Exotic Fish

3 Critical Steps to Create Hermit Crab Humidity

2010-04-05T21:06:00.000+02:00

It seems as of lately that hermit crabs have become a more popular exotic pet, requiring a bit less care and demand than other traditional household pets like the dog or cat. While these little crabs are relatively easy to care for, they do require certain critical elements to maintain proper health. One of the most important things hermit crabs require aside from proper temperature is proper hermit crab humidity.

To understand better why humidity is so important to these crabs, it's important to understand their original habitat in the wild so we as pet owners can duplicate as best as possible their natural living conditions. Hermit crabs are hatched out of eggs by the water and find their way into the ocean for a short period of time before coming back out on the shore for the remainder of their life.

You'll notice they were able to survive both on land and in the water since they have gills similar to a fish. Hermit crabs can breathe through gills by using the moisture or humidity in the air and taking the oxygen out of the water particles. Their gills also need to be kept moist to breathe properly, which is another reason why humidity is so important.

If you have been adventurous enough to visit the beach in the evening time, you may have seen groups of crabs congregate by the water, where there is a higher amount of humidity by the ground.

When you make the decision to bring home a new cute crab (hopefully a few of them since they are such social creatures), it is imperative to give your crabs the proper humid environment in their cage or terrarium so they can be as healthy as possible and thrive by allowing them to breathe easier. Proper humidity levels for your crabs to thrive are approximately 70 percent. You can accomplish this using the following steps:

* Keep Full Water Dishes - Your habitat or cage should have two water dishes, one containing properly treated ocean salt water (which can be purchased at your local pet store) and de-chlorinated fresh water in your crab's other dish. Additionally, adding a sea sponge to each bowl will not only protect your crabs from potential drowning, but the added surface area of water in the bowl and sponge will create a higher amount of evaporation, thereby creating a more humid environment.

* Spray The Tank Daily - Make it a habit every day when you refill their water or add food to mist the tank daily using an inexpensive spray bottle. It is very important to use fresh water without chlorine. The water that mists in the tank will quickly evaporate also increasing the humidity levels in your hermit crab cage.

* Regulate Proper Tank Temperatures - Naturally when keeping water bowls filled or misting the tank daily, if the inside of the tank isn't at proper temperatures (between 70 and 80 degrees), the water in the bowl won't evaporate and the mist will just absorb in the substrate, possibly contributing to mold over time due to excessive moisture. Use either a heating pad or heat lamp to regulate your crab's cage so that you can maintain proper humidity levels.

Following these simple steps will keep your hermit crabs happy, healthy, and breathing easy which is most important.

About the Author

Peter Williams is a hermit crab enthusiast and author of hermit crab care books. For more information on hermit crab humidity, visit http://www.hermitcrablovers.com

Fish Aquarium Tanks - 10 Things You Didn't Know

2010-04-05T21:03:00.000+02:00

Salt Water or Marine Aquariums Some fish tank stores will use the term 'tropical' for freshwater aquariums and use the term 'saltwater' or 'marine' aquariums to describe salt water fish. Check with each individual store for their definition. Tropical fish tanks Tropical fish are fish that live in warm water, and can either be freshwater or saltwater fish. Most are small and beautifully coloured, and come from all around the world. A tropical fish tank needs a heater that will keep the water temperature constant. Freshwater fish tanks Freshwater fish live in fresh water. Freshwater fish include Goldfish, Catfish, Cichlids, Corydoras and Loaches. Freshwater fish tanks can be made of glass or acrylic. Marine fish (Salt Water) Aquariums Marine fish live in salt water. Fish are vibrant and usually small in size, making marine fish tanks very colourful and exotic. Cold water fish tanks Cold water fish live in cooler water than tropical fish so there is no need for water heaters. Goldfish are a popular cold water fish. They come in bright colours and Tropical aquariums Warm water holds less oxygen than cold water. The water in tropical fish tanks is kept around seventy five degrees Fahrenheit so holds less oxygen than its coldwater counterpart. There are various methods for increasing the oxygen content in your tank. Invertebrates Corals and invertebrates (e.g. snails) live in marine aquariums. Surface area If you are a beginner, choose a long fish tank rather than a tall tank. The larger the surface area of your tank, the more oxygen it will hold. So it's much easier for the novice fish keeper to maintain a long tank rather than a tall one. Fish tank décor The décor of your fish tank can be used to hide the aquarium equipment. Rocks can be glued together, using special aquatic glue, to make arches and interesting shapes for your fish to swim through. Heaters You can get heaters with built in switches, that will turn off the heater if there is a risk of overheating. Check the manufacturer's technical details to find out how long your heater will last and change it well before the last date.

About the Author

Find a great selection of fish aquarium tanks , aquariums and pet fish supplies at catthedog.co.uk.

Bettas - The Most Exotic Fish For Freshwater Aquariums

2010-03-04T11:55:00.000+02:00

If you compare the difference between the salt water or marine fish and freshwater fish, you know that the fish for freshwater aquariums can be a bit dull and boring compared to salt water fish. However, there is one fish for freshwater fish tanks that is so beautiful and exotic it can rival any of the marine fish.

This fish is the Betta or Japanese fighting fish. You've probably seen them sitting In tiny round bowls at your pet store. These are the beautifully colored fish with long flowing fins that come in a range of red, purple's and aqua's.

These fish exhibit a grace and beauty that compares to none other and you might just one of the lucky fish tank with a dozen of them. However, this wouldn't be very good idea since male Bettas - the ones with the long fins - a very territorial and will fight to the death.

When buying Bettas for your fish tank you need to make sure that you only have one male aquarium. You can have more than one female, but the females are not as beautiful as the males having much shorter fins and in fact, the females can also fight but are not as aggressive as the males.

in addition to being beautiful, the Betta is also one of the few freshwater fish that can survive in water that has little in as they can actually take the oxygen from the air itself. But just because they can survive in a little tiny bowls doesn't mean you should subject him to such a boring life. just like with any fish the bigger the aquarium and the better the water quality and healthier you fish will be.

If you do decide to keep your Betta are in a small fish bowl you'll need to spend a lot of time doing water changes in making sure that the water quality is good enough for your fish to size. The water in a small bowl will soon become toxic due to decaying food and wastes and there is not enough room in a small bowl for enough bacteria to build up for sufficient biological filtration. You should probably change out half the water to three times a week in order to keep the ammonia nitrate levels at bay. Also be sure that your fish gets the appropriate heat and light necessary to survive.

Feeding your Betta the appropriate food will help keep him healthy and colorful. Bettas are carnivores and will need a meat-based feed food. They like food such as prime time, freeze dried blood worms and you can also buy food specifically formulated for the Betta fish. If you're feeding him frozen brine shrimp, thaw it out so that your Betta can digest it properly. Don't overfeed refresh, simply given up what he can eat in a minute or two as you want to avoid having food rot on the bottom of your tank which will reduce the water quality.

Bettas like a water temperature that is around 78 to 80°F and it is good to keep this temperature consistent. keep your tank away from windows so that algae does not build up and also keep it out of drafts or sunlight is the sunlight can heat the water up to much. Adding live plants suitable or aquarium can help filter the water and keep the quality at peak levels.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://fish-tank-guide.com where you can learn more about aquarium care and fish such as the Betta.

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

3 Bizarre Aquarium Fish - How To Create An Exotic Fish Tank

2010-03-04T11:53:00.000+02:00

There are certain fish that just add to any aquarium. There are some bizarre fish in the aquarium land that are gorgeous to own, but you have to know how to care for them. Some of them require specific instructions.

Sailfin mollies are beautiful creatures with metallic colors. The males are blue-green with orange and black fins. The female sailfin mollies are have bluish grey fins. These fish are characterized by their long and high dorsal fins.

Aquarium conditions: Sailfin mollies enjoy warm water. The temperature should be between 73 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit with a pH between 7.5 and 8.2. You should have many plants in the aquarium because these bizarre fish enjoy plant life. You should also regularly add salt to the water to promote the growth algae because these are omnivorous creatures.

Feeding: These bizarre fish will eat live bait, but enjoy vegetables as well. You can add some zucchini, peas or spinach to their tanks. You can leave algae in the tank because the sailfin mollies will eat it.

African lungfish are another group of bizarre fish people might want to own. They are generally bottom dwellers and in their natural habitat, feed on animals from the bottom of the sea such as mussels, small fish and worms. When you first buy your African lungfish, it may just be a few inches to a foot long. These fish can grow up to 10 feet, so make sure you have a big enough tank.

Aquarium conditions: These fish like quiet and dim areas. They are commonly found in the Zaire River basin, so try to emulate that type of environment. The water should be around 75 degrees and have fresh mud in the tank. It can thrive in different water conditions, but try to keep it constant. Keep fish that need the same environment with the African lungfish for optimal results.

Feeding: These fish tend to prey on other small animals. You should feed it worms or lean meats. You can also give it beef heart.

Piranhas aren't everyone's favorite fish. They are well known for biting its prey with its razor sharp teeth. They are an interesting fish to own, though, if you are looking for bizarre fish. If you are just starting out in the fish world, don't get piranhas. They might bite your hand if you are not careful. Also, try not to have too many other fish with your piranha. They can be very aggressive fish and territorial.

Aquarium conditions: Piranhas are found in the Amazon and need to have warm water to thrive. Keep the tank around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. You need a heater and a thermometer to keep track of the water. Be careful not to overheat the tank because if it gets too hot it can result in oxygen deprivation. The other thing about piranhas is that you need to clean the tank often. These bizarre fish are messy. You need a good filter to keep the water from getting toxic.

Feeding: Piranhas will eat just about anything. It's important to give the piranhas a varied diet. Most frozen fish foods are good for piranhas. They also eat vegetables. You should try to give piranhas different foods to eat to try to make their contained environment feel as much as the natural environment as possible. Piranhas only need to be fed once a day.

Abhishek is an avid Fish Lover and he has got some great Aquarium Care Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 105 Pages Ebook, "Aquarium Care Made Easy!" from his website http://www.Wonder-Homes.com/636/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

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Understanding Fish Tank Maintenance for Aquariums

2010-02-13T15:52:00.000+02:00

The prospect of whiling away the hours watching a fantastic aquarium, quietly bubbling away displaying a myriad of exotic sea creatures is appealing to a great number of people. Aquariums provide a relaxing atmosphere, offer great entertainment and help educes stress. It can be a great focal point for any room and is enjoyed by all ages.

Aquariums on the whole are easy to maintain and with a wide variety of shops and internet stores out there, an easy hobby to enjoy.

It is important to understand the basics of aquarium keeping before purchasing a tank. When dealing with any pets, the keeper has a duty of care to their animals and reading up on the full extent of maintenance tasks involved and making sure they are ready for the commitment is essential. Good fish tank maintenance prevents disease keeping your aquarium fresh and your livestock happy.

Here is a basic run down of http://www.westbergholtaquatics.co.uk/fish-tank-maintenance.html tasks expected of a medium sized tank.

Fish Tank Maintenance - Daily Tasks

1) Check the fish.

Check for the following: - Not eating food. If any of your fish has lost its appetite it could be that they need help. This could be solved in a number of different ways from cleaning either the gravel or water to increasing the temperature. Have you introduced a new fish which could be causing some other fish stress? If you are unsure of what action to take, then give us a call and we will discuss the possible solutions with you.

- Gasping. If any of your fish are rising to the surface they could be short of oxygen. Check your filter to ensure it is working correctly. If that is not the cause of the problem, then give us a call as it could be a number of other issues, such as water temperature or you might need to clean or condition the water.

- Crashing. This could be because the fish is exhausted and suffering from disease.

- Clamped or stuck fins. This is a common problem and is an early sign that the fish is unwell. This could be due to a number of bacterial, parasitic or fungal problems all of which are treatable. Give us a call for more information.

- Ich. Ich spots are caused by parasites and can treated with copper or malachite green in the right dosage.

- Bacterial Disease. This is often presented as red swelling above the eye or on the abdomen. This will need to treated with antibiotics so give us a call for more information.

2) Check your water.

- Is the water the correct temperature? If your water temperature has changed, look at your heater and check it is functioning correctly.

- Is the water clear and smells fresh? If the water looks cloudy or is beginning to smell, then you need to think about changing it.

3) Check your equipment,

- Have a quick look at your filter and heater to make sure it is running correctly. If your water is clear and smells fresh then it should be OK.

4) Feed your fish.

- You normally feed aquarium fish twice a day. If there is unwanted food floating around in the tank then remove it before adding any more food. Keep an eye on how they feed to ensure they have not lost their appetite.

Fish Tank Maintenance - Weekly Tasks

1) Fresh Water

- Replace about 20% of your water every week. Fresh water will help to keep your fish stocks healthy. You should be able to use water directly from your tap, but the first few times you complete the task, keep an eye on the fish and if they present symptoms such as gasping or loss of appetite then you will need to consider conditioning the water.

2) Clean Gravel

- Consider a gravel vacuum to remove waste and unwanted food or disturb some of the gravel to allow your filter to deal with the unwanted elements.

3) Clean the glass

- Use a scrubbing pad to clean the inside of the glass. Regular cleaning will ensure the glass is kept free of harmful algae.

Fish Tank Maintenance - Monthly Tasks

1) Give your aquarium a deep clean.

- Be sure not to endanger your livestock and go through all the correct procedures when introducing new water.

About the Author

West Bergholt Aquatics focus is to provide the best help and assistance for both newcomers to aquatics and established aquarium and pond owners. Providing http://www.westbergholtaquatics.co.uk/ to Essex and beyond, they also provide free advice to on how to set up your tank or pond

For more information on fish tank maintenance http://www.westbergholtaquatics.co.uk/fish-tank-maintenance.html

How to Make Money Fishing

2010-02-13T15:42:00.000+02:00

Do you love to fish? Are you interested in making money fishing? Do you love to travel? Take exotic fishing trips?

While there are not many articles on the subject of â€œhow to make money fishingâ€ I will give you a breakdown of the few there are and show you a real way to make money fishing.

Some suggestions to make money fishing are to become a game warden or DNR officer, but you will need a college degree for this and you will work way too many hours for you to actually get out and enjoy the sport of fishing.

Another suggestion to make money fishing is to make your on custom lures or "stink bait" if you enjoy fishing for carp. In fact, I had a friend that truly enjoyed fishing for big carp and actually pondered making her own "stink bait".

The problem with making your own lures or "stink bait" is the capitol outlay, overhead and time consumption that is required to be successful. Did I mention the advertising costs and the time and expense it takes to visit dozens and dozens of trade shows each year?

There are ways to make money fishing, but you need to keep reading this article on "how to make money fishing" to find out.

Become a fishing guide or charter is yet another way to make money fishing, but when was the last time you checked into the price of a fully equipped boat for fishing, weather for freshwater or saltwater fishing? How about the high price of insurance, especially liability insurance, gas, advertising and other overhead expenses?

If you are well educated or talented, you possibly could make money fishing by becoming a fishing or outdoor writer or photographer.

What if you could make money fishing just by talking about your own passion of fishing? What if you could also save money on all your fishing gear purchases? (That's like making money)

What if you could make money helping others purchase travel or fishing trips? How about showing others how to save money on everyday purchases, including dining out?

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LGF combines Travel and everyday Discounts with the proven power of home-based business. Harness your passion and love for the sport of fishing to provide what everyone needs today...an additional income stream.

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The Affiliate Opportunity blends the Let's Get Fishing Products and benefits into a business that gives him or her growing income. Remember, Girls like fishing too! There are three levels of Affiliates. Angler- the no frills basic business package, pays 30% of the commissionable amounts.

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Let's Get Fishing has created the perfect combo for you to earn unbelievable income, by combining the love of fishing and the explosive income potential of Network Marketing. Next, add the deep discounts available at our complete Travel Center. However the icing is... Welcome to the world's ONLY one-stop, full-service, low-cost, Fishing Adventure Finder.

To find out the secrets to "How to Make Money Fishing" visit my websites, http://fish.brentvanderstelt.com/ or visit http://fliesonly.blogspot.com/

About the Author

Brent Vanderstelt (http://www.fish.brentvanderstelt.com) is a successful internet marketer, home based business professonal and expert internet marketer. To find out the secrets to "How to Make Money Fishing" visit my websites, http://fish.brentvanderstelt.com/ or visit http://fliesonly.blogspot.com/

Keeping Exotic Fish As Pets

2010-01-20T15:35:00.000+02:00

Few things rival the majestic beauty of what Jacques Cousteau famously termed "The Silent World:" the mysterious world underneath the surface of the waves. Fish have a graceful poetry to their movements, and there is a certain pageantry to the Clownfish, the Angelfish, and the puffer. Many people find a tank full of swimming exotic fish to be a soothing, erudite addition to the house, and the collecting of such fish can be a great hobby.

However, keeping a plethora of fish living together in harmony can be a challenge. Many of the most attractively appointed fish tanks feature animals that aren't native to one another, and fish, unlike dogs, are never going to be truly domesticated. Fish tanks are always going to be a matter of Survival of the Fittest, and if you're not prepared for the eventuality of fish eating one another, an aquarium probably isn't right for you.

However, if you are interested in caring for the beauty of underwater life, there are a few questions you'll have to answer before you can (apologies for the pun) dive in:

Will your aquarium be freshwater or saltwater? Ocean-dwelling fish require sea water to live, whereas freshwater fish will die in such an environment. You'll have to decide what kind of aquarium you'll have, and what kind of fish you'll be able to keep there. This is perhaps the most important question you'll have to answer before you begin purchasing fish. You should talk to an expert or vet before you commit to a water type, as they will be able to give you more practical information about what this will require.
Understand the nitrogen cycle and how it affects your fish. Because many fish and other underwater organisms produce nitrogen waste (which can be dangerous to their health if the tank becomes too full of nitrogen), you will need to provide plants and nitrifiers (a type of bacteria) to reduce the presence of nitrogen in the water.
Know how many fish can be supported by your aquarium. The general rule of thumb is that a tank can support 3 cm of adult fish per every 4 litres of water (1 inch of adult fish per gallon), or 1 cm of adult fish per 30 square cm of surface area (1 inch of adult fish per 12 square inches of surface area).

For more information about keeping exotic fish as pets, visit http://houstonveterinarianclinics.com.

Joseph Devine

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

African Cichlids and Exotic Tropical Fish Tanks

2010-01-19T17:52:00.000+02:00

African Cichlids are in the tropical semi-aggressive community and grow from 4? to 8? or more. These are a long lasting fish living up to 20 years! African Cichlids are versatile in the fish tank, they spend their time in the middle level in the water. You can find the African Cichlids scooting from top to bottom. African Cichlids are great for a community aquarium but they are semi-aggressive. Cichlids are territorial, and can eat smaller fish. You can put these fish with other fish but be sure they have similar temperaments and are similar in size or the Cichlid will begin to rule the roost.

African Cichlids are carnivores but they can als chow down on some plants. Prepared foods such as vegetables and live foods like worms suit the fish well for it's diet. You can feed African Cichlids fish flakes, frozen foods, live foodes from tubifex worms to daphnia. They even gorge down mosquito larvae, worms and brine shrimp. Remember to supplement your African Cichlids diet by tossing in some veggies. For some reason fish like zuccini. It's the universal veggie, but peas and romaine lettuce will work too. Feed what the cichlid will eat up to 3 minutes and alternate between meat and vegitation to keep your African Cichlids diet in sync.

Fish Tip: Place your fish tank in a low traffic area away from exposing sunlight and AC/Heat vents to keep your tanks water temperature controled.

Other African Cichlids include the Rock-dwelling Cichlid from Malawi and Tanganyika.
Here are more signs of a happy fish

They are eating like champs!
Your fish are swimming at the right water level
No skin lesions
Pure colors
Steady gills
They are darting around like nemo...

Here are the common indicators your fish is sick

They scrape their body on the rocks or rough surfaces
White stuff on or around the mouth
They may get Red Lines on their fins
Golden specks on skin and fins is known as a common problem
Parasites on the fish. Can you see them?
If your fish seems like it's having consistant gill spasms then you know it may be sick.

If you really want to learn about Tropical Fish Then Look no Further. http://www.FishPlenty.com/wordpress lists over 20 Diffent Tropical Fish that you can put in your Aquarium. Learn about Fish Tank Setup, Fish Diseases and More

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

The Elephant Nose Fish - An Exotic Fish Tank Addition

2010-01-19T17:50:00.000+02:00

The Elephant Nose, scientific name Gnathonemus petersii, is an interesting fish named for the probe located beneath its mouth. This probe is a sensitive organ featuring electrical properties and is located near the caudal peduncle. This is used by the fish to seek out prey such as small worms in dark, muddy waters.

The Elephant Nose has a distinct look all of its own and resembles no other fish due to its forked-shaped caudal fin, and, of course, the mouth with its trunk-like extension. This fish can be a dark brown or black color and features a pair of light yellowish bands that vertically extend from the back of the dorsal fin to the anal fin.

These fish are generally calm and shy in nature, preferring an aquarium with lots of plant life to hide among. They also need several places to find refuge from the light to be truly comfortable. Driftwood, clay pipes or rock formations may also be used as suitable hiding places in addition to plants.

Nocturnal in nature, the Elephant Nose will become more active at dusk and begin foraging for food. But given time, they will eventually become active in the light along with the other fish that they may live with. The Elephant Nose will do well in a tank with other larger species of fish that also are peaceful natured, but they can often be aggressive to those who are smaller in size. This is particularly true among their own species and therefore should be kept singly rather than in groups or schools.

These fish should always be kept in a tank with a secure cover with no openings as they are known to be active jumpers who creatively find ways of escaping. The Elephant Nose will fare well in a 50-gallon sized tank with good water conditions, a temperature range of around 73 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit and a PH level of 6.5 to 7.5.

Water quality is of extreme importance in order for the Elephant Nose fish to remain healthy. Interestingly enough, they are so sensitive to water conditions that some municipal companies are known to have used them to test the purity of their water samples.

The Elephant Nose belongs to the family of fish called Mormyridae and actually originates in central Africa. This fish can be found in the Zaire River as well as the Niger River and all of its tributaries. Growing as large as 13 inches in length and following a carnivorous diet, the Elephant Nose fish prefers many meaty foods such as chopped earthworms, blood worms and brine shrimp. They also enjoy flake and pellet foods along with frozen types of meats as well.

Some hobbyists who have a tank containing an Elephant Nose fish often purchase what is called a "ghost tube" which is a clear plastic tube that allows for easier viewing of the fish during the daytime hours. The Elephant Nose fish has also been known to be extremely tame once it is familiar with its surroundings, even trusting enough to be "hand-held" in some instances, adding to the fascination of this unique fish.

Lee Dobbins writes for Fish Tank Guide where you can learn more about caring for your fish tank as well as different types of fish like the Elephant Nose Fish.

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