A BRISTLENOSE PLECO Profile

Photo  by mrpotet 

The Bristlenose Pleco is one of the most popular aquarium fish around the world today but there is some confusion about certain aspects of its naming and exactly what is being referred to when certain names are used. Therefore if you feel you'd like to get to the bottom of how it all fits together and how best to look after these extraordinary fish them please read on.

Bristlenose Pleco is the common name given to the genus Ancistrus which is made up of over 140 species of catfish which come from rivers and streams in South America. Interestingly the name Bristlenose Pleco is not the only common name that they are known as. In Australia, they are predominantly known as Bristlenose Catfish but in other parts of the world including Canada, the USA, and the UK they are known as Bristlenose Plecos or simply Plecos or Plecs.

Therefore if you are new to the world of Bristlenose then be careful as the name Pleco can also be applied to many other genera of Catfish outside the genus Ancistrus, as well. So what you may find in some instances is, when Pleco is used, it may not necessarily be in reference to Bristlenose.

The next important point to understand is that the most common species within the genus is A. cirrhosis or simply the Common Bristlenose. The Common Bristlenose is normally identified by it's a brown color with lighter colored spots but it's also important to know that there is also an albino color variation as well. Both of these color variations also come in what is known as shortfin and longfin varieties, so all up there are 4 different variations of the Common Bristlenose.

A. cirrhosus was also once known as A. dolichopterus. As a consequence when you see the name A dolichopterus it may be incorrectly referring to A. cirrhosus or it could be referring to the real A. dolichopterus which is also known as the Starlight Bristlenose or simply L183. Therefore look for clarification when you do see this name.

This then leads into what is known as the L Number System. Many members of the Catfish family, Loricariidae of which Ancistrus species are a member are allocated what is called an L Number. This is applied to species that have not yet been scientifically classified as a means of identifying them. You may also find that some species have more than one L Number due to being named in different locations which can also lead to some confusion.

Therefore you will find that most Bristlenose Plecos are referred to by their species name or their common name or an L Number or even a combination of any of these.

So as you can see the naming of the Bristlenose Pleco can be a little confusing but luckily for the enthusiast their ease of care is much simpler. Simply ensure the water is heated to between 20 to 27 deg C, it is fairly well oxygenated, there is some sort of current and the pH is slightly acidic. These conditions replicate those of much other fish as well and as such the Bristlenose is well suited to be kept with many different types of freshwater fish.

This is of course just one of the reasons why they are so often called upon as the number one choice for an algae eater in so many community tanks. Therefore you would think that feeding would be pretty straightforward as well and in many respects it is.

Firstly, don't assume that they will survive on just foraging for algae. They do like some added vegetables as well. Blanched zucchini, carrots, and broccoli are all favorites. Also, add the occasional algae wafer and meat-based food and they will be extremely happy. The most important factor though is that plant-based foods should make up the majority of their diet as too much protein can lead to constipation and bloat, which can be fatal.

So now hopefully you'll understand what is being referred to when the many different terminologies are used to describe the Bristle-nose Pleco. They are fairly easy to care for as well but just make sure you get the essentials right and your Bristlenose Pleco will live a long, happy and healthy life.

The Bristlenose Pleco is just such a useful and likable freshwater aquarium fish. They are easy to look after and breed but just like the most thing it does pay to do some quality research if want to keep and breed the Bristlenose Pleco successfully. Find out more at my Bristlenose Pleco blog. Article Source: EzineArticles

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MAUI OCEAN CENTER

Photo  by maveric2003 

The ocean center has a huge aquarium that has water filtered into it from the Bay.  This aquarium is as real as it gets.  This tank has a tunnel that you can actually walk through.  This makes for great pictures.  You can get a picture of yourself standing face to face with a sand shark.  While walking through the tunnel, you will see sharks and rays, and tons of different types of fish.

The best thing about the tunnel is that you can see the underside of the creatures as they swim above you.  The tanks also boast a coral and tropical fish display that will amaze anyone.  The coral itself is breathtaking.  In fact, this coral collection is the largest of any aquarium in the world.

Another amazing display inside the aquarium is the giant cylinder columns of jellyfish.  They are several feet wide, and you can watch the jellyfish float above you.  The sight of these creatures is both terrifying and mesmerizing at the same time.

Next, you move along through the aquarium to the sea turtles tanks.  These sea turtles have been injured at some point in their lives and their stay at the aquarium is only a temporary one. They will be reintroduced back into their natural habitat once they have recovered.  This is my favorite exhibit in the aquarium. If you happen to visit during feeding time you can actually feed the turtles.  It's great to watch these huge docile creatures chomping happily on their lunch.

The ocean center also has an interactive display of whales, where visitors can learn about these giant mammals.  Whale watching is a big hobby in Hawaii.  There are several whale watching tours available.  Turtle Bay resort located on the north shore of Oahu boasts that during the winter you can actually see whales from your balcony.

The Maui Ocean Center is a perfect place for families to visit.  They offer a wide variety of exhibits for children that are both informative and exciting.  There is also a touch pond, where children can pick up some of the creatures and actually handle them.  They can see sea stars and sea urchins, as well as skates and rays.  Be careful when stroking rays, however, you should always stroke them from head to tail in order to avoid being stung by there tails.

No kid friendly aquarium would be complete without food.  The ocean center offers a café where you can grab lunch.  They have light fare such as salads and sandwiches, and of course, ice cream.  Also, don't miss the great picture taking opportunities that the center has to offer.  Along the backside of the aquarium, there are some spectacular views of Ma'alaea Bay, and there is a dolphin statue located in the very front of the center that also makes for a great souvenir photo.

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Aquatic Plants - JAVA MOSS

Photo  by AJC ajcann.wordpress.com 

Many fish species from all over the world like to spawn among Java moss plants in the aquarium even when Java moss cannot be found in their native habitat. Java moss will also provide fry with an ideal hiding place where they can avoid being eaten by adult fish. Since infusoria appreciate the moss as a home, the really small fry will have access to tiny food that they can feed on until they are large enough to eat bigger food types. 

Java moss does not have to be planted in the substrate; you can simply tie it to a piece of aquarium decoration or leave it floating around in the aquarium. A free-floating piece of Java moss can, however, be sucked into the filter, so most aquarists prefer to attach the Java moss to something or plant it in the substrate. It can actually do well even above the surface as long as the air is moist. It is, therefore, a great plant for open aquariums and paludariums.

When you attach the Java moss to rock, wood or any other type of aquarium decoration you can for instance use fishing wire. Be careful not to use materials that can pollute the water, e.g. copper wire. The moss will instantly start growing small roots (so-called rhizoids) and try to attach itself to the surface. After a while, the fishing wire is no longer needed since the plant will be secured by the rhizoids.

The moss is a very fast growing plant, and when you have purchased one plant you can easily use it to create new plants for other parts of the aquarium. It can be propagated by simply splitting the plant and moving one of the parts to another place. The moss will often propagate itself in the aquarium since small pieces will fall of the main plant and drift around in the water until they find a new place where they can attach themselves. The moss will also form red-brown sporocarps.

The moss will endure a wide range of different water conditions and temperatures. It is native to warm waters and the preferred temperature range is therefore 64°-86° F (18°-30° C). It will also appreciate a pH between 5.8 and 8.0 but can sometimes adapt to more acidic conditions. Unlike many other tropical plants, this moss does not require strong light and it will actually do best in low or medium strong light. Algae can be a problem for the moss since excessive algae growth on the leaves can harm and even kill the plant.

By Allen Jesson - Article Source: EzineArticles

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RED PEACOCK CICHLIDS - An Overview in Breeding

The Red Peacock Cichlids like water that is somewhat alkaline (a pH of around 7.8-8.0). The temperature in the tank should be kept between 74 and 82F. Consistency is key for the Red Peacock Cichlid; they do not take kindly to constant fluctuations in temperature and pH levels.

While the female Red Peacock Cichlid prefers to live in groups, the male is a bit of a loner. For breeding purposes, there should be a ratio of one male per two females. The male will "peacock" himself to draw the attention of the female and once she consents he will take her back to his cave. There they will dance, the female dropping the eggs and the male fertilizing them. After fertilization, the female will carry the eggs in her mouth for 2 weeks until they are ready to hatch. Females may hatch anywhere from 12 to 50 young, depending on her size.

These cichlids are mouth brooders and while the female is carrying the eggs in her mouth, she will not eat and will grow weak as a result. During this time, it is vital that she has plenty of hiding spaces to escape a male chasing her. It is also a good idea to provide her a recovery tank after the young hatch and she will soon regain her strength. She may spawn as often as every 8 weeks.

Red Peacock Cichlids will interbreed with other species, so keep them separated if you don't want crossbreeds. As for tank mates, species of medium size with similar temperament should be chosen. Do not place a Red Peacock Cichlid in the same tank with aggressive breeds.

By Preston Mane - Article Source: EzineArticles

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ACRYLIC AQUARIUMS Offer Big Advantages for Fish Lovers and Beautiful Home Decor

Fish lovers and anyone wanting the beauty of aquariums to add to their home decor needs to take a close look at acrylic aquariums. These beauties of high-tech pet supplies offer at least three distinct advantages for aquarium owners:

Photo  by Moto@Club4AG 

1. Acrylic aquariums are much lighter weight than traditional glass aquariums. If you consider a 20-gallon aquarium as an example, the typical glass aquarium weights about 35 pounds. An acrylic aquarium the same size weighs about 17 pounds. When you add the weight of the water, the 20-gallon glass aquarium comes in around 225 pounds. The acrylic aquarium, then, would save several pounds in total weight, which would is significant for handling and set it up, as well as on those occasions when you need to move it. In addition, if you're buying your aquarium via the Internet or through a catalog, you'll find shipping costs are reduced significantly. Not only is the aquarium lighter to ship, it requires less packing and extra shipping charges which most supplies add to ensure the more breakable glass.

2. Acrylic aquariums are virtually unbreakable and leak-proof. Without getting into the technology of it all, a quality acrylic aquarium is fused together by heat and molecular bonding making it virtually leak-proof, with no degradable joints or seams. Most glass aquariums are warranted against leakage and breakage for 1 to 6 years at most. Acrylic aquariums generally carry lifetime warranties. In addition, the acrylics have improved in recent years so that they maintain their clarity and are unlikely to "yellow" or become less clear with age. Although acrylic scratches more easily than glass, aquarium manufacturers sell cheap (about $10) scratch removal kits. Careful cleaning with soft cloths eliminate the scratching problem from the start.

3. These aquariums offer aesthetic benefits for fish lovers and home decor. They come with safe, rounded corners and no sharp edges. They come in a full range of sizes to fit your current aquarium stand or allow you to customize your home decor by purchasing the combination of aquarium shape, size, and stand you want. Acrylics are also more flexible than glass, giving them a distinct "bend and not break" advantage around children, non-fish pets, and even natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes! They also are generally better insulated than glass aquariums, making them require less energy to maintain necessary water temperatures for the health and well-being of your fish.

Whether you already have an aquarium, or you're just getting started, acrylic aquariums offer important advantages over others. For beautifying your home or just showing off your fish, you should buy an acrylic aquarium when you make your next aquarium purchase.

Gary Speer - Article Directory: EzineArticles

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CARDINAL TETRA

Cardinal tetras Paracheirodon axelrodi waking up in an aquarium.
Just after the lights were turned on. Its skin yet in a pink tone.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Cardinal tetra is similar to more frequently kept Neon tetra but is much more difficult to breed in aquariums. Since both species look similar to each other at first glance, they are sometimes mixed up with each other and the Cardinal tetra is sometimes erroneously referred to as "red neon tetra". Telling them apart is however not very difficult. Both species have a characteristic sparkling blue line that bisects the body, and under this line, you will notice a red lateral stripe. If this red coloration extends only halfway to the nose of the fish, you know that it is a Neon tetra. If the red coloration instead extends much longer, you are looking at a Cardinal tetra. The red coloration of the Cardinal tetra was thought to resemble the long red robes worn by cardinals, hence the name. The scientific name of this species was given to it in honor of a highly regarded ichthyologist.

Since the Cardinal tetra is quite difficult to breed in aquariums, a majority of the Cardinal tetras in the aquarium trade has been wild caught. The native habitat of the Cardinal tetra is the upper Orinoco and Negro rivers in South America, where the water is acidic and very soft. Fortunately enough, the Cardinal tetra is very prolific in the wild and is not considered an endangered species. It is only reluctant to breed when kept in aquariums. In the wild, it is uncommon for a Cardinal tetra to grow older than one year. When you keep Cardinal tetras in aquariums without any predators around, you can, however, make them survive for several years.

The Cardinal tetra can be kept in community aquariums with other peaceful species that appreciate the same water conditions. It will usually stay smaller than 2 inches in length and a group of Cardinal tetras does not need a large aquarium to do well. This species is rarely found in beginner aquariums since it is quite scarce in the aquarium trade, but it is not overly sensitive and a dedicated beginner aquarium keeper that is prepared to monitor the water chemistry and perform frequent water changes can usually make his or her Cardinal tetras thrive. It is especially important to keep down the level of nitrate. The Cardinal tetra is a schooling fish and keeping at least ten specimens is recommended, since this will make the fish less shy and stressed. Cardinal tetras are also much more beautiful to watch when they form a big school, and living in a school makes them display a much broader variety of natural behaviors.

When you set up an aquarium for your Cardinal tetras you should ideally try to make it similar to the native habitat of the fish. A well-planted aquarium that contains floating species is recommended, but you should also leave an area open for swimming. The water should be acidic and very soft. Keep the pH in the 4.6-6.2 range and the d G H under 4. Cardinal tetras can adapt to harder water and even alkaline conditions, but they will be much more sensitive and prone to illness. The recommended temperature range is 73-81° F (23-27 ° C) or even warmer.

By Allen Jesson - Article Source: EzineArticles

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Fact Sheet: QUEEN ANGELFISH - Holacanthus ciliaris

(Original Title: Facts About the Queen Angelfish)

A Queen Angelfish (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Queen angelfish is considered the most beautiful of all the angelfish, although it isn't suited for a small aquarium. The Queen angelfish was named in 1758 by Linnaeus, a scientific name of Holacanthus ciliaris. They live to up to 15 years of age. If you decide to introduce a Queen angelfish to your aquarium there are some guidelines to follow:

Description

The adult Queen is blue with yellow rims on its scales. The ventral fins and pectoral fins are yellow, their lips and edging on their dorsal fins and anal fins are blue. They also have blue around each gill cover. They grow up to 45 cm in length.

The juvenile queen angelfish has blue bodies with yellow gills, tail, and lips. They have vertical bars ranging from light blue to white.

Geographical Location

The Queen angelfish is found in the Western Atlantic, from Florida to Brazil to the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. It is also found in the Eastern Central Atlantic, around Saint Peter and Saint Paul Islets. It is found at a depth of up to 70 meters. It can be found on stony reef corals and Porifera sponges.

Breeding

Adult Queen angelfish are found in pairs leading to suggest that they are monogamous fish. Reproduction occurs with the pair rising to the surface of the water and releasing sperm and egg in a cloud effect.

Females can release from 25-75 thousand eggs each evening, which equates to 10 million eggs in their spawning cycle. The eggs hatch in 15-20 hours as larvae. The larvae don't have eyes, fins or a gut. Within 48 hours the sac is absorbed and somewhat resembles a free-swimming fish. The larvae feed on plankton. 3-4 weeks later the juvenile will settle on the bottom and is around 15-20 mm in length.

Aquarium Requirements

The Queen angelfish is not recommended for a novice aquarist. It is sensitive to organic waste and because of that, it is hard to feed. It is a lively fish and swims in the open in the day.

The tank needs to be at least 150-200 gallons as it approaches its full size in length. It needs to have hiding spots for the Queen as well as other fish who may want to keep away from it. The Queen angelfish can be semi-aggressive and therefore should be added last to the aquarium. Two male Queen angelfish can lead to violence, but if it's to be kept with other angelfish they should all be introduced together. This is not a guarantee though that it won't be aggressive, however.

It is best to make sure the aquarium environment factors such as water temperature and pH-balance is stable before you introduce the Queen.

Queen angelfish respond well in a reef aquarium. They will nip at soft corals, clam mantles, and stony corals. It is best to train it to eat foods other than sponges, hydroids, tunicates, feather dusters because they can deplete the environment and it leads to malnutrition.

Food

In the sea, the Queen survives mainly on sponges. In an aquarium it is expensive to feed it only sponges so training it to eat other foods is advised. Serving up frozen meat foods like shrimp, squid and an angelfish formula which consists of sponges is beneficial. They also require algae on a daily basis. You can also feed them vegetables like spinach, aubergines, and zucchini. They require many small portions of food a day.

By Kate Strong Although there are a few requirements to get your Queen angelfish to thrive in your aquarium, the beauty of these fish certainly outweigh any hardships you encounter along the way. Article Source: EzineArticles

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