Friday, February 13, 2009

Dalmatian Molly in the Tropical Aquarium

Each Dalmatian Molly pattern is unique, some having more black spots than others and some being much more white. Their bodies are chunky with rounded fins, except for the male's anal fin, which is pointed. They can grow up to 4-inches in length.

Although Dalmatian Mollies have peaceful temperaments, they do get a bit nippy. Provide them with plenty of sturdy plant life for nibbling to keep the nipping of other fish at bay. Plant life is optimal too because of their need to eat plenty of algae.

Angel Fish, Guppies and Platys are well suited mates for the Mollies. Also consider housing them with other Molly breeds. There are many types to choose from and they will cross-breed. It's kind of a fun surprise, the different combinations of fry that result.

Dalmatian Mollies do enjoy chasing other species around, but they generally cause no harm.

It is important for the health of the Mollies to have aquarium salts added to the water. For every two gallons of water add one teaspoon of salt. Take into consideration before adding other species to the tank that they can tolerate salt water. The water temperature should be between 68-82 degrees Fahrenheit. Dalmation Mollies need plenty of swim area, so 1-inch of fish per 1-gallon of water is best.

For optimum health give your Dalmatian Mollies not only algae-based flake food, but small amounts of greens. Lettuce and cooked peas are good choices. They also enjoy occasional snacks of freeze-dried bloodworms or tubifex.

Chances are good that when you bring home your female Molly, she will already be pregnant, as she is able to hold sperm for up to six months. The gestation period is anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks. Being a livebearer, she will give birth to more than 20 little free swimmers at one time. Some people place their pregnant Mollies in a breeding net before birthing. This is a bad idea because she will likely become stressed.

For the fry, have ready aforehand a 9 or 10 gallon tank. After the mother gives birth, remove the fry with a turkey baster and put them into their own tank. Of course you can't be watching the aquarium 24 hours a day, so have plenty of floating plant life for them to hide in until you are able to get them to safety. You will also need to have your filter covered with netting before they are born, as it is likely many of the fry will get sucked into it. If you choose not to have a separate tank for the fry, than be sure you add extra floating plant life for hiding.

The fry can eat crushed flake food and baby brine shrimp.

The Dalmatian Molly grows to adult size in about 3 months. Well before that, they may join the other fish in the community tank. You'll be able to judge when they are big enough to not be eaten by the bigger fish.

The average life span of the Dalmatian Molly is 2 years.

You're going to enjoy watching these black and white beauties race back and forth, stopping for a nibble here and there.


Thursday, February 12, 2009

Discus Fish Info - Things You Ned to Know About Discus Fish

Anybody who is thinking of creating a tropical aquarium for their discus fish needs the right info, information on discus is freely available on the Internet, in books, magazines, and guides. A majority of the information that is found online about discus fish comes from other people like yourself that have taken a keen interest in this specific breed of fish as at first hobby and have then taken there experiences and put them out online. Due to this, the discus information that is available to on the internet is the work of experienced discus fish keepers helping you in creating the ideal habitat for your fish needs.

If you are in need of some kind of special information it is always best to seek advice from a few different sources. Search for a variety of discus fish info sites and check that solution they offer to your problems or worries match up to each other. If you find a couple of sites that give different advice within the discus information you were looking for, the best things to do is either speak to a vet or pet shop owner or check the info with a well-known information guide or book . Not all health problems are treated the same, depending on the circumstances that created a discus type of ailment.

Additionally, information on these fish will always be useful in finding out all the day to day needs it takes to create the perfect aquarium for keeping your fish. From thing like the water nitration and filter to picking the best vegetation, discus info is a top priority, especially when you think that every kind of fish that you can think of has its own habits. What do you think would happen if you just put together all sorts of different varieties of fish that as a rule are not able to mix in the same environment? Lack of knowledge of discus fish info will possibly lead to your fish dying and will be a big waste; that's why it's better to search out for all the facts first instead of trying to figure out what to do the right way day by day.

Finally, online forums are always an excellent way to find the info you need on your fish. If you ever need to change or improve anything in the aquarium, be certain to get all the discus fish info you need to help keep your fish healthy and safe and stop any type of disease or any other type of damage to your new pets. If you do not complete the minimum safety standards it can have a drastic affect on your pets, so, make sure you keep updated.

There are plenty of information sources to learn more discus fish info and their breeding that will definitely assist you in satisfying the needs of your discus fish.
To find out more visit Discus Fish Info
Always stay informed on the feeding and breeding habits of your Discus Fish.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jimmy_Howard


Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Setting Up Saltwater Aquariums - Beginner Tips For New Saltwater Tanks

Anyone interested in setting up saltwater aquariums is more then likely nervous and over whelmed with the amount of work involved in the process. As hard as they seem saltwater aquariums are not as hard as they look, they just need to be planned and set up correctly. The tips below will cover some of the more common areas beginners make mistakes in.

Tips For a Successful Saltwater Tank

Buy Slightly Larger Filters Then You Need- The filter system is by far the most important piece of equipment on your saltwater tank. It is responsible for providing clean clear water plus it is also responsible for water circulation. When shopping for your filter keep in mind that most manufactures will over rate their products ability by at least 10%. With this in mind always buy a slightly larger filter and you will have less problems down the road.

Buy The Right Sized Tank- The tank is the foundation of your saltwater system. This foundation can be made more stable with a larger tank. Factors like salinity levels, water temperature and other chemical aspects of the fishes environment will be more consistent and less subject to change with a tank in the range of 40-75 gallons. And consistency and stability are critical to keeping healthy saltwater fish.

Do Not Over Stick Your Tank- Adding to many fish into a saltwater aquarium is a recipe for disaster that will lead to algae and dead fish. This is because unlike freshwater fish marine fish are very territorial and need ample space to feel less stress. While some fish are not as territorial as others you should still stick to a basic rule of one average sized saltwater fish per ten gallons of tank volume you should be okay. Down the road as your skills increase you can try to add more but always add new fish slowly and wait a few weeks in between new additions.

To create a stunning and easy-to-maintain saltwater aquarium grab a copy of our Saltwater Aquarium Guide. This illustrated guide will show you step by step how to properly set up your aquarium. It's crammed with tips and secrets that the pros use to create stunning displays! Learn more at http://www.saltwatermethods.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darin_Sewell