More than 40 percent of marine and reef aquariums around the world are stocked with Amphiprioninae, a genus more commonly referred to as clownfish and that owes a significant portion of its popularity to the 2003 Pixar film Finding Nemo. Amphiprioninae are very diverse in terms of variants. The one featured on Finding Nemo is from the ocellaris family, which happens to be the most common among saltwater fish keepers. Since the orange clownfish is relatively small, you might be tempted to get a few for your tank, but this may not be a good idea. Unless the tank holds at least 200 gallons of water, the most ideal number …

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Whether you keep freshwater or saltwater fish, adding live plants to their habitat is one of the best things you can do in terms of balancing the ecosystem. All the ornamental fish species kept in aquariums are used to having aquatic plants in their natural habitats. This is the main reason you should keep plants, but there are a few other important benefits as well. Plants provide shelter, nourishment, and biochemical oxygenation of the water column. Plus, they reduce algae growth. When you’re ready to introduce new plants to your tank, there are a few things to keep in mind with regard to preparation. Considering Biological Safety The source of …

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Whether you keep fish in freshwater (large or nano) tanks, one of the best things you can do for your aquatic species is to provide them with live plants purchased from a trusted aquarium supplier. Virtually all tropical fish and invertebrates that are part of the aquarist hobby come from natural habitats where plants thrive, and this is the main argument in favor of live plants versus their plastic counterparts. Live plants also help you establish a more balanced ecosystem because they promote biochemical oxygenation and compete with algae for nutrients. In other words, you’ll always be better off with live plants in the aquarium, but this doesn’t mean you …

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All fish keepers wonder if the species in their tanks have emotions. If your connection to fish is limited to seeing them served on platters, you won’t think much about their behaviors or what may affect their feelings. Aquarists, on the other hand, get to observe fish in the enclosed ecosystems they’ve established, and this allows them to determine situations in which aquatic species exhibit boredom. In 2018, the PBS television series Nova aired a documentary on the topic of fish and their multitude of feelings. One of the points marine biologists make is that aquatic species showing defined reactions to stimuli have the potential to get bored in the …

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The average aquarium shop carries as many decorations as they do the more essential freshwater and saltwater aquarium supplies. The profit margin potential on tank decorations is higher than it is for most tropical fish species because such items don’t require breeding, feeding, or special handling during transportation. Aquarium fish have always been ornamental. If you think about it, they’re prettier than any decoration you can put in an aquarium, and for the most part they’ll be indifferent to the appearance of shipwrecks or those vintage deep sea divers figurines that adorn the bottom of so many fish tanks. While it could be argued that fish don’t really care about …

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Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a gaseous compound with soluble properties. It’s present in all aquatic habitats, and it’s generated by fish through an exchange process involving their gills. You may have heard about CO2 being toxic in high concentrations, but this isn’t really the case. The problem with high CO2 levels in the air or aquarium water is that it causes suffocation because of displacement of oxygen molecules. CO2 must be balanced in any habitat. In the specific case of freshwater planted aquariums, a deficiency of this compound will complicate things for certain species. CO2 Generation in Aquarium Water When water is added to aquariums, it normally contains CO2 that’s …

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Acrylic tank manufacturers take pride in being able to set up aquariums in just about any place. One popular request involves transforming a headboard into an aquarium, and such a project would require dampening the vibrations of the air pump by setting it up away from the pillows. Larger tanks require more powerful aeration systems that can generate a lot of noise, but this is more of a problem for the aquarists than for aquarium species. In general, fish should be able to sleep without being bothered by the air pump. What you need to look out for is the actual bubbling and the agitation of the water column. Often …

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Aquarium water is filled with microorganisms, and some will go through a blooming period at some points. For example, bacterial bloom happens when you first stock a newly established or cycled tank with plants or fish, and it can last up to three days. The water turns very cloudy, but this signals an abundant colonization of Nitrobacter, which will help you keep the ecosystem healthy and balanced. There’s another visible bloom that results from the rapid reproduction of other microorganisms, specifically phytoplankton spores, which are commonly known as green algae. This bloom often happens overnight and when you least expect it. It may last three days if you leave it …

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The aquarium hobby has various subsets beyond simple freshwater and saltwater tanks. Aquascaping refers to tanks that focus on creating lushly planted ecosystems. They may also feature a nice assortment of fish and some invertebrates, but the focus is on keeping gorgeous aquatic gardens. Within the realm of aquascaping, there’s a technique that involves injecting carbon dioxide into the planted aquarium for better results. CO2 is an important nutrient for aquatic plants. In natural habitats, plants are able to feed on CO2 from a variety of sources, mostly from the waste fish produce through their breathing processes. Abundant CO2 results in lush plants, which is why many aquascapers prefer artificial …

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According to estimates by marine biologists at the International Union for Conservation of Nature, there were more than 30,000 fish species classified as of 2006, and approximately half of them live in freshwater habitats. Tropical fish are the most popular in the freshwater and saltwater aquarium hobbies, although cold water species such as koi can thrive in ponds located in regions with tropical climates. Within this great diversity of fish, a few species stand out for their resilience, hardiness, and adaptability. These are the kinds of traits rookie fish keepers should look for when they stock their first aquariums. Let’s look at a few species seasoned aquarists often recommend to …

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