Fish

As natural filters, live plants can improve water quality by removing harmful substances (such as nitrates and carbon dioxide) while oxygenating the water. Plus, fish enjoy the enhanced natural habitat and increased hiding places.  “Plants in aquariums can help reduce algae and improve water quality by taking in nutrients from fish waste to grow,” says Brandon Perez, senior aquarist at City Aquarium in New York City. Plus, fish tend to be calmer and more confident in planted tanks, he adds.  Like any garden, a planted aquarium requires a bit of know-how. Here’s a step-by-step guide to planting your own aquarium, from supplies to setup and maintenance.  

Damaged fins are common when aquarium fish have been fighting, but there are many other situations where fish can be injured.

Algae growth is an intruder for many aquarists. It can be slimy, hairlike and can turn water green like pea soup. Whatever form it takes, algae can undermine the pleasure of the aquarium hobby. Only a few hobbyists have not needed to battle algae at least once in the course of their aquarium keeping. So, we hobbyists are always on the lookout for a safe, natural way to control algae, which leads us to various fish and invertebrates that eat algae. There is no safer or more satisfying way to be rid of algae than to use it to fatten up an interesting critter. I’m going to introduce you to some of the best algae-eaters and also warn you away from those that are a waste of time.

 ,So, Which Aquarium Plant is Best for You? If you’re new to fish keeping and are looking for a great plant—any of these five aquarium plants will be great for your tank. Take into consideration the fish you are hoping to keep. If you want to keep larger, more aggressive fish stick with the hardy java moss and java fern. If you’re looking for something that can be used as more of a centerpiece, you might want to consider the Amazon Sword.,Image via iStock.com/rookiephoto19 By Robert Woods of Fishkeepingworld.com If you are thinking of keeping freshwater fish, the likelihood is that you will also have considered keeping live aquarium plants, too. Some people choose artificial plants over living aquarium plants because they think live plants will be too difficult to look after. Don’t let that put you off. Plants not only look great in a fish aquarium, but they provide a whole host of other amazing benefits. They act as great filtration, provide the water with oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide created by tank inhabitants, combat algae growth and provide shelter for your fish to hide in. Here are five of the best beginner freshwater aquarium plants that are easy to care for and will add more color and life to your fish aquarium. Java Moss This is the first plant listed because it’s almost impossible to kill. Java moss is easy to grow and maintain and will attached to a wide range of surfaces, including gravel, rocks, driftwood and decorations. Java moss can be used to cover the floor of an aquarium, create beautiful growths on rocks, create tree-like sculptures and provide the tank with a more natural feel. It is commonly used for aquascaping and is also a great plant to include in breeder tanks, as it gives shelter to the eggs and fry. Java moss grows in most water conditions. It thrives in temperatures between 69 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and will tolerate temperatures up to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. It will grow in low and high light; however, you’ll find that lower light creates a darker, lankier plant, and high light creates a more compact, dense plant. Java moss is one of the rare plants that is compatible with pretty much all species of fish.

The emergence of nuisance algae in an apparently “clean” tank can be as perplexing as it can frustrating, especially for those who are still learning about nutrient cycles. Though they may be invisible, dissolved nutrients may accumulate over time, resulting in excessive aquarium algae. Without some effort to remove and control these fertilizers, algal plagues will become the norm. One of the main nutrients to be concerned about here is dissolved phosphorus. The Phosphorus Cycle Phosphate is not present in the Earth’s atmosphere in any significant quantity. Therefore, the oceans take in very little phosphorus from air-water exchange. Instead, phosphorus is carried to sea by way of rivers from terrestrial sources. Phosphorus is thus more concentrated in coastal than in open ocean environments. In water, it may take the form of particulate organic phosphorus (such as that found in detritus), dissolved organic phosphate (such as that found in some fats and proteins) or dissolved inorganic phosphorus (such as phosphate). As a vital component of every cell in every organism, phosphorus cycling plays a major role in shaping marine food webs. Phosphorus primarily enters marine ecosystems through the uptake of phosphate by primary producers (mostly phytoplankton). The main pathway in the cycle (known as the “biological pump”) takes phosphorus locked up in biomass in the form of carcasses, feces and so on to the seafloor, where it becomes part of the detritus. Detritivores consume and metabolize the material, releasing phosphate into the surrounding waters. Wave action and oceanic water currents return this inorganic phosphorus to the surface, where it can again be utilized by algae and other autotrophs.

Old Tank Syndrome in Fish     Old tank syndrome occurs in fish aquariums with high levels of ammonia and nitrite and low levels of water pH. It can be caused by overstocking, but is most commonly the result of inattentive tank maintenance. This condition can affect an age or species of fish, but is most dangerous to new fish that are added to established aquariums.   Symptoms   The primary symptom of old tank syndrome is the death of new fish that are placed into a long established tank, while the old fish remain alive and apparently healthy. This is because the old fish are accustomed to the balance of the water, even adjusting to conditions such as build-ups of certain chemical or bacterial levels. The old fish often do not show any signs of being affected by the unhealthy levels in the water. The new fish, however, have been accustomed to a different water balance and are shocked by the sudden change in conditions.   On testing, the water will show measurable nitrite and ammonia levels, which can be toxic to fish, and a lowered pH level. pH levels below 6 indicates a serious imbalance, often leading to the loss of beneficial bacteria, which then leads to a dangerous and toxic increase in ammonia and nitrite levels in the water.  

Social, low-maintenance, and beautiful, goldfish are great additions to home aquariums, whether you’re a first-time fish caretaker or a seasoned pro.  But which goldfish is right for you? There are many types of goldfish, each with their own unique characteristics and considerations.  

There are many shark species available in the aquarium hobby. However, freshwater sharks are not true sharks, but rather named for their shark-like appearance. Freshwater sharks tend to be sleek and streamlined, requiring lots of room for swimming, and can come in a variety of colors and temperaments. Learn more about all the common freshwater shark species to pick one for your aquarium. What Freshwater Sharks Can You Keep in an Aquarium? Bala Shark iStock.com/ben-bryant The Bala shark is very “shark-like” in its appearance with a silvery body and black tipped fins. A member of the Cyprinid family, the Bala Shark is a peaceful, community omnivore that does well in many aquarium setups. They require at least 125 gallons per fish since they can grow up to 13 inches long and often come in a school (pack of sharks)—so a very large tank is required. Rainbow Shark iStock.com/Mirko_Rosenau The Rainbow shark is a member of the Cyprinid family and has a dark black body with bright red fins—very similar to the Bala shark but tends to be a more aggressive and only grows up to 6–7 inches long. Given their nature and despite their small size, they require more territory at approximately 50–75 gallons per fish. There is also an albino variety of this species that has a pale body, red, non-pigmented eyes, yet still has the red fins. Red Tail Shark iStock.com/Mirko_Rosenau The Red Tail shark is closely related to the Rainbow shark. They are similar in coloration, with the Red Tail having a red tail fin wand their other fins being black. Although they are of the same genus, the Red Tail shark has been categorized as more aggressive than the Rainbow shark. The Red Tail shark can reach about 6–7 inches long and will require 50–75 gallons of water  per fish.  Violet Blushing Shark The Violet Blushing shark has a very light body color with an almost translucent gill cover where you can actually see the gills through their head. These sharks can grow up to 12 inches long and do well in a school but will require up to 125 gallons of water initially.. They do OK in freshwater community tanks, provided there are no smaller fish that would be considered prey. Black Shark The Black shark is one of the largest freshwater shark species, topping out at 2 to 3 feet long! They can be very aggressive fish and require at least 200 gallons of water per fish. Their entire body is black and have typical carp-like bodies with a torpedo shape, barbels/whiskers, and large scales. Unlike other large fishes, such as goldfish and koi, they have a very narrow temperature range and should not be kept in outdoor ponds. Roseline Shark iStock.com/ca2hill Also commonly known as a Denison barb, the Roseline shark is characterized by a silver body with a black stripe along the length, and black-tipped fins with a red stripe along the eye and front half of the body. They tend to grow up to 4–5 inches long and need to be kept in a small school of at least 5–6 sharks. Roseline sharks are considered an endangered species but are available as captive-bred individuals in the aquarium hobby. Harlequin Shark With their camouflage body appearance, the Harlequin shark likes planted tanks with lots of places to hide. The Harlequin shark is shy and prefers to live as an individual, not in a school. They can grow up to 6 inches long and require considerable space given their solitary nature of up to 50 gallons per fish. Chinese High-Fin Banded Shark iStock.com/katoosha The Chinese High-Fin Banded shark, also known as the Chinese Suckerfish, is common in both the indoor tank and outdoor pond fishkeeping hobby. This fish has dark and pale bands on their sides when they are younger, which can become darker as they grow older. The Chinese High-Fin Banded shark can grow up to 24 inches long and is a benthic fish, meaning they prefer to stay on the bottom of the tank or pond, propped up on their fins.  Silver Apollo Shark The Silver Apollo shark is a freshwater shark with a silvery-gold body and a faint black/brown stripe along their body with silvery fins. These fish are known to be fast-moving and like being kept in a small school of at least 5–6 individual fish. They can grow up to ten inches, so a group will require at least 125 gallons of water. These sharks tend to get along well with other medium-sized community fish species. What Is the Best Freshwater Aquarium Shark? The best freshwater shark for first time freshwater shark enthusiasts is the Roseline shark. These fish are readily available, easy to keep, and can be kept in a smaller aquarium. They are not overly aggressive and bring a bright splash of color with lots of dynamic movement. What Is the Smallest Freshwater Shark for an Aquarium? The Roseline shark, or Denison barb, is the smallest freshwater fish species, topping out at only 4–5 inches. Which Shark Is Easiest to Care For? The easiest freshwater shark species to care for is the Roseline shark. These smaller, community-minded freshwater sharks are bred in captivity, making them easy to obtain and keep in an aquarium on a varied tropical diet. Which Sharks Are Least Aggressive? The least aggressive freshwater shark species is the Chinese High-Fin Banded shark. These bottom-dwelling sharks are peaceful and easygoing but will require a lot of room since they can grow very large.

Sea slugs are well-known to divers and underwater photographers, but are less familiar to aquarists. It is not that they don’t occasionally make their way into the ornamental fish trade — they do. Yet, many stores refuse to carry them because they tend to be difficult to keep and are naturally short-lived, even when they have an adequate captive microhabitat. So, why talk about them? The fact is that they do enter the fish aquarium trade. For example, on a recent visit to Los Angeles, I observed hundreds of these animals waiting to be shipped to retailers at wholesale facilities. There are also a handful that will do well in captivity and that are even employed to help reduce pest numbers in the reef aquarium. There are also some that come in as unwanted hitchhikers with live corals we buy. And they are a fascinating group of animals! So, why not talk about them? Let’s look at some sea slug basics.

If you have a pond in your backyard—or if you’re thinking about adding one—you’re probably dreaming of stocking it with lively, colorful fish. But which species fare best as pond fish? We consulted aquatic veterinary experts to compile this list of some of the most popular—and unique—species to consider when stocking your backyard pond with fish.