Everything on RED BLUSHING ANGELFISH

Royal angelfish (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Is it true that Red Blushing angels are available?

It is an important fact that the pigment which is responsible actual red is not the same which is responsible for the bright red eyes or even reddish or orange crown seen in some angels.

Two factors are responsible for the appearance of these pigments on any angelfish. These two factors are generally inter-related. The first factor is genetics. Because, without the genetic makeup, no angelfish can have color. So, no Black angel can convert into the red. Again, there are certain colors which can show only in the presence of certain genes.

Red spotting can be seen on certain wild angelfish which seem like real red pigment. So it is possible that the red pigment visible in red blushing angelfish is really red but there may remain a certain question about its source.

What is the ideal pH level?

Caring for angelfish can be a pleasurable yet daunting task. You need to maintain perfect condition for keeping your fish healthy. One important aspect of angelfish care is to maintain the perfect pH level in the tank water. If you plan to raise and breed wild angelfish then it will be good if you provide them softer acid water. But be careful not to fluctuate the pH level of the water. Generally, 8.5 pH and 250 ppm hardness are considered to be the best.

What is the average age of angelfish?

The longevity of angelfish depends on the way you take care of them. Angelfish are cold-blooded creatures and therefore, their lifespan depends on the temperature of the water. High temperature burns more calories and exhausts them very quickly. Again, if you provide the right temperature then they will definitely live for 10-12 years. For this, it is good to keep the water temperature in the mid-seventies.

Should the Angelfish Tank Remain Bare?

If you are having your angelfish tank for show purpose then you can go for gravel instead of keeping your tank bare. However, if you are interested in breeding then gravels are not recommended. If you have a tank with angelfish fry then you must keep the bottom bare. This will prevent the fry food from falling into the gravel.

How to differentiate the female angelfish from the male angelfish?

It is very difficult to differentiate male angelfish from the female ones when they are young. However, with age, there come certain differences which you may be able to notice if monitored carefully. First of all, examine the breeding tube of the fish. The female's tube is wider compared to the male. Apart from that, some male angelfish possess a hump on their crown. Moreover, the males are a little larger in size than the females. Again, the female fish will normally have an almost 100°-110° angle created formed by the forward edge of the belly and the anal fin.

By Chintamani Abhyankar Chintamani Abhyankar is an angelfish enthusiast and has been raising and breeding angelfish for many years. He is an expert on their care and an advocate for raising healthy angelfish the natural way. Article Source: EzineArticles

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NEW YORK AQUARIUM

New York Aquarium by David Shankbone, New York City (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This aquarium is located in Brooklyn. The aquarium contains more than eight thousand aquamarine animals. The more attractive part of this aquarium is its design, which allows the visitors to watch the animals swim in the large aquarium. The purpose aquarium is to educate the visitors about different aquamarine species and also to promote the message of preserving the ocean wildlife.

History

The first New York Aquarium was built in Battery Park, which was shut down in 1941on the suggestion of Robert Moses that the construction of a tunnel from Lower Manhattan to Brooklyn will affect the Castle Clinton's foundation. The animals were then moved to the Bronx Zee. The new aquarium was opened after the Second World War on June 6, 1957, in Coney Island.

The aquarium is located over an area of 14 acres. There are more than 350 species of animals kept in the aquarium. It also has a famous research center named, Osborn Laboratories of Marine Sciences (OLMS).

The Aquarium

New York Aquarium has many different types of ocean life for the exhibition. At the entrance of the Aquarium, a map is given for the convenience of visitors to locate different sections easily.

Feedings and Demonstrations

Visitors can see the staff while feeding the marine animals, such as walruses, sharks, and penguins. You can find feeding times posted in various location of the aquarium. Demonstration exhibition will allow the visitors to touch the skin of the shark.

Animal Enrichment

Special care is taken to improve the living conditions of the marine animals in the aquarium. This will enrich the visitors' visit to the aquarium.

The Aquatheater

Aquarium has an Aquatheater as well. This Aquatheater was open in 1995. You can watch the dolphin performance in this theater. Dolphin will perform different tricks to amuse the visitors. You just need to show the admission ticket and they will allow you to enter the theater.

Explore the Shore

This is feature is popular among the children. In Explore the Shore, the visitors will have a hand on experience with the tidal waves. The touch pool is the place where you explore the shore. The timing of touch pool from Monday to Thursday is 11a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday the timing for touch pool is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Friday and other holidays it remains closed.

Sea Cliffs

Sea Cliffs are the place where you can watch the walruses, sea otter and fur seals. Watching these creatures in Sea Cliff is a great fun. The staff also tells you some facts about these creatures.

Roy and Silo

These are the name given to two penguins in the aquarium. These penguins are the most attractive feature of New York Aquarium.

The Deep Sea 3-D Simulator Ride

The aquarium offers a submarine ride called "Deep Sea 3-D Simulator Ride". You need to buy a separate ticket to participate in the ride. This ride will take you to the bottom of the ocean.

Variety

The best feature of the aquarium is that it has a variety of marine animals. Whales, sharks, penguins, sea otter, fur seals, walruses, jellyfish, Beluga whales and many different types of fish.

By Tauqeer Ul Hassan You might also want to learn about New York Aquarium and New York Botanical Gardens. Article Source: EzineArticles

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Reptile History

Reptiles, illustration by Adolphe Millot from Nouveau Larousse Illustré [1897-1904] 

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Many people overlook that dinosaurs were reptiles, as are tortoises and turtles.  Frogs are often lumped into the same category while they are, in fact, amphibians.

Reptiles evolved from amphibians because of their necessity to learn to adjust to life on land.  This brought about the need for legs and lungs to breathe air.  Yet snakes are legless, able to crawl along with their magnificent bodies.  The scaly reptile skin was necessary to protect the bodies from the rough surface of the ground, much different from the smooth water the amphibians were used to.

Science has described over 7,000 species of reptiles, even going so far as to claim birds as a part of the reptile group because of the inherited characteristics such as their skeletons, internal organs, and DNA.  There is a distinction besides feathers, though.  Birds are endotherms, meaning they must have food for energy to keep warm.  Other reptiles are ectotherms which need an outside heat source to help them retain proper body temperature.

Crocodiles are in the second oldest group of reptiles, perhaps resembling the dinosaur relatives more than any other reptile group.  Although, the turtle is the winner of the oldest proven reptile group, even older than the dinosaurs!

There are two groups of turtles, one group fares best on land and the other in the water.  The one that fares best on land is the terrestrial tortoise.

Success in keeping a reptile for a pet depends much on your climate.  You can forget sticking your pet snake, turtle, or lizard outside in a cage or pen or aquarium if you live in a cold climate.  Keeping the pet at a controlled temperature is essential to its survival.  Digestion depends on the right temperature and so does the animal's ability to move around successfully.

It may seem cute to see that little turtle basking in the sun on a log in a pond.  But the reptile needs the heat to stay alive. Too much heat is also as bad as too little.

Maybe the turtle's ability to live for so many centuries when other animals perished is because of its outstanding lifespan.  A turtle can live to 100 years old if the conditions are right!

Old temples have been discovered in Africa with snakes carved into the walls, giving pythons a sacred quality over the many years of its existence.  But the boas have been known to live over forty years at a time in zoos!  Anacondas have been feared in South America for a long time.  Any snake that can grow to over 35 feet deserves a wide berth!

An interesting reptile that's been around a long time is a native of Madagascar.  The chameleon exists in 120 different known types.  Oustalet's chameleon is about the size of a small cat.  It would give a domestic feline a definite scare to walk upon one of those!  On the other end of the size spectrum, the Dwarf Brookesia, also a native of Madagascar, is small enough to stand on the tip of a finger.

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Freshwater AQUARIUM PLANTS - Spotting Plant Problems

Aquatic Plants - Photo: Pixabay

Even the best of us are going to have some problems with aquarium plants at some time or another. The good news is that plant disease in aquariums is a rare occurrence. But if it does occur, it's a good thing to know what to look for and what to do about it. Don't spend a lot of time worrying about it. If the plants look good and are growing new shoots or buds, they are more than likely in good shape.

Knowing what to look for and what to do if something happens will go a long way in helping you not lose all your live aquatic plants. So get smart and learn the early telltale signs of trouble and know what to do to correct the problem.

If your plants develop holes in the leaves, it might be caused by fish nibbling on them. If your fish are vegetarians then you have provided them with a good food source. Just be ready to keep replacing the plants as a food supply. Your fish will be grateful. If the plants begin to fall apart after the holes form, it may be due to rot. This is probably the result of too many nitrates in the water. Changing the water should correct this problem.

If you see your plant's leaves turning brown or black, this can indicate decay. The likely culprit of this is too much iron. Again, water changes can help reduce this problem. If the leaves are turning yellow they may be suffering from an iron deficiency. Get some aquatic plant fertilizer with iron at your pet or aquarium store and the problem should clear up.

If you find that some plants are doing fine and others are dying you could have a CO2 problem. Some plants have a harder time extracting CO2 than others. Make sure you have enough CO2 in the water. 

You can add CO2 through water changes or by adding pressurized CO2 equipment. These systems are nice but they can be expensive.

John Stoner is an author and a freshwater aquarium enthusiast. Article Directory: EzineArticles

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Why Is SAND Such An Important Part Of Your Aquarium?

Coral sand from a beach in Aruba. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

But the truth of the matter is that a sand bed in an aquarium can be very beneficial. First and foremost, sand provides fish with a more natural habitat, since that is what is actually present in the beds of their seas and oceans. You will find your fish happier in the sand and even spawning in them, which could be a delight to watch. Sand is not very difficult to clean too if one does it in the right way. In fact, using sand in an aquarium makes it look more real and the fish enjoy is more than a gravel bed.

Live sand is especially beneficial to the organisms in your tank. Live sand is biological sand. It is pre-seeded with certain microscopic organisms such as bacteria and algae. These organisms help to clean the water in the tank and also produce the chemicals that are present in the natural habitat. Live sand can be very expensive, such as live aragonite sand, but it is a very good option to have at the bottom of your tank since it will not require maintenance. Not only does live sand clean itself due to the organisms present in it, but it will also contribute a major share in the internal cleaning of your tank.

There are many different types of sands available that can make good choices to your aquarium. The following is a list of some of the sand types that are used:-

Aragonite sand – Aragonite sand is the most expensive variety of sand available, and so it will not be a good choice for larger aquariums. However, it helps in the buffering of the water and is fantastic for keeping the tank at an optimal chemical condition.

Silica sand – Silica sand is common beach sand, and it is very cheaply available. It is mainly composed of silicon dioxide, SiO­­2, which is a natural ingredient in sand. The plus points of this sand are that it is smooth and sifts easily. It is very easy to clean during setup and maintenance, and it is available very cheaply.

Coral sand – As the name suggests, coral sand is suitable for tanks that have corals as their inhabitants. Since corals can change internal levels of the tank, such as the nitrate levels and the pH values, drastically, it is wise to use this sand. Coral sand has a natural buffering action that can maintain the chemical composition of tank water at optimal values.

Black beauty – Though this is not actually sand, it is sold as such. Black beauty is actually solidified and powdered iron slag. It adds a contrast to the tank and is good for aesthetic reasons. But the sand particles are sharp, so do not use this sand if you have fish that sift too much on the bed.

Cleaning of sand is a very important process and must be done in the right way. These are the steps you must follow while cleaning sand:-

• Take about two gallons of the sand in a capacious bucket. 
• With the help of a pipe, run water on the sand till half the bucket is full.
• Then drain out the supernatant water. This will contain many floating dust particles.
• Put water again, and this time, sift through the sand.
• Again pour out the water. 
• Continue this process till the water you pour out is quite clear.
• Thus, it is very easy to clean the sand in the tank, and that should not be a problem in deciding to use it as a bed product for your aquarium. Sand does add quite a bit of grace and naturalness to the tank, and fishes find it closer to their own natural surroundings.

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Tips on BLOOD PARROT CICHLID Care and Breeding

A Picture of my large Blood Parrot
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The blood parrot cichlid should not be confused with the parrot cichlid (Hoplarchus Psittacus). Blood parrot cichlids have no binomial nomenclature (scientific designation) to identify them by. Nor do they have a natural habitat. Why you may ask? Blood parrots are a man-made hybrid. They are, in fact, one of the only two fish species found within the Exotic-Aquariums Fish Care and Breeding Guide entirely of man-made origins. Although their parental lineage was never documented and remains shrouded in mystery, the blood parrot was first created in Taiwan around 1986.

Prevalent speculation points to the following cichlid species as the potential candidates of parental origins; the redhead cichlid (Cichlasoma synspilum) and the Midas cichlid (Amphilophus citrinellus) or a coupling between the red devil cichlid (Amphilophus labiatus) and the severum (Heros Severus). Despite the fact that all of the aforementioned species are native to either Central or South America, the blood parrot is considered an Asian cichlid because of the geographical location of its hybridization.

Regardless of the point of origin or parental ancestry, blood parrot cichlids have stirred up almost as much controversy as their man-made counterparts, the glofish. Unlike the glofish, blood parrots are a product of selective breeding rather than genetic manipulation. As such they have not banned for sale in most countries as a genetically engineered species. The subject of the controversy revolves around the anatomical deformities inherent in the hybridization of this previously nonexistent subspecies.

Perhaps the most physically detrimental deformity relates to the hybrid's narrow, beak-like mouth. Its vertical mouth opening makes it hard for the fish to feed and leaves it vulnerable to possible starvation. Blood parrots compensate for this deformity by using their throat muscles to finish pulverizing their food. Additional deformities include malformed swim bladders which result in erratic swimming patterns, unnaturally large often misshapen irises and deformed spinal columns that contribute to the fish's unique shape. To add further fuel to the controversy, many breeders inject the fish with colored dyes to increase the intensity and diversity of its color palette and enhance its overall marketability marketing them under the trade name Bubblegum Parrot.

This same practice was also used to transform Indian glassfish into the once very popular Disco fish. The dying of fish for commercial resale is detrimental to the fish's health and frequently shortens their life expectancy. Practical Fishkeeping has been instrumental in exposing these practices to the general public. As a result of many fish stores and online retailers no longer stock the modified variations of these fish.

Although blood parrots were a product of the 80s they were not widely available in pet shops until 2000. Many avid fish enthusiasts were opposed to the sale of these creatures on ethical grounds due to the inherent deformities resulting from their creation. Fish stores who stocked these hybrids were even boycotted. Said boycotts only met with limited success. Some store owners simply cannot afford not to carry this inventory because of the high price tag they fetch. Ethical principles and genetic deformities aside, blood parrots frequently live for 10 years and have been reported to live as long as 15 years of age.

If you are not ethically opposed to owning a blood parrot then you should be aware that this is one of the larger cichlids. Blood parrots commonly grow 8-10 inches in length. A single fish will require a minimum aquarium size of 50 gallons. When kept as a community fish, you will need a substantially larger tank. Care should be exercised when choosing their tank mates. Blood parrots should not be housed with large aggressive fish. They should not be forced to compete for food or turf in a community setting. Angelfish, catfish, danios and larger variety tetras make suitable tank mates.

Blood parrots should be provided with ample room and adequate hiding places so that they can establish their own territorial boundaries. Driftwood, rock work and larger aquarium décor are excellent options. Like many cichlids, these fish are prone to dig up gravel. Choosing a smaller, less course substrate is recommended. These fish tend to function best under subdued lighting. This is attributed to iris irregularities inherent in their breeding.

South American cichlids prefer soft water environments with a ph balance around 6.8. Water temperature should be maintained between 78-86 °F. Lower temperature ranges could result in a loss of coloration.

The blood parrot is an omnivorous cichlid. They will readily accept a wide variety of foods. They are more adept at consuming sinking rather than floating food offerings. Standard food fare can be supplemented with bloodworms and brine shrimp. Commercial products high in b-carotene and canthaxanthin will help enhance and maintain their coloration. These fish are voracious eaters. They are known for generating a large amount of uneaten food debris in a short period of time. A good filtration system combined with frequent water changes and substrate maintenance is a must to keep nitrate levels in check.

Breeding Blood Parrot Cichlids

Although Parrots have been known to mate and even lay eggs, generally they are infertile. Male blood parrots are typically infertile. There have been sporadic cases of successful spawnings, generally when they have been crossed with a non-hybrid fish. The use of a non-hybridized male will increase your rate of success. In commercial breeding, males are injected with hormones to increase fertility rates. Like other cichlids, Blood Parrots will tend the eggs and resulting fry fastidiously. As with any eggs, those that are infertile will turn white and rapidly fungus. The parents will eat infertile eggs to prevent them from spreading the fungus to the fertile eggs.

Once the eggs hatch, daily water changes of 25% are critical to ensuring the health of the fry. Fresh baby brine shrimp are the optimum food during the first couple of weeks. Often pet shops will carry frozen baby brine shrimp, which can also be used. As they fry grow, they can be weaned to finely crushed flake food.

By Stephen J Broy The hottest new trend in aquarium ownership is pet jellyfish. Jellyfish require a specially designed Jellyfish Aquarium Fish Tank to remain alive and healthy. Jellyfish aquariums are easier to maintain than a traditional saltwater tank. Pet Moon Jellyfish have become exceptionally popular in recent years with home aquarists both for their unparalleled elegance and ease of care. The market for moon jellies has increased to the point that two US-based websites are now tank raising these exotic creatures to keep pace with the growing demand. Article Source: EzineArticles

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RED ZEBRA CICHLID - Basic Information

Photo  by J Wynia 

The red zebra cichlid is also known as the Esther Grant's Zebra or Metriaclima estherae is a rock dwelling fish or mbuna that originates in Lake Malawi. They are mouth brooder's, which means the females placed the fertilized eggs in their mouth for a period of time to incubate eggs. The fry will then be released after 21 days of caring in their mouth.

This variety used to be under the genus name of Pseudotropheus but this name is now presently pointing to another species. The genus name up to now is still being disputed some consider Maylandia while other used the name Metriaclima.

The female zebra cichlid can grow as much as 10 centimeters of four inches in length while the male zebra may grow up to 12.7 centimeters or five inches long.

The "red" name of this fish is actually solid orange in color but the males sometimes possess reddish stripes.

This variety may thrive in water chemistry with a pH level of 7.5 to 8.5 and a temperature of 24 to 28 degrees Celsius or 75 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. When kept in an aquarium it must be placed with other species of the same temperament. The appropriate ratio would be one female to three or four females in a tank. Overcrowding the tank may help suppress the aggression of a red zebra cichlid. Decorate tank densely with rocks or cave that may be used as their hiding place. Use also fine gravel for substrate or fine gravel with crushed coral, or driftwoods, Java ferns, or Java moss. Ensure to provide one hiding place each species and a capacious area for the cichlids to swim freely. Avoid using rooted plants for this will reduce the pH level of the water.

When it comes to breeding the female zebra is known to be mouth-brooders. The female will brood her eggs approximately in three weeks and cares will still continue to care for the fry for another week after she has released them in the open. You can identify a cichlid that she is breeding when her mouth enlarged and most clearly when she refuses to eat.

Feeding the fry in any fish food is fine but vegetable is best as its staple diet. To make them more productive in breeding the best thing to do is to isolate the red cichlid. But the more rational way of isolating her should be kept in a lesser period to avoid the female losing her social status with the rest of her tank mates. This is done to prevent fights when the breeding mother is returned to its original tank. Bear in mind that stress may lead the mother to eat their eggs and fry.

Red zebra cichlid is omnivores and enjoys food such as spinach, peas, zucchini, and lettuce. They also love live foods like crickets, brine shrimp, mealworms, glass worms, and tubifex worms and many more.

By Lacey Bryant - Article Source: EzineArticles

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