Jan 31, 2011

Selecting Guppy Parent for Breeding


Guppy (Poecilia reticulata; Lebistes reticulatus) is the ornamental fish species which easily mated throughout the year without knowing the seasons and does not require special treatment, provided that the water is clean and not too crowded.

On tank with less hardness water, guppy could still proliferate. However, to get the best result of guppy breeding , have a high quality color and best tail shape, will be better if water quality in accordance with the requirements of his life.

To distinguish between female and male guppy is not difficult. Like betta fish, the body color of male guppy is much better than the female guppy. The body shape of Guppy male is slender and the tail fin is very large with very beautiful color and contrast. The male guppy dorsal fin is longer and the genitals prominent.

Guppy females are overweight and somewhat bloated, less contrasting color on tail fin and dorsal fin shorter than the male, and the genitals only regular-shaped hole.

Although easily distinguished, to get guppy parent which have a certain quality actually rather difficult. Especially in females as frequently happens the female guppy is already pregnant with no known origin and quality of male guppy. The unidentified pregnant guppy certainly cause the resulting offspring are not guaranteed quality.

The only way to get a good guppy parent is by buying prospective guppy parent which believed have never mated before, and then paired with a male who has been selected.

Guppy parent which ready to mated was about 3-4 months with male size has reached a length of 3-4 cm and females 4 -5 cm.

Jan 29, 2011

Rasbora Harlequin - Trigonostigma Heteromorpha Profile


Trigonostigma (Rasbora) Heteromorpha Profile

Rasboras are small, peaceful schooling fish that are well suited for the smaller planted community aquarium. These colorful, hardy fish fare best in groups of six or more fish. Rasboras are rewarding fish when maintained in the planted community aquarium, displaying beautiful coloration, and unique color patterns.

Rasbora is active swimmer fish so Rasbora fish should be maintained in a rather large aquarium with short aquatic plants so as not to impede movements and they are free to swimming.

The most interesting types of Rasboras is Rasbora Harlequin, the scientific name Rasbora heteromorpha. The specific name heteromorpha, was translating from the Greek as "differently shaped".


Rasbora Harlequinfish profile

Common Name : Harlequin, red Rasbora, Harlequin Rasbora
Scientific Name : Rasbora heteromorpha
Family : Cyprinidae
Origin : Southeast Asia, Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, Thailand
Size : Up to 5cm
First discovered : Duncker, 1904
Nutrition : Omnivore, in the wild the Rasbora harlequin feeds on aquatic invertebrates and small insects in captivity it will accept almost everything offered, flake food, frozen food and freeze-dried food. Feeding should be provided at least two times a day.
Fish Behavior : Peaceful
Maintenance and care : The Rasbora heteromorpha should be kept in schools of 6 and up. The tanks should be decorated with plenty of room to swim and hide; plants can be used as shelter too. This beautiful tropical fish will benefit from soft water.
Water Parameters : Temperature: 73F- 82F (22C - 25C), pH: 5-7, dGH: 4-12


The Harlequin Rasbora is an extremely desirable aquarium addition thanks to its gorgeous metallic coloration and ease of care. Harlequin Rasbora is easily identified by its characteristic black "pork chop" shaped patch and beautifully lustrous copper/orange body. The patch on the male Harlequin Rasbora is slightly rounded at the bottom with an extended tip. The female Harlequin Rasbora is also larger than the male.

Rasbora heteromorpha generally spawns on the undersides of broad-leaved plants. To encourage spawning, pair a young (9-12 months old) female Harlequin Rasbora with a two-year old male and offer live food items. The Harlequin Rasbora does best in an established planted aquarium with open areas for swimming. The mild nature of the Harlequin Rasbora makes it a great community fish.

Jan 28, 2011

Argulosis (fish disease)

Argulosis (fish disease)


Cause: Argulus sp.
Bio-Ecology Pathogens:
• The parasite is known as "fish lice" and sucking blood, is flat. and more looks like a plate.
• Hurt fish body with the help of cytolytic enzymes, in addition to the skin, ticks are also frequently found in fish gills under the cap.
• Almost all freshwater fish species susceptible to this parasite infection.
• In high-intensity attacks. Adult fish can suffer death from lack of blood.

Clinical Symptoms:
• Visually it looks like a flea parasites that attach to the body of the fish. accompanied by bleeding around the bite.
• skin irritation, loss of balance, swimming in a zig-zag, jump into the water and rubbed his body on hard objects around him.


Diagnosis:
• Visually looks a parasite that attach to the fish body


Control:
• Draining of the pond, followed by calcification.
• Soaking can be done by:
✓ Dylox solution at doses of 0.25 ppm for 24 hours or more in the pool.
✓ solution of Ammonium chloride (NH4CI) at a dose of 1.0 -1.5% for 15 minutes, or table salt at doses of 1.25% for 15 minutes.
✓ dichlorvos solution 0.2 mg / L for 24 hours or more, every week for 4 consecutive weeks
✓ kitchen Salt 500 - 1000 ppm for 24 hours or more, repeated every week for 4 times giving
✓ Potassium permanganate (PK) 2-5 mg / L for 24 hours or more.

source: Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia, Directorate General of Aquaculture, Fish and Environmental Health Directorate, 2010

Jan 27, 2011

Tiger Hillstream Loach Sewellia Lineolata


The Tiger Hillstream Loach (Sewellia lineolata) is a curious tropical fish of extraordinary beauty. The unique physical features of the Tiger Hillstream Loach reflect life adapted to fast-flowing streams. The flattened body is a special adaptation that gives the Tiger Hillstream Loach an extremely hydrodynamic shape. This streamlined body shape helps the Tiger Hillstream Loach navigate (or stay put) in very strong currents with minimal effort.


Scientific Name: Sewellia lineolata

Common name: Gold Ring Butterfly Sucker, Reticulated Hillstream Loach, Tiger Hillstream Loach

Synonyms: Balitora lineolata, Sewellia lineolata

Distribution: Vietnam.

Sexual Dimorphism: Females plumper than males. Males have raised areas like small "fences" on first few rays of pectoral fins, and when viewed from above are noticeably "squarer" in the area of the front leading edge of the pectoral fins

Maximum size: 2.5 inches

Similar to: Sewellia pterolineata

Tiger Hillstream Loach Care : Inhabit fast flowing streams over boulders. Aquarium must duplicate these conditions as fish have very high oxygen requirements. All need excellent water-flow and aeration, numerous rocky hiding places and smooth pebbles and boulders to graze over. Lighting should be bright to encourage algae growth in the aquarium. Plants are not necessary as the fish do not normally encounter them in the wild, but they will help with water-quality. Suitable plants for high-flow environments are Anubias and Microsoreum. These will grow on rock-work or driftwood.

Feeding : Note these algae eaters fish have smaller mouths than Gastromyzon species which should be a consideration with foodstuffs. Good quality flake, sinking pellets, algae wafers, thawed frozen Bloodworm, Mysis Shrimp, blanched Spinach, Kale, natural algae an advantage.

Water parameters: pH:6.5 - 7.5. Hardness: Medium

Temperature: 68ºF to 75ºF (20-23.8°C)

Breeding: In 2006 these fish were bred in aquaria for the first time although the full details of their courtship and breeding methods have yet to be witnessed.

It is critical to maintain high water quality and aeration plus strong water movement to ensure the health of the Tiger Hillstream Loach. The Tiger Hillstream Loach should not be housed in a tropical aquarium setup with water temperatures consistently above 75 degrees Fahrenheit. A recommended minimum tank of 30 gallons should be provided to house the Tiger Hillstream Loach.

Supplement the diet of the Tiger Hillstream Loach with foods that sink to the bottom of the aquarium such as a high-quality flake food, sinking carnivore pellets, sinking algae wafers, freeze-dried bloodworms, and tubifex worms.

Justifiably regarded by most Tiger Hillstream Loach enthusiasts as the most beautiful of all algae eaters species, Sewellia lineolata remains an ambition for many.

This species does not travel well and often shipments may perish in transit. The species very high oxygen requirements means that shippers are learning to pack less fish per bag. This raises the overall freight costs per fish and hence increases the price at the retail level.

If the hobbyist can afford to purchase these fish, they must protect their investment by providing the best quality environment possible. Given these conditions, fish that have survived import will usually settle down and acclimatize well to aquarium life. Also, unlike many other Sucker-bodied Tiger Hillstream Loaches, they seem far more at ease when searching for food on the loose surface of sand or fine gravel, and will flutter their fins, disturbing the surface grains.

Jan 25, 2011

Popular Goldfish Types and Pictures


Goldfish including fish species that have existed since a long time or even arguably be the first fish species kept as ornamental fish.

This ornamental fish is native to China and have a physique that is very funny and fun to look at. The relaxed style of swimming and crawling at the bottom of the water looks calm.

The young Goldfish colors are usually the same, namely the gray, then after the adolescence or adulthood will look colorful. Goldfish has a variety of attractive colors and as the development of creativity in crossbreeding techniques, the combination of goldfish colors and goldfish shapes are increasingly varied so that keep popping new types and varieties of goldfish.

Almost all the hobbyist usually love type of goldfish are round and plump. Getting fatter the body shape, will be increasingly popular. In some types of goldfish, a few have no dorsal fin, for example on the Bubble Eye goldfish type. The tail fin also vary, there is amount one or two, open or bloom, and there is have a long size.

There are about 14 popular goldfish varieties and spread among the hobbyist. However, there are only eight goldfish types that have a great demand among other things : Fan tail goldfish, Veil tail goldfish, Oranda goldfish, Lionhead, Pearl Scale, Bubble Eye, Calico, and the Black Moor.

Goldfish care actually is not difficult if we know the environmental conditions required. Goldfish really liked the clear water so that the aquarium water should be taken from a good source of water and precipitated for 24 hours plus aeration by aerator. Optimal water temperature for goldfish maintenance ranges from 20-25 °C and keep your water pH around 7.2 to 7.5 with medium hardness.

Jan 24, 2011

Snakeskin Discus Fish


Discus hobbyists have exciting new discus fish strain to satisfy their desire for new color forms. The careful blending of two colors has resulted in the creation of multi colored solid discus fish eg. Blue Diamond Discus and also resulted beautiful new spotted discus strains eg. Snakeskin, Turquoise and Red Spot green. With many names based on colored varieties resulting from controlled breeding, Symphysodon aequifasciatus is referred to as the Snakeskin Discus.

The Snakeskin Discus has a mottled blue appearance against a red background. The overall coloration of Discus will vary depending on mood and overall health of the fish. The Discus has surpassed the Angelfish as the most popular freshwater aquarium fish. Depending on sub-species, the natural range of the Discus extends from the Amazon fish market to the Rio Negro Regions of South America.

The Snakeskin Discus requires an advanced level of care due to its feeding habits and water filtration requirements. The Snakeskin Discus included in peacefull fish category, it means the Snakeskin Discus fish do not pose a real threat toward other fishes, and are very passive and sometimes reclusive in nature.

Discus fish are becoming slightly territorial when breeding, it is best to breed an established pair, or maintain a group of young Discus and allow them to pair themselves. Warm, soft, slightly acidic water is required for spawning. The pair will clean a flat surface (usually a broad leaf or the side of the aquarium) prior to spawning. The parents must not be removed from the fry - the fry feed on their parents mucus.

Mostly carnivorous including Symphysodon aequifasciata or "Snakeskin Discus" prefer freeze-dried bloodworm and tubifex, pellet food designed for Discus, high-quality flake food, and meaty frozen foods.

Jan 23, 2011

Green Swordtail Fish


The Green swordtail(Xiphophorus helleri), is native to Central America. It is commonly known as green swordtail owing to the olive green natural colour that it exhibits in wild populations in Central America. There are other species in the same genus referred to as ‘swordtails’ including variants such as marbled swordtail and Highland swordtail.

The green swordtail is a small-bodied colourful species which are popular aquarium fish. Swordtails are generally less than 80 mm in length but can grow up to 120 mm (Allen et al. 2002). Swordtails found in aquariums are usually orange in colour, however feral populations often take on a bronze or olive colour in natural waterways.

Green swordtails originate from Mexico and Belize, Central America. It is a member of the Poeciliidae family (livebearing toothcarps), which also includes the noxious fish. Gambusia holbrooki commonly referred to as gambusia - also known as ‘mosquito–fish’, and pest fish Xiphophorus maculatus also kown as the Platy fish.

Swordtails are highly variable in colour but are usually bright orange on both body and fins with alternating silver and orange lines along the trunk. Feral populations often take on a bronze or olive colour with an orange-red mid lateral stripe in natural waterways (McDowall 1996).

Like many small native species, the exotic green swordtail is omnivorous and consumes algae, detritus and small insects. The males are easily identified by the elongation of the lower part of the tail, whilst the females do not have a sword-like tail but a very angular dorsal fin (Allen et al. 2002). They are a live-bearing species and reproduce at a young age, producing several broods per year.

Green swordtails are a popular aquarium fish and feral populations are most likely the result of aquarists discarding unwanted specimens into waterways or escapees from ponds reaching waterways through flooding events.

There have been no studies on the impacts of green swordtails on aquatic ecosystems. However, swordtails are closely related to Gambusia holbrooki which can quickly establish large populations and out-compete native fish for habitat and food, so there are concerns regarding the potential impact of the green swordtails on native species and ecosystems in local waterways.

In Queensland, Australia it is believed that increasing populations of green swordtails have been associated with the decline of nine native fish species (Western Australia Fisheries 2003).

Some tips you can do related to the ornamental fish which considered as a Noxious fish species, eg. Gambusia holbrooki, be on the lookout for new species in your local waterways. Give unwanted aquarium fish to friends or a pet shop, rather than letting them go in the wild. If you are involved in fish stocking, obtain a fish stocking permit from relevant parties before buying fish for restocking.

Also, buy fingerlings from local suppliers rather than outside your region or interstate, to minimize the chances of introducing other species not native to your area. If you are a fish farmer, comply with aquaculture permit conditions designed to prevent the escape of fish (e.g. screened water outlets), and keep to your approved species list.

It is extremely difficult if not impossible to eradicate pest fish once they become established in the wild. It is therefore vital to prevent non-native species such as the Green swordtail, Platy fish, Gambusia holbrooki and other ornamental fish species from abroad who may unwittingly have a negative impact to your local waterways if mishandled.

Jan 20, 2011

Blue Diamond Discus Fish


The high quality of Blue Diamond Discus which been selectively bred have an excellent glowing blue pigmentation. It can be differentiating attribute may be the smaller white-colored white markings about it can be physique. Even though the overall coloration of Discus will vary according to feeling and also all-around health in the sea food.


The blue discus fish needs a professional a higher level care due to its eating behavior as well as h2o filter needs. Territorial in the course of spawning, this normally restful seafood is probably the education and learning class, creating new well-defined atomic family members.

Turning into a bit territorial any time propagation, it’s always best to reproduce an existing pair, as well as preserve several younger blue Diamond Discus and permit these to match by themselves. Warm, soft, slightly acid normal water is needed for breeding. You and your couple can clean up a flat surface area (usually a broad leaf or perhaps the facet of the aquarium tank) prior to creating. The parents must not be stripped away from the fry; the fry go after their own parent's mucous.

Mostly Discus fish types was predatory but the Blue Diamond Discus prefer freeze-dried bloodworm and also tubifex, pellet foods made for Discus, high-quality flake food, and meaty frozen foods obtained from Tropical Fish Suppliers.

Jan 17, 2011

What Types of Fish Can be Kept in Wall Fish Tank


A wall aquarium or wall fish tank is an aquarium that is mounted to a wall or hung on a wall like a painting or a plasma tv. Wall mounted aquariums are typically only 4-6 inches thick, this thickness is what allows the aquarium to be mounted on the wall.

Many people have seen plasma fish tanks and animated, framed aquarium pictures that hang on walls and think that these are wall fish tanks. However, a wall aquarium is a real fish tank that hangs on a wall. The only difference between wall aquariums and regular fish tanks is that wall mounted fish tanks hang on the wall.

Not many types of ornamental fish can be kept in a wall fish tank. It's vary depending to the water volume of the particular aquarium that you may have, as well as other filter and aquarium characteristic, such as if you have a heater or not.

Due the wall aquarium is usually in a narrow size we recommend small tropical fish, e.g. bight blue and red neon tetra, glow lights, zebra, danios, guppies or any of the small tetra family, remember when these fish are fully grown not much bigger than a match stick, the pictures displayed the stocking level for the picture was a large shoal of approximately 50 neon’s, which looked stunning as they moved in and out of the plants in a shoaling formation.


The number of fish that can be kept in a wall aquarium will vary depending on the size of the aquarium, the size and type of the fish kept, and the filtration system of the aquarium. However, a safe guideline to use in order to maintain a healthy environment is one inch of fish per gallon of water.

If you would like to keep tropical fish in a wall fish tank you will require a heater thermostat and wiring console to be added to the system.

Common Guppy Fish Diseases Pictures


Pictures above is guppy fish which indication of mouth fungus infection, one of other common tropical fish diseases that have kills millions of guppies annually.

Fungus problems are common guppy fish diseases. Any damage of the skin/gills or keeping the guppy fish in a fish tank that is very cold can lead to development of fungus on the fish body. Besides the body, guppy fish can show fungus symptoms on the edges of mouth. White layers near the edges of mouth are the indication of fungus infection. A bacterial disease, though not exactly like fungal diseases also affects the guppy fish. Fungus grows differently from bacteria and the organisms which constitute this group do strange things.

Disease Type: Bacterial (gram negative rods)
Organism: Flexibacter columnaris
Names: Columnaris, Cotton-Wool, Cotton-Mouth, Flexibacter, Mouth Fungus

Often mistaken for a fungal infection because of its mold-like lesions, Flexibacter Columnaris is a common bacterial infection in cultured fish, particularly live bearing guppy fish and catfish. Its name is derived from columnar shaped bacteria, which are present in virtually all aquarium environments.

The bacteria are most likely to infect guppy fish that have been stressed by such conditions as poor water quality, inadequate diet, or handling and shipping. Columnaris can enter the fish through the gills, mouth, or via small wounds on the skin. The disease is highly contagious and may be spread through contaminated nets, specimen containers, and even food.

Columnaris can be external or internal and may follow a chronic or acute course. Lesions in chronic cases progress slowly, taking many days before culminating in fish death. In acute cases the lesions spread quickly, often wiping out entire populations of fish within hours. High water temperatures accelerate the progression of the disease; however lowering the water temp will not affect the outcome of the disease.

Symptoms:

White spots on mouth, edges of scales, and fins
Cottony growth that eats away at the mouth
Fins disintegrate beginning at the edges
'Saddleback' lesion near the dorsal fin
Fungus often invades the affected skin
Rapid gilling in cases where gills are infected

Most Columnaris infections are external, and present first as white or grayish white spots on the head, and around the fins or gills. The lesions may first be seen only as a paler area that lacks the normal shiny appearance. As the lesion progresses it may become yellowish or brownish in color and the area around it may be tinged red.

Lesions on the back often extend down the sides, giving the appearance of a saddle. On the mouth the lesions may look moldy or cottony, and the mouth will become eaten away. Fins will erode and have a frayed appearance as the infection progresses. The gills filaments will disintegrate as the bacteria invade them, and the guppy fish will begin breathing rapidly due to lack of oxygen. Less commonly, the infection will be internal, and display no external symptoms.


Treatment:

Change water
Vacuum gravel
Add aquarium salt
Treat with copper sulfate or antibiotic
Discontinue carbon filtration during treatment

External infections should be treated with antibiotics or chemicals in the water. Copper sulfate, Acriflavine, Furan, and Terramycin may all be used externally to treat Columnaris. Terramycin has proven to be quite effective both as a bath, and when used to treat foods for internal infections. Salt may be added to the water to enhance gill function. Livebearers in particular will benefit from the addition of salt, however use caution when treating catfish, as many are sensitive to salt.

Prevention:

Quarantine new guppy fish for two weeks
Maintain high water quality
Provide guppies with a nutritionally balanced diet
Medicate fish prophylactically before moving them
Disinfect nets and other equipment before using

Because the bacteria thrive on organic wastes, it can be controlled by regular water changes and vacuuming of the gravel. Proper diet and maintaining good water quality in general will keep the guppies from being stressed and therefore susceptible to infection. To avoid spreading the bacterium, nets, specimen containers, and other aquarium equipment should be disinfected before each use.

Small quantities of aquarium salt can be used to prevent guppy fish diseases in livebearer aquariums. When guppy fish are being shipped or moved, they may be treated prophylactically with antibiotics or by feeding them medicated food. Although many of these products and treatments are still helpful and available, always remember that it is impossible to effectively treat sick guppies, including other tropical fish diseases without first making an accurate diagnosis.

Jan 13, 2011

Glass Catfish Kryptopterus Bicirrhis


Have you seen Catfish movie? As a wiki said "Catfish" is a 2010 American documentary involving a man being filmed by his friends as he builds a romantic online relationship on the social networking website Facebook beetween New York photographer Nev Schulman with a girl.

The trailer is fantastic, but I’m not representation of Catfish movie here. Yes, Catfish leaves a lot of room for discussion after watching it but now I’ll talk about one types of Catfish - the title used in this movie. Precisely Glass Catfish, one of the exotic aquarium catfish types.

Glass catfish with its scientific name of Kryptopterus bicirrhis differs from the “ghost catfish” (Kryptopterus minor), in terms of size in which the bicirrhis are much bigger and have relatively longer anal fins. Glass catfish is generally considered a friendly type of fish that can mix well with other non-aggressive tropical fish species and are compatible with the likes of tetras, small-sized gourami, killifish and otocinclus.

All glass catfish are very sensitive to changes in water quality. Most of the time, if these water parameters were not closely monitored, the fish will fall sick and when it does, the transparent body will turn to white opaque color. Overall, in terms of behavior, the species is not the type of fish which are active swimmers.

Plants are also beneficial in the sense that while they provide a sense of security for your exotic fish, at the same time it also helps to reduce nitrate level to the minimum resulting in less harm to your glass catfish.

If well fed, glass catfish can grow up to maximum 4 inches in length once it reaches adult age at around 15 months and normally the usual size will range from 3 inches and above.

Glass catfish are relatively difficult to keep, but if their basic conditions are met they make an interesting addition to a community tank or alone in a single species tank. If in a community tank, you must be sure to watch this "exotic fish" at feeding time to make sure they are getting some food.

If there ever was a fish that really cries out for a quarantine tank, glass cats are that fish. Even a 5 gallon tank will suffice. A quarantine tank should be used for all new fish you plan to introduce into an existing tank, but for glass cats it is an absolute must. Glass catfish care required a regular partial water changes in catfish aquarium to keep nitrates low and good filtration is recommended.

Jan 12, 2011

Red Line Torpedo Barb Puntius Denisonii


Red Line Torpedo Barb (Puntius denisonii)
  • Common Names: Bleeding Eye barb, Red Line Torpedo Barb, Denison Barb, Red Line Barb, Red Comet Barb, Rose Line Shark, Red-line Shark
  • Scientific Name: Puntius denisonii (may still be referred to as Barbus denisonii)
  • Category: Barb
  • Family: Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
  • Origin: Southern India
  • Main Ecosystem: Inhabits highly oxygenated fast flowing streams
  • Salinity: Freshwater
  • Chemistry: pH: 6.5 to 7.5 ; Hardness:4 to 18 dGH ; Temperature: 68-79 degrees F.
  • Water Region: Fast-flowing streams and rivers - these are apparently full of vegetation and are highly oxygenated.
  • Activity: Diurnal (day)
  • Potential size: Maximum 6 inches
  • Lifespan: Unknown; some say 5-7 years

Red Line Torpedo Barb are very mild-tempered and calm. Harmless Community Fish, peaceful in larger groups of 6 or more. With the tetras, the roseline sharks are just impressive. And the colors are just phenomenal. They love to be fed. They feed both in the water column and at the surface, sometimes with a big splash.

The rose line sharks get along great with the rams. Nobody bothers the sharks, and they don't bother the rams. And with all the color, it's just astounding - the colors of the rams, the colors of the tetras, and now the colors of the roseline sharks. It's just very impressive exotic fish.

Red Line Torpedo Barb is omnivore and have a small mouth, they’ll eat almost any high-quality prepared food, but wouldn't mind a serving (or more) of live food or even a nibble of your soft-leaved plants. So we could feeding puntius denisonii with a high quality flake food, spirulina flakes and discs, frozen and live bloodworms, all forms of brine shrimp (live, frozen, pellets), daphnia, cooked shelled peas are a favorite as is peeled cucumber and zucchini.

Puntius denisonii color is spectacular. The exotic fish is a shiny silver, with a solid black line running down the middle of its body . Streamlined and bullet-shaped with shimmering colors of gold, green, yellow, red and black. A horizontal black stripe from nose, across the eyes to base of tail, another horizontal stripe on top of this of red extending only midway with an occasional yellow just in between.. The dorsal fin is touched with red and ends transparent. Likewise the forked tail is almost transparent with a yellow and black short stripe just before the tips.

Puntius denisonii aquarium layout is open swimming spaces, plenty of plants and varied landscape above mid-level as they do explore and seem to play throughout. Tank size minimum 75g and tank zone mid-level.

They can adapt to cooler waters but imo that would tempt Ich and dropsy. The exotic fish can also adapt to warmer waters up to 82F provided plenty of oxygen in the form of powerheads and/or air pumps with plenty of bubble walls installed and regular weekly water changes.

Important notes for Puntius Denisonii :
  • Stresses at temperatures hovering around 85F. The drop in oxygen levels is dangerous at these temperatures especially in the confines of an aquarium
  • Sensitivities - react to temperature and pH changes during weekly water changes, but adapt fairly quickly - are also sensitive to landscape changes (very aware) more than other species
  • Hardiness: Very hardy, tho have reported to be prone to dropsy (prevented with warmer temperatures above 75F-79F, a varied diet, regular weekly water changes and oxygenated water) - sensitive to temps over 85F
  • Puntius denisonii breeding is not reported in captivity

Jan 10, 2011

Fish Tankmates for Oscar


A question often asked what are suitable Oscar fish tankmates? A lot will depend on what size of tank you have. As Oscar fish will grow big depending on the size of Aquarium they are in. Oscars together are fine as long as you add them at the same time and are the same size.

The must be considered here are do not introducing young Oscars to a tank with larger Oscars, as they could finish up being a meal. Oscars tend to be greedy eaters and will eat just about anything that will fit into their proportionally large mouths.

My number 1 choice of fish tankmates for Oscars would be other Cichlids providing they are not the larger breeds of Cichlids which have a very aggressive nature and could cause a lot of disruption in the tank.

Some other fish you could have with Oscar fish would be, Clown Loach, some Catfish such as Black Lancer and the Synodontis again providing these are large enough and not just young fish. Silver dollars are another choice you could go for.


If you are lucky enough to be the owner of a larger oscar fish tank say 400 or 500 gallons, it is possible to add some shoals of smaller varieties of fish providing you follow certain criteria. With this amount of space you should put in plenty of plants and rocks etc. to create lots of hiding places for these smaller fish. You should monitor this situation, as you should with any new introductions of fish to your aquarium, to make sure all is well.

Obviously this situation of introducing these small fish to your tank could prove risky and instead of having Oscar fish tankmates you would have fish food for Oscars. So you should take a regular head count and be vigilant, these smaller fish can be removed if not successful. If everything works out alright you will finish up with a really beautiful display.




Jan 7, 2011

Worms In Fish Gills

Worms In Fish Gills
Cause: Haliotrema spp., Psedorhabdosynochus spp.
Bio-Ecology Pathogens:
• Ekto-parasites are obligate parasitic
• infect the gills of fish mariculture. Two or possibly three species belong to the genus monogenea Pseudorhabdosynochus namely Pseudorhabdosynochus latesi. P. monosquamodiscusi, and Diplectanum penangi, while P. epinepheli found in groups of grouper.

Clinical Symptoms:
• pale body color, decreased appetite, lean, and slow
• Respiratory frequency increased and the production of excess mucus in the gills
• Gather / closer to the water inlet
• Gills pale or swollen so that the open operculum

Diagnosis:
• Visual observation of behavior and clinical symptoms that arise
• Microscopic observation to see morphology
parasites through the production segment of the organ gill preparations.

Control:
• Reducing the levels of dissolved organic material and / or increase the frequency of water changes
• worm attacked fish gill with the level and intensity of the low prevalence, treatment can be done by soaking in a solution of formalin at doses of 25-50 ppm for 24 hours or more.

source : Kementerian Kelautan dan Perikanan, Direktorat Jenderal Perikanan Budidaya, Direktorat Kesehatan Ikan dan Lingkungan, 2010

Most Popular Guppy Fish Pictures #2

Mosaic Guppy - Guppy fish varieties with the Mosaic genes show shades or pattern of wavy lines on the Guppy fin. Its characteristic are blue color pattern at the base of the tail and stretching to the fin tail. The pattern always has a regular arrangement amongst blue with yellow or dark blue with red. To maintain Mosaic gene on guppy fish is not easy, its must be crossed to other genes to produced a Mosaic genes with beautiful pattern.


Grass Guppy - Grass is the development of Mosaic guppy. The Grass genes are shown from the pattern of the dorsal fin and tail fin of guppy in the dot spotting form or a fine knife form with black or dark blue color . The shape of grass node turned out to provide a different color. Grass patterned fine blade appear on the red grass guppy while the dots pattern on the blue grass guppy. But now, both varieties has a fine-dots patterns. In the early emergence of Grass varieties, the dorsal fin color was transparent so often called a glass grass.


Leopard Guppy - The Leopard guppy characterized by thick dots scattered randomly on the fins with a dark blue color to black. The possibility of gene varieties developed from the Mosaic, but also be found in crosses between Cobra Guppy with plain color guppy types. Now this type is quite rare because this guppy fish species is less favored by the hobbies