It has been some time since I saw an aquarium of Mr Takashi Amano – Japanese aquarist famous for his Freshwater Aquascapes.
Amano’s Large Aquarium
July 23rd, 2010Anatomy of a Disaster
July 13th, 2010This was a case I encountered a week ago, The whole population died within the day. Nearly all the bodies floated to the surface. Those that did not were trapped in the structures scattered around the area. The bodies were decomposing some were even missing eyes or if they were there had become glazed like frosted glass. Mouths were agape freezing their expression at the time of death.
The environment was dark and slimey. The sand almost pitch black. And the algae seemed to have perished as well. The water attained the dark color of poison. It was not tea colored like that of the Amazon blue or even green. No it was poison darkness if there was a name for it. Imagine smoke from a car’s exhaust combining and becoming one with water. This was what the water had become.
Even without doing the necessary check. One could imagine the ammonium, nitrate and nitrate levels of this aquatic environment. It was beyond the level any organism could live in. The organisms – fish and invertebrates would leave if they could.
But they cannot even if they wanted to.
This was a closed-ecosystem. A closed aquatic microcosm. An aquarium.
What happened?
The filtration system that converted the waste substances into less toxic form broke down. The bacteria responsible for this action collapsed. And then the pollution level increased. Dissolved Oxygen was rapidly being used up.
Most likely the failure to change water contributed to this.
At the same time the automatic feeder kept on placing fish food to the system. Increasing the amount of waste from the digestion of the food and uneaten food.
The water became toxic and the fishes suffered and expired.
This was an ecological disaster. The Ecology could not cope with the population it supported and most important the microcosm was critically mismanaged.
Less fair Guppies have more virile sperm?
June 2nd, 2010Called the Million Fish the Guppy of Poecillia reticulata probably belongs to a group of fishes popular among aquarium keepers. It is called the Million Fish due to its ability to breed fast and frequently.
One of the more interesting things about this fish well fishes in general is the strategy they employ in sex: mating: reproducing. For fishes the most visible strategy is visual.
For examples in guppies – the male which is smaller than the female is the more colorful one. And it long been believed that the more ornamentation or more decorative the tail of the male is the better chances to attract the female. And from there engage in a mating dance that will culminate in the depositing of the sperm in the female.
From
The Video on Youtube
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Now a study has shown that in Guppies the more flamboyant the male the quality of its sperm goes down: the less attractive males have better sperms. The research was mentioned in the BBC and further studies made by Professor Jonathan Evans, who works at the Centre for Evolutionary Biology at the University of Western Australia, can be seen here.
Evans said that his findings supported the “sperm competition theory”, which says that:
… females mate with several males and the quality and swimming speed of the sperm determine which male fathers the offspring (SOURCE)
Apparently Guppies have two ways of mating: First, the one most aquarium keepers are familiar with is through courtship display: ie using and flashing their ornamental/beautiful fins; and Second, the non-con sexual or sneak mating aka Wang Bang Thank You Ma’am.
And it is a suggested that based on this study there is a trade-off between the more handsome males and the more homely males in terms of sperm or ejaculates during competition.
So looks is not truly everything.
Why Keep An Aquarium?
June 2nd, 2010I have a confession to make. My first fish died. They were Marbled Angelfshes – Pterohyllum scalare. Actually they were more black than marbled. A pair, And they were in what I learned was a twenty gallon tank. A complete set bought at Bio-Research Ali Mall Complete with an undegravel filter, sand, a NSBI air pump and lights. Plus a castle.
The angelfishes died two weeks later. From overfeeding with Tetra flakes, In my over-zealousness to feed the Angelfishes they died, The uneaten food ha fouled the water and killed the fishes,
A week later I had three pairs of Tiger Barbs – Barbus tetrazona. They lived longer although by the year’s end there was probably one Tiger Barb left. This was my first aquarium,
So why keep an aquarium?
Why did I keep an aquarium?
Why do I still keep an aquarium?
Well … for several reasons:
First, As pastime and hobby it keeps your mind occupied otherwise it would be filled with thoughts that are stressful and worrisome,
Second, Watching an aquarium or even a pond can calm the mind. An aquarium properly maintained and designed can induce the viewer in a trance than can be called zen-like and therapeutic. Studies have shown that watching a well-balanced and well-maintained aquarium can de-stress.
Third, Watching an aquarium can enable one to learn. One, Learn from the interaction between the fishes, the organisms and the interaction. Two, One learn to appreciate the delicate balance of nature and environments – an aquarium is a small world : a microcosm. Three, A properly maintained aquarium can teach the individual how to take care of one’s surrounding – Nature.
Fourth, A properly maintained and well-balanced aquarium can teach its keeper about responsibility. And the responsibility to its existence. The success no the survival the aquarium is one hundred percent and one dependent on its keeper. Only the aquarium keeper can make sure that the fish fit the aquarium; the fish is well fed and at the same time the aquarium water is in ideal condition for the fish to thrive, flourish and multiply.
And these are the four reasons and conditions in keeping an aquarium.
So we come to the purpose of this blog is to provide and learn about the proper way of keeping aquariums and ponds. So that:
One, Can save time and money.
Two, Not be stressed.
Three, Enjoy the benefits that this pastime gives.
Fourth, To be a responsible aquarium keeper and save Nature.