Introduction

Fishes are considered great pets. If you have an aquarium in your house or office you can relax by watching them. Collecting fish is considered the second largest hobby in the world. Throughout the world, there are nearly 25,000 species of fish. One best thing about fish is there is a large assortment of shapes, sizes and colors.

Why do people consider fish as pets?

Inexpensive to keep
Inexpensive to feed
Keeps the environment clean
Requires less space when compared to other pets

Selecting fish for your Aquarium

Deciding the right kind of fish for your aquarium is very difficult. But if you read about the varieties of aquarium fish and their characteristics you will be able to make the right purchase. Before buying a fish it is important that you keep your aquarium ready. While setting up your aquarium do decide whether you want house tropical fish or cold water fish. Both species require warm or cold temperatures to live in. Some fishes are so fragile that a temperature drop of a few degrees will kill them. Always choose fish that are hardy and require same environmental condition. Make sure that the fish you choose for your tank are all compatible with each other.

Once you have decided as to whether your aquarium should have a heater or not, decide on the fish. You can find different kinds of tropical fish in the market. Although they need a heater, they are considered more colorful than cold water fish.

Beginners should buy fresh water fish than marine fish. Fresh water fish are easier to manage than marine fish. You can either buy guppies, mollies, angel fish etc. White cold mountain fish are considered more colorful. Freshwater fish require heater.

Among marine aquarium fish species, damsel fish, clown fish etc are best for beginners where as dragonets and lionfish should be kept only by experienced. Avoid sharks and batfishes.

Setting up your aquarium

Basic things to remember before setting up your aquarium

Keep your aquarium ready before buying fish because they need a ready environment
Decide on the size of aquarium. For beginners, a 10 or 20 gallon may be ideal.
Aquariums are made up of glass or acrylic. Before buying an aquarium look for scratches or cracks.
Filter is required to keep the water clean. Different types of filters are under gravel filters, box filters and outside filters.
Heater if you plan to keep tropical fish.
Decide on the type of decoration. Type of gravel, type of plants and other decorations like natural rock, driftwood and so on.
Temperature should also be given utmost importance.

Types of fish

There are four types of fish that you can keep in the home aquarium:

Tropical fish: These types of fishes live in salt or freshwater but needs a warm temperature to live.

Coldwater fish: These can live in salt or fresh water but needs cold water temperature.

Marine fish:  This type of fish lives in salty seawater. Marine fishes need tropical climate.

Freshwater fish:  This type of fishes require heater. You can find them in inland rivers and streams. They generally require less care.

Diet:

There are various kinds of foods available for saltwater and freshwater fish.

There are two types of foods which fishes like to eat:

Live foods – These consists of plants, animals and micro-organisms. They are better than processed food because they contain protein.
Processed foods – These consists of fresh, frozen, freeze-dried and canned foods. Fresh foods can be small bits of meats, vegetables and fruits. Canned foods provide a balanced diet. Frozen diet can be shrimp or bloodworms as they provide a good source of digestive protein.
Most of the fishes should be fed two or three times a day.

Fish care tips:

·        Clean your water two times in a week

·        Turn off your heater before changing water.

·        Avoid overfeeding your fish

·        Buy fishes that can suit your water conditions.

·        Buy those types of fishes that can fit your tank.

Fish are like people in many ways, in that the fish demand oxygen, food, water, cleanliness, tender loving care, associations, and so on. The primary source of fish survival however is water. Freshwater fish are like humans, in that the fish cannot digest large volumes of saltwater, yet some freshwater fish can tolerate a smudge of salt. Saltwater fish on the other hand, demand saltwater. The fish come from oceans, seas, and related waters all over the world. Freshwater fish come from ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, etc. Some of the fish available include the Killifish and Loach fish.

Loach fish come in a wide variety, including the family of Cobitidae. The prime fish are made up of nocturnal and are relate to catfish. The fish primarily live at the bottom of waters, which barbels help them to sift through gravel. The Kuli Loach is one of the Loach fish that has a long snake-like body. The fish is a favorite aquarium choice. Some people describe the Kuli as having a worm shape body. Kuli does not tolerate bright lights, and prefers hiding areas. The fish tends to habitat in the back corners and enjoys cave environments. The fish is shy in nature, unless you keep fish of its kind in the same tank. Kuli enjoys feasting on Tubifex. The fish has a thin, long body, which grows up to 3 inches in size. The fish has a peaceful nature, and lives will in communal tanks.

Loach fish come from the family of Cobitidae, Acanthophthalmus Semicinctus, and the Botia Macracantha group, which you can find these fish in most pet stores. One of the easiest to care for in the Loach category is the Botias. This fish enjoys moderate hard water, or alkalinity based water. It is recommended that you avoid acidity waters. In addition, the water temperature should remain at 70 degrees Fahrenheit and no higher than 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The Botia makes a welcoming communal tank neighbor. Botia also includes the Tiger and Clown Fish. To learn more about these fish check online or consult with your supplier.

Kuli Loach Preferred Water conditions

Kuli enjoys slight acidy waters, or neutral water, and does not have a pH preference. Tank condition: This shy fish does not care for bright lights; therefore, you should give him a home in plant dense aquariums with plenty of areas to hide.

Feed:

Kuli takes delight in feasting off Tubifex, yet he will eat frozen foods, as well as a selection of dried foods.

Killifish come from the family of Cyprinodontidae. The fish is widely distributed and has the brightest colors of all freshwater and saltwater fishes. This fish is ideal for starters, since it will dwell in communal tanks without a problem. The fish habitat in African Sub-Saharan waters. The streams dry out during particular seasons, which this fish dies. Yet the offspring or spawns live well in dry climates, which resurrects the Killifish.

The fish will live in small tanks, and desire water conditions set at 70 degrees, or 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The fish live longer in 70-degree temperatures. Killifish grows to 2 or 4 inches in size.

Water conditions

Peat filtered waters is ideal, yet the fish will tolerate soft, hard, or slightly acidy waters.

Food

The fish will eat a wide assortment of frozen and dried foodstuff. The downside about the Killifish is that you will rarely find this bred in pet shops. The AKA (American Killifish Association) group can help you find areas where the fish are sold.