Along with the usual rodents and parrots, many like to keep at home aquarium fish. They give aesthetic pleasure to their bright color and allow you to relax. But there are many nuances in their content. It is necessary to know what breeds of fish perfectly coexist with each other, also what diseases they can have and how to cure them. About this and many other things we will tell in this article.
Content
Aquarium fish photo and description
Pisces are ancient animals, scientists say they exist on our planet for 450 million years. They can live in fresh as well as in salt water. The variety of fish is amazing, and for a home aquarium you can choose between the simplest species, and exotic ones with bright colors and interesting shapes. It is worth considering the most popular family of fish that will decorate any aquarium:
Family Belontievye or labyrinth. The second name appeared thanks to the organ in the form of a labyrinth, which allows breathing these fish with atmospheric air. These include:
Petushki are fish with an elongated body and beautiful large fins. Now breeders have derived data from fish of different colors (red, blue, white, etc.). The cockerel can reach a length of 6 cm. Males have a brighter color and lush fins compared to females. Fish live 3 years, no more. And in an aquarium with one male it's best to place a mirror so that he feels the presence of an opponent, otherwise his color may become dull and the fish will become fat. As for feeding, they can be fed as a live food (it is best to use bloodworms), and dry food. Also, males can once a week arrange unloading, because excess food is harmful to them. As for the content, the water temperature is preferably 25 degrees, it is better to install the lighting on top of the aquarium. It is also worthwhile to populate the aquarium with plants, and provide shelter for other fish and females of this group.
Gurami pearl. The natural habitat of this fish is India and Indochina. They have an elongated high body, a little flat from the sides. Pearly spots are observed throughout the body, for which Gurami got its name. Adult individuals can reach a length of 11 cm. In males, the color is most pronounced than in females. For these fish, an aquarium of about 40 liters, with a fairly dense vegetation and a dark bottom on the bottom, is suitable. In nutrition they prefer live food (daphnia, bloodworm). The water temperature can vary from 23 to 27 degrees. Once a week, it is necessary to filter at least 30% of the total volume of liquid in the aquarium.
Lalious It also lives in the natural environment off the coasts of India and Indonesia. This is the brightest representative of this family. The body of Lalious is flat and has a greenish-blue color with transverse bands of red color. The males have antennae of red color, and in females they are yellow. Fish can reach 6 cm in length. They live about 2-3 years. For a given fish, a small aquarium (10 liters) and quiet neighbors will do. the fish is very timid. They prefer bright lighting, so do not populate the aquarium with algae. As for the water temperature, it should be kept at a level of 24-26 degrees. In nutrition, they also love live food, but if necessary, you can feed and dry.
Family of carp. Perhaps the most favorite representative for most aquarists is a goldfish. A large number of their varieties affects not only the variety of color, but also an interesting appearance. Let's consider some representatives:
Goldfish Lionhead. Body short and round. On the head are skin growths that may resemble raspberries or a mane of a lion. Often, this outgrowth covers the eyes of a goldfish. Hence the name went. This fish is artificially derived. The length can reach 20 cm. Body color is mostly golden or light red, but there are other varieties of color:
- red body with white spots; •
- white body with red outgrowths on the head.
Contain such fish in a large aquarium, so that each accounted for about 50 liters of water. It is worth considering that they like to dig in the ground and can eat algae. Therefore, the bottom is best covered with pebbles, and the algae partially diluted with artificial models. The temperature of the aquarium water depends on the season, in the cold season it is best to comply with the regime of 15-18 degrees, and in the warm 18-23.
Goldfish Telescope. It is also bred and has an ovoid or round body. Its name appeared due to bulging eyes, 1-2 cm in size. The telescopes have a beautiful tail fin that hangs like a skirt. Fish can be black, blue or white with a red color. The conditions are the same as those of the previous fish. Feed the goldfish two times a day. And the food is pouring for 10 minutes of feeding, and the remnants are removed from the aquarium. This family is not recommended to overeat, because. Fish can be obese and die because of this.
Family of cichlids combines tens and hundreds of species of fish. All of them are very interesting and have an original color. The most common can be found scalar ordinary, or as it is also called angelfish. The natural habitat of this fish is South America. The body of the disco fish is prominent with a long dorsal and anal fin. Outwardly resembles a crescent moon. On the abdomen are elongated fins, somewhat resembling a mustache. Color is very diverse, there are fish in strip or marble. Aquarium for scalar is best to choose a large aquarium with a water temperature of 24-27 degrees. You can feed them both dry and live food. With proper and careful care, these fish can live from 10 to 15 years. This is a small part of the fish that can be lodged in an aquarium.
Contents of aquarium fish
Most people have a desire to look after and observe the development of a small creature. This leads to a pet. Someone prefers moving animals with whom you can walk and play, and some prefer to contemplate fish in the aquarium. So, you decided to get a fish and immediately the question arises where to start. Let's start in order:
- We buy an aquarium, and it is best to choose models of rectangular shape with a volume of about 150 liters. They are not too cumbersome and will make it possible to decorate it beautifully. The glass should be at least 4 mm thick. If the house has children better choose a model made of plastic, they are absolutely safe and easy to care for.
- We select the lid to the aquarium, which carries a protective function, and will also serve as a place for mounting additional equipment (lamp, filter, compressor).
- We acquire soil, plants and other elements of decor. It is necessary to disinfect before placing them in an aquarium. For example, pebbles can be boiled. Plants are best to buy based on the characteristics of the fish that will inhabit the aquarium.
- Lighting is an important part of the aquarium. It is necessary to install lamps of ultraviolet and infrared color. And their work must be alternated, tk. Excess illumination can lead to the multiplication of microorganisms and the contamination of water.
- Filter. It purifies water and enriches it with oxygen. Filters are coal and bacterial, including those or other inserts you provide a comprehensive purification of water.
Also for the cleaning of the aquarium you can use certain types of fish, which will contribute to this. Also, do not overfeed the fish. excess feeds settle on the bottom and eventually start to rot, contaminating the water in the tank.
compatibility of aquarium fish
The most common mistake novice aquarists are mistakes in the selection of fish. Their incompatibility can lead to the death of animals, and also affect the appearance of the aquarium itself. There are several compatibility options that we will now consider:
- Whimsicality of fish - it is not necessary to combine in one aquarium of capricious exotic fish and the simplest ones, which perfectly survive even in difficult conditions. Over time, this can lead to the death of more whimsical species.
- Temperature regime - there are thermophilic fishes, and those who prefer cold water. The combination of such species will lead to sad consequences.
- Predatory and aggressive fish with calm. This neighborhood will be unsuccessful, because aggressive fish will scare more calm, which will be hammered into shelter. And if the fish are predatory they will perceive another species as a food source.
- Another important aspect is do not buy schooling fish alone. It is best to settle a few pieces, so that they swim a small flock. This will provide them with a longer life and security.
When choosing fish, decide what you want from the aquarium, what fish you want to see in it. After this, consult with experts in the matter of selecting individuals, and only after that buy residents in your aquarium.
diseases of aquarium fish
Fish are also animals, unfortunately they are not immune to diseases. Of course, in clean and well-groomed aquariums they get sick less often, but no one is immune from this. If you find a patient among your pets, take immediate action. All diseases can be divided into two groups:
- External - are usually manifested by spots, various incrustations and outgrowths on the upper cover of fish. Quickly and easily diagnosed.
- Internal - they can be detected only by laboratory methods, but the symptoms are the incomprehensible behavior of fish (lack of appetite, strangely swim, etc.).
The nature of the disease can be caused by: •
- overheating or overcooling;
- injuries;
- infection.
If in the first two cases it is enough to correct the water temperature or remove some items from the aquarium, then the third category requires quick diagnosis and treatment. For the correct diagnosis, you need to contact a specialist who will prescribe the treatment.
aquarium fish treatment
Of course, now there are many drugs that can help in the treatment of fish, but there are simple and well-proven tools, which we will now tell:
Salt Trays - can help in the fight against the following diseases:
- boneosis;
- saprollegyosis;
- hydrodactylosis;
- chylodonellosis and others.
They are caused by various fungi and parasites, so salt baths with a small concentration of salt will help to cope with this problem. To do this, make a 1.5-2% brine and place the fish in it. They are able to withstand up to 10 minutes in such water, but it is necessary to monitor them. If they are pushed out and they turn sideways, it is better to finish the procedure. It is also necessary to know that this procedure is contraindicated in catfish, barbs and labyrinthine fishes.
Ammoniac baths. You have to be careful with them and carefully watch the fish. They are best used to fight parasites. To make such a bath it is necessary to take 8 liters of water and pour 2-3 ml of ammonia solution 25-27% into it. You can use 10% ammonia, but its concentration doubles. In such a solution, the fish can last no more than 20 seconds. After that, it must be placed in another container of water tinted to blue with a methylene dye. And we keep it there for 15-20 minutes. If the fish does not feel very well shorten the time and amount of ammonia. These methods are fairly simple and universal, and most importantly you will not waste time searching for a drug, but immediately proceed to treatment. After all, there is salt in every house.
unpretentious aquarium fish
Those who for the first time decided to start fish better start with unpretentious representatives. They practically do not need care, and it is much easier to observe the conditions of detention. Such fish include:
Swordsmen - small fish differing brightly - coral color. Males of these fish have long rays on the tail resembling a sword.
Danio - riero or minke - body length not more than 7 cm. Color silver with blue stripes. They are energetic and differ in jumping. Therefore, it is better to cover the aquarium with a glass or a lid.
Barbs - small and live fish. To plant them is better than flocks and with the same vigorous species. With calm fish, especially if those lush tails are better not to settle. They will offend them.
Somiki corridors can reach a length of 12 cm. They differ in motley colors and calm disposition. In feeding are unpretentious and will additionally clean the aquarium.
viviparous aquarium fish
Yes, yes there are such. Strangely enough, they are familiar to everyone guppies. These are small fish, very simple to care for. Males are smaller than females and have a mottled color. The females are larger and do not please the beautiful color. Instead of caviar they spawn small fry, which are already ready for independent life and nutrition of plankton. If you notice the fry in the aquarium it is better to put them in another tank, otherwise they can be eaten.
Pecilia small fish with a yellow - brown color. Peaceful and calm. Perfectly live in water with low oxygen content and feed on dry food. Also produce fry.
Mollies can reach a length of 10 cm. Color can be green, black, silver and gold. They like slightly brackish water and a temperature regime of 22-28 degrees. Perfectly multiply, only the offspring must be immediately set off. That's how parents can eat it. The fry can be fed with micro plankton.
fodder for aquarium fish
Fish is an animal that needs good nutrition. Now the market offers a wide variety of feeds. All of them can be divided into the following groups:
- dry food (granules, tablets, flakes), the first two varieties are great for large fish and catfish, and it is convenient to feed small fish with flakes. Most often it includes various additives to improve the color or additives for growing fish. Be sure to pay attention to nutritional value.
- sublimated Are organisms dried at high temperature. This removes moisture and food is natural.
- alive food is a variety of larvae and worms, they are very nutritious and will help diversify the diet of fish. But they should be used carefully, because with them various bacteria that cause diseases can enter the aquarium.
All these feeds can be used in turn, so the diet of your fish will be more balanced and energetically valuable.
In what water aquarium fish can not breathe
Fish are contraindicated with boiled water. It is better to use tap water for aquarium. Otherwise, the fish will have nothing to breathe and they can die. It is also necessary to saturate the water with oxygen, for this use the compressor. Be sure to monitor the cleanliness of the liquid, it is very difficult to breathe in muddy water. In such water, it will be good not only for fish, but for aquatic plants. Another important aspect is the number of fish. It is not necessary to overpopulate the aquarium, there is a rule according to which 1 cm of fish should account for 1 liter of water. These recommendations will allow your pets to feel comfortable and to please you.
This article tells about aquarium fish. Some types of illustrations are described. It tells about the diseases and the ways of their treatment. Attention is also paid to fodder for fish. Using the advice of the article, you can pick fish for your aquarium and properly care for them. Successful work.