Freshwater aquarium fish species are fish that spend most of their lives in rivers and lakes with a salinity (saltiness of a body of water) of less than 0.05%. The environment where they thrive is different from marine conditions in a lot of ways and the most obvious is the difference in levels of salinity. If you want to take care of a freshwater fish, you have to put into consideration that the fish need a range of physiological adaptations in order to keep the ion concentration of their bodies well-balanced. Having enough knowledge before you start this as a hobby will save you tons of confusion in the future.

Some of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish species include cichlids, catfish, rainbowfish, characins and other characiformes. Fresh water fish vary from the hardy to the delicate ones depending on its type. The water in the aquarium needs special care and attention to keep your fish healthy and happy.

Be consistent in maintaining the water environment because abrupt changes sometimes cause stress to the fish. Toxic wastes, pH level and temperature fluctuations can be harmful to freshwater fish. To avoid ammonia stress or poisoning, change the water regularly. This will ensure you of keeping ammonia levels from becoming toxic. Tap water may contain chemicals such as chlorine and chloramines and this can be the cause of death for your fish so it’s very important to treat the water first. Tap water conditioners are readily available in your local pet store, these are great for neutralizing chemicals. With regard to temperature, always keep it stable. Changing the temperature can cause unnecessary stress on your fish. Know the correct pH level that your fish requires. pH test kits are also available in your local pet store and they’re very easy to use. Increase or decrease the pH level as needed.

One important thing to remember when caring for freshwater aquarium fish species is to be very cautious whenever you move them. Moving the fish can cause them to become weak and their stress level can increase. This will also cause their protective slime coating to fade. A good fish protection formula should be used together with chlorine or chloramines remover to help lessen stress and provide your fish with protective slime coat. Taking care of freshwater fish is not easy so if you don’t have the time or effort and of course proper background, you can just look for another hobby that will suit you best.

If you’re getting your freshwater aquarium set up, then you must be thinking about what kind of fish should go in there. There’s more to it that just getting pretty ones that match, and here, we will go through things that you should do as you select your freshwater aquarium fish so that you end up with an aquarium that’s wholesome, fun and easy to maintain.

The temptation of course is to keep as many pretty ones as you can get in there, but you may squeeze them too much. An aquarium with too many fish means much more waste, which is not good for the fish and will force you to clean more often. When there are too many fish, there may also be a scramble for food so that there are some that are not fed enough. The rule of thumb is about 2 inches of fish for every gallon of water.

This way, you are sure that you’re getting healthy stock. It’s not uncommon to set up an aquarium and a few days later the fish are dead – they were likely not healthy when they were bought. Look at the fish in the shop to start with; are the aquariums clean and do the fish look healthy? If you are impressed with the way the store is kept, you are more likely to get good, healthy fish. If the aquariums are dirty and the fish in them look dull, look for another supplier.

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Do they have particular preferences? Do they prey on other fish? Do they require special kinds of substrate? What temperature do they best thrive in? You also need to know if they have special dietary requirements. Sometimes, this information may help you decide whether you can cope with your selection – some fish breeds are rather high maintenance. A tip here is to get school fish. There will be minimal compatibility issues and it’s easier to tell when something is wrong in the fish tank because they will all behave oddly. There are some that come recommended: pearl and zebra danios are beautiful; neons and cardinal tetras too.

they may all be school fish, but they still have different environments under which they thrive best. It’s hard to simulate all these environments in a fish tank. 2 or 3 types are ok.

and it’s always best, together with regular maintenance, to get a species of fish that feeds on it so you can control it naturally. A brittle nose, a clown plecostomus or otocinclus catfish are perfect fresh water aquarium fish for this.

are an excellent way to start your aquarium. They are not so high maintenance, and by the time you get to add other fish species, you will have got the hang of it.

Most people will think about freshwater aquarium fish that prey on others here, but there are also some that grow so big in a short time that they start to squeeze out the others. Cichilds, for instance grow quite big. Angle fish can easily squeeze out smaller fish if they are in a fish tank smaller than 10 gallons. Some fish types are also rather messy, and the mess they leave behind may poison more sensitive breeds.

unless all by themselves. They will eat your other fish. If you go for them, make sure to be ready for the expense that they bring. They need a lot more cleaning after, and they need to be fed much more to keep them from eating each other.

like the Bala, that you can keep, but they still will grow rather big and you will need a bigger-than-standard fish tank.

They will eat other fish in the fish tank and they never stop growing.

You are now armed with lots of information on choosing freshwater aquarium fish and choosing fish for your aquarium so follow this guidance and remember even one wrong fish in your fish tank can affect all the rest, so it’s important to follow these tips.

For those fish tank enthusiasts who have more interest in keeping pet fish than money, starting an aquarium on the budget is vital. One trip to the local pet store can convince you that keeping an aquarium is out of the question if you don’t have a lot of money. A reasonable sized tank can run anywhere from fifty to five hundred dollars. Add in the filters, heaters, light fixtures and all ornaments and accessories and you are looking at a really big investment.

If you love fish and want to have an aquarium without spending so much, many options are available. The biggest expense, and the first thing you need to worry about buying, is that the glass tank itself. This is also the place where you can get the most savings.

Check local thrift stores, yard and garage sales, flea markets and auctions for fish tanks that look to be in good condition. In some instances, such as at a yard sale, the sellers may allow you to use a hose to fill up the tank and check for leaks. Other places, you might not get that option. Checking seals and the glass carefully will help you make an informed purchase. As long as the glass is not cracked the tank should be strong enough to hold water even if seen that patching is necessary.

Saving money on the stuff that goes into a quality aquarium ecosystem might be more difficult. Aquarium heaters and filters must work absolutely correctly. They are almost impossible to test at a thrift store or yard sale venue. Instead, shop sales, checked online stores and eBay, and search for coupons that can help purchase these items.

Purchasing aquarium ornaments on a budget is easier. Some found objects, such as rocks and some driftwood, can be used in a home fish tank. They simply need to be prepared properly with massive amounts of cleaning and, in the case of the driftwood, boiling to kill off any organisms. Other cheap aquarium ornaments include broken flower pots, and even glass ornaments. Be sure none of the objects you put in the tank had been treated with any paints, dyes or chemicals.

The final expense when starting an aquarium on a budget is the fish themselves. Freshwater aquarium fish are, in general, cheaper than salt water. Fresh water tanks also need less additives and mechanisms. Research and buy easy to keep fish to prevent loss and waste of money. Do not overstock your tank as this is both initially more expensive and can result in more death.

Freshwater aquarium setup is not an easy task and requires a sufficient investment of time and money. You have to take proper responsibility and care for the fishes and the plants in the aquarium. This is a very vital step that you have to understand and remember before you prepare for the setup.

If this is the first time you are going to set up an aquarium then it is better to start with a freshwater aquarium because it is much easier to maintain a freshwater aquarium than the saltwater aquarium. Begin with deciding the place where you will keep the aquarium.

Then choose the size, style and design of the aquarium and keeping a balance between the stand and the weight of the aquarium is very important. After you have purchased the aquarium you must clean it properly but don’t use soap. If the soap deposits remain then it can be injurious for the fishes.

Now you will have to buy the equipments for the aquarium like the filter, heater, additional lights etc. Then arrange for the aquarium plants, different decorations, and gravel and properly clean these elements. After washing all the items are over you must place all these elements to the aquarium, and then slowly insert water to the tank.

The water must be free of chlorine and you must not fill the aquarium entirely with water. After adding water get ready to put the equipments. After this you must wait for some days and wait for the elements to create a suitable environment for the fishes. During this time the nitrogen cycle must start up. After some days it is now time to add fishes to your aquarium. Don’t add too many fishes at the same time.

Start with single or two fishes so that the filtration system gets adjusted.

Letting the fish getting acquainted with their new home and environment is very essential. They often get stressed out and so you must learn how to let them adjust to the new environment. The freshwater aquarium setup must conclude with proper maintenance of the inhabitants of the aquarium.

Catfish is unique among salt and freshwater fishes. It is one of the few fishes without scales. In the Philippines, where they are abundant in rivers, ponds and lakes, catfish is cook and serve in several ways.

1.) Megalechis thoracata

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Megalechis thoracata is an armored species of catfish that can be found in the Andes and nearby areas such as the Orinoco and Amazon rivers. The male species is much larger than females.

2.) Flagtail Catfish (Dianema urostriatum)

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The Flagtail Catfish is a tropical freshwater catfish that originates in South America and can be found in the Amazon River basin in Brazil. It can grow up to 8.4 cm and is also known as Stripedtail Catfish.

3.) Candiru (Vandellia)

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Vandellia is a very unusual and the most well known genus of parasitic catfishes known for their alleged habit of entering the human urethra. There are 3 known species of Vandelia – V. beccarii, V. cirrhosa and V. sanguine. V. sanguinea can grow up to 5.3 cm while V. cirrhosa grows up to 17.0 cm.

4.) Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps

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The Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps is a unique armored catfish with a crest exists over the back of the skull. It is very popular in the aquarium due to its unique appearance and its ability to clean aquarium tanks.

5.) Royal Plec (Panaque nigrolineatus)

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The Royal Plec is an herbivorous freshwater catfish that can be found in South America. It is notable for being one of the few fish that digest wood. It is eaten as food in its native habitat but is also a popular aquarium fish. It can grow up to 43 cm long.

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It can be found in the Orinoco and Amazon rivers in South America. It is also known as Royal Pleco, or Royal Panaque.

6.) Spotted Talking Catfish (Agamyxis pectinifrons)

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The Spotted Talking Catfish is a popular aquarium fish. It has the ability to make sounds by grinding its pectoral fin bones against its shoulder bones. Spotted Talking Catfish has a lifespan of 17 years. It is also known as Spotted Raphael Catfish.

7.) Black Talking Catfish (Oxydoras niger)

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Black Talking Catfish is a well known aquarium fish species. This catfish grows rapidly and is light shy and should be provided with sheltered areas to hide. It originates in South America. It is also known as Mother of Snails Catfish, Ripsaw Catfish and Black Doradid.

8.) Neosho Madtorn (Noturus placidus)

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The Neosho Madtom is a small North American catfish is a threatened species that can attain a length of 8 cm and can only live for 3 years. They can be found in Illinois River. Its population declined due to habitat destruction.

9.) African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

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The large and eel-like African Catfish is an airbreathing species that is widely distributed throughout Africa and the Middle East. They thrive in freshwater lakes, rivers, swamps, as well as human-made places, such as oxidation ponds or even urban sewer systems. This nocturnal catfish can attain average lengths of 1 to 1.2 meters.

10.) Walking Catfish (Clarias batracus)

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One of the more unique species of catfish is the Walking Catfish. It is a freshwater airbreathing catfish that is widely distributed in Southeast Asia. It was so named for its unusual ability to ‘walk’ across dry land to find food or suitable environments by using its pectoral fins. This scaleless catfish can grow up to 30 cm.

11.) Twig Catfish (Farlowella acus)

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Twig Catfish is a peculiar-looking catfish whose name means pointed, needle or spine and can be found in Lake Valencia and the Torito River basin. It feeds on plants and roots. This peaceful and bottom-dweller fish is commonly exported for the aquarium. It can be kept in most freshwater community tanks as a single pet or as a group.

12.) Corydoras semiaquilus

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Corydoras semiaquilus is a tropical freshwater fish that originates in inland waters in South America. It can be found in the western Amazon River basin in Brazil and Peru. Its primary foods include benthic crustaceans, insects, plant matters and worms.

13.) Wels Catfish (Silurus glanis)

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The Wels Catfish is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world. It can attain lengths of up to 3 meters and can weigh over 150 kg. It is considered the longest catfish while the Mekong Giant Catfish is the largest. It can be found in most parts of Europe and near the Baltic Sea and Caspian Sea. Wels Catfish weighing 15 kg below are recommended for consumption but heavier are not. The eggs should not be eaten because it’s poisonous.  It is also called Sheatfish.

See also13 Unique Salt and Freshwater CatfishWorld’s Most Colorful and Unique SquidsWaterworld Creatures with WingsAmazing Flying Sea Creatures25 Amazing and Bizarre Deep Sea CreaturesBizarre and Unique Marine MammalsWeird and Freak Creatures of the Deep Sea

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need not be a hassle. All you need to do, is to get yourself the right supplies and follow these simple steps and before long, you’ll have a great looking aquarium that’s right for your fish.

There are some things you ought to be ready for with a freshwater aquarium setup though, because it does come with responsibility. First off, there is a cost element. You’ll have the one-off cost to set it up, and you’ll regularly be buying supplies and fish food. You’ll also need to maintain it on a daily basis at least to feed the fish, and then every two weeks or every month. It’s like having any other pet – the better care you take of them, the more rewarding it is.

You’ll have to buy most of this especially if you are a beginner – a more experienced aquarium keeper may be able to improvise for one or two items.

A fish tank or aquarium that will take the number of fish you want.
Substrate and a substrate vacuum
An aquarium filter and filter replacements for future maintenance
A heater and a thermometer
Plants – these can be real or fake, but if you can get real ones, they are much better for your freshwater aquarium setup.
An aquarium test kit to help you test the salinity of your aquarium
A sizeable bucket
A net and a big-holed strainer

The size of tank that you choose will be determined by the number and size of fish that you want to keep. You don’t want fish that are overcrowded, or that grow too big. The best way to start is to get a 10 gallon tank and then stock it with small fish that don’t grow too much. When you become a bit more experienced, you can experiment with other species and a bigger tank.
Look for a place to keep your aquarium that is stable and safe. It needs to be away from children and other pets that can upset it. If it’s near a window that lets in sunshine, this could raise the water temperature. Too much direct sunshine means that you have to deal with increased algae. Think of the weight of the aquarium as you choose a stand for it. To know how much it weighs, multiply the number of gallons of water in it by 10.
Consider the equipment: filters are varied and come at different prices. Some fish also produce more waste than others and they will need special kinds of filters. Think about the heater too in relation to the size of the tank. You also will consider substrate, plants and any other decorations that you will be putting into the tank.
Washthe aquarium with water – a rinse of all the parts that will go in there will do. Do not use soap as it will kill your fish. Set up your filter once your parts and tank are clean.
Wash the gravel and the pants in clean water and any other decorations that are a part of your freshwater aquarium setup. The substrate needs to be washed thoroughly and you can do this using your pasta strainer. Put is in the bucket and place it in the aquarium along with the plants and decorations.
Once you have all this in place, you can now put in the water. To make sure that you don’t mess with the way you had arranged the gravel and plants, place a saucer in the middle and run the water on it and let it flow over into the aquarium. Water should be at room temperature but de-chlorinated.
Install the heater and wait for about 15 minutes for the thermostat in the heater to adjust to the water temperature. Place the lid and make sure that the tank light is working properly and that the chords are not in contact with water. Plug it all the bits that will use electrical power and then turn on.
Its time to wait. You are waiting for a complete nitrogen cycle in your freshwater aquarium setup to take place. If you put in your fish before it does, they will likely die. You’ll know its cycling when you notice after a few days that the water is getting cloudy.
Lastly, add your fish one or two at a time. You are adapting the filtration system slowly. You also need to acclimatize the fish before you put them in. When you bring them home in the bag you bought them in, drop it into the tank for about 15 minutes. There is no need to feed them on their first day home.
Don’t forget to feed them the next day, and be ready for your bi-weekly or monthly spring cleaning.

Its lots of fun going through a freshwater aquarium setup. Make it easy on yourself by making sure that you have all the things you need to hand. If you are not very sure, start off with hardy fish – you are more likely to be successful.

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Article by Richard Gilliland

There is no doubt that chillers can help your aquarium function properly during the hot months by cooling the water and avoiding the loss of dissolved oxygen. If you have a freshwater aquarium and you are looking for information on aquarium chillers then you have come to the right place. The remainder of this article will elaborate on the best type of chillers for a freshwater aquarium.

The most popular chillers available on the market are; drop in chillers, in line chillers and thermoelectric chillers. All of these chillers come with pros and cons and the key to selecting the best type of chiller for a freshwater aquarium is to follow these simple tips.

The first tip for finding the best type of chiller for a freshwater aquarium is to take a close look at the type of convenience each chiller has to offer. If you feel that plumbing is not ideal for you then drop in chillers will be your best option. Since drop in chillers are basically cooling coils that have to be dropped into the wet dry filter or sump. They are extremely low maintenance and cost effective.

The second tip to follow to find the best type of chiller for a freshwater aquarium is to use your aquarium capacity as a guideline. If your aquarium contains less than 50 gallons water and has less water flow, then opting for a thermoelectric chillers would be a good option for you. If your aquarium is larger than 50 gallons or has increased water flow then opting for a powerful in line filter would be the best choice.

The third tip to help you decide the best type of chiller for a freshwater aquarium is to decide if you want a chiller temporarily (during the warmer months) or if you want a chiller left in your aquarium year round. If cost is a concern and you will only need the chiller a few months out of the year then buying a inexpensive temporary one is a good solution. If you want to keep your chiller available year round then a more expensive one is the way to go. A good quality chiller can be used for many years and does not require constant maintenance. In the long run you save money by purchasing a more expensive chiller for your aquarium right from the start.

By following these three tips you can definitely find the best type of chiller for a freshwater aquarium that will suit both your budget and your fishes needs.

“You and Your Aquarium” is a book that is written by author Dick Mills. This interesting book covers various aspects of both saltwater and freshwater fish keeping and also elaborates about how to set up your first tank. A species guide to freshwater and saltwater fish is provided in this book and the species guide covers some of the most popular fish in the aquarium hobby. This book also elaborates on basics of filtration, heating, types of tanks and feeding. 

“The Aquarium Handbook” is a book that is written by author David Goodwin. This helpful book is one of the best books for freshwater fish and has an elaborated guide on which species of fish to keep in your freshwater aquarium. The species guide has clear pictures of various species of fish and the species guide also elaborates on the feeding habits of the fish. Basics of aquatic plants information is also covered in this book. The information included about aquatic plants includes names of plants are their requirement. This book also provides information about general guidelines of fish keeping.  

“Corals of The World” volume one, two and three are indeed the best books for new aquarium owners since these three books have detailed information about corals from all over the world. These books are highly recommended as they cover topics such as technical and non technical information about various corals, pictures of the corals and history about corals.  

Practical Fish Keeping magazine also known as PFK is a series of magazines that are published periodically and are of immense value to new aquarium owners. This magazine covers incidents of what happens around the world in the fish keeping hobby and also provide answers on some of the most common questions asked by new aquarium keepers.  

Tropical Fish Hobbyist is another magazine that is very popular with fish keepers. This magazine provides valuable information on all aspects of fish keeping and also elaborates on which are the best products for your aquarium along with reviews and adverts

Article by Robert Hedley

Fish keeping in homes has existed for a long time. In ancient times, it was the only way to keep the fish fresh as there were no refrigerators. People would catch them when they were already hatched from the spawn and then transfer them to ponds, but as time progressed they realized that there were ways to get them to breed right there in the ponds.

Aquatic farming (aquaculture) was born. Slowly, fish evolved from just food and became ornamental. They were now kept for their looks and were studied in depth. People wanted to learn more about their habitat and their anatomy. Over the years, fish keeping became a hobby. Freshwater aquarium information has led to successful aquarium keeping and the same can be said of salt water fish tanks.

Let us take a step by step look at how things evolved over the ages.

Ancient Times

It is thought that the Sumerians kept eels for food as far back as almost 5000 years ago. More recently, about 1000 years ago, the Chinese found out that goldfish could be raised in freshwater ponds, and they could sometimes get offspring of different colors. It was an exciting discovery so they decided to keep these pretty offspring just to look at. They went on to discover that they could control spawning and get offspring that had different golden shades. This was in about 680 AD.

There was no stopping them. They continued experimental breeding and soon discovered that they could get beautiful fish that had multi-colored bodies, longer fins and eyes that looked different. It was not long before the rich started to buy these as pets, and they had to be moved from ponds in bowls. Often, for ornamental value, the buyer would leave them in the bowl. Soon, it was a roaring trade. Goldfish were sold all over the Far East. They ended up in Europe by 1700 AD.

Victorian Era

The great American entertainer, P. T. Barnum imported some goldfish to the US from Japan in 1850. He had brought in different species and by 1870, they were on sale all over the East Coast. Any parlor worth its name had a goldfish bowl sitting next to a Boston fern.

People soon discovered the importance of having a balanced aquarium environment for the fish. Filters, aerators and freshwater tank heaters were invented, but before that, plants were introduced to try and mimic a natural environment as much as possible. It seemed to help a great deal. Snails and other small mollusks went into fish bowls. The variation of fish species also went up, and soon it was not just goldfish any more.

1920 to 1930

Electricity was now common in many homes, and aquarium device development kept increasing. Electricity was used to drive these inventions, and it was soon apparent that these were truly the answer for those who wanted to adopt fish keeping as a hobby.

Slowly, fish from Europe, more exotic breeds, started to arrive. The breeding continued and there was always something new and exciting for hobbyists. Europeans, especially in Germany were very advanced in fish breeding and they managed to conquer disease in the aquarium.

After 2nd World War

Fish importations were halted as countries were being careful. There was a lot of reconstruction as well, and luxury hobbies were stifled with the money being directed to rebuilding lives.

Germany, a prime source of aquarium fish was also now under the spotlight from the rest of the world for the happenings there during the war. People eventually turned elsewhere for sources. Airplanes aided the transportation of fish by minimizing the travel time.

Gradually, life went back to normal and aquarium hobbyists were able to pick up where they had left. Freshwater breeding became a focus at this time as people realized that it was cheaper and just equally rewarding. There was a great leap in availability of freshwater aquarium information from research and experiments.

Post 1960

Americans have been the greatest aquarium keepers since the hobby reached their shores and continue to be. They have helped make great advances in the types of breeds, reaching as far off as Africa to look for new ones that they can crossbreed to get even better freshwater aquarium fish.

Today, most freshwater aquarium information is found on the internet, with the hobby having grown to all corners of the world. It has become much cheaper as well, with improved breeding methods and cheaper access to information.

It is expected that it is just a matter of time before advances in the computer reach the inside of an aquarium. Who knows, maybe very soon, well have a microchip that can regulate an aquarium’s environment without any interference from the aquarium owner?

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The question that comes to the mind when starting a fish aquarium is which type of aquarium to choose, freshwater or saltwater? Both are good and give you the pleasure of keeping fish. Given below is a list of advantages of keeping a fresh water aquarium which is definitely easier. Salt water aquariums are grand, but there are some things to consider, since they are time consuming and need experience and effort to maintain.

A saltwater aquarium gives you the option of keeping a larger variety of colorful fish; however if you are a beginner, saltwater aquarium is not for you. Saltwater tanks can be expensive and take a lot of effort to maintain. Freshwater tanks are easier and once you have gained experience, you can consider converting to a salt water tank.

Freshwater aquariums are simpler to set up and require much less effort, time and money.

The fish are cheaper, so is the equipment needed. Marine fishes are lovely and much more colorful, but tend to be costly.

For a salt water tank, you need live rock that is an excellent biological filter for your salt water tank. However this may not be easy to acquire in the area you live in. Even if you get it, it is very expensive since it is taken from coral reefs.

Moreover, if you have coral reefs and live rock in your salt water tank, lighting becomes very essential. Your coral and live rock can die if there is inadequate lighting. Lighting is important for your fresh water tank, but the balance is not that delicate. Your fresh water tank is generally more adaptable and will forgive you for lapses if they occur.

You need to monitor the salt levels in your marine saltwater tank. This is an ongoing process, which is not required in fresh water tanks.

The salt level, if not properly maintained, will be harmful to your fish and live rock. They may die.

Water quality has to be monitored and maintained in both fresh water and salt water tanks. This is a task common to both.

It is your decision whether you chose a fresh water tank or a salt water one, in the long run. You need to first evaluate how much time and money you want to invest into this hobby. Fresh water tanks are fun, and you get to keep many beautiful and colorful fishes. You also get great practice and learn the ropes of fish keeping. Once you learn the basics, you can then slowly either get another fish tank and start your marine fish collection or convert your existing fresh water tank into a salt water tank.

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