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.
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