Search Results for: blog tips for choosing fish

Eight More Hardy Fish for Your Saltwater Aquarium

Although there are hundreds of fish available for saltwater aquarium keepers, some are easier to keep than others. If you are just starting out in the saltwater aquarium hobby, you might want to consider some hardy breeds that have a better chance of surviving tank mistakes. Here are a few more choices that may work well in a beginner tank: Hawkfishes — these saltwater fish are VERY hardy. Larger species of hawkfish may prey on smaller fish. Smaller hawkfish can do well in a community tank if introduced after peaceful species have already settled in. Comets — these fish are … Continue reading →

Betta Fish Basics

If you’re interested in a colorful aquarium pet, betta fish are a popular choice. Maybe you’ve seen rows of little glass jars at the pet store, each one with a bright, flowing-finned fish inside? Those were probably betta fish. The betta fish (otherwise known as Betta Splendens or the Siamese Fighting Fish) comes from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and parts of China. In the wild, the betta fish is found in rice paddies, swampy areas, shallow ponds, and some slow moving streams. The waters here are warm — between 75 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit (24-30 degrees Celsius). In waters … Continue reading →

Filthy Fish

For an animal that lives in the water… fish sure are dirty! I might not have even realized this if not for my job at the cats only boarding facility. We have an aquarium and three fish for the kitties to watch during the day. It’s probably a fifteen or twenty gallon tank, I’d guess. Over the weekend, I decided to roll up my sleeves and clean the fish tank. That’s when I learned the dirty truth about our little fishy friends. Safety first! Always unplug all electrical equipment before doing anything to or in your aquarium. Ours has three … Continue reading →

The Pets Blog Week in Review for October 22-28

I’m going to try a new format this week in the Pets Blog Week in Review. One fellow bloggers such as Michele Cheplic, Nicole Humphrey, Mary Ann Romans, and Karri Weathers use in their various blog topics. I’ll post the title of articles Aimee and I wrote under the dates and then summarize what the articles were about. Monday, October 22 Adventures with Murphy: Spotting Albino Critters It seems Murph’s a white critter magnet, as evidenced when we spotted yet another albino critter on a walk. This time a white chipmunk in our neighborhood. Tuesday, October 23 Welcoming Puppy: Throwing … Continue reading →

Tips For Choosing Fish

Over the past few weeks, I’ve taken a look at some easy “beginner” fish if you’re new to the aquarium hobby. Some popular starter fish include zebra danios, platy, gold and cherry barbs, and tetra. But as the old saying goes, there are many fish in the sea. And out of the sea! With such a wide variety of fish available at your local aquarium shop, pet store, or online retailer, how do you choose the best fish for your tank? Doing your research can make a big difference. If you know as much as possible about a particular species … Continue reading →

Tips for Successful Dieting

Today, it seems as if every magazine, television ad, and radio station is announcing some new diet, supplement, or form of losing weight. It is no wonder so many people are confused, asking question after question to determine which diet is the right diet. The bad news is that not all “diets” are good choices but the good news is that we now have a wealth of information. The key to losing weight is using only the good information and eliminating the bad. If you are trying to lose weight, you should congratulate yourself. Carrying excess weight is hard on … Continue reading →

What Do You See?

What do you see when you look at your spouse? The way we see a person often determines the way we respond to them and treat them. If we think someone is judging us or looking down on us or finding fault with us, we are more likely to respond by becoming defensive. Putting on an act to cover our insecurities is another way people often respond in such a scenario. What you think and feel and see when you look at your spouse matters. Do you see someone you love and someone who is interesting? Do you, despite the … Continue reading →

Easy Aquarium Plants for Beginners

Ready to add live plants to your aquarium? Here are a few plants that are hardy and easy to grow — perfect for beginners! Hornwort — a stem plant with spiraling forked leaves. It looks more delicate than it actually is! This plant is difficult to kill and grows very quickly — this helps slow algae growth in your tank. Amazon sword — a tall plant with very large leaves! This plant needs more sunlight than some of the others on the list, but the plant’s height helps it get the sun it needs. Because these plants are larger than … Continue reading →

Building a Paludarium

If you want to combine land and water habitats in your tank — create a paludarium — the best bet for a beginner may be a paludarium kit. However, after poking around various shopping and search sites, it seems like it might be difficult to find one! Terrarium kits are far easier to find. Educational suppliers like Carolina do offer “river tank” ecosystems for classrooms that can support aquatic and land animals and plants. Don’t be put off by the lack of kits available at the moment — you can still make your own paludarium! The first think you need … Continue reading →

Paludariums: Overview

If you’ve ever been to an aquarium, you’ve probably already seen a paludarium — though you may not be familiar with the name. The word comes from Latin: paludal (relating to marshes) and arium (a place). A paludarium is a tank set up like a marsh — with land and water portions. This kind of aquarium is an interesting alternative to the usual water-only tanks that are so popular. Paludariums are also popular teaching tools in science classes — teachers, take note! With a paludarium, you have the opportunity to create the habitat you want. Maybe you’d like to recreate … Continue reading →