Everything Biorb Blog – Articles, Video's, & How To's

1)    Seahorses may not be the same as other fish, but that is what makes them so popular. Seahorses are one of the most desired and most enjoyed types of saltwater fish, because they are unique and fun to watch.

2)    Surgeons are called that because their tail spines are “scalpel-sharp.” These tail spines are used to defend and protect territory. They are also very colorful and can have beautiful patterns.

3)    Angels have always been popular because of their beauty, although they are delicate and will fight other angelfish.

4)    Boxfish and trunkfish are challenging to keep. They look box-shaped and can release toxins when upset.

5)    Basselets are another colorful fish that comes in red, purple, yellow or orange. They can live in smaller reef tanks.

6)    Lionfish are some of the most impressive saltwater fish, with surprising colors and long elegant fins. However, they are aggressive, so live food is required to keep them happy. Their long spines are also poisonous and can be dangerous.

7)    Mandarins are incredibly beautiful with swirling patterns of blue, orange, and purple. They are non-aggressive and get along well with other fish.

8)    Butterflyfish get along well with each other, but eat coral, anemones, and invertebrates in the wild. So, if you have these things in your tank, this is not the fish for you.

9)    Triggerfish are called that because they have a dorsal fin they can lock into position to keep from being pulled out of a hiding place. They have sharp teeth that point out, for eating sea urchins and invertebrates.

10)    Clownfish were popular before “Finding Nemo” came out, but now they are even more popular as every parent and grandparent is begged for a little Nemo for the tank.

All of these fish can be beautiful and exciting additions to a saltwater tank, as long as you are careful to select those that will get along well with each other and not eat the live plants you have chosen.

1)    Beta fish stem from Southeast Asia and are one of the most popular freshwater fish, because the males have beautiful and colorful fins.

2)    Tetras come in neon colors and are probably the most popular freshwater fish. They are easy to care for and get along well with other fish.

3)    Angelfish are enjoyed for their beautiful and graceful bodies, narrow, round, and decorated with bold stripes.

4)    Kissing Gourami fish end up in most freshwater tanks, eventually. They are very peaceful and come in soft colors. The males lock lips in territorial disputes, giving them the “kissing” name.

5)    Fantail Guppies are cute little rounded fish. The females are rather dull and brown in coloring, but the males come in a variety of flashy colors.

6)    Oscar fish are usually peaceful, but have been known to gobble up a smaller tank-mate, now and then. They enjoy rock ledges in the tank and like to dig.

7)    Mollies are fish that come in a variety of colors, including dalmation coloring (black with white spots and white with black spots). Mollies will eat some of the algae that forms in the tank and like a little salt in the water.

8)    Swordtail Platies are a favorite from Mexico and Guatemala, known for their bright red coloring. Males have the extended “sword” tail, but the females do not.

9)    Jack Dempsey Fish, in spite of their Americanized name, come from Guatemala and Honduras. They are aggressive and destructive, so should be kept separate from non-compatible fish.

10)    Zebra Danios are native to Eastern India and can be aggressive. The males come in pretty blue and silver stripes. They are also easy to keep.

All of these fish are freshwater fish that are kept in numerous homes across the nation. However, it is important to not only choose the fish that you like best but to research enough to make sure the different types you choose will be compatible.

Fish aquariums are a great addition to any home or office. They provide a feeling of peace and tranquility that studies indicate can benefit emotional well-being and even cardiovascular health. For example, small fish tanks with goldfish, which were placed in rest homes, helped increase the appetite of poor eaters and improve the morale of the remaining residents.

But, when it comes down to it, the choice between fresh water and salt water tanks leaves many people wondering which is best for their purposes. It is well known that salt water fish are more exotic and beautiful, in general, than freshwater fish.

It is also well known that saltwater tanks take a special kind of maintenance and can be more costly to set up. But looking at the facts can help someone sitting on the fence to make an educated decision about whether or not to invest in the saltwater tank, vs. the fresh water tank.

Initial set up costs for the fresh water aquarium, starting with a $50 tank, will average about $270 total. For a saltwater tank, that includes live rock and a protein skimmer, the cost will go up to about $635 after everything but the fish. Reef tanks cost even more, averaging, with all needed accessories like a reverse osmosis filter, around $1,270.

Then there are the fish. Saltwater fish usually cost a good deal more than freshwater fish. And, because many are fresh caught from the wild, getting them to eat is a challenge. They may even be on special diets for awhile.

On the other hand, once the tank is set up, the fish are done with quarantine, and they have begun eating aquarium food appropriate to their type, saltwater tanks can actually be lower maintenance, in the long run, as the live rock helps keep it clean and the protein skimmer takes out what the rock leaves behind.

It can be so frustrating. You’ve just cleaned the tank a few days ago, and you already see brown spots forming in the tank. Algae, or diatoms, are the “grass of the sea,” because like natural grasses on land, algae grow readily anywhere and everywhere they can find a spot.

Algae can harm the fish by blocking needed light and by taking space. If the algae get too out of control, the dead and dying diatoms can create toxic levels in the tank and cut down on the oxygen your fish need to live.

If you see a buildup of algae on the glass or tank decorations, clean them with a sponge, soft cloth, or toothbrush. Let the broken up algae settle to the bottom for a while. Then finish by filtering out the gravel with a water vacuum.

If, however, you are tired of this incessant algae battle and want to prevent the buildup from happening, there are steps you can take to reduce the growth of algae. One is to use the aquarium light only when you are viewing the fish.

Lights increase algae growth at a surprising rate. So, as long as you have enough lighting for your fish to get around in, from outside the tank, keep the tank light off, until you want to admire the tank for awhile.

Use limestone sand or gravel instead of silica sand, because the silicic acid feeds the algae. Silicic acid is also in the water, so treating the water can help. Finally, filter new water for your tank through specialized filters designed to remove the acid, before you put it in the tank.

Saltwater fish can do well in either a glass or acrylic tank. However, acrylic fish tanks are available in more shapes and sizes and also better insulate the fish. It allows more light and is clearer than glass aquariums are.

A major drawback is that acrylic fish tanks are often two to three times more expensive than glass tanks. Acrylic can also be scratched, more easily, so care must be taken when cleaning the tank inside and out. Interestingly, if the goal is a lower maintenance tank, the larger tanks will provide that.

The filter system, with saltwater fish, can be biological, mechanical or a combination. Using a gravel biological filter, the water is pulled down from the top of the tank, through the gravel below. Live rocks, on the other hand, can help filter without the use of electricity.

Using live rocks, your fish tank will require a fluorescent light that is full-spectrum. You will need a heater that will work for the appropriate size of tank and a thermometer to make sure the temperature stays in range.

The water must be treated with a water conditioner, before placing any fish in it, or after a cleaning. Salt needs to be mixed to approximately 1.020 or 1.025 gravity.

Finally, the feeding of the fish is important, especially with saltwater fish. Many have special diets, which should always be looked into before purchasing a new saltwater fish. All of these techniques can help ensure a longer life and more enjoyment from your saltwater fish.