http://www.aqua-fish.netTropical freshwater aquarium fish and plants database with articles about aquarium hobby.enhttp://www.aqua-fish.net/show.php?cur_lang=2&what=article&id=593About Malawi Blue Dolphin an article submitted by Exotic Aquariums The Malawi blue dolphin or cyrtocara moorii is a member of the family Cichlidae. Cichlidae are commonly referred to as cichlids. The Malawi blue dolphin is just one on many species of cichlids native to Lake Malawi in Africa. Cichlids from Lake Malawi are collectively referred to as African cichlids. Blue dolphins are quite popular among freshwater aquarium keepers because of their brilliant blue hue. They, of course, are not related to dolphins. They were dubbed dolphins because of a nuchal hump on their head and their elongated snouts which gives their heads a vague resemblance to that of a dophin’s. This hump is present on both the males and the females and continues to grow as the fish does. The blue dolphin is a docile fish. They do not posses the aggressive instinct prevalent in many Africa cichlids. They make great additions to a community tank provided they are not mixed with more aggressive tank-mates. There are, however, a few considerations to take into account before deciding whether they are the right choice for your tank. Although the blue dolphin is classified as a medium sized cichlid, they will reach up to 8 inches in length. Experts recommend a medium tank size of 100 gallons for raising blue dolphins. Cichlids are shoaling fish. They travel in groups. It is not advisable to add just a single cichlid to a fish tank. In nature, the blue dolphin is found in shallow waters and sandy substrate. They instinctively burrow in the sand looking for food, although they don’t generally dig up plants. Sand is the substrate of choice when keeping blue dolphins. Last but not least, they are a timid creature. They need plenty of plants and rocks to hide in. Their native waters are slightly alkaline with a pH level of 7.5-8.0. Water temperature ranges between 72-78°F. Any species native to Lake Malawi will thrive under these conditions. Keep your aquarium with in these ranges and you can expect your blue dolphins to live for up to 10 years. In their natural habitat they eat small crustaceans that live in the sandy lake bottom. In fact, they often follow behind other fish species that dig in the sand and eat any invertebrates that are dug up. In captivity they can be fed cichlid pellets, flakes, and frozen foods. The male blue dolphin is slightly larger than the female. There color is often enhanced in the breeding cycle. The male Blue dolphin is territorial toward other members of its species. They have polygamist instincts and travel in harems. A male will mark out his territory and entertain the company of several females. It is recommended to keep at least three female to every male when raising blue dolphins. Blue dolphins are mouth brooders. The female will keep her eggs safely tucked away in her mouth to protect them after spawning. She will continue this practice after they hatch until they are large enough to better survive on their own. The fry will have yellowish-orange anal fin when hatched. This will disappear in a few months. Once the fry are released they can fed newly hatched brine shrimp or dry fry food. It will take roughly two years for the fry to reach sexual maturity and begin to spawn. At this point they will be 4-5 inches long. Juveniles are silver in color and don’t take on color until they start to mature.admin2009-11-11http://www.aqua-fish.net/show.php?cur_lang=2&what=article&id=592About Jewel Cichlid an article submitted by Exotic Aquariums Jewel cichlids or Hemichromis bimaculatus belong to the family Cichlidae. Jewel cichlids are commonly known as African cichlids because that is their continent of origin. They are native to the rivers, streams, creeks and lakes of west and northeast Africa. Jewels are plentiful in the Nile, Zaire, and Niger Rivers. They live in a variety of water conditions including stagnate lagoon waters. Jewel Cichlids are not for amateur aquarists. Nor do they make good community fish. They require fairly specific water conditions. They fare well in water with a pH level of 7.5 and a temperature range between 70-82 °F. Jewel cichlids are innately aggressive. They appear to suffer from an extreme case of Alpha Male Syndrome. They will fight other species for dominance over their territory. They are best suite for a mono-species aquarium. There have been reported cases where Jewel cichlids have adapted to a community environment. They are introduced when still quite young to a well established tank. This procedure, however, is not recommended. Even if they adapt to communal living, they are still voracious fin nippers due to their instinct to feed on other fish in the wild. Even in mono-species environments they are an active species to the point of being destructive. They have a tendency to dig up both plants and substrate. Jewel cichlids reach four to six inches long as adults and have a life span of up to eight years. Jewel cichlids are omnivores. They will eat common variety tropical fish foods. It is a good idea to supplement their diet with some form of protein whether freeze-dried, frozen or live to help insure they are less likely to develop a taste for their tank-mates fins. The Male is more brightly colored than the female. Jewel cichlids are monogamous by nature. Once they choose a mate that is it. This is not at all a trait common to most fish. Breeding Jewel Cichlids If you hope to spawn them provide them with plenty of hiding places. Rocks and caves are probably best due to their tendency to dig up plants. Once they pair up they should be removed to a breeding tank with adequate hiding places. You will know spawning is about to take place when they start to clean a flat surface to deposit their eggs on. Both males and females have advanced parental instincts. They will guard the eggs until they are hatched and then participate in raising the fry. The parents will continue to tend to the fry until they are about half an inch long. They will even make a nest of sorts by digging a hole in the substrate to deposit the fry into. Make sure the parents are done parenting their offspring before removing them from the breeding tank. Freshly hatched fry can be fed newly hatched brine shrimp, liquid or solid fry food. Powdered eggs can also be used as a suitable alternative to store bought food. Do not add too much at a time to avoid fowling up the water.admin2009-11-11http://www.aqua-fish.net/show.php?cur_lang=2&what=article&id=591Labidochromis an article submitted by Exotic Aquariums Labidochromis caeruleus is a member of the family Cichlidae more commonly known as a cichlid. The Labidochromis is native to Lake Malawi in Africa. Lake Malawi is situated between Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. It is the third largest lake on the continent of Africa and the eight largest in the world. The Labidochromis is part of a group of fish collectively referred to as African cichlids or Malawi cichlids. The Labidochromis is commonly called an electric yellow cichlid due to it vibrant yellow palette. Its colors are almost as brilliant as that of the saltwater faring yellow tang. Labidochromis are referred to as a mbuna. Mbuna means rockfish in the native tongue of the Tonga people from Malawi. Mbuna refers to a large group of cichlids native to Lake Malawi. These rock-dwellers live in piles of rocks, caves or other openings in the lake. The Labidochromis was unknown to aquarium keepers until 1986. They where “discovered” by Stuart Grant and his divers at Lion’s Cove, Malawi in 1980. Stuart Grant gathered a small number of specimens but refused to mass-collect them because of their small numbers. Their story becomes even more interesting from there. Two Swedish collectors noticed these beautiful yellow mbuna in Stuart Grant’s fish tanks. They requested that he collect them for export. He promptly refused fearing the exotic species would be driven into extinction in the wild. The Swedes bribed one of his divers who took them to Lion’s Cove where they had been discovered. Two of these exotic creatures were given to Pierre Brichard as a gift. He was so impressed with them that he took them to his fish operation along Lake Tanganyika, in Burundi. Within six years he managed to breed 20,000 Labidochromis, all descendants of the original pair. They were introduced to the public in 1986 and sold for a rather hefty price. This is quite understandable given their bright color palette and the fact that they were a previously unknown species. Since then, the Labidochromis has become popular with freshwater aquarists because it intense color so closely rivals those of saltwater species. They reach 3-4 inches as adults and have a lifespan of approximately 10 years. Labidochromis are docile in nature. They lack the aggressive instinct common to many African cichlids. They make wonderful additions to a community tank provided it has an abundance of rock formations and caves. You should avoid mixing them with more aggressive cichlids or other aggressive species. Labidochromis are very social. They function better in groups. Lake Malawi’s waters are slightly alkaline with a pH level of 7.5-8.0. Water temperature range between 72-78°F. Any species native to the lake will thrive in these conditions. Labidochromis are omnivores. They will be just fine given a diet of common variety tropical fish flakes. The Male fish typically have more black on their dorsal fins than the females. Unlike many cichlids, Labidochromis are not monogamous. They have demonstrated no indication of pairing up other than to spawn. All cichlids from Lake Malawi are mouth brooders. Their eggs incubate in their mouths until they hatch. The mother will continue to hold the small fry in her mouth once they are born to protect them from being eaten. They will inhabit her mouth for the first month of their lives.admin2009-11-10http://www.aqua-fish.net/show.php?cur_lang=2&what=article&id=590About Clown Loach an article submitted by Exotic Aquariums Clown loaches or Botia macracantha belong to the familyCobitidae. They are native to the rivers and streams of Borneo, Sumatra, and Indonesia. Their vertically striped bodies make them a favorite among freshwater aquarium owners. The striping consists of three wide, black vertical bands on an orange body. This configuration has also earned them the nickname of tiger loaches. Their mouths have three downward pointed pairs of maxillary barbels. A barbel is a slender, whisker-like tactile organ. Maxillary refers to the barbel’s location near the mouth. These tentacle-like organs house taste buds and are used to search for food in murky water. Barbels are a bottom dwelling species of scavenger fish like catfish and carp. Barbles and downward pointed mouth are what distinguish bottom dweller from other fish. The clown loach is one such bottom dweller. Bottom dwellers in general make a good addition to any community fish tank. The scavenging of food from the aquarium substrate helps prevent harmful chemical build up in the water. Most bottom dwellers are peaceful fish that tend to keep to themselves. They don’t concern themselves with what is going in the water above them. The clown loaches you see for sale in fish stores are very young. They look so cute it is tempting to buy one and take them home. Make no mistake. Clown loaches are among the largest freshwater varieties available commercially. They can grow up to 16 inches long as adults. Take this into consideration before deciding to purchase one. An interesting behavioral note: Clown loaches have a peculiar tendency to spend a lot of time lying on their sides. Don’t be alarmed. They are not sick or injured. This is just their normal behavior. The clown loaches’ native water habitat is neutral water (pH of 7.0) with a water temperature between 75-86 degrees Fahrenheit. Clown loaches are intolerant of poor water conditions. They are prone to develop ich if left in unsatisfactory living conditions for extended periods of time. Like all scavenger fish, clown loaches are omnivores. They can generally scavenge enough food that has been missed by the fish above them to survive just fine. But food that sinks, such as sinking wafers will insure they have more than enough nourishment to survive. Clown loaches are egg layers. They are not known to breed in captivity. Attempts to do so have been mostly unsuccessful. There are a few instances where clown loaches have been reported to spawn in captivity. But this is a rare occurrence. The clown loaches are aware enough of their surroundings to realize they have been removed from their natural habitat. As a result they have higher stress levels than many other fish. A good way to help reduce their stress levels is by providing them with plenty of hiding spaces on the bottom of your tank such as rocks and plants. Once they adapt to their new surroundings they will be just fine. Clown loaches are a long lived species given proper living conditions. It is not uncommon for them to live from 40 to 50 years of age. It takes them years just to reach sexual maturity.admin2009-11-10http://www.aqua-fish.net/show.php?cur_lang=2&what=article&id=589About Betta Fish an article submitted by Exotic Aquariums Betta Fish or Betta Splendens are members of the familyCichlidae more commonly referred to as cichlids. Betta Splendens are endemic to Tailand. The Betta earned the nickname “Siamese fighting fish” because of their highly territorial nature toward other male members of their species. Two male betta fish will fight each other, very often to the death, when placed in the same tank together. Males will even flare their gills (in order to make him look bigger and more menacing) at their own reflection. Male bettas have been known to have trouble getting along with anglefish, gouramis, and fancy guppies (especially the colorful males). Male bettas are vulnerable to fin nippers such as tetras and barbs. You might want to keep all this in mind when deciding whether to purchase one to add to your community fish tank. The Betta fish is indigenous to Thailand. They were first domesticated in 1893 for combat where wagers were made on the outcome of the fight. It wasn`t until the 1920s when aquarists began keeping them in home aquariums. Interestingly enough, wild bettas do not have the brilliant colors of those you see in pet stores. In their natural environment betta fish are predominantly reddish-brown. The vibrant colors and billowing fins of the commercially sold male bettas are the result of selective breeding. Female bettas, do not possess the exaggerated color palate or decorative fins of their male counterparts. It is these distinct differences that make it more difficult to find female bettas for sale in department stores. They are, however, readily available in most pet and aquarium stores for breeding purposes. Ever wonder why you always see male bettas for sale in little fish bowls? Contrary to popular belief, it is not strictly because of their territorial nature. Betta fish are a member of the Belontiidae family. All belontiidae possess what is known as a labyrinth organ. This organ allows them to breathe atmospheric oxygen. While bettas do have gills and take in dissolved oxygen, they need both in order to survive. You will see betta fish frequently rise to the top of your aquarium to gulp in air. Given this need for both atmospheric and dissolved oxygen, bettas do not deplete the oxygen levels in water at the rate of other fish. This is why they can live in non-aerated fish bowls. Given the male betta’s territorial instincts, it is best to have at least two females in the tank with them if you plan on attempting to breed bettas. Make sure to provide the females with plenty of places to hide from the male. It is best to keep the females in a separate tank when they are not spawning. The females do not share the male’s aggressive behavior. They can be kept in the same tank or bowl together without worry. Bettas are carnivores. They will eat tropical fish flakes, tubifex worms, bloodworms, and small crustaceans like brine shrimp. They will also eat thawed frozen fish food. Many aquarium shops sale fish food specially formulated for the betta fish. Bettas can survive in a fish bowl. But they are better suited to heated aquarium. They do best in neutral water (pH of 7.0) with a water temperature between 77-83 degrees Fahrenheit.admin2009-11-09http://www.aqua-fish.net/show.php?cur_lang=2&what=article&id=588Glowlight tetra an article submitted by Exotic Aquariums Glowlight tetras or Hemigrammus erythrozonus are native to the Essiquibo basin in South America. Glowlights like all tetra are a member of family Characidae. They received the name glowlight tetra because of the highly reflective red stripe that runs from their mid-body to their tails. This stripe appears to glow under aquarium lighting. Tetras are shoaling fish. Shoaling fish are extremely social fish that instinctively travel in a group. They tend not to fare well in an aquarium devoid of other members of their species. Depending on how strong the instinct runs in an individual species, some shoaling fish can not survive at all in an isolated environment. It is always advisable to have at least four of any given shoaling fish in a community fish tank. The glowlight tetra is a small freshwater fish variety, reaching an adult length of only about an inch and a half. They have a mild disposition and make wonderful additions to community tanks provide they are in the presence of similarly natured fish whose size is not big enough to view them as a source of nutrition. Glowlights, like all tetras, are hiders. They take readily to heavily planted aquariums. Giving them plenty of places to hide will increase these rather small fishes’ chances of long-term survival in a community setting. Glowlights are mid-tanks swimmers. So you want vegetation large enough to be present in the middle of your aquarium. Most freshwater species native to South America thrive in slightly acidic water. Glowlights are no exception. Glowlights are accustomed to a pH level of around 6.8 with a water temperature between 75-83 °F. Tetras are omnivores by nature. They can survive perfectly well on a diet of garden variety tropical fish food flakes. They will also eat frozen and freeze dried products and live food such as brine shrimp. Male and female glowlights have an identical color palette. You can generally distinguish between sexes by the shape of their bodies. Female have a fuller, more rounded body than males. This trait is more pronounced when they are carrying eggs. Glowlight tetras are more apt to breed in an environment that closely mimics their native waters. Filtering the aquarium water through peat or adding a thin layer to the substrate will help make them feel at home. Make sure the peat doesn’t contain chemical additives or fertilizers. A breeding tank should always be used. Provide the tank with plenty of fine leafed foliage. Hornwort will work well for this purpose. The glowlight tetra is an egg layer. Egg layers are notorious for eating their un-hatched eggs. Tetras will scatter their eggs among the plants instinctively. Promptly remove the adults from the breeding tank after spawning. Fry will hatch in about 24 hours. Newly hatched fry can be feed a liquid fry food formulated for egg laying fish. In a few days their diet can be switched over to newly hatched brine shrimp. Powdered eggs are an acceptable substitute. In a week or so they can be fed finely crushed tropical fish flakes.admin2009-11-08http://www.aqua-fish.net/show.php?cur_lang=2&what=article&id=587Discus an article submitted by Exotic Aquariums The discus is quite possibly the most popular fish among large freshwater aquarium owners in the world today. They belong to the genus Symphysodon. They are members of the family Cichlidae more commonly known as cichlids. This family also includes another extremely popular species the angelfish. Both are native to the Amazon River system. There are two individual species collectively referred to as Discus; S. aequiafasciata and S. discus. These two species are further divided into five different subspecies. But this in not a science lecture. Suffice it to say that these wonderfully exotic species are distinguished by their color palettes. They are available in brown, green, blue, red and yellow. Both species have been selectively bred to further enhance their natural coloration. The end result is some of the most beautiful fish you will ever see in a home aquarium. The Discus is a rather expensive fish as far as freshwater varieties go. You can expect to pay anywhere form $35 to upwards of $200. The price is determined by the size and coloration of the fish. The good news is that they are relatively long lived. Under premium conditions they may live in excess of 10 years. So you will get your money’s worth in the long run. These are among one of the larger freshwater varieties. They can reach eight to ten inches in length. It is quite possible to raise a single discus in an aquarium. A pair is even better. But a group of six or more allows them to interact as they would in nature. They must be kept with other large species or in mono-species tanks. They will eat smaller fish. Take all this into account when determining if they are appropriate for your aquarium needs. You will require a minimum tank size of 75 gallons if you intend the raise a group. You should also be aware they are not recommended for amateur aquarist. They are not as tolerant to diverse water conditions as many freshwater fish are. The ideal environment for your discus is soft, slightly acid water ranging from pH 6.0-6.5 and a temperature range of 77-86 degrees. Between the monetary investment and the Discus’ intolerance to less than ideal water conditions, beginners should avoid the temptation to raise them. When keeping Discus it is advisable to start with bottled or reverse-osmosis filtered water. The water can then be filtered through peat or a thin layer of peat can be added to the substrate. Peat releases humic acid into the water which naturally raises acidity levels. This will help further mimic their native environment. Make sure the peat contains no chemical additives or fertilizers. The Discus is primarily a carnivore. Aquarium specialty stores sale food especially formulated them. It is a good decision to trust in fish care specialist given the investment involved. They will eat brine shrimp, tubifex and bloodworms. Discus Breeding It is difficult to distinguish the male form the female Discus. Fortunately they will save you the trouble. They will pair up instinctively. Paired discus should be placed in a breeding tank. Discus will clean a leaf or other flat object to deposit their eggs on prior to spawning. These fish are very protective of their unborn fry. They will stand guard over the fry, and clean them regularly. The fry will hatch about two days after fertilization. The fry will be free swimming about three days. Once they are they will derive their nutriment by eating by eating a mucous secretion off the skin of their parents. The parents and fry should be left together for the first few weeks. But after two or three days you can start feeding the fry newly hatched brine shrimp.admin2009-11-07http://www.aqua-fish.net/show.php?cur_lang=2&what=article&id=586About Dwarf Gouramis an article submitted by Exotic Aquariums The gourami or Colisa lalia is a member of the family Belontiidae. It is native to India. The Indian Gourani is often referred to as the dwarf gourami because because there is a larger gourami endemic to Thailand that grows twice the size of the Indian variety. The Gourami is part of the Anabantoidei suborder. This suborder evolved a lung-like organ known as a labyrinth to help them survive in low oxygenated environments. The labyrinth allows them to breathe atmospheric oxygen. Gouramis will frequently rise to the surface to take in atmospheric oxygen. Members of the Anabantoidei Suborder need a combination of both airborne and dissolved oxygen to survive. In nature male dwarf gouramis have diagonal stripes alternating in blue and red. Females are silver. However selective breeding has yielded red, neon, and rainbow variations. Both sexes have tread-like touch sensitive cells extending from their pelvic fins. Adults reach about two inches in length. Gouramis are docile in nature. They work well in community tanks as long as they are housed with fish of similar temperament. Despite their shy demeanor, gouramis are aggressive toward other gouramis. Each gourami establishes a territory and hiding place of its own. Gouramis take readily to heavily planted aquariums. They seem to function better in pairs. Keep this in mind when deciding whether they are what you are looking for in the way of a new addition to your tank. Gouramis thrive in slightly acidic water with a temperature range between 77-82 °F. They are omnivore and can survive perfectly well on a diet of tropical fish flakes. It is easy to distinguish between males and females. The males have a much brighter color palette. Females are harder to find for sale because of this. If you can not find one at your local fish store they can be ordered online. Breeding Gourami Gouramis are most likely to spawn in still water. A breeding tank with the filter capacity turned way down will make a suitable environment. Make certain there are floating plants in the breeding tank. The male Gourami will use his labyrinth to make a bubble nest prior to spawning. Unlike most bubble nest builders, gourami will incorporate small pieces of plants, twigs and other debris into the design of their nest. This addition helps to hold the nest together. Once the nest is constructed, courting officially begins. Courting is usually initiated in the afternoon or early evening. The males signals his intention to spawn by swimming in circles around the female with his fins flared. If the female accepts his invitation, she will start swimming in circles with the male underneath the bubble nest. When she is ready to spawn she will touch the male on the back or the tail with her mouth. Spawning generally takes several hours. After spawning is complete remove the female from the tank. The male will stand guard over his bubble nest. The fry will hatch within the next two days. Leave the male with the fry for two or three days. Make sure he is done parenting his brood before removing him to the community tank. Fry can be fed liquid fry food or small amounts of powdered eggs. After about four days their diet can be changed to newly hatched brine shrimp or finely crushed fish flakes. Gouramis have been known to mate with other gouramis of another species. Unfortunately they are usually sterile.admin2009-11-06http://www.aqua-fish.net/show.php?cur_lang=2&what=article&id=585Glofish or Zebra Danios? an article submitted by Exotic Aquariums Glofish do not exist in nature. They were created in a laboratory. Glofish are genetically modified zebra danios or Brachydanio reri. Geneticists in Singapore added the fluorescent gene from sea coral to zebra danio eggs. The result was the glofish. Aside from their genetically altered neon color palette they are identical to zebra danios. These fish are vibrant under any circumstances. But they fluoresce or light up when they encounter environmental toxins. They were first created to do precisely that, detect environmental toxins. They were made available for sale to the general public in 2003. Environmentalists have expressed concern about what might happen if these genetically altered fish made their way into natural rivers and streams. The creators of glofish state emphatically that these genetically engineered fish are not an ecological threat. Glofish, like regular zebra danios, can only survive in tropical waters. Aquarium water temperature should be between 64-74 °F. In the six years since their release for sale to the general public, they have not seemed to pose any ecological threat. While the sale of a genetically altered fish simply because they look prettier than their “natural” counterparts may be ethically questionable, they are beautiful fish. So far Glofish have proven to be every bit as hardy as regular zebra danios. There is, after all, only a single gene that differentiates the two. Glofish come in a variety of brilliant rainbow colors. They can be purchased for around $6 or $7. Zebra Danio Zebra danios are a member of the Cyprinidae family. They are native to eastern India. They are hardy and active fish with peaceful temperaments. They make good additions to community tanks provided they are housed with fish of similar temperament. Zebra danios have a five year life span and will grow to length of about two inches. They thrive in slightly acidic to neutral water (pH 6.5-7.0) and prefer a rather chilly water temperature of 64-74 degrees Fahrenheit. They can, however, adapt to the warmer climate needed for most other tropical fish. They are surface dwelling fish that favor moving water. Zebra danios are shoaling fish. It is not advisable to purchase a single fish for your aquarium. Nature intended them to live in a community. Zebras are omnivores that can survive just fine on a diet of tropical fish flakes. Both sexes have to pairs of barbels on either side of their mouth. In their genetically unaltered state it is easy to tell the males form the females. Males have blue and gold stripes. Females have blue and silver stripes. The female tends to be larger and fuller bodied than the male. This would be the distinguishing factor in the genetically altered varieties. Breeding Frankenfish Zebra danios are some of the easiest fish to breed in captivity. Spawning can be triggered by raising the water temperature up a few degrees near dawn. This will trick the fish into believing it is mating season. When spawning occurs 3-500 eggs will be scattered across the breeding tank floor. Remove the adults to prevent them from eating the eggs. The fry will hatch in 2 days. They can be fed liquid fry food or small amounts of powdered eggs. In a week or two they will be large enough to eat brine shrimp or finely crushed tropical fish flakes.admin2009-11-06http://www.aqua-fish.net/show.php?cur_lang=2&what=article&id=584Angelfish an article submitted by Exotic Aquariums The angelfish or Pterophyllum Scalare is a part theCichlidae family more commonly referred to as cichlids. They have long been a favorite of freshwater aquarium keepers worldwide. They are indigenous to the Amazon River, Orinoco River and Essequibo River basins of South America Angelfish are elegant and graceful creatures. Their unique disk shape undoubtedly contributes to their popularity. They come in a variety of color palettes, from unadorned to striped, marbled, black, golden, or Koi. Because of their popularity they can be found at virtually any store that sales fish. They are inexpensive to buy and easy to maintain. But don’t be fooled by the size of the angelfish you see for sale in the fish store. Angelfish commonly grow to six inches in diameter. Keep this in mind when deciding whether to purchase one as an addition to your fish tank. They can be kept in an aquarium as small as 10 gallons. But 20 gallons and up is preferable. Angelfish work well in community fish tanks. But a note of caution should be exercised when selecting their tank-mates. They will eat the smaller fish in the tank. So if you want to keep angle fish in your aquarium avoid mixing them with smaller varieties such as guppies or neon tetras. Aside from their instinctive dietary habits angelfish are non-aggressive. So they should not be housed in the same tank with fin nippers such as tetras or barbs. Angelfish are omnivores. They can survive just fine on your common variety tropical fish flakes. They will also eat brine shrimp, tubifex worms, bloodworms, plant matter, and of course their smaller tank-mates. Under premium conditions angel fish have an average life expectancy of 10 years. As native of the Amazon River they prefer slightly acidic water of around pH 6.8 and temperatures between 72-86 degrees Fahrenheit. Breeding Angelfish It is difficult to distinguish between male and female angelfish until they are about to mate. A few days before mating angelfishes’ reproductive organs will emerge from their bodies near the proximity of their anal region. The Females have what is called an ovipositor which basically amounts to an egg layer. Males will have a narrow tube through which semen is excreted to fertilize the eggs. Angelfish engage in an interesting courting ritual as a precursor to mating. They will lock their mouths together and spin around wildly. This dizzying foreplay is a good indication that the reproduction cycle is about to commence. Once the formalities are out of the way, it is time to prepare a proper hatchery. The Angelfish will clean a flat surface on which the eggs will be deposited. After a surface is suitably prepared, the eggs are laid and fertilized. Unlike many fish pieces of the Amazon River, Angelfish are unlikely to eat their un-hatched eggs. In fact, angel fish are known to stand guard over their eggs through the 3-4 day gestation period. Once hatched, both male and female angelfish will herd their young from plant to plant for the next four or five days. Once the parental cycle has expired, the young fry may appear as a means of nutrition to their parents. It is advisable to remove them from the breeding tank. Newly hatched fry can be fed liquid fry food or rotifers. A readily available and economic alternative is powdered eggs. Do not over feed them. You will make a mess of your breeding tank. After about a week the fry can be fed newly hatched brine shrimp.admin2009-11-04