Fresh water angelfish have been popular fish choices in homes all over the world. The scientific name for angelfish is pterophyllum and it owes its origin to the Greek word "scalare," which literally means "like a flight of stairs." Angelfish are characterized by long fins. Angelfish are believed to have originated in the Amazon region of South America, which is home to a variety of flora and fauna.
Angelfish can live along with live plants in fresh water tanks. The quality of water is in controlled by the water plants. Water plants also help by adding oxygen to the water. Broad-leaved aquatic plants are the best when it comes to water tanks with angelfish. The chemical composition of the water should be neutral or slightly acidic, which allows these plants to thrive, making perfect companions for the angelfish in the water tank.
Angelfish love flake food, though they will thrive with a variety of diets. They can survive on adult brine shrimp, black worms, and even mosquito larvae. You can also give them frozen packages of blood worms or brine shrimp, which are available at stores near you. You can also give them meat, provided you are sure that there is no fat in the serving. Angelfish should be fed a variety of foods that ensure their all-round growth.
The tank size for breeding a pair of angelfish ideally should be around 15 gallons. Once they breed and new family members arrive, you can gradually increase the size of the water tank. A larger tank would in fact ensure a feeling of security, since it ensures that parents aren't apt to eat their own young due to too small of a space.
If you are in the market for angelfish, you can choose from a variety of sub species. Take adequate care to ensure that you don't end up buying fish from a tank with dead fish or any fungus and parasite infestations. One can get extensive information on angelfish from online resources. A visit to your neighborhood aquarium could equip you with the required knowledge, as well.
Angels provides detailed information on Angels, Guardian Angels, Fallen Angels, Gentle Angels and more. Angels is affiliated with Italian Bracelet Charms.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Valentino
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Angel Fish Care – How To Keep Your Angel Fish In Top Condition
Angel fish (Pterophyllum) are possibly the most distinctive of the cichlid varieties. The most common variety is the Pterophyllum scalare that is silver with black stripes. It has the shape of a discus fish but has elaborate dorsal and anal fins and a long pointed tail that gives it a serene and majestic look as it glides around the tank, possibly like the movement of an angel no doubt. This article will discuss some simple Angel fish facts, like the ideal conditions for the fish and how to care for them.
Angel fish originate from the Amazon river region. This water can vary in quality as it gets closer to the sea and becomes more brackish. However, Angel fish are most suited to acidic water that is found on the flood plains. It is typically slow moving and dense in vegetation. The vegetation eventually rots and creates debris that produces humic acid. This tends to make the water quite acidic or soft. The typical Ph levels would be 5 – 6.5. Water temperatures are also high at around 26-30 degrees Celsius.
Having said this, Angel fish today are so popular that they are mainly bred in captivity and inter-bred. This has made them more flexible to types of water and they can adapt to harder water. It is best to ask about the ideal water conditions for the type of angel fish you buy from the store owner.
Angel fish prefer a habitat that has plenty of plant life and rocks. The plant life should have large surface area leaves as Angel fish like to spawn on plant leaves.
Angel fish are generally carnivorous in the wild. They tend to drift in the upper to surface levels of water picking off young fish and even insects that might settle on the surface. In an aquarium they will eat Angel fish flakes, bloodworm, shrimp and shrimp brine. Due to inter-breeding and eggs being removed from parents some angel fish will eat their young.
With this in mind, Angel fish are generally placid and will live with other fish but it is advisable that the fish are of a size that does not tempt the angel fish to eat them!
Angel Fish diseases are the same as most other cichlid illnesses. Most diseases are introduced by snails that come with plants. It is advisable to check any new plants for snails before putting them into the tank. Another cause of disease is from bad water quality that can lead to stressful fish that can cause illness.
Ich is the most common disease that may affect your fish. The symptoms are tiny white spots on the fish, around the gills and fins. The fish may also start to rub themselves against rocks or wood. Ich is caused by a parasite known as ichthyophthirius multifiliis, a ciliate protozoa. Medicine, in the form of drops, can be purchased to remedy this condition.
Angel Fish will complement any fish tank, they exhibit behaviors that make them fascinating to watch. The tank bred varieties are quite hardy and make it easier to care for them. Having said this you really need to know how to maintain a fish tank and monitor the water quality.
Starting a fish tank ? Find all the products you need at http://www.fishtank-supplies.com . The site has features on the importance of fish tank stands and why you need fish tank gravel . Adrian Whittle writes about keeping both fresh and saltwater fish.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adrian_Whittle
Angel fish originate from the Amazon river region. This water can vary in quality as it gets closer to the sea and becomes more brackish. However, Angel fish are most suited to acidic water that is found on the flood plains. It is typically slow moving and dense in vegetation. The vegetation eventually rots and creates debris that produces humic acid. This tends to make the water quite acidic or soft. The typical Ph levels would be 5 – 6.5. Water temperatures are also high at around 26-30 degrees Celsius.
Having said this, Angel fish today are so popular that they are mainly bred in captivity and inter-bred. This has made them more flexible to types of water and they can adapt to harder water. It is best to ask about the ideal water conditions for the type of angel fish you buy from the store owner.
Angel fish prefer a habitat that has plenty of plant life and rocks. The plant life should have large surface area leaves as Angel fish like to spawn on plant leaves.
Angel fish are generally carnivorous in the wild. They tend to drift in the upper to surface levels of water picking off young fish and even insects that might settle on the surface. In an aquarium they will eat Angel fish flakes, bloodworm, shrimp and shrimp brine. Due to inter-breeding and eggs being removed from parents some angel fish will eat their young.
With this in mind, Angel fish are generally placid and will live with other fish but it is advisable that the fish are of a size that does not tempt the angel fish to eat them!
Angel Fish diseases are the same as most other cichlid illnesses. Most diseases are introduced by snails that come with plants. It is advisable to check any new plants for snails before putting them into the tank. Another cause of disease is from bad water quality that can lead to stressful fish that can cause illness.
Ich is the most common disease that may affect your fish. The symptoms are tiny white spots on the fish, around the gills and fins. The fish may also start to rub themselves against rocks or wood. Ich is caused by a parasite known as ichthyophthirius multifiliis, a ciliate protozoa. Medicine, in the form of drops, can be purchased to remedy this condition.
Angel Fish will complement any fish tank, they exhibit behaviors that make them fascinating to watch. The tank bred varieties are quite hardy and make it easier to care for them. Having said this you really need to know how to maintain a fish tank and monitor the water quality.
Starting a fish tank ? Find all the products you need at http://www.fishtank-supplies.com . The site has features on the importance of fish tank stands and why you need fish tank gravel . Adrian Whittle writes about keeping both fresh and saltwater fish.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adrian_Whittle
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Add Angelfish to Your Fishtank! Useful Informations and Tips!
Angelfish is a member of the Cichlid family, Angelfish come in many varieties and colors. They can be a little bit fragile when they are young but as they grow older they can be quite hardy. You'll want to keep them in groups of six or more, however, as just two or three is not a good mix and you may find that the stronger one bullies the weaker fish, but if you keep them in large schools they should be fine.
Angelfish are beautiful and graceful - a great addition to any fish tank but you need to be careful that you don't put them in a tank that has fish that they will not get along with. Even though these fish seem peaceful and gentle, they can be mildly aggressive and might tend to eat your smaller fish!
You'll need a large aquarium for these fish, either 29 gallons or larger depending on how many fish total you want to keep. Make sure you have gravel that is at least 1/4" thick. You will have to keep the tank temperature between 70 and 82°F so be sure that you mix your angelfish with other fish that thrive in this temperature. Make sure your aquarium is at least 24 inches deep - the deeper the better and the deeper your fish tank, the larger your fish will grow. Some angel fish have been reported to grow as large as 12 inches.
Angelfish are not that difficult to feed and they don't really require any special food. You can give them the floating flake food that you find in any pet store and may be substituted in some freeze dried blood worms. If you want to give them a treat, try some brine shrimp or live black worms but be sure to select worms that are in good condition. Although the angelfish is mildly aggressive there are many other fish that can get along quite well in the tank with them. Large Tetras (not the tiny neons) and Silver Dollar fish get along great as do Swordtails Mollies and Platies. Avoid putting Guppies in with your Angelfish is the Angels do tend to eat them. Other fish that you can include in the tank include Gouramis, Clown Loaches, Bala Sharks and Giant Danios.
Although easy to care for and rather hardy, Angelfish can become victims to other fish that like to nip at their long fins. In addition to this they can be susceptible to a common fish tank disease called hole in the head disease which manifests itself as a sore on the fishes head and spreads alarmingly eventually killing the fish.
If you treat your angelfish right, don't overcrowd the tank, make sure you do regular maintenance, feed him properly and keep the tank at the right temperature your fish can live for 10 years!
Keep the fishtank at the right temperature and not overcrowd the tank. Angelfish are easy to maintain. If you maintain the tank properly and carefully, Angelfish can live upto 10 years.
Keep reading articles in this blog for more information and tips about breeding Angelfish.
Angelfish are beautiful and graceful - a great addition to any fish tank but you need to be careful that you don't put them in a tank that has fish that they will not get along with. Even though these fish seem peaceful and gentle, they can be mildly aggressive and might tend to eat your smaller fish!
You'll need a large aquarium for these fish, either 29 gallons or larger depending on how many fish total you want to keep. Make sure you have gravel that is at least 1/4" thick. You will have to keep the tank temperature between 70 and 82°F so be sure that you mix your angelfish with other fish that thrive in this temperature. Make sure your aquarium is at least 24 inches deep - the deeper the better and the deeper your fish tank, the larger your fish will grow. Some angel fish have been reported to grow as large as 12 inches.
Angelfish are not that difficult to feed and they don't really require any special food. You can give them the floating flake food that you find in any pet store and may be substituted in some freeze dried blood worms. If you want to give them a treat, try some brine shrimp or live black worms but be sure to select worms that are in good condition. Although the angelfish is mildly aggressive there are many other fish that can get along quite well in the tank with them. Large Tetras (not the tiny neons) and Silver Dollar fish get along great as do Swordtails Mollies and Platies. Avoid putting Guppies in with your Angelfish is the Angels do tend to eat them. Other fish that you can include in the tank include Gouramis, Clown Loaches, Bala Sharks and Giant Danios.
Although easy to care for and rather hardy, Angelfish can become victims to other fish that like to nip at their long fins. In addition to this they can be susceptible to a common fish tank disease called hole in the head disease which manifests itself as a sore on the fishes head and spreads alarmingly eventually killing the fish.
If you treat your angelfish right, don't overcrowd the tank, make sure you do regular maintenance, feed him properly and keep the tank at the right temperature your fish can live for 10 years!
Keep the fishtank at the right temperature and not overcrowd the tank. Angelfish are easy to maintain. If you maintain the tank properly and carefully, Angelfish can live upto 10 years.
Keep reading articles in this blog for more information and tips about breeding Angelfish.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Breeding Angelfish - An Art
Angelfish shoule be kept in a warm aquarium, ideally around 80°F (27°C). They will do best if fed a mixture of flake, frozen and live food. Overfeeding should be avoided. Angelfish will eat even when they do not need. This will lead to a bulidup of fats resulting in inactivity and early death. Angelfish will do best if kept in an acidic environment, pH should be below 7.5. Although most aquarium-bred angelfish can survive in a wide range of pHs, wild-caught angelfish will need water with a pH of at least 6.5. Even though angelfish are a member of the cichlid family they are generally peaceful, however; the general rule "big fish eat little fish" applies. Other aggressive fish should not be kept with angelfish because their flowing fins are vulnerable to fin nipping! Some smaller more aggressive fish may even nip at the fins of these fish.
Angelfish are relatively easy to breed in the aquarium, although one of the results of generations of inbreeding is that many breeds have almost completely lost their rearing instincts resulting in the tendency of the parents to eat their young. In addition, it is very difficult to accurately identify the gender of any individual until they are nearly ready to breed.
Angelfish pairs form long-term relationships where each individual will protect the other from threats and potential suitors. Upon the death or removal of one of the mated pair, some breeders have experienced a total refusal of the other mate to pair up with any other angelfish; others have had more success with subsequent mates. Both parents care for the young.
Depending upon aquarium conditions, P. scalare reaches sexual maturity at the age of six to twelve months or more. In situations where the eggs are removed from the aquarium immediately after spawning, the pair is capable of spawning every seven to ten days. Around the age of approximately three years, spawning frequency will decrease and eventually cease.
When the pair is ready to spawn, they will choose an appropriate medium upon which to lay the eggs and spend one to two days picking off detritus and algae from the surface. This medium may be a broad-leaf plant in the aquarium, a flat surface such as a piece of slate placed vertically in the aquarium, a length of pipe, or even the glass sides of the aquarium.
The female will deposit a line of eggs on the spawning substrate, followed by the male who will fertilize the eggs. This process will repeat itself until there are a total of 100 to up to 1200+ eggs, depending on the size and health of the female fish. The pair will take turns maintaining a high rate of water circulation around the eggs by swimming very close to the eggs and fanning the eggs with their pectoral fins. In a few days, the eggs hatch and the fry remain attached to the spawning substrate. During this period, the fry will not eat and will survive by consuming the remains of their yolk sacs. At one week, the fry will detach and become free-swimming. Successful parents will keep close watch on the eggs until they become free-swimming.
Angelfish are relatively easy to breed in the aquarium, although one of the results of generations of inbreeding is that many breeds have almost completely lost their rearing instincts resulting in the tendency of the parents to eat their young. In addition, it is very difficult to accurately identify the gender of any individual until they are nearly ready to breed.
Angelfish pairs form long-term relationships where each individual will protect the other from threats and potential suitors. Upon the death or removal of one of the mated pair, some breeders have experienced a total refusal of the other mate to pair up with any other angelfish; others have had more success with subsequent mates. Both parents care for the young.
Depending upon aquarium conditions, P. scalare reaches sexual maturity at the age of six to twelve months or more. In situations where the eggs are removed from the aquarium immediately after spawning, the pair is capable of spawning every seven to ten days. Around the age of approximately three years, spawning frequency will decrease and eventually cease.
When the pair is ready to spawn, they will choose an appropriate medium upon which to lay the eggs and spend one to two days picking off detritus and algae from the surface. This medium may be a broad-leaf plant in the aquarium, a flat surface such as a piece of slate placed vertically in the aquarium, a length of pipe, or even the glass sides of the aquarium.
The female will deposit a line of eggs on the spawning substrate, followed by the male who will fertilize the eggs. This process will repeat itself until there are a total of 100 to up to 1200+ eggs, depending on the size and health of the female fish. The pair will take turns maintaining a high rate of water circulation around the eggs by swimming very close to the eggs and fanning the eggs with their pectoral fins. In a few days, the eggs hatch and the fry remain attached to the spawning substrate. During this period, the fry will not eat and will survive by consuming the remains of their yolk sacs. At one week, the fry will detach and become free-swimming. Successful parents will keep close watch on the eggs until they become free-swimming.
Types of Angelfish - Different Strains
Domestic angelfish have been bred and crossbred for several decades. There are hundreds of mutations of little importance by themselves.
Silver
The most commonly pictured form, this is also referred to as "wild-type", this type of fish does not contain any dominant color genes and at most a single dose of any recessive genes. Has silver body with 4 vertical black stripes. The stripes will fade and darken with mood. (Under stress will fade, darkest when breeding).
Gold
One of the hardiest and most attractive strains. Some will develop an intense orange crown. Gold is a recessive trait, like blue eyes in humans
Zebra
A Silver with extra stripes. A very popular strain.
Black Lace/Zebra Lace
A Silver or Zebra with one copy of the Dark gene. This results in very attractive lacing in the fins. Considered by some to the most attractive of all angelfish varieties.
Smokey
A variety with a dark brownish grey back half and dark dorsal and anal fins.
Chocolate
Homozygous for Smokey with more of the dark pattern. Sometimes only the head is silver.
Halfblack
Silver with a black rear portion. Halfblack can express along with some other color genes, but not all. The pattern may not develop or express if the fish are in stressful conditions.
Sunset Blushing Veil Angelfish - P. scalareSunset Blushing
The Sunset Blushing has two doses of gold and two doses of Stripeless. The upper half of the fish exhibits orange on the good ones. The body is mostly white in color, fins are clear. The amount of orange showing on the fish can vary. On some the body is a pinkish or tangerine color. The term blushing comes from the clear gill plates found on juveniles. You can see the pinkish gill underneath.
Koi Angelfish - P. scalareKoi
The Koi has a double or single dose of Gold Marble with a double dose of Stripeless. They express a variable amount of orange that varies with stress levels. The black marbling varies from 5%-40% coverage.
Leopard
The leopard is a very popular fish when young, having spots over most of their body. Most of these spots grow closer together as an adult so it looks like a chocolate with dots on it. (Smokey x Zebra)
Blue Blushing
This is a wild-type angelfish that has two Stripeless genes. The body is actually grey with a bluish tint under the right light spectrum. An iridescent pigment develops as they age. This iridescence usually appears blue under most lighting.
Silver Gold Marble
A Silver angel with a single Gold Marble gene. This is a co-dominant expression of Silver and Gold Marble, so you see traits of both.
Ghost
A fish that is heterozygous for Stripeless. This results in a mostly silver fish with just a stripe through the eye and tail. Sometimes portions of the body stripes will express.
Gold Marble
A gold angel with black marbling. Depending on whether the Gold Marble is single or double dose, the marbling will range from 5% to 40% coverage.
Marble Angelfish - P. scalareMarble
Marble expresses with much more black pattern than Gold Marble does. The marbling varies from 50% to 95%.
Black Hybrid
Cross a black with a gold, and you get black hybrids. A very vigorous black, that may look brassy when young. Does not breed true.
Gold Pearlscale Angelfish - P. scalarePearlscale
Pearlscale is a scale mutation. The scale have a wrinkled, wavy look that reflect light to create a sparkling effect. Pearl develops slowly, starting at around 9 weeks of age. In can be inhibited by stressful conditions. It is recessive, requiring both parents to contain the allele. It looks best on light colored fish like Gold, Gold Marble, Albino, Silver and Zebra. It's difficult to see on dark fish and blushing angelfish.
Black Ghost
Same description as a Ghost, with a darker appearance due to the Dark gene. Very similar to a Black Lace without complete stripes. Ghosts generally have more iridescence than non-ghosts.
Albino
Albino removes dark pigments in most varieties. Some, like Albino Marble will still have a little black remaining on a percentage of the fish. The eye pupils are pink as in all albino animals. The surrounding iris can be red or yellow depending on the variety of Albino.
Silver
The most commonly pictured form, this is also referred to as "wild-type", this type of fish does not contain any dominant color genes and at most a single dose of any recessive genes. Has silver body with 4 vertical black stripes. The stripes will fade and darken with mood. (Under stress will fade, darkest when breeding).
Gold
One of the hardiest and most attractive strains. Some will develop an intense orange crown. Gold is a recessive trait, like blue eyes in humans
Zebra
A Silver with extra stripes. A very popular strain.
Black Lace/Zebra Lace
A Silver or Zebra with one copy of the Dark gene. This results in very attractive lacing in the fins. Considered by some to the most attractive of all angelfish varieties.
Smokey
A variety with a dark brownish grey back half and dark dorsal and anal fins.
Chocolate
Homozygous for Smokey with more of the dark pattern. Sometimes only the head is silver.
Halfblack
Silver with a black rear portion. Halfblack can express along with some other color genes, but not all. The pattern may not develop or express if the fish are in stressful conditions.
Sunset Blushing Veil Angelfish - P. scalareSunset Blushing
The Sunset Blushing has two doses of gold and two doses of Stripeless. The upper half of the fish exhibits orange on the good ones. The body is mostly white in color, fins are clear. The amount of orange showing on the fish can vary. On some the body is a pinkish or tangerine color. The term blushing comes from the clear gill plates found on juveniles. You can see the pinkish gill underneath.
Koi Angelfish - P. scalareKoi
The Koi has a double or single dose of Gold Marble with a double dose of Stripeless. They express a variable amount of orange that varies with stress levels. The black marbling varies from 5%-40% coverage.
Leopard
The leopard is a very popular fish when young, having spots over most of their body. Most of these spots grow closer together as an adult so it looks like a chocolate with dots on it. (Smokey x Zebra)
Blue Blushing
This is a wild-type angelfish that has two Stripeless genes. The body is actually grey with a bluish tint under the right light spectrum. An iridescent pigment develops as they age. This iridescence usually appears blue under most lighting.
Silver Gold Marble
A Silver angel with a single Gold Marble gene. This is a co-dominant expression of Silver and Gold Marble, so you see traits of both.
Ghost
A fish that is heterozygous for Stripeless. This results in a mostly silver fish with just a stripe through the eye and tail. Sometimes portions of the body stripes will express.
Gold Marble
A gold angel with black marbling. Depending on whether the Gold Marble is single or double dose, the marbling will range from 5% to 40% coverage.
Marble Angelfish - P. scalareMarble
Marble expresses with much more black pattern than Gold Marble does. The marbling varies from 50% to 95%.
Black Hybrid
Cross a black with a gold, and you get black hybrids. A very vigorous black, that may look brassy when young. Does not breed true.
Gold Pearlscale Angelfish - P. scalarePearlscale
Pearlscale is a scale mutation. The scale have a wrinkled, wavy look that reflect light to create a sparkling effect. Pearl develops slowly, starting at around 9 weeks of age. In can be inhibited by stressful conditions. It is recessive, requiring both parents to contain the allele. It looks best on light colored fish like Gold, Gold Marble, Albino, Silver and Zebra. It's difficult to see on dark fish and blushing angelfish.
Black Ghost
Same description as a Ghost, with a darker appearance due to the Dark gene. Very similar to a Black Lace without complete stripes. Ghosts generally have more iridescence than non-ghosts.
Albino
Albino removes dark pigments in most varieties. Some, like Albino Marble will still have a little black remaining on a percentage of the fish. The eye pupils are pink as in all albino animals. The surrounding iris can be red or yellow depending on the variety of Albino.
What is Angelfish
Angelfish is a small genus of freshwater fish from the family Cichlidae. Science name Pterophyllum. All Pterophyllum species originate from the Amazon River basin in tropical South America. The three species of Pterophyllum are unusually shaped for cichlids being greatly laterally compressed, with round bodies and elongated triangular-shaped dorsal and anal fins. This body shape allows them to hide among roots and plants, often on a vertical surface. Naturally occurring angelfish are frequently striped longitudinally, colouration which provides additional camouflage. Angelfish are ambush predators and prey on small fish and macroinvertebrates. All Pterophyllum species form monogamous pairs. Eggs are generally laid on a submerged log or a flattened leaf. As is the case for other cichlids, brood care is highly developed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)