tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235835602024-03-14T04:49:39.394+08:00Aquarium LoreThis blog contains information about tropical aquarium pets. Includes information such as data sheet, care of pets and a photo gallery.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198858459512980926noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23583560.post-33600229336230610592009-11-10T18:14:00.009+08:002009-11-11T11:12:30.714+08:00Teacup Stingray<p align="center">This post is dedicated to my reader, Tracy. Thanks for dropping an email about this blog. :) </p><hr /> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 680px; height: 964px;" id="AutoNumber1" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" colspan="2" bg="" height="1" width="30%"> <b><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:Verdana;" >Data Sheet</span></b></td> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td rowspan="6" height="101" width="89%"> <p align="center"> </p><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://localhost:4164/8d9dfac8ef141d45766acdd5fa0ece83/image/6bb90f28a737596.jpg"><br /></a> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" height="19" width="22%"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span class="pCo"><b>Scientific Name:</b></span><b> </b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" height="19" width="39%">Potamotrygon Reticulata</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" height="1" width="22%"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Other Names:</b> </span> </td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" height="1" width="39%">Reticulated Stingray, Teacup Stingray</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" height="19" width="22%"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Origin:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" height="19" width="39%">Amazon Basin, South America</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" height="19" width="22%"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Adult Size:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" class="style1" height="19" width="39%">30-35cm (15 inches) disc, not including length of tail </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" height="20" valign="top" width="22%"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Social:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" height="20" width="39%">good, but will eat smaller fishes </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" height="16" width="22%"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Lifespan:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" class="style1" height="16" width="39%">?</td> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td height="20" width="89%"><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" height="19" width="22%"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Tank Level:</b> </span> </td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" height="19" width="39%"> Bottom Dweller </td> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td rowspan="6" height="132" width="89%"> <div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://localhost:4164/8d9dfac8ef141d45766acdd5fa0ece83/image/6a5f5381eae639a8.jpg"><br /></a> </div></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" height="19" width="22%"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Minimum Tank Size:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" height="19" width="39%">125 gallons</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" height="59" width="22%"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" > <b>Diet: </b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" height="59" width="39%">Carnivourous. Eats shrimps, or any fish small enough to fit in it’s mouth. Accepts worms and krills. </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" height="19" width="22%"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" > <b>Breeding:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" height="19" width="39%">Tough - in aquarium </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 19px;" border="" width="22%"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" > <b>Care:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 19px;" border="" width="39%">Medium - Difficult </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" height="19" width="22%"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" > <b>Ideal pH:</b> </span> </td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" height="19" width="39%">around 6-7 is usually optimal</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" height="19" width="22%"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" > <b>Temperature:</b> </span> </td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" height="19" width="39%">78-82 degrees F</td> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td height="19" width="89%"><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" height="19" valign="top" width="22%"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Tank setup: </b></span> </td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" height="19" width="39%"> ideally with thick sand substrate for it to hide itself </td> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td rowspan="2" height="55" width="89%"> <p align="center"> </p><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" height="19" width="22%"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Sexing: </b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" height="19" width="39%">A male has 2 so called claspers on the bottom side of the disk.</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td height="19" width="22%"><br /></td> <td height="19" width="39%"><br /></td> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td height="19" width="89%"><br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber3" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="85%"> <tbody><tr> <td style="width: 25%;" valign="top"><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/Svk8m2TRLsI/AAAAAAAABxA/ROXeQtFz0AY/s1600-h/Teacup1.jpg"><img style="width: 251px; height: 182px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/Svk8m2TRLsI/AAAAAAAABxA/ROXeQtFz0AY/s400/Teacup1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/Svk8UMsoBRI/AAAAAAAABw4/i-v2XfeEsTA/s1600-h/teacup2.jpg"><img style="width: 268px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/Svk8UMsoBRI/AAAAAAAABw4/i-v2XfeEsTA/s400/teacup2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/Svk7-Hz1QDI/AAAAAAAABww/777rtyk7Ky4/s1600-h/teacup3.jpg"><img style="width: 247px; height: 185px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/Svk7-Hz1QDI/AAAAAAAABww/777rtyk7Ky4/s400/teacup3.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/Svk7b1Uc3GI/AAAAAAAABwQ/FL3xe7jv9Q8/s1600-h/teacup7.JPG"><img style="width: 246px; height: 164px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/Svk7b1Uc3GI/AAAAAAAABwQ/FL3xe7jv9Q8/s400/teacup7.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/Svk7cSF7QMI/AAAAAAAABwY/49ZsE6oDwX4/s1600-h/teacup6.jpg"><img style="width: 218px; height: 149px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/Svk7cSF7QMI/AAAAAAAABwY/49ZsE6oDwX4/s400/teacup6.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/Svk7dbKcjAI/AAAAAAAABwg/Nx8BDzXxmTE/s1600-h/teacup5.jpg"><img style="width: 238px; height: 178px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/Svk7dbKcjAI/AAAAAAAABwg/Nx8BDzXxmTE/s400/teacup5.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/Svk7eyC-LnI/AAAAAAAABwo/pJraPHQ6cOg/s1600-h/teacup4.jpg"><img style="width: 230px; height: 172px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/Svk7eyC-LnI/AAAAAAAABwo/pJraPHQ6cOg/s400/teacup4.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><p></p> <p align="center"> </p> </div></td> <td valign="top" width="71%"> <h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Description: </span></h2> <p>The Teacup stingray is olive color with dark markings resembling a net. They have a white underbody. The tail is about half to three quarters the length of the body. <em>Teacup stingrays</em> can be distinguished from other freshwater stingray species based on its unusually long, pointed tail, flatter body shape, and smaller eyes. Their color pattern usually consists of numerous small, indistinct, light-colored blotches on a darker base color. As they grow older, the web pattern seems to diminish. At full maturity, these stingrays reach up to about fourteen inches in diameter, obviously not including the length of the tail. </p><h2 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" class="style1">Habitat/Care:</h2> <p>A minimum aquarium of 125 gallons is required, although larger tanks are preferred. I do recommend anything smaller than this. </p><p>Teacup stingrays are great for aquariums with other fish as long as they are too large for the stingray to consume. They are very peaceful and spend most of their time ignoring other fish. However, males may be a bit aggressive toward other rays occasionally, especially during mating. Ensure that extremely aggressive fish are not housed in a community tank with your stingray or they may attack your ray, causing it severe harm or even death. Moreover, with their preference being the bottom of the tank, you will rarely see these rays venturing to the surface. Also, some plecos have been known to suck off the stingray’s mucus coating on their disk and they will eventually succumb to disease and die. Therefore, I do not recommend having other plecos in the same tank. </p> <p>Teacup stingrays prefer water that has a pH around six or seven with a temperature being near the upper seventies or lower eighties (Fahrenheit). Even though they are relatively hardy, these stingrays are not recommended for those that are not familiar with caring for more than your average aquarium fish. One reason is due to their diet. These rays tend to eat worms (earth worms, black worms, blood worms) as well as small live fish that are within the aquarium. </p> <h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Diet:</span> </h2> <p>Teacup stingrays are carnivorous and their diet usually consists of benthic invertebrates such as crustaceans and worms, and a limited amount of vegetable matter. In an aquarium, they will accept live worms, bloodworms, cut shrimp, krill, crayfish, cut white fish such as pollock or smelt, and other meaty items.</p><p>Some literature noted that it is difficult to wean <em>Teacup Stingrays </em> off of live blackworms and earthworms once they are large enough to eat other foods.<br /><br />It is essential to understand that the teacup stingray, like all freshwater stingrays, is capable of stinging and have venom within its tail. Although this venom is not fatal it is very painful and requires medical assistance for proper treatment. If stung make sure you immediately apply pressure but avoid placing a bandage on the affected area. Submerse the stung limb or area within hot (but tolerable) water. Be sure to disinfect the area after following the procedure above. Again, make sure you seek medical attention to ensure that the venom is extracted from the area.<br /><br /></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" valign="top" width="100%"> <h2><br /></h2><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Breeding:</span></h2><br /> <em>Teacup Stingray </em> is one of the several species of freshwater stingray that has been known to breed in captivity.<br /><br />As in all species of freshwater stingray, fertilization is internal. During mating, the male will grab hold of the female's disc with his mouth and attempt to roll underneath her, where he will subsequently insert one of his claspers into her cloaca and deposit sperm.<br /><br />Freshwater stingrays are matrotrophically viviparous, giving birth to one to seven live young at a time after a gestation period of several months (dependent on species).The uterus is formed from the expansion of the oviduct. The embryos obtain nourishment from their yolk sacs early in their development. During the later stages of pregnancy, small, filamentous appendages called trophonemata develop within the uterus and penetrate the spiracle of the embryo, supplying it with a nutrient-rich fluid called histotrophe that feeds it until it is born.<br /><br /><strong>Gender Differences: </strong><br />Males display elongated, rolled copulatory organs called claspers on the insides of their pelvic fins. Females lack claspers and are generally larger than the males.<br /><br /><br /><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Disease </span></h2><br /> Teacup stingrays are highly vulnerable to argulus - commonly called Fish Lice. The small parasites attach themselves to the stingray’s disk and extract nourishment by piercing the flesh with a pointed organ called a style. The wound can cause bacterial or fungal infections. Although one or two may not cause a serious problem, a serious infestation can be fatal. To remove the argulus, one can carefully remove it with tweezers.<br /><br />Got a photo? <a ref="mailto:frutte_lim_sg@yahoo.com">Contact me</a><br /><table style="width: 100%;" cellpadding="0"> <tbody><tr> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td> </tr><br /></tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">References Cited:</span></h2><br /><p class="style1">1. TeaCup Stringray, [Online], Accessed on 12 June 2008 [Available]<br /><a href="http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/characins2/a/blackwidow.htm"><br />http://www.interestinganimals.net/teacup_stingray/teacup_stingray.html</a> </p><br /><p class="style1">2. <strong>Potamotrygon reticulata</strong>, Teacup Stingray, [ Online ], Accessed on 12 Nov 2009 [Available] http://aquaticpredators.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=26168 </p><p class="style1">If you know of any good source of books or online sites, please do let me know. </p><p class="style1"> </p><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198858459512980926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23583560.post-11834078829638142222009-02-25T18:41:00.004+08:002009-02-25T19:00:44.577+08:00Clownfish<hr /> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber1" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" colspan="2" bg="" width="61%" height="40"> <b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Data Sheet</span></b></td> <td rowspan="6" width="89%"> <p align="center"> </p><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdEk8kd3I/AAAAAAAABjk/cWDW0S_3Sg8/s1600-h/Clownfish+SemiPicasso.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdEk8kd3I/AAAAAAAABjk/cWDW0S_3Sg8/s400/Clownfish+SemiPicasso.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Semi Picasso Clownfish </div><p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span class="pCo"><b>Scientific Name:</b></span><b> </b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19">Pomacentridae Amphiprioninae </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="1"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Other Names:</b> </span> </td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="1">anemonefish </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Origin:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19">Asia -Pacific Coral Reef </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Adult Size:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" class="style1" width="39%" height="19">2-5 inches, depending on species </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" valign="top" width="22%" height="91"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Social:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="91">Very good. peaceful fish, but may get territorial </td></tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="20"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Lifespan:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="20">3-5 years </td> <td width="89%" height="20"><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="97"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Tank Level:</b> </span> </td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="97">bottom, coral </td> <td rowspan="9" width="89%"> <p align="center"> <span style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><span style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdJqJ4PKI/AAAAAAAABkE/J60m47lyxjM/s1600-h/Tomato+Clownfish.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdJqJ4PKI/AAAAAAAABkE/J60m47lyxjM/s400/Tomato+Clownfish.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></span></p><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">Tomato Clownfish </div> <p></p><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SPRc3YG63wI/AAAAAAAABCY/kXUFgtNom8o/s1600-h/bluelobster10.jpg"></a> </div><p></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Minimum Tank Size:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19">20 gallons (but bigger recommended) </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="37"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" > <b>Diet: </b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="37">Omnivore </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" > <b>Breeding:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19">Easy </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 19px;" border="" width="22%"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" > <b>Care:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 19px;" border="" width="39%">Medium</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" > <b>Ideal pH:</b> </span> </td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19">7.0</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" > <b>Temperature:</b> </span> </td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19">75° F. to 82° F.</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" valign="top" width="22%" height="55"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Tank setup: </b></span> </td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="55">With corals, etc </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Sexing:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19">Females are the largest. </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="22%" height="19"><br /></td> <td width="39%" height="19"><br /></td> <td width="89%" height="19"><br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber3" width="97%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td style="width: 29%;" valign="top"> <div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdUYT_VmI/AAAAAAAABlE/r2fFRK_4SCA/s1600-h/Two+Banded+Clownfish1.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdUYT_VmI/AAAAAAAABlE/r2fFRK_4SCA/s400/Two+Banded+Clownfish1.jpg" alt="" width="288" border="0" height="190" /></a><br />two banded clownfish </div><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdOouI70I/AAAAAAAABkk/7Yxl4mrUfTU/s1600-h/Maroon+Clownfish.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdOouI70I/AAAAAAAABkk/7Yxl4mrUfTU/s400/Maroon+Clownfish.jpg" alt="" width="289" border="0" height="205" /></a><br /><br />Maroon clownfish </p> </div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdOhGq-wI/AAAAAAAABks/lF9ASjwZHys/s1600-h/Clownfish+Goldband.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdOhGq-wI/AAAAAAAABks/lF9ASjwZHys/s400/Clownfish+Goldband.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p>Goldbanded Clownfish </p></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdOpgqngI/AAAAAAAABk0/MznZwSawlSM/s1600-h/Clownfish+Sebae.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdOpgqngI/AAAAAAAABk0/MznZwSawlSM/s400/Clownfish+Sebae.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /> Sabae Clownfish </p> </div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"> <p> </p><br /><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdOr4-7UI/AAAAAAAABk8/yJPc4NWV5jM/s1600-h/Clownfish+Tomato.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdOr4-7UI/AAAAAAAABk8/yJPc4NWV5jM/s400/Clownfish+Tomato.jpg" alt="" width="276" border="0" height="199" /></a><br /></p><p>Tomato Clownfish </p></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"> <p> </p><br /><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdUex9tCI/AAAAAAAABlM/ybi7fH-lgDY/s1600-h/2+banded+clownfish.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdUex9tCI/AAAAAAAABlM/ybi7fH-lgDY/s400/2+banded+clownfish.jpg" alt="" width="289" border="0" height="184" /></a><br /> two banded clownfish </p></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdJvL6iJI/AAAAAAAABkM/WfQq6YsIE-k/s1600-h/Amphiprion_clarkii.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdJvL6iJI/AAAAAAAABkM/WfQq6YsIE-k/s400/Amphiprion_clarkii.jpg" alt="" width="300" border="0" height="202" /></a><br /></p><p>Amphiprion Clarkii </p></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdJxPhtYI/AAAAAAAABkU/I-ElDYsCpK4/s1600-h/Saddleback+Anemonefish.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdJxPhtYI/AAAAAAAABkU/I-ElDYsCpK4/s400/Saddleback+Anemonefish.jpg" alt="" width="298" border="0" height="229" /></a> <br />Saddleback Anemonefish </p><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdJ5kzJAI/AAAAAAAABkc/kMGNN2lsAJo/s1600-h/AllardsClownfish.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdJ5kzJAI/AAAAAAAABkc/kMGNN2lsAJo/s400/AllardsClownfish.jpg" alt="" width="298" border="0" height="178" /></a> <br />Allards Clownfish </p></div> <p></p><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdEgYHRqI/AAAAAAAABjs/dMWZsNL7ch8/s1600-h/yellow+clownfish.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdEgYHRqI/AAAAAAAABjs/dMWZsNL7ch8/s400/yellow+clownfish.jpg" alt="" width="305" border="0" height="181" /></a><br /> Yellow Clownfish </p> </div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdEgNc4aI/AAAAAAAABj0/AcTdGsWPO5I/s1600-h/percula+clownfish.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdEgNc4aI/AAAAAAAABj0/AcTdGsWPO5I/s400/percula+clownfish.jpg" alt="" width="308" border="0" height="316" /></a> <br />Percula ClownFish </p></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdE-7xBaI/AAAAAAAABj8/E46N19O5zY4/s1600-h/BlackOcellaris.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SaUdE-7xBaI/AAAAAAAABj8/E46N19O5zY4/s400/BlackOcellaris.jpg" alt="" width="317" border="0" height="244" /><br /></a>Black Ocellaris</p></div> <p></p></td> <td valign="top" width="71%"> <h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Description: </span></h2> <p>Clown fish are a speices of very beautiful fish that comes in various colors from yellow orange to red, and usually have white strips on their bodies. It grows to be about 8 cm in length. </p> <h2 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Habitat/Care:</h2> <br /><p>Saltwater fishes requires more space and care than freshwater fish. They are not recommended as beginner fishes as a result. For more information on requirements for saltwater fishes, please see the saltwater tank setup. In the wild they all form symbiotic relationships with sea anemones.Clownfish and certain damselfish are the only species of fishes that can avoid the potent poison of a sea anemone</p><br /><p>When a sea anemone is not available in an aquarium, they may settle in some varieties of soft corals, or large polyp stony corals. If the fish settles in a coral, it could agitate the fish's skin, and, in some cases, may kill the coral. Once an anemone or coral has been adopted, the clownfish will defend it. As there is less pressure to forage for food in an aquarium, it is common for clownfish to remain within 2-4 inches of their host for an entire lifetime.</p><p>Clownfish that are far removed from their parents through captive breeding may not have the same instinctual behavior to live in an anemone. They may have to be coaxed into finding the anemone by the home aquarist. Even then, there is no guarantee that the anemone will host the clownfish.</p><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Diet:</span> </h2><p>Most clownfish are omnivores. They should be fed a diet of brine shrimp, or chopped shrimp, squid or clams. They will also eat plant matter and can eat flake food, although the majority of their diet should consist of animal protein. They will also nip at algae and plant matter that grows in the aquarium and benefit from live rock growth. </p><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Breeding:</span></h2> <p>Since these fish live in a warm water environment they can reproduce all year long. Each group of fish consists of a breeding pair and 0-4 non-breeders. Within each group there is a size-based hierarchy: the female is largest, the breeding male is second largest, and the male non-breeders get progressively smaller as the hierarchy descends. If the female dies, the male changes sex, becomes the breeding female and the largest non-breeder becomes the breeding male. The fish apparently form lifetime pairs, exhibit courting behavior, and depending on the size of the female spawn about 400-1500 eggs per cycle</p><p>The fish lay their eggs in a safe spot close to the anemone from where they are easily protected, and the parents can retreat to the safety of the anemone if danger threatens. Anemonefish usually lay their nests in the evening after a few days of carefully cleaning and examining the chosen site. Preferred egg sites are flat or slightly curved rocks or some other item the fish have dragged near their nest for the purpose. (In captivity, clay pots and saucers are an attractive choice.) First the female deposits some eggs with her ovipositor (a whitish tube descending from her belly), making a wiggling pass over the surface, then the male follows behind her fertilizing the eggs. After many passes, the nest is complete and will hatch in 6-8 days shortly after sunset, usually on a very dark night. In the meantime, the male is very protective of the nest and ceaselessly fans the eggs to provide proper oxygen circulation, and checks them for any bad eggs, which he eats before they can rot and damage more eggs. Females may or may not help the male tend the nest. At hatching, the larvae burst free and swim up toward the moonlight and the open ocean to ride the currents and eat plankton for about a week, before the still tiny metamorphosed clowns return to the reef and look for an anemone to settle into.</p><h2><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Species:</span></h2><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Amphiprion ephippium</span></strong> clownfish looks very similar to the Tomato and Cinnamon clownfish in body shape, but it lacks the single white stripe behind the eye in the adults. A white stripe may appear in juveniles and a very small white stripe in sub-adults.<br /></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><strong>Amphiprion frenatus</strong> </span> is usually bright red as juveniles, older females will often be mostly dark red or black on the body. Juveniles can often be seen with 2 or 3 white stripes, but it will only have one stripe behind the eye as an adult.</p><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Amphiprion melanopus</span></strong> (Cinnamon) normally has a red face and dorsal fin and a predominantly black body, pelvic and anal fins, and a pail yellow tail. Most have a white stripe behind the eye, but in some fish in some populations the white stripe can be absent.<br /></p> <p><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Amphiprion ocellaris</span></strong> (Ocellaris/False Percula or Nemo) is the most common clownfish in the hobby. This fish is nearly identical to the Percula clownfish (Amphiprion percula) in appearance. The general differences between the two species is the thicker black border surrounding the white stripes on the Percula, and the amount of dorsal spines, Ocellaris having normally 11 and Percula having normally 10. The thickness of the black border can vary on Ocellaris, on some fish it is very thin while on others it can be a couple millimeters wide. The color of Ocellaris is variable, from light yellow, orange, brown, and in rare specimens black (reported to come from Darwin, Australia). </p><br /><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Amphiprion percula</span></strong> The color on this fish is variable from light orange to red, and often with such thick black borders around the white bands that they often connect the white bands.<br /></p><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Amphiprion perideraion</span></strong> (Pink Skunk) is normally a pink color with a white stripe down the back and a white stripe down the operculum (gill plate).<br /></p><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 204);">Amphiprion polymnus</span></strong> (Saddleback) is variable colored, ranging from light brown, black, and orange and black. This clownfish has 2 or 3 broad white bands with the middle band starting mid body and extending into the to back of the dorsal fin. The middle stripe often resembles a horse saddle. The black color form of this clownfish is often misidentified as a Black Percula, of which is also a misidentification of the Black Ocellaris.<br /></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><strong>Amphiprion sandaracinos </strong></span>(Orange Skunk) is very similar to the Skunk Clownfish in color, except that the overall color of the fish is orange, and the white stripe down the back extends all the way to the top of the upper lip.<br /></p><br /><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);">Premnas biaculeatus</span></strong> (Maroon) is the largest clownfish with females some times reaching as much as 7 inches (16.25 cm). Females of this species are usually a dark maroon red or brown in color while the males are more bright red. This clownfish most often has 3 white or yellow bands. It is often difficult to pair this clownfish. Large females will some times if not often kill a potential mate when introduced to an aquarium together.<br /></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" valign="top" width="100%"> <h2><span style="font-size:85%;">Got a photo? <a href="mailto:frutte_lim_sg@yahoo.com">Contact me</a></span></h2> <table style="width: 100%;" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr> <td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbU_2Mp6I/AAAAAAAAAYI/5z2EKc9ED1s/s1600-h/Hermit+Crab+2.jpg"></a><br /></td> <td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbVAV9ehI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/VXKErF0jOtA/s1600-h/Hermit+Crab+3.jpg"></a><br /></td></tr><tr> <td><br /></td> <td><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></td> </tr> </tbody></table><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">References Cited:</span></h2><p>SeaView Aquarium, <em><strong>Keeping Clown Fish CareSheet</strong></em>, [Online][Available], <a href="http://www.seaviewaquariums.com.au/images/caresheets/caresheet-clown.pdf">http://www.seaviewaquariums.com.au/images/caresheets/caresheet-clown.pdf</a> ;</p><br /><p>Peto, <em><strong>Clownfish Care Sheet</strong></em> <a href="http://www.petco.com/caresheets/fish/Clownfish.pdf">http://www.petco.com/caresheets/fish/Clownfish.pdf</a></p><p>Wikipedia, <em><strong>Clownfish</strong></em>, [Online], [Available], <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphiprion_percula%20">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphiprion_percula </a></p><p>The Aquarium Wiki, <em><strong>Amphiprion Percula</strong></em>, [Online], [Available], <a href="http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+2124+755&pcatid=755%20">http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+2124+755&pcatid=755 </a></p><p>Live Aquaria, <em><strong>Ocellaris Clownfish</strong></em>, [Online] [Available], <a href="http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+2124+755&pcatid=755%20">http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+2124+755&pcatid=755 </a></p><p>AquaWorld Aquarium, <em><strong>Clownfish and their Host Anemone,</strong></em> [Online], [Available] http://www.aquaworldaquarium.com/clownfish_and_their_host_anemone.htm</p><p> John H. Tullock, Clownfish and Sea Anemones: Everything about Purchase, Care, Nutrition, Maintenance, and Setting Up an Aquarium</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198858459512980926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23583560.post-27673364266615378482008-12-12T12:12:00.004+08:002008-12-12T12:17:34.828+08:00Blue Crayfish<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SUHlS423haI/AAAAAAAABRk/yWyp25GhuKY/s1600-h/_MG_2207.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SUHlS7hQjnI/AAAAAAAABRc/pAQiQ3o_xMU/s1600-h/Crayfish+Babies1110089.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278752351632526962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SUHlS7hQjnI/AAAAAAAABRc/pAQiQ3o_xMU/s400/Crayfish+Babies1110089.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SUHlSqOsFbI/AAAAAAAABRU/rF71a_TbtqA/s1600-h/Crayfish+Babies1110086.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278752346991236530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SUHlSqOsFbI/AAAAAAAABRU/rF71a_TbtqA/s400/Crayfish+Babies1110086.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SUHlSWZQZUI/AAAAAAAABRM/G6aK_ggY3Vo/s1600-h/Crayfish+Babies111008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278752341666850114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SUHlSWZQZUI/AAAAAAAABRM/G6aK_ggY3Vo/s400/Crayfish+Babies111008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>One of my readers has submitted some pics of his blue crayfish. :) Thank for sharing! </div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198858459512980926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23583560.post-49276843544885577132008-11-14T12:16:00.010+08:002008-11-14T13:20:10.756+08:00Saltwater Aquarium Setup<p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SR0FfQfqmbI/AAAAAAAABQ8/5Shy64xKPsc/s1600-h/AquariumSaltWater3.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SR0FfQfqmbI/AAAAAAAABQ8/5Shy64xKPsc/s400/AquariumSaltWater3.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br />Saltwater aquarium set up takes time but it is exciting adventure. It usually takes 4 to 8 weeks before you can add any saltwater fish safely to your saltwater aquarium.I know it is disappointing to wait too long before you can start putting fish into your saltwater aquarium, but you wouldn’t want to risk losing them.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.5em; text-align: justify; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Saltwater fish are quite pricey. So I would say that </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">patience </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">is the key!</span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Before setting up a saltwater aquarium, think about these things first: </span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SRz8W1GHuwI/AAAAAAAABQU/5lNkYN1FAQ4/s1600-h/AquariumSaltwater.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 125px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SRz8W1GHuwI/AAAAAAAABQU/5lNkYN1FAQ4/s400/AquariumSaltwater.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268363133256710914" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">STEP 1: Choosing your Location, Aquarium Size and Aquarium Stand</span></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The first step in saltwater aquarium set up is choosing a location that is nowhere close to natural lighting sources. Close to windows, entrance that has a clear door where sun rays can come in and patios are a BIG NO!<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SR0FFEzlK6I/AAAAAAAABQc/oX7UePFqTDg/s1600-h/beginner.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SR0FFEzlK6I/AAAAAAAABQc/oX7UePFqTDg/s400/beginner.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br />Intense sunlight can produce excessive algae which are a beginner aquarist's usual problem. A cooler room temperature that is well-ventilated would be the best.<br /><br />Choose a large enough location for your aquarium. Set up a level and well supported area for your aquarium and stand and is highly preferred. Make sure to leave enough space for electrical connections and other equipments as well as around the aquarium for maintenance and cleaning.<br /><br />Properly selected aquarium will help in a successful saltwater aquarium and set up will be a breeze. It’s not as hard as it may seem. The first requirement is a proper glass tank! It’s a mistake to buy a small aquarium "just to get started." My suggestion is to get the largest aquarium you can afford. It’s actually better generally for first timers. But make sure it will fit your space and of course your budget. Larger aquariums are more forgiving of beginners’ mistakes and provide a much more stable environment. If you buy a small aquarium, I’m pretty sure that you will just upgrade to a bigger one later on.<br /><br />Surface area of the aquarium should also be taken into account in aquarium set up. Oxygen enters the water and, more importantly, noxious gases such as carbon dioxide escape into the air at the water surface. So the larger the surface area, the more efficient the exchange of gases will be.<br /><br />Another important consideration in aquarium set up is the shape of the aquarium. There are now too many unusual shapes to choose from in addition to the usual rectangular shape. From hexagonal to octagonal, bow-fronted and even trapezoidal aquariums are available.<br /><br />But they all have their problems. They can be difficult to light, the saltwater fish may find it hard to establish territories or even swim properly or make viewing distorted and are harder to clean. The surface area could be compromised by an unusual shape.<br /><br />Next is choosing something to stand it on. Choose a sturdy stand that is capable of supporting the weight of a filled aquarium. If you don’t follow this simple step, you are likely to have a huge mess or worse, a broken aquarium if it hits your floor. Make sure that the aquarium will fit perfectly on the stand you chose.<br /></span></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">STEP 2: Prepare and set up your aquarium</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;">So you chose the perfect location and you bought your perfectly large enough aquarium with matching stand. You can’t wait to fill it up with saltwater fish, live rocks and other inhabitants you can think of. But wait! There are few more things lined up in aquarium set up before you can do that.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SR0Ffz3QMKI/AAAAAAAABRE/qH7XZcbjczg/s400/Substrate.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></span><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br />Make sure you clean your aquarium with freshwater and a soft cloth or sponge. Remember not to use any kind of chemical cleaners. Rinse it thoroughly and make sure all residues are washed out. You can now pour the sand or gravel, whichever substrate you’ve chosen to use into the bottom of the aquarium followed by your saltwater.<br /><br />Then, you can either buy a pre-mixed saltwater, ready to use for your saltwater aquarium, or if you plan to use filtered water or the tap water at home make sure you get a sea salt mix. Follow the set up instruction on the manufacturer’s label on how to properly prepare your water using the sea salt mix. Tap water will have minerals and additives that are not good for your saltwater inhabitants. Your tap water contains substances that are toxic to your fish. When you have your dechlorinated water ready, fill aquarium 1/3 full. Measure the specific gravity of your saltwater. It should measure 1.025.<br />Install and start all the other equipments such us lighting, heater, and filter and let it run for a day. During this test run time, check for leaks, set and adjust the heater(s) to the required temperature, check and balance out the salinity of the water if needed, and test all the equipment to make sure everything is working properly.<br /></span></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">STEP 3 Aquascape</span></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Aquascaping your aquarium means decorating your aquarium. Possibilities are endless. There is no correct or perfect set up of decorating your aquarium. It is up to you on how you will make your saltwater aquarium attractive. Have fun and be creative. Here is a simple "how to" tips on aquascaping a saltwater aquarium.</span></span><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Adding live rock as part of your aquascape is a plus. Live rock is important to your saltwater aquarium and inhabitants.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SR0FF8fA_dI/AAAAAAAABQ0/D5JG3b_srsU/s400/Rocks.jpg" alt="" border="0" /><br /></div><br /><br />One importance of live rock is that fish will adjust better to their new environment because it is similar to their natural habitat. Live rock also becomes a biological filter of your saltwater aquarium. It provides the beneficial organisms for proper water management and so that you can enjoy your saltwater fish and other inhabitants for a long period of time.<br /><br />Another advantage of live rock is that it acts as a home for corals and other invertebrates and can be used by shy or frightened fish as their hiding place.<br /><br />You can get a live rock that are already cured and ready to be placed in your saltwater aquarium. If you have an uncured live rock, then it must be properly cured to create a healthy environment. Ammonia, which is a toxic compound and pollutant are released into your saltwater if you don’t properly cure your live rock.<br /><br />This will compromise the health of your aquarium system. Most live rock will be fully cured in 1 - 3 weeks. By then, it will be safe to add to your saltwater aquarium.<br />Curing your live rock may be done in any type of plastic container that is suitable in size to fit the amount of live rock you have or inside the newly set up aquarium. Getting as large of a water container as you can is recommended, but curing inside the new aquarium is best overall.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">STEP 4 Cycling</span></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Once you have aquascaped your saltwater aquarium, the next step in saltwater aquarium set up would be allowing the aquarium to cycle.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SR0FFQ5IkqI/AAAAAAAABQs/iAi2LIk0wDo/s400/SaltWaterAquariumRocks.jpg" alt="" border="0" /><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br />You have to be very patient when your tank is in cycle. New aquariums don’t have the necessary bacteria for your inhabitants to thrive and survive. This is why your new aquarium must be cycled. Cycling is the process of establishing and maturing the biological filtration. Typically, new aquariums can be cycled in 3 to 6 weeks.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br />But for fully cycling your saltwater aquarium, it will really depend on factors like: (1) The amount of ammonia being produced during the cycling period; (2) The efficiency of the biological filtration and (3) Whether liverocks or live plants are used in the process.<br /><br />If you don’t know much about this process, it can contribute to livestock loss. So understand what it truly is and learn the proper steps to take for a successful saltwater aquarium.<br /><br />First you need to establish a source of ammonia to establish the system. The usual method is adding one or two hardy fish, such as damselfishes. The waste products they produce are the initial source of ammonia. Most of these hardy fish can tolerate ammonia but some don’t. This method is cruel in the extreme! It will be easier and less cruel to use on the commercially available maturation fluids. Just follow the manufacturer’s instructions.<br /><br />Add the maturation compound to start nitrification. Ammonia level will rise and reach its peak then declines, while bacteria continues to multiply until they are undetectable during testing.<br /><br />The by-product of ammonia is nitrite. Nitrite levels will rise until the number of bacteria has increased to the point at which they break down the nitrites faster than it is being produced. Measure the nitrite levels with a nitrite test kit after a period of time.<br /><br />The end product of this process is nitrate. Nitrate is not toxic to the fish but high levels of it can produce problem to your aquarium. You can recognize the increase of nitrate when there is an algae outbreak to your saltwater aquarium. You can then control algae reproduction by constant water changes and chemical filtration. It will also help you in managing your cycle without losing any of your fish.<br /><br />Testing your water parameters regularly during this time will prevent problems in your saltwater aquarium.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">STEP 5 Make the Necessary Adjustments</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">While you are doing the water change and tidying the tank up to get it ready for the first few new or additional pieces of livestock, it's a good time to make any aquascaping changes you desire during this step of the set up.<br /><br />When you're done and the system is restarted, let the tank run for a day or two to allow it to settle out. During this run time check and make adjustments to parameters of the aquarium water that may be needed, such as the temperature and salinity.</span><br /><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">STEP 6 Add some new Livestocks</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Once the tank has been cleaned up, it is ready for some new saltwater fish. The biggest and most often made mistakes at this stage of a newly cycled aquarium is that one tries to cram too much into the tank too quickly or all at once. It is important for you to be patient and go slowly on this set up to prevent causing problems from overloading the saltwater aquarium.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SR0FFVEPCkI/AAAAAAAABQk/jHmeq_iyhHk/s400/saltwaterAquarium.jpg" alt="" border="0" /><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br />Whether it is fish, corals, or invertebrates, you should only choose and add 1 or 2 into the aquarium at a time.<br /><br />After your selection has been placed into the tank, you need to allow the aquarium's nitrifying bacteria base to adjust to the additional bio-load. This means you DO NOT add anything else at this point of the set up, and over a week's time you should test the aquarium water daily for any appearance of ammonia and possibly nitrite.<br />Zero readings will show you it is safe to add the next 1 or 2 pieces of livestock. Better yet, even when the test results are showing zero, wait another week or two before continuing on.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198858459512980926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23583560.post-12849651789857107212008-10-22T13:56:00.001+08:002008-10-22T13:58:22.759+08:00Preeti Shah's pet Terrapin<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">Here is a contribution from one of my readers (Preeti Shah) about her pet terrapin here. It is very nice <a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2006/03/red-eared-terrapin-red-eared-slider.html">red ear slider.</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Some comments from Preeti Shah:</span> well i have it since Feb18' 2008.. It was ma mom's birthday and i got it as a gift from one of ma close friend .. He found her in one of the pond here in Mumbai.. it was a cute ltl baby and hav been ma first Pet ever.. A beautiful Gift i recieved.. and will Treasure it till Eternity.. Taken by Surprise i still dont know if its "HE" or "SHE" ;))<br /></div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SP7Ah7OqV0I/AAAAAAAABCo/2qwVm7AkOkk/s1600-h/N95+076.jpg"><img style="width: 310px; height: 206px;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SP7Ah7OqV0I/AAAAAAAABCo/2qwVm7AkOkk/s400/N95+076.jpg" width="297" border="0" height="203" /></a> </div><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SP7AiOrQt7I/AAAAAAAABCw/RdItxq7Tywk/s1600-h/N95+067.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SP7AiOrQt7I/AAAAAAAABCw/RdItxq7Tywk/s400/N95+067.jpg" width="322" border="0" height="227" /></a> </div><br />Thanks for your kind contribution, Preeti!<br /><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198858459512980926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23583560.post-73972316987584962512008-10-14T16:51:00.004+08:002015-01-05T13:07:54.736+08:00Blue Lobster / Blue Crayfish<br /><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="AutoNumber1" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 160px;"><tbody>
<tr><td bg="" border="" colspan="2" height="1" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" width="61%"><b><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana;">Data Sheet</span></b></td><td height="101" rowspan="6" width="89%"><br />
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbzdv6DGI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/SqBaHy8Wtog/s1600-h/Hermit+Crab+11.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B-o8fppx3d0/TXQ6jzo2KpI/AAAAAAAAByE/hz6AMn99BDY/s1600/Blue%2BLobster.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B-o8fppx3d0/TXQ6jzo2KpI/AAAAAAAAByE/hz6AMn99BDY/s400/Blue%2BLobster.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581150225050249874" style="display: block; height: 222px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 308px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td border="" height="19" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" width="22%"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 85%;"><span class="pCo"><b>Scientific Name:</b></span><b> </b></span></td><td border="" height="19" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" width="39%">Procambarus alleni</td></tr>
<tr><td border="" height="1" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" width="22%"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 85%;"><b>Other Names:</b> </span></td><td border="" height="1" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" width="39%">Blue crayfish, Blue Florida Crayfish, Electric Blue Crayfish, Everglades Crayfish</td></tr>
<tr><td border="" height="19" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" width="22%"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 85%;"><b>Origin:</b></span></td><td border="" height="19" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" width="39%">Florida</td></tr>
<tr><td border="" height="19" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" width="22%"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 85%;"><b>Adult Size:</b></span></td><td border="" class="style1" height="19" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; padding: 1px 4px;" width="39%">10-15 cm </td></tr>
<tr><td border="" height="20" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" valign="top" width="22%"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 85%;"><b>Social:</b></span></td><td border="" height="20" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" width="39%">Poor. Highly territorial and aggressive. </td></tr>
<tr><td border="" height="16" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" width="22%"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 85%;"><b>Lifespan:</b></span></td><td border="" height="16" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" width="39%">20 years </td><td height="20" width="89%"></td></tr>
<tr><td border="" height="19" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" width="22%"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 85%;"><b>Tank Level:</b> </span></td><td border="" height="19" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" width="39%">bottom</td><td height="132" rowspan="6" width="89%"><div align="center">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbzYbHkZI/AAAAAAAAAZY/wKx9MahhJGU/s1600-h/Hermit+Crab+12.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SPRcTpEUhUI/AAAAAAAABB4/_DOVyrGQjUQ/s1600-h/blueLobster6.jpg"><img alt="Blue Lobster" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SPRcTpEUhUI/AAAAAAAABB4/_DOVyrGQjUQ/s400/blueLobster6.jpg" height="232" width="309" /></a> </div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td border="" height="19" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" width="22%"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 85%;"><b>Minimum Tank Size:</b></span></td><td border="" height="19" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" width="39%">20 gallons and bigger </td></tr>
<tr><td border="" height="37" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" width="22%"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 85%;"><b>Diet: </b></span></td><td border="" height="37" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" width="39%">omnivore (scavenger) </td></tr>
<tr><td border="" height="19" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" width="22%"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 85%;"><b>Breeding:</b></span></td><td border="" height="19" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" width="39%">Egg-Layer</td></tr>
<tr><td border="" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; height: 19px; padding: 1px 4px;" width="22%"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 85%;"><b>Care:</b></span></td><td border="" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; height: 19px; padding: 1px 4px;" width="39%">Medium </td></tr>
<tr><td border="" height="19" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" width="22%"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 85%;"><b>Ideal pH:</b> </span></td><td border="" height="19" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" width="39%">7.0 </td></tr>
<tr><td border="" height="19" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" width="22%"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 85%;"><b>Temperature:</b> </span></td><td border="" height="19" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" width="39%">10-22 C (55 - 70F) </td><td height="19" width="89%"></td></tr>
<tr><td border="" height="19" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" valign="top" width="22%"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 85%;"><b>Tank setup: </b></span></td><td border="" height="19" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" width="39%">Allow for gravel or sand substrate. Some caves will be welcomed. Plants are highly recommended.</td><td height="55" rowspan="2" width="89%"><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SPRc3YG63wI/AAAAAAAABCY/kXUFgtNom8o/s1600-h/bluelobster10.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SPRc3YG63wI/AAAAAAAABCY/kXUFgtNom8o/s400/bluelobster10.jpg" height="176" width="324" /></a> </div>
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<tr><td border="" height="19" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" width="22%"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 85%;"><b>Sexing:</b></span></td><td border="" height="19" style="border: 1px solid currentColor; color: #3333cc; padding: 1px 4px;" width="39%">The male blue lobster's claws are generally larger and more elongated and if you turn him upside down he has two claspers near his vent that look like hockey sticks. The females blue lobster claws are shorter and more rounded and she lacks the claspers. </td></tr>
<tr><td height="19" width="22%"></td><td height="19" width="39%"></td><td height="19" width="89%"></td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbzv3lwkI/AAAAAAAAAZg/uJSifx7UD3w/s1600-h/Hermit+Crab+13.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbmkC9_tI/AAAAAAAAAYo/e1DFY0AoCwc/s1600-h/Hermit+Crab+7.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbmwf3inI/AAAAAAAAAY4/F8uuSGyhI3M/s1600-h/Hermit+Crab+8.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbnL8TJcI/AAAAAAAAAZA/nriYYUoXaYk/s1600-h/Hermit+Crab+9.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbnffBLoI/AAAAAAAAAZI/J248IIp7-WU/s1600-h/Hermit+Crab+10.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br /></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SPRbqW_qq4I/AAAAAAAABBY/f-HXDoO8Mlo/s1600-h/blueLobster.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SPRbqW_qq4I/AAAAAAAABBY/f-HXDoO8Mlo/s400/blueLobster.jpg" /></a> Blue Lobster coming out of hiding place.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SPRbqTDAH7I/AAAAAAAABBg/Kb2f0F8VN_g/s1600-h/BlueLobster2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SPRbqTDAH7I/AAAAAAAABBg/Kb2f0F8VN_g/s400/BlueLobster2.jpg" /></a> <br />
Blue Lobsters with pincers raised </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SPRbqtAejQI/AAAAAAAABBo/EnGKnq_WYYU/s1600-h/BlueLobster3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SPRbqtAejQI/AAAAAAAABBo/EnGKnq_WYYU/s400/BlueLobster3.jpg" height="177" width="257" /></a><br />
Close up of a dark blue </div>
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<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SPRbqm0ejsI/AAAAAAAABBw/hF_iOGAMb2k/s1600-h/BlueLobster4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SPRbqm0ejsI/AAAAAAAABBw/hF_iOGAMb2k/s400/BlueLobster4.jpg" height="154" width="271" /></a><br />
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Close up of bright blue colors. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SPRcTjWMdII/AAAAAAAABCA/7czUcSQpkHg/s1600-h/BlueLobster7.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SPRcTjWMdII/AAAAAAAABCA/7czUcSQpkHg/s400/BlueLobster7.jpg" height="157" width="262" /></a> <br />
Lots of baby blue lobster </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SPRcT_t20vI/AAAAAAAABCI/JU6w0ePCVDI/s1600-h/Lobster11.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SPRcT_t20vI/AAAAAAAABCI/JU6w0ePCVDI/s400/Lobster11.jpg" height="105" width="251" /></a><br />
Lobster with shell mold. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SPRcTxYR3RI/AAAAAAAABCQ/2RLyotfKSJo/s1600-h/BlueLobster5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SPRcTxYR3RI/AAAAAAAABCQ/2RLyotfKSJo/s400/BlueLobster5.jpg" /></a> </div>
</td><td valign="top" width="71%"><h2>
<span style="color: #3333cc;">Description: </span></h2>
The blue lobster that is found in aquarium hobby is actually not a true lobster, but rather a blue color crayfish. For the purpose of this article, I will refer to them as blue lobster. Like its name suggest, the Blue lobster is blue in color and shades of blue vary from bright electric blue to a duller bluish white. Other then their unique coloration, they are highly similar to other crayfish and lobsters. By maturity, Blue Florida Crayfish achieve lengths of 15 centimeters. <br />
<h2 style="color: #000099;">
Habitat/Care:</h2>
In the wild, Blue Lobsters are usually found in wetlands biome or habitats that have distinct wet and dry seasons. Although Blue Lobsters trend to be abundant in wet seasons, they are extremely well hidden in periods by burrowing into the mud. When water is abundant, Blue Lobsters stay near the bottom of the flooded area, eating invertebrates and algae. <br />
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It is recommended that the tank mirror their environment by providing some fine sand or gravel, and allow a cave or place for hiding when the blue lobsters are stressed. Plants are highly recommended as they provide a source of food and hiding places. As long as the tank contains enough water, blue lobsters should be able to bury themselves. <br />
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Because they require a large tank, blue lobsters should be keep in a tank of at least 20 gallons. They are excellent escape artists, and the tank should have a tight lib.. Temperatures should remain between 10 and 22 degrees Celsius. They usually require pH values upward of 7.0. It has been reported that the addition of freshwater salt greatly enhances the health of this species.<br />
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Usually, Blue Lobster get along well with other fast, medium size fishes. However, small and slower fishes will be eaten, and larger but slower fishes may be injured by the Blue Lobster. Larger, carnivorous fishes view Blue Lobsters as a tasty snack. Blue Lobsters are highly territorial and they should NOT be kept with others of their kind, or they may fight and gravely injure one another, unless there are lots of hiding place and the tank is large enough for all of them. <br />
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Blue Lobsters continuously moult<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span>(they will drop off their shell) as they grows bigger. During the juvenile period, the moulting is fairly rapid, but slows down as it grows <br />
<h2>
<span style="color: #3333cc;">Diet:</span> </h2>
<br />
Blue lobsters aren't actually very fussy when it comes to food. In the wild, they eat aquatic plants, algae, rotting vegetation that falls into the water, snails, fish, and even the decomposing flesh of animals that die in or near the water.The trick is never to over-feed them, as uneaten food could contaminate the tank quickly. Fish flakes are great for baby lobbies, while shrimp pellets are perfect for adults.<br />
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Two large crushed flakes a day are plenty for babies, one in the morning and another in the evening. For adults, a large pellet for breakfast and then another for dinner should do it. You can also try feeding them water lettuce, water hyacinth, water cress and romaine lettuce. <br />
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<h2>
<span style="color: #3333cc;">Breeding:</span></h2>
<br />
The male blue lobster's claws are generally larger and more elongated and if you turn him upside down he has two claspers near his vent that look like hockey sticks. The females blue lobster claws are shorter and more rounded and she lacks the claspers. During the mating act, the male initiates copulation, and the Blue Lobsters will clean each other as part of the mating ritual. <br />
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After mating, the eggs are carried in the female pleopods. Blue Lobsters eggs normally hatch in about four weeks. They emerge as miniature versions of adults, though lacking reproductive organs. In the first 24 hours of life, Blue Florida Crayfish fry must molt, and many may not survive this first molt. You should begin changing the water regularly and maintaining the best water conditions possible to aid the fry in surviving. They can be fed freshly hatched brine shrimp, microworms, or liquefied foods. After about two weeks, the young Florida Blue Crayfish have generally become much more hardy. They will still be rather transparent, but by the time they reach sexual maturity they will have gained adult coloration.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 85%;">Got a photo? <a href="mailto:frutte_lim_sg@yahoo.com">Contact me</a></span></h2>
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<h2>
<span style="color: #3333cc;">References Cited:</span></h2>
Pet Central Com [Online]. Available, <a href="http://www.centralpets.com/animals/fish/freshwater_inverts/fwi5009.html">http://www.centralpets.com/animals/fish/freshwater_inverts/fwi5009.html</a><br />
Lobster Care Sheet, [Online], Available, <a href="http://www.petco.com/caresheets/fish/Lobster.pdf">http://www.petco.com/caresheets/fish/Lobster.pdf</a><br />
Charles Drew (2004) Spawning the Florida Blue Crayfish <em>Procambarus alleni, newsletter of the Hamilton and District Aquarium Society, October 2004</em><br />
Holy Spirit Spirit Interactive, Lobsters Care and Feeding, , [Online], Available <a href="http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/kids/pets4us/lobsters/lobsters_03.asp">http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/kids/pets4us/lobsters/lobsters_03.asp</a><br />
<br />
Blue Lobsters, Online, Available <a href="http://trouble.iotashan.com/animals/lobster.cfm">http://trouble.iotashan.com/animals/lobster.cfm</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198858459512980926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23583560.post-24905360466120358652008-10-02T14:08:00.006+08:002008-10-17T18:25:21.610+08:00Jinjin and Sasa Aquarium Adventure in Plaza Singapura<table width="600" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td colspan="2"><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="169"><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SORhZ4UWlnI/AAAAAAAABAQ/T4MhnTFXi8c/s1600-h/PICT0004.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SORhZ4UWlnI/AAAAAAAABAQ/T4MhnTFXi8c/s400/PICT0004.JPG" alt="" width="169" border="0" height="257" />Gold Fish Tank </a> </div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"> <p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SORi1oq-cLI/AAAAAAAABAo/3P9bMmonNXw/s1600-h/PICT0007.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SORi1oq-cLI/AAAAAAAABAo/3P9bMmonNXw/s400/PICT0007.JPG" alt="" width="159" border="0" height="223" /></a> </p> <p>Excellent Selection of Accessories<br /></p></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div></td> <td valign="top" width="465"><p>At the basement of Plaza Singapura near Dhoby Ghaut MRT, there is a new fish shop nested near the escalator at basement 2. This fish shop sells a wide range of both marine and freshwater fishes. Below are some pictures taken from the shop. Due to strong lighting, some of the pictures are not as clear. </p> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td><span style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SORhZnwY5bI/AAAAAAAABAA/ooN2EiYAMyg/s1600-h/PICT0001.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SORhZnwY5bI/AAAAAAAABAA/ooN2EiYAMyg/s400/PICT0001.JPG" alt="" width="200" border="0" height="129" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SORhZ69rScI/AAAAAAAABAY/bqIhr6zFs9g/s1600-h/PICT0005.JPG"></a><br /> Koi Pond </span> </td> <td><span style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SORhZ69rScI/AAAAAAAABAY/bqIhr6zFs9g/s1600-h/PICT0005.JPG"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SORhZnwY5bI/AAAAAAAABAA/ooN2EiYAMyg/s1600-h/PICT0001.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SORhZ69rScI/AAAAAAAABAY/bqIhr6zFs9g/s400/PICT0005.JPG" alt="" width="200" border="0" height="132" /></a><br /> Gold Fish </span></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p align="center">Of interest is the <a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2006/04/koi.html">koi</a> pond where there are lots of <a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2006/04/koi.html">baby koi </a>and excellent <a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2006/03/gold-fish.html">goldfish</a> display as well some varieties of marine fishes. Also there are good selection of <a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2006/03/betta-siamese-fighting-fish.html">Betta</a> here.<br /></p><p align="center"><span style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SORi1lvCc4I/AAAAAAAABAg/TGhe0L74Zd4/s1600-h/PICT0006.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SORi1lvCc4I/AAAAAAAABAg/TGhe0L74Zd4/s400/PICT0006.JPG" alt="" width="236" border="0" height="142" /></a><br />I love the <a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2006/03/gourami.html">gouramis</a> swimming in the tank. Kinda take my breath away.<br /></span></p><p align="center"><span style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">Warning: </span>The prices of the fish here tends to be higher than most places, but it is conveniently located in one of the better shopping mall in Singapore where rental is expensive.<br /></span></p></td><br /></tr></tbody></table>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198858459512980926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23583560.post-68275025575710654132008-09-11T17:49:00.003+08:002008-10-17T18:25:56.797+08:00Black Knife Ghost Fish<table id="AutoNumber1" style="border-collapse: collapse;" width="85%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" colspan="2" border="" bg="" height="1"><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:Verdana;" >Data Sheet</span></b></td> <td style="height: 106px;" rowspan="16" width="49%"> <p align="center"></p><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SK5YIfuFV1I/AAAAAAAAA8o/IhnLVREMBEY/s1600-h/Crystal+Red+Shrimp.jpg"></a> </div><p></p> <span style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SMjnZtVlNhI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/zEiwJG_OFhI/s1600-h/Black+Knife+Ghost+Fish+3.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SMjnZtVlNhI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/zEiwJG_OFhI/s400/Black+Knife+Ghost+Fish+3.jpg" alt="" width="272" border="0" height="151" /></a></span><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"></div> <p></p> <div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SHhRXv3rC3I/AAAAAAAAA7A/oISD4g5bDuE/s1600-h/Red+tail+black+shark+5.jpg"></a> </div> <p></p> <div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"> </div> <p></p> <p align="center"></p> <div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"> <div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SMjnZ99iKHI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/r0tcnAaD0F8/s1600-h/Black+Knife+Ghost+Fish+6.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SMjnZ99iKHI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/r0tcnAaD0F8/s400/Black+Knife+Ghost+Fish+6.jpg" alt="" width="271" border="0" height="151" /></a></div> <p></p> <p align="center"></p> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="27%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" > <span class="pCo"><b>Scientific Name:</b></span><b> </b></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="24%" height="19">Apteronotus albifrons </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="27%" height="1"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Other Names:</b> </span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="24%" height="1">Ghost Knife Fish, </td> <br /></tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="27%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Origin:</b></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="24%" height="19">Amazon Basin </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="27%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Adult Size:</b></span></td> <td class="style1" style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="24%" height="19">60cm (23.62 inches) </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" valign="top" width="27%" height="20"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Social:</b></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="24%" height="20">Good with larger fish </td> <br /></tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="27%" height="16"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Lifespan:</b></span></td> <td class="style1" style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="24%" height="16">no official figures, but some hobbiest have them for as long as over five years </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="27%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Tank Level:</b> </span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="24%" height="19">Medium / Low </td> <br /></tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="27%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Minimum Tank Size:</b></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="24%" height="19">55 gallons for small / medium size fish </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 15px;" border="" width="27%"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Diet: </b></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 15px;" border="" width="24%">Carnivorous.</td> <br /></tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 67px;" border="" width="27%"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Breeding:</b></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 67px;" border="" width="24%">Egg Layers </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 59px;" border="" width="27%"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Care:</b></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 59px;" border="" width="24%">Intermediate - Advance </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="27%"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Ideal pH:</b> </span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="24%">6-8 </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="27%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Temperature:</b> </span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="24%" height="19">72-82 F (23-28 C) </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" valign="top" width="27%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Tank setup: </b></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="24%" height="19">Ideally with plants and a tube for hiding </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 57px;" border="" width="27%"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Sexing: </b></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 57px;" border="" width="24%">Difficult to determine the sex </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 49px;" width="27%"> <br /></td> <td style="height: 49px;" width="24%"><br /></td> <td style="height: 49px;" width="49%"><br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table><table style="border-collapse: collapse;" autonumber3="" width="86%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 29%;" valign="top"> <p align="center"></p><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SMjmyXddmpI/AAAAAAAAA-g/cKBxIRlLYBY/s1600-h/Black+Knife+Ghost+Fish.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SMjmyXddmpI/AAAAAAAAA-g/cKBxIRlLYBY/s400/Black+Knife+Ghost+Fish.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SMjmypElf6I/AAAAAAAAA-o/qSGOpU_GiTA/s1600-h/Black+Knife+Ghost+Fish+2.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SMjmypElf6I/AAAAAAAAA-o/qSGOpU_GiTA/s400/Black+Knife+Ghost+Fish+2.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SMjmyseT0UI/AAAAAAAAA-w/5YuwxAAeJaY/s1600-h/Black+Knife+Ghost+Fish+4.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SMjmyseT0UI/AAAAAAAAA-w/5YuwxAAeJaY/s400/Black+Knife+Ghost+Fish+4.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SMjmy2ZRhiI/AAAAAAAAA-4/AMID5yvTx0M/s1600-h/Black+Knife+Ghost+Fish+5.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SMjmy2ZRhiI/AAAAAAAAA-4/AMID5yvTx0M/s400/Black+Knife+Ghost+Fish+5.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><p></p> </td> <td valign="top" width="71%"> <h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Description: </span></h2> <p>The Black Ghost Knife fish is all black except for two white rings on its tail, and a white blaze on its nose, which can occasionally extend into a stripe down its back. It moves mainly by undulating a long fin on its underside. </p> <p>They are nocturnal, but they are weakly electric fish and use an electric organ and receptors distributed over the length of their body in order to locate insect larvae.</p> <h2 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Habitat/Care:</h2><br /><p>Black knife ghost fish require a large tank due to their large size. Black Knife Ghost Fish should not be kept with small fish such as neon terta, rummy nose terta etc as these smaller fish may be eaten. </p><p>It is recommended that you provide many hiding places with plants, rocks, wood for these fishes as they are shy and like to hide. Black Knife Ghost Fish are nocturnal and will spend most of the daylight hours hiding in the rocks or among the plants or in tubes. Once they adapt to their new home, they may come out of hiding at feeding time. Some have even been taught to feed from their keeper’s hand. </p><p>The difficulty with keeping this fish is that they are highly sensitive to chemicals, including solutions for a wide selection of medicine such as white spot treatment etc as they are scaleless - these chemicals intented for helping the fish may kill them instead. </p><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Diet:</span> </h2><p> Black Ghost Knifefish are carnivorous and feed on insect larvae as well as smaller fishes.You could feeding them some small feeder fish (for larger black knife ghost fish), fresh or fresh frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp or blackworms for smaller black knife ghost fish. </p><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Breeding:</span></h2> <p>There are no records of successful breeding in captivity, but black knife ghost fish are breeded and export in fish farms in South East Asia (Indoesia, Singapore, Thailand) and exported, although the method used is unknown. </p></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" valign="top" width="100%"> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">References Cited:</span></h2><p>1. Knife Fish [Online], [Available], <a href="http://fish.mongabay.com/knifefish.htm">http://fish.mongabay.com/knifefish.htm</a> </p><p>2. Black Knife Ghost Fish [Online], [Available], <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apteronotus_albifrons">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apteronotus_albifrons</a></p><p>3. Bad Man Tropical Fish, [online], [Available], <a href="http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile66_comment.html">http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile66_comment.html </a></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198858459512980926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23583560.post-14600509630306237262008-08-27T17:15:00.007+08:002008-10-17T18:26:19.191+08:00How to get rid of cloudy water<p>If you are an aquarium owner, you would probably has experienced cloudy water solutions at some time or another. As a result of numerous emails to me, I thought I share some simple tips on how to have clear waters for your aquarium so that you can continue to enjoy looking at your fish, and your fish are healthier and less likely to die so quick. </p><h2>Cloudy Water</h2><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SLUdQwFdPGI/AAAAAAAAA9g/tNpO6007CYw/s1600-h/DSCN1828.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SLUdQwFdPGI/AAAAAAAAA9g/tNpO6007CYw/s400/DSCN1828.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239125915138341986" border="0" /></a><br /><p>If you have just started your aquarium, or recently changed the gravel, added an <a href="http://www.aquariumguys.com/aquarium-decorations.html">aquarium decoration</a> and are experiencing a grayish brownish discoloration of the aquarium water, and notice some coloration in your water, please don't panic. The gravel or decrocation was probably still "dirty". The free-floating dirt particles should settle as well as get trapped in the external filtration fairly quickly. There are a lot of <a href="http://www.aquariumguys.com/waterclarifier3.html">commerical solutions</a> available that can clump fine particles so that they are more likely to be trapped by the filter.<br /></p><p>A yellowish discoloration or brownish tint is typically attributed to organic matter. Activated carbon and bio rings should absorb this and eliminate this yellow tint. </p><br /><strong><h2>Green Water</h2></strong><p></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SLUdQhii90I/AAAAAAAAA9Y/280mo6QVLtw/s1600-h/GreenWaters.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SLUdQhii90I/AAAAAAAAA9Y/280mo6QVLtw/s400/GreenWaters.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239125911233820482" border="0" /></a> <p>The green water, is often due to an algae bloom. Free floating planktonic single celled algae growing at a rate that turns the water green. The cause is always the same, too much light and excess nutrients (nitrates) often resulting from overfeeding. Excessive light cannot only be attributed to the <a href="http://www.aquariumguys.com/aquarium-lightning.html">aquarium lighting</a> but also intense room lighting and direct sunlight.</p>Keeping nutrients low can prevent green water, while water changes provide little to no help in clearing the water. The algae spores are readily available in the water, including most waters used for changes. These spores will thrive in nutrient rich water, adding to the deterioration of the visual appeal. An algae bloom can become so severe that the content of your aquarium can literally vanish in the green water.<br /><p>To cope with green water, there are <span style="text-decoration: underline;">some algaecides</span> that can kill the gren algae, but personally, I have found most of them to be ineffective against algae boom. It is my personal recommendation to purchase filter with UV set to get rid of the the algae. While this can be expensive for the beginning hobbyest, I personally find the use of these filters a god sent- less frequent water changes are required and the <a href="http://www.aquariumguys.com/filtermedia.html">filter media</a> and UV combination does an excellent job of killing aglae. </p><strong><h2>White Cloudy Water</h2></strong><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SLUdQwFdPGI/AAAAAAAAA9g/tNpO6007CYw/s1600-h/DSCN1828.JPG"></a> <p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SLUdQWOxP4I/AAAAAAAAA9Q/ChWPaQywrPM/s1600-h/Cloudy+Water.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SLUdQWOxP4I/AAAAAAAAA9Q/ChWPaQywrPM/s400/Cloudy+Water.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239125908198080386" border="0" /></a></p><p>White cloudiness is a result of a bacteria bloom. Sometimes the cleaning of all filters at once, or the changing of the gravel can trigger a bacteria bloom, due to the removal of bacterial colonies that had settled on the filter media or substrate. Another cause can bemedical treatment of the tank using antibiotics, which may destroy these colonies. As the colonies are destroyed, the bacteria are either re-establishing themselves, or are feasting on high nutrients. In nutrient rich water they can multiply at such a high rate that the water becomes cloudy white.</p>A bacteria bloom is cause for concern as bacteria need oxygen. A few grams of bacteria consume about the same amount as an adult human, again posing a threat of de-oxygenation in the aquarium. Immediate action is required if the problem is severe, or persists.<br /><p> A <a href="http://www.aquariumguys.com/uvsterilizers.html">UV-Sterilizer</a> may be somewhat effective, as it kills bacteria.</p>But the biggest problem is that it's the ammonia spike that will soon occur (if it hasn't already), followed by elevated nitrites. Both could result in the loss of some or all of your fish. To avoid this problem, I strongly recommends <a href="http://www.aquariumguys.com/ammoniadetox.html">solutions for getting rid of excess ammonia. </a><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SG2CkbmAQbI/AAAAAAAAA1w/MuEl2ovPi_A/s1600-h/Aquarium1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SG2CkbmAQbI/AAAAAAAAA1w/MuEl2ovPi_A/s400/Aquarium1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218971105586332082" border="0" /></a>Clear quality is possible if you take simple precaution </p><h3>References:</h3><br /><p>Cloudy Water: [Online], [Available], <a href="http://www.algone.com/cloudywater.php">http://www.algone.com/cloudywater.php </a><br /><br />Fish Tank Guide, Cloudy water [Online], [Available],<a href="http://www.firsttankguide.net/cloudywater.php"> http://www.firsttankguide.net/cloudywater.php </a><br /><br />How do I Fix Cloudy Water in a New Tank? [Online],[Available], <a href="http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/qa/f/faq0015.htm">http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/qa/f/faq0015.htm</a><br /><br /></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198858459512980926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23583560.post-61239768030697075812008-08-22T14:10:00.007+08:002008-10-17T18:26:46.181+08:00Crystal Red Shrimp<table id="AutoNumber1" style="border-collapse: collapse;" width="85%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" colspan="2" border="" bg="" height="1"><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:Verdana;" >Sheet</span></b></td> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="height: 106px;" rowspan="16" width="40%"> <p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SK5YIfuFV1I/AAAAAAAAA8o/IhnLVREMBEY/s1600-h/Crystal+Red+Shrimp.jpg"><img style="width: 262px; height: 168px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SK5YIfuFV1I/AAAAAAAAA8o/IhnLVREMBEY/s400/Crystal+Red+Shrimp.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p> <div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"> <div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"> </div> </div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="27%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" > <span class="pCo"><b>Scientific Name:</b></span><b> </b></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="24%" height="19"><em><strong>C. cf. cantonensis</strong></em></td><br /></tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="27%" height="1"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Other Names:</b> </span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="24%" height="1">Red Bee Shrimp </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="27%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b> Origin:</b></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="24%" height="19">unknown, first discovered in Japan </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="27%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Adult Size:</b></span></td> <td class="style1" style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="24%" height="19">2.5cm</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" valign="top" width="27%" height="20"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Social:</b></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="24%" height="20">Good. see below </td><br /></tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="27%" height="16"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Lifespan:</b></span></td> <td class="style1" style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="24%" height="16">2 years<br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="27%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Tank Level:</b> </span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="24%" height="19">Bottom</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="27%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Minimum Tank Size:</b></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="24%" height="19">20 gallons (for breeding) </td><br /></tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 15px;" border="" width="27%"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Diet: </b></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 15px;" border="" width="24%">Omnivore.</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 67px;" border="" width="27%"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Breeding:</b></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 67px;" border="" width="24%">see below<br /></td><br /></tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 59px;" border="" width="27%"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Care:</b></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 59px;" border="" width="24%">Moderate- Hard- need to monitor nitrate levels and water quality </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="27%"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Ideal pH:</b> </span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="24%">6.5-7.2</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="27%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Temperature:</b> </span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="24%" height="19">20-25C (68-77F) </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" valign="top" width="27%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Tank setup: </b></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="24%" height="19">Ideally with plants </td><br /></tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 57px;" border="" width="27%"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Sexing: </b></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 57px;" border="" width="24%">very hard to tell<br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 49px;" width="27%"><br /></td> <td style="height: 49px;" width="24%"><br /></td> <td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="height: 49px;" width="49%"><br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table><br /><table style="border-collapse: collapse;" autonumber3="" width="86%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 29%;" valign="top"> <p align="center"></p> <div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SK5YIcAn1KI/AAAAAAAAA8w/yjtyfyI1YEc/s1600-h/Crystal+Red+Shrimp+2+Stop.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SK5YIcAn1KI/AAAAAAAAA8w/yjtyfyI1YEc/s400/Crystal+Red+Shrimp+2+Stop.jpg" alt="" width="297" border="0" height="188" /></a> </div><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SK5YIcZ1HXI/AAAAAAAAA84/Ggihp4B7c88/s1600-h/Crystal+Red+Shrimp+Feeding.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SK5YIcZ1HXI/AAAAAAAAA84/Ggihp4B7c88/s400/Crystal+Red+Shrimp+Feeding.jpg" alt="" width="304" border="0" height="219" /></a> </div><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SK5YIkUfCwI/AAAAAAAAA9A/jDBISankRe4/s1600-h/Crystal+black+Shrimp.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SK5YIkUfCwI/AAAAAAAAA9A/jDBISankRe4/s400/Crystal+black+Shrimp.jpg" alt="" width="276" border="0" height="195" /></a> </div><br /><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"> <em><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SK5YROkeyRI/AAAAAAAAA9I/V_webhFSjkc/s1600-h/Crystal+Red+Shrimp.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SK5YROkeyRI/AAAAAAAAA9I/V_webhFSjkc/s400/Crystal+Red+Shrimp.jpg" alt="" width="274" border="0" height="170" /></a></em></div><br /></td> <td valign="top" width="71%"> <h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Description: </span></h2> <p>The coloration of this shrimp makes it one of the most sought after shrimp in the market today, and some rare variety of this shrimp can carry a hefy price tag. This shrimp is actually a bee shrimp. But a Japanese ( I think his name is Hisayasu Suzuki) discovered a red variant and successfully cross bred the red varient to produce more crystal red shrimp. </p><br /><h2 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Habitat/Care:</h2><br /><p>The crystal red shrimp is noted to be highly fussy about its environment, and requires very clean waters. Temperature is ideally around 68 -77 F, and the water is preferably soft and around the neutral ph range. Excessive nitrates can kill the shrimp relatively quickly, as do poor quality water. For this reason, fequently water changes are highly recommended. </p><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Diet:</span> </h2><p>The Crystal Red Shrimp is a scavenger and an algae eater. It is highly recommended that they should feed an amount of food that the shrimp can finish within 2-3 hours as overfeeding is a known cause of death and can also cause water quality issues. Crystal Red Shrimps are unfussy eaters - they will eat whatever they find. Not feeding for one or two days is fine and will not harm this species at all.</p><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Breeding:</span></h2> <p>Below is the exact quote from the planted tank on a successful breeder findings. To access the full article, please visit the references link below: </p><p><em>I’ve been keeping crystal red shrimp for nearly a year now. I started out with some low grade crystal reds from a couple US hobbyists and kept them in a 5 gallon tank. They seemed to do well but did not breed at all even though a few females did carry eggs for short periods of time. I eventually moved them all to a 20 gallon tank and had it heavily planted with DIY C02 and they breed readily and I ended up with quite a few offspring from each batch.</em></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" valign="top" width="100%"><br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">References Cited:</span></h2><br /><p>1. Planted Tank, Crystal Red Shrimp Care and breeding, [Online], [Available], <a href="http://www.plantedtank.net/articles/Crystal-Red-Shrimp-Care-and-Breeding/22/">http://www.plantedtank.net/articles/Crystal-Red-Shrimp-Care-and-Breeding/22/ </a></p><p>2. Planet Inverts, Crystal Red Shrimp [Online][Available] <a href="http://www.planetinverts.com/Crystal%20Red%20Shrimp.html">http://www.planetinverts.com/Crystal%20Red%20Shrimp.html </a></p><p>3. Shrimp Grading [Online][Available<a href="http://www.planetinverts.com/crystal%20red%20shrimp%20grading%20guide.html"> http://www.planetinverts.com/crystal%20red%20shrimp%20grading%20guide.html </a></p><br /><p>To purchase the said shrimps, you can try</p><p>1.. ASSA Aqua. <a href="http://www.assaaqua.com/">http://www.assaaqua.com </a></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198858459512980926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23583560.post-90288517688372590932008-07-12T14:44:00.003+08:002008-10-17T18:27:15.934+08:00Red Tail Black Shark<table id="AutoNumber1" style="border-collapse: collapse;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" colspan="2" border="" bg="" width="61%" height="1"><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:Verdana;" >Data<br />Sheet</span></b></td> <td style="height: 106px;" rowspan="16" width="89%"> <p align="center"></p> <div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"></div> <p></p> <div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SHhRXv3rC3I/AAAAAAAAA7A/oISD4g5bDuE/s1600-h/Red+tail+black+shark+5.jpg"><img style="width: 276px; height: 183px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SHhRXv3rC3I/AAAAAAAAA7A/oISD4g5bDuE/s400/Red+tail+black+shark+5.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div> <p></p> <div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p></p> <p align="center"></p> <div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"> <div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SHhRXronxvI/AAAAAAAAA7I/c6hOvwdsQUY/s1600-h/Red+tail+black+shark+6.jpg"><img style="width: 264px; height: 178px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SHhRXronxvI/AAAAAAAAA7I/c6hOvwdsQUY/s400/Red+tail+black+shark+6.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div> </div> <p></p> <p align="center"></p> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" > <span class="pCo"><b>Scientific Name:</b></span><b> </b></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">Epalzeorhynchus bicolor</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="1"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Other Names:</b> </span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="1"><span style="font-size:85%;">Red Tailed Shark, Red Tail Black<br />Shark, Red Tailed Labeo, Fire Tail, Labeo bicolor</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Origin:</b></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">Thailand</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Adult Size:</b></span></td> <td class="style1" style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="39%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">Up to 6 inches (15 cm)</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" valign="top" width="22%" height="20"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Social:</b></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="20"><span style="font-size:85%;">Aggressive with own spieces.</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="16"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Lifespan:</b></span></td> <td class="style1" style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="39%" height="16"><span style="font-size:85%;">5 -8 years</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Tank Level:</b> </span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">Middle and Bottom</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Minimum Tank Size:</b></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">10 gallons (or larger)</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 15px;" border="" width="22%"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Diet: </b></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 15px;" border="" width="39%"><span style="font-size:85%;">Omnivore</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 67px;" border="" width="22%"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Breeding:</b></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 67px;" border="" width="39%"><span style="font-size:85%;">Very hard</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 59px;" border="" width="22%"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Care:</b></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 59px;" border="" width="39%"><span style="font-size:85%;">Easy</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Ideal pH:</b> </span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%">6.5 - 7.5<span style="font-size:85%;"></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Temperature:</b> </span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">73°F - 79°F (23°C - 26°C)</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" valign="top" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Tank setup: </b></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">Tight lid recommended as these fishes are very strong jumpers</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 57px;" border="" width="22%"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Sexing: </b></span></td> <td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 57px;" border="" width="39%"><span style="font-size:85%;">Hard to determine, but the female may have a grayer stomach whereas the males are solid black. </span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="height: 49px;" width="22%"> <br /></td> <td style="height: 49px;" width="39%"> <br /></td> <td style="height: 49px;" width="89%"> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table><table style="border-collapse: collapse;" autonumber3="" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 29%;" valign="top"> <p align="center"></p> <div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SHhRTaaX_kI/AAAAAAAAA6o/KbQWNPe2vDQ/s1600-h/Red+tail+black+shark+2.jpg"><img style="width: 288px; height: 390px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SHhRTaaX_kI/AAAAAAAAA6o/KbQWNPe2vDQ/s400/Red+tail+black+shark+2.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SHhRTOagXhI/AAAAAAAAA6g/7GKx-LGroGY/s1600-h/Red+tail+black+shark+1.jpg"><img style="width: 289px; height: 172px;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SHhRTOagXhI/AAAAAAAAA6g/7GKx-LGroGY/s400/Red+tail+black+shark+1.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SHhRTWKg4LI/AAAAAAAAA6w/m0IQO4-iXx0/s1600-h/Red+tail+black+shark+3.jpg"><img style="width: 279px; height: 170px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SHhRTWKg4LI/AAAAAAAAA6w/m0IQO4-iXx0/s400/Red+tail+black+shark+3.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SHhRTmlr6GI/AAAAAAAAA64/UNvic7m1ylE/s1600-h/Red+tail+black+shark+4.jpg"><img style="width: 286px; height: 201px;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SHhRTmlr6GI/AAAAAAAAA64/UNvic7m1ylE/s400/Red+tail+black+shark+4.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="71%"> <h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Description: </span></h2> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">The Red Tailed Black Shark has a black body with a red tail (hence the name). The Red Tailed Black Shark has a downwards facing mouth with two pairs of barbels. The female is slightly large than the male.</span></p><br /><h2 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Habitat/Care:</h2>Red Tail Black Shark are very aggressive and territorial towards their own speices. Therefore, it is best to keep only one of this species in your tank and avoid the temptation to keep them with a Rainbow Shark or other Red Tailed Sharks. Some literature has noted that in a large tank with sufficient hiding places, it is possible to keep more than one shark together, but one of these shark will be dominant shark, and will chase away other sharks when it is feeding time.<br /><br />The Red Tailed Black Shark used to be found in fast moving waters in Thailand, particularly in the Mea Klong River. This river has a slow current, and has lots of wood and rocks for hiding. Therefore, and ideal aquarium should mimic the natural conditions of this fish.<br /> <br /><br />However, various literature noted that the Red Tailed Black Shark is becoming extinct in the wild, and an article from Wikipedia notes that these beautiful fishes are in the Red List of endangered speices.<br /><br />Many literature review indicated that these fishes are excellentjumpers. For this reason, the tank should ideally have a tight lid.<br /><br /><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Diet:</span> </h2><br />Red Tailed Black Sharks are omnivorous and cheerfully accept a wide range of food, including flake food, worms or vegatable pellets. To ensure that they look their best, it is highly recommended to give a varied diet.<br /><br /><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Breeding:</span></h2> <p> Reports of hobbyist breeding Epalzeorhynchus Bicolor are very rare. A large well planted tank with a ratio of more females to males is needed. The females are more robust and rounded than the males. A spawning tube will appear weeks before spawning and the male fertilizes the eggs in jerky thrusting motions as the eggs are scattered. It is said that the eggs hatch in a couple of days and the fry are easy to raise. Most breeding is done in open ponds in their native Thailand and exported around the world.<br /> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" valign="top" width="100%"> <br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">ReferencesCited:</span></h2>1. FishLore, Online, Accessed 6 Jul 2008, <a href="http://www.fishlore.com/Profiles-RedTailShark.htm">http://www.fishlore.com/Profiles-RedTailShark.htm</a><br /><br />2. Aquarium Land, Online, <a href="http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Shark,%20Red-Tail.htm">http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Shark,%20Red-Tail.htm</a><br /><br />3. Aquatic community, online, Accessed 12 Jul 2008 <a href="http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/mix/redtailsharks.php">http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/mix/redtailsharks.php </a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198858459512980926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23583560.post-19334614644680919162008-07-04T19:17:00.008+08:002008-10-17T18:27:41.400+08:00Innovative Fish TanksI have always been curious about innovative fish tank designs, but these designs are really.. er.. unique. Make up your own mind if these are cool or what?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SG4L6M_8XMI/AAAAAAAAA2g/_peeI7JUL98/s1600-h/Istanbul+underwater+hotel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SG4L6M_8XMI/AAAAAAAAA2g/_peeI7JUL98/s400/Istanbul+underwater+hotel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219122112718724290" border="0" /></a>I wanna stay in this hotel for 1 night just to enjoy the view! This is a new underwater hotel in Istanbul (Turkey) to be opened in 2010. <a href="http://www.vagabondish.com/underwater-hotel-in-istanbul-to-open-in-2010/">http://www.vagabondish.com/underwater-hotel-in-istanbul-to-open-in-2010/</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SG4L6RsR0OI/AAAAAAAAA2o/GhlXOqQ15cM/s1600-h/Tank+in+Beijing+Hotel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SG4L6RsR0OI/AAAAAAAAA2o/GhlXOqQ15cM/s400/Tank+in+Beijing+Hotel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219122113978421474" border="0" /></a>This fish tank is in a Beijing Hotel. While it looks awesome, the fishes can only survive for approximately 6 days. :( <a href="http://www.random-good-stuff.com/2007/02/05/amazing-fish-tank/">http://www.random-good-stuff.com/2007/02/05/amazing-fish-tank/</a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SG4L6fAV_KI/AAAAAAAAA2w/LYk-zDbtpFI/s1600-h/Toilet+Bow+fish+Tank.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SG4L6fAV_KI/AAAAAAAAA2w/LYk-zDbtpFI/s400/Toilet+Bow+fish+Tank.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219122117552241826" border="0" /></a>I heard about toilet bowl with fish tanks, but this is the first time I seen them:<br /><a href="http://www.techtickerblog.com/2006/07/08/fish-tank-and-toilet-tank-combo/">http://www.techtickerblog.com/2006/07/08/fish-tank-and-toilet-tank-combo/</a> (above)<br /><a href="http://www.chuckleavell.com/_blog/index.php">http://www.chuckleavell.com/_blog/index.php</a> (below)<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SG4L6hvKA_I/AAAAAAAAA24/UC00GC6mqSk/s1600-h/Toilet+Bow+fish+Tank+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SG4L6hvKA_I/AAAAAAAAA24/UC00GC6mqSk/s400/Toilet+Bow+fish+Tank+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219122118285460466" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SG4JUdLFY4I/AAAAAAAAA14/itt8rH3ziwA/s1600-h/Coffee+Table+Fish+Tank.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SG4JUdLFY4I/AAAAAAAAA14/itt8rH3ziwA/s400/Coffee+Table+Fish+Tank.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219119265202135938" border="0" /></a> A coffee table with fish tank, <a href="http://www.tropicalfishstore.com/aquaticfurniture.htm">http://www.tropicalfishstore.com/aquaticfurniture.htm </a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SG4JUdX3KXI/AAAAAAAAA2A/eZmVXOV3Lgw/s1600-h/Desk+Fish+Tank.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SG4JUdX3KXI/AAAAAAAAA2A/eZmVXOV3Lgw/s400/Desk+Fish+Tank.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219119265255729522" border="0" /></a>This office desk is super interesting. <a href="http://blogs.move.com/behind-the-walls/2007/07/25/innovative-aquariums/">http://blogs.move.com/behind-the-walls/2007/07/25/innovative-aquariums/ </a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SG4JUqmMW_I/AAAAAAAAA2I/82gqQae3Gyg/s1600-h/Fish+Tank+Table.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SG4JUqmMW_I/AAAAAAAAA2I/82gqQae3Gyg/s400/Fish+Tank+Table.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219119268805499890" border="0" /></a><br />For a dining experience that keeps your guests looking at your table and not the food,<br />this design rocks. <a href="http://www.uberreview.com/2007/03/fish-tank-table-every-night-is-fish-night.htm">http://www.uberreview.com/2007/03/fish-tank-table-every-night-is-fish-night.htm </a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SG4JVEuB3MI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/0wuoCDKmn48/s1600-h/PhotoFrames.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SG4JVEuB3MI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/0wuoCDKmn48/s400/PhotoFrames.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219119275817688258" border="0" /></a>If photo frames are your thing, this frame of Altantis comes completed with live fishes.<br /><a href="http://www.livingpictures.co.uk/aquarium_themes.htm">http://www.livingpictures.co.uk/aquarium_themes.htm</a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SG4JVO-A-DI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/TjKOFW5CfAc/s1600-h/Sink+Fish+Tank.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SG4JVO-A-DI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/TjKOFW5CfAc/s400/Sink+Fish+Tank.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219119278569093170" border="0" /></a> This design of a sink fish tank is totally awesommmeee.. <a href="http://www.all4humor.com/picture/cool-pictures/fish-tank-sink.html">http://www.all4humor.com/picture/cool-pictures/fish-tank-sink.html</a><br /><br /><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198858459512980926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23583560.post-74847788398913102732008-07-03T09:37:00.005+08:002008-10-17T18:27:56.613+08:005 tips for keeping healthy fish in a healthy tank<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:12;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">This week, I have a guest blogger,Michelle, from My Aquarium Club Blog. She can be reached at <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" target="_blank" href="http://www.myaquariumclub.com/black-widow-tetra-28.html">http://www.myaquariumclub.co</a><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.myaquariumclub.com/black-widow-tetra-28.html">m</a><a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.myaquariumclub.com/blogs">/blogs.</a></span></span> <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Michelle would love to offer some tips for keeping healthy fishes. </span></span></span><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"><b><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SG2CkbmAQbI/AAAAAAAAA1w/MuEl2ovPi_A/s1600-h/Aquarium1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SG2CkbmAQbI/AAAAAAAAA1w/MuEl2ovPi_A/s400/Aquarium1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218971105586332082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>1 - <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Water changes</span></b></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">:</span> the first and the most important rule is to change the entire water of the tank every month – 25% each weak is a reasonable solution. The water changes helps to remove contaminants and waste byproducts from the aquarium and replace them with fresh clean water<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>2. - <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Consistent Temperature</span></b></span><span style="font-size:85%;">: fish cannot regulate body temperature so changes to the water temperature are creating a lot of stress for the fish. You'll have to ask for the right temp for your fish and make sure that all your fish can live at the same temp range. Be careful during water changes not to add too cold or too warm water. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>3. - <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Don’t use too many chemicals or products</span></b></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">:</span> Chemicals are not very helpful for a healthy tank and this includes pH adjusters and medicines. The only chemicals that go into my tanks are tap water, water conditioner to remove chlorine, charcoal in the filters and aquarium salt (if needed). If you need to adjust the pH of the water, there are natural things you can use such as rocks or substrate to raise the pH or wood or plants to lower it. This way you'll stabilize the pH without creating too much ups and downs.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> <b>4. <span style=""> </span>- <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Use a quarantine tank</span></b><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">:</span> This is really important. If your tank is healthy and stable the highest risk for a disease is bringing in new fish that you just brought home from the store. Even at the best pet stores fish can get disease so always keep the newly bought fish at a quarantine tank for at least 3 weeks. This goes for other purchases too such as rocks, plants and anything else you introduce to you tank. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>5. <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Compatible fish</span></b></span><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >: </span><span style="font-size:85%;">It is important to enable the fish to live peacefully if you have one aggressive fish that is attacking another, know that stress leads to disease and attacks can end up in dead fish. Try to buy compatible fish choosing a fish not just for its beauty but for its ability to live with the other fish that you have. Create hiding places for the fish that needs its and if you have no choice try trading the aggressive fish for a more suitable one.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198858459512980926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23583560.post-41338820182652593122008-06-21T12:23:00.006+08:002008-10-17T18:28:29.203+08:00Black Widow Tetra<hr /><br /><br /><table id="AutoNumber1" style="border-collapse: collapse;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="160"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" colspan="2" bg="" border="" width="61%" height="1"><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:Verdana;" >Data Sheet</span></b></td><td rowspan="16" width="89%"><p align="center"></p><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SFyAeBlDDkI/AAAAAAAAA0I/QHOYLHNqfyE/s1600-h/blackwidowterta1.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SFyAeBlDDkI/AAAAAAAAA0I/QHOYLHNqfyE/s400/blackwidowterta1.jpg" border="0" /></a> <p></p><p align="center"></p><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SFyAeaSNKCI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/2fVXoiZ94Pw/s1600-h/blackwidowterta3.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SFyAeaSNKCI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/2fVXoiZ94Pw/s400/blackwidowterta3.jpg" border="0" /></a> <p></p><p align="center"></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span class="pCo"><b>Scientific Name:</b></span><b> </b></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">Gymnocorymbus ternetzi </span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="1"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Other Names:</b> </span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="1"><span style="font-size:85%;">Black Tetra, Black Skirt Tetra</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Origin:</b></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">Brazil</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Adult Size:</b></span></td><td class="style1" style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="39%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">2.5 inches (6 cm)</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" valign="top" width="22%" height="20"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Social:</b></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="20"><span style="font-size:85%;">Excellent</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="16"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Lifespan:</b></span></td><td class="style1" style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="39%" height="16"><span style="font-size:85%;">5 years</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Tank Level:</b> </span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">Mid Dweller</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Minimum Tank Size:</b></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">10 gallons</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="37"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Diet: </b></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="37"><span style="font-size:85%;">Omnivore</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Breeding:</b></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">Egg Layer</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 19px;" border="" width="22%"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Care:</b></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 19px;" border="" width="39%"><span style="font-size:85%;">Easy</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Ideal pH:</b> </span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">6-8</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Temperature:</b> </span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">68-78 F (20-26 C)</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" valign="top" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Tank setup: </b></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">Ideally planted aquarium </span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Sexing:<br /></b></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">Females are generally larger and have rounder body. </span></td></tr><tr><td width="22%" height="19"><br /></td><td width="39%" height="19"><br /></td><td width="89%" height="19"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table style="border-collapse: collapse;" autonumber3="" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 29%;" valign="top"><p align="center"><br /></p><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SFyAeQxzE4I/AAAAAAAAA0Y/9ZKWbuhV9gY/s1600-h/blackwidowterta2.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SFyAeQxzE4I/AAAAAAAAA0Y/9ZKWbuhV9gY/s400/blackwidowterta2.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SFyAeYSytaI/AAAAAAAAA0g/hOwxIVzfkYY/s1600-h/blackwidowterta4.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SFyAeYSytaI/AAAAAAAAA0g/hOwxIVzfkYY/s400/blackwidowterta4.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SFyLZ9FIhoI/AAAAAAAAA1A/cLmVePVKTbc/s1600-h/blackwidowterta5.jpg"><img style="height: 158px;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SFyLZ9FIhoI/AAAAAAAAA1A/cLmVePVKTbc/s1600/blackwidowterta5.jpg" width="162" border="0" height="158" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SFyLaD8UauI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/AP9ocN7cvSw/s1600/blackwidowterta8.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SFyLaD8UauI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/AP9ocN7cvSw/s1600/blackwidowterta8.jpg" border="0" height="159" /></a> </div><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SFyLZz-0koI/AAAAAAAAA1I/Jp4quWBWw_s/s1600/blackwidowterta7.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SFyLZz-0koI/AAAAAAAAA1I/Jp4quWBWw_s/s1600/blackwidowterta7.jpg" height="150" /></a> </div><br /><p></p><p align="center"></p></td><td valign="top" width="71%"><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Description: </span></h2><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Growing to about 6 cm (2.5 in) total length, the black window tetra has a roughly tetragonal body shape and is greyish in colour, fading from light at the nose to near black at the tail. Two prominent black vertical bars appear just posterior of the gills.</span></p><h2 class="style1" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Habitat/Care:</h2><p><span style="font-size:85%;">The Black Skirt tetra is a very hardy fish that is suitable for beginner aquarists. Since it is native to subtropical waters, it will appreciate a lower temperature than what is found in most tropical aquariums. Ideally keep the temperature between 20 and 26° C (68 and 79° F). </span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">A schooling fish by nature, black widows Tetra are best kept in groups of six or more. Due to their peaceful nature, they make an excellent community fish. FishLore noted that Black Widow Tetra sometimes nip the fins of slower moving fish, particularly those with long flowing fins such as<a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2006/03/betta-siamese-fighting-fish.html"> Bettas</a><a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2006/03/angel-fish.html"> Angelfish</a>. However, when keep in groups of 6 of more, they tend to chase one another harmlessly and leave the other fishes alone.</span> or </p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">The Black Skirt tetras can adapt to a wide range of conditions, but rapid changes and extreme conditions should naturally be avoided. The aquarium should ideally include a lot of large plants. </span></p><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Diet:</span> </h2><p><span style="font-size:85%;">The black widow tetra is an omnivore and will eat nearly anything it can fit into its mouth. Wild Black Skirt tetras are mainly carnivores and feed on insects, worms and small crustaceans. They do however also ingest smaller amounts of algae and plant matter. In an aquarium, it cheerfully and readily accept flake food, worms, and brine shrimp.</span></p><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Breeding:</span></h2><p><span style="font-size:85%;">To breed the black widow tetra in captivity, the aquarium should ideally be densely planted with fine-leaved plants as the Black Skirt tetra is an egg-scattering species that prefers to release the eggs among fine-leave plants. The male will claim a territory during the breeding period and defend it. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Once the eggs are laid, the parents should be removed from the tank as these fishes tend to eat their own eggs. The eggs will typically hatch within 24 hours. The frys could be feed with egg yolk or newly hatched brine shrimp. As the fry grows larger, you can give them larger and larger brine shrimp.</span></p><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Disease:</span></h2><span style="font-size:85%;">Black Widow Tetra are prone to WHITE SPOT (Ich, ichthyophthirius). This disease is caused by environmental stress and/or cold water. It can also be caused by sudden changes in water temperature. It is a parasite resembling a grain of salt that feeds on the tissue of the fish causing irritation. It spreads through the skin and fins and will eventually kill the fish if left untreated. The mature parasite cannot be killed, nor can its eggs. It can only be destroyed in its free swimming stage after the spot falls off and the eggs hatch. This can take from 1-4 days. This is why it is important to continue to medicate for at least 3-5 days after the spots are gone. Add 1-2 drops of formalin or copper sulfate to the tank water and raise the temperature to 82 degrees (use formalin with great care as it is a cancer causing agent).</span> <p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="100%"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">References Cited:</span></h2>1. Black Widow, [Online], Accessed on 12 June 2008 [Available]<a href="http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/characins2/a/blackwidow.htm"> http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/characins2/a/blackwidow.htm</a> <p class="style1"></p>2.Black Skirt Tetra [Online], Accessed on 18 June 2008,[Available],<a href="http://www.fishlore.com/profile-blackskirttetra.htm">http://www.fishlore.com/profile-blackskirttetra.htm</a> <p class="style1"></p>3. Aquatic Community [Online], Accessed on 18 June 2008,[Available],<a href="http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/tetrafish/blackskirttetra.php">http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/tetrafish/blackskirttetra.php</a> <p class="style1"></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198858459512980926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23583560.post-15809341699482973352008-06-06T15:14:00.011+08:002008-10-17T18:28:44.762+08:00Jinjin and Sasa Aquarium Adventure @ Hong Kong Aquarium Plaza<table style="width: 627px; height: 1410px;" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="3"><tbody><tr><td> <span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjtUl1TvTI/AAAAAAAAAd0/8AalAsPFiMQ/s1600-h/Jinjin+and+Sasa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 122px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjtUl1TvTI/AAAAAAAAAd0/8AalAsPFiMQ/s400/Jinjin+and+Sasa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208673907062848818" border="0" /></a><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Jinjin and Sasa</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjsSuo8a0I/AAAAAAAAAds/5x7ooADQt7s/s1600-h/Hong+Kong+Aquarium+Plaza+Map.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 185px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjsSuo8a0I/AAAAAAAAAds/5x7ooADQt7s/s400/Hong+Kong+Aquarium+Plaza+Map.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208672775555541826" border="0" /></a> Map of the Store</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjsRza0LdI/AAAAAAAAAdk/H-yHyTPKRLk/s1600-h/Hong+Kong+Aquarium+Plaza+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 121px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjsRza0LdI/AAAAAAAAAdk/H-yHyTPKRLk/s400/Hong+Kong+Aquarium+Plaza+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208672759658589650" border="0" /></a></span> <span style="font-size:85%;"> Spacious Shopping Center<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjuDAMOuqI/AAAAAAAAAfE/yv3nRBbcmwM/s1600-h/Unidentified+plant.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 177px; height: 134px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjuDAMOuqI/AAAAAAAAAfE/yv3nRBbcmwM/s400/Unidentified+plant.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208674704412293794" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">unidentified plant</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjuDJV6sYI/AAAAAAAAAfM/XF6uHCq0dGM/s1600-h/View+of+Shopping+Plaza.jpg"> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 171px; height: 135px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjuDJV6sYI/AAAAAAAAAfM/XF6uHCq0dGM/s400/View+of+Shopping+Plaza.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208674706868842882" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">with more than 40 stores, there is something new at every corner</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEj1eqeR-zI/AAAAAAAAAfc/F_0iEO_bRbM/s1600-h/shark.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 122px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEj1eqeR-zI/AAAAAAAAAfc/F_0iEO_bRbM/s400/shark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208682876200155954" border="0" /></a></span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Sharks for sale</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></td><td><span style="font-size:85%;">This section list the adventures of Jinjin (Me) and Sasa (my lovely wife) as we head to Hong Kong Aquarium Plaza.<br /><br />Hong Kong Aquarium Plaza is located in Hong Kong Island, near<br />Tai Woon MTR exit B. The basement is really big and contains over 40 shops, and sells all kinds of aquarium items, from accessories, tank, gravel, to fishes and other exotic animals. It has a nice selection of marine and freshwater fishes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjtU4oc3wI/AAAAAAAAAeE/MV3yeEPif6E/s1600-h/Map+to+Hong+Kong+Aquarium+Plaza.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 348px; height: 172px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjtU4oc3wI/AAAAAAAAAeE/MV3yeEPif6E/s400/Map+to+Hong+Kong+Aquarium+Plaza.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208673912109195010" border="0" /></a> Map of how to go to Hong Kong Aquarium Plaza.<br /><br />Our first stop is the marine fish aquarium, and we stand amazed at the variety of fishes, star-fish and other rare marine fish available. The highlight of the tour is a huge tank containing sharks!<br /><br /></span> <table><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;" class="style2"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjsPEp00EI/AAAAAAAAAdM/qT6or5JuCu8/s1600-h/Clownfish.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 177px; height: 127px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjsPEp00EI/AAAAAAAAAdM/qT6or5JuCu8/s400/Clownfish.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208672712745340994" border="0" /></a><br />Clown Fish </span></td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjsPyUu31I/AAAAAAAAAdU/gqBEqIUGOHE/s1600-h/Coral.jpg"><img style="display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; width: 194px; height: 129px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjsPyUu31I/AAAAAAAAAdU/gqBEqIUGOHE/s400/Coral.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208672725004902226" class="style1" border="0" /></a><br />Wide Variety Of Coral</span></td> </tr><tr><td style="width: 154px; text-align: center;" class="style2"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjsQ1pS-vI/AAAAAAAAAdc/k0W2wnED8Pw/s1600-h/Exotic+StingRay.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 195px; height: 131px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjsQ1pS-vI/AAAAAAAAAdc/k0W2wnED8Pw/s400/Exotic+StingRay.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208672743076330226" border="0" /></a><br />Exotic Sting Ray</span></td><td style="text-align: center;" class="style2"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjtVemw3rI/AAAAAAAAAeU/qNs1lMUCZTM/s1600-h/Nurse+Shark+for+sale.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; float: left; width: 198px; height: 129px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjtVemw3rI/AAAAAAAAAeU/qNs1lMUCZTM/s400/Nurse+Shark+for+sale.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208673922302664370" border="0" /></a><br />Nurse Shark</span></td></tr><tr><td class="style2"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjtu5GySmI/AAAAAAAAAes/-PEAYeSZ7t4/s1600-h/StarFish.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 136px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjtu5GySmI/AAAAAAAAAes/-PEAYeSZ7t4/s400/StarFish.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208674358913026658" border="0" /></a><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Rare StarFishes</span></div></td><td style="text-align: center;" class="style2"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjtvO1BoOI/AAAAAAAAAe8/VzDdtpNO0tY/s1600-h/Unidentified+fish.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 121px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjtvO1BoOI/AAAAAAAAAe8/VzDdtpNO0tY/s400/Unidentified+fish.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208674364744114402" border="0" /></a><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">unidentified fish. Help is appreciated</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Then we visited the freshwater aquarium. There is a wide variety of freshwater fishes available here, including <a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2008/05/congo-tetra.html">congo tetra</a>, <a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2006/07/platy.html">platy</a>, <a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2006/03/guppy.html">guppies</a>, <a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2006/03/discus-fish.html">discus</a>, <a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2006/07/platy.html">goldfish</a>, <a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2006/04/koi.html">koi,</a> <a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2006/03/angel-fish.html">angel fishes</a>, and <a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2006/07/blood-parrots.html">parrot fishes</a>.<br /><br /></span> <table> <tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjtU29ZYqI/AAAAAAAAAd8/DRX-wqsuuSw/s1600-h/Koi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 179px; height: 135px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjtU29ZYqI/AAAAAAAAAd8/DRX-wqsuuSw/s400/Koi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208673911660176034" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2006/04/koi.html">Koi</a></span></td><td class="style2"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjtt4nAfVI/AAAAAAAAAec/zhZBHKOWn7U/s1600-h/Parrot+Fish.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 193px; height: 129px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjtt4nAfVI/AAAAAAAAAec/zhZBHKOWn7U/s400/Parrot+Fish.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208674341599870290" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2006/07/blood-parrots.html">Parrot Fish</a> with tattoo on their body</span></td> </tr> <tr><td style="width: 125px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjtuVJ1bjI/AAAAAAAAAek/GRlhoHOvEhU/s1600-h/Puffer+Fish.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 189px; height: 131px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjtuVJ1bjI/AAAAAAAAAek/GRlhoHOvEhU/s400/Puffer+Fish.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208674349262138930" border="0" /></a><br />Puffer Fish</span></td><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjtvMJG4oI/AAAAAAAAAe0/U0RZ-vOcGSs/s1600-h/Terrapin+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 197px; height: 124px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjtvMJG4oI/AAAAAAAAAe0/U0RZ-vOcGSs/s400/Terrapin+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208674364023038594" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2008/05/reptiles.html">Cute Terrapins</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198858459512980926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23583560.post-38240982055473603692008-06-06T14:36:00.006+08:002008-10-17T18:29:05.072+08:00Tortoise Mating<table width="500"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> This article and the pictures were from Tee, a reader.<br />We share your grief when the tortoise die. </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Thank you very much for sharing.</span></span></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Hi Eugene,<br /><br />Here are some photos of my land tortoise trying to mate. The male one is on top of the female one. These photos were taken sometime in year 2006. Sadly, the female tortoise died. She was suffocated by the male tortoise. Somehow, the male tortoise tries to "bite" the female's neck. So, when they were in a bigger aquarium, the male kept trying to bite the female's neck and at one stage, I believe the female ran out of breath and died in the water.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"> </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Love kills (literally).</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">I was a little sad but life goes on. I buried the female tortoise.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Tee</span></span></td></tr><tr><td style="width: 3px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjYSAnEdvI/AAAAAAAAAb8/uauTj8_W4yI/s1600-h/Image%2802%29.jpg"><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 276px; height: 211px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjYSAnEdvI/AAAAAAAAAb8/uauTj8_W4yI/s400/Image%2802%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208650772967094002" border="0" /><br /></a></td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjYSREXTTI/AAAAAAAAAcE/OUAJxoCsU_I/s1600-h/Image%2803%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 211px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjYSREXTTI/AAAAAAAAAcE/OUAJxoCsU_I/s400/Image%2803%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208650777384930610" border="0" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="width: 3px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjYSh7ft9I/AAAAAAAAAcM/MIs7Nj5v-uQ/s1600-h/Image%2804%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 219px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjYSh7ft9I/AAAAAAAAAcM/MIs7Nj5v-uQ/s400/Image%2804%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208650781911136210" border="0" /></a></td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjYTCitPWI/AAAAAAAAAcU/VUTBB8q98ec/s1600-h/Image%2805%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 215px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjYTCitPWI/AAAAAAAAAcU/VUTBB8q98ec/s400/Image%2805%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208650790665534818" border="0" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="width: 3px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjYTW17lJI/AAAAAAAAAcc/VWlNcg3_IkA/s1600-h/Image%2806%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 205px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjYTW17lJI/AAAAAAAAAcc/VWlNcg3_IkA/s400/Image%2806%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208650796114875538" border="0" /></a></td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjZekVc2EI/AAAAAAAAAck/khZHhMKzefQ/s1600-h/Image%2815%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 207px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjZekVc2EI/AAAAAAAAAck/khZHhMKzefQ/s400/Image%2815%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208652088226928706" border="0" /></a></td> </tr> <tr><td style="width: 3px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjZezKgI6I/AAAAAAAAAcs/IE_iXHewBWI/s1600-h/Image%2819%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 277px; height: 216px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjZezKgI6I/AAAAAAAAAcs/IE_iXHewBWI/s400/Image%2819%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208652092207539106" border="0" /></a></td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjZfC7aNlI/AAAAAAAAAc0/s2UcodlsTI4/s1600-h/Image%2821%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 212px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjZfC7aNlI/AAAAAAAAAc0/s2UcodlsTI4/s400/Image%2821%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208652096439203410" border="0" /></a></td></tr><tr> <td style="width: 3px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjZffStOMI/AAAAAAAAAc8/xRAFTyKI5TM/s1600-h/Image%2824%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 189px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjZffStOMI/AAAAAAAAAc8/xRAFTyKI5TM/s400/Image%2824%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208652104053110978" border="0" /></a></td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjZgNt44hI/AAAAAAAAAdE/73F1TqmGQiY/s1600-h/Image%2827%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 177px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEjZgNt44hI/AAAAAAAAAdE/73F1TqmGQiY/s400/Image%2827%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208652116515152402" border="0" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198858459512980926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23583560.post-42335243040602860752008-06-04T17:34:00.005+08:002008-10-17T18:29:35.011+08:00Hermit Crab<hr /> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber1" width="97%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="160"> <tbody><tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" colspan="2" bg="" width="61%" height="1"> <b><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:Verdana;" >Data Sheet</span></b></td> <td rowspan="6" width="89%" height="101"> <p align="center"> </p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbzdv6DGI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/SqBaHy8Wtog/s1600-h/Hermit+Crab+11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbzdv6DGI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/SqBaHy8Wtog/s400/Hermit+Crab+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207950958817578082" border="0" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span class="pCo"><b>Scientific Name:</b></span><b> </b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"> <span class="superfamily"><b>Paguroidea</b></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="1"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Other Names:</b> </span> </td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="1"> N.A </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Origin:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"> Beaches and Sea.</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Adult Size:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" class="style1" width="39%" height="19"> Varies, depending on species </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" valign="top" width="22%" height="20"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Social:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="20"> See below.</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="16"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Lifespan:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="16"> up to 20 years in captivity</td> <td width="89%" height="20"><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Tank Level:</b> </span> </td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"><br />N.A</td> <td rowspan="6" width="89%" height="132"> <p align="center"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbzYbHkZI/AAAAAAAAAZY/wKx9MahhJGU/s1600-h/Hermit+Crab+12.jpg"><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbzYbHkZI/AAAAAAAAAZY/wKx9MahhJGU/s400/Hermit+Crab+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207950957388206482" width="252" border="0" height="163" /></a> </p></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Minimum Tank Size:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"><br />10-15 gallons recommended for small individual hermit crab. A bigger<br />population would require bigger tank.</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="37"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" > <b>Diet: </b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="37"><br />Eats almost any thing - they are scavengers. </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" > <b>Breeding:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"><br />Mission Impossible. </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 19px;" border="" width="22%"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" > <b>Care:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 19px;" border="" width="39%"><br />Easy</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" > <b>Ideal pH:</b> </span> </td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"><br />N.A</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" > <b>Temperature:</b> </span> </td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"><br />70-75 F </td> <td width="89%" height="19"><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" valign="top" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Tank setup: </b></span> </td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"><br />An aquarium with 2-3 inches of gravel or sand is ideal.</td> <td rowspan="2" width="89%" height="55"> <p align="center"><br /> </p></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Sexing:<br /></b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"><br />It is almost impossible to tell when they are in their shell.</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="22%" height="19"><br /></td> <td width="39%" height="19"><br /></td> <td width="89%" height="19"><br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber3" width="97%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td style="width: 29%;" valign="top"> <p align="center"> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbzv3lwkI/AAAAAAAAAZg/uJSifx7UD3w/s1600-h/Hermit+Crab+13.jpg"><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbzv3lwkI/AAAAAAAAAZg/uJSifx7UD3w/s400/Hermit+Crab+13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207950963681641026" width="200" border="0" height="133" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbmkC9_tI/AAAAAAAAAYo/e1DFY0AoCwc/s1600-h/Hermit+Crab+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbmkC9_tI/AAAAAAAAAYo/e1DFY0AoCwc/s400/Hermit+Crab+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207950737169841874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbmwf3inI/AAAAAAAAAY4/F8uuSGyhI3M/s1600-h/Hermit+Crab+8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbmwf3inI/AAAAAAAAAY4/F8uuSGyhI3M/s400/Hermit+Crab+8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207950740512279154" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbnL8TJcI/AAAAAAAAAZA/nriYYUoXaYk/s1600-h/Hermit+Crab+9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbnL8TJcI/AAAAAAAAAZA/nriYYUoXaYk/s400/Hermit+Crab+9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207950747879286210" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbnffBLoI/AAAAAAAAAZI/J248IIp7-WU/s1600-h/Hermit+Crab+10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbnffBLoI/AAAAAAAAAZI/J248IIp7-WU/s400/Hermit+Crab+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207950753125183106" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></p> <p align="center"> </p> </td> <td valign="top" width="71%"> <h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Description: </span></h2> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Most species of hermit crabs have long soft abdomens. To protect these abdomens from predators, the crab find a shell in which it can retract its body into. Most frequently hermit crabs utilize the shells of sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks. The tip of the hermit crab's abdomen is adapted to clasp strongly onto the columella of the snail shell. As the hermit crab grows in size it has to find a larger shell and abandon the previous one.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Accordingly to Wikipedia, there are about five hundred known species of hermit crabs in the world, most of which are aquatic and live in saltwater at depths ranging from shallow coral reefs and shorelines to deep sea bottoms. For the propose of this article, I will be focusing on the land hermit crabs.<br /></span></p> <h2 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" class="style1">Habitat/Care:</h2> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Hermit Crabs can be housed in a 10 gallon aquarium with 3-4 inches of sand at the bottom at minimum. Ideally there should be two shallow dishes for water. One of the dish should contain de-cholorinated fresh water, and the second dish should contain salt water. To prevent your crab from drowning, it is ideal that the crabs should be able to get in and out of the dishes easily. Some wood is recommended as most land hermit crabs love to climb. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Hermit crabs love company, and ideally they should have at least 1 to 2 tank mates. Where possible, provide a variety of empty shells that are slightly larger than the one your crab is currently in. Get shells of slightly different shapes and styles and opening size, though rounder openings are usually preferable over slit-like openings. Hermit Crabs can be surprisingly fussy about the kind of shell they like, and if a good variety is not available fighting may break out over the "best" shells.</span></p> <h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Diet:</span> </h2> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Hermit crab are scavengers and cheerfully eats almost anything, from fruits, dead fish, shrimps etc. You could feed them some commercial hermit crab food daily, supplemented with assorted fresh fruits and vegetables, cereal and whole grain bread items, and small pieces of fish and meat. Also offer some pieces of cuttlebone or ground oyster shell (or even boiled egg shells) for an added calcium source.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">It is essential that you clean food dishes daily, and remove<br />uneaten bits of food from the tank. Check for food away from the dish as crabs sometimes drag food off to eat away from the others.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">While Hermit crabs are not exactly nocturnal animals, but they are mostly active at night. They do all their eating and drinking at night, so do not worry if they do not seem to be eating during day time.</span> </p> <h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Breeding:</span></h2> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Hermit crabs cannot reproduce in captivity. This can only be done on the beach and when the phases of the moon are right, and also the eggs have to be laid in the seawater. When the eggs hatch as plankton, they have to develop into a hermit crab which can take about a month.</span> </p></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" valign="top" width="100%"> <h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Disease:<br /></span></h2><span style="font-size:85%;">One disease known to attack hermit crabs as well as their relative crustaceans such as lobsters, crayfish and sea crabs is the 'shell disease'. This infection has also been given a number of other names, such as 'shell rot' and 'rust spot'. It appears as dark mysterious spots on your hermit crab's exoskeleton. They are different to the much tinier freckle-like spots you see on their skin. The fungi are believed to grow on the infected hermit crab's exoskeleton whilst feeding on its chitin. Shell disease usually infects those who have an injury.<br /><br />If they lose a leg or claw, there is a risk that the fungi maybe able to do its dirty work. It is also important to keep the tank very clean, to reduce the amount of bacteria growth. Also make sure that the food you are feeding your hermit crabs is safe and that there is no mould in it. Hermit crabs can catch diseases from this. The disease also attacks those who are overly stressed, the main killer of hermit crabs.<br /><br />Hermit crabs get very stressed when they are overcrowded or do not have much room to move around in. This is when they start dropping legs and claws, making themselves open to diseases. Remember, in the wild, hermit crabs travel for kilometres everyday for food and shells, so it makes sense that you should provide them large enough home to walk around in. Hermit crabs are able to free themselves from shell disease through moulting and shedding the infected exoskeleton off. Just make sure you have been feeding them plenty of calcium and protein to aid them through the stressful time.</span> <br /><h2><span class="style2"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><br />Photo Gallery:</span> </span></h2><span style="font-size:85%;">Got a photo? <a href="mailto:frutte_lim_sg@yahoo.com">Contact me</a></span><br /><table style="width: 100%;" cellpadding="0"><br /><tbody><tr><br /> <td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbU_2Mp6I/AAAAAAAAAYI/5z2EKc9ED1s/s1600-h/Hermit+Crab+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbU_2Mp6I/AAAAAAAAAYI/5z2EKc9ED1s/s400/Hermit+Crab+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207950435394824098" border="0" /></a><br /></td><br /> <td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbVAV9ehI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/VXKErF0jOtA/s1600-h/Hermit+Crab+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbVAV9ehI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/VXKErF0jOtA/s400/Hermit+Crab+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207950435528047122" border="0" /></a><br /></td><br /></tr><br /><tr><br /> <td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbVIopjgI/AAAAAAAAAYY/tFYeTpmFl9E/s1600-h/Hermit+Crab+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbVIopjgI/AAAAAAAAAYY/tFYeTpmFl9E/s400/Hermit+Crab+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207950437753916930" border="0" /></a><br /></td><br /> <td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbVXuCzmI/AAAAAAAAAYg/wA9expKJ0Gg/s1600-h/Hermit+Crab+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbVXuCzmI/AAAAAAAAAYg/wA9expKJ0Gg/s400/Hermit+Crab+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207950441803075170" border="0" /></a></td><br /></tr><br /></tbody></table><br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table><br /><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">References Cited:</span></h2><span style="font-size:85%;">1. Wikipedia, Hermit Crabs, [Online], [Accessed on 4th June 2008], <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermit_crab">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermit_crab</a><br /></span><p class="style1"><span style="font-size:85%;">2. Hermit Crab Paradise [Online][Accessed on 4th June 2008],<br /><a href="http://www.hermitcrabparadise.com/crabcare/basics.php">http://www.hermitcrabparadise.com/crabcare/basics.php </a><br /><br />3. About Exotic Pets, Hermit Crabs, [Online],[Accessed on 4th June 2008],<br /><a href="http://exoticpets.about.com/od/hermitcrabs/Hermit_Crabs.htm">http://exoticpets.about.com/od/hermitcrabs/Hermit_Crabs.htm</a><br /><br />4. Care of Hermit Crab, [Online][Available], [Accessed on 4th June 2008],<br /><a href="http://www.hermit-crabs.com/care.html">http://www.hermit-crabs.com/care.html</a><br /><br />5. Shell Disease [Online],[Available], [Accessed on 4th June 2008],<br /><a href="http://www.crabstreetjournal.com/articles/shelldisease/">http://www.crabstreetjournal.com/articles/shelldisease/</a></span><br /></p><br /><p class="style1"> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198858459512980926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23583560.post-60925481630310337492008-05-24T12:31:00.008+08:002008-10-17T18:30:06.097+08:00Cherry Shrimp<hr /><table id="AutoNumber1" style="border-collapse: collapse;" width="97%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="160"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" colspan="2" bg="" border="" width="61%" height="1"><b><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:Verdana;" ><br />Data Sheet</span></b></td><td rowspan="5" width="89%" height="101"><p align="center"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SD0twn0VxpI/AAAAAAAAAWo/Z9lmVMM4tSY/s1600-h/Cherry+Shrimp+2.jpg"><br /></a></p><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span class="pCo"><b>Scientific Name:</b></span><b> </b></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"><i>Neocaridina heteropoda</i></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="1"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Other Names:</b> </span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="1">Fire Shrimp, Red Cherry Shrimp</td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Origin:</b></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19">Southeast Asia </td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Adult Size:</b></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"><p>1.5 inches (4 cm)</p></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" valign="top" width="22%" height="20"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Social:</b></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="20">Good</td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="16"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Lifespan:</b></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="16">1-2 years</td><td width="89%" height="20"><br /> </td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Tank Level:</b> </span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19">Bottom</td><td rowspan="6" width="89%" height="132"><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCzlETCMvtI/AAAAAAAAAV4/NnFxBF49vvU/s1600-h/Gold+Ram2.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SD0txX0VxsI/AAAAAAAAAXA/l87oWJLjppg/s1600-h/Cherry+Shrimp5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SD0txX0VxsI/AAAAAAAAAXA/l87oWJLjppg/s400/Cherry+Shrimp5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205367070540547778" border="0" /></a></p><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Minimum Tank Size:</b></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19">1-2 gallons (for 1-2 shrimps)</td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="37"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Diet: </b></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="37">Omnivore</td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Breeding:</b></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19">Egg Layer</td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 19px;" border="" width="22%"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Care:</b></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 19px;" border="" width="39%">Easy</td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Ideal pH:</b> </span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19">6.5-8</td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Temperature:</b> </span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19">18-30°C (65-85°F). </td><td width="89%" height="19"><br /></td></tr><br /><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Sexing:<br /></b></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19">The male is smaller and less colorful than the female. The male's tail, not being needed to carry eggs, is thinner. The female is larger and displays a much darker and more extensive red color, and often has a "saddle" marking of developing eggs.</td></tr><tr><td width="22%" height="19"><br /></td><td width="39%" height="19"><br /></td><td width="89%" height="19"><br /></td></tr></tbody><tbody><tr><td style="vertical-align: top;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table id="AutoNumber3" style="border-collapse: collapse;" width="97%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 29%;" valign="top"><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCzkJTCMvgI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/wx-kCfCYdWA/s1600-h/Blue+Ram1.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SD0vDX0VxxI/AAAAAAAAAXo/lZ4fgQaAT4Q/s1600-h/Cherry+Shrimp+10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SD0vDX0VxxI/AAAAAAAAAXo/lZ4fgQaAT4Q/s400/Cherry+Shrimp+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205368479289820946" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCzkJjCMvhI/AAAAAAAAAUY/VgEC28b3iDs/s1600-h/Blue+Ram2.jpg"> Baby Cherry Shrimp<br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCzkKjCMvjI/AAAAAAAAAUo/8ztnSBxRcGA/s1600-h/Blue+Ram4.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SD0twn0VxpI/AAAAAAAAAWo/Z9lmVMM4tSY/s1600-h/Cherry+Shrimp+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SD0twn0VxpI/AAAAAAAAAWo/Z9lmVMM4tSY/s400/Cherry+Shrimp+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205367057655645842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SD0txH0VxrI/AAAAAAAAAW4/t8tYX8MUfgc/s1600-h/Cherry+Shrimp4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SD0txH0VxrI/AAAAAAAAAW4/t8tYX8MUfgc/s400/Cherry+Shrimp4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205367066245580466" border="0" /></a>The bright colors contrast nicely against blackground</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SD0u0n0VxwI/AAAAAAAAAXg/NSOgQ4V-vSI/s1600-h/Cherry+Shrimp+9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SD0u0n0VxwI/AAAAAAAAAXg/NSOgQ4V-vSI/s400/Cherry+Shrimp+9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205368225886750466" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SD0uiX0VxtI/AAAAAAAAAXI/GuIvjqm0L9o/s1600-h/Cherry+Shrimp+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SD0uiX0VxtI/AAAAAAAAAXI/GuIvjqm0L9o/s400/Cherry+Shrimp+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205367912354137810" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SD0uiX0VxuI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/UOG751uL-XY/s1600-h/Cherry+Shrimp+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SD0uiX0VxuI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/UOG751uL-XY/s400/Cherry+Shrimp+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205367912354137826" border="0" /></a>Pregnant Cherry Shrimp<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SD0uin0VxvI/AAAAAAAAAXY/Wo5qIykrO6E/s1600-h/Cherry+Shrimp+8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SD0uin0VxvI/AAAAAAAAAXY/Wo5qIykrO6E/s400/Cherry+Shrimp+8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205367916649105138" border="0" /></a>Cherry<br />Shrimp Sharing food<br /></p></td><td valign="top" width="71%"><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);font-size:85%;" >Description: </span></h2><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Red Cherry shrimps are very attractive shrimps with red and white coloration on its body.</span></p><h2 class="style1" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-size:85%;">Habitat/Care:</span></h2><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Red cherry shrimp are fairly easy to care for in the home freshwater aquarium. They will adapt to a wide range of water conditions, and will thrive in the same conditions as many common aquarium fish. A few cherry shrimp can be kept in a desktop aquarium of 1-2 gallon capacity, and a setup of 10 gallons or more will allow for an active colony.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Red Cherry shrimp spend a great deal of their time sitting on aquatic plants, when available, and hiding in them for protection, especially after molting. They also eat the film of algae and microorganisms which forms on plant leaves without harming the leaves in the process. Java moss and Java fern are both excellent plants for the shrimp tank, as they thrive in the same conditions that the cherry shrimp do, and provide both the physical benefits of the plants to the shrimp and pleasing visual contrast with the red bodies of the shrimp to the human viewer.<br /><br />Red Cherry shrimps also feel more secure if there is a shaded nook or cranny they can escape into if they are frightened. Bogwood or driftwood can often make a suitable shelter for this purpose.<br /><br />Red Cherry Shrimp also respond to the color of their background and substrate. If they are in a tank with light-colored substrate, they will become paler, even transparent. On a darker substrate, they take on their full red coloration. Shrimp are gregarious by nature and enjoy being part of a group. Shrimp which are kept alone are often shy, reclusive and lack bight colours.<br /></span></p><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);font-size:85%;" >Mixing with other fishes:</span></h2><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Red Cherry Shrimp are very small and harmless, meaning that any carnivorous or omnivorous fish is a possible risk to them. Even fish too small to eat an entire shrimp can harass them, pick at their legs, etc. Newly hatched shrimp are so tiny that nearly any fish can, if so inclined, eat them. Therefore, if you intend to breed them, they should have a tank to themselves. Small, non-aggressive fish such as neon and cardinal tetras, otocinclus catfish, and possibly strictly vegetarian species of killifish, can be kept with cherry shrimp. Cichlids, barbs, and similar fish will eat them.</span></p><h2><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Diet:</span> </span></h2><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Red Cherry Shrimp are primarily algae eaters. They will eat any food intended for aquarium use, but they greatly prefer compressed algae discs. Blanched (boiled until soft) vegetables such as zucchini, baby carrots, and spinach can be used as a supplemental food, but should be fed sparingly. Uneaten vegetables can very quickly decompose and create water quality problems. Periodically a shrimp will shed its </span><a title="Exoskeleton" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exoskeleton"><span style="font-size:85%;">exoskeleton</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, leaving an empty white ghost of itself caught in the plants or drifting around the tank. This should be left in the tank, as the shrimp will eat it to recover the valuable minerals it contains.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);font-size:85%;" ><strong>Breeding:</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Breeding Red Cherry Shrimp is as simple as putting an adult male and female together in an aquarium. You can observe the eggs developing in the female's ovaries as a white or yellow triangular "saddle" marking on her back. When she is ready to lay the eggs, she releases pheromones into the water to signal her availability to males. The male shrimp in the tank will often become agitated, swimming very actively about as they search for the source of the pheromones. After a brief mating process, the female lays her eggs and affixes them to her swimmerettes.<br /><br />When the young hatch, they are tiny (~1 mm) copies of the adults. They have no planktonic larval stage. They spend their first few days of life hiding among plants, where they are almost invisible, nibbling on the biofilm on the plants. They then emerge and graze on algae on tank surfaces and ornaments.</span></p></td></tr><br /><br /><tr><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="100%"><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);font-size:85%;" >Disease:</span></h2><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Like most aquatic invertebrates, Red Cherry Shrimp are very sensitive to ammonia buildup in their water. They should never be put into a tank which has not been fully cycled, and regular testing should be done on any new tank until it is certain that the tank is stable. Even trace amounts of ammonia can weaken or kill shrimp, so nitrogen cycle control is critical. The usual causes of ammonia spikes are overfeeding leading to uneaten food decaying in the tank, insufficient denitrifying bacteria, and overcrowding by shrimp, fish, or both.<br /><br />It is important to note that, like most freshwater invertebrates, Red Cherry Shrimp are extremely sensitive to copper. Therefore, if copper-based treatments for the external parasites of fish are used in a tank containing cherry shrimp, the shrimp should be removed for the duration of the treatment and until the copper has been cleared from the water. It is advisable to use a copper test kit (available from specialty aquarium stores and suppliers) to confirm this.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">References Cited:</span></h2>1. Cherry Shrimp, Wikipedia, [Online], [Available], <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_shrimp">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_shrimp</a><br />2. The Crystal Red Shrimp Grading Guide [Online], [Available], <a href="http://www.planetinverts.com/crystal%20red%20shrimp%20grading%20guide.html">http://www.planetinverts.com/crystal%20red%20shrimp%20grading%20guide.html</a><br /><p></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198858459512980926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23583560.post-75902542497465399162008-05-12T20:03:00.006+08:002008-10-17T18:30:37.262+08:00Ram Cichlid<hr /> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber1" width="97%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="160"> <tbody><tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" colspan="2" bg="" width="61%" height="1"> <b><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:Verdana;" >Data Sheet</span></b></td> <td rowspan="6" width="89%" height="101"> <p align="center"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCzmfzCMvvI/AAAAAAAAAWI/0iQoAwYD7dQ/s1600-h/M.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCzmfzCMvvI/AAAAAAAAAWI/0iQoAwYD7dQ/s400/M.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200785103655845618" width="285" border="0" height="246" /></a></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span class="pCo"><b>Scientific Name:</b></span><b> </b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"> <i>Microgeophagus ramierzi, Papilochromis ramirezi, </i></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="1"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Other Names:</b> </span> </td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="1"> <b>Ram</b>, <b>Blue ram</b>, <b>German blue ram</b>, <b>Asian ram</b>,<b>Butterfly cichlid</b>, <b>Ramirez's dwarf cichlid</b>, <b>Dwarf butterfly cichlid</b> and <b>Ramirezi</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Origin:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"> <br />South Africa</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Adult Size:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"> 4 inches (10 cm)</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" valign="top" width="22%" height="20"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Social:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="20"> Good</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="16"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Lifespan:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="16"> 2 years</td> <td width="89%" height="20"><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Tank Level:</b> </span> </td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"> Mid to Top</td> <td rowspan="6" width="89%" height="132"> <p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCzlETCMvtI/AAAAAAAAAV4/NnFxBF49vvU/s1600-h/Gold+Ram2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCzlETCMvtI/AAAAAAAAAV4/NnFxBF49vvU/s400/Gold+Ram2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200783531697815250" width="292" border="0" height="200" /></a></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Minimum Tank Size:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"> 15 gallons</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="37"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" > <b>Diet: </b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="37"> Omnivore</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" > <b>Breeding:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19">Egg Layer</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 19px;" border="" width="22%"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" > <b>Care:</b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204); height: 19px;" border="" width="39%"> Intermediate </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" > <b>Ideal pH:</b> </span> </td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"> 5-7.5</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" > <b>Temperature:</b> </span> </td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"> 79 - 83°F (26 to 28 C)</td> <td width="89%" height="19"><br /></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" valign="top" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Tank setup: </b></span> </td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"> The Rams should have a large well planted tank with plenty of caves, driftwood and other hiding places.</td> <td rowspan="2" width="89%" height="55"> <p align="center"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCzlEjCMvuI/AAAAAAAAAWA/vuyT5c_3tho/s1600-h/Gold+Ram.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCzlEjCMvuI/AAAAAAAAAWA/vuyT5c_3tho/s400/Gold+Ram.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200783535992782562" width="227" border="0" height="148" /></a></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Sexing:<br /></b></span></td> <td style="border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="39%" height="19"> The female has a crimson belly and the male has longer dorsal fins.</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="22%" height="19"><br /></td> <td width="39%" height="19"><br /></td> <td width="89%" height="19"><br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber3" width="97%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td style="width: 29%;" valign="top"> <p align="center"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCzkJTCMvgI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/wx-kCfCYdWA/s1600-h/Blue+Ram1.jpg"><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCzkJTCMvgI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/wx-kCfCYdWA/s400/Blue+Ram1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200782518085533186" width="184" border="0" height="119" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCzkJjCMvhI/AAAAAAAAAUY/VgEC28b3iDs/s1600-h/Blue+Ram2.jpg"><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCzkJjCMvhI/AAAAAAAAAUY/VgEC28b3iDs/s400/Blue+Ram2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200782522380500498" width="166" border="0" height="133" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCzkKjCMviI/AAAAAAAAAUg/0FkoiRPFR1U/s1600-h/Blue+Ram3.jpg"><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCzkKjCMviI/AAAAAAAAAUg/0FkoiRPFR1U/s400/Blue+Ram3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200782539560369698" width="169" border="0" height="139" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCzkKjCMvjI/AAAAAAAAAUo/8ztnSBxRcGA/s1600-h/Blue+Ram4.jpg"><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCzkKjCMvjI/AAAAAAAAAUo/8ztnSBxRcGA/s400/Blue+Ram4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200782539560369714" width="164" border="0" height="125" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCzlEDCMvqI/AAAAAAAAAVg/egkKrntlPiI/s1600-h/Blue+Ram5.jpg"><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCzlEDCMvqI/AAAAAAAAAVg/egkKrntlPiI/s400/Blue+Ram5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200783527402847906" width="182" border="0" height="140" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCzlETCMvrI/AAAAAAAAAVo/MCHkbetFU2g/s1600-h/Bolivan+Ram2.jpg"><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCzlETCMvrI/AAAAAAAAAVo/MCHkbetFU2g/s400/Bolivan+Ram2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200783531697815218" width="177" border="0" height="126" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCzlETCMvsI/AAAAAAAAAVw/ye7n6Wp-Kqo/s1600-h/Bolivan+Ram+Pair.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCzlETCMvsI/AAAAAAAAAVw/ye7n6Wp-Kqo/s400/Bolivan+Ram+Pair.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200783531697815234" border="0" /></a> </p> </td> <td valign="top" width="71%"> <h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Description: </span></h2><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Ram Cichlids are stocky in shape and can be differentiate from their dorsal fin rays - the first Dorsal fin rays are not connected to each other at the tips. In Male Cichlids, the third and forth rays are longer than others. A black vertical line runs across the eye and red patch around it.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Ram Cichlids are one of the most beautiful cichlids, and there are many species of Ram Cichlids. Each species has their own unique coloration, from the German Blue which has attractive blue coloration on its body to the <i>Microgeophagus ramierzi, </i> which has a wide combination of colors on its body.</span></p><h2 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" class="style1">Habitat/Care:</h2> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Ram cichlids come from South America, and are found in the rivers of Venezuela, and Columbia. They require a warmer waters, and having water temperature of 79 - 83°F (26 to 28 C) is ideal. Ram Cichlids requires established water and can be picky eaters at first - and may die relatively quickly if the water condition is too cold or if the waters is not 'old' enough.</span></p><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size:85%;">As with other cichlids, there should be some hiding places provided in the tank. For Ram Cichlids, the interior decor is very important, the tank should be provided with rocks, plants and hiding place for shelter when there is aggression especially during the breeding period. These fish are noted to be fussy about their surroundings - should it be unhappy with its surrounding, it will go to a corner and gradually lose its coloration. For this reason, they are not recommended for beginners.</span> </p><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Mixing with other fishes:</span></h2> <p><span style="font-size:85%;"> Ram Cichlids look best when keep in groups of their own kind. It is not recommended to keep them with other Cichlids, as their small size would mean that they will get bullied. Ideally, Ram Cichlids should be kept with fish that are slow-moving, as these fishes tend to hide if made nervous. <a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2008/05/congo-tetra.html"> Smalll tetras</a>, <a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2008/04/tiger-barbs.html">barbs</a>, and even<a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2006/03/discus-fish.html">Heckel Discus fish</a> can be kept in the same aquarium as Ram Cichlids.</span></p> <h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Diet:</span> </h2> <p><span style="font-size:85%;"> Ram Cichlids are omnivores. While they will accept most flake food, frozen or live foods are preferred. It has been noted that Rams that are newly introduced to the aquarium sometimes tend to picky eaters, refusing food or just nibbling. To encourage them to eat, it is recommended that frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp and live foods are given to these fishes. As it is observed that they are starting to eat more freely, slowly, pellets, flakes and other foods can be fed.</span></p> <h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Breeding:</span></h2> <p><span style="font-size:85%;"> Once sexually mature, the species forms monogamous pairs prior to spawning. The species is known to lay its small 0.9 - 1.5 mm adhesive eggs on flattened stones or directly into small depressions dug in the gravel. Like many cichlids, <i>M. ramirezi</i> practices biparental brood care with both the male and the female playing roles in egg-tending and territorial defence. Typical clutch size for the species is 150-300 eggs, though larger clutches up to 500 have been reported. Parental <i>M. ramirezi</i> have been observed to fan water over their eggs which hatch in 40 hours at 29 ºC (84.2 ºF). The larvae are not free-swimming for 5 days after which they are escorted by the male or the female in dense school for foraging</span></p></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" valign="top" width="100%"> <h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Disease:</span></h2><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Ram Cichlid, like any other fish, may occasionally suffer from some diseases from time to time. These diseases may be due to infections by bacteria, fungi, or parasites. Thankfully there are a wide range of commercial solutions available to treat your pet. These solutions can be usually purchase from your local pet store. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Sluggishness, color loss, fraying of fins, bloating, inflammation of the skin, the fins, and the internal organs, bulging and cloudiness of the eyes, sores and abscesses, and breathing difficulties, are all symptoms of bacterial infections. Exophthalmia, or Pop-eye (bulging eyes), and ulcers are among some of the bacterial infections. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Fungal infections may result in the fish darting across the aquarium somewhat erratically. Symptoms may also include the growth of cotton-like tufts over the mouths, eyes, or skin. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Infections by parasites may also lead to sluggishness, heavy breathing, appetite loss, growth of mucus on the body, visible spots, worms, and scratching. Leeches, anchor worms, and lice are some Cichlid parasites. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Another very common cichlid disease is Ich or Ichtyophthirius. With this white salt-like marks appear on the head first, and then spread over the whole body. Breathing is quick, the fish scratches a lot, and the eyes and fins, both, become cloudy.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">If the abdomen is swollen, and if there are red scales surrounding this area, it is probable that your cichlid is suffering from Dropsy. This could be due to bacteria, parasites, or cancer. Salt treatment is recommended to cure this disease.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Finrot , Ammonia Poisoning, and Fish Pox are usually due to poor maintenance of water quality. To ensure that your fish is healthy, it is highly recommended that at least 20% of the water be changed regularly.</span> </p></td> </tr> </tbody></table><br /><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">References Cited:</span></h2>1. Ram Cichlid, [Online], Available, Accessed 12 May 2008, <a href="http://www.grizzlyrun.com/Pets/Fish/Freshwater_Fish/Ram_Cichlid/Default.htm">http://www.grizzlyrun.com/Pets/Fish/Freshwater_Fish/Ram_Cichlid/Default.htm</a><br /><p>2.<i> Microgeophagus ramierzi</i> [Online], Available, Accessed 12 May 2008, <a href="http://cichlid.infocrux.com/Ram-Cichlid.html">http://cichlid.infocrux.com/Ram-Cichlid.html<br /></a><br />3. Ram Cichlid, [Online], Available, Accessed 13 May 2008, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ram_cichlid">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ram_cichlid<br /></a><br />4. German Blue Ram Cichlid, [Online], Available, Accessed, 14 May 2008 <a href="http://www.fishlore.com/aquariummagazine/dec07/blue-ram-cichlid.htm">http://www.fishlore.com/aquariummagazine/dec07/blue-ram-cichlid.htm<br /></a><br />5. Cichlid Disease,Pooja Chakrabarty [Online], Available, Accessed, 15 May 2008<br /><a href="http://cichlid.infocrux.com/Cichlid-Disease.html">http://cichlid.infocrux.com/Cichlid-Disease.html<br /></a><br />6. German Blue Ram Cichlid, [Online], Available, Accessed 15 May 2008, <a href="http://www.fishlore.com/aquariummagazine/dec07/blue-ram-cichlid.htm">http://www.fishlore.com/aquariummagazine/dec07/blue-ram-cichlid.htm</a> </p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198858459512980926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23583560.post-79327772151456275722008-05-10T11:54:00.008+08:002008-10-17T18:31:10.764+08:00DiamondBack Terrapins<hr /><table style="text-align: left; width: 657px; height: 539px;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <table style="text-align: left;" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"> <td colspan="2" rowspan="1"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Data Sheet</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span class="pCo"><b>Scientific Name:</b></span></span></td> <td><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >Malaclemys</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Family:</b></span></td> <td><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >Terrapins</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Origin:</b></span></td> <td><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" > USA</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Adult Size:</b></span></td> <td><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >5 inches (12.5 cm) for males, and 7.5 inches</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >(19 cm)</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" > for females</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Social:</b></span></td> <td>Baby Turtles can be kept together, but adults may not.</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Lifespan:</b></span></td> <td><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >50 years+</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Minimum Tank Size:</b></span></td> <td><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >A 12 x 6 x 6 inches (30 x 15 x 15 cm) tank would be suitable for a single small terrapins up to 10 cm (4 inches) shell length.</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Diet:</b></span></td> <td><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >Omnivorous</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Breeding:</b></span></td> <td><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >Egg layer</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Care:</b></span></td> <td><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >Intermediate.</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Ideal<br />pH:</b></span></td> <td><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >6.5-7.5</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Temperature:</b></span></td> <td><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >Tolerates a<br />wide range of temperature. </span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Tank setup:</b></span></td> <td><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >Place the terrapin in a tank with shallow water, some logs or rock so that it can sun itself.</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Sexing:</b></span></td> <td><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >Females are much large than males. </span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td> <p align="center"> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" > </span></p> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCUaN1Bh9kI/AAAAAAAAATo/atfDmq0VQrI/s1600-h/Nest+2.jpg"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCUaN1Bh9jI/AAAAAAAAATg/cVG0sMh-TME/s1600-h/Baby+Diamondback.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 186px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCUaN1Bh9jI/AAAAAAAAATg/cVG0sMh-TME/s400/Baby+Diamondback.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198590169743226418" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >Baby<br />DiamondBack Terrapin</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCUaN1Bh9kI/AAAAAAAAATo/atfDmq0VQrI/s1600-h/Nest+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCUaN1Bh9kI/AAAAAAAAATo/atfDmq0VQrI/s400/Nest+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198590169743226434" border="0" /></a>Diamond Terrapin Eggs</div> </td> </tr></tbody></table><br /><table style="border-collapse: collapse;" id="AutoNumber3" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"> <p align="center"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCUaOFBh9lI/AAAAAAAAATw/2s6OKtCERiE/s1600-h/Orante+Diamondback.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCUaOFBh9lI/AAAAAAAAATw/2s6OKtCERiE/s400/Orante+Diamondback.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198590174038193746" border="0" /></a>Ornate Orange Diamondback Terrapin</p> <p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCUaOVBh9mI/AAAAAAAAAT4/Di02H9WftNo/s1600-h/Pileata.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 182px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCUaOVBh9mI/AAAAAAAAAT4/Di02H9WftNo/s400/Pileata.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198590178333161058" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p align="center">A large female Diamondback Terrapin</p><br /><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCUaOVBh9nI/AAAAAAAAAUA/Mq1ogFo4sFw/s1600-h/Spikes+On+Back.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 148px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCUaOVBh9nI/AAAAAAAAAUA/Mq1ogFo4sFw/s400/Spikes+On+Back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198590178333161074" border="0" /></a>Some Diamondback Terrapins has horns on their shell. </p> <p align="center"> </p><br /></td><br /><td valign="top"> <h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Description:<br /></span></h2> <span class="" style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Diamondback Terrapins' shell is covered with scales or plates called scutes that bear deep, diamond-shaped growth rings. The pattern and coloration is dependent on the species of the turtle, although most species tend to be brown to grey, with some yellow markings. Regardless of the species of Diamondback Terrapins, all of them has a distinctive, unique, wiggly black markings or spots on the white colored head and body. </span><br /><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);"><span class="pCo"><br />Habitat/Care:</span> </span></h2><br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Diamondback Terrapins are native to brackish coastal swamps in eastern and southern United States of America. The Diamondback Terrapin is believed to be the only turtle in the world that lives exclusively in <i>brackish-water</i> areas. In these areas, such as tidal marshes, estuaries, and lagoons, and the water contains some salt.<br /><br />In winter, these terrapins hibernate. Diamondback Terrapins usually dig a hole in the mud and bury themselves in mud of at least 2 inches thick. They do not resurface until the winter is over.<br /><br />To replicate these settings, it is recommended that tanks for Diamondback Terrapins contains a mix of wet sand, and some brackish waters with slow current. There are a large number of commercial solutions that are able to reproduce brackish water effect in the market - do check with your local pet store. A heater may be required so that your turtle will not hibernate. </span><br /><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);"><span class="pCo"><br />Diet:</span> </span></h2><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;"> The diamondback terrapin eats snails, clams, small fishes, crabs, and some marsh plants, and cheerfully accept most commercial food for terrapins and turtles. It is recommended that their diet be supplemented occasionally with live food such as small fishes. </span><br /></span><br /><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Breeding:</span></h2><p style="font-family: times new roman;" face="Times New Roman,Times,serif"> As mentioned above, female terrapins are much larger than males, averaging about 7.5 inches compared to 5 inches for the male. Females reproduce when they are between 8 and 13 years old. In the summer, they move from marsh creeks onto beaches and dunes to lay their pinkish-white eggs in 6-inch-deep nests in the sand. After 60–120 days, the inch-long hatchlings emerge from the nest and enter the nearest water.</p><br /><p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ></span></p><br /></td><br /></tr><br /></tbody></table><br /><table style="width: 681px; height: 1247px;"><tbody><tr><br /><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align: top;"><h2><small><small><small><small><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:180%;" >Different Species of DiamondBack Terrapins</span></small></small></small></small></h2><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The following is a table from Enchanted forest Creek website, describing the different species of Diamondback terrapin in detail.<br /><br /></span><ol><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span> <li><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Northern Diamondback Terrapin</span> </b><i>Malaclemys terrapin terrapin</i><br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Carapace: </b>lightly sculpted, black to light brown with slight dorsal keel and concentric markings.<br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Skin: </b>light specks and/or streaks with brighter individuals possessing bold spots and dashes. Color varies from dark gray to white.<br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Distinguishing feature:</b></span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:85%;" > </span><span style="font-size:85%;">the main subspecies available in herpetoculture.</span></li><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span> <li><span style="font-size:85%;"><b><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Carolinan Diamondback Terrapin</span> </b><i>Malaclemys terrapin centrata</i><br /><br /></span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >Carapace: </span><span style="font-size:85%;">smooth, black, olive to ivory with dorsal keel almost absent. Sides of the carapace tend to run almost parallel to each other. Concentric markings are present and are sometimes faded, giving a marble effect.<br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Skin: </b>light specks and/or streaks with brighter individuals possessing bold spots and dashes. Color varies from dark gray to white.<br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Distinguishing feature:</b> carapace features and larger head.</span></li><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span> <li><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Florida East Coast Diamondback Terrapin</b><i> Malaclemys terrapin tequesta<br /><br /> </i><b style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Carapace: </b>deeply sculpted, black to gray with sometimes lighter scute centers with slight dorsal keel. Concentric rings are generally absent.<br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Skin: </b>thin, with mostly specks or large spots; and even patternless. Color is usually gray or white. Mustache is normally present.<br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Distinguishing feature:</b> lack of concentric carapace markings.<br /><br /></span> </li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Mangrove Diamondback Terrapin</b><i> Malaclemys terrapin rhizophorarum<br /><br /> </i><b style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Carapace:</b></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:85%;" > </span><span style="font-size:85%;">smooth, black to light brown with slight dorsal keel and concentric markings.<br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Skin: </b>spotted or streaked against a background of gray.Can also come with bold spots and dashes like the northern and carolinan subspecies.<br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Distinguishing feature:</b></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:85%;" > </span><span style="font-size:85%;">very rarely seen subspecies.</span></li><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span> <li><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Ornate Diamondback Terrapin</b><i> Malaclemys terrapin macrospilota</i><b style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br /><br />Carapace:</b> deeply sculpted, black to dark gray with high dorsal keel. Scute centers are typically orange or yellow. Concentric markings are almost completely absent. Marginals can be checkered or completely orange/yellow.<br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Skin:</b></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:85%;" > </span><span style="font-size:85%;">thin, making their heads appear pink at times. Light speckling is usually present although patternless individuals are also known to occur. Color is generally a shade of gray.<br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Distinguishing feature:</b> arguably the most attractive and easily distinguishable subspecies. The contrast of orange/yellow scute centers against an otherwise dark carapace is very pleasing indeed.<br /><br /></span> </li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><b style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Mississippi Diamondback Terrapin</b><i> Malaclemys terrapin pileata<br /><br /> </i><b style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Carapace: </b>deeply grooved, black to dark gray with high dorsal keel. Concentric markings are absent against the dark background.<br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Skin: </b>thin, with mostly light speckling against a black or gray background. Mustache often present.<br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Distinguishing feature:</b></span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:85%;" > </span><span style="font-size:85%;">darkest subspecies.</span></li><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span> <li><span style="font-size:85%;"><b><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Texas Diamondback Terrapin</span> </b><i>Malaclemys terrapin littoralis<br /><br /> </i><b style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Carapace:</b></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);font-size:85%;" > </span><span style="font-size:85%;">deeply grooved, black to brown high dorsal keel. Scute centers are sometimes lighter and concentric markings are invisible due to the background color.<br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Skin:</b>lightly speckled, dark gray with greenish or bluish heads.<br /><br /><b style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Distinguishing feature:</b> head color.</span> </li></ol></td></tr></tbody><br /></table><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Photo Galley</span><br />Got a photo? Contact <span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="mailto:frutte_lim_sg@yahoo.com?subject=Photo%20for%20Terrapin">me. </a></span><p> </p><table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 681px; height: 875px;" id="AutoNumber2" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><br /><tbody><tr><td width="35%" align="center"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCUZUlBh9eI/AAAAAAAAAS4/yCxPshHT_Vg/s1600-h/Adult+Diamondback+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 227px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCUZUlBh9eI/AAAAAAAAAS4/yCxPshHT_Vg/s400/Adult+Diamondback+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198589186195715554" border="0" /></a></td><td width="35%" align="center"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCUZVVBh9fI/AAAAAAAAATA/iTA13OPZmVI/s1600-h/Adult+Diamondback+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCUZVVBh9fI/AAAAAAAAATA/iTA13OPZmVI/s400/Adult+Diamondback+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198589199080617458" border="0" /></a></td><td width="34%" align="center"><br /></td></tr><tr><td width="35%" align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCUZVVBh9gI/AAAAAAAAATI/2BKYULDPaxs/s1600-h/Adult+Diamondback+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCUZVVBh9gI/AAAAAAAAATI/2BKYULDPaxs/s400/Adult+Diamondback+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198589199080617474" border="0" /></a> </td><br /><td width="35%" align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCUZVlBh9hI/AAAAAAAAATQ/Hcz2W270Blk/s1600-h/Adult+Diamondback+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCUZVlBh9hI/AAAAAAAAATQ/Hcz2W270Blk/s400/Adult+Diamondback+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198589203375584786" border="0" /></a> </td><td width="34%" align="center"><br /></td></tr><tr><td width="35%" align="center"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCUZVlBh9iI/AAAAAAAAATY/Bh1iC2u-PUI/s1600-h/Adult+Diamondback+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 218px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCUZVlBh9iI/AAAAAAAAATY/Bh1iC2u-PUI/s400/Adult+Diamondback+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198589203375584802" border="0" /></a></td><td width="35%" align="center"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCUcOVBh9oI/AAAAAAAAAUI/HqUgotZGaXs/s1600-h/Baby+Diamondback2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SCUcOVBh9oI/AAAAAAAAAUI/HqUgotZGaXs/s400/Baby+Diamondback2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198592377356416642" border="0" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Links to other awesome DiamondBack Terrapin sites:</span></h2>1.<a href="http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/Creek/4046/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/Creek/4046/ </span></a>awesome pics for DiamondBack Terrapins, including terrapins.<br />2.<a href="http://www.natureportfolio.com/reptiles/turtles_terrapins.php">http://www.natureportfolio.com/reptiles/turtles_terrapins.php </a>- includes images on various turtles.<br />3 <a href="http://www.seacave.com/testsite/livestock/turtles.php">http://www.seacave.com/testsite/livestock/turtles.php </a>- a place where you can buy turtles as pets.<br />4. <a href="http://www.terrapinconservation.org/">http://www.terrapinconservation.org/</a>- terrapin conservation wetlands institute- where you can help in the conservation of this terrapin.<br />5. <a href="http://www.diamondbackterrapin.com/index2.html">http://www.diamondbackterrapin.com/index2.html </a>- one of the <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >most awesome site for diamond back terrapin information</span><br /><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">References Cited:</span></h2>1.DiamondBack Terrapin [Online], Accessed on 10 May 2008, Available, <a href="http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/learning/animals/reptiles/red-eared-terrapin">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamondback_terrapin</a><br />2. Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) [Online], Accessed on 10<br />May 2008, Available ,<a href="http://www.ocean.udel.edu/kiosk/terrapin.html"> http://www.ocean.udel.edu/kiosk/terrapin.html</a><br /><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >3.Diamonds in the Marsh: A Natural History of the Diamondback Terrapin</span>, By Barbara Brennessel.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198858459512980926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23583560.post-27886599025973572362008-05-10T11:39:00.004+08:002009-02-25T18:56:57.171+08:00Reptiles<p><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">Welcome to the Aquarium Lore Blog!</span></span> </p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">If you are new visitor, I want you to know that you are a <i style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><b><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">valued visitor</span> </b></i>to my site, and you are welcomed to include your comments, <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.bloghop.com/ratemyblog.htm?rate=rate1&rid=40288">rate my blog</a>, <a href="http://www.blogsrater.com/blog-review-564.html">review it</a>, <a href="mailto:frutte_lim_sg@yahoo.com">submit your terrapin photo</a>, etc. Please bookmark this site or add it to your RSS feed if you like it. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">If you are frequent visitor, I want you to know that you are a <i><b><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">treasured visitor</span>,</b></i> and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for checking back often and support my passion by reading my blog.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Below are all the articles on reptiles that are available in this blog at this moment, sorted alphabetically. This blog is fairly new, being launched in mid-Mar 2006 only, and therefore there are not many articles yet. I will be adding new information weekly, So check back often! If you are seeking information on a specific reptile that I have not added to this blog, I welcome your suggestions. Please <a href="mailto:frutte_lim_sg@yahoo.com?subject=Subject%20for%20Fish">email me.</a> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Above all, I hope you enjoy the articles - each articles is slowly created, and includes a datasheet, habitat/care, diet information, disease information, and a photo gallery.</span><br /></p><table id="AutoNumber1" style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); border-collapse: collapse;" width="83%" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td width="50%"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><h2>Terrapins:</h2></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2008/05/diamondback-terrapins.html">DiamondBack Terrapin</a><br /></span></li><li><a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2006/03/red-eared-terrapin-red-eared-slider.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">Red Ear Slider / Red Ear Terrapin</span></a></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Reader's Contribution:</span><br /></span><ul><li><a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2008/06/tortoise-mating.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">Tortoise Mating</span></a><br /></li></ul></td><td width="50%"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/233/10083/640/redear8.jpg" width="209" border="0" height="140" /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Eugene</span></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198858459512980926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23583560.post-51027307749161502332008-05-10T10:13:00.008+08:002008-10-14T16:59:52.047+08:00Crustaceans<p><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">Welcome to the Aquarium Lore Blog!</span></span> </p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">If you are new visitor, I want you to know that you are a <i style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><b><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">valued visitor</span> </b></i>to my site, and you are welcomed to include your comments, <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.bloghop.com/ratemyblog.htm?rate=rate1&rid=40288">rate my blog</a>, <a href="http://www.blogsrater.com/blog-review-564.html">review it</a>, <a href="mailto:frutte_lim_sg@yahoo.com">submit your crustanceans photo</a>, etc. Please bookmark this site or add it to your RSS feed if you like it. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">If you are frequent visitor, I want you to know that you are a <i><b><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">treasured visitor</span>,</b></i> and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for checking back often and support my passion by reading my blog.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Below are all the articles on Crustanceans that are available in this blog at this moment, sorted alphabetically. This blog is fairly new, being launched in mid-Mar 2006 only, and therefore there are not many articles yet. I will be adding new information weekly, so check back often! If you are seeking information on a specific reptile that I have not added to this blog, I welcome your suggestions. Please <a href="mailto:frutte_lim_sg@yahoo.com?subject=Subject%20for%20Fish">email me.</a> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;">Above all, I hope you enjoy the articles - each articles is slowly created, and includes a datasheet, habitat/care, diet information, disease information, and a photo gallery.</span><br /></p><table id="AutoNumber1" style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); border-collapse: collapse; width: 565px; height: 274px;" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td width="50%"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><h2>Freshwater Lobsters/ Crayfish:</h2></span><ul><li><a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2008/10/blue-lobster-blue-crayfish.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">Blue Lobster /Blue Crayfish (new)<br /></span></a></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><h2>Crabs:</h2></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2008/06/hermit-crab.html">Hermit Crabs</a><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">(New)</span><br /></span></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><h2>Prawns and Shrimps:</h2></span><ul><li><a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2008/08/crystal-red-shrimp.html">Crystal Red Shrimps</a> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">(New)</span><br /></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2008/05/cherry-shrimp.html">Cherry Shrimps <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">(New)</span><br /></a></span></li></ul><br /><br /></td><td width="50%"><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SEZbzYbHkZI/AAAAAAAAAZY/wKx9MahhJGU/s400/Hermit+Crab+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207950957388206482" width="252" border="0" height="163" /></div><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Eugene</span></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198858459512980926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23583560.post-86888563249437198602008-05-03T12:25:00.004+08:002008-05-03T12:54:15.114+08:00Congo Tetra<hr /><table id="AutoNumber3" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" width="29%" height="777"><table id="AutoNumber1" style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" height="163" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="97%" border="0"><tbody><tr><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(204,0,0); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="54%" colspan="2" height="1" bg="" border=""><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Data Sheet</span></b></td><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><td width="96%" height="124" rowspan="8"><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBvntgfCpcI/AAAAAAAAAPo/yx7YbZDX7KM/s1600-h/congo2.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196001364102260162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 228px; HEIGHT: 138px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBvntgfCpcI/AAAAAAAAAPo/yx7YbZDX7KM/s400/congo2.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Congo Tetra. Love the red color.<br /></span></p></td><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></tr><tr><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="22%" height="19" border=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="pCo"><b>Scientific Name:</b></span><b> </b></span></span></td><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="32%" height="19" border=""><span style="font-size:85%;">Phenacogrammus (Micralestes) interruptus</span></td></tr><tr><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="22%" height="1" border=""><b><span style="font-size:85%;">Other Name:</span></b></td><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="32%" height="1" border=""><span style="font-size:85%;">Congo Tetra, </span></td></tr><tr><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="22%" height="1" border=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>Family:</b> </span></span></td><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="32%" height="1" border=""><span style="font-size:85%;">Characidae</span></td></tr><tr><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="22%" height="19" border=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><b>Origin:</b></span></td><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="32%" height="19" border=""><span style="font-size:85%;">Congo, Africa</span></td></tr><tr><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="22%" height="19" border=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><b>Adult Size:</b></span></td><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="32%" height="19" border=""><span style="font-size:85%;">8cm- 10 cm (3 to 4 inches) for males. around 6cm-7cm for females (2.3 inches)</span></td></tr><tr><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" valign="top" width="22%" height="20" border=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><b>Social:</b></span></td><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="32%" height="20" border=""><span style="font-size:85%;">Very Good. Peaceful fish</span></td></tr><tr><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="22%" height="19" border=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><b>Lifespan:</b></span></td><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="32%" height="19" border=""><span style="font-size:85%;">5 years</span></td></tr><tr><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="22%" height="19" border=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>Tank Level:</b> </span></span></td><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="32%" height="19" border=""><span style="font-size:85%;">All (generally middle layers). </span></td><td width="96%" height="225" rowspan="10"><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBvp5wfCp1I/AAAAAAAAASw/XGSnCONaRXQ/s1600-h/CongoTetra.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196003773578913618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBvp5wfCp1I/AAAAAAAAASw/XGSnCONaRXQ/s400/CongoTetra.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">A Congo Tetra with yellow coloration<br /></span></p></td></tr><tr><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="22%" height="19" border=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><b>Minimum Tank Size:</b></span></td><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="32%" height="19" border=""><span style="font-size:85%;">60 gallons, but bigger tank is recommended </span></td></tr><tr><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="22%" height="37" border=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><b>Diet:</b></span></td><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="32%" height="37" border=""><span style="font-size:85%;">Cheerfully eats almost any food you care to feed it. </span></td></tr><tr><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="22%" height="19" border=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><b>Breeding:</b></span></td><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="32%" height="19" border=""><span style="font-size:85%;">Egg Layer - tends to scatter eggs on the gravel.</span></td></tr><tr><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="22%" height="19" border=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><b>Care:</b></span></td><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="32%" height="19" border=""><span style="font-size:85%;">Easy</span></td></tr><tr><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="22%" height="19" border=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>Ideal pH:</b> </span></span></td><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="32%" height="19" border=""><span style="font-size:85%;">6 - 7</span></td></tr><tr><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="22%" height="19" border=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>Temperature:</b> </span></span></td><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="32%" height="19" border=""><span style="font-size:85%;">24-27 C (74-81 F)</span></td></tr><tr><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" valign="top" width="22%" height="19" border=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><b>Tank setup: </b></span><p></p></td><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="32%" height="19" border=""><span style="font-size:85%;">Have lots of free swimming spaces for this fish as it is a strong swimmer.</span></td></tr><tr><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="22%" height="19" border=""><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><b>Sexing: </b></span></td><td style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; BORDER-TOP: 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1px; BORDER-LEFT: 1px solid; COLOR: rgb(51,51,204); PADDING-TOP: 1px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px solid" width="32%" height="19" border=""><span style="font-size:85%;">Males are bigger and tend to be flashier<br /></span></td></tr><tr><td width="22%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></td><td width="32%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table id="AutoNumber3" style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" height="491" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="97%" border="0"><tbody><tr><td style="WIDTH: 252px" valign="top" height="277"><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBvp5QfCpyI/AAAAAAAAASY/7y5n0LDHme4/s1600-h/CongoTetra5.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196003764988978978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBvp5QfCpyI/AAAAAAAAASY/7y5n0LDHme4/s400/CongoTetra5.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Healthy Specimen of Congo Tetra </span></p><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBvntwfCpeI/AAAAAAAAAP4/27RIB3RP5pU/s1600-h/CongoTetra2.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196001368397227490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBvntwfCpeI/AAAAAAAAAP4/27RIB3RP5pU/s400/CongoTetra2.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> Another awesome male. </span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBvntwfCpfI/AAAAAAAAAQA/HixBnm8eXos/s1600-h/CongoTetra3.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196001368397227506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBvntwfCpfI/AAAAAAAAAQA/HixBnm8eXos/s400/CongoTetra3.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Congo Tetras looks their best in groups.</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBvnuAfCpgI/AAAAAAAAAQI/WeOgCK0WGrM/s1600-h/CongoTetra4.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196001372692194818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBvnuAfCpgI/AAAAAAAAAQI/WeOgCK0WGrM/s400/CongoTetra4.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">A blue color congo tetra<br /></span></p></td><td valign="top" height="277"><h2><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >Description: </span></h2><span style="font-size:85%;">Congo Tetra appears to be a rather drab, gray to silvery fish with a copper to reddish-brown band from the gill cover to the adipose fin. However, when light strikes their large opalescent scales, various color are refracted from the scales, though yellows, greens and blues predominate.<br /><br /></span><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Congo Tetra has feathery extensions that grow from the trailing edge of the caudal fin (tail). These extensions are well-developed in males and tends to become more elaborate as the fish matures. The dorsal fin of the male is very long and may extend as far as the end of the tail in some individuals. The dorsal, pelvic, anal and caudal fins are all generally light gray in color with milky white edges. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Author's Note: </span>This is un-doubtablely one of the most beautiful fish I have ever encountered, and any available stock in the local aquarium are quickly snapped up. </span></p><br /><h2><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,204);font-family:Verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="pCo">Habitat/Care:</span> </span></span></h2><span style="font-size:85%;">The Congo Tetra is an open-water, schooling fish that is found in the rivers and lakes of the Congo River basin.<br /><br />Congo tetras are shoaling fish and should always be kept in a group of at least six. Males develop better colouration when kept in a group containing a number of female fish to display to. These fishes are excellent jumpers, and aquarium owners should consider a lid to prevent them from jumping out of the aquarium.<br /><br />The Congo tetra is sensitive to poor water quality> and frequent water changes are very important. Good water circulation in the aquarium is also necessary.<br /></span><br /><br /><h2><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >Mixing with other fishes:</span></h2><span style="font-size:85%;">Congo tetras are very peaceful and can be mixed with most community fish. However, large specimens may eat frys and smaller fishes, and sometimes nibble soft plants. Take care not to introduce potentially nippy fishes, like </span><a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2008/04/tiger-barbs.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">Tiger barbs</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> or Red-eyed tetras, as these may bite the flowing fins of the males. </span></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" colspan="2" height="214"><h2><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,204);font-family:Verdana;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="pCo">Diet:</span> </span></span></h2><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;">In the wild, Congo Tetra is primarily insectivorous, but will also feed on plants occasionally. In an aquarium, Congo Terta accepts most aquarium foods, but benefits from good quality flake food containing colour enhancers. To ensure that these fish look their best, their diet should be supplement by additional food such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp.<br /></span></p><br /><h2><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,204);font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >Breeding:</span></h2><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Breeding Congo Tetras generally requires a large, well-lighted tank with plenty of swimming space that is at least partially planted. Goe Gallon noted that the ideal water should be soft and slightly on the acid side, and that filtration through peat may be beneficial to encourage spawning. He also noted that spawning temperature is best between 25-27 degree C (75 - 77 degrees F). Prior to breeding, a pair of Congo Tetra should be ideally conditioned beforehand with ample feedings of live or frozen foods.<br /></span><p><span style="font-size:85%;">During mating, the male will actively pursue the ripe female until between 300 - 500 eggs are laid, generally in or around plants. These eggs are only weakly adhesive and it is common for most of the eggs to sink to the bottom. At this point, it is recommended to remove the parents once the eggs are laid as the adults may eat the eggs or new frys. The eggs should hatch after an incubation period of approximately 5 - 7 days.<br /></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><h2><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,204)"><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Photo Galley</span></span></h2><br /><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Got a photo? </span><a href="mailto:frutte_lim_sg@yahoo.com?subject=Photo%20for%20Angelfish"><span style="font-size:85%;">Contact me. </span></a></span></p><table id="AutoNumber2" style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" height="203" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="98%" border="0"><tbody><tr><td align="middle" width="52%" height="169"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBvntgfCpdI/AAAAAAAAAPw/twWrF61x47M/s1600-h/congo.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196001364102260178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="134" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBvntgfCpdI/AAAAAAAAAPw/twWrF61x47M/s400/congo.jpg" width="328" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span></td><td align="middle" width="48%" height="169"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBvp5gfCp0I/AAAAAAAAASo/4iy5T_tnJz4/s1600-h/CongoTetra7.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196003769283946306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 278px; HEIGHT: 144px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBvp5gfCp0I/AAAAAAAAASo/4iy5T_tnJz4/s400/CongoTetra7.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><h2><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,51,204);font-size:85%;" >References Cited:</span></h2><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">1. Animal World - Congo Tetra [Online] Available, Accessed 3 May 2008, </span><a href="http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/characins/CongoTetra.php"><span style="font-size:85%;">http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/characins/CongoTetra.php</span></a></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">2. Congo tetra, Phenacogrammus interruptus, [Online]<br />Available, Accessed 3 May 2008, </span><a href="http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=270"><span style="font-size:85%;">http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=270</span></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">3. Congo Tetra By Joe Gallon, [Online], Available, Accessed 3 May 2008 </span><a href="http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/breeding/Gallo_Congo_Tetra.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/breeding/Gallo_Congo_Tetra.html</span></a><br /></p></td></tr></tbody></table>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198858459512980926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23583560.post-40749942386575964162008-04-21T08:44:00.001+08:002008-10-17T18:34:33.289+08:00Tiger Barbs<hr /><br /><table id="AutoNumber1" style="border-collapse: collapse;" width="97%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="163"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" colspan="2" border="" bg="" width="54%" height="1"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Data Sheet</span></b></td><td style="text-align: center;" rowspan="7" width="96%" height="124"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBHBJQfCpKI/AAAAAAAAAMw/UqQaQH-m1AA/s1600-h/greentigerbarbs.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193144210123039906" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBHBJQfCpKI/AAAAAAAAAMw/UqQaQH-m1AA/s400/greentigerbarbs.jpg" border="0" /></a> A green tiger barb<br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span class="pCo"><b>Scientific Name:</b></span></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(2, 2, 11);" border="" width="32%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;"><i>Puntius tetrazona</i></span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="1"><b>Other Name:</b></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(2, 2, 11);" border="" width="32%" height="1"><span style="font-size:85%;">Sumatra Barb, Green Barb, Albino Bard, Partbelt Barb, Tiger Barb, Five stripe Tiger Barb, Moss-banded barb, Moss barb, Gold Tiger Barb </span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Origin:</b></span></td><td style="border-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid; border-left: 1px solid; border-right: 1px solid; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="32%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">Indonesia, Sumatra, Borneo</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Adult Size:</b></span></td><td style="border-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid; border-left: 1px solid; border-right: 1px solid; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="32%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">5 cm</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" valign="top" width="22%" height="20"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Social:</b></span></td><td style="border-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid; border-left: 1px solid; border-right: 1px solid; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="32%" height="20"><span style="font-size:85%;">Antisocial except in groups. See below.</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Minimum Tank Size:</b></span></td><td style="border-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid; border-left: 1px solid; border-right: 1px solid; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="32%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">25 gallons</span></td><td rowspan="9"><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="37"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Diet:</b></span></td><td style="border-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid; border-left: 1px solid; border-right: 1px solid; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="32%" height="37"><span style="font-size:85%;">Omnivorous - readily accept flake food and worms.</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>LifeSpan:</b></span></td><td style="border-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid; border-left: 1px solid; border-right: 1px solid; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="32%" height="19">5 years</td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Care:</b></span></td><td style="border-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid; border-left: 1px solid; border-right: 1px solid; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="32%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">Easy</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Ideal pH:</b> </span></td><td style="border-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid; border-left: 1px solid; border-right: 1px solid; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="32%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">6-8</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Temperature:</b></span></td><td style="border-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid; border-left: 1px solid; border-right: 1px solid; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="32%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">20 – 26°C / 68 – 79°F</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" valign="top" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Tank setup: </b></span></td><td style="border-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid; border-left: 1px solid; border-right: 1px solid; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="32%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">Provide plenty of broad leave plants for them to lay eggs on</span></td></tr><tr></tr></tbody></table><table id="AutoNumber3" style="width: 661px; border-collapse: collapse; height: 1483px;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;"><td valign="top" width="34%" height="277"><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBHBJAfCpJI/AAAAAAAAAMo/z55UbnV-Gkw/s1600-h/tigerbarbs2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193144205828072594" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 182px; cursor: pointer; height: 329px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBHBJAfCpJI/AAAAAAAAAMo/z55UbnV-Gkw/s400/tigerbarbs2.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">a pair of tiger barbs.</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBHHDwfCpOI/AAAAAAAAANQ/dzLADLLpETQ/s1600-h/tigerbarbs7.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193150712703526114" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 299px; cursor: pointer; height: 193px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBHHDwfCpOI/AAAAAAAAANQ/dzLADLLpETQ/s400/tigerbarbs7.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">A 'green' tiger barb <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBHHEAfCpPI/AAAAAAAAANY/vgiPu8-YSpw/s1600-h/tigerbarbs9.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193150716998493426" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 294px; cursor: pointer; height: 211px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBHHEAfCpPI/AAAAAAAAANY/vgiPu8-YSpw/s400/tigerbarbs9.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />An Albino Tiger Barb <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBHHDwfCpNI/AAAAAAAAANI/CrTBEf2Va8o/s1600-h/tigerbarbs6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193150712703526098" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 301px; cursor: pointer; height: 212px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBHHDwfCpNI/AAAAAAAAANI/CrTBEf2Va8o/s400/tigerbarbs6.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></span></div></td><td valign="top" width="66%" height="277"><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Description:</span></h2><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Tiger Barbs has large stocky body. It gets it name from the black bands that run vertically on its bright orange or silver body, much like a tiger's stripes. There are many varients of this fish, including the Abino version, which is more light gold in color with white bands, and the Green version, in which the body is does not have any stripes and is almost totally green. The Green tiger barb looks green because of the so called Tindall effect.</span><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);font-size:85%;" ><span class="pCo"></span></span></p><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);"><span class="pCo"><strong>Habitat/Care:</strong></span><strong><br /></strong></span></h2><p style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Tiger barbs originate from South-East Asia and are native to Indonesia and Malaysia. They live on the Malay Peninsula, on the island of Sumatra and on the island of Borneo.</span></p><p style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: normal;font-size:85%;" >The Tiger barb is frequently found in clear or turbid water. The typical Tiger barb habitat is a shallow and medium fast stream in the tropics where the water temperature is high. Freshwater Tiger barbs have also been found in swampy lakes where the water level fluctuates a lot. This type of fluctuations is commonly associated with fluctuating water quality as well, and the wild Tiger barb might therefore be more tolerant to changing water quality than what was previously assumed. </span></p><h2><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);"><strong>Mixing with other fishes:</strong></span></span></h2><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Most literature suggests that Tiger Barbs are not good community fish, especially when purchased in less than 6 fishes - Tiger Barbs have a mean streak and tend to be nip at the fins of other fishes.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Surprisingly, most literature also found that if purchased in groups of 6 or more, tiger barbs somehow create among themselves a pecking order (which may or may not include the other fishes in the community tank), and generally leaves the other inhibitats alone. This suggests that Tiger Barbs are best purchases in shoals of at least 6. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite this, it is recommended to avoid keeping them with tropical fish that are long-finned and slow moving, as tiger barbs may nip at the fins of these fishes.</span></span></p><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><h2><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><strong>Diet and Care:</strong></span></span></span></h2><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Tiger Barbs are hardly, omnivorous fishes that readily accept a diet of flake food. They are unfussy eaters, and cheerfully nip at most freeze dried worms or live worms. This fish is a hardy fish that can survive in most water conditions, but does require warm water.<br /><br />In very cold water, these fishes are prone to white spots.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span><br /></span></span></span></td><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></tr><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><tr><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="100%" height="214"><h2 style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">Breeding:</span></span></h2><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >To try to breed tiger barbs, the males should be separated from the females. The male tiger barbs will show bright red noses, and their dorsal fins will have a red line about the mainly black fin. In addition, the ventral fins will turn bright red. The female Tiger Barbs tend to be small, and have plumpest bodies. After separating the Tiger barbs based on their gender, feed the Tigers barbs well: Well fed Tiger barbs are more likely to spawn. Some literature suggested that certain protein rich diet such as freeze dried tubifex or live food are excellent choices. The water temperature should be relatively warm, around 25-26 C (75-80 F) and broad leaves plants are required so that the Tiger barbs has somewhere to scatter their eggs. After separating them for a few days, you may reintroduce the females and males tiger barbs together again.<br /><br />Spawning will usually begin very soon when the Tiger Barbs have been brought together again. During this courting period, the male will chase the females. When a female Tiger Barb starts scattering her eggs at the spawning site, the male will attempt to follow the female to fertilise the eggs.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">After spawning, adult tiger barbs should be removed from the aquarium, since Tiger Barbs are known to eat their own offspring. Free swimming fries will be hatch after approximately five days.</span> </span></td><td colspan="2" span="" valign="top" width="100%" style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /></td><br /></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Photo Galley</span></span><br /><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Got a photo? <a href="mailto:frutte_lim_sg@yahoo.com?subject=Photo%20for%20Angelfish">Contact me. </a></span></span></p><table id="AutoNumber2" style="border-collapse: collapse;" width="98%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="203"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;" width="52%" height="169"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SABED75F1sI/AAAAAAAAAMI/KyRHQlHCfFY/s1600-h/Male+with+growth+On+Face.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBHBJQfCpLI/AAAAAAAAAM4/qvDLc4dTTEk/s1600-h/tigerbarbs3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193144210123039922" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 323px; cursor: pointer; height: 228px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBHBJQfCpLI/AAAAAAAAAM4/qvDLc4dTTEk/s400/tigerbarbs3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Tiger barbs with silvery body </td><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><td style="text-align: center;" width="48%" height="169"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SABDf75F1pI/AAAAAAAAALw/n9575lkzFhI/s1600-h/Chinese+Algea+Eater.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBHHEQfCpQI/AAAAAAAAANg/akL8g8Vo95Y/s1600-h/tigerbarbs10.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193150721293460738" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 319px; cursor: pointer; height: 236px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SBHHEQfCpQI/AAAAAAAAANg/akL8g8Vo95Y/s400/tigerbarbs10.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Several Albino Tiger Barbs </td><br /></tr></tbody><br /></table><p align="center"></p><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">References Cited:</span></h2>1. Tiger Barb, [Online] Available,<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 102);font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color:black;">Accessed on 22 Apr 2008, </span><a href="http://www.fishlore.com/Profiles-TigerBarb.htm">http://www.fishlore.com/Profiles-TigerBarb.htm</a></span><small style="font-family: Arial;"><big><small><br />2. Tiger Barb - Puntius tetrazona, [Online], Available, Accessed on 22<br />Apr 2008,</small> </big><a href="http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/barbs/tigerbarb.php3">http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/barbs/tigerbarb.php3</a></small><a href="http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/barbs/tigerbarb.php3"><small style="font-family: Arial;"></small></a><small style="font-family: Arial;"><br />3. Breeding Tiger Barbs - [Online], Available, Accessed on 25 Apr 2008,<br /><a href="http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/breeding/tigerbarbs.php">http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/breeding/tigerbarbs.php</a><br />4. Moss Barbs [Online], Available, Accessed on 25 Apr 2008, <a href="http://www.tropicalfishfinder.co.uk/stores_productsinfo.asp?store=6&prod=249">http://www.tropicalfishfinder.co.uk/stores_productsinfo.asp?store=6&prod=249</a><br /></small>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198858459512980926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23583560.post-76902542838024204542008-04-12T11:18:00.003+08:002008-10-17T18:35:03.921+08:00Golden Algae Eater<hr /><table id="AutoNumber1" style="border-collapse: collapse;" width="97%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="163"><tbody><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" colspan="2" border="" bg="" width="54%" height="1"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Data Sheet</span></b></td><td rowspan="8" width="96%" height="124"><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SABEEL5F1tI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/U8HiAbLh4t0/s1600-h/Siamese+Algea+Eater2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188221609433224914" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SABEEL5F1tI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/U8HiAbLh4t0/s400/Siamese+Algea+Eater2.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Siamese Algae Eater (a distinct different<br />spieces)<br /></span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span class="pCo"><b>Scientific Name:</b></span><b></b></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(2, 2, 11);" border="" width="32%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;"><i>Crossocheilus </i>aymonieri</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="1"><b>Other Name:</b></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(2, 2, 11);" border="" width="32%" height="1"><span style="font-size:85%;">golden algae eater, Chinese algae eater, Indian Algae eater</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="1"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Family:</b></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(2, 2, 11);" border="" width="32%" height="1"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="mw-redirect">Cyprinidae</span> </span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Origin:</b></span></td><td style="border-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid; border-left: 1px solid; border-right: 1px solid; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="32%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">India and Thailand</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Adult Size:</b></span></td><td style="border-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid; border-left: 1px solid; border-right: 1px solid; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="32%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">Up to 25 cm has been reported</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" valign="top" width="22%" height="20"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Social:</b></span></td><td style="border-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid; border-left: 1px solid; border-right: 1px solid; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="32%" height="20"><span style="font-size:85%;">See Mixing with other fishes.</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span width="32%" border="" height="19" style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ></span><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Tank Level:</b> </span></td><td style="border-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid; border-left: 1px solid; border-right: 1px solid; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="32%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">bottom, but good jumpers</span></td><td rowspan="10" width="96%" height="225"><p align="center"><http:></http:></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SABDfr5F1nI/AAAAAAAAALg/5JLYojNCWpE/s1600-h/Chinese+Algea+Eater2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188220982367999602" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SABDfr5F1nI/AAAAAAAAALg/5JLYojNCWpE/s400/Chinese+Algea+Eater2.jpg" width="233" border="0" height="222" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Chinese Algae Eater can cling to rocks in fast moving waters</span> </div></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Minimum Tank Size:</b></span></td><td style="border-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid; border-left: 1px solid; border-right: 1px solid; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="32%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">25 gallons</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="37"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Diet:</b></span></td><td style="border-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid; border-left: 1px solid; border-right: 1px solid; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="32%" height="37"><span style="font-size:85%;">primary algae, but will eat other fish food and smaller fish as it grows bigger</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>LifeSpan:</b></span></td><td style="border-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid; border-left: 1px solid; border-right: 1px solid; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="32%" height="19">8-10 years</td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Care:</b></span></td><td style="border-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid; border-left: 1px solid; border-right: 1px solid; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="32%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">Easy</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Ideal pH:</b> </span></td><td style="border-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid; border-left: 1px solid; border-right: 1px solid; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="32%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">6-7</span> </td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Temperature:</b></span></td><td style="border-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid; border-left: 1px solid; border-right: 1px solid; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="32%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">23 - 28 C,(72-83 F)</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" valign="top" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Tank setup: </b></span></td><td style="border-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid; border-left: 1px solid; border-right: 1px solid; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="32%" height="19"><span style="font-size:85%;">Preferably with logs / caves and other hiding place</span></td></tr><tr><td style="border: 1px solid ; padding: 1px 4px; color: rgb(51, 51, 204);" border="" width="22%" height="19"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><b>Sexing:</b></span></td><td style="border-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid; border-left: 1px solid; border-right: 1px solid; padding: 1px 4px;" border="" width="32%" height="19"><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Males develop breeding “horns” on their heads.Females get heftier.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td width="22%" height="19"><br /></td><td width="32%" height="19"><p></p><p></p><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table id="AutoNumber3" style="border-collapse: collapse;" width="97%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="491"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" width="34%" height="277"><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SABEEL5F1uI/AAAAAAAAAMY/NSk613EvaE4/s1600-h/Siamese+Algea+Eater.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188221609433224930" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SABEEL5F1uI/AAAAAAAAAMY/NSk613EvaE4/s400/Siamese+Algea+Eater.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Aglae Eaters are excellent glass<br />cleaners when young</span></p><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SABDfr5F1oI/AAAAAAAAALo/9faL5JK9m4Q/s1600-h/Chinese+Algea+Eater3.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188220982367999618" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SABDfr5F1oI/AAAAAAAAALo/9faL5JK9m4Q/s400/Chinese+Algea+Eater3.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> a siamese algae </span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SABDf75F1qI/AAAAAAAAAL4/2tkS3U54EKs/s1600-h/golden+algea+eater2.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188220986662966946" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 221px; height: 177px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SABDf75F1qI/AAAAAAAAAL4/2tkS3U54EKs/s400/golden+algea+eater2.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> golden algae eater color is a nice contrast against the plants.</span></p><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SABDf75F1rI/AAAAAAAAAMA/_7mU2JEiPQo/s1600-h/golden+algea+eater.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188220986662966962" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 243px; height: 121px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SABDf75F1rI/AAAAAAAAAMA/_7mU2JEiPQo/s400/golden+algea+eater.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> a golden algae eater</span></p><br /></td><td valign="top" width="66%" height="277"><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);font-family:Verdana;" >Description:</span></h2><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">Golden Algae Eaters tend to have an slender body and a disc-shaped mouth, which enables them to hang to slippery surface in fast moving water. Golden Algae Eaters come in a wide variety of colors, from being golden yellow, and some of them have</span><span style="font-family:Arial;"> a notable black stripe from the tip of its "nose" to its tail. The stripe is often broken, and there can be black spotting along the back and at the base of the dorsal and caudal fin. </span></p><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);font-family:Verdana;" ><span class="pCo"><br />Habitat/Care:</span> </span></h2><span style="font-family:Arial;">Golden Aglae Eaters comes from fast flowing rivers in Thailand and India, so a tank with a small current will suit golden algae eaters just fine. Like most bottom feeders, Golden Aglae Eaters favour places where they can hid, so ensure plenty of caves or hiding places for these fishes.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:100%;" ><h2>Mixing with other fishes:</h2></span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">When small, golden algae eaters make good tank mates with most other fishes, as they feed primary on algae and leaves other fish alone. However, it has been noted that even small golden algea eaters has a tendency to nip at slower moving fishes such as </span><a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2006/03/gold-fish.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">goldfishes</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, or flat sized fishes such as </span><a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2006/03/discus-fish.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">discus</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> and </span><a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2006/03/angel-fish.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">angel fishes</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">. As such, it is recommended to keep small, fast moving fishes such as </span><a href="http://aquariumlore.blogspot.com/2006/04/danio.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">danios </span></a></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="100%" height="214"><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);font-family:Verdana;" >Breeding:</span></h2><p><span style="font-size:85%;">There are very few articles I could find about getting golden algae eater to spawn, but an article from William Berg shows some success. Below is an extract from his article. To read the full article, please click </span><a href="http://fish-tank-talk.com/39/spawning-the-chinese-algae-eater/"><span style="font-size:85%;">here</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">.</span></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic;font-family:Arial;">.. When I found the fry their parents had been in the holding tank for about 2-3 months. Before that I had kept them in a 50 gallon tank which was heavily circulated and contained very few plants. Temperature was 25°C/ 77°F. I’ve been wondering if the fact that they were kept in a heavily circulated aquarium and then moved to an aquarium with close to no circulation and warmer water (28°C/ 82°F) may have simulated a natural change in conditions that precedes spawning.<br /></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic;font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The breeding tank was as I said before, heavily planted, and had little or no circulation at all, due to the vegetation. The water was old and clean. I can’t say the exact water conditions as I don’t know exactly when the spawning took place. However the water conditions had been relatively stable and it is reasonably safe to assume that the stated water conditions are correct.<br /></span></p><p face="Arial" style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The Chinese algae-eaters had been fed a varied diet which consisted mainly of boiled lettuce and broccoli, Hikari sinking algae wafers, and shrimps. They also ate the leftovers from the food I gave the barbs and loaches, which consisted mainly of different frozen foods.<br /></span></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; font-style: italic; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The author believes that getting the fish into spawning condition seems to be quite simple if they are fed a good diet.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Photo Galley</span></span></h2><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Got a photo? <a href="mailto:frutte_lim_sg@yahoo.com?subject=Photo%20for%20Angelfish">Contact me. </a></span></span></p><table id="AutoNumber2" style="border-collapse: collapse;" width="98%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="203"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;" width="52%" height="169"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SABED75F1sI/AAAAAAAAAMI/KyRHQlHCfFY/s1600-h/Male+with+growth+On+Face.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188221605138257602" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SABED75F1sI/AAAAAAAAAMI/KyRHQlHCfFY/s400/Male+with+growth+On+Face.jpg" width="271" border="0" height="220" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Grown near mouth of male algae eater ></span></td><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> <td style="text-align: center;" width="48%" height="169"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SABDf75F1pI/AAAAAAAAALw/n9575lkzFhI/s1600-h/Chinese+Algea+Eater.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188220986662966930" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GQ1PR-zsx8c/SABDf75F1pI/AAAAAAAAALw/n9575lkzFhI/s400/Chinese+Algea+Eater.jpg" width="302" border="0" height="212" /></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Hiding places for Chinese Algea Eater</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p align="center"></p><h2><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 204);">References Cited:</span></h2><p><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 102);font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color:black;">1. Algea-Eater / Sucking Loaches [Online] Available, Accessed on 12 Apr 2008, </span><a style="color: black;" href="http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/Fishindx/algeater.htm">http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/Fishindx/algeater.htm</a></span><small style="font-family: Arial;"><big><small><br />2. The Legend of Chinese Algea eater - where did they get that name, [Online], Available, Accessed on 12 Apr 2008,</small> </big><a href="http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Oddball,%20Chinese%20Algae%20Eater.htm">http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Oddball,%20Chinese%20Algae%20Eater.htm</a><br />3. Chinese Algea eater [Online], Available, Accessed on 12 Apr 2008, <a href="http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/cyprinids/chinesealgae.php">http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/cyprinids/chinesealgae.php</a><br />4. Spawning the Algea Eater [Online], Available, Accessed on 12 Apr 2008, <a href="http://fish-tank-talk.com/39/spawning-the-chinese-algae-eater/">http://fish-tank-talk.com/39/spawning-the-chinese-algae-eater/</a><br />5. Chinese Algea Eaters: An Undeserved Reputation? [Online]. Available, Accessed on 12 Apr 2008, <a href="http://network.bestfriends.org/friends_of_fish/news/3676.html">http://network.bestfriends.org/friends_of_fish/news/3676.html</a> </small></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198858459512980926noreply@blogger.com0