Fish

Fact #6: They Require a Super-Clean Home Anemonefish require a saltwater aquarium of at least 30 gallons, armed with the proper equipment—such as adequate filtration, pumps, water supplements, and live rock and sand. As such, clownfish do require stricter tank maintenance than other species. They require a water temperature between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit, and a pH of 8.1-8.4 (as more basic pH ranges are often indicated for saltwater aquariums). Additionally, Lewbart recommends a 25 to 30 percent tank water change monthly. While these fish are relatively easygoing, the bulk of the heavy lifting for new clownfish owners is often maintaining a proper environment. Decide if you have the time properly maintain your clownfish’s environment before purchasing one.,By Vanessa Voltolina Made popular by an infamous fish named Nemo, what you may not know about clownfish is that they are one of the most popular types of fish an aquatic pet parent can own. Dr. Gregory Lewbart, Professor of Aquatic, Wildlife and Zoologic Medicine at North Carolina State University, spoke with us about some of the lesser-known facts about this interesting species, as well as some care guidelines for prospective owners that can make caring for your clownfish easier. Fact #1: What’s in a Name? Clownfish are part of the species of anemonefish, named for the sea anemones in which they make their homes, confirms Lewbart. There are 28 species of these fish, however clownfish are the most commonly kept species, he said.

Melanoides tuberculata snails, often called trumpet snails, are prized in many planted tanks for the same reason that earthworms are welcome in gardens: their movement through the substrate is beneficial to the plants. Yet it only takes one tiny, hard-shelled trumpet snail to wreak havoc on the impeller blades of a power filter. Similarly, ramshorn snails (Planorbis spp.) are often put into rearing tanks with free-swimming fry to help take care of uneaten food, which they do enthusiastically. The downside is that if they get plenty of food, they can breed explosively, overwhelming a tank in a surprisingly short time. In short, despite the undeniable benefits of snails, they simply are not welcome in some situations and/or setups, at least not in large numbers. True, if you avoid overfeeding, you can help curb their reproduction and keep their numbers under control. However, this can be an issue in tanks where plenty of snail food needs to be available at all times. I was amazed at the fecundity of ramshorn snails sharing an aquarium with a batch of Ancistrus fry I was growing out. The near-constant presence of soft vegetable matter fueled a population explosion. Once we have decided that our snails are too numerous, what is the best way to remove them? Manual removal and trapping can reduce their numbers. Some fish snack on them, and others are very effective snail hunters, such as most pufferfish and many loaches. As a last resort, there are commercially available chemicals sold for use in aquaria that can kill snails, if used as directed. All of these methods can play a role in snail control, but a few years ago, a new biological weapon appeared in the aquarists’ potential anti-snail arsenal: the assassin snail. The name says it all—this species actually attacks and eats other aquarium snails. Assassin snails (Clea helena) are distinctive in appearance, and thus easy to recognize. They sport an attractive black- and light brown-striped shell, a light-colored body with small, darker flecks, and a very thin, prominent proboscis, something like the proboscis of a trumpet snail but much thinner and lighter in color. A few years ago, I bought five of these snails, and I have been very pleased with the results. This article documents my experience with these shelled assassins.

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Pond filters work primarily by removing undesired substances from the water column. A pond aeration system, on the other hand, adds something essential: oxygen. Aerating a pond involves increasing the dissolved oxygen levels in the water, where it can be utilized by fish, aquatic plants, and the beneficial bacteria that facilitate the nitrogen cycle. Some benefits of aerating a pond include: Improves dissolved oxygen levels to support fish and aquatic plant health Encourages the release of harmful gasses trapped in sediment Promotes the conversion of phosphorus into nutrients algae can’t feed on Reduces the potential for mosquito activity on the pond surface Eliminates thermocline—the stark temperature difference between upper and lower water levels Boosts the aesthetics of a pond by improving water quality and clarity “Generally speaking, you want to have good circulation to keep the pond water as fresh as possible,” says Tim Wood, an Aquascape® contractor and founder of Aquatic Edge Pond & Landscape Solutions in Pittsburgh. He adds that water aeration is an effective and low-cost way to accomplish this goal.,Jump to section Benefits of Aerating a Pond Methods of Aerating a Pond Best Practices for Pond Aeration Aerating a Pond FAQs

Environmental Gill Disorders in Fish Gills are special organs which allow fishes to breathe underwater. However, if a fish’s environment is not well maintained, it can develop gill disorders. Of these, the three main disorders are gas bubble disease, carbon dioxide toxicity, and hydrogen sulfide toxicity. 1. Gas bubble disease usually occurs in cold water systems. When the water in the tank, aquarium or fishpond has an abnormal amount of dissolved gases (i.e., nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide), fishes can develop gas bubble disease. This occurs when the water is heated up too quickly or because of a faulty pump – pulling air in with the water – in aquariums or tanks; it can also occur if there is heavy algal growth in ponds. Fishes affected with this disease develop tiny gas bubbles in their eyes, fins, and gills. It can then be treated by blowing out excess gases out of the water through forceful aeration – stirring up the water – and by fixing any faulty equipment. 2. Carbon dioxide toxicity occurs when the carbon dioxide concentration in water is more than 20 mg per liter. The pH of the water becomes acidic, and thus toxic for fishes. Fishes with carbon dioxide toxicity are unresponsive to stimulus and lethargic. The treatment involves forceful aeration – stirring up the water – to blow out excess carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and increase the water’s pH level. 3. Hydrogen sulfide toxicity can be fatal for fishes. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gas that forms in aquariums or ponds, when certain bacteria feed on organic debris in the areas of water that are low or depleted in oxygen. In large amounts, H2S is toxic and is identified by a strong sulfurous smell coming from the water. Fishes with long-term exposure will become thin and sickly, and develop extensive gill damage. Treatment for this particular toxicity involves keeping the water clean of all debris and aerating the water. Prevention Regularly test the water for pH and gas levels to prevent environmental gill disorders. Heating water slowly avoids trapping an excess amount of gases in the water, as does keeping the water clean and well maintained.

Shooting for the stars? Then landing on this space-themed tank just might be the inspo you’ve been looking for all along. It features an astronaut and a glowing planet, plants, rocks and gravel. “When I decided to get a fish tank, I knew it had to be space-themed,” says Casey Denham, aerospace engineering student at Virginia Tech in Hampton, Virginia. “I really wanted it to be deep space and exploration themed, so I went with glow decorations.” Best advice for taking on a tank theme that’s like nothing on Earth? “Look for items that will look good when they glow together. The purple and blue look well, but the orange provides a good contrast,” Denham says.,Decorating a fish tank can be an incredibly enjoyable part of fishkeeping. Some hobbyists like to keep it simple; others go all out with elaborate themes. How creative you get when decorating your saltwater or freshwater aquarium is up to you. Here are five cool fish tank themes to help inspire you to create an epic tank that all your friends and family talk about.

Fish that stay primarily on the bottom of your tank are known as bottom dwellers, even though they often move about through all strata of the tank. Fish that spend the great majority of their time on the substrate often do a service of sorts by picking off any food that is missed by the fish that inhabit the upper echelons of your tank. Now that is not to say that you can get away with not target feeding bottom dwellers because you can’t, as these fish often have certain food requirements that aren’t remedied by the occasional morsel that makes its way to the gravel. In short, you still have to feed them. Usually a sinking pellet or tablet will suffice. Herbivorous fish such as the otocinclus and the plecostomus also benefit from leafy greens. It all depends on the species of the fish. Here are 5 great bottom-dwelling fish for the freshwater fish aquarium. They all have certain requirements but if these requirements are met, you can have some nice fish to accent the fish that reside at mid level as well as any that stay at the top level of the tank. So, in no particular order, I present these fish.

By Jessie M. Sanders, DVM, CertAqV Living in an underwater environment is not without its challenges. Water is significantly denser than air, and fish have adapted in various ways to cope with the pressures of being underwater. Fish need to pick up on the smallest changes in their environment, so many of the adaptations help fish to sense the world around them. Their eyes, nares, and specialized lateral line organ are their primary sensory organs. Fish Eyes: How Fish See the World Around Them Fish eyes are very similar to mammal eyes except that they have adapted to working well underwater. If you have ever swum in a pool and opened your eyes underwater, you may have noticed that you can see okay, but not with the same definition as in air. Fish eyes differ in the fact that they have a round lens, unlike our ovoid one, and focus by moving the lens forward and backwards, rather than constricting a pupil. Shape and color of eyes in fish vary widely between species depending on their feeding and lifestyle. Predatory fish can make quick changes in their focus to see potential prey, whereas bottom-feeding scavengers are slow to focus since they only have to focus on the bottom substrate.

Many aquarium fish diseases present with physical symptoms—changes to the appearance of the fish or their behavior. Sometimes, even when obvious signs of illness are present, however, it can still be tricky to come to an accurate diagnosis—and even more difficult to determine the appropriate treatment. Case in point: red spot disease. The term “red spot disease” may refer to either a specific condition or merely a symptom. Making the distinction is essential to successfully treating red spot disease in fish.