SOMETHING FISHY: Freshwater Tropical Fish Profiles: Goldfish

GOLDFISH are possibly the most widely-kept fish species due to their hardiness and availability. They come in all different shapes and sizes - from the mutant looking to the fancy varieties. They are a highly versatile fish species, capable of living in temperatures close to freezing. They are also not fussy about water conditions and will accept all manner of foods.

It is often recommended that goldfish shouldn't be kept with other tropical fish varieties. One reason is that they are very messy fish that produce a lot of waste and will also uproot and eat plants. Another reason is that the metabolism of goldfish increases the warmer the water is in which they are kept. This can cause a gluttonous appetite resulting in the goldfish growing quicker and perhaps eating more than their fair share of food.

There is also the risk of overfeeding goldfish in an aquarium. They can become constipated if they eat too much, which can cause swim bladder. Goldfish can lose their balance if they get swim bladder and may be found floating upside down. A lot of amateur goldfish keepers assume their fish is dead and often flush or bury it while it's still alive! If a goldfish with swim bladder is left for a day or two they will often right themselves.

Hobbyists interested in keeping goldfish should also know that it is a long-term commitment. Many varieties can live up to 30 years and will also grow quite large if kept in a heated aquarium. Below are two of the more popular goldfish varieties.

Tropical Fish Profiles: Fancy Goldfish

• Lifespan: 10 – 30 years
• Temperature: 5°C – 27°C
• Tank Region: All over the tank
• Temperament/Behavior: Very peaceful
• Size: 8-13 cm (3-5 inches) but can get bigger
• Diet: Omnivorous. Will gladly accept most fish foods.
• Origin/Habitat: China originally, then Japan and Asia.
• Breeding: Lay their eggs on vegetation on the bottom of the tank.
• Gender: Males have small white spots called tubercles around their gills when ready to spawn. Females are noticeably larger when swelling with eggs and the males may start to chase the females around the tank.

The Goldfish is a favorite for many. They are usually very hardy - capable of living in temperatures ranging from 4°C to 32°C. Being Chinese, Goldfish have extremely long lifespans if cared for properly, so getting one can be a long-term commitment. Many varieties of Goldfish are available with varied markings. Fancy varieties and colours include gold, orange, white and black.

Tropical Fish Profiles: Black Moor Goldfish

• Lifespan: 10 – 30 years
• Size: 10 - 25cm (4 - 10 inches)
• Tank Region: All over the tank
• Origin/Habitat: Central Asia and China.
• Breeding: Egg layers that spawn readily in the right conditions.
  
• Temperament/Behavior: Very peaceful and a great community fish.
• Temperature: Very hardy. Can tolerate temperatures close to freezing.
• Diet: A very happy eater. It is not hard to get your Black Moor Goldfish into accepting all kinds of food.
• Gender: Although is it impossible to sex Goldfish when they are young and not in breeding season, the male is usually smaller and more slender that the female.

The Black Moor is a type of goldfish that has a beautiful velvety look and bulging, telescopic eyes. Most Black Moors stay black but their colour can change with age. They can be gray or black and they can revert to a metallic orange when kept in warmer water. Since their eye-sight is far from perfect, they may need a little extra help to find their food.

Goldfish generally produce a lot of waste, so good filtration is essential for maintaining the water quality of the aquarium. Regular water changes are strongly recommended to keep these fish healthy. Goldfish are very social animals and thrive in a community. Not only are they a great community fish, but they are great scavengers as well. Provide a large gravel substrate to keep your Goldfish occupied and they will help vacuum your substrate.

More Tropical Fish Care Posts:

• Simple Guide to Hatching Brine Shrimp
• Freshwater Tropical Fish Profiles — Exotics
• Freshwater Tropical Fish Profiles — Cichlids
• A Beginner’s Guide to Keeping Tropical Fish
• Freshwater Tropical Fish Profiles — Bottom feeders

SOMETHING FISHY: Freshwater Tropical Fish Profiles: Cichlids

CICHLIDS are a fish species that belong to the family Cichlidae. Some of the most well-known cichlid species are Angelfish, Gouramis, Oscars, and Discus fish. Cichlids are part of an extremely diverse family and inhabit a multitude of different environments. They can also vary significantly when it comes to size, temperament, feeding habits, preferred water quality, etc.

Cichlids live in fresh, brackish waters (mostly in large lakes) and can be divided into three main groups: African cichlids, Central and North American cichlids, and South American cichlids. Cichlids are efficient feeders that capture and process a very wide variety of foods, which is thought to be one of the reasons why they are so diverse. There are now more than 2000 described cichlid species and this number is on the rise.

Even though different cichlid species look and act very differently, they all share some common characteristics. Cichlids have a single nostril on each side of the forehead (instead of two) and have teeth in both the upper and the lower jaw – and in the throat! Here are a few popular cichlids.

Tropical Fish Profiles: Dwarf Gourami

• Size: 8cm (3 inches)
• Life span: 3 – 4 years
• Temperature: 25°C – 28°C
• Tank Region: Middle to top
• Origin/Habitat: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh
• Breeding: Can be difficult. They build bubble nests for their eggs.
• Temperament: Mostly peaceful and hardy. Good fish for beginners.
• Diet: Will eat flakes, freeze dried and live foods. Best to vary their diet.
• Gender: Easy to determine. The male is more colorful while females are usually more gray in colour.

Originating in the warm waters of India, the Dwarf Gourami is not only beautiful but can be particularly hardy as well. They are generally peaceful creatures and make a great addition to a fully cycled community tank and are easy to care for.

Tropical Fish Profiles: Paradise Fish

• Size: up to 10cm (4 inches)
• Temperature: 16°C – 26°C
• Tank Region: Top and middle
• Origin/Habitat: Korea, China, Taiwan and Malaysia.
• Diet: Prefer live foods but will eat flakes, frozen foods and brine shrimp.
• Temperament: Fairly peaceful. Males may be aggressive towards one another.
• Gender: Males are vibrantly coloured and easy to identify by their thick swollen lips.
• Breeding: Similar to Siamese Fighting fish. The male will build a bubble nest to house the eggs during spawning.

Paradise fish are a beautiful and territorial species that are popular choices for the home aquarium. They come in a variety of colours but their beauty demands that they be given consideration and their needs are met. A varied diet will help improve their colouring, but this tropical fish looks most impressive when it flares up against other semi-aggressive fish of similar size. Dwarf Gouramis are perfect tank mates for Paradise fish, as both will have beauty contests and show their true colours without harming one another.

Tropical Fish Profiles: Gold Gourami (Three Spot Gourami)

• Size: 15cm (6 inches)
• Life span: 4 – 6 years
• Temperature: 22°C – 29°C
• Tank Region: Middle to top
• Origin/Habitat: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh
• Breeding: The Gold Gourami is a bubblenester and easy to breed.
• Diet: Flake food, slow sinking granules, brine shrimp and bloodworms.
• Temperament: Generally peaceful although larger males may be aggressive.
• Gender: Males have longer, pointed dorsal fins, females: shorter, rounded fins.

The Gold Gourami is an impressive looking and hardy fish that does very well in a community aquarium. They are generally peaceful creatures that don't grow too large or harass other fish if given enough space. They enjoy the company of other Gourami species and like to hide among plants. Like many cichlids, they are interested in their surroundings.

Tropical Fish Profiles: Angelfish

• Lifespan: 8 – 10 years
• Size: Up to 15cm (6 inches)
• Temperature: 23°C – 29°C
• Tank Region: Mostly middle
• Origin/Habitat: Amazon River
• Breeding: Egg layers. Fairly easy to breed
• Gender: No noticeable difference except when breeding
• Temperament/Behavior: Generally peaceful, but can be aggressive eaters and may become territorial while breeding.
• Diet: Usually very good eaters, they will take flakes, pellets, freeze dried (blood worms, brine shrimp) and especially live foods.

The freshwater Angelfish is a very popular tropical fish because of its unique shape and their interesting personalities. Angelfish are aggressive eaters and will go to the top of the tank when they see you approach. Angelfish are curious about their environment but can become very territorial at times.

Tropical Fish Profiles: Blue Ramirez (Blue Ram)

• Lifespan: 4 years
• Size: 5 – 6 cm (2.5 inches)
• Temperature: 25°C – 28°C
• Tank Region: All over the tank
• Origin/Habitat: South American Rivers (Columbia and Venezuela)
• Diet: Omnivorous. Will gladly accept flakes or pellets but supplementing their diet with frozen foods such as blood worms or brine shrimp is recommended.
• Breeding: Breeding Blue Rams is typically easy. Males and females will often pair up, especially when they grow up together in the same tank.
• Gender: Males tend to have a longer, more pointed dorsal fin. Females tend to be smaller in size and have a red or orange hue on their pelvis.
• Temperament/Behavior: Peaceful and a bit on the timid side. Can be safely kept with other Rams or non aggressive community fish such as silver dollars, Plecos, Corys or Tetras.

The Ramirez is both a colourful and characterful little fish. They are typically on full display with all their fins up and can bedazzle one when caught in the sunlight. The bonds that form between male and female Rams is something special if you wish to breed Blue Rams. Provide lots of vegetation for your Rams to feel safe and secure (as they can be quite shy) and you’ll notice them getting braver and embarking on bigger explorations around your tank.

Tropical Fish Profiles: Pearl Gourami

• Size: 13cm (5 inches)
• Temperature: 25°C – 28°C
• Tank Region: Middle and top
• Breeding: Bubble nest builder
• Lifespan: 3 – 4 years and longer
• Origin/Habitat: Asia, Thailand, Indonesia
• Diet: This is not a picky fish. They will eat flakes just as quickly as they’ll eat live and frozen foods.
• Temperament/Behavior: Mostly peaceful but they may scrap with other Gouramis. Males seem to be more aggressive than females.
• Gender: Relatively easy to determine. The male has a longer dorsal fin and will develop a red breast, which becomes more visible at spawning time.

Pearl Gouramis are a very attractive fish with tons of tiny white 'pearl' shapes dotting its body and a horizontal black bar that runs down its length. Pearls also have a labyrinth organ that allows them to breath atmospheric oxygen. The labyrinth organ evolved in fish species that frequently found themselves in low oxygenated water. You will frequently see Gouramis come to the surface for gulps of air.

More Tropical Fish Care Posts:

• Simple Guide to Hatching Brine Shrimp
• Freshwater Tropical Fish Profiles — Exotics
• A Beginner’s Guide to Keeping Tropical Fish
• Freshwater Tropical Fish Profiles — Goldfish
• Freshwater Tropical Fish Profiles — Bottom feeders

SOMETHING FISHY: Tropical freshwater fish profiles: Exotics

THERE is a fantastic array of freshwater tropical fish species for the budding hobbyist. Here are a few of the more exotic tropical fish species that get along swimmingly in a large community tank.

Tropical Fish Profiles: Black Ghost Knife

• Temperature: 24 - 28°C
• Lifespan: 10 years and longer
• Size: Grow up to 50cm (20 inches) but will only grow up to a foot in a small tank.
• Origin/Habitat: Amazon River basins in South America
• Diet: Besides beef-heart, Black Ghost Knife Fish will accept frozen bloodworms, shrimp pellets, brine shrimp and tubifex worms.
• Special characteristics: After the Black Ghost Knife is accustomed to its tank, it can develop a strong relationship with its owner. Owners are known to hand-feed their Black Ghost Knife fish beef-heart. Additionally, owners are able to pet and stroke the fish and it will actually run through its owner’s hands.

The Black Ghost Knife is known for its flowing movement and unique body shape. They are similar to a rippling black curtain as they swim through an aquarium. Due to having poor eyesight, the Ghost Knife species have developed electrical organs that allow them to send out electric pulses to navigate through water. Hobbyists should avoid placing other fish species that use similar electric navigation in the same tank as their electrical pulses may interfere with each other.

Tropical Fish Profiles: Black Pangasius (Iridescent Shark)

• Temperature: 22°C – 26°C
• Tank Region: Middle-bottom.
• Size: Can grow very large (up to 130cm)
• Origin/Habitat: Southeast Asia (Thailand, Laos and Vietnam)
• Temperament: Very peaceful fish but can be quite shy and skittish.
• Diet: Omnivorous. Especially like live food but will accept most foods.
• Gender: Males have darker stripes and are more slender than females.
• Breeding: Breeding in a home aquarium has never been accomplished.

The Black Pangasius is a very mobile little creature that will actively swim up and down the length of an aquarium. They can however be quite nervous fish and are easily spooked. It is recommended that the Black Pangasius be kept with more of its own species to relieve stress. Also be warned that this fish can grow VERY large and either needs to be kept in a very large tank or released when it grows too big for your rig.

Tropical Fish Profiles: Glass Catfish

• Size: 10cm (4 inches)
• Temperature: 21°C – 26°C
• Lifespan: 3 – 4 years and longer
• Tank Region: Middle near a water flow
• Gender: Almost impossible to determine
• Origin/Habitat: Borneo, Sumatra, and Thailand
• Temperament/Behavior: Peaceful yet very timid
• Breeding: They are egg-laying fish, but so far breeding them in captivity has not been successfully recorded.
• Diet: Strongly prefer live foods but will learn to eat freeze-dried, frozen food (thaw it first), and flakes.

You should keep at least four Glass Catfish together in your aquarium and preferably a few more. This is a shoaling fish that does not survive in a tank without other members of its own species. A solitary Glass Catfish can actually die of loneliness. You should provide plenty of plants in your aquarium for these fish so that they feel safe. They are very shy and will fare much better if they have plenty of hiding places.

Tropical Fish Profiles: Female Siamese Fighter (Betta Splenden)

• Size: 7cm (3 inches)
  
• Life span: 2 – 3 years
• Tank Region: Top dweller
• Temperature: 24°C – 30°C
• Origin/Habitat: Cambodia, Thailand
• Temperament: Very peaceful towards fish of similar size.
• Diet: Prefer live foods but will eat flakes, frozen foods, bloodworms and brine shrimp.
• Gender: Males have noticeably largely and more impressive fins than females.
• Breeding: Siamese fighting fish are bubblenesters and breeding them is not difficult.

There is a bit of a misconception around Siamese Fighting fish. They do not swim around attacking everything in sight - it is only the males that spar with one another and that should not be kept in the same tank. Female bettas are wonderfully peaceful and independent fish despite being a bit on the shy side. Provide her with a secure hiding place and she will often pop her head out and swim up to you. Most female bettas are quite plain looking in comparison to males but there are a few rare gems that are just as beautiful.

Tropical Fish Profiles: Hoplo Catfish

• Size: up to 10cm (4 inches)
  
• Temperature: 17°C – 28°C
• Tank Region: Mostly bottom dwellers.
• Origin/Habitat: Brazil and Amazon river basins.
• Temperament: Very peaceful and a good scavenger.
• Gender: Mature males have thicker pectoral fins than females.
• Diet: Shrimp Pellets, Tubifex worms, and other sinking foods but will also swim to the surface and feed on flakes.
• Breeding: When breeding the male displays a blue/purple sheen under it's belly. The fish build a bubble nest using leaves and twigs.

The Hoplo Catfish is a great addition to a community tank. They are easy to care for and unfussy about water conditions, tank mates and food types. The do not harm other fish and their reasonable size and armour plating protects them from the occasional nip. They are also good at keeping your substrate clean and are active and characterful creatures. They also like to explore all the nooks and crannies in an aquarium and do not shy away as much as other catfish species.

Tropical Fish Profiles: Fire Eel

• Temperature: 24°C – 27°C
• Tank Region: Mostly bottom
• Lifespan: Up to 10 years and longer
• Temperament/Behavior: Generally peaceful but may hunt new, unsuspecting small fish
• Size: Can grow up to a meter in length (roughly 40 inches) if housed in a large enough tank
• Gender: Distinguishing between the sexes can be difficult, but a mature female is usually plumper than the male.
• Origin/Habitat: Found in floods and streams in India, Borneo, Malaysia, Sumatra, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Burma.
• Breeding: Very hard, but not impossible. The female lays roughly 800 to 1200 translucent eggs on floating plants.
• Diet: A carnivore. Live foods such as earthworms and black worms are the best diet but frozen blood worms will suffice.

The Fire Eel is a nocturnal predator best suited to a large aquarium. A soft substrate is necessary for this fish as they love to burrow. This may uproot plants and rearrange decorations so it is often best to provide a dark cave for your Fire Eel to discourage digging. At first, a Fire Eel is usually very shy and prefers to come out only at night.

If you provide your Fire Eel with an aquarium setup that makes it feel safe, it can become quite an affectionate fish and learn to take food from your hand. A tight lid should be used for any long, slender fish as they will often try to escape from the aquarium. The Fire Eel should be kept with fish of similar size or larger and will not tolerate its own kind. Be warned that if you add any new small fish to your tank it will happily devour the newcomers.

More Tropical Fish Care Posts:

• Simple Guide to Hatching Brine Shrimp
• Freshwater Tropical Fish Profiles — Cichlids
• A Beginner’s Guide to Keeping Tropical Fish
• Freshwater Tropical Fish Profiles — Goldfish
• Freshwater Tropical Fish Profiles — Bottom feeders

EXOTIC PETS: Know the commitment you are making

I OFTEN see that neighbour’s cat hunting in the garden and wonder whether cats are simply born to be wild. Several domesticated cats ‘run away’ from home - adding to the growing number of strays that hunt birds, rodents and lizards.

To my knowledge, the domestication of animals by humankind began with the reindeer. Since then, pet stores have thrived, and now offer a variety of exotic animals from the scaly to the fluffy - from around the world for people to keep as pets.

I can understand the lure to own an exotic animal. The good than can come from this is that it should encourage the owners of such animals to take a bigger interest in their lives and better understand their worlds. As an owner of exotic fish, I also understand the chances of survival of such animals in the wild. But once equipped with the right knowledge, the hobby of keeping exotic fishes extends to recreating a safe and happy habitat in which they may thrive.

I all too often notice people coming into pet stores, noticing them see something unusual and getting excited, buying something exotic, and exiting the store without the proper knowledge of how to properly care for their new pet. Pet stores do offer brochures and guidelines on how to look after most of the exotic animals they sell, but what’s really needed is more expertise and customer interaction between animal experts and consumers.

As far as exotic fish are concerned, I appeal to pet store owners to simply print out and place relevant information regarding proper care of different fish species above each tank in the pet store. Information regarding their diet, tank requirements, how large they grow and what other species of fish they can be kept with. This way, at least consumers may get the information they need for proper care of these animals at a glance.

More importantly, it is the responsibility of all those who wish to acquire an exotic pet, to do their homework beforehand and fully understand the commitment they are making. It can be a thrilling and educational experience. Let it be that rather than a tragic and sad end.

Related posts:

• Bioluminescent pets - A glowing debate
• A beginners guide to keeping tropical fish

** More Opinion & Analysis Articles **

SOMETHING FISHY: A beginner’s guide to keeping tropical fish

EVERYONE should have a pet. Some people may be put off by the idea of having to clean up poop or be woken up by loud squawking every day, but your choice of pet doesn’t necessarily have to be something cuddly that you can play catch with or teach to talk.

Tropical fish are a great alternative. Not only are fish therapeutically pleasing and interesting animals, but they can be very easy to look after. You may consider pet fish as boring, but you would be amazed at the variety, colours and characters inherent in tropical fish.

I have been keeping tropical fish since my childhood years and have learned a great deal regarding what to get and how to look after a great array of fishy friends.

Starting off

If you wish to invest in your first tropical fish tank it’s a good idea to go large. Starting off small is not necessarily easier and once you get into such a hobby (and your fish grow) you will want to upgrade. This can be a mission and comes at a cost.

Invest in a large, rectangular shaped tank (100 liters is a good volume) and first ensure that you have a good place to house it. A fish tank stand is a good idea but ensure that the tank will rest at a comfortable eye-level.

It is also important to keep your tank away from direct sunlight as this will encourage rapid algae growth. You don’t want to have to scrap away algae in order to have a good look at who is inside.

Keep your setup as varied as possible. It’s best to have sections of both soft and gravel substrate. Keep your tank well planted and create lots of hiding places. Add caves, tubes and rock tunnels and decorate as you see fit.

The Nitrogen Cycle

In technical terms, the Nitrogen Cycle process is called "nitrification", which is the oxidation of nitrogen by bacteria. It takes time for a new aquarium to balance by removing all of the waste material (ammonia) and reducing it to a less toxic substance (nitrate). Fortunately, dechlorinating tap water is as easy as adding a few drops of dechlorinating solution and takes mere seconds to get to work.

Once your tank is filled up with dechlorinated water and you have finished creating your underwater Eden, there is a short waiting period to endure. With a heater installed and set between 25-27 degrees Celsius, and a good filter running, you tank will begin to perform a nitrogen cycle. Your local pet store will provide you with instructions on how to do this correctly.

After completing the above you are now ready to get your first tropical fish! It is a good idea to only get a few fish at first and ensure that they are perfectly cheerful before getting more. It is also very important to research each tropical fish species beforehand to understand their needs and requirements and temperament with other fish.

There is tons of infomation available on the web - written by dedicated tropical fish hobbyists who are more than willing to give expert advice to beginners. However, I can recommend the following fish families as good choices for the beginner: Corydoras, Gouramis, Clown Loaches, Black Ghost Knife fish, Algae Eaters and Tetras.

The following post: Something Fishy, consists of tropical fish profiles (including all the info you’ll need for good care) of the following:

• Fire Eel
• Angelfish
• Clown Loach
• Glass Catfish
• Julii Corydora
• Red Tail Shark
• Pearl Gourami
• Fancy Goldfish
• Dwarf Gourami
• Bronze Corydora
• Black Ghost Knife
• Pleco (Algae Eater)
• Banded Kuhli Loach
• Black Moor Goldfish
• Blue Ramirezi (Blue Ram)

If you're interested in starting your own hobby in keeping tropical fish I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have. Otherwise here are some great resources below.

More Tropical Fish Care Posts:

• Simple Guide to Hatching Brine Shrimp
• Freshwater Tropical Fish Profiles — Exotics
• Freshwater Tropical Fish Profiles — Cichlids
• Freshwater Tropical Fish Profiles — Goldfish
• Freshwater Tropical Fish Profiles — Bottom feeders

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