Bichirs Have a Number of Other Primitive Characteristics

The bichirs and reedfish (also called ropefish) comprise the Polypteridae, a family of archaic-looking ray-finned fishes and the sole family in the order Polypteriformes. All species occur in freshwater habitats in tropical Africa and the Nile River system, mainly swampy, shallow floodplains and estuaries. Bichirs are considered the sister group to all other extant ray-finned fishes.

Bichirs are elongated fish with a unique series of dorsal finlets which vary in number from 7 to 18, instead of a single dorsal fin. Each of the dorsal finlets has bifid (double-edged) tips, and are the only fins with spines; the rest of the fins are composed of soft rays. The body is covered in thick, bonelike, and trapezoidal (ganoid) scales. Their jaw structure more closely resembles that of the tetrapods than that of the teleost fishes. Bichirs have a number of other primitive characteristics, including fleshy pectoral fins superficially similar to those of lobe-finned fishes. They also have a pair of slit-like spiracles used to exhale air, two gular plates, and paired ventral lungs (the left lung shorter than the right). Four pairs of gill arches are present.

Bichirs have a maximum body length of 97 cm (38 in). Bichirs are nocturnal and feed on small vertebrates, crustaceans, and insects. Bichirs are popular subjects of public and large hobby aquaria. They are sometimes called dragon bichir or dragon fin in pet shops for a more appealing name due to their dragon-like appearance. Though predatory, they are otherwise peaceful and relatively inactive, preferring to lie on the bottom, and make good tankmates with other species large enough not to be prey. Bichirs in captivity have life expectancies up to 10 years.

Oscar Eat Fruit in the Wild

Astronotus ocellatus is a species of fish from the cichlid family known under a variety of common names, including oscar, tiger oscar, velvet cichlid, and marble cichlid. In South America, where the species naturally resides, A. ocellatus (oscar) specimens are often found for sale as a food fish in the local markets. The fish has been introduced to other areas, including China, Australia, and the United States. It is considered a popular aquarium fish in the U.S.

A. ocellatus (oscar) examples have been reported to grow to about 45 cm (18 in) in length and 1.6 kilograms (3.5 lb) in weight.  The wild-caught forms of the species are typically darkly coloured with yellow-ringed spots or ocelli on the caudal peduncle and on the dorsal fin. These ocelli have been suggested to function to limit fin-nipping by piranha (Serrasalmus spp.), which co-occur with A. ocellatus in its natural environment. The species is also able to rapidly alter its colouration, a trait which facilitates ritualised territorial and combat behaviours amongst conspecifics.  Juvenile oscars have a different colouration from adults, and are striped with white and orange wavy bands and have spotted heads.

In the aquarium hobby oscars may be fed prepared fish food designed for large carnivorous fish: crayfish, worms, and insects (such as flies, crickets and grasshoppers). Feeding live foods may increase the rate of growth but also may cause endoparasites. Poultry and/or mammalian flesh, including beefheart, should not be fed long term as these fatty foods will contribute to fatty liver disease. Since these fish eat fruit in the wild, items such as melons, oranges, and other fruits can also be used as a type of food. Just about anything that falls into the water would be eaten by oscars. Live feeder fish can be given, but fish such as goldfish and rosy red feeder minnows should not be fed. These contain an enzyme (thiaminase) within their flesh which binds vitamin B₁, leading to deficiency.

Cichlids are Primarily Herbivores

Cichlids span a wide range of body sizes, from species as small as 2.5 cm (0.98 in) in length to much larger species approaching 1 m (3.3 ft) in length. As a group, cichlids exhibit a similar diversity of body shapes, ranging from strongly laterally compressed species to species that are cylindrical and highly elongated. Generally, however, cichlids tend to be of medium size, ovate in shape, and slightly laterally compressed, and generally similar to the North American sunfishes in morphology, behavior, and ecology.

Cichlids are particularly well known for having evolved rapidly into a large number of closely related but morphologically diverse species within large lakes, particularly Tanganyika, Victoria, Malawi, and Edward. Their diversity in the African Great Lakes is important for the study of speciation in evolution. Many cichlids introduced into waters outside of their natural range have become nuisances, such as tilapia in the southern United States.

Many cichlids are primarily herbivores, feeding on algae (e.g. Petrochromis) and plants (e.g. Etroplus suratensis). Small animals, particularly invertebrates, are only a minor part of their diets.

Other cichlids are detritivores and eat organic material, called Aufwuchs; among these species are the tilapiines of the genera Oreochromis, Sarotherodon, and Tilapia.

Other cichlids are predatory and eat little or no plant matter. These include generalists that catch a variety of small animals, including other fishes and insect larvae (e.g. Pterophyllum), as well as variety of specialists. Trematocranus is a specialized snail-eater, while Pungu maclareni feeds on sponges. A number of cichlids feed on other fish, either entirely or in part. Crenicichla species are stealth-predators that lunge from concealment at passing small fish, while Rhamphochromis species are open-water pursuit predators that chase down their prey. Paedophagous cichlids such as the Caprichromis species eat other species' eggs or young, in some cases ramming the heads of mouthbrooding species to force them to disgorge their young. Among the more unusual feeding strategies are those of Corematodus, Docimodus evelynae, Plecodus, Perissodus, and Genyochromis spp., which feed on scales and fins of other fishes, a behavior known as lepidophagy, along with the death-mimicking behaviour of Nimbochromis and Parachromis species, which lay motionless, luring small fish to their side prior to ambush.

This variety of feeding styles has helped cichlids to inhabit similarly varied habitats. Its pharyngeal teeth (teeth in the throat) afford cichlids so many "niche" feeding strategies, because the jaws pick and hold food, while the pharyngeal teeth crush the prey.

Turtles are reptiles

Turtles are reptiles. there are turtles that eat plants (herbivores), eat meat (carnivores) or mixed (omnivore).
Turtles do not have teeth, but the mouth of the bones in the snout could cut whatever he eats.
Female turtles will lay eggs, the female turtle is bigger than the male.
Pet turtle is easy to care. in a pond or aquarium turtle can live more than 5 years.

Egeria densa

Egeria densa is one ornamental plants in the aquarium. Originating from South America, Egeria densa cylindrical rod, can be branched or not. The roots can grow from both ends of the rod. Long leaves about 1 - 2.5 cm, with a width of up to 4 mm. The leaves grow along the stem, forming a circle around the stem.
Egeria densa can adapt to environmental conditions and levels of nutrients, especially phosphorus. Egeria densa requires low light intensity and did not like the high light intensity. High water temperatures (> 33 ° C) and high light intensity can cause biological aging (senescence).

Artificial Gravel

Artificial gravel usually made of colored cement that shaped or molded.
Before being put in the aquarium, an artificial gravel should first be soaked in water for 24 hours to eliminate odors, grease or dirt that could interfere to fish.
Use of artificial gravel with base material is colored, do not use artificial gravel in the given color as the paint.
Color and shape of artificial gravel is more diverse than the natural gravel as sand, colors of artificial gravel can be customized with the color of fish and artificial gravel size can be adjusted to the size of the aquarium.
We recommend using gravel with varying sizes in the aquarium to allow more space between the gravel that can withstand dirt without holding water circulation.

Gravel for Aquarium

Sand or gravel is the main component in the aquarium.
Gravel build an aquarium looks beautiful and gives an impression of nature.
Gravel also serves to keep the water clean, as it can keep the dirt to remain under the gravel. Gravel also serves as a place to play and hide the fish.
There are many kinds of shapes, sizes and colors of gravel that can be used. There are natural and artificial gravel,
Artificial gravel must first be soaked in water for 24 hours before going into the aquarium.
We recommend using gravel with varying sizes in the aquarium to allow more space between the gravel that can withstand dirt without holding water circulation.

FISH FEEDING

Fish should be fed once a day, do not give too much food because excess food can contaminate water quality and fish become unhealthy.

Should be about 3/4 of food given directly consumed by fish, and there is 1/4 the rest of the food is not eat will sink to the bottom of the aquarium.
Fish can be given many type of food that commercially sold (pellets, granular, flake food), it is better to  changing the food type from pellets to granular or flake after a month.
Sometimes fish should also be given a natural foods like live worms, maggots or insect larvae.

Guppy

Guppy fish are very popular fish for aquariums. Guppy fish is very easy to adapt to the environment so it is easy to maintain.
Male guppy size 1.5 to 2 cm long, the female guppy 2 to 3 cm. Guppy fish can be bred in the aquarium. Guppy fish can be fed all kinds of commercial fish food. Guppy fish can survive for 2 years in the aquarium.
Guppy fish tend to swim all parts of the aquarium.
Guppy fish are not aggressive so that it can be combined with other fish species.

ACRYLIC OR GLASS MINI AQUARIUM

Aquarium can be made of glass or acrylic. Acrylic aquarium is not easily broken, lighter, shape varies but acrylic surface is more easily scratched and visually not as good as the glass aquarium.

Mini aquarium with a water volume of 2 to 3 liters does not require the glass / acrylic that very thick, enough with the size of 2 to 3 mm. The thickness of the glass does not affect the visual, the thicker acrylic will reduce visually.

Aquarium of glass more visible than the acrylic aquarium.

TYPES OF FISH FOR MINI AQUARIUM

Minimalist design of the fish tank, is a trend for enhance your home decor. In addition, the design of the mini fish tank does not require large area is an option which is quite affordable in decorating the house. So it can save costs and space to be used to make the fish tank.

Types of fish that is suitable for a mini aquarium small fish with a size of 0.5 to 2 inches like gold fish, beta fish, platy, tiger sumateras, leleupi. With the amount of fish that is not too much so that the water is not dirty quickly, max 4 fish. The use of other ornaments are also adjusted to the size of the tank so as not to interfere with the movement of fish.

TIGER SUMATERAS SMALL FISH TANK

Acrylic fish tank, volume 1.8 L, silica sand, air pump, Tiger sumateras fish.
Tiger Sumatera fish is a species of tropical fish, the native fish from a river in Indonesia and Malaysia. Tigers sumatera tolerate a wide range of water conditions, although actually more excited at moderate temperature conditions as generally fish from the tropics, three inches in length, with four black stripes running down their body Tiger sumatera fish has a color like tiger. Kept in groups of 6 or more, they may become aggressive if kept in too small a group,

This type of fish is quite easy to maintain in the aquarium and can live for 2 to 3 years in the fish tank. Sumatran Tiger tend to swim with a calm and relaxed at the bottom of the fish tank.

REPLACE WATER IN THE FISH TANK

Fish produce waste when they breathe and eat, keep the fish tank healthy, it should replace about 20 to 30 percent of the water in the fish tank every one week. If the water was too dirty or when changing the decor reserving 20 percent of the water on fish tank and fill 80 percent new water into the fish tank

Water pump can be used to help the circulation of water and air in the aquarium so that the water from the bottom of the aquarium can move to the surface of the aquarium, because the water in the upper part contains more oxygen which absorbed from the air.

FISH BOTTLE

Lemonade bottles suitable to be used as an aquarium for small fish like Platy and Tiger sumateras.

Fish tank decoration of bottles is unique because it is easily modified and combined with other materials.

Bottle is 20 cm high with a volume of 1 liter and has a thin clear glass plain making it suitable for decoration given as gravel or sand.

Other types of bottles that have similar characteristics such as syrup bottles or ketchup bottles can also be used as a raw material for making fish tank but not as good as lemonade bottles.

This lemonade aquarium has many differences from other aquariums, because unique bottle shape.

Manufacture is not consuming great cost, very easy to move anywhere even be put on the table in lieu of flowers as table decorations are common.

MINI FISH TANK VIEW FROM ABOVE

In designing the mini fish tank should do first saw the mini fish tank from the top position.
By looking at the fish tank can be estimated from above the space for the fish, the fish population ratio, and color combinations that suit the fish with the other components in the aquarium.
Viewing from the top of the fish tank will help plan the type, color and position of other ornaments that will be used in order to form a good system in the aquarium.

PLATY SIMPLE FISH TANK

Platy is a beautiful fish that is easy to care because it is not difficult to find the food, platy fish can be fed pellets, flakes and other natural foods. Platy fish are eating everything (Omnivore). Platy fish is fairly active and not aggressive to other fish species. How to differentiate male and female platy fish is by looking gonopodium, which stands out is that no prominent female while males. Platy adult sized 2 to 2.5 inches, and can live for 1 to 3 years at fish tank. Platy breed by laying eggs and can spawn in a mini fish tank.

LELEUPI AQUARIUM MINI FISH TANK

Leleupi is relatively simple to keep.

Leleupi males can attain a length of 4 inches whereas the females smaller at about 3 inches. Leleupi can survive for 2 to 4 years in the aquarium.

Leleupi will accept most commercial
foods, leleupi can be fed a varied diet for good colours.

Leleupi is a fish with beautiful colors and fast moving and active so it is suitable to be maintained in the aquarium, although sometimes is a little aggressive with other types of fish that need to be considered for leleupi mixing with other fish species.

WATER FLOW IN THE AQUARIUM

To maintain the condition of the fish to stay healthy and active, there must be water flow in the aquarium.
Water flow in the aquarium can be done by installing a filter or air pump in the fishtank.
It should be noted that the movement of the water flow is not too large or fast so that the fish are not stressed or ill.
The movement of water flow also helps the circulation of water in the fish tank.

FISH SWIMMING LEVEL DIFFERENT

Choosing the type of fish for the aquarium will consider several factors one of which is the level of fish swimming in the aquarium.
Different type of fish has a certain level of swimming in the aquarium, there is a type of fish that tend to swim at the top, middle, bottom or all parts of the aquarium.

Tiger sumateras fish usually tend to swim at the bottom of the tank, and the fish of the type leleupi usually will swim in all parts of the aquarium.

By understanding the different levels of fish swim will help choose fish for the aquarium to look at the balance in the aquarium.

FISH CHARACTER

An aquarium will look beautiful with a combination of different types of colorful fish.
In choosing fish to fill the aquarium, consider the character of the fish.
There is a quiet fish and there is also an aggressive fish, there are fish to be quiet when in the group but so aggressive when alone.
choose a suitable combination of different fish species into a fish tank and avoid one species becoming aggressive towards other fish.
Avoid fish from stress and create peace in the aquarium that good to look at.