Fish

Betta fish fin rot is one of the most common diseases that can impact your betta fish’s health, so it’s important to read up on everything you can about this well-known disease.  Bettas are particularly vulnerable to fin rot due to their long, flowing fins, which can be easily damaged (especially if decor is sharp) and are prone to infection.   Fin rot is typically associated with stress and poor water quality, which can weaken a fish’s immune defenses and allow bacteria or fungi to take hold—which is why you’ll see the fin actually deteriorating the more severe the rot.   Because of this, even experienced fish keepers may encounter fin rot if proper care routines aren’t consistently followed. 

Several things can cause cloudy eyes in aquarium fish. Internal parasites, such as protozoa or flukes, are one cause. Another is the onset of cataracts in fish. I’m not aware of any treatments for those problems. Bacteria can infect fish eyes damaged by injury. Treatment with a good antibiotic should cure these infections. Dietary deficiencies, such as lack of vitamin A, may contribute to poor fish eye health. The most common cause of cloudy eyes in aquarium fish seems to be poor water quality, especially when the pH level in the aquarium water drops too low. In my years as an aquarium dealer, I ran many water tests for customers. When they complained of aquarium fish with cloudy eyes, almost without exception I found the pH in their fish aquariums to be extremely low. Often, the pH was so low it tested off the chart. Large fish produce a lot of waste. One of the by-products of biofiltration in a tank is the production of acids. In a tank with a high bioload, biofiltration can produce a lot of acid. Over time, these acids cause the pH to drop. How fast this happens depends on the water chemistry of your local tap water, but with big fish, it tends to happen quickly. Anyway, the solution is simple. Check the pH of your aquarium. If it’s below 6.8, and especially if it’s below 6.4, change more water more often. If it’s as I suspect, that’s all you need to do. The aquarium fish will heal right up without medication. If that doesn’t do it, choose one of the treatments above. By: Chewy Editorial Feature Image: Marcelo Saavedra/Shutterstock.com,Q.

If the fish’s environment is low-stress, stable, free of disease and supplied with everything required, excess energy can be used for growth and reproduction. In general, only the excess is used for these purposes, so good growth and active reproductive behavior are positive signs that favorable living conditions are being maintained.,At the other end of the process, waste products generated by using metabolites are excreted from the fish’s body. All waste is toxic, whether produced in energy creation or tissue growth and maintenance. Most of this waste consists of carbon dioxide and ammonia (both of which are ejected through the gills by diffusion), water and some larger molecules like purine, which eventually becomes urea and is removed with water by the kidney.,What Makes Up Fish Metabolism? “Metabolism” is the word used to cover the system of chemical processes that keep something alive. For a fish, that means providing energy to power critical body processes or building and maintaining the body parts needed to function.

Lymphocystis disease is a common viral infection which affects the skin and fins of saltwater and freshwater fish. Although it is serious, it does not cause any health problems; the disease only disfigures the fish. Fishes kept in aquariums or outside in ponds are both susceptible to Lymphocystis disease. The painted glassfish is the most prone aquarium fish to contract this infection. Symptoms and Types The viral infection causes growths on the skin or fins, which look similar to cauliflowers. The Lymphocystis disease does not pose any health problem to the fish, but the growths may make the animal less aesthetically pleasing.

Freshwater velvet, also known as gold dust disease, is one of the most common parasitic infections found in aquarium fish.

6. Betta Fish Photo by NatalyaAksenova/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images Betta fish can be great beginner pets for a small aquarium, and you’ll find bettas in virtually any pet store. As one of the most readily available fish to bring home, it’s no wonder betta fish are a common first pet for kids. But betta fish are aggressive. Males of this species should be housed alone, while females can be housed in groups of five to six fish called sororities. Male bettas are typically more colorful with flowing and elaborate fins. Females are less colorful but still have subtle coloration and are a great addition to any tank!,7. Dwarf Gouramis Photo by libin jose/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images Dwarf gouramis are a beautiful small red fish with blue vertical striping and make for a vibrant addition to a small tank. Many different color patterns exist, and they range in size from 3.5–4.5 inches. Dwarf gouramis are a docile fish species that mainly likes to live in the upper portion of the tank. This easy-to-keep fish can live well with other fish species, as they are not aggressive. But because they are a larger fish, they do require more space. For a 10-gallon tank, you can safely house a single dwarf gourami, but size up for a group. When mixing species, one or two will work well with other non-aggressive fish like tetras, rasboras, corydoras, and catfish.,Thinking of starting a fish tank? Many freshwater aquarium fish species make great additions to a beginner fish tank. The best aquarium fish for beginners are not only rewarding for pet parents, but they also make great first pets for children who can learn about responsible skills such as feeding and fish tank cleaning. You will also need to conduct regular water quality testing, which is required of any fish tank. Here are some of the best beginner fish for first-time aquarists. Best Beginner Fish for Aquariums 1. Celestial Pearl Danios Photo by Adobe Stock/besjunior Celestial pearl danios (CPDs) are a small (up to 1 inch), dark blue fish that have either white, yellow, or tan pearlescent dots over their body. Their appearance is sometimes associated with a galaxy, hence their “celestial” name. CPDs could be great residents of a space-themed tank! These fish like to live in small areas where they can hide within rocks and plants in groups of 10 or more. They also get along well with other community fish, making them an easy addition to any first fish tank. They will eat a variety of food, including flakes, micro pellets, or even some other fish or brine shrimp.

Watching tiger barbs (Puntius tetrazona) reminds me of throwing a handful of super balls into an empty swimming pool. The resulting chaotic activity and seemingly endless motion are characteristic of this hyperactive species. Tiger barbs, also called Sumatra barbs in some parts of the world, originate from Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. They are found in streams and tributaries of rivers, such as the Kampar and Musi, and were originally identified 1855 by Pieter Bleeker, a Dutch medical doctor performing duties in Indonesia. Tiger barbs have been identified by various scientific names, depending upon the era of the reference material. Older publications usually refer to them as Capotea tetrazona, C. sumatraus or Barbus tetrazona. In the early 1990s, the name was updated to Puntius tetrazona — the longevity of this recent classification is tenuous because ichthyologists are constantly refining species identifications. The latin name Puntius tetrazona derives from Latin (probably a pseudo-Latin biologist invention), though some sources claim Puntius is derived from Greek, and others state it is a regional term from where they are found. In Latin, tetra is “four” and zona is “belt” or “girdle.” The tiger barb is a strikingly beautiful tropical fish. Its arrowhead-shaped body — glowing as if gilded — is encircled by four black vertical stripes. The common name “tiger barb” comes from its resemblance to the famous Sumatran tiger. The tiger barb, with its large cycloid scales, does not have a distinguishable lateral line. Brilliant orange coloration covers the mouth, nares (nostrils) and the trailing edge of the dorsal (top) fin. The caudal (tail) fin is highlighted with vivid orange markings on the top and bottom, making the colorless midsection almost invisible. The pectoral (side) fins, pelvic (under) fins and anal fin are also adorned with orange coloration. All of these distinguishing features identify the tiger barb as one of the most beautiful of aquarium fish. In an aquarium, tiger barbs will easily grow to 2 inches. There are reports of some reaching up to 3 inches in length. The males typically are smaller and often more colorful than the females. The females are distinguished by a fuller outline and usually slightly softer color in the mouth and nares region. Having kept tiger barbs for many years, I can confirm the coloration differences. Interestingly, my current mated pair is equally colorful. The only distinguishing characteristic is the male’s smaller and slimmer body, and in typical male fashion, he is the suitor. Sexing is difficult, so acquiring at least six is advised in order to increase the probability of attaining a mated pair.

Filtration is the key to maintaining a healthy pond ecosystem. On the surface, a pond filter system removes physical debris like fish waste and decomposing plant matter to keep the water clear. By removing organic matter before it can break down, pond filters also help keep ammonia levels in check—a function that is particularly important in ponds stocked with fish. Ammonia is a byproduct of decomposition and, in concentrations over 0.05 mg/L, can be harmful to fish. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, ammonia concentrations of 2 mg/L can even be lethal for many fish. On a microscopic level, certain types of filters for a pond promote the growth of beneficial bacteria that help remove excess nutrients and other unwanted particles from the water. Pond filters also provide aeration, which helps improve the level of dissolved oxygen in the water.,Jump to section Importance of Pond Filtration Types of Pond Filters Natural Pond Filtration Methods Choosing the Right Filtration System for Your Pond Filtering a Pond FAQs

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Image via iStock.com/ouddy_sura By Kenneth Wingerter While some aquarists thrive on the challenge of keeping delicate or highly specialized fishes, most (particularly first-timers) are happier to settle with something less demanding. Saltwater fishes are known to require a good amount of care overall, but certain types are clearly preferable to others when it comes to simplifying husbandry. Of these, the cardinalfishes are most definitely big standouts. The Cardinal Choice Sure, their pretty markings make cardinalfishes desirable as ornamental fish. But this rather underappreciated group has a lot more going for itself than just that. The most notable points on its long list of positive attributes include: They tend to attain modest body sizes, making them suitable for smaller aquarium systems. They are quite hardy, being highly tolerable of shipping stress, handling and suboptimal water conditions. They are easy to feed. They are completely reef-safe. They are relatively peaceful, showing little aggression toward their own or other species. Compared to many other ornamental fish families, they are extremely disease-resistant. They are also readily able to spawn in captivity, so many fortunate aquarists who keep them get an opportunity to observe their fascinating mouth-brooding behavior, where the fish will care for their offspring by holding them in their mouth for extended periods of time.