My Fishy Fish
My fish tank.
These are my fish and what they look like.
- (Neo)Lamprologus Brichardi (Brichardi's Cichlid, Brichardi)
- I have 2 Brichardi. These little fish come from Lake Tangynika. They are shell dwellers that like a tank set up with large snail shells w/out snails in them. They will also like small rocks, because 2.5 inches is a gigantic size for this fish. With it's territorial and destructive actions, this small fish is a good choice for a cichlid tank.
- Psuedotropheus Crabro (Bumble Bee Cichlid, Black and Yellow Cichlid, Hornet Cichlid)
- I have 2 Bumble Bee Cichlids. This is a fish from lake Malawi. If you are looking for 4.5 inch fish with bad attitudes, this is your fish. About the only good thing about this fish is how pretty it is. Challenging and belligerent, this is one for the experts. They enjoy a nice rocky tank with some large plants. A blue plastic plant makes this fish look almost irresistable.
- Psuedotropheus Zebra "red form" (Red Zebra Mbuna)
- I have 2 Red Zebra Mbuna. A timid fish that comes from Lake Malawi. This 4.5 inch fish will be a nice addition to any Cichlid tank. This fish doesn't tolerate cold water, and is very aggressive when it comes to feeding time. Sometimes the fish will calm other fish just with its presence.
- Pleco (Common Plec, Plecostomus, Suckermouth Catfish)
- I have 1 Pleco. These fish come from Canada in Lake Ontario. This fish comes at prices from $2 to $46. The price reflects the size of the fish. It may get to 12.5 inches in a tank, and 2.6 yards in the wild. This fish is known for it's speedy cleaning of algae in a tank. You may buy a large one, and the morning after your tank may be almost algae free. It needs green food such as freshwater lettuce, broccoli tree tops, and of course lettuce (the kind people eat. It MUST be plain too.)
Settitng up a tank!
Things you need to set up an aquarium.
- Heater
- Air pump
- Filter
- Gravel or Sand
- Plants
- Rocks
- And a tank of course!
How to set it up
Follow these simple instructions.
- Start by choosing an area that is away from any source of heat, direct sunlight, doors, and is high enough that children cannot reach in and end up falling and drowning themselves.
- Go out and buy the largest tank you can find that is possible to keep in your chosen area. Avoid using a desk, cabinet, or wall unit, as these cannot carry the immense weight of a tank. A full 10 gallon tank with gravel, plants, rocks, water and appliences will weigh at least 145 pounds! They have tank stands that are built so they can hold the weight.
- Choose you tank and stand, and go home with them. place the tank stand where you want it, and put the tank on top.
- Wash the gravel, plants, rocks, and everything else NO SOAP!!!!!! Put the gravel in the bottom, the layer should be 2 - 3.5 inches deep.
- Assemble the filter and anything else that needs assembly. Put your plants in, but avoid symmetry and congruency, as this looks very un-natural.
- Put the rocks in, and put gravel in the bottom and bury the rocks a little bit. As with plants, avoid symmetry and congruency, as this looks very un-natural.
- Start to fill the tank with water. Fill it to about 3/4 of the way.
- Put the filter on, and plug it in.
- Fill the tank the rest of the way, and put the heater in, set it to a temperature between 72 and 79 degrees Fairenheight.
- Add the reccomended amount of dechlorinator to the water.
- Cover the tank, turn on the light, and test the water once a week.
- After the tank has reached where it is supposed to be, add the fish for the tank.
- IMPORTANT! ONLY ADD 2 FISH A WEEK, OTHERWISE IT WILL OVERTAX THE FILTER, AND KILL THE FISH!!!!
- Feed the fish once every morning, and only as much as they will eat in 1 minute.
Sources
- All pictures are my fish, and the tank is also mine.
- All Information is personal experience.
- DISCLAIMER: YOUR EXPERIENCES MAY BE DIFFERENT, ALL INFORMATION IS FROM MY 8 YEAR EXPERIANCE WITH FISH. :o)
Links:
My other web page
