Tropical Freshwater Fish Aquariums Ebook

About the Author

David Illes

David Illes set up his first aquarium when someone suggested that watching the colorful, lively fish might help him to unwind and relax.

As the number and variety of his fish grew, friends became interested and began asking him questions or even wanted him to help them set up their own tanks.

Now, David has compiled this book based on his own experience and the questions from those people who he has helped introduce to the fascinating hobby of freshwater tropical fish aquariums.

He said, "I'm not an expert, just a hobbyist that has got a lot of enjoyment from my fish."

"I hope that readers will find all the information they need about the types of fish and how to care for them in my book."

Contents

1. An Overview
2. What is Fish keeping?

• Types of Fish keeping
• Origins of Fish keeping

3. Basic Fish Anatomy

• Head
• Body Shape
• Fins
• Gills
• Body Color
• Swim Bladder
• Lateral Line

4. Water Chemistry and Quality

• Changing Water Hardness to Suit Fish
• Water Hardness
• Water pH
• Nitrogen Cycle
• Maintaining the pH Content in Your Aquarium

5. The Biological Cycle or Nitrogen Cycle
6. Aquarium Furnishings

• Wood
• Gravel
• Rocks

7. Aquarium Accessories

• Thermometer
• Lights
• Air Pump
• Filtering
• Heater
• Sundry Equipment
• Decorative Items
• Testing Kits

8. Aquarium Stand

• Metal stand
• Wooden stand
• Placing the Stand

9. Planning Your Aquarium

• Size of Aquarium Tank
• Basic Steps
• Location of Aquarium Tank:
• Aquarium Stand
• Shape and Material of Your Aquarium Tank
• Filter
• Aquarium Heater
• Aquarium Lighting
• Species Compatibility

10. Selecting the Aquarium Tank

• Shape of the Aquarium
• Cost
• Material to Make the Aquarium
• Choosing a Stand

11. Site Selection for Your Aquarium
12. How to Set Up the Aquarium

• Adding the Gravel
• Preparing the Tank
• Adding water
• Adding the Fish
• Testing
• Cycling the Tank

13. Adding the Water
14. Preparing Your Aquarium for Fish
15. Adding the Fish
16. Popular Tropical Freshwater Fish

• Pleco
• Catfish
• Upside-Down Catfish Synodontis nigriventris
• Giant Gourami
• Anabantids or Labyrinth Fishes
• Cichlids
• Firemouth Cichlid
• American Cichlids
• Angel fish
• Lake Malawi Cichlids
• Discus Fish
• Lake Tanganyika Cichlids
• Characins
• African Non-Lake Cichlids
• Live-bearers
• Mollies
• Guppies
• Platies
• Killifishes
• Swordtails
• Cyprinids
• Loaches

17. Selecting Your Tropical Freshwater Fish

• Community or Species Tank
• Tank Capacity
• Educate Yourself
• Selecting Your Fish
• Purchasing Fish

18. Buying Your Fish
19. Selection of Plants for Your Aquarium
Tips when Planting Aquatic Plants
20. Care of Live Aquarium Plants

• Substrate
• Photosynthesis
• Lighting
• Nutrients
• Water
• Fertilizing
• Plants to Avoid
• Carbon dioxide

21. Non-Fish Species

• Apple Snails
• Invertebrates
• Ramshorn Snails
• Mystery Snails
• Malaysian or Trumpet snails
• Blue Marron
• Red-clawed Crab
• Penguin Shrimp
• Vertebrates
• African Clawed Frog
• African Water Frog

22. Feeding Your Tropical Freshwater Fish

• Dry Foods for Different Fish
• Food for Different Fish
• Living Food for Fish
• Other Foods
• Vegetables
• Food for Fry
• Feeding While You are on Vacation

23. Being Prepared for Disease

• Creating a Hospital Tank
• Checking the Cause of Illness

24. Signs of Fish Disease

• Problems Caused by the Aquatic Habitat
• Signs of Sickness in Fish
• Changes in the Oxygen Level
• Changes in Temperature
• Changes in pH Levels
• Improper Diet
• Poisons
• Other Problems

25. Diagnosing Fish Disease

• Physical Examination of the Fish
• Collecting Information for Diagnosis
• Conducting Tests on the Environment
• Examining Fish out of the Water
• Checking the Equipment
• Taking Samples

26. Why, When and How Fish Get Parasites

• Natural Defense against Parasites
• Types of Parasites
• Detecting a Parasite Infection
• Infections due to Ectoparasites

27. Fish Disease Control - Methods of Treatment

• Hospital Tank
• Treatment Methods
• Heat Therapy
• Baths
• Over the Counter Medications

28. Using Antibiotics to Control Fish Disease
29. Medicated Foods to Combat Disease
30. Malachite Green and Formalin as an Anti-Parasite Treatment
31. Using Salt to Prevent and Treat Freshwater Fish Disease
Treatment of Fish Disease
32. Be Careful While Treating Fish Disease
Precautions While Treating Fish Disease
33. Aquarium Maintenance
34. Cleaning Your Freshwater Fish Aquarium
35. Breeding Techniques for Tropical Freshwater Fish

• Choosing a Pair
• Classify the Gender
• Classification of Fish Based on Method of Reproduction
• Prepare Fish for Spawning
• Five Types of Egg bearers
• Creating the Spawning Tank
• Taking Care of the Fry

36. Food for the Offspring
37. Vacations and Your Freshwater Tropical Aquarium Fish
38. Aquarium Frequently Asked Questions

• What water is best for an aquarium tank?
• How many fish can an aquarium tank hold?
• How often is it necessary to clean my aquarium?
• How to detect pregnancy in fish?
• How do I remove white deposits on aquarium tank and filters?
• How to protect young Fish?
• Is it necessary to have an aquarium heater and thermometer?
• How often should I feed fish?

39. Freshwater Fish Aquarium Glossary