The Oranda Goldfish - An Interesting Fish For Your Aquarium

If you want a fancy looking goldfish that has an unusual characteristic and you might consider the Oranda goldfish for your aquarium. This fish has a beautiful metallic scaled appearance and comes in a variety of colors from yellow to bright red as well as an interesting chocolate color and a pure white with a red cap.

The interesting characteristic of this goldfish is that they have a bumpy growth on the top of their head which develops when they are a couple of years old. This growth is called a wen and is an unusual, but somewhat appealing characteristic. While this differentiates the Orlando from other goldfish he is similar in many other ways including his paired anal fans and dorsal fin.

The Oranda goldfish can grow to be about 7 inches in length and will survive best in the tank that is between 65 and 72�F. Like other goldfish, he is a good community fish and will even help to clean excess food from the bottom of the tank. However, you must be sure to keep him in a tank that is of sufficient size keeping in mind the population of fish you wish to house in the aquarium. Appropriate aquarium maintenance is a must to keep the water quality in good shape. While goldfish are hardy, they will do best with a well cared for tank.

Goldfish are omnivores, and the Oranda is no exception so you want
to be sure to feed him a good-quality flake food every day. In addition, you want to include some fresh or frozen foods such as tubifex worms, brine shrimp or blood worms. Keep in mind that live foods can introduce parasites and bacteria into the tank so you might want to stick to frozen foods only.

With the Oranda, you do want to be careful about bacterial infections because debris, fingi and bacteria can get caught in the folds of their wen. Well, for the most part, these fish will be fine you do want to keep an eye out for any red or wall looking patches and take the appropriate steps to clear up an infection should one arise. On some fish, you may be alarmed to notice that the wen has grown to cover over the eyes. This seems to disturb the owners more than the fish, however, and the Oranda somehow does fine even if it seems like he can�t see where he is going.

Originally from China, Oranda goldfish can be found in most pet stores today. They are not inexpensive fish, however, they can be a bit delicate and may not be the best choice for a novice aquarist.

For more information on tropical fish, visit http://www.fish-tank-guide.com where you can get tips on setting up and maintaining a fish tank as well as see photos of fish such as the oranda goldfish.

Angel Fish Care � How To Keep Your Angel Fish In Top Condition

Angel fish (Pterophyllum) are possibly the most distinctive of the cichlid varieties. The most common variety is the Pterophyllum scalare that is silver with black stripes. It has the shape of a discus fish but has elaborate dorsal and anal fins and a long pointed tail that gives it a serene and majestic look as it glides around the tank, possibly like the movement of an angel no doubt. This article will discuss some simple Angel fish facts, like the ideal conditions for the fish and how to care for them.

Angel fish originate from the Amazon river region. This water can vary in quality as it gets closer to the sea and becomes more brackish. However, Angel fish are most suited to acidic water that is found on the flood plains. It is typically slow moving and dense in vegetation. The vegetation eventually rots and creates debris that produces humic acid. This tends to make the water quite acidic or soft. The typical Ph levels would be 5 � 6.5. Water temperatures are also high at around 26-30 degrees Celsius.

Having said this, Angel fish today are so popular that they are mainly bred in captivity and inter-bred. This has made them more flexible to types of water and they can adapt to harder water. It is best to ask about the ideal water conditions for the type of angel fish you buy from the store owner.

Angel fish prefer a habitat that has plenty of plant life and rocks. The plant life should have large surface area leaves as Angel fish like to spawn on plant leaves.

Angel fish are generally carnivorous in the wild. They tend to drift in the upper to surface levels of water picking off young fish and even insects that might settle on the surface. In an aquarium they will eat Angel fish flakes, bloodworm, shrimp and shrimp brine. Due to inter-breeding and eggs being removed from parents some angel fish will eat their young.

With this in mind, Angel fish are generally placid and will live with other fish but it is advisable that the fish are of a size that does not tempt the angel fish to eat them !

Angel Fish diseases are the same as most other cichlid illnesses. Most diseases are introduced by snails that come with plants. It is advisable to check any new plants for snails before putting them into the tank. Another cause of disease is from bad water quality that can lead to stressful fish that can cause illness.

Ich is the most common disease that may affect your fish. The symptoms are tiny white spots on the fish, around the gills and fins. The fish may also start to rub themselves against rocks or wood. Ich is caused by a parasite known as ichthyophthirius multifiliis, a ciliate protozoa. Medicine, in the form of drops, can be purchased to remedy this condition.

Angel Fish will complement any fish tank, they exhibit behaviors that make them fascinating to watch. The tank bred varieties are quite hardy and make it easier to care for them. Having said this you really need to know how to maintain a fish tank and monitor the water quality.

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Pond Aquarium Plants: More than Just Decoration

What is a pond with plants in it? Just another hole in the ground with water! Well, maybe it isn�t that bad, but you will find that by adding plants to your outdoor pond you can greatly help not only with the visual aspects of the pond, but also help your fish breed better and the pond keep itself healthy for your fish. Let�s take a look at how aquatic plants can help spruce up your outdoor pond.

* Different tropical fish like different types of aquatic plants. There are a large number which to choose from and it is important to pick types that your fish will enjoy and those that will help your pond. Most pet stores and tropical fish handbooks can give you an idea of what types of aquatic plants will work well in an outdoor environment. If your pond is large enough you may even want to consult with your local greenhouse which may have a selection of aquatic plants available.

* Aquatic plants serve many purposes in a pond. They not only provide a place for fish to hide, rest and breed, but they also help keep the Carbon Dioxide levels in the water regulated as well as help control algae production. Without aquatic plants you would need to use chemicals and other methods to control the environment.

* Freshwater ponds also benefit from having aquatic plants in them to control the environmental conditions of the water itself. Water lilies not only look beautiful, but they also provide a cool area for fish to hide out during particularly hot days. Many plants also attract bugs and other small insects to them which can provide a great secondary food resource for your tropical fish friends.

* If you are interested in trying to breed your fish, then adding some water-loving plants can also provide a habitat for your fish to breed and raise their young. Fish often lay eggs and want to do so in a place they think is safe. Plants provide the natural covering necessary to help in this process.

Finally, as with everything else in your pond, your aquatic plants will need periodic maintenance. Don�t let them overtake the entire pond � some are nice, too many can be deadly to your fish. Also, as plants die out over the course of nature be sure to remove them so they don�t add contamination to the pond as they decompose.

The Author, Graham Wardle, offers tips and advice about the hobby of keeping fish both indoors and outside at http://beta-tropical-and-pond-fish-news.blogspot.com and also at http://tropicalpondandfreshwaterfishnews.blogspot.com

Discus Fish - Ideas On How To Breed Discus Fish

It is not unusual that exotic fish owners find breeding discus fish a little bit demanding. The difficult part about raising discus fish is finding the right pair, this arises from the fact that discus fish likes to choose their partners alone, and not everyone suit their favor. In that circumstances, you have two options for your breading discus aquarium fish; you can either buy a pair or raise them together in a group and hoping that they make a pair.

The initial option is not the best, since discuss fish pair can be as expensive as few hundred dollars, which is quite a lot.

Hence, the most beneficial option you have is to start breeding discus fish by creating discus group of at least half a dozen members and keep your fingers crossed that you get at least one pair among them. How do you know if they are pairs ? Hopefully, from now on breeding discus fish will not be that difficult if you follow the basic principles. First of all, the new couple will put up demarcation in the tank and will start to defend it against any trespassers. Which means, is time for you to move to the second phase of breeding discus goldfish.

Prepare a separate tank for your discus fish and keep it simple as much as possible. Don't be obliged to put something at the bottom of the fish tank, what they need is a vertical surface that will enables them to lay their eggs. Discus fish will soon begin to spawn. Don't start worrying about the eggs that look whitish, those are the infertile ones, and as for the rest, is possible that the parents may eat some of them and protect the rest. The interesting part of breeding discus fish is that they feed their own siblings for few weeks.

In about 21 days you will have to move the fish into a special tank as is not uncommon that the discus fish might have been injured by their babies who eat their scales for example. Once they are off parental care, the breeding discus fish will begin a new reproduction cycle and you may soon begin to have more siblings afterwards. Throughout the feeding period, water and feeding are essential, hence, make sure no mistake is made.

Victor Ephenus owns Discus Fish Resources website discusfishresources.com with informations helping beginners and advanced fish keepers with discus problems including keeping and breeding them. Please visit the site for more information on href="http://www.discusfishresources.com">discus fish and breeding discus.

Goldfish - Buying The Best Goldfish In The World

Well you would be pretty lucky to buy the BEST goldfish in the world! I mean how do you even tell what a good looking goldfish looks like? When you're down at the pet store next time, how do you decide which fish is worth purchasing and which is not?

What Breed Are You After?

The first thing you have to do is work out what type of goldfish would best suit your circumstances! Are you planning to keep your fish indoors or outdoors? This will play a huge role in your overall decision. There are many breeds that are not suited for life outdoors and at the same time, there are breeds that survive and grow larger in an outdoor pond environment as opposed to living in an aquarium or other kind of tank!

So What Fish Are Suited To What Environments?

When we're trying to think of what fish to place in what environment, the rule to go by is this one � "How big does the breed grow?" Now if you're planning to keep your fish in a pond, you're best to go with a particular breed that grows fairly big, especially in an outdoor environment. The best outdoor breed is of course the common Koi, which has the capacity to grow to enormous lengths! The other breed that fits the outdoor environment quite well is the comet. The comet has the ability to adapt extremely well to whatever circumstance it finds itself it. It's basically the 'survivor' of the goldfish world!

So What If You Are Planning To Keep Your Fish Indoors?

Well, that's a whole different story! It really depends on what fish you want to keep and the size of the environment you are planning to keep them in. I mean, are you after something a little bit different, extravagant or do you just want a bit of gold in your aquarium? You have the option of getting a breed of fantail, the more extravagant breed that has long butterfly-wing-like tails. Comets can also be kept in tanks too if you just want to have a bit of gold in the tank. Koi usually grow a lot bigger and prefer the larger environment of the garden pond.

When buying from a pet shop you will need to make sure the fish you are looking at, hasn't already contracted certain diseases, parasites or fungus for that matter. One of the easiest things to spot is to see if the fish you are looking at has blood spots anywhere on its body? This is a surefire sign that it has contracted anchor worms, a common parasite that leaches its way usually onto the dorsal fin area of the goldfish.

Secondly check to see if there are any white spots hanging off the tail fins. This usually means, the fish has been infected by Ichtyopthirius(Ick), which can been noticed by checking for white patches on the surface area.

If you want to learn more about keeping your goldfish healthy, including tips on goldfish breeding, feeding and much more than www.SecretsofGoldfish.com is the place to go!

7 Tips For Building Koi Fish Ponds

Are you thinking of building a koi fish pond? Keeping these magnificent fish in your garden can be great fun and it is not as difficult as you might think. With the right care koi can live for decades and some can become almost a meter long. Follow these tips to plan your pond properly so your koi will live long and happy life.

1 Depth is important

Depth of your pond is crucial. The minimum recommended depth is 4 feet, however it is much better to give your fish six or even 8 feet deep pond. This will ensure that your koi are protected from raccoons, cats and other animals who love a fish dinner. Deeper fish pond also helps to keep water cool in hot summer days

2 Make your pond as large as you can

Small ponds are not suitable for koi. Remember, with time koi can grow quite large and they will need a lot of room. Also there are so many color variations of koi, that with time you will probably want to add more fish to your pond. So it is better to create a large pond from the start than rebuild it later. About ten thousand gallons is a good size for a koi pond, bigger would be even better.

3 Use fish pond heater in colder months

Unlike tropical fish, koi don't suffer much from cold; however you should never let your pond freeze completely. Installing a proper pond heater will always keep an opening in the ice. Also keep in mind, that koi only grow when the water is warm, so with a heater your fish will grow faster

4 Plan some shade for your koi

When selecting a spot for your pond, make sure it is out of direct sunlight. Also keeping water plants like water lilies in your pond are a good idea - not only they add beauty to the overall design, but they also provide shade for the fish. However, you should avoid building your koi pond under trees. Cleaning a fish pond of fallen leaves is no fun.

5 Plan to install a bird net

There are many birds of prey that would love to steal your koi. Don't give them the opportunity; plan your pond location so it is possible to cover it with a net.

6 Keep insecticides away from your pond

When landscaping your pond keep in mind that you should not use any insecticides or herbicides near the water. Even a small amount of common garden poison can kill your beautiful fish.

7 Get proper equipment for your pond

Several accessories are absolutely essential for a healthy koi pond. Ideally you will have to invest into a water pump, filtration system, water aerator and an ultraviolet sterilizer. If the water in your pond is still, your fish might get sick and eventually die. Koi pond filtration systems are expensive, so as an alternative you can make your own homemade filters.

There is much more to building a koi fish pond Visit Koi Fish Ponds for more information about installing and maintaining koi ponds.

Breeding Betta Fishes

Betta fishes are in reality very sociable fish as long as you don't place two males together. They can be very easily kept with most other fish, and what you truly have to watch out for is the fish that bothers bettas.

Betta fishes are slow moving fish with incredibly long fins, so they can't be placed with any fast moving fish that is being known for it�s fin-nipping, like zebra danios. They get along in a very good manner with most breeds of tetras, and you can let your baby betta fish grow with baby neons.

When you place bettas in a community tank, the most significant thing to keep in mind is that they are fish that initially came from an area with slow moving water. So any kind of big filtration on the tank will shock a betta and make him conceal in a corner away from the current. You have to create a sense of balance in this case with the other fish in the tank that have need of the current and bubbles for the oxygen in the water for them to survive. Alternatively, once a betta fish gets accustomed to the current from a filter, you will every now and then see the betta playing in it for fun. Simply take care that there is an area with slow moving water or still water in the tank for the betta to move to when they are exhausted.

Normally you can�t place a male and female betta fish in the same
tank if

* The two fish are not very babyish (more than a few months old generally won't work)

* They are not prepared and ready to reproduce,

* They have not grown up together from a very young age, and

* You do not have sufficient hiding places for the female.

This is a sweeping statement - your mileage may differ on this
one!

Generally, even for usual breeders, getting the silly small fish to breed can be either an effortless joy or a royal pain. They're not as good as the humans on blind dates. Many a times one couple will take to each other right away and you'll have eggs spread here and there in the tank, and sometimes they can swim around the tank for weeks and in no way look at each other. Or in certain cases one will be attracted but the other won't. So don't ever get depressed about not being able to breed the fish.

As a universal rule, for a female betta fish, give her sufficient time for her to recuperate and start looking prepared again; Sorry, that won�t help out a lot, but every fish is unusual just keep an eye on your betta fish. If she had a despondent initially, it'll take her a while to recuperate. If the whole thing went well, she can be hot to trot again within a week.

Generally the second mating produce less number of eggs as compared to the first one, but it's never debilitated the female yet. If the female betta fish hasn't been fed, high-protein food regularly, then it takes normally a minimum time of 2-3 weeks after starting that food that she'll be prepared for breeding. After having been bred, if the female fish has been put on that same food again, usually within 2-3 weeks she'll be prepared again. However, it would better on your part to maintain a gap of one month in between.

Look carefully while placing the fish together. If the female is trying to attract the male aggressively and the bubblenest, and hanging her head down in the water, she's prepared. If all she does is swim away worriedly trying to run away, she's not.

Males also have to be conditioned as they use up a lot of exertion in tending the fry, but they're time and again more prepared than females. Though, keep an eye on the fish. From time to time the male is just so eager to be with a female that he's more involved in either fighting or showing off to truly doing anything about it. Or he's been around females so much that being lonely with one just isn't a delight anymore. Make use of your decision.

Normally after a fish is beaten up, it's fine to give them sufficient time to recuperate from whatever wounds they received, but torn fins aren't generally a trouble.

For more information or to learn more on Betta Fish, please visit my blog