All About Aquarium Freshwater Fish

For your first aquarium, freshwater fish is the best choice because you will find these fishes easy to manage and taking care of them is easy. But you must not neglect the freshwater fish because they will also need proper and timely attention. Your aquarium must have the suitable environment just like Mother Nature so that the fishes don't find any trouble to live.

You must protect the aquarium freshwater fish from dust or any harmful material entering the aquarium. So the cover is important. The freshwater fish will require water temperature varying till ten degrees. Don't ever feed the fishes in excess quantity.

Certain fishes have the tendency to fight with the others. So if you putting in many fishes together then take care that there is no deficit of oxygen and plants in the aquarium. If you love pets then aquarium freshwater fish will offer you a unique pleasure. You will find great happiness in changing water for them or offering them food and watch them swimming in the aquarium.

You must keep the aquarium clean and tidy for which proper filters are important. Good filters will keep the water of the aquarium clean and fresh. Besides water filters you must also keep air pump that will supply fresh air so that the fishes get the oxygen and even the plants inside the tank will require fresh air.

There are different kinds of decorations that are available for the aquarium. It definitely adds to the attractiveness of the aquarium but at the same time these things can often pollute the environment of the water. These decorative eat up much space so fishes don't get enough space to travel. But you have to leave enough room for the fishes so that they can move freely.

You have to communicate with the aquarium vendor for the types of freshwater fishes they deal in. if required you can shop around for varieties of freshwater fishes. If you research the internet you will find different types of freshwater fishes. From relevant websites you can know even more about aquarium freshwater fish.

Johnny is a freshwater fish expert. For more great tips on freshwater aquarium fish [http://www.freshwateraquariumultimateguide.com/aquarium-freshwater-fish], visit [http://www.freshwateraquariumultimateguide.com]
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Choosing Aquarium Freshwater Fish

Nothing is more fun to watch than aquarium freshwater fish. That's because you can choose many different types of fish that will live happily together in a community. Some will be bright, others more darkly colored, some small and some large, many will move very fast and just fly through the water while others will be extremely slow swimmers.

Fish community

When you are choosing fish for your aquarium, you need to consider many different options. The worst thing you can do is to walk into a pet store and just choose a group of fish because you liked the colors or the way they looked. Just as all people cannot get along together, neither can all fish. Not doing a little research beforehand is a recipe for disaster.

When you are first setting up a freshwater aquarium, you need to let it run for a few weeks so that everything is working properly and the water is just right for the fish. As you eagerly await placing your first fish in the tank, it is the perfect time to do a little research on fish and find out which aquarium freshwater fish are going to get along together the best.

Once you figure out which fish can live together in a community, the next thing to determine is which fish to choose for different levels of the tank. You see, every aquarium works best when you have top feeders, who like to live near the surface of the water, middle feeders, who like to be right in the center of the tank (vertically), and bottom dwellers, those nifty fish who swim around the bottom of the tank, eating all of the food that falls there. These bottom dwellers actually keep uneaten food from spoiling and ruining your tank water, which causes diseases. They also keep it algae-free.

Pet Store Discoveries

Unless you are completely fixated on a certain type of fish, the best choice for aquarium freshwater fish is to have a whole aquarium of fish who get along, live at different levels, and are colorful and exciting to watch. One of the best ways to make these selections is to go to the local pet store and spend some time looking at the fish. Don't let shop salespeople hurry you along. Just take all the time you need going from tank to tank, and bring along a notepad to jot down the names of the fish you really liked.

Next, ask the salesperson to take a look at what you have chosen and make their recommendations as to what fish can live in harmony and which cannot. As a rule it is always best never to put more than one male of any type of fish in an aquarium. Males of different species can get along but as a rule, two males of the same species will not. So, one male and several females is a better choice. The aggression level of fish is very important because some fish will fight another fish to the death of one of them if they are incompatible. And, even if death is not an issue, some placid fish can be terrorized daily by more aggressive fish, having their fins nipped at and being driven away from the food.

The truth is that many of the people who work in pet stores are not experts on aquarium freshwater fish. That means that you should write down what the salesperson said and take your notepad home to do a little more research. There are literally thousands of websites online about aquarium freshwater fish, and dozens of forums where people get together to talk about their fish. Never let a pet store employee talk you into bringing your aquarium and your fish home on the same day.

Online fish facts

Do a little more research to figure out if the fish you like get along with one another. Find out if the fish need to have lot of plants and other hiding places. If some of your fish need huge open spaces and others need large areas of plants, you will not be able to live with the smallest tank available. Keep in mind that for every one inch of fish, you need 3 to 4 gallons of water. The rule of thumb that says each inch of fish needs one gallon of water is far from reality.

Obviously, if you are enthused by large fish you are going to have to put out some big bucks to buy a big tank. Go down the list of fish you liked and see how much space they will need. Find out if they can all live in water with the same acidity level. This is determined by a number and then the letters, pH. Some fish need a low pH and some need a high one. And, check out as to whether or not you have fish who can live at the surface, mid-way and bottom water levels.

Even if you choose to have fish that all live at one level, you will need a bottom feeder, or you will have big problems keeping your water clean and your fish healthy. Besides, bottom dwellers are a lot of fun to watch as they scour the bottom of the tank with their big mouths constantly opening and closing. Also make sure all the fish can survive at a similar temperature level.

Best beginner fish

As you are trying to determine the freshwater aquarium fish you want to purchase, take a look at some of these fish, who all live at the same temperature level, different water levels, and who all get along in a community. Most fish do best with at least a half dozen of their own kind in the tank. Check these out: tetras (used to be the best tiny fish but in recent years quality has declined and they don't live as long), cherry barbs, danios, blue gouramis, rasboras, and corydoras catfish, who are perfect bottom dwellers.

Kevin Elliott is an aquarium expert. For more great information on freshwater aquariums fish, visit [http://www.afreshwateraquarium.com]
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Tropical Freshwater Fish Aquarium - Things You Need to Do and Avoid

Fish enthusiasts continuously grow in number and in their passion particularly for freshwater fish kept as amazing pets at home, in the office or other venues you choose. If you are seriously considering fish keeping, there are various basic tips on caring for a freshwater tropical fish aquarium, along with some do's and don'ts that you need to carefully observe.

Make sure that you allot a sufficient quantity of your time, some money and effort for your chosen hobby. You will need to obtain the basic equipment such as the aquarium or fish tank, heater, filter, aquarium stand, thermometer, lighting and hood, aquarium gravel, and you may have optional gadgets or add-ons such as aquarium plants and or other decorations.

For freshwater aquarium maintenance, you need to have the right supplies and equipment such as water monitoring tests particularly for ammonia or pH. You also need water additives for the removal of chlorine and buckets and siphons to facilitate your regular water change tasks.

So what are some things you need to remember when purchasing your tropical freshwater fish aquarium? There are actually an overwhelming number and choices of aquariums you can choose from varying in size and shape. The best criterion in terms of size is to choose the largest tank you have space and money for and that makes sense for your home or office. Larger aquariums are more stable and fish are more amenable to this, avoiding instances of fish stress, sickness, or death.

This does not mean that you can't start a smaller aquarium and be a success. It is also good to choose a shorter, wider and longer tank over its narrow and taller counterpart. The former allows more available surface area that facilitates gas exchange and eventually helps in keeping the fish tank clean and your fish healthy. The narrow taller tanks seem to be very popular and very available in stores. These styles still work fine and actually are designed to save space.

There are also vital points to consider when choosing the best location for where to place your freshwater aquarium. Always remember that you should not place the aquarium in close proximity to the door or window. A stable temperature is essential for the environment that you provide your aquatic pets, and this is directly affected when temperature fluctuates due to excess light reaching your tank. Furthermore, it may also cause algae growth which can be difficult to deal with.

Never put your aquarium or fish tank in a place where you have a weak floor especially for larger aquariums that hold heavier water weight. If you have carpet, the tank will put indents that are very difficult to get out if you decide to move your tank. You also need to ensure that the aquarium stand you use is sturdy enough to support the entire weight of the fish tank.

The art of fish keeping can be a very challenging task to deal with, however using common sense and doing your research to learn as much as you can, will increase the success of your venture.

Chris Walker is a fish biologist and an aquarium enthusiast. For more great information on starting a freshwater tropical fish aquarium, visit http://freshwateraquarium.org.
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Choosing the Best Live Freshwater Aquarium Plants

When setting up your aquarium, it is very important to reproduce the fish's natural habitat, to ensure that they are healthy and can breed. An easy way to do this is by choosing freshwater aquarium plants that the particular species of fish would probably live around in the wild.

Live freshwater aquarium plants, hence, are the most suitable choice and there many different types that you can choose from. Depending on what kind of fish you buy, you can include floating plants in your aquarium, which will not only add to the tank's beauty but will also provide the fish with a great place to hide. Floating freshwater aquarium plants include Fairy Moss and Riccia.

Using Rhizomes is also a good way of incorporating freshwater aquarium plants into your aquarium, as these generally grow upwards and its roots spread on the gravel. These roots hence give the look of a lush green carpet spread over the bottom of your tank. The most commonly known varieties of Rhizomes are anubias and the African Fern.

In addition to looking gorgeous in the tank, they are also very easy to plant, as these plants attach to any piece of wood or large stones in your tank. As the Rhizomes grow, there shoots expand horizontally, they produce leaves, as well and eventually covers most of the aquarium. This gives your fish the perfect hiding spots.

Another commonly known freshwater aquarium plant is the rosette. They are said to look like crowns. These also cover the entire aquarium by the branching of their shoots. Sometimes, these plants, including the Amazon Sword and Sagittaria, also produce lovely flowers.

One of the most commonly found aquarium plants is the stems. As ordinary as the name may sound, these miraculous plants grow from the nodes of a single stem. This trait is also the origin of the plants name. The roots of the stem are firmly rooted in the gravel and the stem rises upwards. The stem also has leaves, which can be either individual or in pairs and on rare occasions having multiple leaves.

Java Moss is another freshwater aquarium favorite and it is sometimes known as the java fern. The java fern will make a great tank starter plant. Because of its nature to survive in a range of pH and is not particularly sensitive to all kinds of water.

Algae are the worst enemy of a dedicated aquarium keeper. It not only destroys the clear look of your tank, but also has more far-reaching and threatening consequences. Being a living creature, algae has a respiratory system and needs oxygen to survive; therefore, it consumes the vital oxygen content of the water. The best possible solution to this problem is to choose between two plants known as Water Wisteria and Plectomus. These two freshwater aquarium plants are 'algae-eaters' and help keep the algae content in your tank to a minimum.

If you are searching for one special plan, try cryptocoryne becketti. This plant comes with a potential of growing both on land and underwater. What makes this plant a real hit is the fact that it is available in a range of exceptional colors.

Amazon sword is another good option to consider for those who are searching for a popular aquarium plant. Echinodorus bleheri is its technical name and it is popular for its easy maintenance. As it grows fast and does not ask for a lot of care, it is the right choice for someone who has just setup a freshwater aquarium for the first time.

The fact of the matter is that live plants add to the visual delight of your fresh water aquarium. No doubt, you have to put in more effort to take care of these live plants, but they also allow you to reap several amazing benefits. So, get them and make your fish feel extremely comfortable.

Don Hill is a Freshwater Aquarium enthusiast. For more information on Freshwater Aquariums Visit

http://freshwater-aquariums-answers.com/

More on Freshwater Aquarium Live Plants.

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What You Need to Know About Freshwater Aquarium Maintenance

Freshwater Aquarium Maintenance Tips

Good freshwater aqurium maintenance habits are important not only for your own enjoyment but also for the life and health of your fish.

Now that you have your home freshwater aquarium up and running and populated with fish you want to make sure to protect the lives of your fish and keep them healthy and stress-free.

Proper maintenance of your home freshwater aquarium means doing regular water changes, maintaining a steady and proper tempature level, monitoring the water's PH levels and keeping the water clean and debris-free.

CHANGING THE WATER

You should siphon out approximately 20-20% of the water in your tank about twice a week and refill it with clean water. Make sure you do a partial water change at least once a month if you can't do it every two weeks, but two weeks is optimal.

You also want to make sure you don't change the water too frequently, as the friendly bacteria that builds up is actually required to keep the tank balanced and the fish healthy.

MAINTAIN A CONSTANT TEMPERATURE

Maintaining a constant temperateure between 72 and 75 degrees is optimal for most community tanks. Some fish like it a little warmer while others can tolerate it cooler, but this range will suit most home aquarium fish breeds.

KEEP A STEADY PH LEVEL

The PH level of your fish tank is basically how alkaline or acidic your water is, The PH scale ranges from 0 (highly acidic) to 14 (highly acidic). 7.0 is considered neutral and for most community fish this is what you should try for and maintain.

Maintaining a proper PH level in the tank is key and can sldo be dependent on the PH level of the water coming out of your tap. Unusually hard or softwater will need to be pre-treated before you can use it.

TIP: take a sample to your local pet store where you buy your fish and have them test it. You can buy various chemicals to adjust the PH of your tank depending on the levels.

KEEP THE WATER CLEAN

Probably the biggest reason for dirty water is overfeeding. It's a simple truth that the more food your fish ingest the more waste comes out the other end.

Now, we're not suggesting you starve your fish for the sake of a clean tank but a pinch of food goes a long, long way.

A good rule of thumb is to put a pinch of food into the tank and see if it all gets eaten within a minute or so. If it does, add a second pinch, and that's it.

Granted, it totally depends on the size of your tank and how many fish since 30 fish will simply eat more than 13 fish, but watch to see how many flakes are just rolling along the bottom of the tank after 5 minutes. If after 5 minutes you still see flakes floating or rolling around, yoo're feeding them too much. Cut back a bit next time.

KEEP OUT OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT

A little sunlight on the tank each day won't harm the tank or the fish and is actually a good thing.

But you want to avoid sustained amounts of direct sunlight since this can contribute to algae.

Algae can take over your tank and make it hard to clean and see the fish and sometimes makes the water smell bad, too.

A healthy, balanced, well-aerated home freshwater aquarium will hardly smell at all and should not have a fishy smell or any strong odors.

Odors are usually a sign of decay, either from rotting food or a dead fish. So doing a smell check as part of your routine freshwater aquarium maintenance duties is a good tool to use. The nose knows!

KEEP IT AERATED

Keeping the water aerated with a separate air pump and airstone will help your home freshwater aquarium maintain good circulation and oxygen levels which the fish need to maintain good health.

By having a properly aerated home freshwater aquarium with the correct temperature and PH that you don't overfeed, will increase your chances of having a healthy and happy fish tank for years to come.

Gene Sower is an expert in freshwater aquarium keeping with nearly 40 years of experience. For more information on how to keep your freshwater home aquarium clean, visit http://www.aquarium-keepers.com

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Bird of paradise

The birds-of-paradise are members of the family Paradisaeidae of the order Passeriformes. The majority of species in this family are found on the island of New Guinea and its satellites, with a few species occurring in the Moluccas and eastern Australia. The family has forty species in 13 genera. The members of this family are perhaps best known for the plumage of the males of most species, in particular highly elongated and elaborate feathers extending from the beak, wings or head. For the most part they are confined to dense rainforest habitat. The diet of all species is dominated by fruit and to a lesser extent arthropods. The birds-of-paradise have a variety of breeding systems, ranging from monogamy to lek-based polygamy.

Data refer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird-of-paradise

Blue bird of paradise

King Bird-of-paradise

King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise

Raggiana Bird-of-paradise

Red bird of Paradise

Wilson's Bird-of-paradise

Dog Halloween Costumes

At Halloween, kids aren't the only ones who get to dress up and enjoy treats. Hundreds of dog lovers get their pets into the act with dog Halloween costumes. The following are the costumes for dogs this Halloween.

Angel Dog Halloween

Clown Dog Halloween

Devil Dog Halloween

Groom and Bride Dog Halloween

Jailbird Dog Halloween

Pirates Halloween Costumes