap electronic pH meter. 

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Most aquarists will happily debate water quality to the point of being obsessive. Water is, after all, the atmosphere on which your pets depend.

It isn't necessary to have a degree in chemistry to maintain a healthy aquarium, but you will need to do some water testing.

Axolotls are extremely sensitive to water quality. You must be prepared to test the water in your tank on a weekly basis to ensure your pet's continued good health.

With that in mind, there are some basic measurements you need to at least understand to some degree.

Acidity or Per Hydrogen (pH)

The "pH" sign for most people signals an assessment of acidity. When viewed as a scale, low numbers mean greater acidity and higher numbers indicate "basic" or alkaline water.

The actual measurement is the balance in the water between hydrogen (H+) and hydroxide (OH) ions. Axolotls are freshwater creatures, so they need a pH range of 6.5 to 7.5.

Carbonate Hardness (KH)

With this measurement, it's easy to confuse terms. KH refers to alkalinity, which is not the same thing as "alkaline."

Alkalinity is a description of the water's ability to neutralize and absorb acid, thereby acting as a "buffer." If the KH level in water is high, there won't be many changes in the pH level, and the water will be more stable.

Specific Gravity (sg)

In its most simple terms, specific gravity measures the salinity of water. It is taken with a hydrometer or a refractometer. Since axolotl are freshwater creatures, the specific gravity of their water should be around 1.0000.

Hard vs. Soft Water

Axolotls prefer slightly hard water. If you have limescale in your cookware or around your pipes, you have hard water.

If your axolotl is living in water that is too soft, its color will fade, especially the shade of the gills. This indicates your pet is suffering from temporary anemia. You will need to add salts to the water to increase the hardness.

Since these equations can be confusing, it's best to find out in advance if the water in your area is hard or soft and consult with an experienced aquarist about the best corrective measures to test.

The variance in water quality in this regard can be so extensive, there is no one set formula to "fix" the measurement. In general, however, soft water tends to be more acidic and hard water is more alkaline in terms of pH.

By Lolly Brown Axolotl water chemistry can be tricky. Here is more information on Axolotl and how to care for them. Article Source: EzineArticles

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AFRICAN CICHLID Fish

Cichlids are an adorable group of freshwater fishes highly prized for their rich coloration. They are considered among the most specialized and diverse group of fishes anywhere in the world. There are an estimated 1300 or more species existing, all with an unimaginable number of size and color combinations. Those freshwater Oscars and angelfish we all knew to be aquarium fish species are actually cichlids. The African cichlid is one two classifications widely displayed in aquariums these days.

Adult Neolamprologus cylindricus in an aquarium (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This particular fish group comes from three African lakes: Lake Victoria, Lake Malawi, and Lake Tanganyika. With Lake Malawi being the second deepest and at the same time third largest lake in the African landscape, about a thousand species or more of the Lake Malawi cichlids are considered the most beautiful in the world, whether they live in the freshwater or otherwise.

Cichlids found in Africa are especially known for displaying beautiful and enchanting patterns complete with an array of colors not surprisingly typical in most species of freshwater species. Everyone agrees that such types are also the most colorful among the species. They are most elegant to observe at, especially when they flaunt their impressive social behavior and intelligence.

African cichlids are designed by nature to adapt to captivity, which is why you can see so many of them available in pet shops anywhere these days. They are also hardy, which means maintaining them is much easier compared to others. This great characteristic is doing so many things to help them survive in new environments and specific geographic locations.

African cichlids are also known to have varied and interesting behaviors. Some types are known to carry their eggs and young into their mouths. The male functions to fertilize the eggs, while the female picks them up and incubates them inside the mouth for about three weeks or more depending on the species. Researchers believe this behavior is an evolutionary advancement of their specific reproductive methods, since the process significantly provides offspring protection during delicate development periods. Even if the young are already released, mothers are still driven by instinct to protect them inside their mouths whenever threatened.

This particular species are also known to be more aggressive compared to their counterparts and extremely territorial, which may also explain the link with their highly predatory features. When on the wild, they are often found living together in schools or groups of the same species. The mature ones are not hospitable since they function to guard the territory. They may even be aggressive to other fishes and even cichlids of varying species.

Cichlids in general express both their dominance and timidity mainly through their colors; pale fishes could be stressed out, or they could also be submissive. Bright-colored fish types on the other hand are usually dominant as they are also more aggressive than other cichlids. Whenever male cichlids lose territory, they also lose their bright colors. Some others even hide while retaining their dominance color just to pretend of their status, which also means to keep their hopes of attracting mates strong. And that's the African cichlid for you.

By James Corman To learn more about cichlid fish, go to the Lifestyles100 web site or pick up the Nook book, Cichlid Care Secrets at Barns and Noble. Article Source: EzineArticles

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