|
|
Aquarium Basics - Tropical Fishes
Caring for your aquarium and tropical
fishes
by Partha Mitra
 Whether
you have a big sized aquarium with lots of tropical fish
or just a glass bowl on your table with a couple of Gold
fishes, they give you great pleasure and tranquility to
see them. Fishes are most soothing pets, but they can
be real delicate too. However you can take a good care
for your fishes by remembering some small tips. Whether
you are out for a couple of days, your fishes will be
there waiting for you when you come back. Here are some
tips to keep your fishes healthy.
1) Cleaning your aquarium or tank
Your fish survives in the water of your tank or your aquarium.
Not only they eat in it but also the water gradually accumulates
the bio-waste from our fishes and gravel. So it makes
a god sense to clean the aquarium and change the water
once a week. Do not change the entire water immediately.
Fishes are sensitive to water temperature and a sudden
change may affect them. Collect your fishes in a tub or
a plastic bag with some water of your tank or aquarium.
Seal the plastic bag and put it safely. Then clean the
aquarium and change the water. Put the plastic bag (with
the fishes and water) inside the aquarium -without opening
it. Let the temperature of the water inside the plastic
bag change gradually to that of the new water in the aquarium.
Your fishes will adapt to the new temperature. Then open
the plastic bag and release the fishes inside the aquarium.
After all a clean aquarium is always more pleasant to
look at.
2) Cleaning your aquarium's air pump
Dirt and gravel often coagulates the air pump making it
function less efficiently. Often bio-waste accumulates
in the air filter. Consider changing the air filter at
least once a month or as mentioned in the air-pump manual
3) Feeding your fishes
One big word: Do Not Overfeed your fishes. Most aquarium
fishes die of overfeeding rather then underfeeding. Also
leftover foods (usually your fishes will continue eating
till they are in real trouble!) contaminate the water,
and promote bacteria harmful to the fishes. Feed the fish
small amounts, which they can consume in three to five
minutes and feed them daily. And if you are going out
for a couple of days in the weekend, do not try to feed
them an extra quantity on Friday. Your fishes will do
well on an empty stomach for a couple of days. Also it
is always better not to ask your helpful neighbor not
to feed your fish when you are away for the weekend. The
chances are that your over-zealous neighbor will overfeed
them (with a good intention, of course!). There is sufficient
food in a balanced aquarium to keep fish healthy even
though not fed for a day or more.
About the Author
See my e-book on Tropical fishes at http://dotpacket.net/tropical/ |
|
