Fish

What does a pet fish need? A pet fish needs enough water to swim in, some food, and some privacy. A pet fish believes that its owner is crazy. A pet fish also believes that its owner is very stupid for putting it in a glass box with some water and food, instead of providing it with a large body of water so it can swim around for exercise. Also, a pet fish believes that its owner will eventually provide more privacy by giving it a home where the lights are not so bright all day long, and there’s someplace to hide from the people who come looking at you every 10 minutes while saying “Awwww…” Below are some fundamental tips which you can consider in looking out for the well-being of your pet fishes. 1. Always have food for fish handy – It’s necessary for you to help the fish preserve a proper diet. It’s important to set a proper schedule wherein you’ll be feeding your fish as well. For the most part, fishes are more at ease being fed at night. However, if there’s one major concern concerning their eating, it is that quite a lot of owners mistakenly give way too much food to them. The amount of food to be fed to the fish is a necessary matter to think about, considering that you don’t want to overfeed them, in turn contributing to health problems. Other than that, any leftover food lurking about at the bed of the aquarium can become byproducts that may affect the purity of the water. 2. Make certain that your aquarium has a good filter and heater – It is highly necessary that fish owners get hold of a good heater & filter. These two fish tank components are necessary to give your pets proper care. In spite of this, considering that different breeds of fish may also need specific water temperature requirements, you will only have to ask for some assistance from the pet shop owners about this matter. You can even do some internet-based research by yourself. 3. Maintain the quality of the water – Water quality should continually be dirt-free, considering that anything otherwise could lead to the ill health of your pet fish, which can even result in their death. Therefore, you must sanitary the tank and change 15 percent of the water twice a week.

Question: What should I know before buying a fish? Fish for beginners should be a firm white-fleshed fish with a mild flavor such as tilapia, catfish, cod, or halibut. Fish is one of those ingredients that can make home cooking feel sophisticated and French. Unfortunately, if you’re not careful it also might be the cause of your miserable dinner party or unsuccessful holiday meal. One of the most important things to consider before one embarks on keeping pet fish is to be thorough in learning about and choosing the right type of pet fish that can suit one’s resources, time, and desires. In other words, you need to find the right pet for you. So how does one go about choosing the right fish? Here are 5 important tips that will help you chose the right fish that will be a joy to keep without putting a strain on your time and resources. Start by doing some research – Find out all you can about fish keeping. Use the internet or visit your local library and read as much as you can about the basics of managing an aquarium at home. In particular, learn about the different types of fish that are suitable for home aquariums. Learn about their behavior, how much space they need, what type of food they eat, and how they breed, among other things. Visit your local pet shop – Once you have acquainted yourself with the different types of aquarium fish, pay a visit to your local pet shop and see what types of pet fish they stock. Based on your newly acquired knowledge, find out how much the pet shop staff know about pet fish by asking them some simple questions relating to fish names, fish food, fish diseases, and other basic questions. This will help you to find out whether they are knowledgeable enough to be able to provide you with the necessary advice and support you will need down the road. Also, do your own inspection and see whether their fish tanks are clean. You can do this by looking into the tanks from the top and from the sides. A pet shop with dirty fish tanks, little fish knowledge, or dead fish is certainly not a good store to buy from. Review local stock availability against your choices – When you get back home, do some further investigations on the fish you found at the pet store especially the ones you liked. In particular, do an in-depth study into how they behave, whether they school or not, as well as the required level of care in terms of frequencies of feeding, water changing, and tank cleaning. Thereafter, it should be pretty easy for you to select the type of fish that suits you. Prepare your aquarium – Once you have come to your decision, proceed to prepare a fish tank according to set requirements for your kind of fish. Make sure you have the necessary equipment for tank maintenance to ensure that water cleanliness and appropriate temperatures are maintained at all times. Choose your fish – Once all is set, proceed to the pet store and buy your first fish. In choosing your new pet, always go for the fish that is alert and healthy. Fish that appear sluggish, trembling, have torn fins, sores, or spots that appear unnatural must be avoided at all costs. Also to be avoided are fish that have, recently, been brought into the pet shop as they may have come with some diseases. Once you have collected your fish, proceed to introduce them into your aquarium and start enjoying your hobby of fish keeping. You will learn a lot along the way, most of it from the fish themselves. Soon you will be able to start distinguishing them based on their unique character as not all fish are the same.    

How do you take care of a pet fish? The first thing you want to do is to get a tank and fill it with an appropriate amount of filtered water. You then need to get some rocks or live plants, such as java moss, which you will put over the surface. The next thing that you need to do is to get a light and turn it on at all times. Fish can’t just be floating in the dark. They need light so that they can find their food and sense danger. You will also want to put some gravel on the bottom of the tank and add a layer of sand on top of that for the fish’s stomachs. This helps them digest food easier and helps prevent constipation. You will also need a filter for your tank because these fish produce a lot of waste and some will cause the water to become cloudy. Filters remove the debris from the water while also creating a current that allows your fish to swim against it. You just must learn the proper way to manage this otherwise you will be wasting a lot of money and effort and of course your fish. Never put fish that do not have compatible living conditions in together, for they will not last and if they are temperamentally not compatible too, will kill one another.

1. Make a plan

You will have to do a lot of planning and ask for advice before putting different species of marine and nonmarine fish together in the same aquarium. If you are putting similar fish in the tank then make sure that you put only two of a kind.

2. Testing kits and other paraphernalia

Along with the aquarium and the fish, you will have to think of getting some other equipment and accessories like floss, gravel, filters, buffers, testing kits, lights, heaters, and plants. If you have saltwater fish then you will have to add salt to the water every fortnight. If the water where you live is saltwater it is better that you get fish that are saltwater fish only. This way you will not have to do a complete treatment for the water but can maintain saltwater fish without any problem.

3. Maintaining freshwater fish

Freshwater fish easily adapt to any kind of tank, whereas saltwater fish find it easier to survive in reef tanks. As freshwater fish adapt easier to any sort of tank it is better to start with these tanks in the beginning until you get the hang of taking care of fish and fish tanks.

4. Think of the location of your aquarium

Even before you get your aquarium you have to think of where you will be placing it. While considering the size of the tank that you want to buy you will have to decide on where you will place it and if you have sufficient place in your home for a tank of this size. It is better not to keep the tank near windows and doorways, or near heaters. The sunlight will make algae grow faster if there is direct sunlight. The room temperature should be maintained at the correct temperature also.

5. Accessories for the aquarium

You will need humidifiers and dehumidifiers to maintain the room temperature along with fish food, medicines, gravel, floss, and filters. You would also require lights and heaters for your aquarium.

6. How to select the right filters?

Filters are available as internal or external filters or even under the gravel ones which are good support for your fish tank. You should see what suits your tank best and could get advice on this from the same pet shop where you bought your fish tank. Before keeping in the fish, you need to set the aquarium in a way that fish would feel at home in it. In order to make it feel as if the aquarium is a natural habitat, you would have to install natural plants in it as well as have to keep an eye over the pH level prevailing in the water and the organisms that can help in producing a natural environment for the fish. Plants are necessary as they not only provide the fish with shelter; they make it feel confident and safe. Plants are also necessary for the breeding of fish. They keep the oxygen level maintained in the water and resist the prevalence of the algae. They make the fish feel like being in the natural water reservoir. In order to ensure the health of your fish, you would need to take care of the health of the plant that you have installed into the aquarium. Another important thing in this regard is the installation of a quality filter into the aquarium. The filter is necessary as it would keep the water clean and free from the existence of the elements like algae that pollute the quality of water and make the living of fish rather difficult. A good quality water filter helps in maintaining the quality of water. It takes all the waste materials out of the water that is not desired and affects the underwater environment. For sustaining the health of your fish it is also important to provide it with quality food. While feeding your fish only put the amount of food that it eats within the first 3 to 5 minutes. The fish does not like eating leftover food, hence if you would put an extra amount of food in water it would only increase the amount of nitrate in the water.          

Yes, pet fish does remember us.  The study claims that fish are sentient beings with intelligence, self-awareness and can experience emotions like fear, happiness, and pain. The study was done by giving the fish an electric shock which made them fearful of getting into the area where they got shocked before. So basically over time, you will see the fish having longer times to stay far away from these areas… It is likely that your pet fish has shown signs of stress when you left him alone for some days… But do remember that cories are shoaling fishes so it is not good to keep them alone… Fish don’t just react to painful stimuli but can also experience fear and stress—and perhaps even physical pain—accordingly new Australian research suggests. The study provides evidence fish have nociceptors — specialized nerve cells that sense noxious or harmful events — which respond to damaging stimuli by sending signals to the brain. “There are so many studies showing nociception in fish, but no one has demonstrated pain,” said study co-author Joseph Garner, an associate professor of biological sciences at the University of Utah. “This is the first time it has been demonstrated that fish have pain.” Scientists had assumed fish could feel physical pain because when they are hurt they respond physiologically much as mammals do—they secrete hormones that trigger changes in blood chemistry and physiological activities to ease stress. However, until now there was no direct evidence for this. The new findings don’t mean the fishing is now off-limits but suggest anglers should take care not to damage their catches any more than necessary when removing the hook. Garner and colleagues from the University of Queensland gave bee venom injections to the lips or hand of 22 volunteers—to simulate a fishhook barb puncturing their skin—and then exposed them to chili powder, which causes burning pain. They asked them how painful it would be for a 10-year-old child, and also asked the volunteers to rate changes in their stress levels. This confirmed that they could judge fairly accurately whether others were experiencing pain or fear because they had been through a similar experience themselves. The team also determined that goldfish experienced pain by pinching their mouths until they opened them, causing them discomfort, so much so that many stopped eating even though were hungry. “The goldfish treated with the bee venom could not eat for about 10 days. It was so severe I decided to sacrifice the fish after six days because it caused pain,” Garner said. The scientists also tested whether goldfish had memory by conditioning them to push a lever to turn on a light inside their tank, which simulated “positive reinforcement” that occurs when animals are trained by reward. The team then shut off the power source for eight hours—making it impossible for them to get the reward—after letting the fish recover overnight by turning on the machine again. At first, they made many attempts in vain because they simply forgot what they were supposed to do, but after four days of training, guided by their memory of pushing levers rather than hunger, they began remembering. To test memory further, the team shut off the power supply to the fish tank four times a day for periods of six minutes each—and found that after 19 days, they remembered pushing levers even in advance by one day to turn on lights when another period of training would be interrupted. “This is very much like when humans learn something and remember it later,” Garner said. “Fish can recognize novel things when they experience them.”  

Yes,  fish Can communicate with humans! Fish have been shown to be able to communicate with each other via certain body language and through the release of pheromones. They can also move around in a coordinated fashion due to being able to see one another. Scientists have yet been unable to confirm if fish can communicate with humans or not. Some have used studies of a fish’s brain as a basis to claim that they can. In those experiments, the scientists electrically stimulated certain regions in the fish’s brain and were able to see movements from specific parts of their body such as their gills. In The Pearl by John Steinbeck, Kino is able to communicate with an octopus because of its similar nature. They both have a tough exterior and are able to defend themselves from anything that may come along, such as sharks. They also share the same concern for their children. The similarity between them shows that octopuses can get across what they’re trying to say, which is why Kino is able to talk with him. In the film Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, fish travel with Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect in their escape from Earth after it has been destroyed by a Vogon constructor fleet. Not much has been discussed about this particular breed of fish, but it has been shown that they have a brain capable of communicating ideas and thoughts back and forth among other fish within that species. They are also able to move around in a coordinated fashion, which could be why they are traveling along with Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect. The fish may have seen the escape pod being launched from Earth and decided to follow it. The examples of octopuses being able to communicate with humans show that it is possible for fish to do so as well. Scientists have yet been unable to confirm if fish can communicate with humans or not due to their lack of evidence. Some scientists have used studies of a fish’s brain as a basis to claim that they are able to communicate because of brain regions that elicit certain movements when electrically stimulated. It has also been shown that fish are capable of coordinating among other members in their species, which could explain why fish are able to communicate with each other. The examples of fish being able to communicate with humans show that they can do so as well.

Different people have different needs, and for that reason, but three beginner fish: the Betta, the Neon Tetra, and the Black Molly.

Betta

The Betta is one of those popular fish that you can’t seem to go anywhere without seeing them. They come in a variety of colors and patterns as well as sizes, so they are perfect for those who want to show off their Aquariums.

Neon Tetra

Neon Tetras are another popular choice for beginners because they not only stay relatively small, but they’re also hardy and very easy to care for. You’ll find that this fish does need a little more attention than your average beginner fish and they need plenty of plant cover and hiding places in the tank.

Black Molly

The Black Molly is a great choice for beginners because they are inexpensive and they stay small, which means you can fit more in your tank and it won’t be too cluttered or look empty. They come from South America, so they do best when kept at tropical temperatures. Betta, Neon Tetra, and Black Molly are all good fish for beginners because of their easy care requirements which make them hardy fish with a minimum amount of input on the owner’s part. The Betta has an aggressive nature that isn’t suitable to many types of community tanks but is perfect if you’re looking to keep a male-female pair or a male-male pair. The Neon Tetra, much like the Black Molly, is small and will add a nice splash of color to your tank without taking up too much space. The Black Molly is inexpensive and one of the hardiest fish out there which makes it a great choice for beginners who don’t have a lot of money to spend on costly fish.

Fish can be very sensitive, but with a little work and attention, they’ll thrive in your aquarium. Here are some tips to help you care for your fish and keep them away from dying: 1. Keep the temperature between 72-80 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. Feed them three times per day at the same time every day. 3. Change their water regularly and do a 25% water change once per week or about 10% daily if the water seems cloudy. 4. Check for fungus with a flashlight on all surfaces of your aquarium and scrub it off with a towel dipped in clean water. 5. Be aware that some fish may need “live plants” or “live rocks” in their tank–some fish eat them. 6. Keep the aquarium away from windows or strong sunlight, which can create algae blooms and heatwaves. 7. Test the water regularly for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates with liquid test kits found at most pet stores using chemical reagents made for freshwater aquariums (NOT marine aquariums). 8. Clean your fishnet in hot soapy water before you put it into your tank–you don’t want to introduce any more toxins than necessary! 9. Trim-dying lives plants regularly but don’t remove them until they are completely dead because bacteria need a place to grow as well as the plant material itself. 10. Get a gravel vacuum and regularly “vacuum” your gravel when you do your water changes. 11. Keep the lights on for only 8-12 hours each day and add a night light (if desired). 12. Clean the outside of the tank with hot soapy water and use environmentally friendly cleaners like vinegar or natural soap, not ammonia or bleach which can hurt fish and other aquatic critters in your aquarium. 13. If your heater says it’s rated for fresh and saltwater, don’t worry–just make sure there is no mixing between fresh and saltwater in your tank! 14. If you have live plants, fertilize them once per week with an iron-based plant supplement according to package directions except if you’re using CO2 injection because that will burn the plants. 15. If your fish are sick or diseased, don’t put them in your tank with the other ones because they can contaminate the water and make all your other fish sick too! 16. Use an aquarium vacuum to clean the gravel very regularly (e.g., every month) to remove solid wastes that accumulate there; if you use gravel that doesn’t have “ridges” on it, add a small net bag filled with activated carbon/charcoal to one corner of your aquarium so debris collects on that instead of on top of the gravel where it will be sucked up when you vacuum–this is especially important for fry tanks since they’re often used as breeding tanks and produce tons of waste! 17. Adjust the pH in your aquarium to between 6.5 and 8.0 (ideally, if you can), and make sure you use a liquid test kit for this–pH paper isn’t accurate enough! 18. If your fish learn to eat flakes or pellets, try getting them to eat frozen brine shrimp instead–it’s much healthier for them and they’ll like it better (and need less of it). 19. Keep an eye out for “ich” (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis), which is one of the most common diseases that kill freshwater tropical fish–it causes white spots on their body, fins, and gills which spread quickly if left untreated.

Yes. Aquarium fishes need light for a number of reasons. First, the fish need light so they can see their environment and other fishes. In addition to being able to see their environment, the fish also need light so they can move through the water column easily. Second, fish use photosynthesis from plants in order to create nutrients and oxygen for themselves and other organisms that live in an aquarium. Third, fish use light as a source of energy, and as such, certain types of fish require different intensities and spectrums of light in order to function appropriately. Fourth, plants also need photosynthesis in order to grow and survive. Plants provide an aquarium with many benefits that range from waste processing to increased oxygen levels for the environment, and they also provide food for the fish. 1) The fish need light so they can see their environment and other fishes. In addition to being able to see their environment, the fish also need light so they can move through the water column easily. 2) Fish use photosynthesis from plants in order to create nutrients and oxygen for themselves and other organisms that live in an aquarium. 3) Fish use light as a source of energy and as such, certain types of fish require different intensities and spectrums of light in order to function appropriately. 4) Plants also need photosynthesis in order to grow and survive. Plants provide an aquarium with many benefits that range from waste processing to increased oxygen levels for the environment, and they also provide food for the fish. But there are many different types of lights that people can use with an aquarium including fluorescent lights; high-intensity metal halide lamps; red night light; black night light (helps with algae growth); ultraviolet (UV) filters (which can help prevent infection); and blue night light. All these lights have an effect on the fish that live in the aquariums, as well as plants that live there. Fluorescent lights give off a low amount of heat and provide very little wattage which is useful for small aquariums or ones that house “cold-water” species (e.g., goldfish). High-intensity metal halide lamps give more wattage, but they also generate more heat; this lamp is good for larger aquariums with tropical species (e.g., swordtails). The red night light can be used at night time to make it easier for people to see inside their aquarium without disturbing the fishes’ circadian rhythms (internal body clock).