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Marine Fish

An Overview Of Fish Tank Filters

Article by Chloe Heini Taylor

Fish tank filters are a vitally important element of your aquarium for the reason that they give the most basic life saving function. They remove the fish waste together with other chemical pollutants from the water, thereby optimizing its quality and promoting aquatic life. The aquarium is different from the natural environment that your forms your fishes normal habitat and what the filter does is to help match that habitat as near as is possible. Whilst the ecosystem that people create in a tropical fish tank won’t be quite as good or efficient as what can be found in nature, with a clever array of aquarium filters and other aquarium supplies, you should have one that will sustain healthy fish for many years to come.There are plenty of models and makes of fish tank filters already in the market today and many people specifically those new to fishkeeping will probably feel overwhelmed by the plethora of choice available. Whilst the designs and costs could differ greatly, there are a number of common features shared by every one of them and we’ll examine these in this posting.The numerous types of aquarium filter available include the following:-

1) Canister FiltersThese are typically among some of the better made filters available for sale and my personal favourites. Canister filters work by continually filtering the fish tank water. As it passes through the canister, which is partitioned into a number of chambers, the water undergoes cleaning/filtering as it passes throughout the mechanical, biological and chemical filtration sections before it’s pumped back into the fish tank. Canister filters are fantastic for all those who have limited time for fish tank maintenance – they only require maintenance about once every 2-3 months (if you get a good one) while keeping the aquarium water purified. As the canister will likely be positioned outside of the aquarium, they have a tendency to be very simple to access therefore the cleaning process is easy and mess free. Prices do tend to be quite high but, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for. However these are quite powerful and although some models have adjustable power settings they normally are not suitable for very small aquariums and tropical fish tanks.

2) Diatom FiltersThis type of filter provides one of the best levels of filtration. Diatom filters use microscopic size earth particles as their filter media and these do an excellent job of cleaning the water. They are able to effectively clean even the most minute waste material so are good for busy aquariums with messy fish. Like the Canister Filter, Diatom filters also come at a price. Also, they require special care and. The diatom media is so minute that it can have a detrimental effect on your lungs if breathed in so care must be taken. These tend to be used by experienced aquarists.

3) Sponge FiltersThese are more affordable filters, but can perform pretty good filtration. They work by sucking the water through a sponge (normally attached to the end of a pump suction pipe). The sponge usually performs mechanical as well as biological filtration. It is cleaned by removing the sponge head and washing it thoroughly in dechlorinated water. It can be quite a messy process but, for those willing to get their hands dirty, it can be a cheap and effective way of keeping your aquarium water clean and healthy.

4) Undergravel FiltersThese filters are very common and often come as part of a starter kit. They consist of a raised base on top of which gravel is layered which acts as a filter media. Water is sucked through the gravel and the gravel traps any waste material. They usually provide mechanical and biological filtration. Though they have received some bad press, they do operate fairly well although they are fiddly and a bit of a pain to maintain. The gravel should be vacuumed regularly to prevent clogging and the risk of spreading disease to your fish from any decaying waste.

5) Corner FiltersThese are generally the cheapest filters available and I must say that I really don’t like these but this is my opinion and you are, of course, free to disagree. The filter media, which is usually a sponge, is in a box which is sat soaking in the aquarium water – not the most hygenic! Maintenance is very messy and involves reaching into the tank to remove the box and then taking out and cleaning the sponge. Not the most effective but as mentioned above they tend to be cheap.

If you’re interested in fish tank filters or aquarium supplies have a look at Aquarium House (http://www.aquariumhouse.co.uk). They are a price and specification comparison website for all things aquatic including tropical fish tanks, marine fish tanks, aquarium supplies, fishkeeping books and fish food. They have many special offers and a lot of the products come with price match guarantees so it’s hard to go wrong with them! I have used them for some time now and they are very good.

Top stories for 2011
Marine fish
A notice in last December's Federal Register that the US Fish and Wildlife Service was considering listing the dunes sagebrush lizard as endangered had, by spring, mushroomed into a firestorm of controversy throughout the Permian Basin. …

Marine fish question by me: How many marine fish can i fit into a 3ft aquarium with sump?
hey i have a 3ft saltwater tank with a 2 ft sump and i wanted to know how many fish can i keep in it and what size.

Marine fish best answer:

Answer by jogi
This is a very vague, almost incorrect question because:

- You didn’t mention the other two dimensions of your tank. Nobody knows how much water your tank holds and so they can’t suggest any stocking.

- It’s not on how many fish you can keep, its on how many of WHAT KIND, because different fish have different sizes, girth, height, territorial drive, aggression issues, activity needs, tank dwelling areas, waste output, and so on.

Soothing and Colorful Saltwater Aquarium Fishtank Video

Twenty uninterrupted minutes of a soothing saltwater aquarium. Rocky coral, “Nemo’s”, and many other common aquarium fish are present in this scene. It’s just for relaxing, so please enjoy! Please note that this footage is taken from the Ambient Water 4 Ultimate Video Aquarium DVD: www.vat19.com ** Please note that the absence of sound was a specific choice. We figured it was more soothing this way.
Marine fish Video Rating: 4 / 5

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Marine Fish

Beginners Guide To Filters For Tropical Fish Tanks

Article by Chloe Heini Taylor

Your fish tank filter is an essential part of your aquarium set up. Without filtration the aquarium water will quickly become stagnant and toxic and won’t be conducive with healthy living. Basically, if you aren’t wanting to stock your fish tank solely with green algae then you’ll need to find a solution for filtering the water!The 2 main distinctive filter types are the internal fish tank filter and the external fish tank filter. You can utilize either type in either salt water or fresh water fish tanks.

Internal fish tank filters come in 2 basic styles (however, there are different types within each style just to confuse matters!). The first type is the under gravel filter which is usually seen in cold water and tropical fish tanks. These are made up of an elevated plastic grate which sits at the base of the aquarium. The gravel or substrate is then positioned on the surface of the grate and vertical tubes connect to the filter. These tubes generally either have a power head located on top or a bubbler inserted into them. Water will then be forced to flow through the gravel and back up the tube in to the tank. The gravel itself acts as the filter and collects any extra food particles or fish waste that is pulled down through it.The next type of internal fish tank filter normally sits in a corner of the tank or attaches to the wall of the tank via suction cups. With these, a motorised pump sucks the water in to the unit and through one, or a combination of, filters which catch the waste material. The filtered water will then be pumped back into the tank. This procedure is continuous and, providing that the filter media is changed at regular intervals, generally does a great job of cleaning the water. This type of filter usually provides an affordable solution (prices do vary rather a lot though so it’s worth looking around) but sometimes generates a humming background noise which not everybody likes and you’ll have to get your hands wet when it comes to cleaning and changing the media.

External filters are, in my view at least, the most effective filter choice for any aquarium though they do come at a price. All the filtering happens outside the aquarium therefore the messy stuff is kept away from the clean water of the tank. Changing the filter media is also a lot simpler and results in less disruption to the fish because you don’t have to place your hands in the water. These usually suit larger tanks or more serious aquarists as the price can be somewhat prohibitive for newcomers to the hobby.As said before, prices do vary quite a lot so it’s worth looking around either your neighborhood suppliers or online. Personally, I’ve been using Aquarium House (http://www.aquariumhouse.co.uk) for quite a while now. They’re a price comparison website for aquarium supplies so they do the hard work for you. You will find anything from tropical fish tanks, marine fish tanks & fish tank filters right the way through to fish food, fishkeeping books and fish tank decorations. A lot of the goods on their website also come with price match guarantees so it’s hard to go wrong. If you sign up to their newsletter they will notify you when the leading suppliers have promotions, special deals, free p&P, free giveaways etc. so definitely worth a look!

Whichever filter option you choose, it’s essential to keep up to date with the maintenance and regularly change the filter media otherwise even the most expensive filter won’t do it’s job properly.

Old Christmas Trees Protect Marine Life
Marine fish
… for juvenile fish this winter. Photo: Wikimedia Commons When residents in Riverside County, Calif., drop off their Christmas trees for recycling this year, they'll not only be saving space in the landfill; they'll also be helping marine life. …

Marine fish question by Alex R: What should i get tropical fish or marine fish?
Which one is harder to look after?
Which fish are better?

Marine fish best answer:

Answer by Viktoriya
I’d stick with tropical fish. Marine are way too hard to keep happy! As to an answer which fish is better – I suppose it depends what you’d call better? Both tropical and marine have great colourful fish – they are just different.

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Marine Fish

Fish for your Dinner-Spanish Mackerel

Article by Marilyn Burton

What better way to start your holiday then to go fishing for some fresh Spanish Mackerel.

The first thing you need to ensure is that you have the right fishing gear.

Through their migratory periods the Spanish Mackerel are relatively easy to catch and you can use either lures or live bait.

We would recommend you use a Daiwa Sealine SLX Conventional Reel 3BB 270yd 30lb 4.9 to 1 or Okuma Titus Gold Alum Lever Drag Hi Speed 6.2 to 1 370yd 20lbFishing reel combined with a Daiwa Sealine XB Boat Rod 7′ 1pc 20-60lb rod.

Other recommended tackle for this style of fishing is an overhead reel carrying 400 yards of 15 to 30 lb line, mounted on a medium actioned rod. Regulation game fishing type tackle is good but longer and softer rods tend to work better than game rods.The main reason for using longer rods is that mackerel have soft mouths and it is easy to pull the hooks out if the fight is forced. The smooth, parabolic action of a jig type rod is easier on the fish and the hooks stay put.

Large threadline reels and large baitcasters can also be used particularly on spotted mackerel, although the Spaniards can test them for line capacity. The most important point is for the reel to have a smooth drag, this is essential on fast running fish.When fishing, the reels are set in-gear with the ratchet on and a firm but not overly hard drag. Mackerel are clean fighters and don’t have any tricks other than sheer speed.Naturally when fishing for mackerel other fish will take the baits too. And it’s not a bad by-catch either with fish like Cobia, yellowtail kingfish, marlin, longtail tuna, mackerel tuna, sharks and bonito. They all take baits intended for mackerel, so obviously this is all a bonus to the day and provides extra sport.

Spanish Mackerel are renowned for aggressively taking trolled lures and baits. Using 1-1.5oz red and white feathered lures as well as minnow lures or the Rapala with red head and white body trolled at about 8-12 knots work best to entice that hook up. You can also troll at 6-10 knots with live bait. Rigged garfish trolled around likely areas will also work well as will small bonito and frigate mackerel on the Spaniards

The first choice for bait is live slimy mackerel. This bait is the most consistently favored by the fish. The big specimens are good for the Spaniards and the small to medium ones are ideal for the spotted mackerel.The next bait in line is pike, followed by local herrings and pilchards..

During the mackerel season, finding the bait can be the most important part of the day as no bait or the wrong kind of bait may mean no fish.

Mackerel are a first rate table fish and can be filleted or turned into cutlets as they have a very soft spine. They must be iced soon after capture to keep them in good condition so a large cooler filled with plenty of ice is essential.

Always remember that mackerel have extremely large, sharp teeth and they can and do bite and slash unwary anglers. When the fish is gaffed, the quickest answer is a tap on top of the head with a small bat or length of pipe. Leave the hooks in its mouth and just tie on another trace. The hooks can be extracted later when cleaning the fish.

We recommend trying the recipe below you won’t be disappointed!

Spanish Mackerel(Serves 5-6) Ingredients4 Spanish mackerel steaks on the bone4 limes juiced and zested1/4 cup light soya sauceGood splash fish sauce2 cloves garlic1 soup spoon ginger crushed and chopped1/4 cup white wine (semillon or sauvignon blanc)Marinate fish in above mixture 1-2 hours, then prepare the following:1/4 cup chopped coriander1/4 cup chopped parsley2 chopped chillies1 soup spoon sesame seeds3 to 4 drops sesame oil2 garlic cloves, crushed and choppedJuice of 1 lime plus zestMethodMix together all ingredients and pat one side of fish steaks and sear on hot BBQ plate with oil, or on char grill, but not for too long as you don’t want to burn the herbs.Turn over and cook for enough time to bring to medium (do not overcook).Serve with mixed green leaf salad tossed with remaining mixed herbs.

Should you want alternate Spanish Mackerel recipes or recipes for any other fish please do not hesitate to contact Marilyn via email marilyn@fishinggearusa.com We will email them to you within 24 hours. Alternatively if you have a favorite recipe you’d like to share please email that. We shall put that on our site with credit to you.www.fishinggearusa.com

Marine fish question by Hudson: How many marine fish in a 90 gallon fish tank?
currently I have 1 porcupine puffer 2 green spotted puffers (they are quite small) and 1 snowflake eel how many more fish can I fit in the tank? Also would a skimmer help. and also I would really like some color in the tank =/
I probably should add some info about my fish. For one thing the eel has never eaten any of my small fish, and secondly my puffer will only eat things with scales
(sadly I have experienced it=( )

Marine fish best answer:

Answer by football stud
I would follow the one inch per gallon rule for “how many fish”. If you want a good selection of fish with lots of color go to liveaquaria.com

Strange walking fish!

This is the most strangest fish i have ever seen. The tiny spotted handfish, is one of Tasmania’s most critically endangered marine fishes. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) is calling for immediate action to preserve one of the most unusual marine creatures found off the coast of Tasmania. The spotted handfish (Brachionichthys hirsutus) is a small and slow-moving fish species that uses its pectoral and pelvic fins to walk rather than to swim. The species is endemic to the lower Derwent Estuary and its bays and channels, meaning that its is found nowhere else in the world. It occurs in only three small colonies of less than 200 adult fish each.
Marine fish Video Rating: 4 / 5

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Marine Fish

Choosing the Right Fish

Article by Tonia Jordan

A major step in keeping a healthy and successful freshwater aquarium is choosing the right fish. It is an important decision that should be decided upon before entering a pet store or fish supplier. A few things you’ll want to consider are listed below:

Pet Store Fish Health

It’s very important to purchase healthy fish. A sick fish will bring disease to your tank and may affect the health and life already residing in your aquarium. Be sure the fish swims effortlessly in the pet store tank. Look for any sores or discolorations and damaged or folded fins. Eyes should be clear, scales should be flat, and breathing should be slow and regular. It’s a good idea to try to personally witness the fish feeding, to be sure it eats readily (another sign of good health). Never purchase a fish from a tank that holds dead fish.

Tank Suitability

Many fish grow greatly in size while they mature. You should be sure to have enough room for the fish you choose to raise. Also, fish that remain small may become prey for larger fish. Research should be done ahead of time to be sure you’ll have enough room and to maintain compatibility between species.

Species Compatibility

In addition to size, there are other reasons fish species may not be compatible with one another. Fish that school naturally should be kept with their own school within your aquarium for maximum health. On the flipside, solitary fish may suffer stress by being kept in a crowded tank. Also, male adults of several species are known to compete or fight with other species or even their own. (Siamese fighting fish are known to fight amongst themselves, while marine fishes can be territorial

Special Care

Another thing to consider is whether a species requires special care, such as being fed live foods. Others may be more susceptible to disease or stress. You may want to provide spaces for fish to hide, whether it is holes among rocks or substrate or decorative objects.

A good rule to follow is to include fish that will occupy all levels of your aquarium. Purchase top, middle, and bottom-dwelling fish that are compatible with one another to maintain a happy aquarium, and be sure you’ll have enough room in the tank for them to grow and flourish. It’s a good idea to research which species are compatible with one another, and don’t be afraid to ask questions at the pet store! A good pet dealer should be able to help you choose the right fish to create and maintain your freshwater aquarium.

Marine fish question by Luis: Best marine fish combination for a 20 gallon tank?
Right now I am cycling my tank and i am thinking of what fish i could put in it.Please help!

Marine fish best answer:

Answer by <3 mel =]
it depends on the kind of tank. if i were you i would go for 2 clown fish and a cleaner shrimp. a 20g somewhat restricts you to smaller fihs, but don’t let that phase you. if you are a beginner, it may be harder than a bigger tank, but so long as you keep a close eye on your water parameters you should be fine.

good luck =]

Aquarium tank with LED Lighting for reefs, saltwater, planted & freshwater fish

(www.ecoxotic.com) Simple, elegant, complete, features often overlooked by the status quo. Originally developed to display our patented Panorama LED fixtures, the 25 gallon inspired cube design captured the attention of consumers nationwide. Thoughtfully designed, the perfect cube is complete with Panorama LED System packed with cool features such as energy efficient long life LED’s, easy access hinge, and independent control for dawn/dusk viewing. The convection cool design of the lighting system eliminates noisy fans and of course the power sucking water chiller. Spend more time enjoying and less time cleaning – the aquarium is complete with discrete integrated filtration that includes recirculating pump, protein skimmer and water top-off. Choose from three elegant mounting options for the lighting system, the fully adjustable stand mount, wall mount, or modern hanging style.
Marine fish Video Rating: 4 / 5

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Marine Fish

How to Successfully Breed Fish

Article by Daniel Millions

For fish to breed successfully in the aquarium, they must be healthy and feel that all conditions are right. Generally, it is difficult to breed fish caught in the wild, as they are much more demanding in their requirements, but usually even the most awkward types can be bred by expert aquarists. After the first few generations have been bred, further breeding is progressively less difficult, as the ‘easy breeders’ become selected out from the population.

Thus fish which, when first imported, commanded very high prices become quite cheap once the principles of breeding have been mastered. For example, the Neon and the Cardinal were originally very expensive and bred only and with great difficulty by the specialist, but now both are standard aquarium fishes, available everywhere at moderate prices, and easily bred.

Among the species which cannot be bred easily are those which become very large, and in which only the immature fish are kept in the aquarium. Some African Catfish fall into this category, as do many marine fish. Usually, however, breeding can be accomplished once the environment and biology of the fish are completely understood.

One curious factor in breeding is that, although the breeder can often select out natural mutations with unusual colors or long trailing fins, and develop new strains, sometimes the general quality deteriorates in captivity. For example, it is seldom possible to preserve the huge dorsal fin on the Sail fin molly or the bright colors of the Cichlid Apistogramma ramirezi when these fish are bred in captivity. Wild stock are larger, more robust and more brightly colored.

Breeding considerations have given rise to much of the interesting behavior of fish. Even coloring can be traced back to breeding needs. Often male and female fish are colored quite differently, and male fish may be brightly colored both to attract females and to frighten off rival males.

Most fish do not breed continually. The experienced eye can pick out fish which are pairing off as they reach peak condition for breeding. The sides of the fish fill out, and females, packed with eggs, become especially plump. Coloring becomes generally more intense, and males may display to the females with rigidly out-stretched fins. When spawning is imminent, there is often a change in the fishes’ behavior: they tend to become very active and to explore possible spawning sites.

The sexual organs of fish are relatively simple, consisting of paired, elongated organs lying along the abdominal cavity these organs produce either eggs or sperm (milt). Nearly all fish shed both eggs and milt together into the water, where fertilization takes place. However, a few,are live-bearers; that is, the male introduces his milt into the female, who retains the fertilized eggs and gives birth to live young. The Guppy is the best known of these fish.

Fish eggs are thin-walled and delicate, and are eaten greedily by most species, many consuming even their own spawn. Various special techniques have been evolved to ensure the survival of fishes’ eggs or, at least, of enough of them to ensure the continuation of the species. Indeed, the method evolved by most fishes is to produce such huge quantities of eggs that some are bound to survive.

These egg scatterers are usually shoaling fish, which spawn in a group. Our common river fish are of this type, and so are their exotic relatives which are kept in the aquarium. Fishes like Barbs, Danios and Rasboras all scatter their eggs among plants. Sometimes the eggs are sticky, and become attached to the plants; others simply drop to the bottom.

OUTDOOR OUTLOOK: Weather changes welcomed by outdoorsmen
Marine fish
Marine areas 8-1 and 8-2 have offered some really tough fishing so far this winter, according to Gary Krein of All Star Charters in Everett, and Area 9, of course, is closed until Jan. 16. Recreational crabbing closes at the end of the day Saturday in …

Marine fish question by Man Ray: what should i feed tropical marine fish?
i am planing on getting a tropical marine tank, and i am pretty good with water chemistry. but i’ve never been very good with feeding a varied diet. what should i feed them?

i know they are a lot of work, but i have two 20 gallon freshwater aquariums. i’ve had them for years. i think i’m ready for a marine tank.
i am planning on one flame angel, 2 royal grammas, and 2 or 3 damselfish.

Marine fish best answer:

Answer by Spinderella
it depends on what type of fish & animals you’re planning on getting.

Video blog 1 of setting up a saltwater tank

This is a series of video blog entries that will allow you to come along with me to set up a beautiful saltwater reef tank. this my first fish tank of any kind. If i can do it so can you.The tank is a red sea max 130D. This is the first entry of my video blog. It covers the process from set up through cycle.
Marine fish Video Rating: 4 / 5

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