Saturday, February 7, 2009

Sucker Fish

Sucker Fish

What do Sucker fish look like? How do they act?
What do you need to know about them?
What do they look like?

Suckers are rather dull in color. They may be practically invisible, depending on their surroundings. They are usually very ordinary in color, ranging from browns to greens. Their undersides are typically silver. The tails on suckers are deeply forked, and the head normally has few, if any, scales, which is unusual for fish. The scales on their bodies, however, are generally larger than average. They have teeth, but they're not visible by humans. Their teeth are in their throats and are used to devour shell-bearing prey.

How do they behave?
Suckers are generally quiet fish. They usually keep to themselves and try to stay away from any fears or dangers in their own world.

The sucker is named after its sucker of a mouth. It has a suction cup for a mouth and has distinguished protruding lips on the bottom of their heads. The mouths on these fish act as a vacuum cleaner of sorts. It is used to eat small animals and insect larvae. Suckers generally prefer to eat worms and vegetation from the bottom of their habitat.

What else do you need to know about them?
Suckers generally find their food based on their ability to taste and touch. They like to comb the bottoms of their habitat looking for dinner. Using their suction-like mouth to find their food.

Suckers breed in the spring months and like to breed in shallow waters. When its time to spawn, male suckers develop pearls on their snouts and tails. The female presses up against these organs, and eggs are shed together.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

How To Set Up A Fish Aquarium

How To Set Up A Fish Aquarium

Setting up a fish aquarium in your home?
Here is a brief description of what you need. A fish aquarium makes a wonderful addition to your home. I feel that they change the appearance of your home and are fun to have. There are a few things you need to know to set up your aquarium properly. Here is a list of things you will need when you begin to set up your aquarium.

1. First you need to decide what size tank you are going to use. There are many different styles to choose from, and many sizes.

2. A filter large enough for the aquarium you plan to use.

3. Gravel for the bottom of the tank.

4. Decoration for the aquarium that gives the fish something to hide and play in.

5. Check with your local pet store to see what types of treatment for your water they recommend.

These are basically all you will need to get an aquarium set up in your home. It is very simple to finish. Set your tank where you plan to keep it. Go ahead and put the gravel and decoration in place where you want them. Put the filter on the tank and turn it on. Pour your water in slowly and treat it at the same time.

I recommend you let the tank sit for about two weeks before you add fish. This gives the filter and medication time to do their job.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Aquarium Cleaning Tips

Aquarium Cleaning Tips

Aquarium cleaning tips: your freshwater aquarium needs regular care to maintain a healthy environment for your tropical fish. Proper cleaning will keep your aquarium in top condition.
Maintaining and regularly cleaning your freshwater aquarium is necessary to keep it looking attractive. A regular cleaning will also help prolong the life of your tropical fish. Cleaning your aquarium is a fairly simple routine that needs to be done approximately every two weeks.

The first step is to take out any artificial plants, the filter stem, and any decorative items. These may be soaked in a mild solution of bleach and water to remove any algae. Be sure to thoroughly rinse and soak these items in clear water for the same length of time they were in the bleach solution. This will ensure that all of the bleach is gone. If the filter is not very dirty, it can be rinsed in hot water to remove any waste particles. If rinsing does not remove the debris, then it will be necessary to change it.

Next, you will need to remove twenty percent of the water in your aquarium. This is best achieved with a gravel cleaning siphon. This handy tool will take out waste particles from the gravel and keep the nitrogen cycle of your aquarium functioning correctly. If your aquarium has an underground filter, it will also help to improve its operation.

While the water is at a lower level, you can use a dish scrubbing pad to clean the inside of the glass. Never use soaps or chemicals inside your aquarium. They are toxic to your fish. There are additives you can purchase that will significantly inhibit algae growth. A higher wattage bulb will promote algae growth, so be sure your tank has a low wattage bulb made especially for aquarium use. Limiting the length of time the light is on will also help.

Before replacing the water in your aquarium, put the filter stem back in place, filter, plants, and any other items. Using chlorine-free tap water, fill the aquarium back to the proper level. If your tap water is not chlorine-free, you will need to add a chemical that neutralizes the chlorine. Another option would be to run the water you intend on using forty-eight hours in advance. The chlorine will evaporate, and the water will be safe for fish.