(1)Care Of Fish
(1) Care Of Fish (2) Care Of Horses (3) Care Of Rabbits
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(1)Care Of Fish |
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(click here for download the book 71 KB *.doc)
An aquarium is nothing but a glass prison. Think of the number of fish
that die due to the buyer's ignorance. For every fish that reaches you,
over 1000 die during capture and transportation. This practice is cruel
and depletes the natural stock. In fact, several species are near
extinction because of the demand from aquarium keepers, and gives
the owners neither joy nor satisfaction, once the initial novelty has worn
off. Very few fish reproduce since the conditions in the tanks are rarely
ideal. Once all the fish in your aquarium have died, do not buy anymore.
If you already have fish in your aquarium, this is how you can look
after them: Healthy fish swim about actively with their fins and may stay
in one place wagging their bodies back and forth. They may scratch
themselves often on the gravel. Close examination may reveal small
spots on the fins and / or body, a fuzzy or slimy coating covering
parts of the body, ragged fins, bloated appearance, scale protrusion,
white mouth and / or paleness of colour. One or more of these
symptoms are detectable in the case of most diseases.
HOW TO KEEP A HEALTHY AQUARIUM
The aquarist should regularly inspect the aquarium, perferably on a daily
basis. The points to be watched are:
1. Is the size of the aquarium 2fit/1 ft/1 ft?
2. Does your aquarium have Fluorescent bulbs? Are they lit 10-12 hours a day?
3. Are the fish fed twice daily? Only so much should be given at each feeding,
as can be completely eaten in 10-15 minutes.
4. Are the fish swimming about actively? No clamped or torn fins? No hovering
at the bottom or in corners? No dead fish?
5. Is the temperature recording about 750 F in the morning? Are the heater
and thermostat functioning?
6. Does the aquarium have a pleasant smell? No cloudy water? No uneaten food?
7. Are the plants vigorous and growing? Are they getting enough light?
8. Is the gravel turning back? Does it have large gas bubbles trapped in it?
Both are signs of overfeeding.
9. Are the pump and filter working properly?
Once established, keeping the aquarium properly serviced requires but a few
minutes a week. Once a week, the following drill should be carried out: Clean
the filter, if it is a charcoal-glass wool type, by rinsing the wool and charcoal
under running water, a piece of sponge or cotton. Replace the glass wool with
new materials at least every month.
Change 10 per cent of the water by siphoning off old water from the bottom,
removing as much debris as possible. Wipe off the inside glass with a small
piece of foam sponge (no soap!). Trim any excess plant material. Wipe off
spots and dust from the outside glass, using a soft cloth dampened with
window cleaner.
SOME COMMON DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT
WHITE SPOT
This is a common aquarium disease, caused by parasitic organisms generally
present in aquaria. The parasite generally attacks the fish only when the fish
have had their resistance lowered, as they may, by being transported or handled.
Thus, it might make its appearance a few days after a new tank is set up. Once
it begins to infect an aquarium, white spot can spread rapidly to almost all fish,
and left untreated, may kill them within a week or ten days.
SYMPTOMS
As its common name implies, this disease is recognisable as small white spot
resembling tablesalt, which cover the body and fins. Sometimes fishes with
this disease will scratch against plants, gravel and rocks.
TREATMENT
Its treatment relies either on the dye Malachite Green or Quinine Hhydrochloride.
The former is sold in a 0.75 per cent solution to be used in concentrations of one
drop per gallon of aquarium water. The latter is sold in capsules of 5 grains.
Dosage is 1 grain per gallon. Within 2-3 days after treatment, 50 per cent of the
water should be siphoned off from the bottom, catching as much debris present
as possible. Replace with aged or dechlorinated water