In general saltwater fish are usually a little more difficult to maintain than their freshwater cousins. That being said, it is not necessary to be an expert in order to maintain a saltwater aquarium. Just as with freshwater fish, there are some saltwater species that are hardier than others. There are a few basic needs that if met will ensure that the fish are cared for properly.

Otherwise you can use regular water, making sure it is at the correct temperature, and add in chemicals to remove chlorine and other unwanted chemicals. Maintenance is a necessity and you will need to clean your tank at least once a month. It is best to try to clean the tank as often as every two weeks however, don't over clean your tank or you will remove some of the beneficial bacteria.

Just as we humans don't like to eat the same thing every day, neither do fish. Keep a variety of food handy because they will not eat the same food daily. Research the specific needs of the fish before you purchase them to make sure you are able to provide the food that they need. Be careful not to over feed the fish. This will cause a build up of debris in the tank. Only feed an amount that can be consumed in the first two to five minutes.

Live plants are also a beautiful, functional addition to your saltwater aquarium, as they serve to help oxygenate the tank and provide the fish with a spot to inhabit and, if you are incredibly lucky, lay their eggs. There are a variety of choices for you to choose from, and it is very helpful to choose the breeds of fish which you wish to place in your tank prior to making a decision.

Hermit crabs and snails are known to be the clean up crew, and can make a huge difference in your saltwater aquarium if you have enough of them. You will also need to buy a scraper or a scratch pad to clean the glass. A regular cleaning tool will not be strong enough to remove the algae from the glass.

Lastly try to avoid overcrowding the tank. This is another common problem that can be easily avoided. A general rule of thumb is one small fish per every ten gallons of water. Keep in mind however, that what is considered a small fish, may not be so small next month. Research, again is important because it is necessary to find out how large a fish will grow and weather or not it is compatible with its tank mates.

Jeff Parke is a writer and blogger who specializes in articles and blog posts on pets and animals. His betta fish care webblog is one of his many projects that he is passionate about. In addition to betta fish care he has written about cats, dog and animal rights just to name a few. Click one of those links to learn more.

Written by Jeff Parke using tags: animals, aquarium, betta, betta fish, Fish, fish care, freshwater, hobbies, home and family, pet health, Pets, saltwater

As the ecosystem in nature is very fragile and prone to triggering severe consequences if the balance of elements is altered so is the ecosystem inside of an aquarium a very fragile thing, leading to devastating consequences if the balance is thrown off. Because of this it is important that the elements of the water be tested on a regular basis and necessary alterations made as frequently as possible.

The good news is this is usually a temporary problem that goes away with time, and while we'll explain how this works and what you can do about it, we'll also recommend against buying any fragile fish for the first couple of months. It is best to start with a couple of cheap, hardy and difficult to kill fish.

This is generally a very simple matter until the time comes for the water in the tank to be changed. In nature the water in the ocean is constantly cycling; therefore, the water never has the opportunity to become stale and overloaded with elements that will have a negative impact on the well being of your aquatic friends.

The water with which you replace the dirty water in the aquarium should be as close as possible to the water that was originally filling the tank. What this means is that if you opted to buy a pre-made saltwater mix when you started your tank you should continue to use that same pre-made saltwater mix.

Never replace more than 50% of your water at any one time. Indeed, 20-25% of your water at one time is probably your best bet. Remember, if you change all of your water, you will also remove the beneficial bacterial colony.

When you establish your tank, make sure that you have some sort of substrate at the bottom: gravel, rocks, sand, any of them will work just fine. You can go with the natural gravel or buy the brightly colored stuff from the pet store. Either way, you will be giving the bacteria a place to live, as well as beautifying your tank.

By keeping your tank clean and the conditions as constant as possible you are giving your fish the best possible chance to thrive in their artificial environment, guaranteeing that you will be able to enjoy their beauty for a very long time.

Jeff Parke is a writer and blogger who specializes in articles and blog posts on pets and animals. His betta fish care webblog is one of his projects that he is passionate about. As well as betta fish care he has written about cats, dog and animal rights just to name a few. Click one of those links to find out more.

Written by Jeff Parke using tags: animals, aquarium, betta, betta fish, Fish, fish care, freshwater, hobbies, home and family, pet health, Pets, saltwater

Freshwater fish are perhaps the easiest fish to care for in comparison to saltwater species because they are usually hardier fish. You will need a tank, some rocks or substrate to line bottom of the tank. You will also need a filter, and some lighting. When choosing fish, it is imperative to make sure the fish are compatible. Not only do they need to be compatible for water temperature and P.H., but they also should have similar food requirements.

Try to keep the fish relatively the same size. It has been said that if a fish is small enough to fit in another fishes mouth, that is usually where it ends up. So don't be discouraged if this happens. Even fish that have been housed together for several months have been known to disappear on occasion.

Freshwater fish should be fed twice daily. Feed only a small amount that can be consumed within the first two to five minutes. Over feeding is a common mistake among novice fish keepers. Any excess food should be lifted with a net if possible, as it will become debris and quickly dirty the tank.

The next most important feature to caring for any fish is appropriate water regulation. The specific temperatures are listed above, but it is also important to make frequent water changes. Usually every one to two weeks, depending on need. If the water starts to smell or become cloudy, this is a good indication that it is time to change the water.

Be sure to clean the decorations and any substrate thoroughly before adding them to the aquarium. Live plants are highly recommended in new aquariums as they will help to generate the good bacteria necessary to reduce the amount of ammonia in the tank. It is a good idea to test the ammonia and nitrite levels before adding fish to the aquarium.

A general rule is to wait another thirty days before adding additional fish, because that is the incubation period for most fish illnesses. In addition, test the nitrite and ammonia levels before adding these additional fish. The ammonia levels should return to zero. This also takes about a month.

There are a few basic tips that will keep fish healthy. Don't over feed the fish. Any excess food will become debris in the tank, and then turns into ammonia, which is toxic to fish. Change the water in the aquarium regularly. Replace approximately one third of the water in the tank every two to three weeks.

Jeff Parke is a writer and blogger who specializes in blogs and articles on pets and animals. His betta fish care webblog is one of his many projects that he is passionate about. Along with betta fish care he has written about cats, dog and animal rights just to name a few. Click one of those links to find out more.

Written by Jeff Parke using tags: animals, aquarium, betta, betta fish, Fish, fish care, freshwater, hobbies, home and family, pet health, Pets, saltwater

There are a million different types of aquariums on the market, and with the number of choices available and the fact that there is no guaranteed formula for success for creating a saltwater aquarium it can be very difficult for individuals to choose which type of aquarium they should purchase. There are a number of factors which should be considered before the would be biologist ever sets foot inside a pet store.

Tropical saltwater aquariums can range in size from small, which are typically twenty gallons, to large, which can hold up to one thousand gallons. When you go to the store to purchase the aquarium consider how much work you'll want to invest in your tropical saltwater aquarium once its up and running.

The larger the tank the more time you'll spend cleaning and maintaining the aquarium. Another thing that you should consider when purchasing a aquarium is whether or not you want the tank to have a background. Many owners of tropical saltwater aquariums like to add to the ambiance of their aquarium by painting a back ground on the tank, this must be done before filling the tank with water. Also make sure that you purchase a filter that is large enough and powerful enough to filter your tank.

These tanks have the same "footprint" as the rectangular tanks, but their height is greater-allowing more gallons per floor area. Hexagon, or corner, tanks are similar to 'tall" tanks, but tend to be even taller than the talls-beautiful to look at, but somewhat difficult to clean unless you have arms like a NBA center.

If an inexpensive tank is a must, your best bet is probably going to be the kits that most of the chain stores now offer. A 55 Gallon kit (rectangular) will generally cost around 150$ plus tax in these stores. For this price, you will get the tank, a hang-on-the-back style water filter, heater, hoods and lighting-just add water, decorations, and fish. For a 29 Gallon kit, you can expect to pay about 100$, and the price will go down as your tank size does the same.

It is also easier to adjust the filtration options on an acrylic tank, as it is not necessary to have the number of special tools available that are necessary to cut glass. Buying an aquarium can be a tricky business; however, the truth of the matter is that as long as the ecosystem is properly designed and the tank cleaned thoroughly prior to use there is no right or wrong choice. It is all a matter of personal preference.

Jeff Parke is a writer and blogger who specializes in articles and blog posts on pets and animals. His betta fish care webblog is one of his many projects that he is passionate about. Along with betta fish care he has written about cats, dog and animal rights just to name a few. Click one of those links to find out more.

Written by Jeff Parke using tags: animals, aquarium, betta, betta fish, family, Fish, fish care, freshwater, hobbies, home and, pet health, Pets, saltwater

Plants play an important role in aquarium life. They help to absorb nitrites that are toxic to the fish. In fact there are some plant only aquariums. There are many different varieties of aquatic plants. Tubers are a type of plant that needs to be anchored by the root to the bottom of the tank.

They may be tied or simply buried underneath the substrate in the bottom of the aquarium. There are also floating plants. As their name suggests they simply float in the tank they do not need to be anchored and will not usually require fertilizer. The only regular care required is to make sure that water droplets are not regularly deposited on the leaves, as this will cause decay.

Once the decision to use live plants is made, you must familiarize yourself with how to grow and care for these plants. The key to growing healthy live plants is the balance between lighting and nutrients within the tank. It is best to use more lighting than what is included with standard hoods.

Another type of aquatic plant is known as cuttings. These plants may be transplanted from other thriving plants, without have to root them. Cuttings should be planted individually. They will grow vertically and sprout shoots at the joints of the leaves. When these shoots grow to be a couple of inches, it is time to cut them and plant them individually.

Macro nutrients should never need to be added to the water of the tank. They exist on their own. Micro nutrients are needed in very small amounts. Copper, iron and zinc are among the micro nutrients live plants will need to survive in the aquarium.

Check the specifics on the types of plants with your local retailer. Some plants will thrive on the waste put out by the fish in the aquarium, while others will require regular fertilization. Again check with your supplier for compatibility and feeding requirements. When purchasing plants, make sure that they are true aquatic plants. Live plants should be pruned weekly. Dead or broken leaves should be removed daily.

All other kinds of filtration systems will work well. The only things to be concerned about are if your filter causes too much disruption to the water surface. When this happens, carbon dioxide is lost and plants will suffer. Also make sure the filter creates a current that keeps nutrients moving throughout the tank.

The use of live plants will definitely help in creating a masterpiece aquarium that is pleasing to the eye and is a happy and healthy environment for your fish. Always remember to clean your aquarium on a regular basis and inspect plants weekly for decay. Scheduled maintenance is the key to keeping a beautiful and healthy aquarium.

Jeff Parke is a writer and blogger who writes articles and blog posts specializing in pets and animals. His betta fish care website is one of his projects that he is passionate about. As well as betta fish care he has written about cats, dog and animal rights just to name a few. Click one of those links to learn more.

Written by Jeff Parke using tags: animals, aquarium, betta, betta fish, family, Fish, fish care, freshwater, hobbies, home and, pet health, Pets, saltwater

So you've decided to get yourself an aquarium. You have a friend or a family member with fish, or you've seen some pictures in a book or on the internet, and you've decided to get involved in this beautiful and relaxing hobby.

Well congratulate yourself right now! You are already several steps ahead of most new hobbyists in that you are doing some research before running down to the pet store and buying the first thing that catches your eye. In this series of articles, we will try to give you a good head start on the art of keeping fish successfully. If you follow a few simple steps, you will give your fish a much better chance to live and thrive, and you will save yourself a lot of money and aggravation in the process.

Fish keeping was started centuries ago. At that time fishes were bred for food. Also, due to religious reasons, fish was eaten on days when meat wasn't allowed. The Chinese and Japanese traditions included fish keeping for food purposes. But later the kings began keeping goldfishes and koi, because of their attractive colors. They were kept in ponds and when guests used to arrive, the fishes were shifted indoors in fish bowls. Romans were also known to keep lampreys in pools with salt water. Ancient Egyptians kept fishes from Oxyrhynchus in temple pools.

Set your search engine for aquariums, fish keeping, marine fish, cichlids, or even gold fish, and spend some time looking at all of the glorious fish. You can keep salt water or fresh water fish; predators or community fish; tiny guppies or monster cichlids; and/or anything and everything in-between. You will find dozens of images of your chosen fish; aquarium photography is another hobby that is widely available on the internet.

The aquarium should have ecology which is similar to the natural habitat of the occupant fishes. This is an extremely difficult task. This is because, more the surface volume, more the oxygen levels in the water. Air pumps also are used to increase the dissolved oxygen in the water. This is part of the nutrient cycle, which should be maintained and controlled for the well-fare of the fishes. Larger aquariums are more preferable and they make things easier, for example the event effects are diluted easily and the systemic shock is absorbed well.

Jeff Parke is a writer and blogger who writes articles and blog posts specializing in pets and animals. His betta fish care site is one of his projects that he is passionate about. As well as betta fish care he has written about cats, dog and animal rights just to name a few. Click one of those links to find out more.

Written by Jeff Parke using tags: animals, betta fish, Fish, fish care, hobbies, home and family, pet health, Pets

In case you are thinking about raising some exotic fish, you may what to look into Discus fish. Discus fish are amazing fish that can come in an array of different colors. Discus are known to evolve to about 10 inches long and are from the Amazon River. It truly is however important that you become fully educated on Discus fish care prior to purchasing one.

Discus Fish Care is much more in-depth than many individuals think and end up realizing. Once they purchase there fish they soon discover that they aren't well prepared.

Discus are typically considered incredibly sensitive and susceptible creatures, much attention ought to be directed towards creating a very suitable living environment. Needs such as a well proportionate water tank is definitely a must. Discus fish thrive in deep water, so remember this deciding on the aquarium you wish to use. Discus would be better suited to large deep aquariums since they commonly grow close to 6 or 7 inches. Always preserve the proper water temperatures required for healthy living conditions.

Discus fish require water that is clean, free from chlorine, foreign objects, and heavy metals. In fact it may be necessary to purchase a water purifying unit. Make sure the water is on the soft and acidic side. The pH levels ought to be between 6. and 7.5 with a general hardness between 5 and 15.

Be sure to add some plants and logs in the tank as these types of fish feel safer this way. If they get stressed and scared in a bare tank they can dash around and hurt themselves.

Discus Fish aren't picky eaters; they will pretty much eat any aquarium food. They also like frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp. Young Discus should be fed around 3 times a day and adults just once. If you are feeding your fish beef-heart, once they have finished feeding, make sure that all uneaten food and waste are eliminated.

The breeding period of Discus is often a special care period which you shouldn't neglect. However barring any critical situations, using the tips given here should result in you having a healthy discus fish caring experience. You may well be surprise to find out but some species of Discus fish now are considered endangered in some parts of the Amazon River basin. By taking care of your Discus fish you're likely to be saving the last of a species.

If you are searching for a Discus Fish Care Guide than your on the right course. Most people think that they can just wing it, that Discus Fish are like other fish. The truth is they're not at all like other fish, make sure you're ready.

Written by Tom Brown using tags: discus fish, discus fish care, Fish, fish care, home fish care, how-to-take-care-of-discus, tropical fish