More Facts about Aquarium fish for Hobbyist

• Tropical fish are harvested mostly in the wild. These fish naturally inhabit bodies of water found in Africa, Asia, Central and South America. After these wild fish are caught, they are then sifted and sold to dealers in many countries worldwide.

• A very interesting fact about fish is their inability to blink. Although many owners of fish have sworn that they saw their fish blink, it is most likely that they saw their fish spinning their eyeballs (yes they can!) which makes it appear as though the fish is blinking. Many fish can see in different colors others can only distinguish between light and darkness. Also, fish do not sleep as humans do. Instead, they undergo periods of rest.

• Taking care of tropical fish in an aquarium setting is difficult. According to Doctors Smith and Foster, 95% of aquarium fish deaths are a result of poor environmental conditions and diet.

• These fish live in small groups inside anemones with which they form a symbiotic relationship where the fish eat the leftovers of anemones and anemones have their decaying tentacles eaten (therefore increasing their chance of survival)

• These fish lay a thousand eggs at a time and all of these can survive. These eggs are laid only in a full moon and they hatch after dusk. The eggs are guarded by the male all the time.

• Because of their stripes and bouncing movements, these fish look like clowns hence the given common name.

• One amazing trivia about clownfish is that they can change their sex. They are all born as males and when the female clownfish dies, the most dominant of all the males in the group changes its sex into female.

• Here’s another clownfish facts you might not know. These fish are known to be aggressive in spite of its portrayal in the movie.

• Clownfish normally inhabit the Indian and Pacific oceans. They live for 3 to 8 years and grow to 3 to 4 inches.

• Clownfish are omnivores. They eat both algae and scraps from anemones.

• Clownfish can survive in the anemone tentacles because of protective mucus secreted by their skin.

• These fish can survive without anemones in fish tanks.

Paradise fish Description

The Paradise Fish or Paradise Gourami is very colorful, with colors ranging from black to albino. It has a thick longitudinal body and a forked tailfin, with a longer one for males than females. They are labyrinth fish and the maximum length is 4 inches (10cm) with tails an additional 2 inches. Males have brighter and stronger color patterns with longer and larger fins.

Habitat

They inhabit South East Asia, in streams, rice paddies and ditches. They are popular and not endangered.

Diet

The Paradise fish is an omnivore but prefer meaty food.

Facts about Paradise Fish you should know.

This aquarium fish populate small bodies of water in nature and an aquarium should mimic this environment. They mark their territory, which they defend.  They swim in all regions of the water.

They are hardy and adaptable. Water conditions for this fish is 61-81°F (16-27°C), hardness 5-30 dGH and ph of 5.8-8.0. They need a covered 20 gallon tank, gentle water flow and sturdy plants.

Behavior

Paradise fish behave similar to Bettas but less extreme. It is difficult to select appropriate tank companions due to their aggressive, predatory nature. They mostly prefer to live alone and both genders together work best.

Breeding

They are bubble nest builders, which they’ll strongly defend. The male cares for the spawn until maturity. Fry emerge a few days after spawning. They are readily available.

Here are some interesting facts about tropical fish:

• More than half of the people who buy tropical fish start by buying a small aquarium before upgrading to a bigger one. They are quite addictive it appears. To avoid the hassle of going back to the pet shop for a bigger tank, avoid buying a very small one.

• Different types of tropical fish have different behavior. Some do not mingle with fish from another species, some are anti social and prefer to be alone, and some are super aggressive while some will give quality time to anyone who is there. Before you make your purchase, try to find out what the fish will act like.

• Tropical fish are not all equally adept at surviving in a fish tank with fluctuating levels of ammonia and nitrate. Be sure to get the type of fish that can survive the environment you can provide.

• Do not just look at the size another of the fish when you are buying them. Find out how big they can grow. Some fish look small but later on will grow much bigger – forcing you to buy fish tank.

• Be sure to fit the aquarium with filters, pumps and heaters. These filtration systems will create the right environment for your fish to live in. Take note that not all filtration systems are the same. The filtration system should suit the type of fish you want.

• They not only are huge but are designed to be able to swim very fast; rates of 43 miles per hour.

• Their shape resembles an airplane which allows them to experience a low amount of drag. They can retract their fins to reduce the drag they sometimes experience.

• They are considered to be warm-blooded and in turn can venture into icy cold waters with ease.

• This species of fish is considered to be endangered for the simple fact that their meat is delicious to people all over the world.

• They can be found in the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean near Europe.

• The tuna feeds on a variety of other sea creatures like eel. They also are able to filter feed on tiny organisms. Eating all this different food helps the tuna to grow so large.

The biggest Bluefin tuna ever caught weighed an incredible 1,496 pounds. Even though they are a robust fish, they are endangered because of commercial fishing.

Common Carp Facts

Carp Description

The dorsal fin of carp has a long base and has a stout spine with serrated edges as the first ray, with the rest of the fin sloping down the back with a concave free edge. The mouth is toothless but 2 barbells are located on each side with the second one longer than the first.

Habitat of Carps

Carps thrive in freshwater, usually large lakes and slow flowing rivers found in the lowland areas. In comparison to the stout and stocky, artificially-reared species of carp, the native carps of East and Central Europe have slender bodies.

Diet

This freshwater fish is an omnivore, feeding on vegetation and bottom-dwellers in its habitat such as insect larvae, mollusks, and worms.

Carp Breeding

Breeding time for carps occur during late spring in the shallow parts of a sunny area with warm temperatures. They prefer to breed over dense vegetation. Carps lay their eggs and attach them to the plants where the hatchlings will start to grow.

Carp Trivia for Kids

Carps can be spotted in still waters and gently flowing rivers. As of today in the United Kingdom, the heaviest recorded carp captured is 64 lbs 14oz.

Archerfish Fast Facts

Archerfish Description: They have a typical silver or white color with 4-6 black vertical bands, with the first one covering the eye. The young have irregular yellow patches on top. They have an elongated and flattened body with a sharp head. This marine fish grows up to 12 inches (30cm) long.

Diet: The Archer fish are carnivores.

Habitat: It is commonly found in the coastal waters of tropical Asia. They mainly inhabit salty mangrove swamps and also occupy rivers and streams.

Behavior: They are not aggressive with other species of fish and do well in a tank with other brackish fish.

Facts about Archerfish for Aquarium hobbyist

• The fish mostly swims in the middle or top of the aquarium. For long term care, brackish water is recommended.

• Water requirements are hard water with a pH of 7.0 -8.0 and temperature of 77 – 86°F (25 to 30 °C). If companions of the same species are bigger in size, they tend to become aggressive, therefore it’s best to keep them alone in a tank.

• There are no known sexual differences and has never been bred in captivity, because it is commonly available.

• The tank should not be completely filled to allow the fish to use their unique shooting ability.

Description

This aquarium fish is tiny and streamlined. The male’s basic body color is silver but colors vary based on health, diet and environment conditions and have a longer fin and display more intense colors than females. Females are a rich honey color with green tints and translucent fins. The fish grow up to 2 inches (5cm).

Behavior

Their expressive and serene manner accompanied by their striking color, make them a great inhabitant for the aquarium. They are not aggressive. They prefer a well planted tank without harsh lighting and too much open space.

Diet

This fish are omnivorous. They mainly feed on small insects and flake foods.

As Pet – Facts about Threadfin Rainbowfish you should know

Threadfin Rainbowfish swim mostly in the top regions of the water. Water conditions required are; temperature: 73-84°F, hardness: 5 – 19Dgh and pH: 6.0 – 7.5.

They require a school of at least 5 fish. Have a variety of densely placed plants. Bogwood can be used to make the water acidic and swampy. They require 15 gallons of water, with 25 – 50% water changes per week and a tightly closed tank.

Breeding

Acidic and soft water is a prerequisite for breeding. The temperature must be 78°F (26°c). Java moss or a spawning mop must be used to breed. The eggs must be removed as they are laid and the fry fed with liquid fry food or micro-worms.

Blob fish stay close to the ocean floor, which means few people ever see them.

Sometimes anglers capture a blob fish by chance when fishing in deep waters.  Sporting a face shaped like a triangle and wearing what looks like a scowling face, Blob fish are not exactly easy on the eye.

Nevertheless, these extraordinary marine fish are well adapted to their habitat:

1. They have no gas bladders – because they do not need them. Gas bladders cannot function at the pressure at that level which is 80 times that at the surface.

2. They are a large coagulated mass of gel with a density lower than water – allowing them to glide over the ocean floor.

3. They have no muscles because they do not have to swim. They wait until prey comes by – mollusks, sea urchins and crustaceans.

People first described Blob fish in 1978. In 2000, scientists found Blob fish breeding grounds on the Gorda Escarpment near the Coast of California. Scientists still observe them every year in different places. They first occupied ocean floors near Australia and Tasmania.

Facts about blob fish breeding

Blob fish nests can contain 9,000-108,000 pink eggs – usually brooded by a fish sitting on them. Even seemingly unattended eggs are usually clean – suggesting some tending.

Blob fish live very close to each other – sometimes nesting less than a meter apart. Scientists believe that they all tend to select one limited place for nesting because of a steady supply of food.

• When another angler has caught a fish, make sure they have enough space to bring their fish out of the water by taking out your line. This applies especially when they are upriver from you.

• When fly fishing, maintain silence. Most people fish just to enjoy the quiet environment; they do not want someone chattering nearby. It is understood that this includes the radio. Besides, any noise can spook the fish and ruin the chances of actually catching one.

• Be helpful to other anglers. They probably need help getting back something that has been misplaced or that is floating away. The experience is much more fun when you cooperate.

• Take care of you own safety. Avoid going alone to lonely places, do not wade without good wading boots, make sure you have a good wading staff, and be familiar with the place.

• Have a Tackle Box so that you are sure all your stuff is in one place. In it, there should be some worms and bait in a container. These should not be kept together with other lures. Include different lures for different seasons.

• Your fishing vest and fishing equipments should be well organized. This saves you the trouble of fumbling around for something when you want to use it. Only take essentials.

• Sun block is a necessity when you’re in fly fishing trip. Think about standing in one place for eight hours. By the time you are done you will want some protection.

• Use Polarized Glasses to enable you see through the water surface to the fish you want to catch. A hat will help reduce the glare.

• Do not wear red, yellow, black, white or navy blue because these colors can attract flies.