Aqua kingdom

It's sad but true - not every fish is in perfect health. Here's how to pick the best of the bunch Here's How: Look at the top and sides of the tanks. If most are encrusted with residue, look for another shop entirely. Look for clear water. If it's discolored, avoid that tank. If the water in most tanks is discolored, look for another shop. Scan a half dozen tanks to see if any fish are sick or have died. If you see more than one sick or dead fish, find another shop. Avoid tanks with decaying plants, as the water chemistry is questionable. Do not buy fish that just arrived in the shop. They are stressed from travel, and might be carrying disease. Avoid fish with cloudy eyes, torn or clamped fins, and spots or sores on their body. Avoid fish that are sluggish or appear to be shivering. Look at all the fish in the tank. If any appear sick, don't buy a fish from that tank. Choose an active, alert fish. Take him home and enjoy your new pet. Tips...

To begin to understand which fish tank filter would be right for your aquarium, it is important to look at how the different kinds of filtration currently offered by various fish tank filter systems and what this means for your aquarium. Chemical Fi ltration - Chemical filtration works by processing the water through a substance such as carbon which removes fish excrement and dissolved minerals. Phosphates, nitrites, nitrates and ammonia as well as various other chemicals can be effectively sand safely removed by chemical filtration. Biological Filtration - Biological filtration works by bringing a kind of bacteria known by the name of "nitrofiers". These bacteria basically work by breaking down ammonia and nitrite, both of which in large enough quantities prove fatally harmful to fish, into nitrates. Nitrates can then be removed with the aid of chemical filtration or by simply changing the water. Regardless of which fish tank filter you may choose for your aquarium...

In an aquarium, background plants refer to those plants that are normally placed at the rear of the aquarium. These aquarium plants are usually taller plants with longer stems or leaves. They are placed at the rear of the aquarium for mainly two reasons. Firstly, they enhance the appearance of the aquarium background scene. Secondly, they he lp to conceal unsightly items such as filter tubes and heaters at the rear of the fish tank. Sometimes, these aquarium plants are placed at the front corners of the fish tank to the further enhance the overall appearance. Some common background plants are described below. Fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana) Cabomba caroliniana is a fine-feathered plant which is light green in colour. This aquarium plant looks stunning when planted in groups of three or more. It grows fast and lives well in bright lighti ng. It can grow up to a maximum height of about 50cm. Cabomba caroliniana is one of the most common species available and fairly easy to keep. An advanta...

Clean Aquarium water is the key to having a successful aquarium. Cloudy aquarium water does not create a harmful environment for your fish, but it certainly does not look nice aesthetically. Cloudy aquarium water can arise from a number of reasons listed below. To begin it depends on the colour of the cloudiness. If it is a green then most likely you have green water, an annoying type of algae that is hard to get rid of, it is suggested you keep the tank out of direct sunlight, do frequent water changes and maybe buy a UV filter. If it is a cloudy white this can be due to a few reasons. The most likely is you have recently set up this tank, what you are seeing is a bacteria bloom that will soon pass (anywhere from 1 day to a couple of weeks). This bloom or mini cycle can also happen if you change a large amount Overstocking and overfeeding can cause a light haze, by making sure you fish out any uneaten food or just reduce the amount you feed, you should see a reduction in haziness. It ...

The pearl gourami or Trichogaster leeri is a member of the family Belontiidae. Pearl Gouramis inhabit the lowland swamp waters of Sumatra, Borneo, Malaysia and Thailand. All gouramis belong to the suborder Anabantid. The members of this suborder evolved in poorly oxygenated environments. They subsequently developed an auxiliary breathing apparatus in addition to their gills. This lung-like organ, the labyrinth organ, allows them to breathe atmospheric oxygen. At some point in the evolutionary process they became dependent on both as a means of survival. They will die without a combination of dissolved and airborne oxygen. This is why they are frequently seen at the water's surface. Unlike the paradise fish, the pearl gourami is a timid creature. They are good additions to a community tank if they are provided with plants, rocks and aquarium décor in which to hide. There optimum water condition is a neutral pH with a water temperature around 78 °F. Pearl gouramis reach a length of a...