When children get their first fish, if this is something that they want, can be a very exciting time. However, it can also be when a child first has to confront what happens when a life comes to an end. Fish as pets are risky because they can die early, but they can also be fun and easy for a first pet for any child. They require very little upkeep once they are in the tank and doing fine. It's getting there that can be the battle for parents. There are some things to keep in mind when getting aquarium fresh water fish for your child's first pet.

If your child wants to get aquarium fresh water fish, you have to tell them that they are going to have to wait for the fish, but you can get started right away. You should take your child to the store, or look online, and see what size tank you want to get and take it home or order it. If you want to have more than one fish, avoid the one gallon size tank, as that is only good for just one fish. Follow the instructions for fish limits when buying or the fish will not last very long. If it says just one fish, that is all you can have in there. Most very small tanks only handle one or two at the most.

Once you have the tank in your hands for your aquarium fresh water fish, tell your children that they can help you set it up, but do not go out and get your fish. You want to choose the rocks you want to have at the bottom, any decorations and plants (remember fish need places to hide), and the chemicals and foods that you are going to need for your fish. This will be fun stuff to choose, but your child will not understand why they can not get their fish just yet. The reason for this lies with the filters and air supplies that you are going to be buying as well.

You may get lucky and put your aquarium fresh water fish right into a new tank and they will do well. For the most part, however, this is not going to happen. In order for a fish tank to work well and support life, there has to be a balance of bacteria in the water that agrees with life. If your tank does not have this good bacteria, your fish are not going to last long. Many experts recommend that you set up your tank, start the filter and air, and let it run for four to six weeks before you consider adding fish. This makes the water ideal for them when they do arrive, and they are more likely to survive.

Once this time has passed and your water is indeed as it should be (look for help and kits to let you know that this is the case), you can then add your fish. Take your child with you and let them choose the fish that they want, and learn how to safely add them to the tank that you have had up and running for some time. If you follow all of these instructions, your aquarium fresh water fish have a much better chance of surviving and thriving in your care and your child can enjoy them for some time to come.

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Written by Angel Knight using tags: aquarium, aquarium fish, fish tank, fishes, how to pets, pet fish, Pets

To successfully breed and care for discus fish you need to learn about where they are from. Discus are native to the calm and warm waters of the Amazon. They are very sensitive to their environmental surroundings and changes can affect their behavior.

The secret to breeding discus fish lies in understanding their behavior and learning all about their habits. Choosing healthy fish from the shop keeper ensures that they are a joy to breed and care for. They should be kept in groups of four or six.

Discus fish will generally only choose a mating partner after you have introduced other unrelated fish into your tank. You want the fish tank to have an air powered filter and locations where the discus can spawn for best results.

For the eggs to develop in to healthy fish soft water with no chlorine should be used and you want to maintain the water temperature at 84-86 degrees F.

Most discus fish start the spawning process at about three to four months of their adult size, you also want to make sure the breeding pair have a varied diet to ensure the proper nutrition is given to help with spawning and feeding fry.

After a smooth vertical side of the tank is cleaned the spawning process will start with the female laying around 80-400 eggs and then allows the male to fertilizes them. Once discus have mated they will stay together as mates for the remaining of their lives.

Spawning can be triggered by rising water temperatures, lots of feeding or major changes in the water environment. For the eggs to hatch it can take 50-60 hours and then followed by 36-48 hours before the fry can swim on their own freely.

Once the fry are born, they should be kept with their parents and given specific food like the baby brine shrimps. In order to achieve a decent growth rate, lots of water changes should be made. Within 3-6 weeks after birth so the fry grow quickly though the parents are worn out and it's the ideal time to move the fry away from the parents.

Once you have learned the process of breeding discus fish successfully, you would surely love to be a proud owner of these rare species.

Discus discus are a beautiful and colorful discus to have in your aquarium, however they are delicate and need proper care. If you would like to learn the secrets to breeding discus discus or how to care for discus discus the right way and have healthy and happy discus for a long time then visit my blog.

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Written by Sam Stone using tags: breeding discus fish, caring for discus fish, discus aquarium, discus fish care, keeping discus fish, pet fish, Pets

To keep discus fish happy and healthy one the first things you need to learn is that they are native to the Amazon's warm, calm and clear waters and any change in their environment can have a big effect on their behavior.

Choosing healthy discus fish from the shop is a big help when breeding, however the secret lies in knowing and learning about discus's behavior and habits, they should be kept in groups of four or six to ensure their happiness and increasing their chances of finding a suitable mate.

Discus fish will generally only choose a mating partner after you have introduced other unrelated fish into your tank. You want the fish tank to have an air powered filter and locations where the discus can spawn for best results.

For the eggs to develop in to healthy fish soft water with no chlorine should be used and you want to maintain the water temperature at 84-86 degrees F.

Providing a varied diet to the breeding pair for proper nutrition and feeding of the fry is essential for breeding. Discus will usually start the spawning process when they are three to four months their adult size.

The female will lay between 80-400 eggs on a clean smooth vertical side of the tank and then will allow the male to fertilizes the eggs. Once the discus have mated they will remain together for the remaining of their lives.

It normally takes 50-60 hours for the eggs to hatch followed by 36-48 hours till the fry are able to swim freely. Spawning can be triggered by lots of feeding, rising temperatures or major changes in the water.

Once the fry are born, they should be kept with their parents and given specific food like the baby brine shrimps. In order to achieve a decent growth rate, lots of water changes should be made. Within 3-6 weeks after birth so the fry grow quickly though the parents are worn out and it's the ideal time to move the fry away from the parents.

Once you have learned the process of breeding discus fish successfully, you would surely love to be a proud owner of these rare species.

• Discus Fish: Fish Tanks and Care Tips If you have ever seen a Discus fish, you know they are extremely beautiful, making them a very popular choice for aquariums. Discus fish come in many various sizes, colors, and shapes. Originally, the Discus fish can be found in the Amazon basin located in South America. Due to the......
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Written by Jackson Williams using tags: breeding discus fish, caring for discus fish, discus aquarium, discus fish care, keeping discus fish, pet fish, Pets

If you are making the decision to bring tropical fish into your home, like any pet you bring home there are certain things you need to be aware of before you do. Most of the tropical fish you will find at the local pet store are warm water fish and as a result, they will need the water in their tank to remain steady in order to keep them healthy. Aquarium Heaters are essential if you are going to own tropical fish, and they are relatively inexpensive. These devices keep the temperature of your aquarium stable, no matter what the conditions are outside.

There are truly several different types of Aquarium Heaters to choose from, and the final choice should truly be based on the type and size of tank you have since you don't want a heater that's too small if your tank is large in size. You need to be sure to get a tank heater with the proper power rating to fit the size of the tank it needs to heat. One option that you can consider is to use two small heaters, that way if one heater should suddenly stop working, you have another one that can keep the water from getting too cold until a new heater can be bought.

Many of the tank heaters you can purchase today come with built-in thermostats, which can help you easily keep track of the water temperature. Tropical fish enjoy warm water, but if the water is too warm it can be just as dangerous as water that's too cold. One type of heater to consider when it comes to Aquarium Heaters is what's called the "Smart Heater". This device is completely submersible and is able to work in any position. These heaters are typically unbreakable and safe to touch, even when in use.

There are also "Under-gravel Heaters" for you to consider. These are typically the most popular types of Aquarium Heaters on the market, since many people ultimately decide to place plants inside their tanks. This heating system uses cables which are located under the gravel in the tank, and this creates circulation which warms the water. There is much to consider before setting up your new aquarium, and a little research before-hand can save you a lot of hassle in the end. The most important rule of thumb to remember before you purchase any kind of heater for your fish tank is to not overdo it.

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Written by Dustin Williams using tags: aquarium fish, aquarium heaters, aquarium heating, aquarium supplies, aquariums, fish supplies, fish tank heaters, fish tank supplies, home aquariums, pet fish, Pets, tropical fish tanks

Aquarium filters play an extremely important role in maintaining a proper environment in your fish tank. They remove toxins and chemicals from the water.

There are three types of filtration that a proper filter will provide, and all are necessary to keep your tank and the fish healthy. The types are chemical, mechanical, and biological filtration. Most filters that are on the market today will perform all three types of filtration. As far as the actual types of filters, there are several different types and styles. There are biowheel filters, internal, sponge filters, diatom, and wet/dry filters.

Aquarium filters also come as canister filters, undergravel filters, and power filters. Undergravel filters have somewhat of a bad reputation for not working very well. However, if you use them with a powerhead performance of the undergravel filter will be improved. Choosing the appropriate filter for you aquarium is very important. Choosing the wrong one can lead to an unhealthy. If you have too small of a filter chemicals and toxins that need to be removed will not be removed as well as they should. This will leave you with a tank that as an improper environment which in turn could lead to dead fish.

An aquarium filter provides a place for two bacteria types to grow which will establish a healthy biological filter. These bacteria are important for their ability to break down the chemicals that fish produce through their waste. Fish waste produces a chemical called ammonia, which is very toxic to fish, these bacteria break down this toxin into nitrites. Nitrites are also very toxic to fish, another bacteria breaks down nitrites into a less toxic chemical called nitrates. Aquarium filters reduce harmful toxins and can help maintain excellent water in aquariums, but it's still essential to clean your aquarium and to change some of the water twice each week.

Slime growth and stressed out fish are a result of improper filtration. Aquarium filters also assist in less algae build up in tanks. Doing your research on the proper size and kind of filter that you will need will help to ensure the health of your tank as well as your fish. With the right type of tank filtration your fish should live a long happy life.

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Written by Sunny Emmerwitz using tags: aquarium filters, aquarium filtration, aquarium fish, aquariums, filters, filtration, Fish, fish tanks, freshwater fish tanks, pet fish, Pets, tropical fish