Aqua kingdom

Breeding Guppies for dummies

2009-12-29T22:22:00.002+08:00

Guppies rarely need any encouragement to breed in the aquarium, but if you want to produce high-quality guppies it is a good idea to devote some time and energy to the process of breeding guppies. By carefully controlling the breeding process instead of simply allowing your fish to breed randomly, you can develop guppies with a much higher quality than what you would normally find in pet shops.

Start out with high quality fish
While the Guppy in your local fish store might be an excellent pet, chances of finding high quality guppies in ordinary pet shops are usually very slim. It is therefore advisable to contact a breeder and purchase high quality fish of the specific color and/or fin strain that you wish to breed. Purchasing from a reputable breeder is usually more expensive, but you will get a much better genetic material to work with.

The breeding aquarium
If you want to breed guppies, you should give them at least a five gallon aquarium. A five gallon aquarium will be enough for one male and two females. If you want to be able to keep two males and up to ten females, you need to provide them with a ten gallon aquarium. A ten gallon aquarium is recommended if you are serious about breeding guppies, since this will increase your chances of finding all the traits you are interested in. Keeping only one male and two females will naturally limit the selection of available characteristics significantly.

5 gallons of water is roughly equivalent to 20 liters.
10 gallons of water is roughly equivalent to 40 liters.

Decorate the breeding aquarium with floating plants since this will provide shelter for the fry until you have a chance to remove the adults. You can also add weighted spawning mops to provide even more hiding spots. If you keep the adults in the aquarium, they will most likely eat all the fry.

The water
The aquarium should be cycled and you should make sure that the water quality is kept at an ideal level at all times.

Guppies live in fresh and brackish environments in the wild and adding some aquarium salt to the breeding aquarium is a good idea. One tablespoon (15 ml) of salt is enough for 10 gallons (40 L) of water.

The food
To get your adult guppies into excellent breeding condition you can feed them plenty of meaty food. Brine shrimp, black worms, and bloodworms are all good choices and combining them are even better since it will make the diet more varied. The meaty food should be combined with one or several high quality flake foods suitable for guppies. Algae flakes are a good addition to the guppy flakes, and liver flakes can also be beneficial. Keep the diet varied to ensure optimal growth rate and good health.

Selective breeding vs. line breeding
Two terms that you will come across as you read more about fish breeding are selective breeding and line breeding. Selective breeding is when you select fish with desirable characteristics and use them for breeding. Over many generations, selective breeding will lead to strains where the desirable traits are exceptionally common. Line breeding is when two related guppies are mated together to promote certain traits. (Line breeding can therefore in a way be said to be a specific form of selective breeding.) When it comes to Guppies, it is common to mate a female offspring with desirable traits back to the original breeding group by mating her with her father. It is also possible to mate Guppy sons with mothers, but the result is usually not as good as when you mate Guppy daughters with fathers. Breeders who still wish to mate Guppy sons and mothers need to keep very stringent records to avoid future problems. Line breeding will greatly increase the chance of seeing the desirable traits in the offspring and is therefore very common among Guppy breeders.

Culling
One of the most important aspects of Guppy breeding is culling, culling and culling. Only keep the very best Guppies and use them for breeding. Not only should you remove any deformed fish; you should remove all the less colorful fishes as well and fishes with non-desirable traits. You can gently put the undesirable fish to sleep by placing them in a bag filled with aquarium water and place the bag in the freezer. This will cause the Guppy to go into state of hibernation and then die in its sleep. You can also use excess fish as feeder fish, but keep in mind that a strict diet of Guppies only is unhealthy for many predatory fish species.

Is plants necessary in aquariums

2009-12-06T06:00:00.000+08:00

Planted aquariums are fun! They offer a whole new dimension to the fish keeping experience. With freshwater aquarium aquascaping you can create an individual, one-of-a- kind, aquarium design. You will also be providing a natural balance to the aquarium and all sorts of benefits for the tank's inhabitants.

Why Start a Planted Aquarium?    Perhaps the most exciting aspect of keeping plants in your aquarium is the addition of a natural decor. Aquarium plants are very pleasing to look at and they offer hours of enjoyment for the hobbyist. With freshwater aquarium aquascaping you create a uniquely designed aquarium.
   For the fish and other tank inhabitants, aquarium plants provide many benefits. They create a comfortable 'homey' environment, they offer hiding places for fish, and they can serve as food source for a variety of aquatic animals.

Vital Functions of Aquarium Plants:     Having plants in aquariums is one of the most beneficial things you can do to make aquariums healthier, more stable, and simply more beautiful. Aquatic plants provide a physically enriched environment, but they naturally perform three other very important functions as well that help keep the planted tank in balance.

Aquarium plants produce oxygen
Plants go through two photosystems that are necessary to their survival. The first system is photosystem I, or photosynthesis, and is the most practical for the average hobbyist to understand.
Photosystem I:
   Photosynthesis is called 'light dependent'. Plants use several things in the process of photosynthesis to provide themselves with food and energy. These include light (normally sunlight), water, and carbon dioxide. During photosynthesis, oxygen is released as a by-product, which is then breathed in by the fish. It only occurs during the daytime (when sunlight is available), and so proper lighting must be supplied.
Photosystem 2: Provided courtesy of Hannah Roberts.
"The other photosystem is called 'light independent', or otherwise known as the Calvin Cycle. It is not necessary for light to be present throughout the Calvin Cycle, although it is often coupled with Photosystem I. The net equation for the Calvin Cycle is: 3CO2 + 6NADPH + 6ATP -> glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate + 6NAD+ + 9ADP + 8Pi. This reaction is crucial to plant growth. The glyceraldehyde created is used either in the chloroplast in starch synthesis or it is exported to the cytoplasm where it is used in the synthesis of sucrose or other metabolites. The other products are used in continuing Photosystem I and the electron transport chain.
   "During photosynthesis oxygen is released as a by-product, which is then breathed in by the fish. Photosynthesis only occurs during the daytime however (when sunlight is available), and so proper lighting must be supplied."... Hannah Roberts.

Aquarium plants absorb carbon dioxide:
   Because they also absorb the carbon dioxide that fish breathe out, plants help keep the concentration of carbon dioxide in the water down. Plants also respire. This is the process of taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. This occurs continuously day and night.

Aquarium plants breakdown waste materials:
   Lastly, aquarium plants help in general maintenance of the water. They can help keep the water clean by absorbing waste materials emitted by the fish, as well as harbor bacteria on their surfaces that absorb waste material as a food source. Some plants can even keep the waste material on the bottom of the aquarium from decaying by emitting small amounts of oxygen from their roots.
   In all these respects, aquarium plants greatly improve the aquatic environment and enhance the survival of fish. Setting up a planted tank is fun, creative, and rewarding!

How to clean aquarium gravel

2009-12-05T06:25:00.002+08:00

A clean tank ensures optimum health for your fish, and provides them with a safe environment in which to swim and grow. One of the most important parts of cleaning out a fish tank is the cleaning of the gravel. Because food and waste tends to sink to the bottom of the tank, it becomes trapped beneath the gravel. Proper cleaning of your tank's gravel is essential to the health of your fish, and should be done approximately every two weeks.

What you need for this:

A container for holding your fish during the cleaning process

Fish net

Plastic gravel cleaner tool with a hose attached

Bleach

Large bucket
Before beginning the cleaning process, you will need to remove any fish from your tank. Prepare a container to hold your fish by removing some of the water from your main tank and placing into a bucket or other container. Using a fish net, gently remove your fish from their current tank, and place them into the temporary holding container.

After draining approximately half of the water from your tank, shake the plastic gravel cleaner up and down in the tank water to create the suction needed to pull the water through the hose into a bucket.

Using the hose attached to the gravel cleaner, work your way around the tank, sucking up small amounts of gravel into the cleaner. This enables debris to be sucked through the hose and into the bucket, while allowing the gravel to fall back into place at the bottom of the tank. Shaking the gravel cleaner up and down vigorously in the water will stir the debris and loosen any waste caught between the rocks of your tank.
Once the majority of solid debris has been siphoned into the bucket, examine your gravel for a build up of algae. If algae growth is significant, soak some of the gravel and any larger rocks kept inside the tank in a bleach solution. The bleach solution should be one-part bleach to nine-parts water. Soaps and detergents should be avoided, as they can leave a residue that can be toxic to your fish.

Rinse the gravel and other items extremely well, and return them to your fish tank. If a noticeable amount of debris remains, you may want to consider repeating the cleaning process or cleaning your gravel more frequently.

Is Gravel Necessary?

2009-12-03T06:48:00.002+08:00

Most people assume the gravel, or substrate, is only there to make their aquarium more attractive. If that is the case, is it a necessity or not?

Not an absolute requirement, but there are many reasons why it's recommended.

Biological Filtration
Perhaps the most important function that gravel serves is to provide a home for beneficial bacteria. Those bacterial colonies are necessary to eliminate waste produced in the aquarium. If the bacteria don't have a comfy gravel bed to live in they will find other places, but may not grow in sufficient quantities to keep the aquarium safe for your fish.
If the tank is left with a bare bottom, it will be necessary to change the water more often in the aquarium to keep harmful wastes from building up. In the event the tank is heavily stocked, even frequent water changes may not be enough to keep ammonia and nitrites at bay.

Fish Habitat
Gravel of the appropriate type (i.e.: not too bold and glaring) can create a pleasant habitat for your fish. The more comfortable the habitat is for your fish, the less stressed and more healthy they will be.
Substrates can provide a safe home for eggs laid by fish. Large substrates allow the eggs to drop out of reach of hungry adult fish who wouldn't hesitate to eat their own offspring!
In addition to reducing stress on the fish, substrates can also improve the chemistry of the water. For instance, if your fish require hard water, coral gravel will increase water hardness.

Home For Live Plants
If you have live plants, substrate is critical, and second only to lighting in keeping your plants alive. The proper substrate in planted tanks can ensure your plants have a long and healthy life.

Aesthetic Appeal
Last but not least, substrates can provide aesthetic appeal for the owner and others who view the tank. Substrate hides the debris that inevitably is produced every day the tank. Try having a bare bottomed tank for even a day, and you'll be amazed at how much 'junk' appears on the bottom.
In addition to hiding undesirable things, substrate shows off what you really want to see. A silver fish against the glass doesn't stand out, but put a dark gravel on the bottom and suddenly the fish stand out.

How to choose healthy fish

2009-11-21T18:29:00.000+08:00

It's sad but true - not every fish is in perfect health. Here's how to pick the best of the bunch

Here's How:

Look at the top and sides of the tanks. If most are encrusted with residue, look for another shop entirely.
Look for clear water. If it's discolored, avoid that tank. If the water in most tanks is discolored, look for another shop.
Scan a half dozen tanks to see if any fish are sick or have died. If you see more than one sick or dead fish, find another shop.
Avoid tanks with decaying plants, as the water chemistry is questionable.
Do not buy fish that just arrived in the shop. They are stressed from travel, and might be carrying disease.
Avoid fish with cloudy eyes, torn or clamped fins, and spots or sores on their body.
Avoid fish that are sluggish or appear to be shivering.
Look at all the fish in the tank. If any appear sick, don't buy a fish from that tank.
Choose an active, alert fish. Take him home and enjoy your new pet.

Tips:

Ask the shop about their fish guarantee. Good shops will replace fish that die within the first day or two.

Quarantine new fish in a separate tank for three days before moving them to the regular tank.

Which Fish Tank Filter is Right For My Aquarium?

2009-11-17T21:27:00.000+08:00

To begin to understand which fish tank filter would be right for your aquarium, it is important to look at how the different kinds of filtration currently offered by various fish tank filter systems and what this means for your aquarium.

Chemical Filtration - Chemical filtration works by processing the water through a substance such as carbon which removes fish excrement and dissolved minerals. Phosphates, nitrites, nitrates and ammonia as well as various other chemicals can be effectively sand safely removed by chemical filtration.

Biological Filtration - Biological filtration works by bringing a kind of bacteria known by the name of "nitrofiers". These bacteria basically work by breaking down ammonia and nitrite, both of which in large enough quantities prove fatally harmful to fish, into nitrates. Nitrates can then be removed with the aid of chemical filtration or by simply changing the water. Regardless of which fish tank filter you may choose for your aquarium, all tanks need a flourishing bacterial community. This is the primary reason when starting a new tank that it is left to cycle between two to six weeks. Bacteria colonize on the surface of the tank and filter. A biological fish tank filter will often use a media which attempts to accerlate the growth of the bacteria culture.

For biological filtration to be affective, all the water in the tank need to pass through the filter roughly four times per hour. Small to medium size tanks and aquariums may do well with an undergravel filter. however larger sizes will require a canister filter.

Mechanical Filtration - This final method of filtration works by actively removing debris such as excess food, parts of plants and any other kind of waste from the water by passing it through absorbitive material. The material traps this waste, so it can then be effectively removed from the aquarium. Since fish continually produce waste, the fish tank filter must provide some kind of mechanical filtration. It has become quite common for many fish tank filters to combine both mechanical and chemical filtration.

At a bear minimum it is important that your fish tank filter manages to combine at least biological and mechanical filtration. Stressful levels of ammonia, nitrites and nitrates inhibit fish breeding, activity and growth and can even result in death.

So Which Fish Tank Filter Is Right For Me?

Very small tanks of ten gallons or less may use a "box filter" which provides mechanical and biological filtration. A box filter is very cheap and may use several different kinds of media. They are commonly used in breeding tanks with tiny fry.

Medium sized tanks may use either an undergravel filter or a power filter. Some fish enthusiasts are sceptical about an UGF as it is less obvious when things go wrong. I would not recommend this kind of fish tank filter to an inexperienced person. A power filter can hang on the back of a tank and is normally quite cheap, providing both biological and chemical filtration.

Larger tanks, of 50 gallons or more, should use a canister as their fish tank filter. These kind of aquariums or tanks need a more powerful filter as more water is being cycled. Depending on the media used, these kinds of filters can offer all kinds of filtration.

The kind of fish tank filter needed in your tank or aquarium will depend on the size of the tank and the volume of water it will be processing. The most important aspect of keeping fish healthy is offering a combination of filtration, with mechanical and biological as a bare minimum.

Sean Norman is a fish enthusiast who also keeps terapins. More relevant information about the author and this article may be found by Clicking Here

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Live Aquarium Plants - Background Plants

2009-11-17T20:51:00.000+08:00

In an aquarium, background plants refer to those plants that are normally placed at the rear of the aquarium. These aquarium plants are usually taller plants with longer stems or leaves. They are placed at the rear of the aquarium for mainly two reasons. Firstly, they enhance the appearance of the aquarium background scene. Secondly, they help to conceal unsightly items such as filter tubes and heaters at the rear of the fish tank. Sometimes, these aquarium plants are placed at the front corners of the fish tank to the further enhance the overall appearance. Some common background plants are described below.

Fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana)

Cabomba caroliniana is a fine-feathered plant which is light green in colour. This aquarium plant looks stunning when planted in groups of three or more. It grows fast and lives well in bright lighting. It can grow up to a maximum height of about 50cm. Cabomba caroliniana is one of the most common species available and fairly easy to keep. An advantage of having this plant in the fish tank is that it is good for filling up spaces and hiding areas at the background. Another advantage is that it can be used to capture the eggs scattered by fishes. The majority of community fish kept in aquariums uses the egg-scattering method for their reproduction. The disadvantage with this aquarium plant is that fish loves to nibble on it and its leaves come of very easily. Thus, you will often find many leaves floating around in your planted aquarium.

Elodea (Egeria densa)

Elodea is a popular aquatic plant. It is fast-growing and can grow to a height of about 50cm. It is a suitable plant for beginners. Growing the Elodea has many benefits. Firstly, it is easy to keep as it survives well in a wide range of conditions. Secondly, it grows very thick if kept in bright lighting and thus, is an excellent plant for filling up spaces. Thirdly, it secretes substances that help to prevent algae growth. Fourthly, Elodea is known to remove great amounts of nitrates. Hence, it helps to purify the water. Lastly, a small piece of the plant can actually regenerate to become a new plant within a short period of time.

Amazon Sword (Echinodorus bleheri)

The plant derives its name 'Amazon Sword' from the fact that it grows in Amazon and the shape of its leaves is similar to that of the blade of a sword. This beautiful plant can greatly enhance your aquarium decor, especially when it blooms. Echinodorus bleheri lives well in moderate lighting. However, a point you need to note is that Echinodorus bleheri has large roots and thus, it needs additional fertilizers for it to grow well. Also, if you placed this plant in your aquarium, you need to ensure that the large roots of the plant do not choke out other plants.

The above are some common background plants you can consider placing in your aquarium. These plants can certainly help to make your aquarium decor more stunning. They can help to conceal unsightly items at the rear of the fish tank and fill up the spaces. As described above, each plant has its own benefits as well. Please visit Live Aquarium Plants website for more information.

Rose Mary enjoys travel and writes on various interest topics. Discover the essentials on keeping Betta Fish alive and Aquarium maintenance at => http://www.fibcool.com/betta-fish/

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How to Fix Cloudy Fish Tank Water

2009-11-17T07:24:00.000+08:00

Clean Aquarium water is the key to having a successful aquarium. Cloudy aquarium water does not create a harmful environment for your fish, but it certainly does not look nice aesthetically. Cloudy aquarium water can arise from a number of reasons listed below.

To begin it depends on the colour of the cloudiness. If it is a green then most likely you have green water, an annoying type of algae that is hard to get rid of, it is suggested you keep the tank out of direct sunlight, do frequent water changes and maybe buy a UV filter.

If it is a cloudy white this can be due to a few reasons. The most likely is you have recently set up this tank, what you are seeing is a bacteria bloom that will soon pass (anywhere from 1 day to a couple of weeks). This bloom or mini cycle can also happen if you change a large amount <50%>

Overstocking and overfeeding can cause a light haze, by making sure you fish out any uneaten food or just reduce the amount you feed, you should see a reduction in haziness.

It could also be caused by dust from a new ornament that has been recently added. You may need to do constant water changes to get rid of this. Substrates like Fluorite can make the tank cloudy for the first few weeks but will clear up later on.

It is suggested that you do not use water 'purifiers' as these will prove a waste of money, they work by clumping the small particles together so the filter can then catch them. You will find if it is a bacterial problem then the liquid will do nothing and merely be a waste of money.

If you have further issues with cloudy water that seem to be unresolved, contact your local aquarium outlet and have them test the water for you.

Just remember always be careful what you add to your fish tank and make sure you don't overfeed! There is almost always an easy solution that requires minor changes as apposed to chemical helpers. Follow these easy steps and enjoy clear water in your aquarium!

By Charlie Brenthan

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charlie_Brenthan

Tips on Pearl Gourami Care and Spawning

2009-11-17T06:41:00.000+08:00

The pearl gourami or Trichogaster leeri is a member of the family Belontiidae. Pearl Gouramis inhabit the lowland swamp waters of Sumatra, Borneo, Malaysia and Thailand.

All gouramis belong to the suborder Anabantid. The members of this suborder evolved in poorly oxygenated environments. They subsequently developed an auxiliary breathing apparatus in addition to their gills. This lung-like organ, the labyrinth organ, allows them to breathe atmospheric oxygen. At some point in the evolutionary process they became dependent on both as a means of survival. They will die without a combination of dissolved and airborne oxygen. This is why they are frequently seen at the water's surface.

Unlike the paradise fish, the pearl gourami is a timid creature. They are good additions to a community tank if they are provided with plants, rocks and aquarium décor in which to hide. There optimum water condition is a neutral pH with a water temperature around 78 °F.

Pearl gouramis reach a length of approximately 5 inches and have a life expectancy of 5 years.

They are omnivorous. But they tend to function better on a balanced variety of tropical fish flakes and protein whether freeze-dried, frozen or live.

This species is sexually dimorphic, meaning each sex possesses traits specific to their gender such as size and coloration. Males are typically larger and more colorful than females. The males also exhibit an orange tinge to their fins with the exception of the tail fin. Males have a bright orange region around their throat area. This distinctive coloring is not present in juveniles. It develops as the fish reaches sexual maturity. The color intensifies prior to spawning and is used to attract the female of the species.

Breeding Gouramis

Gouramis have a natural inclination to pair up. Gouramis spawn in still water in their natural habitat. Turn the filter capacity in your breeding tank down prior to spawning. The color of the male's throat region will indicate that he is ready to spawn. A sponge filter works well to simulate mating conditions. And you have the added bonus of not having to worry about the fry getting sucked up into the filter.

Provide plants for the breeding tank. The male will use his labyrinth to build a bubble nest on the water's surface. He will use some of the provided plant matter to help the nest stay together.

Gouramis instinctively spawn underneath the bubble nest. Once fertilization occurs, the male gourami will gather up the eggs with his mouth and spit them into the bubble nest to mature.

Remove the female gourami from the breeding tank after they have spawned. It is the male's job to tend to the nest. He will guard and care for the eggs until they hatch. You will find the male a very attentive custodian of his future offspring.

The fry will hatch in approximately 24 hours. They will be free swimming in 2-3 days. It is now time to remove the male to insure that he does not eat the fry. Once free swimming, the fry can be fed infusoria, or rotifers. When they get about a week old feed them powdered fry food, or newly hatched brine shrimp. An economical alternative is powdered eggs. Make sure not to over feed the fry or you will foul up the water in your tank.

This article is brought to you courtesy of Exotic-Aquariums.com. Helping you have healthier and happier fish is our business. We don't sale fish tanks. We only sell complete aquariums. We offer unique alternatives to the traditional rectangle fish tank, featuring desktop, wall mount and free standing models. Get the Look of a Custom Aquarium Without the Custom Price Tag at Exotic-Aquariums.com.

If you found this article interesting and would like to learn more check out our Online Fish Buying Guide.

Written by Stephen J Broy

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