Your Pet Fish

Discus Fish

Discus Fish Care Information

Article by Kevin Hoffert

Discus Fish Care InformationDiscus Fish are one of the most popular amongst aquarium owners. They are very beautiful, intelligent fish. Discus fish will interact with you and are able to follow movement. It is said that discus fish will eat out of your hand, and they are always aware of what is going on around them. However, discus fish have very unique living conditions and do require knowledge on how to care for them. If discus aren’t cared for properly they can become aggressive, get sick, and even die.A little background information regarding the native habitat my help you better understand the care needed for these beautiful fish. Discus are originally from the Amazon, living in small lakes, creeks, and streams coming off the Amazon River. In the wild they can blend easily amongst the tree roots close to shore, as they have black markings on them which make them blend easily. The water is warm and mostly calm where the live with acidic PH ranges.

Before setting up your aquarium for discus there are a few things you should be aware of. You should try to find out the parameters of your local tap water. If the water has a very high PH you might want to get softened water to lower the PH level. Most cities in the U.S. add chloramines to the water to disinfect it. Chloramines are a mixture of ammonia and chlorine which are toxic to discus. You should also keep in mind the you should use a minimum of 5 gallons per discus fish.

First thing in setting up your discus fish aquarium, like any other aquarium you need to cycle the water. Discus like clean water and don’t thrive well with high levels of nitrate. Water changes should be done often. A sign that the aquarium might need a water change is there are low levels of PH or high nitrate levels. If you forget to do water changes often, don’t take out a large amount of water when doing your next water change. This can be dangerous to the discus fish, that is why it is important to remember to do water changes pretty often. Also over feeding can increase the nitrate levels, which the water should pretty much have zero nitrate levels. When adding plants to your aquarium make sure to wash them thoroughly to remove the bacteria before placing them into your tank. They sell safe plant disinfectant at local pet supply stores.

Discus like to be kept with other discus mainly, you should not have one discus fish by itself in a tank full of other fish. The younger discus will consume their food very fast as the older ones will take their time eating. In a group full of discus fish one will usually stand out to be the most dominant one. The dominant discus will be the first one to eat during feeding time, usually making it the largest of the group. Overfeeding can be a big problem with discus. Besides harming the levels of nitrate and making the water cloudy, discus have very small stomachs making them only able to consume a little amount of food. Discus are better off when not fed dry foods. This can cause the stomach to hydrate and can cause serious problems. Hikari brand frozen foods and frozen brine shrimp are the recommended diets for Discus fish. Omega one is also a good for Discus as you will see changes in their color, making them more vibrant and looking healthier.

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Keeping Ram Cichlid Fish
Discus Fish
In addition, they seem to prefer higher temperatures than most typical tropical fish about 84 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. This is why they are often recommended as tankmates for discus. Rams are such a beautiful fish that fish farmers all over the …

Discus Fish question by Dr_VIP: Discus Fish, how to keep them in your tank happily?
I have been posting several things about fish lately, and discovered the Discus Fish. They’re indeed a beautiful fish – and in order I do things right without rushing into it I’d like to know more about how to keep a Discus fish, how big they grow if they come in dwarf or just large and how many to a tank or in my case – I’d only like to have two – is it best to have them in pair? Single or groupped?

Many Thanks, all your answers I’m sure will be great.
Sara x

Discus Fish best answer:

Answer by 8 in the corner
Discus are not the easiest fish to keep. They need a large tank because they will grow to be large fish. They can grow to 10″ and will put quite a bio-load on the aquarium. Requent water changes are a must, at least 30-40% every 3-4 days without fail. They need absolutely clean pure water.

Some people try to keep them in water that is close to their natural habitat’s pH of about 6.0-6.5. This is not necessary if they have been raised in water that is higher. A friend of mine is a breeder (he has hundreds) and he just uses the water that is coming out of his tap (after dechlorinating and treating with stress reducing liquid). It is about 7.2 pH. He has, at last count, breeding pairs of at least 8 different color varieties.

Two fish will not be a good thing, unless you are very, very lucky and they turn out to be a male and female who are compatible, one will become dominant and bully the other unmercifully until it stops eating and eventually dies. They are like angelfish in this respect. You should have “at least” three fish and more is better.

Also, do not keep any fish with them that are fast swimmers or even a little bit agressive. Discus are very shy fish and will hide a lot if there are other fish in the tank. Do not place the discus tank in an area that has a lot of motion around it (no foot traffic or pets running around) they are very excitable and will crash into the glass and injure themselves if startled constantly.

They are quite pricey fish too. Most of the stores in my area of NE Ohio charge at least $ 24.95 each. If you are lucky enough to have a breeder in your area, you will pay around $ 10 per inch of body length.

Another tip, don’t try to keep angels with discus. Angels can carry a disease that does not affect the angel, but is deadly to the discus. Once they begin to show the symptoms, there is no cure.

Good luck if you decide to try them. They are not a beginners fish.

Discus fish tank / Diskus @ Klner Zoo [22/52]

TAKE A LOOK AT MY OTHER VIDEOS www.fischbottich.de +++ This is atank of the Zoo Aquarium of the Cologne Zoo called “Klner Zoo”. It’s the footage of the 3rd Zoo Trip for fischbottich.de. +++ We have a video of each tank in this Zoo. 27th of March 2009 (27.03.2009) For scale: The front glass panel is 1,2 meter (3.93 feet) high. +++ The population of this tank: Discus / Diskusfisch (Symphysodon aequifasciata) Chessboard Cichlid / Gabelschwanz-Schachbrettbarsch (Dicrossus filamentosus) Dwarf Suckermouth / Orgitter-Harnischwels (Otocinculus sp.) Threestripe Cory / Dreibinden-Panzerwels (Corydoras trilineatus) +++ Verffentlichung mit der freundlichen Genehmigung des Klner Zoos. Weitere Informationen unter www.koelnerzoo.de
Discus Fish Video Rating: 4 / 5

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Cichlid

Cichlid African Information for Fish Enthusiasts

Article by Larry Pearson

Having cichlids for a pet is very rewarding. This unique specie has finally made its way from pet shops to every fish lovers home. If you want to have one at home, it helps a lot to know more about this particular fish.

First thing you should consider is the species of the cichlid that you want to own. Among the types of cichlids that is most commonly owned and put in aquariums is the cichlid African. This type of cichlids is typically found in large groups in Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika, which are two lakes situated in the African continent.

So why do pet lovers prefer this variety of cichlids? What makes them special and ideal as pets? Heres why:

Appearance

Part of the reason why cichlids are owned as pets is because they have nice colors. The colors of these fishes are usually characterized by their age and maturity. Aside from this, another factor in their color is their mood. If you want vibrant and rich colors for your cichlid, taking care of them will help significantly. The healthier your cichlids are, the more colorful they become.

Behavior

In order to be a responsible cichlid owner, you should exert effort to know this type of fish in and out. Remember that it is different from the regular fish varieties you see everyday. Understanding the behavior of fishes like cichlids would enable you to understand and care for them more.

When it comes to this specific specie of cichlids, you should note that they are very antagonistic compared to others. Usually, cichlids are very dominant in nature, especially if they are in large groups. However, you should expect that species of cichlids found in Africa are more dominant.

Food

The diet of cichlids varies greatly. Most of them are not that picky when it comes to food. However, species of cichlids found in Africa are said to adapt better to a mixed diet. This means that they are welcome to the idea of eating an herbivore or a carnivore diet.

Health

You should value the health of your cichlids. Studies proved that species of cichlids found in Africa are easily inflicted with diseases. The most common of these is the Malawi bloat. You can save your cichlids from these harmful ailments by keeping a well-maintained aquarium and feeding them with the right diet.

Breeding

Like most fishes, cichlids can also be bred. Breeding cichlids entail taking great measure to ensure their health and wellness. Proper sanitation and a good adaptation of their habitat are also considered as an advantage.

Basic facts and information about cichlids are worth knowing, especially if you plan to own or breed your own cichlids. Keeping yourself well-informed about this type of fish can save you a lot of trouble, especially when it comes to growing them as pets or if you intend to breed and sell them eventually.

You can learn other vital information about cichlids from Africa by consulting your veterinarian or a fellow cichlids enthusiast. Dont hesitate to get to know this wonderful specie as they can provide delight and joy to the whole family.

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Minereralogically complete. Contains Aragonite. Maintains the high pH African Cichlids need without the constant addition of chemicals. Buffers automatically for the life of the aquarium. Adds calcium, magnesium, carbonate and more. Dark color encourages the richest coloration in fishes. Unique composition re-creates the African Rift Lake environment. High internal porosity for maximum biological capacity - keep more fish healthier... longer! Biologically complete! Contains live water- purifyin

Carib Sea Ecco-Complete Live Freshwater African Cichlid Gravel 20 lb

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Cichlid question by Power10: How do I successfully care for a pregnant african cichlid?
I have an electric yellow african cichlid that appears to be holding eggs. I purchased a net breeder and moved that cichlid in there. I’d say its been about a week since that fish hasn’t eaten and its jaw/throat has been growing.
I’m not really sure what to do next. I’ve never breeded any fish before so can anyone tell me what to expect and what actions I need to take next to successfully care for the fish and the fry?

Thanks!
How long do I have to remove her after she spits them out? I don’t want her to eat the babies. Thanks!

Cichlid best answer:

Answer by fivespeed302
You have two options, but I only recommend one. The first and best option is to leave her alone. She will spit the babies out when she is ready. It takes about 3 weeks or so and she will not eat during this time. The second option is for advanced fishkeepers only. You can strip the fry from her mouth and raise them in a tumbler. It is up to you, so good luck and have fun!

It’s just their nature

Anyone who has owned large Central or South American cichlids know that often they “don’t play well with others.” Here’s a tribute to the true nature of the fish we love.
Cichlid Video Rating: 4 / 5

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Cichlid

Cichlid Fish Information

Article by Slogicalis ramiffffed

This article would be to supply information about the the historical past and evolution of the Household Cichlidae. The Family Cichlidae is a huge grouping of fish which have managed to develop in all diverse types of surroundings. The many types and sub species of chichlids might be discovered in all sorts of different shapes and colors.

Information on the diversity of cichlids is properly documented and categorized so I thought I would share some of this with you. It may enable you to in your selection, in terms of acquiring your cichlids and tank setup.

Cichlid Info – Sub Groups

Aquarium enthusiasts generally separate the cichlid varieties into 3 main groups that are African cichlids, Central together with Northern American cichlids and South American cichlids. The largest cichlid kinds could attain the size of 50 to 100 centimeters. This is enormous when compared to smallest cichlid the Dwarf cichlid fish inside the Apistrogramma group which under no circumstances develops bigger than 3 centimeters.

These kinds of small cichlids would in reality benefit from a larger aquarium, asso it is a lot simpler for the aquarist to maintain the water top high quality inside a huge aquarium tank with plenty of water. An additional fascinating truth is that cichlid fish possess teeth each inside the top and the lower jaw as well as within the throat!

Cichlid Info – Common Species

A listing of essentially the most well-known cichlid varieties would appear one thing like this

*Angelfish*Oscar*Jack Dempsey*Discus*Convict*Dwarf

Cichlid fish are a member of the order Perciformes that have 2 pharyngeal bones in the formation of a triangle within the throat. The bottom section on some cichlid fish has been known to have teeth. Cichlids are categorized like second division fresh water fish.

This info tells us the actual ancestor of the modern cichlid fish had been marine fish. Within the course of history they’ve occupied and also in some manner successfully adapted to the fresh drinking water surroundings.

Just about all cichlid fish tend to be egg layers and could be put in two common categories concerning their reproduction tactics. A single group can brood their eggs inside their mouths, usually executed by way of the female. One more group might possibly lay their very own eggs on some type of substrate such as a rock, some timber as well as around the sand. Several kinds will possibly abandon their hatchlings on birth but others could possibly nurture their young for months and then abandon them.

Cichlid fish are observed in several exotic too as subtropical locations around the globe. They come from

*The Southern location of Texas*South and Central America*Northern Argentina*Southern Uruguay*Caribbean Islands*Africa*Syria*Israel*Southern Iran*Madagascar*India*Sri Lanka*Asia

There’s now documented information declaring 2000 diverse kinds of fish that are recognized and identified by man, having a lot of researchers believing there could be equally as numerous that nonetheless will need to be identified. They continue to be identified at a growing rate. There are a minimum of 20 new varieties identified annually.

Cichlid Info – Cichlids as Food or Game Fish

Cichlids are largely little to medium sized fish. They get massive sufficient that in some locations they’re farmed for human consumption and is even used in sports fishing. Fishing for cichlids is fairly typical place in Central America and South America.

The North African Tilapiine is really a quick growing robust type fish that has a lot of flesh and is common for farming all all through Asia. About 1,500,000 tones of tilapia are farmed every single year with a value of US $ 2 billion. They’re favored for farming due to the fact they feed on algae and vegetation so the cost of feeding is really low.

The Peacock Bass is really a cichlid that was introduced to American waters solely to accommodate sports fisherman and is especially properly liked even in sports fishing competition. This activity also raises huge revenue and is worth over US $ 8 million dollars a year.

Cichlid fish initially grew to turn out to be fashionable aquarium fish in 1945. Aquarium lovers discovered the group perfect for household fish tanks due to their sizing and because they’re straight forward to feed and also breed quickly, taking care of their personal brood even in captivity.

Several reasons exist for with regards to popularity. Typically it’s for their spectacular physical appearance, unusual temperament and that they are quite simple to appear following and sustain.Cichlid Info – Hybrid Breeding Strategies

Some cichlids readily breed with related species, each in artificial setups too as in the wild. Man has exploited this reality and bred a strain of tilapia, as an example, that grows quite quickly and is really affordable to feed. Some even go as far as to breed all male populations to maintain stock levels under control.

An extra nicely acknowledged hybrid will be the blood parrot cichlid is a blend of Amphilophus and numerous other cichlids. Its mouth is shaped like a beak, occasionally recognized as the Really like Heart cichlid. The Flower Horn Cichlid is 1 more hybrid sort that’s particularly well-known in Asia. This certain fish is kknown for bringing excellent luck to its owner.

There’s info about extensive experimenting with

*Angelfish*Oscars*Convicts*Discus*Jack Dempsey*Dwarf

This experimenting has brought a lot of adjustments to the fish’s appearance ranging from color and pigmentation to size and form. This has also ended up causing troubles with the wellness of some of these kinds. This experimentation has also led to the wonderfully colored types we see right now.

Aquarium Care of Cichlids (Animal Planet Pet Care Library)

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Cichlids are popular and attractive fish that require specific care and maintenance. This easy-to-follow guide provides clear and concise information on how to keep cichlids healthy and thriving in home aquariums.

Aquarium Care of Cichlids (Animal Planet Pet Care Library)

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Cichlid question by Al: What is the biggest cichlid you can keep in a 30 gallon tank?
Okay so it would be the only fish in the tank. So what would be a good cichlid comfortably housed in a 30 gallon. I was thinking a blue acara. The tanks is 36″ long, 14″ wide and 16″ tall.

Cichlid best answer:

Answer by Albus
Well you could put a Jack Dempsy in there, they get to be about 6-9 inches, I wouldn’t push it past that, definitley NOT an Oscar.

Fish Fight!

Male cichlids size each other up then smack each other down – all based on the size of their mouths! See Giant Fish Throw Biologist video.nationalgeographic.com See All National Geographic Videos video.nationalgeographic.com
Cichlid Video Rating: 4 / 5

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• History and Info On Cichlid Fish
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Discus Fish

Essential Discus Fish Information

Article by Mark Copeland

Discus fish are a one of a kind type of fish. These fish are very rare and hard to find. Discus belong to a large family called Cichlids and they are usually located in South America. The physical features of discus fish are a disc-shaped body with dorsal and anal fins reaching to the tail. Their diameter can be up to ten inches from the body of the adult fish. Selective breeding has led to the creation of some stunningly beautiful fish.

Discus are one of the 1500 Cichlid species. They are three common types of discus such Symphysodon aequifasciatus also known as the green discus, and also the most common of the discus, the Heckel discus also known Symphysodon discus and Symphysodon haraldi. Their scientific designation is genus Symphysodon. You should learn as much as you can because each discus has different water and food requirements.

This type of fish is very expensive and requires quite a high maintenance. If you want to keep or breed these fish, you should have a good knowledge of discus fish information. You should keep in mind when you starting raising or taking care of discus, you should buy a group of these fish, or a pair because they need social interactions to develop their character to its fullest.

Having the right discus information is very important. If you do not research or learn about discus, I am sure that if you try to raise a discus or if you are not careful in keeping them there is a possibility that you might kill your fish. That is why knowing all the discus fish information you can is important.

The most important thing to remember in raising or taking care of discus fish is water. When raising or taking care of a discus fish your water should have the right pH, which is 6.5

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