Here’s an aesthetic dilemma some fish keepers face with their tanks: the combination of plants, rocks, and decorations at the bottom can be easily complemented with bottom dwellers and invertebrates, but this can result in a visual void near the surface, especially with freshwater tanks of at least 20 gallons. This situation isn’t seen often in reef tanks because species that are native to coastal reefs will swim, feed, and play in various spots of the tank. If you notice most of your freshwater fish prefer to hang around the substrate, this could be a good opportunity to diversify the habitat and introduce some top dwellers. Several species are known …

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In 1977, researchers from the University of Nagoya determined that Hanako, a female koi, passed away as the age of 226, which means she spawned during the Edo Period of Imperial Japan. Koi are ornamental aquatic species that can easily live for more than two decades, but you don’t always have to set up a garden pond to keep aquatic species with long lifespans. Various other freshwater and saltwater fish are also known for their longevity, and you can keep them in aquariums. There are hardy species that can easily live for a decade as long as you take good care of your tank and provide a healthy ecosystem, which …

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Fish keeping for ornamental purposes is an ancient tradition believed to have started during the Sumerian period. Archeologists believe aquaculture and fish farming underwent a natural progression toward ornamental ponds around the year 4,500 B.C., and this probably caught the attention of visitors and invaders from Asia, where the aquarium hobby has always enjoyed a relation with spiritual beliefs. In Japan, koi ponds are often maintained as part of Buddhist temples because ornamental carp species are symbols of fortune and perseverance. In many regions of China, aquariums are placed in commercial and residential spaces as part of the feng shui practice, which advocates certain placement of objects for the purpose …

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Fish keeping can be broken down into two main categories that conform to the major aquatic ecosystems: freshwater and saltwater. The most popular aquariums are of the freshwater kind, and saltwater aquariums are often subcategorized as saltwater reef aquariums because of the difference in filtration and lighting needs. Deciding which of these ecosystems you wish to recreate within an enclosed habitat should be the first step to take as you get started in the fish keeping hobby. The Main Difference Between Freshwater and Saltwater Aquariums One of the many joys of the aquarium hobby is that you get to learn a lot from the world we live in. If you …

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One of the most memorable episodes of the Animal Planet reality television series Tanked involved a massive aquarium installed in the bedroom of Chad Ochocinco, a retired NFL player who lives in an upscale Miami mansion. The 350-gallon tank in question took up the entire headboard and most of the wall behind the king-size bed, and it was one of many amazing aquariums in the home of the former wide receiver. While not everyone can afford to set up an aquarium that essentially serves as a bed frame, many fish keepers think about installing a tank in the bedroom, and this is an idea that has some advantages as well …

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A freshwater or reef tank in the lobby of a commercial space can add a considerable touch of class to your business. In Asia, architects who design commercial spaces often place the lobby facing north. This is done so proprietors can follow the feng shui tradition of placing an aquarium oriented toward luck and prosperity. Coastal hotels and seafood restaurants are known to install tanks in their lobby areas to greet visitors, but many dental clinics have also taken up this practice as a means of easing the anxieties of patients in waiting rooms. Once you decide a nice aquarium is what your lobby needs to really come alive, you …

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