Ah the nice little goldfish. This is probably one of the most popular and easiest types of freshwater fish to keep in a home aquarium. The goldfish is actually a domesticated version of much duller colored carp called the Carassius auratus, which is  native to east Asia. More than 1000 years ago, it was domesticated in China. I am not really sure how you domesticate a fish, but somehow they managed to do it and they have been the favorites of children and adults ever since.

Now I found a pretty good short history of carp in Wikipedia and i thought I would share it with you.

They say…

“In ancient China, various species of carp (collectively known as Asian carps) were domesticated and have been reared as food fish for thousands of years. Some of these normally gray or silver species have a tendency to produce red, orange or yellow color mutations; this was first recorded in the Jin Dynasty (265–420).

During the Tang Dynasty (618–907), it was popular to raise carp in ornamental ponds and watergardens. A natural genetic mutation produced gold (actually yellowish orange) rather than silver coloration. People began to breed the gold variety instead of the silver variety, keeping them in ponds or other bodies of water. On special occasions at which guests were expected they would be moved to a much smaller container for display.^[In 1162, the Empress of the Song Dynasty ordered the construction of a pond to collect the red and gold variety. By this time, people outside the imperial family were forbidden to keep goldfish of the gold (yellow) variety, yellow being the imperial color. This is probably the reason why there are more orange goldfish than yellow goldfish, even though the latter are genetically easier to breed.

The occurrence of other colors (apart from red and gold) was first recorded in 1276. The first occurrence of fancy tailed goldfish was recorded in the Ming dynasty. In 1502, goldfish were introduced to Japan, where the Ryukin and Tosakin varieties were developed. In 1611, goldfish were introduced to Portugal and from there to other parts of Europe.

During the 1620s, goldfish were highly regarded in Southern Europe because of their metallic scales, and symbolized good luck and fortune. It became tradition for married men to give their wives a goldfish on their one year anniversary, as a symbol for the prosperous years to come. This tradition quickly died, as goldfish became more available, losing their status. Goldfish were first introduced to North America around 1850 and quickly became popular in the United States.”

So there you have it.

So How Do You Care For Them?

The first thing to remember is that they are freshwater fish used to cold temperatures, so you don’t have to get too fussy over how warm the aquarium water is. Just try and keep the water from having drastic changes.

The next thing to realize is that they eat a lot. They always seem to be hungry and will eat all that you give them. This also means they go to the bathroom a lot and tend to dirty the water in the tank rather quickly. The main rule of thumb as far as food goes is to only give them enough for them to finnish in 2 minutes. Feed them twice a day most of the year, but when it is cold, you can drop that down to about once a day.

There are lots of options for feeding pet goldfish because they are omnivores, but remember that they need food with lower protein content and higher carbohydrate content. Food for goldfish is available commercially in the form of food pellets or flakes, choose the ones that float. For variety, try feeding your goldfish skinless mashed green peas or the blanched leaves of vegetables. Live food like brine shrimp and spirulina are good for them and can be bought at fish pet stores.

Related articles

• What do you need to buy with a goldfish (wiki.answers.com)
• Types of Fancy Goldfish Breeds(brighthub.com)
• Different Diseases Affecting Goldfish(brighthub.com)

The Goldfish Guide is a post from:

The Discus fish is a large cichlid from the Amazon River, its tributaries and flood plains, in South America. Discus and its varieties were first described in 1840 by Dr. Heckel as Symphysodon discus, this name is now used for the Heckel discus variety. The three original color varieties were green, brown and blue, although now a much wider choice are available.

The discus is a social fish and lives in large groups in their native waters, and has a very advanced social behaviour; they are one of the few real schooling cichlids. Be sure when setting out to care for discus; always buy a group of them. They need the social interaction to grow their character to itshighest potential.

At present , it is not easy to find the original color variants in pet shops, only the Heckel is sometimes imported. Most of the discus fish you encounter today are captive bred color varieties. Some of the discus have lost their stripes and thereby their natural ability to communicate in the school. One of the bonuses of the captive bred discus is that they are now much easier to maintain than the imported ones.

It is getting increasingly easier to keep Discus Aquarium Fish with the new technology improving water quality and Discus Fish health, which may explain the increase in demand. The amount of new dealers and breeders is growing quickly and even small aquatic shops are stocking a range of Discus. They are beautiful, but still remain a challenge to keep and breed, with the breeding being very satisfying and will even cover the costs for the hobby. Most people that keep Discus will sooner or later want to breed them as it is a great experience, though breeding Discus Fish can be challenging

Discus Fish are very timid fish and often hide when they are not confident so keep the aquarium away from noisy and busy areas particularly near doorways and halls . The only other factor to think about is the height of the tank, as high as possible as Discus are distracted by movement above and this may cause them undue anxiety .

Discus should be fed a varied , vitamin and protein rich diet, so that it is important to use several different types of food: Fish flakes provide a complete diet, though Discus prefer to eat lower in the water, even at the bottom, so soak and squeeze out the flakes before adding to the tank. Frozen brine shrimp, defrosted and rinsed, make a great supplement and the carotene helps enhance colors. Frozen irradiated bloodworms are a good daily addition, although the flakes contain some already. Do not over feed, Discus fish are grazers, and will eat bit by bit , so allow them time.

Although not easy to keep, these beautiful fish are a very rewarding hobby, if you have the patience and time for them: The exquisite colors are a wonderful addition to any tank or aquarium.

The Beautiful Discus Fish is a post from:

Many people have asked about salt water aquarium lighting tips, so I have started to find some information on the subject. Here is an interesting article which I feel might do the trick.

Aquarium Lighting System For Saltwater Aquarium | Aquariums …

Many people who like the aspect of having piece of natural habitat in their homes want to place beautiful saltwater fish tank or freshwater aquarium in their li.

Publish Date: 11/19/2010 18:42

http://aquariumssaltwater.com/aquarium-saltwater/aquarium-lighting-system-for-saltwater-aquarium/

If you are just starting out with a saltwater aquarium, why not check out our sister site www.saltwateraquarium101.com and pick up our Saltwater Aquariums for Beginners guide.

Related articles

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Salt Water Aquarium Lighting is a post from:

Ecoxotic LED Lighting System on 90 gal Reef Tank

Ecoxotic LED Lighting System on 90 gal Reef Tank 144 watts NO heat and Low Power Bill. My metal halide broke and was tired of having problems with it so I upgraded to a LED setup.

Here is an interesting article on a blog which I found about led reef lighting and some of its uses.

LED lighting will soon be at the forefront in regards to lighting …

LED’s can be used for many tasks and purposes for lighting many types of aquaria, including: freshwater planted aquariums (for lush plant growth), coral reef aquariums (for lush coral growth) and for fish only fish tanks. …

Publish Date: 11/26/2010 17:09

http://ocreef.blogspot.com/2010/11/led-lighting-will-soon-be-at-forefront.html

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• Dying Coral Reefs – 100 Million Lives are Already Threatened by Damages (brighthub.com)

Led Reef Lighting and Its Uses is a post from:

Bacterial disease is the result of a lots of things, sometimes in combination. Such disease could be topical (external) – for example fin and tail rot and ulcers or systemic (affecting the entire body internally) or it might be a combination of both. Saltwater aquarium pests and parasites are more likely to affect fish that are in poor condition. The healthier your fish are the more resistance they’re going to have to saltwater aquarium pests and parasites.

However fish which are weak, sick or stressed by environmental conditions in the tank are easily infected by saltwater aquarium pests and parasites. Bacterial diseases may gain entry into the body through the pores across the lateral line. The gills are another site of entry into the body of the fish.Watching fish from the ease of your own computer monitor can be as easy as downloading these 3d moving screensavers!

So what environmental conditions make it much more likely for saltwater aquarium pests and parasites to cause illness inside your tank? The key cause of bacterial attack is poor environmental conditions in the tank. If conditions are allowed to weaken, the health of your fish is impacted which might make them more vunerable to diseases.

Saltwater aquarium pests and parasites will soon bloom and over-run the tank. When the water is white and cloudy and also the fish have sores on their body, conditions within the tank are very poor and must be corrected.

Your fish can also be impacted by saltwater aquarium pests and parasites should they have other infections. So treating them is crucial. Should your fish aren’t fed properly they may not have developed a good resistance to an infection. Any injuries that the fish have might allow bacteria to take hold. Fish that are stressed and harassed will also be more likely to become ill.

Older, weaker fish are at increased risk of contracting a bacterial infection as well as any fish which come from water that has been contaminated (for instance tap water!). If a fish eats the flesh of an sick fish it might also become ill with the exact same disease. So how do you know if your fish are contaminated with saltwater aquarium pests and parasites? What should you look for?

Should your fish are suffering from saltwater aquarium pests and parasites they might show a number of of the following symptoms:

- Red frayed fins or fins that demonstrate red streaks.

- The fins might disintegrate (in fin and tail rot).

- Red areas around the lateral line (streaks or blotches).

- Open sores on the sides of the body and close to the fins.

- Bloody scales at the fin base.

- Fast breathing.

- A grey film may cover the eyes.

- The fish may appear listless or lethargic.

- They might lose their appetite.

- The stomach may be swollen or bloated from saltwater aquarium pests and parasites that create bladder infections, for example.

Bacteria are not the only saltwater aquarium pests and parasites that may affect your fish. Black Spot disease is a common marine illness the result of a parasitic turbellarian flatworm within the genus Paravortex. It makes its home at the bottom of the tank and after that it attaches to a host fish for about six to eight days then falls off into the substrate again. It’s quite common in Yellow tangs and Angelfishes.

If you see tiny black dots on the body of the fish and they seem to be scratching against objects or get red skin and they are lethargic they might have black spot disease. It’s more uncommon than other sorts of saltwater aquarium pests and parasites (white ich for example) but should be looked for nonetheless.

If any fish contract the diseases cited above or other illnesses, they may not die immediately. But in general if saltwater aquarium pests and parasites aren’t treated your fish will die in a 1 or 2 week period. There are viral strains that may kill fish within a day or two.  Even if you have no idea exactly what the disease is you should take steps immediately to isolate the ill fish.If you do not want the trouble of coping with fish diseases and tank issues but nonetheless want to enjoy looking at fish take a look at these 3d moving screensavers for the computer!

Fish that are contaminated with saltwater aquarium pests and parasites should be placed into a quarantine fish tank. The reason being bacterial infections will spread to healthy fish quickly if sick fish are allowed to interact together. Once the illness affects the internal organs the fish will stop eating, breathe rapidly, and lie at the base of the tank where it might be eaten by other fish or start to decay releasing bacteria into your water.

To guard your fish from saltwater aquarium pests and parasites diagnose and treat your fish with the appropriate antibiotics. Ask your aquarist for advice when necessary. Only place your fish back into the tank after they are completely healthy. This tends to ensure that your aquarium remains pest free. The most crucial way to guard against illnesses is to make sure that your fish are as healthy as is possible and you can do this by making sure that conditions inside your tank are in optimum levels.

Also don’t forget that you can view a multitude of beautiful fresh and saltwater fish varieties right from your computer screen with free moving screensavers. They’re 100% FREE, look fantastic, and supply the perfect solution for an instant tropical getaway anytime during the day!

Dealing with Salt-Water Aquarium Pests and Parasites is a post from:

The entire process of painting tropical fish got going in the late 1970′s with the Glass Perch (Chanda ranga or Chanda wolfii ) and was soon recognized by tropical fish keepers of the day, protests superseded and it was evident that the painting fish happen to be stopped. In the late eighties early nineties the process started off all over again however , this occassion spread to many more types. The rather distressing simple fact is actually that a lot of folks that purchase these kinds of modified tropical fish are completely oblivious of the revolting process needed in order to juice their own tropical fish or don’t know that their own tropical fish are already altered whatsoever.

There is a couple of solutions to be able to alter the color in addition to physical appearance of tropical fish. Some will be more barbaric as compared to others nevertheless all incorporate some sizeable health and fitness implications. Colouring tropical fish challenges them and additionally means they are even more vunerable to tropical fish disease. Younger tropical fish that aren’t totally grown up are almost always stunted from the juicing procedure. The actual fatality rates can be a astonishing eighty percent. This procedure shows an additional illustration of man’s neglect regarding nature and it is definitely motivated simply by greed. The methods for juicing are:-

1) Medicated Food -

Fish, generally young tropical fish will be raised on treated foods that will color them. This particular dye absolutely stunts their own development. When these tropical fish have been obtained and are no longer fed the modified food subsequently their colouring eventually changes to a duller colour.

2) Dye Injections -

Small needles are used to be able to puncture and inject dye below the skin, similar to a tattoo. This kind of process can just colour a little area each time therefore fish will be given many, shots in order to achieve the wanted effect. This coloring continues as liquid till the fish’s defense process eliminates it. Quite a few tropical fish will yield to additional bacterial infections brought on through the particular puncture injuries. The fish that survive this process will begin to get rid of their particular coloring soon after six calendar months. Merely ten % of fish which survive this kind of ordeal will maintain their particular coloring for virtually any period of time.

3) Dipping in Coloring -

In the event that you imagined injecting dye was barbaric then dipping in dye is perhaps worse. Fish are bathed in a caustic formula that strips away their protecting external slime covering (mucoprotein coating), dipped in dye and ultimately bathed in another chemical that induces re-growth of the outer slime layer. Once more the fish go through extreme pressure and not remarkably the death level is actually extremely high.

The only genuine method to halt this kind of contemptible industry is to quit purchasing them in addition to never buying anything from any tropical fish store which still provides or offers to supply them. Always ask your dealer if the fish are painted or juiced prior to obtaining.
For additional information and facts about tropical fish aquariums and  look for assistance from textbooks, the web and a reliable neighborhood retailer.

What Is Tropical Fish Painting or Juicing ? is a post from:

Enjoy!

LED prototype comparison with a 1990 (or earlier) fluorescent light

Testing Aquarium Lights

Aquarium Fluorescent Bulbs, Which Ones is a post from:

Step into any aquarium specialist shop, and the wide range of aquarium filters available can be confusing to anyone without knowing the different kinds of filters and their functions. It is common knowledge that filtration is essential to remove waste products from the aquarium so that pollution can be under control. This is only partly true of the entire filtration system.

Unlike the natural habitat of aquatic creatures where the water conditions are naturally in equilibrium with the adapted ecosystems, the aquarium habitat lacks the fortitude of nature to manage the same processes and changes but in an artificial environment. The results of natural processes such as death and waste products result in changes in the water conditions. These changes include the presence of toxins in the water due to decomposing organic matter, physical debris such as waste and excess food causing water to become dirty or cloudy and other chemicals from additives or medicines, even tap water.

To manage such conditions, an effective filtration system with three stages is required to control the changes and reduce the level of pollutants. There are different kind of filters deployed for each stage or type of filtration, hence the large quantity and different kinds of filters available in the market. The three stages of filtration are at mechanical, chemical and biological levels. Hobbyists use different ones to employ the features of all the three types of filtration to create a healthy environment for aquatic organisms.

The most important type, yet possibly the most neglected, is the biological filtration. This is necessary to combat the byproducts of the nitrogen cycle, a basic process in any aquarium habitat. The byproduct of this natural process is ammonia which is eventually converted to nitrate by bacteria. Both ammonia and nitrates are deadly toxins for the aquatic organisms. Biological filtration is critical to reduce the amount and level of toxins. This is done by using filter media such as sponge filters, filter gravel and ceramic rings which encourage growth of good bacteria that can help reduce the toxins in the water. Most common filters used such as the external power filter serve the mechanical type of filtration. Though they superficially clear any debris or waste from the water to keep it clear, mechanical filtration is a predecessor to chemical filtration in many ways.

Chemicals are the remaining type of filtration systems which are necessary to remove any dissolved compounds or chemicals that are invisible to the naked eye. These dissolved chemicals such as phosphate or silicate may be from tap water, the fish feed or any other supplements and additives. Though they are not toxic in nature, the presence of these chemicals can stunt the fish growth or result in diseases. Some of the dissolved compounds can also be the byproduct of biological decay. Though most filters can multi-task as a chemical filter together with other filtration, using granular activated carbon produced from organic substances like coconut shells have been proven to absorb the dissolved compounds. This activated carbon is not to be mistaken for the charcoal which is also sold at pet shops.

There are various filters available to carry out the above types of filtration in different combinations. With adequate research and planning, getting the right combination of filters that is suited for the type and size aquarium ensures that a healthy aquatic environment can be maintained for a long time.

Related articles

• Freshwater Aquarium Filters – How To Choose The Right One (mypetkingdom.info)
• Finding the Best Pump and Filter for Your Freshwater Aquarium (brighthub.com)
• Biological Filtration in a Saltwater Aquarium (brighthub.com)

Aquarium Filters and Filtration, The Big Picture is a post from:

I have found an intersting blog post about coralife lunar aqualight which you might find helpful.

Coralife Lunar Aqualight Compact Fluorescent Fixture

Coralife is a popular choice for reef aquariums, and the Lunar Aqualight Compact Fluorescent Fixture combines the reliability and ingenuity of Aqualight.

September 10 2007

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• What are the Most Accurate Saltwater Aquarium Testing Kits (brighthub.com)
• The Importance of Halimeda Plants for Saltwater Aquariums with Coral Reefs (brighthub.com)

Coralife Lunar Aqualight is a post from:

Aquariums are a fantastic introduction to some from the animal life all around your curious youngsters. Kids love pets! Aquariums are 1 from the easiest ways to allow children to explore and observe animal life at house. Because kids can get rambunctious, a puppy or kittie might not be the greatest choice for your novice pet owners. A little animal, with the run from the home, might be accidentally hurt by a child who thinks that little guy is as durable as he or she. On the other hand, aquariums are self contained, with the watching of these animals being the fun.

Whenever you suggest obtaining an aquarium, explain to the children that all animals need unique treatment in order to thrive and that, just like other people, deserve respect and great care. To be able to set up an aquarium having a healthy, happy population, the children require to know a few things about their fish.

Before you rush out and buy a complete aquarium setup, get the kids educated and excited about their project. How? Make an exploratory visit to an aquarium shop and let the children browse the aisles of aquariums and bass. Meanwhile, you talk having a staff member for suggestions on the best, age-appropriate aquarium bass magazines, suitable for teaching youngsters about how to care for fish, the atmosphere they require and also the kinds of fish which get along together. Most aquarium bass magazines have monthly features on particular species of fish, too as kinds of equipment which may be needed. The staff member will understand (and applaud) your strategy of educating prior to purchasing. You’ll discover at least 1 or two aquarium fish magazines that will pave the method to soon establishing a most excellent and fascinating aquarium.

Get a couple of aquarium fish magazines or booklets, collect your kids and let them spend the rest from the afternoon finding out every thing they can about the care of their new pets.

You are able to also find lots of information on aquariums on-line, along with some on-line aquarium fish magazines. The kids will also find articles and tips on setting up and caring for an aquarium environment. You’ll see their enthusiasm grow as they learn – before long, you’ll have some blossoming aquarium experts!

By this time, the kids may have discovered a particular aquarium bass magazine they appreciate most. Consider getting a subscription, to keep the learning procedure going forward.

The kids will doubtless be eager to go and buy that aquarium and fish as soon as possible. Take them step by step: ask questions like, “Do you know how several bass a 10-gallon aquarium can hold?”, or “Show me which is your favorite bass so far – do you know its name, so that we can find it at the aquarium shop?” “How many times a day should you feed your bass, and, how a lot?” Once you feel confident the kids have a great handle on caring for their aquarium bass, it’s time to go shopping!

Many kids who start an aquarium discover a hobby that lasts a lifetime, certainly a good thing!

The writer specializes in home and office furniture. You can take a look at her siteabout Ecoxotic LED Lights.

Aquariums – A Good Hobby for Children is a post from: