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FISH           
Salt Water Fish, Fresh Water Fish

Salt Water Fish

Basic Statistics:

• Average Lifespan 3-5 years
• Age at puberty 1-3 months
• Average incubation 4-5 days
• Adult size 2-8 cm
• Singly vs. Multiple: Social, minimum 2 kept together or grouped with suitable counterparts.

General Facts

• Dietary Requirements
  - Suitable commercial fish feed
  - In the wild they have a symbiotic with sea anemone
• Environmental Requirements
  - Salt water aquaria are more complex than freshwater. Minimum weekly maintenance is required.
  - Aquarium 40-70 litres minimum.
  - Natural sea water or specialised artificial sea water, sand and live rock filter (creates a biological filter).
  - Circulation pump
  - Heat source to maintain water at 26 degrees
  - Lighting appropriate UV lamp
  - Thermometer
  - Hydrometer- to test - 1.026 optimal
  - Nitrate test- tank should be cycled and returned to zero
  - pH test 7.9-8.4

Preventative Medicine

• Ensuring optimal environmental conditions are paramount to health. Quarantine new additions.

Common Ailments

• Parasitism
• Fungal infections e.g.. Fin rot
• Respiratory distress due to poor oxygenation
• Ammonia & nitrate poisoning.

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Fresh Water Fish

Basic Statistics:

• Average Lifespan 3-5 years
• Age at maturity 1-3 months
• Average incubation
• Adult size 10-12 cm
• Singly vs. Multiple: groups of at least 2

General Facts

• Dietary Requirements
  - Bottom feeders and scavengers- most tropical fish diets suitable. These can be supplemented with algae waters that will sink to the bottom of the aquarium.
• Environmental Requirements
  - Aquarium minimum 10 gallon, fresh water, filter, water heater (temp 22-26 degrees), UV light.
  - pH 6-8
  - Water hardness 5-18 dH.
  - Sand and aquarium furniture.
  - Weekly to 2 weekly water changes

Preventative Medicine

• Quarantine new introductions and ensure good water quality.

Common Ailments

• Ammonia & nitrate poisoning
• Fungal disease- fin rot
• Parasitism
• Respiratory distress due to poor oxygenation

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