First of, I maintain a tropical fresh-water environment. Though salt water aquariums are manageable, I find that the needed extra care for water and desalination equipment may outweigh the want for keeping more colorful varieties - as salt water fishes are normally known for. Nothing can compare to their vibrant colors, but... tropical fishes aren't exactly push-overs, as there are quite a number of colorful fresh-water fishes as well. Any new hobbyist may well be better served trying out fresh-water tanks first... then when they feel more confident, and they've some cash to spend, they can consider a salt-water tank.
As for my tank's dimensions - I'm less likely to remember measurements than volume. I have two tanks - a rectangular (the basic shape) 35 gallon tank, and a 22 gallon octagonal (more decorative in nature - and covering less table space) tank. The octagonal is relatively new, not even a month old yet... and there's a story for my getting it. but more on that some other time.
The fishes I keep? Tetras - mostly for my older tank, see... I'm adhering to the size and breathing surface area rule of a tank, which states that as a general rule, the less in size the fishes, the more fishes you can put in a tank, and Tetras are rather small - averaging about an inch to an inch and a half for each fish. I've got:
- 11 cardinals... really wonderful blue and red colors
- 7 rummy noses, their face color is red - and that's the only color they have. Not to forget that their face colors are a barometer for the quality of the water they're in
- 2 ottos - don't ask me to spell out their name, its difficult to remember - needless to say, these guys are glass cleaners
- 3 albino corys - great white contrast against the entire background, plus the fact that they're... well, scavengers (bottom feeders and thus cleaners of the aquarium's sand)
- 4 Amano-type shrimps - likewise, algae-eaters / cleaners
With the exception of the Albino Corys and maybe the rummy noses - these others are hard to find these days - or if there is a shop selling them, I've yet to discover where it is. In fact, this is the reason i had to get another aquarium - so I could separate them from my larger fishes, which might eat said fishes.
Exiled to my other aquarium are the following fishes:
- 2 Marble Angels (one predominantly black on silver, the other an exact opposite in colors - and it seems that these two are a pair
- A spotted-talking catfish (no it does not really talk - more like a clicking sound
- A Clown loach - the fresh water version of Nemo (from finding Nemo the movie)
Since these guys are a whole lot bigger, I chose not to mix them with the smaller examples.
What's so good about aquariums? I get to watch the fishes interact - sometimes chase each other, hide in plants (live, not plastic ones) and this helps me relax.. and yes, relieves stress.
In fact, tonight, when I do get home - I'll relax on the sofa, watch the television or listen to music - but likewise, I will look at my fishes for brief periods of time, and enjoy watching the fishes move in their tanks.
No comments:
Post a Comment