Fact Sheet: PEARL GOURAMI - Trichogaster leeri

(Original title: Keeping the Pearl Gourami in Aquariums)

Photo by h080

The Pearl Gourami, Trichogaster leeri, is also called the Lace Gourami, Diamond Gourami and the Mosaic Gourami, and sometimes the Red Breasted Gourami. It is native to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. It has been introduced to Colombia, The Philippines and Taiwan.

Length and Longevity

It can grow to about 12 centimetres (4 1/2 inches) long. It will live for up to 8 years.

Water Conditions

This fish comes from tropical countries, and it needs warm water. A temperature of between 24 and 28 degrees C (75- 83 degrees F) is suitable. They come from soft acid water, but the adults are moderately adaptable and a pH of between 6.0 and 7.5 with a dH of up to 19 is all right for maintaining them.

Plants

This fish comes from still or sluggishly moving water bodies with a lot of plants in, so at least part of their aquarium needs to have a lot of plants. Ideally these should include floating plants.

Breathing

The Pearl Gourami is a labyrinth fish and can breathe air as well as water, so it needs access to the air. It is better if the air is of a similar temperature to the water and is humid, so the tank should be well covered.

Food

This fish is an easily fed omnivore. It will eat all common fish foods. Its diet should include foods of both animal origin like live or frozen bloodworms, daphnia or brine shrimp, and also things a vegetable origin like algae wafers, lettuce or lightly cooked zucchini.

Hydra

Although the most popular fish for eating Hydra is the Blue Gourami, Pearl Gouramis also eat it readily. They are smaller and more peaceful than Blue Gouramis and are sometimes kept in tanks as small as 60 Litres (15 US gallons), so there are circumstances where the Pearl Gourami would be the fish of choice to get rid of hydra.

Bruising

The Pearl Gourami has a soft body and care needs to be taken when handling this fish.

Companions

It is a very peaceful fish which is often, but not always, shy. It can safely be put with fish smaller than itself although I would not put it with fish as small as Neon Tetras, but most of the more peaceful tetras are suitable companions as well as all the corydoras catfish like the Bronze Catfish.

You need to avoid fish that nip fins or are large and aggressive.

By Steve Challis Steve Challis has many other fish fact sheets and other articles on http://www.bettatrading.com.au including pictures and breeding information about the Pearl Gourami at http://www.bettatrading.com.au/Pearl-Gourami-Fact-Sheet.php. Article Source: EzineArticles

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Shocking Dangers of Bad GOLDFISH Care (Part 1): Poor Quality GOLDFISH Water

When you really take the time to look at it, the majority of common goldfish sickness problems stem from one thing: poor water quality. Fortunately, it's as easy to get this right as it is wrong.

Some goldfish problems related to water should never happen. For instance, a goldfish should never be kept in a bowl. Why? Simply because it's too small: too small for proper surface exchange of gases; too small to allow enough water to circulate and keep oxygen content high enough.

Lionhead Goldfish. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Did you know that in the United Kingdom, the government was forced to introduce legislation to protect goldfish? The reason was that they were often kept in small bags at fun fairs. Cramped inside, goldfish would routinely suffocate from lack of oxygen and inappropriate conditions.

If you're unclear why you require a large aquarium for your goldfish, then think about this:

How are your goldfish going to get all the oxygen they need?

From experience, even a small goldfish requires at least 20 litres of water. That's just a teeny tiny goldfish! And you know something? They grow - fast.

Second, you absolutely must have a working filter and pump. And these need to be turned on 24/7. If you turn the pump off, the water won't be pushed to the surface and oxygen transfer can't happen.

This is a good reason to ensure that you never keep an aquarium in a bedroom - not even for the kids. 

If you do, children often find it affects their sleep. That's the point where parents sometimes turn the pump off at night. It's far better to keep your goldfish somewhere you can leave the pump and filter running, so they can do their work. And you won't be disturbed at night time.

What happens if you don't have the right oxygen levels for quality goldfish water?

Answer: Your goldfish will choke.

You can tell if a goldfish is struggling to get adequate oxygen because they will spend a lot of time at the surface, gulping away. You can literally see them suffocating. And immediate action is essential: either buy a larger aquarium; get a pump installed; or do an immediate water change.

Poor water quality in an aquarium can come about in a number of ways:

• Not cleaning the goldfish regularly (each week)
• Not "treating" water before adding it to the tank
• Not having a working filter and pump running Turning the pump off at night
• Having an aquarium less than 54-litres in size (minimum)
• Too much algae Too many plants
• Having too many fish in the same aquarium (I suggest two goldfish maximum for a 54 litre aquarium)
• The list goes on

If you have a new tank and you notice that the goldfish water is cloudy, then that's just a sign that it's beginning the "cycling" process. This is natural and will settle down after a few days.

Here's the bottom line: if you don't change water regularly, your goldfish will suffer. You need a regular (weekly) maintenance schedule for any aquarium. The minimum requirement is to change 20% of water every single week. I usually change 40% of the goldfish aquarium water. And I have had healthy goldfish as long as I can remember.

By Richard Haggerty Richard Haggerty is author of "The Goldfish Expert" and runs a popular Goldfish Care blog. To get a Free Special Report on avoiding the shocking dangers of bad goldfish care - and the pros and cons of different goldfish treatments - visit http://www.richardhaggerty.co.uk/GoldfishExpert/ Article Source: EzineArticles

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How To Discover And Prevent Aquarium FISH ILLNESS

Aquarium fish fall ill just like any other pet. The illnesses are as a result of disease. The common diseases that affect aquarium fish are mostly stress induced. 

The micro-organisms which cause these diseases may be present in the water as part of the normal micro fauna and grab the opportunity to infest or infect the fish when it is stressed and its normal defense are weakened.

Jet black angel is a fresh water aquarium fish 
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Different ways aquarium fish suffer from stress 

- Aquarium fish usually start experiencing stress starting from the time it’s about living the breeding farm till when the end purchaser finally picked it from retailer. Most beginners don’t really know how to handle fish.

- The quality of water is another cause of aquarium fish stress. Different fish species have different water quality that will make the environment conducive for them. Quality parameters like pH, water hardness, high nitrite and carbon dioxide level, low dissolved oxygen salinity of water, water temperature and others.

- Any change in environment like physical damage, leaches, lice and introduction of new fish that is not quarantine could lead to stress in aquarium, thus making life non conducive for fish in aquarium tank

- Change in weather condition is another factor that leads to aquarium fish stress. When there is heavy downfall as you know the weather will become cold and this could lead to stress in aquarium.

- Poor Diet as a result of lack in nutritional requirement always leads to poor performance in fish immune system. Fish immune system will struggle to operate efficiently. This will result in a stressed fish.

Warning signs of illness in aquarium fish 

You can easily know when your fish are going through stress if you watch them very well and often. You will notice signs like fish swimming with clamps up (closed) in their fins, hovering in a corner, heavy breathing and fish brushing its body against objects. These are warning signs you need to act on immediately.

How to reduce stress in aquarium 

To reduce stress in aquarium, you need to guide against factors that lead to stress. The following are tips on how to prevent stress that ultimately leads to illness:

- Make sure you have detail information about the fish species that you will be introducing to your tank. Enquiring about its requirements before you buy it will help you a lot. Thus, ask lots of questions before making your purchase.

- Knowing the right food for your fish is another important thing you have to know as this may vary from species to species. If you have this knowledge you will be able to provide foods that are rich in nutritional ingredients that your fish require.

- Keep the environment clean.

- When you want to introduce new fish, make sure it's quarantined to reduce the risk of disease.

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What Types of HERMIT CRABS Should Be Placed in a Saltwater Aquariums?

Hermit crabs have been popular pets for adults and children alike for many years, and there are many who appreciate their unique beauty (and just as many do not-it's a matter of taste). With the increasing popularity of bringing a piece of the sea into the home it is no wonder that the notion of introducing hermit crabs into a saltwater aquarium has been gaining in popularity.

Common Hermit Crab in aquarium tank (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Just as there are many types of hermit crabs that can be kept as pets, so too are there many different breeds which can be kept in aquariums. Not all have the same chance for survival if kept in captivity, however, and it is important that the aquarium owner make sure that they are familiar with all of the specific needs of their hermit crabs before they are introduced to the aquarium. Below is an introduction to some of the most common breeds of aquarium hermit crabs.

- Red Hermit Crab (Dardanus megistos)- Also known as the White Spotted Hermit Crab this crab has red legs with black edged spots. It is not a safe addition to a reef aquarium but is very useful in keeping algae growth to a minimum in a community aquarium. Only one crab per aquarium please; these crabs are very protective of their personal space.

- Red Legged Hermit Crab (Clibanarius digueti)-these Mexican crabs are a hardy addition to any aquarium, eating algae from the tank. They demand a low level of copper in the water, however, as their bodies cannot survive in the presence of this metal.

- Scarlet Hermit Crab, or Reef Hermit Crab (Paguristes cadenati)-this hermit crab generally remains small, around two inches across, and has a red body with yellow eyestalks. They are very helpful in keeping the algae growth inside the aquarium under control; however, if insufficient algae is available inside the tank they must be supplementally fed with dried seaweed.

- Common Hermit Crab (Pagurus bernhardus)-These crabs are more common in Europe but can be found in other countries as well. Also known as the soldier crab.

Since these crabs carry their homes around on their backs it is important that they constantly have new shells available to them when they have outgrown their previous shell. A hermit crab in an improperly sized shell cannot grow properly. These shells can be purchased from a pet store or an online retailer or, if the owner is familiar with the requirements of their hermit crabs, these shells can often be found on a beach. If the owner chooses to go out into the wild and collect their own shells it is important that they choose the proper type of shell for their hermit crab to inhabit. As sea anemones are often an important part of the hermit crabs natural environment they make excellent tank mates, eating the leftovers when the hermit crab has finished a meal and cutting back on the amount of tank waste.

Hermit crabs are an intriguing addition to any tank, and require very little maintenance once their owners are familiar with their needs and their habits. With the proper care they can live for quite a while, providing endless hours of joy for their owners and their families.

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CICHLID Aquarium Setup - Our Top Five Tips

Cichlids are beautiful fish and I applaud your decision to set up a cichlid tank. Before you start I would like to ease the way by covering several points you may not have considered. This is a big job and it is very difficult to rectify afterwards as once the tank is full of water it will be nearly impossible to move.

The first consideration is the location. Is your planned location big enough to accommodate your size of tank and have enough space to allow filter tubes and lighting cable to run down behind the tank stand? From time to time you will need access to these things and if you cannot reach it will make life difficult. You need to allow sufficient working space. Direct sunlight is the next major consideration. If the tank is in the glare of direct sunlight algae with grow like wildfire on the inside of the glass, on rocks, driftwood and plants. This can be reduced by various water treatments but it is not ideal. It would also make cleaning your aquarium a lot more work than it needs to be as well as spoiling the overall presentation of your fish.

Male altispinosa dwarf cichlid by úlfhams_víkingur

If at all possible you should avoid placing you tank against a cold external wall. A Cichlid tank by definition is filled with warm water. If you have something cooling the water down your heaters will have to work overtime to maintain the correct temperature for your fish. This will also raise your electricity bill enormously. People rushing past your tank will startle your fish and cause them undue stress. Accidental knocks and bangs on the tank will also upset your fish in addition to the likelihood of damage caused to the glass which would be a major disaster. Therefore a quieter location would be preferred by all, especially your fish.

Finally, please give some thought to cleaning time. You will need to transport large quantities of waste water away from the tank. Do you have a clear route to the garden? The water can be used to water flower beds and potted plants rather than being flushed into the sewer system. You do not want trip hazards while you are carrying a bucket of used fish water. It will not be good for the carpet, believe me. Been there - done that.

I hope that I have opened your eyes to a few other considerations other than 'It will look nice there' when it comes to setting up a cichlid fish tank. Of course you want it to look nice, but without further complications down the line. I also fully appreciate that you might not be able to satisfy all the points listed above so you will have to judge each point on your own circumstances and make your own decision.

If I were to choose just one point above all others it would be to avoid the sunlight. Not only is it bad for your tank, you won't see a thing with the sunlight reflecting off the glass and that's not why you set up a Cichlid Aquarium in the first place. Article Directory: EzineArticles

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Tips To Remember Before You Buy a DISCUS FISH

Discus Fish are one of the most popular types of fishes to have in a freshwater aquarium. They are very colorful and they can also be the center attraction of your aquarium. If you did your research about Discus Fish, then you know how expensive they can be.

Discus fish.  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you are planning to buy a Discus Fish as an additional fish in to your aquarium, here are some tips that you need to remember before you actually buy one. With these tips, you will be able to know how to buy a Discus Fish, which is very important in order for you to avoid wasting your money.

First of all, when buying a Discus Fish, you have to remember that a healthy Discus Fish should look healthy. Discus Fish that tends to stay on top of the tank or near the surface is a sure sign that they are sick. You should also look out for bloated gills as well as unusual spots. Also, be on the lookout for parasites hanging from the fish.

You should also stay away from tanks that have a DNS label on them. DNS means “do not sell” and the fish here are most likely to have a disease.

You should also test the alertness and responsiveness of the fish. To do this, have the breeder or the keeper feed the fish. If the fish is passive and doesn’t take interest of the new food available, this may be a sign of unhealthy fish. The fish you buy should eat the food or at least take interest in them. If the keeper says that they just fed the fish, then you should look for another place to buy a Discus Fish.

As much as possible, you should buy an adult Discus Fish. This is highly recommended for first time owners of Discus Fish as adult Discus Fish costs lesser to maintain than juvenile ones. You need to remember that juvenile Discus Fish are far more sensitive to water quality and food quality than adult Discus Fish.

You also have to know about the dealer quarantine. This is the time where the dealer obtained the fish and the time they decide to sell the fish. The longer the dealer quarantine is, the better it will be for you. Usually, the fish should be in quarantine for at least 2 weeks. This is to make sure that the fish is not spreading any diseases. Also, you need to make sure that the dealer tells you if the fish have been subjected to medicines or if they have been de-wormed. By asking these questions, you will be able to have a good idea about the background of the fish.

Lastly, you have to take a look at the aquarium chemistry. Make sure that you ask the dealer about the current water condition that the Discus Fish you plan on buying is currently living in. This will give you a good idea on how to set up your aquarium and also help you if the dealer of the fish knows what they’re doing.

Remember these tips and you can be sure that you will be able to purchase a great Discus Fish that will live for a very long time in your aquarium.

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2 Great Freshwater Pets - Harlequin RASBORA And Clown LOACH Care Tips

Harlequin rasbora, Trigonostigma heteromorpha
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Cyprinidae family of fish have many fish that are great for aquariums. Some of them are a little easier to maintain than others, but no less fun. This family consists of carps and minnows, which are tiny fish.

The Harlequin Raspbora fish are known for the colorful bodies and high spirit in the tank. One of their main characteristics is the dark triangular shape on the tail end of the fish. It starts in the middle of the body and continues to the end of the fin. These fish, which are part of the Rasbora Heteromorpha family, are popular among freshwater aquariums. They come from Thailand, Eastern Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula and can reach about 1 3/4 length.

Aquarium owners love harlequin fish because they do well in communal tanks. They aren't going to fight with the other fish are get territorial. They enjoy a little bit of everything when it comes to hanging out in the tank. While they they enjoy the top of the tank, they also like little hiding spots to hide in vegetation, but give them plenty of open water to swim in.

Harlequin are friendly fish, but do enjoy their own kind. Try to keep them in a small school, at three to six of them should be in your tank. Not only is this for the fish's sakes, but a group of them are a great sight in your tank as the lights glisten off the fish's shiny, colorful body.

Water conditions: These freshwater fish are easy to care for as long as you do the right thing. The water for the harlequin fish should be kept around 76 degrees Farhenheit. They enjoy soft water and peaty water. Use a peat bag in your filter for them. The water should also be slightly acidic. Keep the pH in the 6.0 to 6.5 range.

Aquarium conditions: Consider live plants for the harlequin's aquarium. Find plants that are native to the harlequins natural habitat. These fish also prefer dim lighting. It's best to find plants and other fish that will enjoy the same environment.

Feeding: The harlequin is perfect when it comes to food. They aren't demanding and will eat many things. Try flakes, dried, frozen and live foods. By giving them a good diet range, you can make sure they won't have any digestive problems.

A clown loach (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Loaches are interesting freshwater fish. These are the scavengers in your freshwater aquarium. They tend to stay around the bottom of the tank feeding on anything they could find. Many live in low quality water such as murky rivers and have adapted by coming up to the surface and breathing in atmospheric oxygen. One of the more popular loaches for aquariums is the clown loach. They make interesting fish to keep because they also eat the algae in the tank, making cleaning a little easier.

Water conditions: The temperature should be pretty warm. They like it to be around 84 degrees Fahrenheit with a pH around 6.5. Loaches are sensitive to water quality. Keep the water clean with a good filter. Also, the clown loaches prefers a higher moving current just like their freshwater environment.

Aquarium conditions: Line the bottom of the tank with sand or gravel that the clown can dig into. You should have live plants in the tank, but this will change based on the clown loach. A young loach can keep with most plant species, but adult loaches prefer plants such as the java fern and anubias. The clown loaches live to hid, so the more places they can squeeze into, the happier they will be. Don't worry if the loach digs himself into a hole. He's just relaxing.

There are so many different freshwater fish to choose for your aquarium, it's going to be hard to pick just one. Find the ones you are going to enjoy most and take great care of them.

By Abhishek Agarwal Abhishek is an avid Fish Lover and he has got some great Aquarium Care Secrets up his sleeves! D Article Source: EzineArticles

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