Arowana Care: There's a Fossil in My Tank!

The Amazon River is probably the most widely used poster image for biodiversity; the whole stretch of freshwater running for miles is the home to a huge fraction of the world's flora and fauna. Among the animals which live here, the fishes have the most number and most diverse. One of the well-known and well-loved fish species is what people call as the "water monkey of the Amazon" -- the arowana fish.

The earliest fossils of the ancestors of the arowanafish date to 200 million years ago in the rivers of Africa, but the fish we know today found its home in the Amazon River 140 millions of years ago, dating back to the Early Cretaceous period. Ever since then, given its superb features, the fish had changed very little; hence it is sometimes called as a living fossil. That is why the arowana does not look like the modern pet fishes which are commercially available; they boast a history dating millions of years back. 

This fish can grow to lengths of four to six feet, all thirty pounds of pure muscle which gives them excellent darting abilities. They also have huge eyes which led some ecologists to assume that they have one of the sharpest sights of all the fishes. Another tell tale sign of it being a living fossil is that it has a swim bladder capable of directly infusing oxygen to the blood vessels, something which lungs of terrestrial animals can do.

In the Amazon river alone, there are already three subspecies of the arowana fish, all stemming from the evolutionary branch of Osteoglossum (bony mouths). Since people started breeding these fishes outside the Amazon, there are already other species which can be found in Asia and Africa. The Amazonian arowana boasts a slender and broad body, but the newer species are shorter and stockier compared to the original generation.

Domestic fishes nowadays are getting smaller and more colorful; people tend to flock around fishes which look "cute" with vibrant colors resembling that of neon lights and commercial inks. With this trend, the arowana fish is reduced to just becoming a living fossil, a fish with jurassic and grotesque features. However, one should see the beauty in these fishes, and this beauty is not something many people take for granted. Just like in any beauty pageant, certain criteria, all set to critics' and experts' highest standards must be met.

One, there are the proportions, and for the arowana fish, the broad look is becoming more of the trend: wide body with well-proportioned fins and a pointed mouth forming a good slope between the head and its back. This look gives them the look of strength. Second is the color which should be bright, uniform, and lustrous with the hue depending on the variety. 

The scales should also be of the same color to each other and should be distinct from one another. Third are the fins, which should be not too long and cramped and should have a color not far from the body color. The barbels should also have the same color as that of the body's and should also look firm and long.

Fourth are the eyes, which should not be popping out and protruding. Fifth is the mouth, and the mouth of the arowana fish points upwards where either the upper or the lower lip protrudes. Sixth are the teeth which should look neatly arranged in line with its jaw. Lastly, and most importantly, is its swimming posture. Even though it looks like a misfit with its size and features, an arowana will always stand out because of its smooth and majestic movements; the swimming posture should not look shaky and erratic.

Arowana Care: Arowana 101

Popularly known as a household pet, the arowana fish is a freshwater bony fish which belongs to the Family Osteoglossidae (coming from the Greek words osteos meaning "bone" and glossa meaning "tongue"; literally bony-tongued). This name is gotten from the fact that their tongues have a "tooth" which they use to grind against the tooth in the roof of their mouths. Another interesting about the mouths of the arowana is that they use them to hatch their eggs, an adaptation known as buccal incubation. In fact, on average, an arowana can hold hundreds of eggs in its mouth, where the young ones would eventually feed.

These fishes have a bony head and an elongated, slender body. Their scales, shaped by the turbidity of their natural habitats, are large and heavy with mosaic patterns and canals; in some species, the scales even acquire a glossy and reflective surface. Aside from these scales, their fin patterns also give the arowana fish a distinct look. Their dorsal and anal fins have soft rays and are long based, while the pectoral and ventral fins are small. Also, they are known as obligatory air breathers, fishes which need to fill their swimbladders with air not only to float, but also to obtain oxygen. These swimbladders resemble the lungs in the sense that they are lined with arteries and veins.

The arowana fish is naturally carnivorous, and are shaped by evolution to be excellent surface feeders: they get their food by jumping. Specialized muscles and aerodynamic body shape enable them to become powerful jumpers, some noting that they can jump as high as 6 feet. These heights suit their diet of flying insects, small arboreal mammals, and low flying bats. Two species of the arowanas are found in the Neotropical region, one in the Southeast Asian region, and two in New Guinea.

Having an arowana fish as a pet can be tricky, but the rewards make the struggle all worth it. That's why there are certain points and tricks to remember on how to maximize the joy from keeping an arowana. First, arowanas are really huge fishes with sizes averaging to 37 inches, and they like to be alone. Many hobbyists, however, had found ways to mix in a little bit of a company with large and active fishes like plecostomus catfish and tinfoil barbs; others which are smaller and weaker tend to be dinner. Second, they move around A LOT, and that's why there needs to be a sandy base and a huge room for movement. To keep them from being stationary, however, many enthusiasts had already seen the benefits of placing a table tennis ball in the tank; something which is moving.

Third, they need a hell lot of nutrition, and it is better if it is alive. Be careful, however, not to introduce disease. Also, fat should be avoided as to prevent the drop eye disease. Variety should also be introduced as to prevent the onset of nutritional deficiencies, as well as the fishes getting tired of the diet. Mixes of insects, chopped meat, and pellets have been proven effective.

Fourth, it should also be known that they are naturally shaped to become excellent jumpers; they jump randomly. This calls for a tight lid. Lastly are the tank conditions; something an arowana fish tends to be meticulous about. The water should be fresh and have a well-kept pH level of 7 (neutral). The temperature also should not be far from 80 Fahrenheit, since the arowana is an equatorial fish. Again, because of its size, be prepared to have huge space for a tank which holds about 50 to 120 gallons.

The rest is for the arowana fish to ask for.

Arowana Secrets, The Most Beautiful Freshwater Fish in the World?

If you are a fish lover or fish keeper or just have an interest in some of the more exotic and mysterious creatures that inhabit our planet then let me introduce you to the 'Arowana' fish.

Considered by many to be the most beautiful freshwater fish in the world with a number of different species found in spectacular colors, the most colorful of varieties to be found in Asian rivers surrounding the Indonesian islands of Kalimantan, Sumatra, and Papua.

'Arowana' from the Indonesian word 'arwana' or 'Airwana' which in English means 'paradise' is often called the 'paradise fish' by native Indonesians. Highly revered in the orient for its spiritual significance as a re-incarnation of the Chinese dragon, signifying auspiciousness, prosperity and wealth, and even Looks a bit 'dragon'; like with its large scales and barbells and its vibrant colors, the Arowana fish has become a popular favorite with serious fish keepers world wide.

Like many exotic fish that have become popular as pets all over the world Many species of arowana are now considered to be endangered in the wild and as such are protected under law. They are farmed though and can be bought in many spectacular colors and exported under strict license laws, with each fish having to be microchiped and certified for transport before leaving Asia.

Arowana fish can carry quite a high price tag, depending on a number of factors, such as, the particular variety, the age, younger fish are generally cheaper but are a riskier purchase as the fish hasn't fully developed and its colors can't be reliably predicted when it reaches maturity, so its probably better to buy a fish that's at least two years old, though it will cost you more. Some of these fish can be worth up to $250.000 but can be bought for a few hundred dollars, the less colorful varieties usually being the cheapest.

A fantastic creature to own and surprisingly hardy, they are a great investment as arowana can live for Up to 20 yrs or more in the right conditions. Be prepared to buy a large tank though, as arowana can grow up to 40" long, tank size will need to be about 2' x 8' in size depending on the fish variety.

Keeping arowana does require some dedication especially if you want to do all that's possible to bring out its vibrant colors, and can be quite tedious, though a lot of keepers claim to form a strong bond with there precious pet and though they are a challenge the doting keeper would say that they are well worth the effort.

Breeding Discus Fish: An Explanation

Breeding discus fish could be really a difficult procedure and really shouldn't be tried by newbies! Regarded as to the number one most stunning tropical fish, they need lots of prerequisites for their environment and special care so be ready to become an active role for your King of the Aquarium!

Discus fish breeding can start in two methods, one is much more costly compared to other. The costly but faster and much more dependable technique entails purchasing a current Discus pair which are already compatible with each other, if you are able to purchase a group of Discus - a minimum of 6 is suggested - and hope a pair will happen naturally as they mature. In addition, it's suggested to purchase various types of Discus fish as this may assist in broadening the genetic gene pool.

As soon as a pair is formed, they basically turn out to be the dominant pair and they'll declare territory. At this stage, eliminate other fish from the aquarium or move the pair to a unique breeding tank - about twenty to thirty gallons ought to be ideal. Make sure that this tank has hiding spots as Discus pairs will battle sometimes (as any pair does!).

So you've the pair. Now arrives the care. Discus breeding demands rigid regulation of numerous elements - chief amongst that are water high and diet plan.

Replace a minimum of 25% of the water in tank twice a week. Make sure that ammonia and nitrite ranges are virtually nonexistent - retaining nitrogenous waste as near to zero as feasible is very essential. Discus are acidic water fish so retaining the pH ranges at 5 to 5.8 is important. Particularly when replacing the water - Discus can go into shock in the event the ranges alter rapidly. In addition, regulating the temperature of the water goes hand in hand with this particular task.

For breeding discus fish, the suggested water temperature is about 82 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

breeding discus will even entail lots of worms. Discus fish adore white and black worms and feeding these foods to them assists in the breeding procedure. In addition, adult brine shrimp, mosquito larvae and daphnia could also be useful.

As soon as the spawning begins, you are able to anticipate as much as 15 eggs each and every week! These will generally start hatching inside 48 hrs. Do not be concerned about planning food for them, because they feed off the adult Discus for the very first couple of days.

Hope this gives you a good overview of Discus fish breeding! Great luck and appreciate your new Discus!

What You Need To Know About Your Discus Fish Tank

If you have the plan to keep or breed discus fish, or maybe you are already keeping them, this is the article that you must read through. What you are going to discover here are some great tips that you need to learn about your fish tank.

A lot of people may think that a fish tank is not something important in keeping their fish, but the fact is, an aquarium is the house for your fish just like your house to you. Therefore, it is the most basic aspect that you must start from in making your fish healthy and happy. So below are some of the great tips that can improve your knowledge about breeding discus fish...

1. The size of your tank must be adequate for your fish. This may sound simple; however, a lot of people make the mistake by keeping too little fish in a big tank or keeping too much fish in a small tank. The rule of thumb is to keep six or eight of them in a 20-gallon tank. You have to understand that discus fish can grow pretty big in size, just like a disc shape. Thus, it is always a wise choice to go for a bigger one than a smaller aquarium.

2. Do you know that this type of fish is shy and they like to be in a group? Thus, what you need to do is to keep them in a group. Always put at least 5 or 6 of them in the same tank to make them a group. And try to avoid putting the aquarium somewhere busy and noisy, such as the doorway. The passing traffic and noise may scare them and make them uncomfortable. You can also use plants and decoration in the tank to make them feel more comfortable. Furthermore, try to avoid direct sun shine on your tank because this will promote the growth of algae.

3. Finally, you need to understand whether you are keeping your discus fish for display or you intend to breed them. If you want to breed them, it is better to use a bare bottom tank without any substrate. However, if you keep them for display, you will have to decorate the tank and use substrate to make the aquarium beautiful. For instance, you can use small gravels as the substrate and try not to go for sand because it is difficult to clean.

These are some of the important tips that you need to know before you can make your fish happy and healthy. Always start from getting the right tank for your fish and then make it a great home for them.

Health Benefits of a Freshwater Aquarium

Health is Wealth. Do you have a stressful life, high blood pressure, insomnia? Is your child suffering from hyperactivity disorder. Are you tired of continuous consultations, clinic visits and allopathy treatment. Then it is time you try socio-therapy. For years dogs, cats, birds and many other types of social animals are used for this type of therapy and have shown positive results. How about fish or fresh water aquariums? Does an aquarium pet therapy have any beneficial health merits?

Let's study the Health Benefits of Freshwater Aquarium

Virtually any aquarium, from large to small, will have a benefit. Studies going back as far as the late 80's have shown that gazing at aquarium fish reduces stress and subsequently lowers blood pressure. Pennsylvania university researchers reported that watching fish swimming in a home aquarium lessens stress and lowers high blood pressure.

Researchers concluded that people watching fresh water aquariums with bubbles, pebbles and plants benefit a lot as compared to no fish aquarium

Ecologist Alan Bech, director of the university's Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society research revealed that "Blood pressure drops with fishless fish tanks, but it doesn't drop as much and it creeps back up faster. With fish in the tanks, you truly get relaxation."

Fresh water aquarium: Can it make a difference

Researchers have compared the effects of fishless vs. fish filled aquariums, and no aquarium vs. having a freshwater aquarium. In all cases, having an aquarium reduces blood pressure though, studies show greater reduction in blood pressure when there were fish in the tank, vs pleasingly decorated fishless tanks. Even watching a video tape, dvd, cd, pictures, paintings of fish has been proven to have therapeutic effects and multiple health benefits.

Proven Health Benefits

Significant blood pressure reduction was observed in Seniors who were provided with freshwater aquarium filled with fish. Watching fish calms children suffering from hyperactivity disorder to a great extent. Studies also proved that Dental patients too benefit from the aquarium. They required less pain medication after having watched fish in the office.

Research shows Alzheimer patients experiencing a variety of health benefits from watching freshwater aquariums. At Purdue University, researchers found that displaying tanks of brightly colored fish may curtail disruptive behaviors and improve eating habits of people with Alzheimer's disease. Their diet increased and required fewer supplements after an aquarium was placed in the dining room. They also exhibited less physically aggressive behaviors.

Nursing Professor Nancy Edwards Purdue News August 1999 reports 60 individuals residing in specialized units in three Indiana nursing homes, who were exposed to the fish tanks appeared to be more relaxed and alert. They ate up to 21 percent more food than they had before the introduction of the fish tanks which is an average increase of 17.2 percent."

So let's take advantage of the stress-relieving benefits of aquarium fish whenever, and wherever we can!It's therefore a little wonder these days that physician offices, dental clinics and waiting rooms for counselors keep an aquarium in the waiting room.

nformation Guideline on Live Aquatic Plants to Be Used for Your First Freshwater Aquarium

Know thy freshwater aquarium plants...

Plants are one of the most essential need for a freshwater aquarium due to their ability to release life-giving oxygen as well as serve as food for herbivorous species of fish. It is therefore, vital to select appropriate species of aquarium plants for your freshwater aquarium.

Plants serve the purpose of providing a natural habitat and develop an organic aquarium. Habitat preferences of fishes vary as per their species. This makes it very important for the aquarist to know about the native habitat of their fish. The selection of freshwater aquarium plants should suit the species of fish that it houses.

Knowing the factors to be considered while selecting aquarium plants

Plants need sunlight to generate oxygen. Freshwater aquarium plants are submerged in fish tank within four walls and may not get enough sunlight. It is therefore essential to have appropriate lighting. Lighting as a substitute of sunlight helps in the photosynthesis process to supply nutrition to the plant and release oxygen and should therefore be in optimal proportion. Nevertheless, excessive or harmful lighting can accelerate the growth of algae in your tank causing more maintenance issues. A good equation to consider will be approximately 2 watts per gallon of water. Aquatic lighting is therefore a science in itself.

Layout or arrangement of plants in your freshwater aquarium too, is an important factor to be considered. Depending upon their individual species and rate of growth you could choose where you want to place them in your tank. A good strategy is to keep plants with slower growth rate at the front of the tank to allow maximum visibility without pruning. Thereafter, place the medium growth rate plants in the centre or middle succeeded by the rapidily growing plants at the back. This has to be done keeping in mind the different levels of water your aquarium fish would like to enjoy in their natural habitat.

Another important factor to be considered while selecting aquarium plants for your fish tank is the type of substrate they need for their own survival. Depending upon the species plants may need smaller or larger and rougher substrate for their roots to latch to. Few of them can even flourish in sand.

Cleanliness measures for a healthy aquarium

If you choose live plants you will want to consider the type of plant vs. the type of fish. Herbivores are expected to naturally graze on certain plants and could have uprooted a few during lunch which could be found as floating debris thereby polluting the tank water. An education from local pet store specialist could help you in selecting appropriate plant species to go in conjuntion with the type of fish for your aquarium.

So how do I start?

Simple...as a beginner start with plants that are easy to maintain.

Further to same before plantation, a thorough rinse could avoid any foreign organisms, insects and or animals from entering and contaminating aquarium environment. If avoided, this could result into a disease outbreak resulting into the death of livestock which is more valuable compared to the tank, filtration system and plants.

As you gain confidence and become more educated in knowing more species add or replace the plants in your tank with better ones. Keep on observing the changes in the behaviour of the inhabitants. At the end of the day all these efforts are to keep both fish and ourselves happy and relaxed.

There Is More Than One Way To Build An Aquarium - Even Without Fish

Aquariums are pretty amazing. They are essentially taken for granted by many (although still fascinated) but if you stop to think about it, a fish tank is an entire ecosystem built into one box, complete with life giving water, food, bacteria, plant life, and more. To think that anyone anywhere has the power to build and support one of these amazing eco-system is mind blowing. In a way we are playing God to the fish, coral, and the entire habitat. The fish are usually merely ONE of the living things being supported by your aquarium though.

The variety of fish is vast and there is an incredibly complex variety of fish species, but it's actually possible to create a tank that has no fish in it and still enjoy it immensely! Many people look at fish tanks in stores and only really pay close attention to living things that moving around in the tank, the fish. The reality is that some tanks are completely alive. With the exception of the rocks (wait, some rocks may not be rocks but living creatures own their own) everything in an aquarium can be alive.

You could effectively create a tank that is 80% life and only 20% inanimate objects: the tank itself, rocks on the bottom (pebbles), any decorative items such as a treasure chest, fake plants, and other items. At first glance and without the foresight/knowledge, it may be hard to figure out what life is in the aquarium. There are actually quite a few forms of life you can put in your tank.

* coral for the rocks and underwater mountains 

* water plants that help clean the water 

* marine algae that forms naturally 

* and the ever present "sucker fish" to eat and clean the algae

As you can see, it's pretty easy to have an aquarium that is full of life but doesn't contain what we normally think of as fish. You can, of course always add fish to this equation to add even more (or more obvious) life to the mix.

Some forms of plants are very active and move around much like a fish. The tentacles of some plants are fascinating to watch and although at first you may thing the plant is swaying back and forth due to the currents in the tank but the reality is that the plant itself is moving on it's own and it is creating the currents in an otherwise standing water tank. The benefits of this are that the water is essentially "stirred" up and makes sure that debris is filtered properly.

Essentials Before You "Fish" Around For An Aquarium

People love the companionship of pets. Pets tend to have a symbiotic relationship with people and although they tend to be self-sufficient (cats, hamsters, etc...) so long as you provide an environment they can thrive in and provide the essentials of life they can't get on their own. 

Some pets take more work than others to take care of but one of the nice things about fish and aquariums are that other than having to clean the tank once a month, feeding them daily, and allowing a filtering system to clean the water automatically, they are essentially worry free.

One thing that makes fish a lot of fun is that you can build and maintain, even change their environment whenever you want to change its appeal (to both you and the fish). Human nature states that we're creative beings with the ability to manifest what we want through cause and effect. A fish, however, simply lives in the environment, a non sentient being that requires us to take care of it. 

This symbiotic relationship mean that we need each other and can provide one another some relaxation and intrigue. A fish can be an intriguing pet, but as a care taker we not only are required to make sure the fish can survive in his new aquarium, but we can also build it for our own pleasure, eye candy and meditative calm.

Although the aquarium is designed to assure the fish survives and is happy, it's built as much for our enjoyment as it is for the fish. This means that building an aquarium can be a great therapeutic tool, a way to teach children responsibility, and to bring a new dimension to a room, bringing life and beauty together. 

There's just something cool about a fish tank that makes people want to look and observe the simple life of a fish. There are many types of fish to choose from, some are friendly towards other fish, some with only specific non predatory fish, and others must be alone.

When choosing what type of fish you want, you need to consider how much your willing to put into taking care of the fish. There are many species of fish that require nothing more than a cleaning system (filter for the water) and a thorough cleaning monthly (rocks, internal components of the scenery in the tank), maybe even bi-weekly depending on the fish and the amount of fish in the tank. 

There are also fish that require a specific environment such as water with salt in it (saltwater fish), a specific balance of chemicals in the water, a consistent temperature (cold or warm), and others that require special care that goes far beyond just set it and forget it until the cleaning.

It's best to do your homework on the fish you want BEFORE you start figuring out what kind of tank you want. If you get the wrong tank, it is more difficult to get the water balanced correctly and you could kill the fishes. 

Fish are fascinating, and you may want to start out with the easy type to take care of and a small tank. You can evolve into the different types of fish, but be sure to get different tanks for different fish that require specific environmental controls as stated above. There is much to learn about fish. They are not just benign creatures, they are full of life and experience emotions just like we do. Learning about fish is a wonderful experience, and the fish depends on you for it's happiness.

Give Your Children A Fun And Exciting Way To Learn About Sea Life With An Aquarium

Aquariums are fascinating to look at- especially if you go to a pet store and see all the wonderful configurations, types of fish, and all the many variables involved. Building a fish tank ecosystem (habitat) can be a simple thing or very complex. Depending on what you want in your aquarium, your tank could take on a unique and intriguing life of it's own. Much like cats are practically maintenance free except for needing to feed them and clean out their litter box, fish are much the same way.

Although cleaning out a large tank or a tank with a complex array of "innards" is no easy or even fun task to take on twice or more a month, this can actually be a lot of fun if you involve your children. If you show your kids how to build a tank, picking all the elements, going online and learning about the various fish you saw in the pet store, and picking what they want they will have the opportunity to learn a lot.

Kids are naturally curious and if you teach them early how to research about the fish and what is involved in building an aquarium, you teach them a valuable skill set they can use throughout the rest of their lives. It used to be that the only way to learn was to go to the pet store and depend on the knowledge of the sales staff or check out books from the library about fish. Today, with the advent of the internet and the plethora of informative sites on just about every type of fish and plant life, building and researching an aquarium is now easier than before.

Building your tank is a holistic experience. It's one that teaches responsibility, can be a lot of fun trying out different fish over the years, and it prepares kids for life's many responsible moments by showing them the details, execution, and on going lessons that owning a fish can entail.

To build a tank, you should first show your kids how to find information on fish. Show them that there are different fish that can't survive together or that can't survive in each others ecosystem. An example is salt water fish can't live and thrive in fresh water, while fresh water fish can't live and thrive (and will surely die) in salt water. Then you can show them how some fish are hunters and will attack other species of fish.

Once you learn all you can about the fish, reverse engineer and build the best habitat for the fish types you want. That way you'll have the greatest chance of success and you can really bring life to the home!

Discus Fish Care Essentials

With regards to discus fish care, it can be a really complex job to ensure that your fish are pleased with their environment, making sure they have every thing they require, discus aren't usually suggested for newbie aquarists but in the event you want to give it a go, then you will find some essential elements which you need to think about with regards to discus fish care, and probably the most essential element for ensuring the well being of your discus fish is the water.

Discus fish are from the Amazon River and so they're used to warmer and much more acidic waters. The perfect temperature for the water in a discus tank is about 26-31 C for grownup fish and for child discus and baby discus, the perfect temperature is at 31 C. it's essential for your water to become soft and acidic having a pH lever of in between 5.5 and 6.5, this really is a perfect pH degree for wild discus to keep them happy.

Numerous aquarists believe the water inside a discus tank needs to be replaced frequently (this will be the exact same with any fish tank) but in the event you have a nicely planted tank that consists of sufficient filtration, lights and bottom dwelling fish to clear up the mess that discus deposit following consuming food, then this will make the tank a great deal cleaner and also the keep the water clearer for extended periods. With regards to the vegetation along with other fish which you consider to keep together with your discus fish, you need to select fish and vegetation to compliment the discus to ensure that they're in a position to thrive.

With regards to captive discus which have already been bred, then it's feasible for them to adapt to tougher water which tends to make discus fish care that bit simpler. Captive discus can survive in water having a pH stability of as much as 6.8 (this isn't appropriate if you're trying to breed discus, nevertheless, soft and acidic water is greatest for breeding) once the pH stability is reduced then it safeguards the discus from harmful toxins which permits the discus to reside in conditions which are nearly the exactly the same as where they had came from.

It's essential to be aware that a pH degree which drops below 5 can inhibit the development of helpful bacteria which may exist within the filter. So with regards to discus care you need to keep in mind that the temperature and also the pH stability of the water is extremely essential any drop in the pH can trigger the discus to get sick and may even cause them to die, that is why that it isn't appropriate for inexperienced fish keepers to try to breed discus fish, nevertheless all of us should learn exactly how, if you're truly thinking about keeping your personal discus aquarium, make sure to study up on all the info that's around for you on discus care.

Aquarium Design - Rocks

One of the key ingredients of any aquarium design is rock. Properly chosen, prepared and positioned rocks can transform an otherwise clinical setup environment into an attractive replica of actual natural habitat of the fish and plant.

It is important to note that rocks are not all identical in terms of composition nor are they all suitable for your aquarium. It is important for you to do some tests to check if the rocks are safe before you dump them into your fish tank. To a certain extent, the type of rocks that you can safely use depends on the type of fish and plant species.

The recommended type of rocks for freshwater aquarium are collectively known as inert rocks. This group of rocks includes basalt, obsidian, coal, quartz, sandstone and shale. As the name suggest, this class of rock does not affect water chemistry. It is a safe choice for freshwater aquarium.

Calcareous rocks alter the pH level and raise hardness of the water. This is in direct contrast to inert rock that is known to be aquarium safe. Some calcareous rock varieties include chalk, limestone and marble. These types of rocks are good for hard water or brackish aquariums particularly if the intention is to raise the pH level or hardness of the water without having to resort to chemical treatment.

How To Test The Rock

There is a simple way to determine if a rock is safe for your aquarium. Here is what you ought to do. Firstly, fill a bucket with water from a source that your normally use for instance tap water or preferably old aquarium water.

Note down the pH, hardness, nitrates and the phosphates level of the water. Put the rock into the bucket and let it soak for a week or so and then test the water again. Compare the readings before and after the soaking. If the subsequent readings do not deviate much from the original readings, the rock is not likely to adversely affect your aquarium.

Another simple test is what is called the' vinegar test'. Put a few drops of white vinegar on the rock. The rock is deemed calcareous if the solution foams. You should not use this rock unless your intention is to alter the water chemistry.

How To Prepare The Rock

Once you have confirmed that the rock is aquarium safe, the first thing that you need to do is to disinfect it. You need to get rid of pathogens that might reside within the rock crevices. Start by brushing and rinsing debris off the rock surface. Next, cook it in hot water and allow it to dry in the sun before placing it in the aquarium.

Choosing suitable rocks for your aquarium design and decoration is not a difficult task. All that is required of you is some knowledge on how to test the rock to ensure it does not alter the water chemistry that may affect your fish and plant.

Maintaining Cichlid's Water

If you're still a beginner in the hobby of raising and keeping cichlids, the seemingly complicated specifications of water chemistry may have you worried. However, believe it or not, obtaining and maintaining the correct water chemistry for your cichlid fish may be less complicated than you think. There are three important properties that need to be measured and adjusted in order to give your cichlids the most ideal water chemistry possible. Those three are pH, GH, and KH.

pH 

Having the correct pH balance in your cichlid's water is probably the most important part of good water chemistry. Your water's pH balance describes whether it is more acidic, more alkaline, or just plain neutral. If your water tests for a pH balance of seven, this means it is perfectly neutral - an ideal balance for most fish. Any number greater than seven means it has an alkaline balance, and any number less than seven means it is acidic.

Even the slightest changes in the pH balance of your water can upset your delicate cichlids so try to keep a stable level. If you need to make adjustments, be sure that you don't raise or lower the level by more than a third of a point per day. Keep in mind that each number on the pH scale signifies a difference of ten times more or less acidity or alkalinity than the numbers adjacent to it. A reading of six - just one point less than a neutral seven - means your water is ten times more acidic.

General Hardness (GH) 

The hardness of your water is measured by the amount of calcium and magnesium it contains. Many African cichlids are happiest in an aquarium with a GH level that hovers somewhere between 160 and 320 parts per million. Because calcium and magnesium do not keep for very long in water, your aquarium's GH level will steadily drop if not manually adjusted. There are various scales used to measure water hardness so make sure to determine which of them your testing kit is using before judging the results.

Carbonate Hardness (KH) 

The carbonate hardness level of your water describes the level of carbonates and bicarbonates it contains. It measures your water's ability to keep a stable pH level, which, as we know, is crucial to the survival of your cichlids. With a sufficiently high KH level, your water will maintain its pH balance even through various changes. The right amount of carbonates and bicarbonates acts like a vacuum cleaner, absorbing any harmful additives before they affect the acidity of your precious water. A good KH range is usually somewhere between 180 to 240 parts per million.

Testing 

It's important to test your aquarium's water for these three properties to ensure that your fish are as healthy as they can be. Having the correct levels in all three of these categories will contribute to happier, prettier cichlids that will live longer, more natural lives.

One of the most accurate water testing kits is the API liquid test kit, which comes with a number of different tests for various minerals. As a rule, liquid drop test kits are generally of better quality than the cheaper but less accurate test strips.

How to Adjust and Maintain pH and KH 

Because cichlids are so vulnerable to even the slightest changes in their water chemistry, if you need to adjust any of these levels, it's important to do so slowly. Adding one teaspoon of baking soda for every five gallons of water in your tank can help to slowly begin raising its pH and KH balance if needed, but make sure that you add it slowly(too fast can harm the fish). This should be dissolved ahead of time in a glass of aquarium water.

Each time you do a water change, you will need to add 1 teaspoon of baking soda for every 5 gallons that you take out. For example, if you take out 30 gallons of water, you will need to put 6 teaspoons of baking soda in. This should also be dissolved before adding it to the aquarium.

Lowering your pH balance is much trickier as you first need to obliterate the carbonates and bicarbonates in the water, after which you can then lower the pH. Driftwood and sodium biphosphate both contain acids that will get the job done nicely, but be sure to keep a close eye on your water. After you are finished the process, restore your water's KH balance with crushed coral, limestone, or oyster shell.

Caring for Your Discus Fish

Discus are a popular tropical fish species to keep in the home. If looked after they can live for quite a few years but on average it is four to five. There are some key tips for keeping Discus Fish in good condition. Some of these are typical to all tropical fish and some are specific to Discus.

As they are quite a large fish, they need a lot of space and a large tropical fish tank should be used. The size will vary depending on how many fish you intend to keep but a tank of at least 40 gallons should be used.

The temperature needs to be kept at a fairly constant and Discus like it quite hot (about 82-86 deg Fahrenheit). To maintain this temperature, the tank should be kept away from sources of cold and heat such as draughts from windows and external doors, direct sunlight and fires or radiators. A reliable aquarium heater should be used, and if you have a large tank it is worth having more than one to distribute the heat evenly and as a back up.

The first time you fill the fish tank it should be left for two to three weeks for the filters to settle in and the water should be treated with a chemical agent. Any fish tank equipment, ornaments or gravels need to be thoroughly washed a few times, to remove dirt and bacteria, before placing them in the water.

Discus Fish will eat a variety of foods including flakes and frozen shrimp.

The tropical fish tank should be cleaned regularly and as Discus are a large fish, they produce a lot of waste so the water should be changed, or at least partially changed on a weekly basis to ensure a healthy environment. It is also a good idea to use a large and efficient filter to as Discus need very clean water.

Discus are a communal, and generally non-aggressive species and several can be kept together. Ideally if you intend to add any new fish to the aquarium, they should be kept in a separate quarantine tank for a few days and observed for any signs of disease or other issues before introducing them into the main fish tank with other fish. Other tropical fish can be kept in the same tank but it is best to avoid other large fish or fast swimmers. Bottom feeding catfish make an ideal tank companion.

Discus's live on average four to five years but may last longer if you look after them well.

Arowana Care: Different Shades of Gold

One of the favorite fishes of hobbyists is the golden arowana fish, since not only does it intensify its association with power and wealth due to its distinct coloration, they also tend to come in different variants, and enthusiasts had even put them into a scale. One of the levels of grading golden arowanas is the Red Tail Golden (RTG) arowanas. This variant is known to have a distinct coppery development of scale coloration. However, the second and third rows of the scales give off a slightly purplish sheen. The fins are also coppery red, almost brown-red, while the row of scales directly near them ranges from dark grey to black.

Another level, and the one that holds the most prestige, is the Full Scale Gold (FSG) arowana fish. Based on its name, it is obvious that this variety boasts an almost solid pattern of gold scales. Indeed, it does, with scales which may or may not give off a purplish sheen. It is also known for a sharp black line around its eyes. Unlike the RTG arowanas, FSG arowanas have yellow-brown to solid gold pectoral and ventral fins. These features are also the ones being sought first when buying a golden arowana.

An enthusiast with an eye for an arowana fish might notice the difference, but a beginner couldn't tell an FSG from a High Back RTG. If the FSG is known for its black eye line, the High Back RTG has a blue-green or brown-red eye line; varying hues might be easily mistakened as black. Also, two-thirds down the pectoral and ventral fins, the supposedly yellow-brown or golden coloration turns coppery, sometimes dark red. Other varieties which are out in the market are relatively new, like the Malaysian gold and Australian gold, all of which are not yet known to many hobbyists.

A fully-grown adult arowana fish has a formidable countenance often cloaked in bright colors, but it does not mean it began like that as well. In fact, regardless of the variety and color, anl arowana starts off as fragile, vulnerable silver fry. In fact, they are so helpless that for the first five to six weeks, they have with them an egg sac, which provides them with food and nutrition. Their minute form also exposes them to danger, and that is why the young arowanas can be usually found in groups of ten. When they are old enough to lose their sacs, which is when the territoriality and aggressiveness kicks in while they look for themselves bugs and small aquatic animals to feed upon.

If anarowana fish is well taken care of, add to that well-kept tank conditions, it grows very rapidly, hence its reputation as being a gigantic fish. In fact, it is very noticeable that it grows and does not seem to stop. After about a year, many arowana owners see their pets reaching sizes of almost one foot! Indeed, this adaptation is really important as in their natural habitats, predators are usually of the lengths between two to three meters; something evolution shaped to make the arowana survive. Indeed, if one keeps on taking good care of the arowana, it will continue growing, given that there is enough room, food, and patience.

The arowana fish exhibits slight sexual dimorphism, as it is seen that males have bigger and deeper mouths. In mating, the two fishes will swim in pair and find a spot to make a nest, usually from mud. Once the female lays the eggs, the male inseminates them and eventually puts them in his mouth to incubate them; something unique for the arowanas.

Arowana Care: Arowanas Can Be With the Others!

The arowana fish is a formidable hunter in its natural habitats. Putting it in a tank with other fishes had proven to be a tricky endeavour; arowanas are meat eaters and highly territorial. However, knowing how the arowana behaves in the wild, one might be equipped with the knowledge on how to keep arowanas in harmony with other fishes. One thing to consider, as what had already been said, is its territoriality. 

An arowana does not want any other arowana in sight, for they will most likely compete and fight with each other -- something a fish keeper does not want to happen. However, it was shown that in groups in at least four or five fishes, the aggressive behavior are subdued.

Another thing with the arowana fish is that they it loves meat; they are carnivores. Driven by its natural instinct, therefore, one already knows that it is most likely to devour smaller and more vulnerable fishes in the tank. Knowing that, one must, as much as possible, keep the arowana away from smaller fishes. This does not mean, however, that the arowana is meant to live alone. One thing we can use to the tank's advantage is that the arowana is a surface feeder; it spends most of its time in the surface.

Given specifications about different varieties and species of domestic fishes, one is ought to find middle and bottom dwellers to go with an arowana. For instance, fishes like the blue ram, dwarf cory, or snow tetra will not only bring color to a tank, but also prove to be good companions since they are middle dwellers. In addition, bottom feeders like the janitor fish is also a good companion not only to the arowana fish, but also to the fish keeper as well; it helps with the maintenance.

Who thought that a big strange fish will attract thousands of admirers and hobbyists? Just look at the arowana fish and one will know why. It resembles the crust dragon, which is a symbol of power and good fortune. People associated this with the art of feng shui and how could one harness its luck attracting energy. This is why in Hong Kong; the belief is strong that any kind or variety of the arowana brings in luck and good energy in a household. That is why the trade for the arowanas is booming.

Most arowanas from the Asian stock have bright flaming colors which are even more identifiable with the crust dragon. This is why people are going crazy over this arowana fish, but consequently, they are having smaller and smaller populations. In fact, the Asian varieties are now being micro chipped to easily track them for the best ones can cost up to $6,000! 

Definitely the price tells much of this fish, as it requires specialized care; they are not the typical pet fishes. They are known to be great hunters of the Amazon, and a responsible pet owner is ought not to drastically change that environment in the arowana's tank. Few may the numbers be of the Asian stock, but newer stocks like the South American (closer to the arapaima) and Australian (usually rusty gold) are being bred now; all just as beautiful but not really endangered.

Many people want the arowana fish for its believed auspicious powers, or just because of its sheer beauty. This also leads many breeders to produce inferior and substandard varieties, all being led by desires for profits and capital. Sad this truth may be, this compels an aspiring hobbyist to be careful with choosing the arowana to buy.