Freshwater aquarium

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
This article is about the water-containing vivarium. For other uses, see Aquarium (disambiguation).

A freshwater aquarium is a receptacle that holds one or more

acrylic glass. Typical inhabitants include fish, plants, amphibians, and invertebrates
, such as snails and crustaceans.

Tropical freshwater aquarium

Freshwater fish may be either

community tanks, coldwater and tropical fish are generally not mixed due to incompatibilities in temperature requirements. Coldwater aquariums house goldfish and other species that do not require a heating apparatus. Warmer temperatures would actually increase their metabolism and shorten their lifespan.[1] For a tropical fish tank, maintaining a warm environmental temperature ranging between 75 and 86 °F (24 to 30 °C) enables different tropical fish to thrive at different temperatures.[2]

Aquarium substrate usually consists of sand or gravel. Aquarium substrate is important for the fishes health, and replicating their natural environment. Aquarium decoration can consist of live or plastic plants, driftwood, rocks, and a variety of commercially made plastic sculptures. Though rocks and plants have more practical purposes for the health of the fishes and the water quality. The smallest aquariums are

fish bowls
, but these are not recommended for most fish as they are generally too small, tend to stunt fish growth, and may lead to eventual death.

History

The earliest known aquariums were artificial fish ponds constructed by the ancient

ancient Assyrians, Egyptians, and Romans also kept fish in ponds for food and entertainment purposes. The ancient Chinese were the first culture to breed fish with any degree of success. They raised carp for food around 2000 BC, and developed ornamental goldfish by selective breeding. Goldfish were introduced to Europe during the 18th century.[3]

In the later 18th century, widespread public interest in the study of nature was awakening, and fish were kept in glass jars, porcelain containers, wooden tubs, and small artificial ponds. During this time

amphibians and laid down the foundation for aquarium and terrarium science. The concepts of the proper aquarium and terrarium were developed later by Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward in 1829.[4]

During the 19th century the idea of the "balanced aquarium" was developed. This approach was an attempt to mimic a balanced

Paradise Fish) was imported from Asia. In these days, tropical tanks were kept warm by an open flame. Because early filters were noisy and expensive, fishkeeping was a hobby reserved for wealthy, scientifically inclined individuals.[5]

A heavily stocked fancy goldfish aquarium

In 1878, Rear-Admiral Daniel Ammon brought the first tropical fish from the Far East to the United States which led to a decline in the popularity of goldfish.[4] In the early 20th century, aeration, as well as particulate and charcoal filtration was introduced. The undergravel filter was introduced in the 1950s.[3] By this time, the old idea of the balanced aquarium was viewed as unattainable and unnecessary by many people in the aquarium hobby, but it made a comeback at the end of the 20th century with the rising popularity of the planted tank.[6]

Today fishkeeping has become a popular hobby that almost anyone can do. Aquarium fish are both wild-caught and bred in Asia and Florida. Captive-bred species are inexpensive and widely available, and are less likely to be infected with diseases or parasites. Unfortunately, successive generations of inbred fish frequently have less color and sport smaller fins than their wild counterparts.[5]

Fundamentals

A typical household freshwater aquarium set-up, apart from its aquatic tenants, consists of furnishings such as a

fish food, a fish net, water conditioner, water quality testing kits, a siphon hose or gravel cleaner, and a bucket for water changes. When first starting an aquarium biological enhancer is also commonly used to speed up the nitrogen cycle by adding beneficial bacteria.[5][7]

Surface area and height are important in the set-up and maintenance of a living biotope. The surface area contributes to providing superior in-tank oxygenation and it also facilitates the creation of attractive aquatic themes. Freshwater environments benefit more from short and wide aquariums, due to the larger surface area they present to the air; this allows more oxygen to dissolve in the water, and the more oxygen there is, the more fish you can keep. In general, a larger-sized aquarium provides a more stable water-world and the hobbyist can also acquire a greater number of fish. A large aquarium can also enhance aesthetic value. With regards to material, an all-glass aquarium is preferable due to its reasonable cost and its superior ability to resist scratches and discoloration. Indoor aquariums are normally placed far from windows, heating and cooling ducts of the house because direct sunlight and temperature changes can negatively affect the aquatic environment. Overexposure to sunlight leads to rapid algae growth inside and outside the tank. Sudden temperature variations are harmful to fish.

Themes

African cichlid aquarium

Fish come in a large variety of species, from several different geographical regions. Most aquarium fish originated in Central America, South America, Africa, Asia or Oceania. Fish can be kept in different combinations of species and in different kinds of aquatic environments. Four common themes include the community aquarium, the goldfish aquarium, the African cichlid aquarium, and the planted aquarium.[2]

A community aquarium refers to the mixing of fish and plants from different geographical areas with an emphasisis on the color and hardiness of the specimens. An example is the combination of gouramis, tetras, and rasboras with a selection of hardy plants such as Hygrophila difformis, Hygrophila polysperma, and Vallisneria spiralis.[2] Choosing fish that are peaceful and compatible with each other is important in a community tank.

A

Egeria, because goldfish regularly disturb the substrate. They may also feed on softer-leaved plants.[7] Plastic plants can be used instead.[9]

An

African cichlid aquarium commonly consists of Lake Tanganyika or Lake Malawi cichlid varieties, and generally requires a large number of rocks combined with a substrate of fine gravel or sand. The rocky environment should provide numerous caves and hiding places. Because cichlids, like goldfish, disturb the substrate by digging, plastic plants should be used as a substitute for live plants. However, real plants like Vallisneria or Anubias can be tried in a cichlid tank.[2]

A planted aquarium emphasizes living plants as much as, or even more than fish. Large groupings of plant species such as Hygrophila, Limnophila, Rotala, Vallisneria, Echinodorus, and Cryptocorynes with a limited number of fish is a good example of a planted tank. It is important to select fish that will not damage the plants, such as small tetras, dwarf gouramis, cherry barbs, zebra danios, and White Clouds. Planted tanks may include CO2 injection and a substrate fortified with laterite. In the case of a low tech aquarium, a layer of potting soil or root tabs is commonly put under the substrate to provide nutrients for the plants.[6]

A

biotope aquarium is an aquarium that is designed to simulate a natural habitat, with the fish, plants, and furnishings all representative of a particular place in nature.[5]
Because only species that are found together in nature are allowed in a true biotope aquarium, these tanks are more challenging and less common than the other themes. The most common biotope aquariums are the Amazon biotope and the Lake Malawi biotope, but occasionally aquarists will recreate the South East Asia river biotope.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aquarium.

Articles

Lists

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 0-8348-0448-4
  2. ^ a b c d Hagen, R. C. (2006). Basic aquarium guide: A guide to setting up and maintaining a beautiful aquarium. Montreal, Canada: Hagen.
  3. ^ a b c Thinkquest (2001). Beauty in glass: History Archived 2008-10-07 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved September 19, 2008.
  4. ^ a b Fishes in Nature and in the Aquarium, and Aquarium History Part 4, Nutrafin Aquatic News, Issue #4, 2004, pages 4, 6, and 13.
  5. ^ a b c d Butler, R. A. (1995). Tropical Freshwater Aquarium Fish Retrieved September 19, 2008.
  6. ^ a b Walstad, D. L. (2003). Ecology of the planted aquarium, second edition. Echinodorus Publishing.
  7. ^
    ISBN 1-902389-64-6
  8. ^ "Care Guide for Fancy Goldfish – Housing, Feeding, and More." Aquarium Co-op, retrieved 28 March 2024, www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/care-guide-for-fancy-goldfish
  9. ^ "55 Gallon Fish Tanks, Aquariums and Kits". fishsubsidy.org. Retrieved 18 September 2019.

External links

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