Fresh Water Fish

Fresh Water Fish
Introduction
A fish is a kind of animal that lives in
water, and breathes the oxygen in the
water instead of air using gills, which are
special flaps that let them breathe water.
They live in fresh water in lakes and rivers,
and in salt water in the ocean.
Fish live in lakes & rivers are called Fresh
Water Fish.
Fish live in salt water is called Marine
Water Fish
Introduction cont….
Keeping fresh water fish has three main
objectives.
As a food
As a business (for Food & for Pets)
As a hobby (Both Marine Fish & Fresh Water
Fish)
This presentation mainly focus on Fresh
Water Fish Keeping as a Hobby.
History
Captive fish have been important to mankind since
prehistoric times.
Ancient Egyptians were the first humans known to
keep fish not only for food purposes but as an
entertainment.
Goldfish were the first ornamental fish to be kept.
Goldfish have been selectively bred in China since at
least the 10th century.
In 1853, the London Zoological Society established a
public aquarium to display fish species.
In 1869, the first “tropical” fish was imported from
Asia, the Paradise Fish (Macropodus opercularis).
Fish Keeping
Most important contributor to the art of fish keeping was
the Chinese.
Fish keeping is becoming more and more popular
despite the advent of aquarium simulation programs on
the computer where a person can keep a fish tank
without ever getting their hands wet.
The reason for the increasing popularity of the hobby is
due to environmental awareness, the great variety of
species, and relative ease of care of fish.
Fish are pets that do not require much care, and an
aquarium can add to the decor of a room.
Fish-keeping is an enjoyable hobby that can bring
relaxation and enlightenment for persons of every age
and interest.
Fish Keeping cont…
Almost 13 million households in the U.S.
keep ornamental fish, according to the Pet
Industry Joint Advisory Council.
The total spent on the hobby is more than
$2 billion a year, making it second in
popularity only to photography as a hobby.
This popular hobby has a number of
benefits tagged with it.
These benefits go way beyond the aesthetic
appeal.
Benefits of Fish Keeping
Incorporating an aquarium in the home
structure and design seems natural in this
case since an aquarium brings peace,
harmony and relaxation into your home.
It works great in de-stressing the lives of
both young and old.
The gentle, graceful movement of fish
rinses off the tension and stress.
Aquariums are a very good way to relieve
stress and hypertension.
Benefits of Fish Keeping cont…
Doctors have long branded aquariums as
therapeutic.
They suggest that aquariums should be
placed in the busiest room of the house
where all can enjoy them.
The excitement of designing your own
aquarium flares imagination and helps in
getting over depression.
The colors and buoyancy of life in an
aquarium adds spice and zest to life.
Benefits of Fish Keeping Cont….
These days even kids are not too far from stress
and overburdened lives.
Placing a nice colorful aquarium in their room
gives them health and academic benefits.
The calming effect of aquarium fish helps in
enhancing grades. This statement is supported by
scientific studies that revealed that students who
own fish score higher on both maths and verbal
SATs, with a combined score of 200 points over
their counterparts who do not have pets. High
school students who keep fish have an average
GPA of 3.5, versus non-pet owners at 3.2.
Benefits of Fish Keeping Cont…
The researchers also say that the key factor in aquariums
being able to relieve stress is the fish. It is not just
because of bubbles, ornaments, dancing plants and
vibrantly colored gravel, it is the liveliness and graceful
movements of fish.
Fish make people happier and healthier.
Cardiologists have been recommending heart patients to
have aquariums in their office as well as home because
they are associated with health benefits like lowered blood
pressure, reduced stress, and controlled pulse rate.
Fish and aquatic animals are very good pets for mentally
challenged children. In many cases it has been found that
it accelerates their learning process and makes them feel
more at ease.
Fish Keeping Essentials
Anatomy of Fish
Sexing of Fish
Breeding Methods
Common Diseases
Fish Food
Common Aquatic Plants
Aqua Water Management
Anatomy of a fish
Sexing Fish
Determining the sex of a fish is an important step in knowing
whether one has a pair.
Most fish can be classified as sexually dimorphic or sexually
isomorphic
In sexually dimorphic species, the sexes can be easily
distinguished by primary (shape of sex organs) and secondary
differences (size, shape, color, finnage). Males are frequently
more colorful, larger, and have more elaborate finnage.
In sexually isomorphic species, there are minute, if any, apparent
sexual differences. Often, the only way to distinguish between the
sexes is the shape of the genital papilla, which is only visible
around spawning times. In some isomorphic species, the males
are slightly larger and the females are slightly rounder in the belly.
Some sexually isomorphic species have no known external sexual
differences.
Breeding Methods
According to the breeding methods fish can be
categorized in to two categories.
Livebearers
Egg layers ( Five Categories)
-Egg-Scatterers
-Egg-Depositers
-Egg-burriers
-Mouth-brooders
-Nest-builders
Livebearers
Livebearers are fish that bear live young.
There are two types of livebearers:
Ovoviviparous: Eggs form and hatch within the
female before birth
Viviparous: No eggs are formed, and the young are
nourished through an umbilical-like cord or from
secretions by the female.
Livebearers are often easily bred species.
Most Common Livebearers
Guppy
Swordtails
Platy
Molly
Common Livebearers - Guppy
Male
Female
Poecilia reticulatus
Origin: Excellent ones from Singapore
Size: 1.5 -2 inches
Life Span: 2 yrs
Temp: 75 to 82 F
•Too many varieties of Guppy. it comes in every color of the rainbow.
•Lot of different shapes to the fins. Some of the more common fins shapes
are: rounded, pintail, swordtail (upper, lower, and double), flagtail, veiltail,
fantail, and triangletail.
.
Some Guppy Varieties
Black Delta
Half Black Red
Half Black Yellow
Red Delta
Yellow Delta
Snakeskin Verigated Single Swordtail
Multi Delta
Half Black AOC
Blue Delta
Double Swordtail
Red Albino Delta
Common Livebearers - Swordtail
Xiphophorus hellerii
Origin: Central America
Size: Over 4 inches
Life Span: 2 yrs
Temp: 75 to 80F
Some of the more common Swordtails are: Red, Red Wag, Red Tux, Painted,
Neon Green, Marigold (and wag), Pineapple, Black, Red Twin bar, Sunset, and
Gold Tuxedo swordtails.
Some Swordtail Varieties
Common Livebearers - Platy
Xiphophorus maculatus
Origin: Central America – Mexico and Guatemala
Size: male smaller than 2 inches, Female slightly larger
Life Span: 2 yrs
Temp: 75 – 80F
This fish has many colour variants, the most common being red wagtail platy,
sunset platy, tuxedo platy and variatus platy
Common Livebearers - Molly
Poecilia Sphenops
Origin: Southern USA & Mexico
Size: 2-4 inches
Life Span: 2 yrs
Temp: Prefer 80F
There are many colour variants available, some of the largest livebearers and
will give birth to a huge number of young up to 60 or 70 fry at a time.
Egg-Scatterers
These species simply scatter their
adhesive or non-adhesive eggs to fall to
the substrate, into plants, or float to the
surface.
These species do not look after their
brood and even eat their own eggs.
Often there is a large number of the small
eggs laid. The fry hatch quickly.
Examples: Goldfish, Barbs, Tetras
Some GoldFish Varieties
Commet
Fantail
Calico
Blackmore
Lionhead
Ryukin
Shubunkin
Bubble eye
Telescope Eye
PearlScale
Oranda
Celestial Eye
Some Barb Varieties
Tiger Barb
Green Tiger Barb
Albino Tiger Barbs
Rosy Barbs
Tinfoil Barbs
Cherry Barb
Some Tetra Varieties
Neon Tetra
Serpae Tetra
BloodFin Tetra
Black Tetra
Rummy-Nose Tetra
Lemon Tetra
Egg-Depositors
These species deposit their eggs on a substrate (tank glass, wood,
rocks, plants). Egg depositors usually lay less eggs than eggscatterers, although the eggs are larger.
Egg-depositors fall into two groups: those that care for their eggs,
and those that do not.
Among eggs depositors that care for their eggs are cichlids and
some catfish.
These fish form pairs and have advanced brood care where the
eggs are defended and cleaned. The eggs take a few days to hatch,
and the fry are often guarded by the parents.
Example: Angel, Discus, Ocsar,Catfish
Some Angel Varieties
Marble
Golden
Silver
Golden Marble
Zebra
Black
Some Discus Varieties
Leopard skin Discus
Brilliant Blue Discus
Millennium Gold Discus
White Face Red Melon
Discus
Diamond Discus
Some Oscar Varieties
Red
Albino Red
Albino
Tiger
Egg-Burriers
These species usually burry eggs in inhabit
waters that dry up at some time of the year.
The majority of egg burriers are annual Killifish
which lay their eggs in mud.
The parents mature very quickly and lay their
eggs before dying when the water dries up.
The eggs remain in a dormant stage until rains
stimulate hatching.
Example: Killifish
Some Killifish Varieties
Red Killifish
Lyretail Killifish
Long Nose Killifish
Rainwater Killifish
Banded Killifish
East African Killifish
Mouth-Brooders
species that carry their eggs or larvae in their mouth.
Mouth brooders can be broken up into ovophiles and larvophiles.
Ovophile or egg-loving mouth-brooders lay their eggs in a pit, which are
sucked up into the mouth of the female. The small number of large eggs
hatch in the mother’s mouth, and the fry remain there for a period of
time. Fertilization often occurs with the help of egg-spots, which are
colorful spots on the anal fin of the male. When the female sees these
spots, she tries to pick up the egg-spots, but instead gets a mouthful of
sperm, fertilizing the eggs in her mouth.
Larvophile or larvae-loving mouth-brooders lay their eggs on a substrate
and guard them until the eggs hatch. After hatching, the female picks
up the fry and keeps them in her mouth. When the fry can fend for
themselves, they are released.
Examples: Arowana & Some Cichilds like Tilapia & Mozambique
Some Arowana Varieties
Super Red Arowana
Silver Arowana
Red Tailed Golden Arowana
Some Mouth Brooder Varieties
Mozabique
Tilapia
Nest-Builders
Nest builders build some sort of nest for
their eggs. The nest is usually in the form
of bubble-nest formed with plant debris
and saliva-coated bubbles or a excavated
pit in the substrate (cichlids). Nest
builders practice brood care
Examples: Gourami, Fighting fish
Some Gourami Varieties
Pearl Gourami
Dwarf Gourami
Blue Gourami
Dwarf Gourami (Noen Red)
Polka Dot Gourami
Giant Gourami
Some Fighting fish Varieties
Common Disease
Common diseases that happen to aquarium fish are
White Spots
Fin Rot
Fungus
Cloudy Eyes
HITH (Hole In The Head)
Blackening Fins and Body
Disease - White Spots
Barb with White Spots
This disease is so common because part of the lifecycle of white
spots is in a egg-like shell . Without medication, this "egg" is very
hardy while it floats around inside your aquarium or on the tank
floor.
These 'eggs' can be transferred from one tank to another when
same net is used to catch fish, or hitchhike when you transfer
fish/plants/decorations around.
Disease - White Spots cont….
The most common way you get them into your aquarium
environment is when you buy fish from the fish shop.
When the time is ripe, these 'eggs' burst open and
spreads hundreds of spores into the water. These spores
then 'fly around' and attach themselves to your fish. Once
on the fish, they dig below the surface of the skin and
then eat the fish tissue to grow. Once adult, they drop off
the fish like the 'eggs' that they came from, and then
burst with hundreds of spores. This cycles continues until
they are killed. If left alone, they can multiply more and
more and infect all the fish they have access to.
Treatment - White Spots
Most white spots cases happen when the temperature is cooled.
To treat white spots, place a heater in your aquarium and slowly
increase the temperature slightly. Adding salt will help too.
Commercial medication can also be used.
Disadvantages of chemicals that treats white spots:
Copper - toxic to freshwater fishes/shrimps
Methylene Blue - harmful to aquarium plants
Formalin - kills beneficial bacteria from filter
Malachite Green - carcinogen (cause cancer!)
Disease - Fin Rot
When you see a case of fin rot you will always be able to
recognize it.
It causes a discoloration at the site where it happens, and
this discoloration on the fins will spread if left unchecked.
The fin will keep rotting away and in worst cases until
where there is only a stump left where the fin was.
Angel with Fin Rot
Treatment – Fin Rot
Fin Rot is caused by bacteria that is always in the
aquarium water.
Under normal circumstances, fish can ward off the
bacteria and will not get fin rot.
When this happens, there is usually something wrong in
the aquarium
Introduction of aggressive fish, that caused stress or
physical injury to the affected fish.
Pinpoint the cause and deal with and the fish can recover
by itself.
Main thing is to ensure the water is in its best condition
with no nitrogenous waste and add some salt in the water
for anti-bacteria effect.
Disease - Fungus
Swordtail with Fungus
There are Two types of Fungus Infections
True Fungus
False Fungus
Disease-False Fungus (Columnaris
Disease/Mouth Fungus/Mouth Rot)
This disease look like a fungus attack but it is actually a
bacteria infection. False fungus is caused by stress in the living
environment of the fish.
In the long term form (chronic form), they appear as light grey
markings on the fish., lips of the fish or inside the fish's mouth.
These markings then become fluffy and look like cotton wool,
therefore making people think they are fungus.
As this false fungus develops, the skin appears more and more
of these ulcers. The places that get affected is usually the
mouth and gills because they are more vulnerable but it can
infect anywhere.
This is caused by the bacteria called Flexibacter Columnaris,
which is why this disease is also called Columnaris Disease.
Treatment - False Fungus
False Fungus
External false fungus/columnaris can be treated
with potassium permanganate at a
concentration of 2ppm for 8-10 hrs.
Phenoxyethanol can also be used it to make a
bath to immerse the fish in. The advantage of
using phenoxyethanol is that phenoxyethanol
will also treat both the false fungus and true
fungus so if you make a wrong indentification it
works too.
Disease - True Fungus (cotton wool
disease)
True Fungus
Whitish and fluffy like cotton wool, usually occurring at
the site where the fish has a physical injury or
abrasion/wear and tear. True fungus is caused by
stress in the living environment of the fish and usually
very bad conditions like poorly circulated and aerated
water or rotting uneating food in the gravel bed or
filter.
Treatment - True Fungus
Since this is a disease caused by bad water conditions, fix
the water.
Affected fish can be removed to a hospital tank to treat
separately. fish can be given an extended salt bath as
treatment, but it takes time.
fungus do not disappear immediately or in a short time.
Phenoxyethanol can be used. For best effect, apply the
medication onto the infection directly using cotton bud.
Unlike most other diseases, fungus attacks is hard for the
fish to recover itself once the infection has gained a
foothold. Treat the fish and pay close attention to it!
Disease – Cloudy Eyes
Cloudy eyes can be caused by several causes,
outlined below.
Physical Injury
Water Condition
This can result in extreme levels of ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, or
pH unsuitable for the species.
Sudden, Wide Fluctuations
The fish could have been injured during transportation, causing
the eyes to be scratched.
This can happen by adding chemicals to the water without
regard for dosage.
Infections
The fish could have been injured during transportation, causing
the eyes to be scratched
Treatment – Cloudy Eyes
Cloudy Eye
Change Water
Add 0.3% salt
Adjust pH level
Add tetracyclin (Infection)
Disease - Hole In The Head Disease (HITH)
Hole in the Head
Pits form in the head of the fish. These at first
appear to be pinholes, and progress steadily to
the point of large open wounds. It often
migrates from the head to the lateral line and
will sometimes follow the lateral line down the
body of the fish.
This is due to either vitamin deficiency or long
term exposure to high levels of nitrates.
Treatment - HITH
Overcrowding, overfeeding are also major
contributors to hi level of nitrates.
Reduction of nitrates- Increasing the number of
water changes. This should reduce the nitrate
levels to within acceptable levels.
With a varied diet, will go a long way to improve
fishes health, and prevention of HITH, but it
probably wont cure it.
To do this, you need to add a vitamin supplement
to their food. There are several vitamin
supplements available on the market
Fish Food and Nutrition
Fish fry food
Infusorians
Daphnia
Brine shrimp
Water boatman
tubifex worm
blood worm
Adult fish food
Pellets
Mealworm
Superworm
Shrimps
blood worm
Most Common Aquatic Plants
Amazon Sword
Vallisneria
Cabomba
Hydrilla
Water Sprite
Water Hyacinth
Aquarium Water Management
Fish keeping is actually water keeping.
If you keep the water well, your fish will be well
as well.
Following are the key parameters one should
check for water management.
pH level of Water (Around 7 is good )
Salinity (Salinity refers to the salt content of the
water Salt. Concentration 0.3%-0.5% is good. 0.3%
equals 3 pounds of salt in 100 gallons of water )
Hardness of water (General Hardness or GH is the
measure of calcium and magnesium ions in water)
Aquarium Water Management
Ammonia (NH3) content of water
Nitrite (NO2) content of water
Nitrate (NO3) content of water
These 3 chemicals are harmful to fish and
you want to have zero of them if possible,
and if not zero as little as possible. These
are so harmful simply because fish
CANNOT adapt to them.
Some nicely arranged fish tanks
END