COURSE CONTENTS

1. Prospects and Present Status of Ornamental Fish Culture in Bangladesh

2. Aquarium Accessories
3. Ornamental Fish Breeding Technique
4. Freshwater Ornamental Fishes
5. Marine water Ornamental Fishes
6. Diseases and their Treatment of Ornamental Fishes

ORNAMENTAL FISH 7.
8.
Aquarium Management
Ornamental Fish Breeding and Its Management

BREEDING AND CULTURE

Characteristics of the Ornamental Fish Species Classification of Ornamental Fish

Classified ornamental fishes- The small fishes like Botia dario, Danio dangila, Puntius shalynius and Schisturareticulo
Aquarium fishes are attractive due to their diversified fasciatus, which can be reared in aquarium throughout their lifespan are called classified ornamental fishes.
ornamental values such as:
• Beautiful colour ( e.g. Tetradon cutcutia, Colisa lalia) Non-classified ornamental fishes- Larger food fishes like Neolissochilus hexagonolepis, Labeo gonius, Channa marulius
• Stripes and banding pattern (e.g. Botia dario, Botia striata) and Rita rita which are treated as ornamental fish only in their juvenile stages are non-classified ornamental fishes.
• Attractive appearance (e.g. [Link] chitala)
• Keeled abdomen (e.g. Chela laubuca) Types of Ornamental Fish Species
• Peaceful nature and calm behaviour (e.g. Ctenops nobilis) [Link] bearers
• Transparent body (e.g. Parambassis baculis) [Link] layers
• Hardiness (e.g. Danio dangila, Brachydanio rerio) Most of the aquarium species are egg layers showing external fertilization. Fishes of this group can be fmther
• Compatibility (e.g. Puntius scheynius) divided into five sub-groups.
• Beautiful jumping behaviour (e.g. Esomus danricus) • Egg scatters
• Chameleonic habit (e.g. Badis badis) • Egg depositors
• Charming predatory habit (e.g. Glossogobius giuris) and • Mouth brooders
• Longevity ( e.g, Anabas testudineus, Channa orientalis) • Nest builders
• Egg Hangers
• Egg barriers
Overview of the Breeding Techniques
• For Nest forming Fish
• For Non-sticking Egg Layers
• For sticky egg Layers
CHAPTER 2
Identification and Reproductive Biology of Ornamental Fishes
[Link], taxonomy, coloration, and identification keys
General Steps in Ornamental Fish Breeding 2. Popular species: guppy, molly, platy, goldfish, koi, gourami, tetras, cichlids, angelfish, betta, etc.
Reproductive biology, sexual dimorphism, breeding behaviour, maturity indicators
1. Sex identification
2. Selecting the parent fish
3. Conditioning the fish to Breed

FRESHWATER AND MARINE WATER ORNAMENTAL FISH The Livebearers

FRESHWATER The Gonopodium: Look at the anal fin (the fin on the underside near
the tail).
1. Platy Fish 14. Molly Fish Males: The anal fin is modified into a long, rod-like tube called a
[Link] [Link] Tail gonopodium. They are also usually smaller and much more colorful.
[Link] Fighter Fish [Link] Fish Females: The anal fin is fan-shaped and triangular. They often have a
"gravid spot" (a dark triangular patch) near the base of the tail when
[Link] Fish [Link] pregnant
[Link] Fish [Link] Fish
6. Angelfish [Link] Fish
[Link] Fish [Link] Fish (M) Betta Fish (Siamese Fighting Fish)
[Link] Fish [Link] Fish
[Link] Fish [Link] Horse Fins & Color: Males are famous for their long, flowing fins
and intense colors. Females have much shorter fins and are
10. Danio Fish [Link] Catfish generally duller.
11. Goldfish [Link] Fish
[Link] Carp [Link] fembii The Egg Spot: Mature females have a tiny white dot (the
ovipositor) between their ventral and anal fins.
[Link] Fish [Link] Pyjane
The "Beard": When a Betta "flares" its gills, males have a
much larger membrane (the beard) that sticks out
prominently
GOLDFISH

It is very difficult to sex goldfish until they are mature (usually around one year old).

Breeding Tubercles: During breeding season, males develop tiny white "stars" or bumps (tubercles) on their
gill covers and the leading edge of their pectoral fins. They look like grains of salt.

Body Shape: Females are typically rounder and deeper-bodied, especially when carrying eggs. Males are more
streamlined.

The Vent: The vent (anal opening) of a female is usually round and slightly protruding (convex), while the
male's is narrower and indented (concave).

Cichlids (Angelfish, Oscars, etc.)

Cichlids are notoriously difficult to sex without
"venting" (physically inspecting the underside), but you
can look for these clues:

Nuchal Hump: Many dominant males (like Oscars or

Flowerhorns) develop a fatty bump on their forehead.
Fin Shape: In many species, the dorsal and anal fins of
males are longer and more pointed
Egg Spots: Some Cichlid males have bright circular
spots on their anal fins to mimic eggs.
 Breeding of Livebearers 1. PLATY FISH
Platy fish (Xiphophorus maculatus) are popular, easy-to-breed freshwater ornamental fish known for
1. Guppy, Molly, Platy, Swordtail
their ovoviviparous (live-bearing) reproduction, meaning they give birth to free-swimming young rather than
2. Cannibalistic Habit
laying eggs. They are members of the Poeciliidae family, often reaching sexual maturity in 3–4 months.
3. Brooders- Must be in meshed breeding traps
4. Younger ones escape Key Reproductive Characteristics
5. Using plants, bushes can also help
6. Separation of male and female •Reproductive Method: Ovoviviparous. Embryos develop within the ovarian follicle and are born as live young.
- Male: Gonopodium •Sexual Dimorphism: Easy to distinguish; males have a slender, stick-like anal fin called a gonopodium used for
- Female: Bulging Belly internal fertilization. Females are generally larger with a fan-shaped anal fin.
- Male Female Separate Tanks for weeks •Gestation Period: 25–35 days (often averaged around 28 days).
- Protein rich live food •Fecundity: Females produce 20 to 50 (up to 80) fry per brood.
- Released in the breeding tanks into Male: •Sperm Storage: Females are capable of storing viable sperm for several months in the ovary and gonoduct.
female=2:1 ratio •Breeding Frequency: They can breed every 4–6 weeks.
- Young ones are fed with infusoria and artemia Taxonomy of Platy Fish
nauplii (1st Week) Phylum: Chordata
- Daphnia, Cyclops, dry feed (2nd Week) Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cyprinodontiformes
Family: Poeciliidae
Genus: Xiphophorus
Scientific Name: Xiphophorus maculatus
Common Names in English: Southern platyfish, common platy, or
moonfish

Mating and Fertilization

•Internal Fertilization: Males use the gonopodium to fertilize the female internally.
•Sperm Storage: A key feature of platy reproductive biology is the ability of females to store sperm within their ovarian
1. BREEDING OF GOLDFISH
follicles and oviduct for several months. This allows them to produce multiple broods from a single mating.
•Mating Frequency: Males are highly persistent and should be kept with 2–3 females to reduce stress on the females.
Characteristics Goldfish exhibit a variety of colors, including
Full length: gold, orange, red, white, black, and combinations thereof.
Male-3.5cm; Female-6 cm They are characterized by their elongated bodies, double
Sex ratio: 1 male:3 Female caudal (tail) fin, and prominent dorsal (top) fin. Some
Breeding- Temperature(20-25); pH(7-7.5); Internal Breeding; Add Nacl (Per 10 liter); after 20-25 days 30-100 babies; goldfish breeds have distinctive physical traits, such as
bubble eyes, telescope eyes, or fan-shaped tails, which
further enhance their visual appeal.
 TYPES
CHARACTERISTICS Common Goldfish
This is the most basic and oldest variety, often seen as the classic goldfish. It has a long body and single-tail fin.
Comet Goldfish
Similar to the Common Goldfish but with a more elongated and streamlined body. It has a single-tail fin and may display
a longer tail.
They require a spacious aquarium or pond with good
filtration, as they produce a significant amount of waste. The Fantail Goldfish
water temperature should be kept cool, ideally between Known for their split or double tail, Fantail Goldfish have a rounder body shape and are available in various colors.
65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C), depending on the specific
variety. Oranda :They are prized for their distinct head growth called a "wen," which is a fleshy outgrowth covering the top of their
head and sometimes extending over their gills.
Goldfish are omnivorous and will eat a variety of foods,
including commercial flakes, pellets, and live/frozen foods
like brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms.

Ryukin
This breed has a hump on the back of its head and a fan-shaped tail.

Telescope Goldfish WATER QUALITY REQUIREMENTS

Named for their protruding eyes that resemble a telescope, this variety is available in various colors and tail
shapes. ✓ Temperature :Temperature sets the Pace of metabolism by controlling molecular dynamics (diffusibility, solubility,
fluidity) and biochemical reaction rates. The preferable water temperature for growth and culture is 15.5 to 23.6 oC.
Black Moor For breeding purpose, the ideal water temperature ranges between 20 to23C.
Blackmoor goldfish (Carassius auratus var. black) are a stunning and captivating variety of fancy goldfish known
for their distinctive deep-black coloration and rounded body shape. ✓ preferable dissolved oxygen level for breeding is over 5 to 6 PPm

This variety has a velvety black coloration and protruding eyes. ✓ Water pH affects metabolism and physiological process of fish. pH also exerts considerable influence on toxicity
caused by ammonia and hydrogen sulphide. For breeding purposes, the water PH should be between 7.5to 8.0

✓ Total hardness in the aquarium should be greater than 40 ppm as CaCo3.

✓ Gold fish are very much sensitive to unionized ammonia and the optimum range is 0.02-0.05 PPm in the aquarium.
GOLDFISH BREEDING STEPS
SPAWNING
COURTSHIP: During mating season, males develop small white or pink bumps on their fins, called breeding
tubercles. These tubercles serve as a visual cue for females, letting them know that the male is ready for mating and
well matched.

Additionally, pheromone use is a fundamental part of goldfish courtship behavior. The pheromones that male
goldfish emit into the water can signal to females that they are ready for a romantic relationship. Because males are
able to attract females without direct physical contact, this chemical communication is crucial in courtship.
Introducing the Goldfish
EGG LAYING: Spawning usually occurs in the spring, when the days are longer and water temperatures are rising.
When a female goldfish is ready to spawn, she releases her eggs into the water. The male then releases the molt to
fertilize the eggs by releasing the milt into the water. Each healthy and matured female releases about 2500-3000
eggs. The gold fish breeds 5-6 times in a year.

Fertilized eggs are transparent in colour and unfertilized eggs are cloudy.

[Link] System Type: Goldfish have a non-territorial, non-parental mating system, similar to common carp, with which
Diagrammatic representation (ethogram) of the spawning behavior of male and they can hybridize.
female goldfish. [Link] Reproductive Cycle: Females begin vitellogenesis (egg development) in winter. They show group-synchronous
oocyte development. They ovulate one to several times during a long spring–summer spawning season.

[Link] of Ovulation: Ovulation occurs near dawn.

[Link]-Spawning Male Behavior: Several hours before ovulation, small groups of males follow females. Males engage in
nudging and inspect female urogenital and gill regions to detect pheromones.

[Link] and Competition: Male following develops into intense chasing behavior. Males compete to stay closest to
females and may push rival males away.

[Link] Receptivity & Spawning Site :After ovulation, females become sexually receptive. Females initiate spawning by
entering aquatic vegetation.
[Link] Act :One or a few males follow the female into vegetation. The fish perform a rapid swimming [Link] female
releases eggs, and the male(s) release sperm, completing a spawning act.
[Link] Deposition: Eggs are adhesive and stick to vegetation.
[Link] & Frequency of Spawning: A female may perform 100+ oviposition acts over several hours. She may spawn
with multiple males during this time.
[Link] Classification
•Female spawning actions = female-typical (female sex behaviors).
•Chasing, nudging, and male spawning acts = male-typical (male sex behaviors).
 LARVAL REARING GOURAMI
The newly hatched larvae depend upon their Yolk sac as food source for
a couple of days and they do not require any external food during the
time.

The larvae start feeding after the yolk sac is absorbed.

From the third day onwards up to seventh day of hatching, the mixed
green algae are to be fed followed by infusoria for next seven days.

ln third week, the fry are to be supplemented with boiled egg Yolk and
micro worms.

From 4th week onwards, Daphnia, Moina and Tubifex are provided till it
attains 10-15 mm length.

After one month, the fry can be transferred to grow out outdoor tanks
and fed with the prepared pelleted feed containing about 30% crude
protein and 4.0 kcal/g gross energy till it attains the marketable size.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
• The fishes of this family grow to around 15 cm and have the remarkable ability to breath in two ways,
through gills and by a cavity in the head called a labyrinth. This lung-like labyrinth organ allows gouramis to
gulp air and use atmospheric oxygen. This organ plays a vital role in allowing gouramis to inhabit shallow, The nutritional requirements of gouramis varies with size, growth stage an environmental conditions.
oxygen-poor water.
• Many gouramis have an elongated feeler-like ray at the front of each of their pelvic fins. In general, gouramis require 30-45 percent protein,4-9 percent lipids and 30-40percent carbohydrates in their
• Many species show parental care; the male prepares a bubble nest to hold eggs laid by a female and then diets. In addition, the diet should contain carotenoids such as astaxanthin, zeaxanthin or lutein for attractive
provides further larval care. coloration, and binding agents and preservatives to improve the quality and shelf life of the diet. Gouramis also
• Gouramis are omnivorous, feeding on plants and animals such as some aquatic plants, weeds, algae, accept a wide range of supplementary manufactured pelleted and granular feeds, including freeze-dried foods
earthworms, insects and sometimes dead animals, detritus and debris. They prefer to feed on a wide available in the domestic ornamental market trade
variety of natural live food including brine shrimp, mosquito larvae and worms such as blood worm
(Chironomids),sludge worm (Tubifex) and glass worm .
 BREEDING OF GOURAMI
Size of live feed organisms and stages of preferences Gouramis become sexually mature in six months and so young fish can be used for breeding purposes.
Usually, males are brilliantly colored with a pointed dorsal fin, while females are dull with a rounded or curved
dorsal fin.

HOW TO IDENTIFY THE MALE AND FEMALE ?

The male has much longer fins than the female. During the breeding season, mature males develop a dark
coloration and pointed fins, while females show bulging abdomens.

NOW, CHOOSING THE PAIR

When choosing a breeding pair, care must be taken to select a mature female that is ready to spawn. Otherwise
the aggression of males can result in death of the female if she is not ready to breed.

SPAWNING SEASON ?

Gouramis breed throughout the year, but there is a seasonal peak during the monsoon season from April to
August/September.

AQUARIUM SIZE?
An aquarium or small plastic tank of 50-80 L capacity, with a water level of up to 25 cm can be used for
breeding. Because they are bubble nest builders, the tanks must be provided with one or two pieces of surface
vegetation.

STOCKING ?
After tank preparation, a mature male is stocked into the tank first. Soon after the male makes a bubble nest, Larval Rearing
a mature gravid female is stocked into the tank, which should be covered with a hard board to create humid
conditions in the tank. Soon after stocking the female, both the male and female begin courtship behavior
(e.g. chasing each other). one week of rearing, larvae are fed Artemia nauplii, blood worms, sludge worms or mixed zooplankton until they
reach stocking size.
SPAWNING (500-3,000 )AND FERTILIZATION AND DEPOSITION
The 10-15 d old larvae maybe stocked into other tanks to enable them to attain marketable size within3-4 months.
HATCHING
Periphyton can also be developed in the larval rearing tank through introduction of various types of artificial
Egg hatching requires no more than three days (24-36 hr). Within3-5 days of hatching, hatchlings develop into substrates such as plastic strips and aquatic plants that serve as feed for young larvae. In case live feed is not
free-swimming fry. Males guard eggs and larvae for 2-3 weeks in the wild, but larvae can be removed once
available, freeze-dried or refrigerated live food organisms can also be used.
they are free swimming.
Feeding should be done 3-4times per day for optimal growth and survival. Green water is also very useful for larval
LARVAL REARING rearing of gourami.
Free-swimming larvae or fry are stocked into a rectangularaquaria or plastic tanks that are provided with
diffused aerationand filtration of suitable size (Figs. 6 and 7). Larvae are fed withlive food immediately after In this type of production system, specific varieties of phytoplankton ([Link], Chlorella) are cultured in a
yolk-sac absorption. They are providedwith sufficient quantity of infusoria or rotifers for one week,ensuring nutrient-rich media and used to feed larvae
that minimum effort is required to search for food.
 Optimal levels of water quality for gourami breeding What is a Siamese fighting fish?
• Wild male Siamese fighting fish are typically not as brightly colored or long-finned as the selectively bred
domestic breeds, with the most common colours being dark red and blue.

• The Betta, on average, is 7.5 centimeters in length. Average Lifespan 2 years.

• Females are typically smaller than males, with shorter less-elaborate fins and more subdued coloration.
Siamese fighting fish thrive in shallow water with dense vegetation.

• An unusual feature of all members of the Anabantoidei is the presence of an air-breathing labyrinth organ, akin
to a lung, that allows them to obtain oxygen by taking gulps of air at the surface of the water.

• Siamese fighting fish are facultative air breathers, and if access to the water surface is restricted, they will
drown.
• Their Latin name, Betta splendens, indicates what has made this species so famous around the
world: bettah in Malay refers to an ancient warrior tribe.

• These displays are intense and result in a substantial increase in metabolic rate, and unusually, can in some
instances involve fights to the death of one opponent.

WHY BETTAS FLARE FIGHT AND WHAT • One of the most frequent displays of aggression in male Siamese fighting
HAPPENS ? fish is the flaring of the opercula, whereby the fish spread out their gill SO, how to ensure enough trips to the surface, without
covers. This flaring creates an illusion of greater size, while also being an being attacked by your rival? Siamese fighting fish have
honest signal about the condition of the male. evolved an unusual system of stereotyped synchronous
surface breathing, whereby one of the fish will lead the
• The duration of opercular flare displays largely determines who wins an other to the surface and will take a breath of air.
aggressive encounter, with the victor being the individual who flared for the
longest.

• If Siamese fighting fish are kept in water with extremely low oxygen
concentrations, opercular flaring is significantly reduced, suggesting a link
between the duration of breath holding and body condition. Oxygen
demands increase significantly during these energetic displays, yet the fish
are unable to extract any more oxygen from the water than they can when
they are at rest, due to their reduced gill surface area. This means the fish
can only meet their increased oxygen requirements during combat via more
air-breathing from the surface of the water.

• To make matters more complicated for the fish, they are unable to increase
oxygen uptake per breath — they can’t just take deeper breaths — thus the
only solution is to take more breaths at the surface, at each visit. This
creates a problem when two fish are dueling underwater
 REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOUR BREEDING OF SIAMESE FISH
Breeding takes place in small containers (3.78–18.90 liters).
Mating begins with the male Betta building a nest of bubbles.
A single male and female are placed into the container, which contains
BUILDING NEST : To build this nest, the male swims to the surface, takes a gulp of air and spits floating vegetation and/or a small piece of Styrofoam in which the male builds
out a mucus-coated air bubble. He then quickly takes another bubble of air and releases it near the bubble nest.
the first one. This process continues for hours with occasional breaks for food or to court the
female. After awhile, the nest begins to take on a definite shape. However, the shape and size Spawning typically occurs within 1–3 days. The male will wrap his body around
varies.
the female and fertilize the eggs as she releases them, a few at a time. The
ROUGH COURTSHIP: Once the nest is nearly complete, an extremely intense and often rough male will then pick up the eggs in his mouth as they fall through the water and
courtship begins. The male very aggressively pursues the female, attempting to entice her place them in the bubble nest, with about 300 eggs released per spawning
under the nest. In his efforts to bring her to the nest, he can be quite brutal if she doesn't event.
willingly respond. More often than not, by the time the first spawning embrace begins, the
female's fins are badly torn and she may even be missing some scales. When Spawning is completed, the female is removed. Males will tend to the
fertilized eggs and add bubbles to the nest when needed. Additionally, males
PARENTAL CARE: After spawning has occured, the male then guards the nest, taking care of the will tend to newly hatched larval bettas and make sure they stay in the nest.
eggs until the young hatch 24 to 48 hours later, depending upon the temperature of the water.
Once the larval fish have absorbed their yolk sacs (about 3 days post hatch),
The young Bettas don't begin to show very much color or fin shape until they are about three
months old. At about this time, males begin to fight with one another. It is also quite easy to they are removed from the spawning tanks and placed into grow-out tanks.
sex Bettas around this age, as the males are usually more brightly colored and have longer fins
than the females. The fish reaches sexual maturity around five months.

They are initially fed live feeds of infusoria (a mixture of very small aquatic
organisms) and brine shrimp nauplii (Artemia) and transitioned to
commercially available flake or pelleted feeds as they grow. Bettas are
WATER PARAMETERS
reared together as a group until they reach 3 to 4 months old, at which
point the males become distinguishable from females and must be • Betta can tolerate a pH range of 5.0 to 9.0
separated into individual containers to avoid damage due to aggression. • salinity levels of up to 9.35 mS/cm
Females are reared in communal tanks. • water temperature is kept at 28°C, which is ideal for bubble nest constructionand ovarian development in
betta, and is consistent with common betta husbandry practices.
Individual males are grown commercially in small bottles, primarily half-
pint liquor flasks. These bottles are tightly packed next to each other on • Furthermore, growth at lower temperatures (23 to 25°C) might lead to a biased sex ratio with a high
the ground, allowing workers to walk across the top of the bottles. A small incidence of females, whereas growth at higher temperatures (33°C) increases larval mortality and may
opening is cut in the “shoulder” of each bottle to allow for water to exit. To lead to a higher incidence of males. At 28°C the sex ratio is usually about 50% of each sex.
change the water, water is added to the top of the bottle.
• Maintained on a 14:10-hr light-dark cycle (using fluorescent bulbs for illumination), which mimics summer
Feed is added to each bottle once a day. Male bettas are grown in these lighting conditions in betta’s natural geographic range.
conditions for 8 to 12 weeks depending on attributes such as size and
finnage desired by hobbyists. To harvest the bettas, the bottles are
emptied into a large net where the fish are kept wet but not allowed to
swim and thus damage each other. Workers quickly scoop solitary males
into individual cups to prepare them for packaging and shipping. Females
are counted and placed into communal tanks in preparation for shipping.
Male bettas are placed into small, individual bags for shipping, with just
enough water to keep them submerged.
 Spawning:
1. Selecting Breeding Pairs
The male will embrace the female under the bubble nest, and the female will release eggs.
2. ConditioningCondition the breeding pair with high-quality and varied foods. Live or frozen foods like bloodworms, The male fertilizes the eggs and collects them in his mouth, spitting them into the bubble nest for protection
brine shrimp, and daphnia are excellent options 2 weeks before the breeding day.
If you do not have these available to you, you can always try good quality betta food that contain more protein. Provide Female Removal:
a clean and warm environment (around 78-80°F or 25-27°C) to stimulate breeding behavior. After 48 hours, regardless if there are any eggs at all, the female should be removed from the breeding tank to prevent
her from being harmed by the male.
3. Tank Preparation
Fry Care:
It's always good to add some aquatic plants, like java ferns (avoid adding hornwort) into your tank as this will help to The male will guard the bubble nest and care for the eggs until they hatch in about 24 to 48 hours.
create some hiding spots and quickly populate the healthy bacteria colonies in the new breeding setup. Once the fry are free-swimming horizontally and everywhere in the tank, the male should be removed to prevent him
Add salt and anti chlorine to your water and add ketapang leaves and lightly aerate the water with an air stone. from eating them.
Ketapang leaves can be floating or fully submerged. For myself, have a good mix of both.
For bubble nesting protection, we breeders like to use bubble wrap with tap on the side and attach it to the corner of
the tank.
4. Introducing the Female
Place the female in the breeding tank separated with a clear container. This allows them to see each other without
direct contact, reducing [Link] male should make the bubble nest thicker and show interest. If there is no
bubble nest, based on our experience, the success rate is almost zero. However, you can still release the female after
24hours
5. Observation:
Watch for the male's courtship behavior, which includes building bubble nests and flaring to attract the female's
attention.

WHAT ARE LABYRINTH FISHES ?

The anabantoids are also known as labyrinth fishes, which, unlike most other fishes, often do not rely primarily on
the gills for respiration.

The gills of labyrinth fishes are relatively small and primarily excrete the waste products ammonia and carbon
dioxide.

In fact, many labyrinth fishes are obligate air breathers, meaning they must breathe at the surface to survive.
Other fishes have evolved a number of solutions to allow them to breathe air, including lungs and modifications
to their gut and skin. Labyrinth fishes take their name from a specialized air-breathing structure called the
labyrinth organ. Labyrinth fishes have paired chambers located above the gills which are extensions of the first
gill arch. These chambers contain complex, folded, bony structures covered with respiratory epithelium (the
labyrinth organ), allowing them to breathe air.
 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS BREEDING PROCESS
Cichlids are a large group of egg-laying fish that care for their young. The Freshwater Angelfish (Pterophyllum
• Fecundity of angel fish on average approximately 468 eggs lays every fish species.
scalare), a member of the cichlids family, is a majestic and popular freshwater ornamental aquarium fish
• The feeding behavior of angel fish an omnivorous but they mostly time they consume phyto and zooplankton.
exhibiting quite peaceful behavior in its habitat. When breeding, the following must be considered.
• The “kings of the aquarium,” angelfish are incredibly stunning creatures with a wide variety of finnage as well as
colour patterns.
• It is a fish that can grow as long as 15 cm and is calm as well as non-violent.
• The anal and dorsal fins are particularly long. The pelvic fins are expanded into lengthy feelers that resemble
threads
• The angelfish, a type of cichlid fish native to South America’s Amazon region, are in high demand due to their
aesthetic, propensity for reproduction, as well as ability to adapt to confinement.

FOOD AND FEEDING HABIT

➢ Angelfish are thought to have an omnivorous diet that includes plankton, insect and shrimp larvae, vegetation,
as well as worms.
➢ Angelfish fry accepts relatively limited nutrition at an early larval phase stage
➢ Flaked feeds are generally accepted by angelfish of all stages, with the exception of fry younger than around one
month old.

Tank Conditions
The tank should be cleaned daily to remove detritus material at the bottom. And on a weekly basis, a partial water
change of at least 1 – 2/3 the tank’s volume must be done. BROODSTOCK SELECTION
The spawning tank should be slightly acidic of optimum pH 6.7. The temperature of the water should be about 26°C.
The rearing tanks from eggs to two (2) weeks old fry entails the use of de-ionized or soft water and fungus The easiest means of securing a pair is to raise a group of fry together and allow them to pair naturally.
preventatives. In addition, a 20% water change is needed. For over two weeks old fry, the use of normal Professional breeders do not have time to wait for the fish to pair off on their own. They select approximately 20 to
dechlorinated tap water can be used. Rain water is also excellent. 30 fish as breeders and place them in a large aquarium, preferably 208 liters (55 gallons) or larger.

The water temperature should be approximately 27o C. Feed the fish as much live food as possible.
Spawning Tank Setup
The best suited spawning materials are PVC pipes, slate, Amazon plants or a band of acrylic of about 2 inches wide. Several slates measuring 30 cm x 10 cm are placed vertically along the walls of the aquarium. The fish pair off and
This should be set at a 45° angle resting against the side of the aquarium. The reason being Cichlids such as attempt to breed at around ten months, give or take a couple of weeks.

Angelfish prefer laying eggs at an angle. Plants and /or gravel are usually negligible. Courtship will begin if the fish are of mature age. Angelfish become very territorial during this process. Courtship
works both ways, with the male selecting his mate or the female selecting hers. In either case, the pair selects a
territory and protects it against all intruders.

Parental spawning is when the eggs are laid and parents provide parental care to the eggs and newly hatched fry
until they are large enough to fend for themselves.

Usually two to three days before spawning, the pair selects and begins cleaning the spawning site, using their
mouths to bite and scrub the surface of the leaf, slate, or whatever has been chosen.
After a few false passes at the site, the female passes over the site and deposits eggs, which adhere to the surface. The
EGG REMOVAL METHOD
male makes alternate passes and releases spermatozoa, fertilizing the eggs. Continual movement of the angels over
the eggs after the spawning serves the purpose of creating circulation through fanning movement of the pectoral fins. The differences between parental spawning and egg removal method occur after the eggs are fertilized.
Once brood fish start to exhibit courtship behavior (either the male or the female begins cleaning slate),
Fish eggs usually are small (between 1.5 and 3 mm on the average) and round. Spawns numbering 500 eggs are not they are transferred to a 80 liter spawning tank.
unusual. Egg size depends on the availability and quality of food fed to the spawners. Eggs are translucent when first
laid. Infertile eggs turn white and are removed by the parents.
The spawning tank is aerated and has two sponge filters. This interruption will affect the pair for two or
Eggs hatch in 36 to 48 hours. The pair chews the zygotes out of their eggshells 36 hours post-spawning. The larvae are three days, after which they will resume the process for breeding. After fertilization, the slate with
initially shifted from one vertical resting place to another; but as they grow more active, their parents often move them attached eggs is placedin a 12-20 liter aquarium containing enough methylene blue to give a dark blue
to shallow pits in the substratum. color. An air stone should be placed underneath the slate to provide circulation . After hatching, one-half
of the aquarium, water should be replaced each day so by the time the fry are free swimming the water is
The fry first attempt swimming 4 to 5 days later, but they usually require an additional day and a half to two days to only slightly blue. Dead eggs should be removed each day to prevent the spread of fungus to live eggs.
become fully proficient. At this stage, they are called swim-up fry.

Young pairs often eat their first few spawns; but given time, most settle satisfactorily into parenthood. Parental care can When the fry are free-swimming, they should be transferred to an aerated 60 liter long aquarium at 300 fry
persist up to eight weeks in captivity, but it is prudent to remove the fry from the breeding tank no later than the fourth per aquarium. The aquarium should have a water depth of approximately 15-20 cm and be filtered with a
week postspawning. By this time, most pairs show signs of wishing to respawn. sponge filter. The shallow water depth facilitate the feeding of the fry. When the fry are approximately 15
mm in diameter, they should be transferred to a 120 to 200 liter aquarium with aeration and filtration. Fry
should grow to a marketable size in six to eight weeks.

Food and Feeding Schedule The type of food ingested by the Cichlid could drastically affect breeding. As the
Angelfish grows, so does its appetite. However, at a young age the diet is very limited.
 CHAPTER 3: Aquarium Construction and Management Major Aquarium Accessories
Composts: An aquarium composts is the gravel (small stones and pebbles or a mixture of these with sand)
An aquarium is made up of a transparent water-filled tank that is designed to carry aquatic life placed at the bottom of the tank in which plants can be grown. If a decorative aquarium is to be set up the
composts used should be that which is generally available with the aquarium dealer. Composts must be washed
(fishes and plants). It mimics a natural underwater environment and allows people to interact and observe the
well before use.
diversity of aquatic creatures. Aquariums provide us with a glimpse of freshwater and marine ecosystems.
Lighting arrangement: The light bulb(s) of about 25w (240v) are fixed attached to the cover of the aquarium. The
A balanced aquarium habitat requires a water-containing tank, substrate, water filtration system, lights, and
bulb (s) are either ‘clear’ or ‘pearl’. The fluorescent tube can also be used in preference to ordinary light bulbs.
thermal control, system. Aquariums offer visitors a pleasant and fascinating experience, with therapeutic,
educational, and aesthetic roles.
Thermometers: The Thermometer of aquarium water is very important especially for tropical fishes. Aquarium
fishes need optimum temperature to prevent biological oxygen demand and susceptibility to diseases. The
The Aquarium is an artificial pool for keeping life aquatic animals and plants for ornamental, research and
Thermometer is magnate to the glass surface inside the aquarium and can be read through the transparent glass
breeding purposes.
or Perspex.

Heater-stats (Heaters with thermostats): in a tropical aquarium the temperature should be maintained within the
range of 65 °F-85 °F (18-29 °C) depending upon the species. A heater aids in controlling the temperature of the
aquarium by raising it to the desired temperature range, regulated by its thermostat. This instrument is partly
submerged or fully immersed in the aquarium.

Air pumps: The aquarium air pump is made up of air tubes and joints, controller and a power source. Air pumps are
used in aquarium to force air into the tank (aeration). Air is forced by the means of a small-size hose through a small
porous stone (diffuser). The steam of bubbles formed agitates the surface of the tank-water allowing better exchange
of carbon dioxide and oxygen, through the entire system.

Aquarium covers: They are used to prevent fishes from jumping out, keep out dust, reduce heat loss and evaporation
and hold light bulbs or tube; it may take the form of a plain glass sheet, plywood or metal-hood.

Filters: Filters the magic jet power filter is used to maintain good quality water in an aquarium. This device filters
water mechanically, chemical and biologically. Other types of filters commonly used by aquarist are: Box filters,
sponge/foam filters, under gravel filters and reverse flow filters.
Types of Aquarium [Link] aquariums: These typically contain freshwater marine life such as tropical fish, plants that grow in fresh water,
There are different types of aquariums and each has a different purposes and preferences. Here are the main types: and other aquatic invertebrates. These type of aquariums are good for beginners require relatively low maintenance when
[Link] for house: These are designed for personal interests and decorative purposes at homes, offices, or other indoor compared to the saltwater aquariums. They offer a variety of fish species for aquarists to select from.
places. They can range from small bowl tanks to larger set-ups depending on space and budget. The owner can choose variety
of fish, plants, and invertebrates according to the interest. [Link] aquariums or marine aquariums: They mimic conditions of the ocean and include saltwater fish, corals reefs,
and other marine invertebrates. These require special equipments and require higher maintenance due to delicate balance
[Link] aquariums: These are large facilities open to the public entertainment and educational purposes. This kind of of water chemistry. They represent stunning coral reef ecosystems and also colorful marine life.
aquariums exhibit marine habitats, namely coral reefs, rivers with freshwater, and deep-sea niches. It includes displays that are
interactive, guided tours, and also educational programs for visitors of all ages. [Link] aquariums: They contain species that are adapted to the brackish water environment and provide habitat to
unique species such as mollies, archerfish, and puffer fishes.
[Link] aquariums: These are specialized facilities which are dedicated to scientific research, conservation of aquaric life,
and carry out breeding programs. They provide controlled environment for studying aquatic life under different conditions. It Aquarium can also be classified on the basis of:
also contributes to the advancements in the field of marine biology, aquatic ecology, and conservation practices. •Content: Aquariums can be freshwater, saltwater, or brackish, depending on the type of water and organisms they contain.

[Link] in various shapes, such as rectangular, bow-front, cylindrical, and hexagonal. •Size: They range from small desktop tanks to large public aquarium exhibits.

•Shape:

Aquarium Contents
a. Aquarium Fishes:
Generally aquarium fishes are small sized and brightly colored with characteristic Makings, bands, spots etc.
most of them are hardy and can survive and breed well in the Confinement, while others are delicate and require
proper attention and care. They are Beautiful, attractive and entertaining by nature.

Examples of some aquarium fishes

i. Gold fish (Carassius auratus) ii. Guppy (Poecilia reticulate) iii. Tiger Barb (Barbus tetrazona) iv. Gourami (Colisa
sp.) v. Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) vi. Baluari (Nemacheilus aureus) vii. Bitterling (Rhodeus sp.) viii.
Minnows or Carps [Koi] (Cyprinus carpio) ix. Zebra fish (Brachydanio rerio) x. Angel fish (Pterophyllum scalare) xi.
Mosquitoes- fish (Gambusia sp.) xii. Harlequin fish (Rasbora heteromorpha) xiii. Beacon fish (Hemigrammus sp.)
xiv. Argentine pearlfish (Cynolebias nigripinnis) xv. Swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri) xvi. Black molly (Poecilia
mexicana) xvii. Snake-head [Murrels] (Channa gachua) xviii. Jewel fish (Hemichromis sp.)
b. Aquarium Plants
Aquarium plants add science beauty and oxygen availability in the aquarium.
Rooted:
Aquaria Construction, Management
i. Vallisneria spiralis
ii. Hydrilla sp. Materials: Glass, Hanger, adhesive (silicone gum), masking or duct tape Steps to follow: - Put your prepared glass
iii. Potamogeton sp. pieces on a flat surface.
iv. Cryptocoryne sp.
v. Sagittaria sp.
• Collect one of the glass panes for the base and set it on a flat table and the other four (4) pieces place adjacent
Submerged Floating: at sides.
i. Ceratophyllum sp.
ii. Myriophyllum sp.
iii. Limnophila sp. • Apply a bead of the adhesive round the edges of the bottom panel and at two side edges of the front and back
iv. Hygrophila sp. panel with the aid of the hanger
v. Cabomba sp.
• Run a continuous 1/4 inch bead with no gaps or bubbles Install the back glass panel on the bottom and the
Free Floating:
i. Lemna sp. ii. Pistia sp. iii. Salvinia sp. iv. Riccia sp. side panels are fixed inside the back and front panels.

c. Food Items • When all the panels have been set in place the silicone is smoothed out with the tip of your finger and the panel
Examples of food items in the aquarium are: supported at the corners with a masking tape.
‐ Tubifex (Blood worm)
‐ Daphnia (Water flea)
‐ Cyclops (One – eyed giant) • Thus, the aquarium is constructed such that the two end pieces of glass fit inside of the back and front panes
‐ Chironomus sp. and the front, back and two side panes set on top of the bottom base pane of glass. The best bonding results
‐ Mosquito larva are achieved by applying only as much silicone as you can within 3 to 5 minutes, because after this, the silicone
‐ Phytoplankton
‐ Algae tends to skin over and won’t bond well to the glass.
‐ Plants, etc.

Aquarium fabrication and management for freshwater fishes

Aquarium, the receptacle for maintaining aquatic organisms, either freshwater or marine, or a facility in which a
Installing the aquarium tank Steps to take: collection of aquatic organisms is displayed or studied.
1. After testing for leakages, wipe out the tank using a clean, damp cloth and place it on it stand • Fabrication of aquarium tank: Essential factors for tank construction are the size and shape of the tank,
2. Cover the bottom with a layer of clean sand (about 2.5 cm thick) thickness of the glass, the volume of water, and the density of fish that it holds.
3. Add the aquarium gravel and smooth it out with the air wall tubes and hose covered
4. Add various rocks on the bottom which enhance the aquarium and also give fish a place to hide • Size of the aquarium: The minimum considerable size (cm) of an aquarium is 60 x 30 x 30 (LxBxH). The water
5. Add the water by placing a small bowl on the gravel and pour the water into the bowl. Let it run over the volume required by an individual fish should be kept in mind when we design the size of an aquarium or small
sides, filling the tank without disturbing the gravel or rocks pool for keeping the ornamental fishes. The two common aquarium sizes are 45×25×25 cm, and 60×30×30 cm
6. When the aquarium is full. (Pandey and Shukla 2005; Esther 1998).
7. Test the water with pH meter before adding live aquarium plants and fishes
8. Float the fishes, which are still in oxygenated water-bags or containers from the store into the tanks • Fish stocking density in aquarium: Should keep the fish at low density, it should not over crowd, for number of fish
9. Put the cover in place to prevent the fish from jumping out. keeping to aquarium purpose use the formula:

Stocking density (numbers) = (Length of Aquarium (cm) x Breadth of Aquarium (cm))/20

• Shape of the aquariums: In additional to the traditional rectangular aquarium, aquariums are made in different
shapes such as square, triangle, rectangle, hexagonal, trapezoid, global, pyramid shaped, etc. However, every
fish species cannot be kept in all types of aquariums.
 Aquatic plants and aqua scaping techniques
Aquascaping is the art of building landscapes in an aquarium. Different to the classical fish tank the focus
Aqua scaping is the art of arranging and planting aquatic plants, stones, rocks, or driftwood in an aesthetically in aquascaping is more on arranging stones and wood (called “hardscape”) and the plants (called “softscape”).
pleasing style within an aquarium . In other words it is landscaping and gardening under water. An aquascape is an The idea is to rebuild a small scene out of the real world — like a single tree on a clearing of a forest — but in a
ecosystem in which every living and nonliving item used contributes not only to aesthetic beauty of the aquarium, tiny format and under water using stones, wood, moss and aquatic plants.
but also to the biological and chemical balance that allow the plants and animals to live inside the closed aquatic
environment.

There are several distinct styles of aqua scaping such as

Dutch style, Japanese style, natural style, iwagumi style, jungle style, biotype style and paludarium .
Of all these styles iwagumi style is one of the most popular aqua scaping styles today. .

The Components
THE TANK

Nano aquariums (around 30 liters and less) are getting quite popular because they don’t take up too much space
and are easy to maintain. What you should be aware of is that the smaller the aquarium, the higher the risk that
changes in the environment — like temperature and water quality — will take effect on your aquascape. Bigger
aquariums are more stable because changes in the environment have a smaller effect.

THE FILTER

Nano aquariums (around 30 liters and less) are getting quite popular because they don’t take up too much space
and are easy to maintain. What you should be aware of is that the smaller the aquarium, the higher the risk that
changes in the environment — like temperature and water quality — will take effect on your aquascape. Bigger
aquariums are more stable because changes in the environment have a smaller effect.

THE LIGHT
The next component is the light source. It is important for the plants to grow and get a nice and healthy color. LED
lights are the most common choice today since they are flexible, long living and energy saving. There are many
different types that are installed directly on the aquarium or hanging above it. You should connect the lights to a
timer clock to simulate a day/night cycle. A common rule is to have 6–8 hours of direct light per day. Too much light
can damage your plants and also lead to the growth of algae that don’t look nice in the aquarium. Not enough light
and your plants won’t grow and loose color. You have to find the right amount by trying different settings since the
amount of light needed is depending heavily on the amount and type of plants in the aquarium.
 THE CO2

The CO2 system is not absolutely necessary, especially if

THE WATER there is few simple plants in the aquarium. But it will help
to achieve much better colors and healthier plants.
No aquascape without water. If you are creating a sweetwater aquascape, you can usually use normal tap water as
long as it doesn’t contain any chemicals like chlorine — which would be deadly for animals. Also avoid any kind of CO2 is needed by the plants to breathe. There are always
metal in your water or later in your tank. You should ask your local water provider when you are not sure about the small amounts of CO2 in the water that comes from the
water quality. surrounding environment. Additional CO2 is provided in gas
bottles. The bottles are connected to CO2 diffusors in the
There are water supplements that remove chlorine and other unwanted components from your water. When adding aquarium below the water level that will distribute the gas
water to an aquarium with plants or animals, you should assure that it has the required temperature. Advanced in tiny bubbles so it can be absorbed by the water. There
aquascapers are often creating their own aquarium water using osmosis systems. are special CO2 systems for nano aquariums that have a
tiny bottle that has to be changed roughly every month
depending on the size of the aquarium. If an external water
filter is used, you can also infuse the CO2 directly into the
water flow as seen in the image below which will make the
diffusor in the aquarium obsolete.
If you have bigger or multiple tanks you might want to
install a refillable CO2 bottle which is much bigger and
heavier and has to be refilled at a local provider. The CO2
system should also have an overnight shutdown installed
since the CO2 can only be consumed by the plants when
the LED light is switched on

The Dutch aqua scaping style focuses on dense, colorful plant arrangements, Southeast Asian aqua scaping mimics dense, jungle-like natural habitats, while Japanese aqua scaping
emphasizes minimalism, balance, and nature-inspired rock and plant composition.
while the German aqua scaping style emphasizes natural layouts using
driftwood, rocks, and balanced greenery.
 Chinese (Taiwan) aqua scaping blends lush plants with artistic layout, while African aqua scaping highlights rocky, algae-rich habitats with minimal plants, while South
American aqua scaping mimics Amazonian rivers using driftwood, soft substrates, and lush
Chinese aqua scaping emphasizes bonsai-like trees, rocks, and landscape-style greenery.
scenery inspired by nature paintings.

Important Aquarium Accessories

1. Glass: Glass panels of required size are cut and cleaned- 4 side panels and 1base panel. [Link]: Aerator for an aquarium is usually consists of a regulator, power source, air tubes and small joints. Aerators
are used in aquarium to increase the oxygen content and remove excess carbon dioxide. Aerator must be kept above the
2. Substrate: The bed substrate of an aquarium is generally gravel including pebbles and small stones of 3-5 cm and white water level in order to prevent back sucking of water if the power supply fails
sand. These substrates are kept as a bed at the bottom to grow plants also
[Link]: For water quality maintenance, mainly using mechanical, chemical, biological filters.
3. Lighting arrangement: Aquarium lamps about 25 w (240 v) fluorescent white tube is suitable for 48″x18″x12″ aquarium which
would be fixed above the water surface leaving a gap 4-6 inches.
[Link] Plants: Aquarium plants make a natural appearance and provide oxygen in the aquarium. These aquarium
• Light is a stimuli for plant growth (photosynthesis). plants are useful as shelter, food to aquarium fishes and also the best environment for fish spawning. The plant can be
• At least 10-12 hr of light period is needed. surface /free floating plants
• The most popular- fluorescent lamp and compact fluorescent lamp- gives a cool and effective illumination. Imported
aquarium lamps (Gro-lux) - enhance the colour of fishes.
• Lamp always fitted in the hood – so no shade falls on the viewing side.
• Necessary to give a ventilation to minimize the build-up of heat in the aquarium.

4. Thermometer: The ornamental fishes require optimal thermal conditions to be comfortable in an aquarium without oxygen
deficiency and disease/ailment. Therefore, a thermometer (made of transparent glass/perspex) is placed inside the aquarium
as fixed on the glass surface using a magnet.

5. Heater-stats (Heaters with thermostats): Tropical Freshwater fishes are warm water fish. These fish cannot survive in cold
waters. For that temperature range should be 18 °C - 29 °C depending upon the species. The heater-thermostat system would
help in regulating the temperature and to keep optimal conditions in an aquarium. Generally, this system is kept inside the
aquarium either partially or completely submerged
 Topic 3: Water Quality Management
Nitrogenous waste products

Perhaps the most pronounced and damaging changes to water quality originate with the aquarium inhabitants
themselves. In particular, water quality is impaired by the end products of nitrogen metabolism. These include
ammonia (either as the gas NH3 or ammonium ion, NH4), urea, uric acid and other nitrogenous
substances including proteins and amino acids.

Ammonia, especially, is one of the most harmful substances. Higher percent of un-ionized NH3 prevails
at higher pH and higher temperature.

In ammonia poisoning, Gill becomes red, fish become darker in colour and grasping at the surface layer.
Acute toxicity levels = 0.4 ppm. Chronic toxicity levels = 0.05 ppm. This is common in new aquarium
when immediately stocked to full capacity.

Ammonia can damage the gills at a level as small as 0.25 mg/lt. For immediate removal of ammonia,
use ammonia detoxifier such as Kordon's Amquel.

Dissolved oxygen

The majority of aquatic organisms need oxygen and must obtain it from the surrounding water. The oxygenation or
aeration of the water is therefore, of fundamental importance in any aquarium, especially as the oxygen supply is one
of the factors which may ultimately limit the capacity of a particular volume of water for carrying fish.

The oxygen dissolved in water comes from two main sources: the atmosphere and green plants.
The conversion of the more toxic nitrogenous compounds to less toxic compounds is achieved through organisms residing
in water treatment units such as filters. The actual content is a function of temperature, salinity and atmospheric pressure. Low temperature, low salinity and
• In some aquaria, algae are also used in nitrogen recycling. higher atmospheric pressure favours more gas content (thereby more oxygen) in the solution (water medium).
• The process of combating the effects of nitrogenous waste products is facilitated by low stock density,
• a high water turn over, aeration or oxygenation of the water, Aeration: Continuous aeration is very good husbandry since it mixes the water, supplies the oxygen for the fish,
• frequent cleaning, removal of faeces and waste food and by the provision of special water treatment facilities. removes carbon dioxide and maintains a constant temperature throughout the tank.

Many cheap air pumps are available in the hobby trade, though they are often noisy, are of limited power and many
frequently fail
 Water Temperature:

Temperature is perhaps the most potent of all the environmental factors controlling and governing the metabolism of
animals. Water has a high thermal capacity compared to air; that is, it can it can absorb a large amount of heat energy
for a small rise in temperature. It, therefore, provides a thermally stable environment.

• In aquarium, fish are largely denied the use of any behavioral regulation, and the aquarium design and management Aquarium should be filled with clear portable water. The quality requirement of water in the aquarium depends on the
must compensate for this loss. Sudden change of temperature in the aquarium should be avoided. Such as thermal types of the fishes being kept there.
shocks are most likely to occur when fish are transferred from tank to tank or when they first arrive in the aquarium
complex. A simple rule is to float transfer containers plus fish in their new tanks until the temperature has • The tap water is probably the safest source of aquarium water for majority of tropical fish and plants (see below
equilibrated or alternatively to slowly mix the water in the container with that in the tank over half an hour or more. the requirement for breeding). But it contains chlorine, which is toxic to fish even at low concentration. To
remove the chlorine naturally, it is better to allow maturing the water for few days or aerating overnight before
• Increases in temperatures have the most distressing effect since respiration rate and excitability increase while the its addition. During emergency conditions de-chlorination can be done with the commercially available
oxygen-carrying capacity of the water decreases. Such temperature increase in established tanks may result from chemical (sodium thiosulphate) purchased from the pet shop.
refrigeration breakdown or thermostat malfunction.

• A water heater of 5-6 watts capacity is required per gallon of water. Heating equipment of the aquarium is basically
an electric heating coil complete with thermostat to control it both contained in glass tube. This submerged in the
aquarium, connected to the electricity supply and the built-in neon indicator. A thermometer is always kept in side
the aquarium to monitor the temperature. It is placed at the front \vhere it can be easily seen. lt is best arranged
heater and

The degrees of hardness have several biological effects upon aquatic life. Bicarbonates tend to present a solution
from changing in acidity. Routine cleaning:
Routine partial changes of the water are most important. The changes are necessary to dilute the build-up of soluble
Soft water, lacking this protection, may become particularly acidic when much carbon dioxide is present; such a
material (due to accumulation of fecal and unfed materials). The ideal is to replace 20% of the tank volume
change creates stress for organisms. For soft water species excessive hardness causes an organism problem in
weekly.
absorbing substances through its delicate membranes. This is most true of the sensitive naked cells of eggs and milt,
so that soft water bas been found to play a vital role in the successful reproduction of many species of freshwater
fishes. Thus, at least for the purposes such as fish breeding, a soft solution is desirable. Evaporation losses should be replaced by suitable water (artificially prepared or natural).

The cleaning can be done by hand; the hands should be washed with shop, alter the job and not before because of the
danger of introducing soap into the water.

Use scraper for algae on glasses. The toys, air stones and other equipments, which have the algae and other sediment
attachment, should also be cleaned.

Plants should be trimmed and leaves should be removed regularly at the time of water exchange.