Archive for May, 2010

African Cichlids

The African cichlid is a fish, which is really a part of rather large loved ones of tropical fish called Cichlidae, which loved ones is further divided into two big groups – the New World cichlid group and also the African cichlid group.

The African cichlid species are also quite diverse and a lot more than 1500 in number; unfortunately, whenever you go to a fish shop, you’ll almost never see the fish correctly labeled and you will need to figure out the genus on your own in order to adopt the proper diet. According to their eating habits the fish of this family are vegetarian, predators or both – in general the smaller African cichlid species aren’t meat eaters; it ought to be noted that whilst some of these fish seek food at the bottom from the aquarium, other people will try to eat just about anything that floats.

The African cichlid species live in groups in the wild and in the aquarium alike; they’re very territorial and could be quite aggressive and when mixed with other fish, they will very often attack them, but they fight every other as well. You will find different views on how you can tone down the aggression inside your water tank and sometimes these views are contradictory – while some individuals believe that overcrowding the tank helps, other people think that bigger aquarium with a lot more rocks and plants is really a much much better environment.

Some varieties of African cichlid are mouth brooders; these are the species that come from three large African lakes – lake Malawi, lake Victoria and lake Tanganyika. The brooders are also divided into two groups: Ovophile and Larvophile – the Ovophile deposit the eggs in pockets, then the female takes them in her mouth, where they’re fertilized by the male. The Larvophile males fertilize the eggs whilst they are in the pits and after that the female requires the fertilized eggs in her mouth and also the female then holds the eggs from twenty to thirty days and during this incubation time period she doesn’t eat.

Obviously, this is just yet an additional characteristic from the African cichlid species, but this isn’t what makes them so popular amongst the fish lovers; they are valued mainly for their unique and stunning colors and their rather big size – some species can get as long as nine inches. They are also quite simple to take care of and they breed, feed and grow really easily in captivity; feeding them depends on the type from the fish, but the vegetarians respond well to readily-made meals or any combination of vegetarian rich food and greenies like lettuce and spinach. The meals ought to be introduced slowly and overfeeding should be avoided; if you wish to make the meals yourself, you can find plenty of African cichlid food recipes on the Internet and you won’t have to fly towards the other end from the Globe for special ingredients – make a blend of frozen peas, lettuce and broccoli for the veggie-lovers and shrimp, krill and blood worms for the protein-hungry and your fish will thrive and prosper.

May 28th, 2010  in General No Comments »

Fish Keeping

Freshwater fish are perhaps the easiest fish to care for in comparison to saltwater species because they are known to be hardier fish. A basic freshwaterfish tank set up will is needed . You will need a fish tank, some rocks or sand or gravel to line bottom of the tank. You will also need to have a filter, and some light. When choosing fish, it is imperative to ensure the fish are compatible . Not only do they need to be compatible for water temperature and P.H. , but they should also have like the same types of food . Preferably keep the fish relatively the same size. A well know saying is that if a fish is small enough to fit in anothers mouth, that is generally where it ends up. Sodon’tbedemoralizedif this occurs.Even fish that have been collectively intoduced for a period of time have been known to disappearon occasion. It is a good practice when fish keeping to keep a diary of effents so you know  everything that is going on in your fish tank

Feeding two times a day is important for freshwater fish. Feed only a small amount that can be consumed within the first two to five minutes. Feeding to much is a quite often made mistake among beginner fish keepers. Any excess food should be lifted from the tank with a net if possible, as it will become debris and rapidly dirty the tank. Your freshwater aquarium water should be tested and checked every week . Any discrepancies in P.H. and water temperature should be made good without delay in order to minimize stress caused to the fish. Stress is very important because it causes sickness in fish. It is imperative to keep a check on the activity and overall well being of the fish in an aquarium. The signs of stress will be fairly visible. Slow moving or lethargic looking fish will require a stress coat that can be purchased at a local pet storeor on line . Try to avoid overcrowding your tank. This should help to minimise the level of stress inflicted on the fish.

Change about a third of the water in the aquarium on a regular basis , because this type of change will cause the least amount of disturbance to the fish and other inhabitants. This will need to be done every a minimum of once a month . Use either a bucket or a siphon to remove the water from theaquarium . Try to remove as much loose or floating debris at this time. When adding the new water to the aquarium, make sure that it is within approximately two degrees of the tank water. The sides of the aquarium should be cleaned thoroughly, regularly to remove an algae build up. Again be careful not to disturb the fish. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling the aquarium. Lastly , check the manufacturer’s recommendation on filters and change them as required . Filters collect any fish waste or left over food. They will not work correctly unless they are clean.

How to Keep Fish when setting up an aquarium introduce hardy fish to a new tank choose hardy fish for a new tank. These fish ideal for aquariums, they can with stand higher nitrite levels that may well be present in a new aquarium. Choose freshwater aquarium fish such as danios, barbs, gouramis, and live bearers. Don’t add more than three to four small fish per week. Acclimation times vary per species , so check with your aquatic center before introducing any additional fish to your freshwater aquarium .

May 28th, 2010  in General No Comments »

Cichlid Tropical Fish Care

Keeping cichlid fish in your aquarium could be enjoyable because they’re unique, colorful and active in their environments. However many novice aquarists are having a hard time learning the best way to maintain these fish like the African cichlids and the American cichlids because these fish species come from an especially diverse family and cichlid tropical fish inhabit a multitude of various environments. The different cichlid species have developed in order to fit their very own particular niches and totally different cichlid species can therefore vary considerably when it comes to size, temperament, feeding habits, and preferred water quality. They are also recognized for being simple to breed.

If you’re caring for these distinctive tropical fish in your aquarium, one of the vital important things to remember is that African cichlids and American cichlids shouldn’t be kept in the same aquarium. So many fish owners and even pet stores make this mistake, and if this happened, the poor fish are barely surviving. They’ve completely different water requirements that’s why they can’t be combined together.

Another widespread mistake that even seasoned aquarist makes is that they don’t make regular water changes in their aquariums. No matter what species of tropical fish that you keep, regular water changes are literally the life-blood of all aquarium fish.

When caring for cichlid fish, another thing to consider is the size of your aquarium. Depending on the species, some cichlid tropical fish develop to about 8-9 inches that’s why you have to foresee their aquarium environment once they become full adults and reach their normal length. Also, do some thorough analysis concerning the cichlid fish you own or are about to purchase because different varieties of cichlids require different ph levels, feeding and breeding techniques, and totally different environments.

Keeping cichlid tropical fish could be extremely rewarding, particularly because caring for them is a continuous learning process for the owners.

May 28th, 2010  in General No Comments »

Ancient Egyptian Gods & Goddesses

Egypt Tours – Explore the Wonders of Ancient Egypt

In ancient Egypt religion played a central role in the lives of people. The inhabitants of the region had long worshiped natural objects such as animals, stones, trees, and mountains.

Over a period of time, a colorful pantheon of animal gods emerged as a reflection of the varied wildlife that once thrived in Egypt. Although these gods were initially represented in their natural forms, many were eventually depicted in human form, with only the heads retaining animal features. Amongst these animal deities were the lion-god Mahes, the hippopotamus-goddess Taurit, the crocodile-god Sebek, and the frog-goddess Heqit.

Ancient Egypt’s Gods were invisible to humans, but they were able to ascend to earth and inhabit statues or animals, and through these manifest their will to the priests, who then delivered the messages to ordinary people.

Ancient Egyptian Gods are represented as animals or humans, or half of each. The animal with which the god or goddess is identified often has some qualities that are connected with the divinity. Furthermore, they have different crowns to help characterize them.

Following is a list of some of the more crucial gods and goddesses in ancient Egyptian religion:

Amun
Amun is the principal ancient Egyptian god of Thebes; he became increasingly important during the New Kingdom, and was eventually elevated to the role of a tutelary divinity in various parts of Egypt. He is represented wearing a crown with two long plumes.

Anubis
Anubis is a male divinity with the head of a jackal; he presided over the funerary cult and was believed to have invented the technique of mummification. He accompanied the dead person to the hereafter and was therefore identified with Mercury during the Roman period.

Aten
Aten is the solar disc, and the source of life and heat. He is first mentioned as a divinity under Amenhotep III. However, it was during the rule of Amenhotep IV – Akhenaten – that his cult, primarily instituted to counter the authority of the priesthood of Amun, was precisely codified and started to become far-flung in Egypt. When Akhenaten died the worship of Aten was suppressed.

Atum
Atum was the primordial solar divinity and the patron of Heliopolis. He was symbolized by the setting sun and was represented as a man wearing a double crown to symbolize his rule over the whole of Egypt.

Hathor
Hathor was the incarnation of the quintessence of femininity, and was widely worshipped in many areas of Egypt. She is represented as a cow, or a woman with cow’s ears.

Horus
Horus was the son of Osiris and Isis. He is often represented as a falcon or a falcon-headed man. He was worshipped in various parts of Egypt and the reigning king was identified with this ancient Egypt god.

Isis
Isis was the wife of Osiris and the mother of Horus. She was widely worshipped throughout the Mediterranean in Roman times. During the pharaonic period she was portrayed as a woman with a throne or a solar disc and two cow’s horns on her head.

Maat
Maat was the ancient egypt goddess of justice and the young woman of Ra. She is shown as a woman wearing an ostrich feather on her head. She represents the principal of order, which inspires the king as he governs the ostrich feather. She also appears as a counterweight to the dead person’s heart on Anubis’s weighing scale when the dead are judged.

Nephthys
Nephthys was the sister and wife of Seth. She was involved with her sister Isis in seeking and remaking the dismembered body of Osiris. She is represented as a woman with her own name in hieroglyphs on her head.

Osiris
The ancient Egypt god Osiris was the brother and married man of Isis. He was born of the union between the sky goddess Nut and the earth god Geb. He became king of Egypt and was then killed by his brother Seth. He was worshipped as the king of the dead and represented as a mummy and with the Atef, a white crown with two ostrich plumes.

Ra
Ra was the sun god and was mainly worshipped at Heliopolis. He is shown as a man with the head of a falcon crowned with the solar discs.

Selqet
Selqet was a scorpion goddess, and the protector of the king and the boat of the sun since the remotest antiquity. She is shown as a woman with a scorpion on her head.

The gods were, in fact, believed to have originally been mortals, albeit ones who were extraordinary and extremely long-lived. Having died, it was the job of the temple priests to ensure that their spirit, known as the “ka”, was perpetuated.

Therefore, in temples that were often erected on the site where the god in question was thought to have been buried, the priests summoned the ka daily, using pictures or statues, and made vital offerings food and drink to ensure their eternal survival.

 

Five Thousand Years of History Waits!

Not everyone is a specialist on the historical sites in Egypt, but with our expert assistance you can be sure to see the best of Egypt’s museums, monuments, temples and historical locations. Travel to Egypt!

May 28th, 2010  in General No Comments »

Cichlid Tropical Fish

Cichlids are stated to be essentially the most interesting tropical fish that one may put in their aquariums-with the cichlid’s vivid colors and extremely unique look, these tropical fish are sure to make your aquarium come alive.

This household of tropical fish is exclusive to its diversity, for size, shape, swimming levels and even behavior. The body shapes of cichlids range from the disc-like Discus, to the lengthy and pointy Checkerboard. These tropical fish might be very colorful, though many fish in this family get very big-some species even as much as three feet long.

Some of the irritating issues about cichlid fish – though you can get them to breed without hassle is that they can be very, very territorial when spawning. Regardless of this, cichlids are extremely sociable fish and they are believed to be intelligent and this is what makes them rewarding to interact with.

There are quite a few forms of cichlid tropical fish. There are the Blue Texas cichlids, that are a very good species to begin as they are adaptable, the Convicts which grow to up to just four to five inches long and are very easy to breed, the Red Devils that are highly attractive for his or her brilliant colors, the African cichlids which have lovely patterns and colors, the aggressive Jaguars which are essentially the most exotic and the Slender Cichlids that are non-aggressive and best saved in pairs.

If you want to look after cichlid tropical fish in your aquarium, you have to have a lot of space as a result of as mentioned, they will develop huge and primarily as a result of they’re community fish. You must additionally learn concerning the type of cichlids you might be about to look after as a result of some species come from environments with uncommon water chemistry and can discover it arduous to survive in a neutral aquarium.

In conclusion, cichlid tropical fish are one of the most beautiful fish that may grace your home aquarium, and because they are active and show curiosity to their surroundings, they’re positive to charm you with plenty to watch.

May 28th, 2010  in General No Comments »

How to Choose Pet Fish Names for Your New Fish

Naming a new pet fish is a great opportunity to be imaginative and have a bit of fun!  Believe it or not , a fish that’s well cared for might live for between five to fifteen years, so you might as well put some thought into looking for the best name.

 The first step is to figure out your fish’s gender so that you know whether to look for male pet fish names or female pet fish names.  For some species, like bettas, their gender is somewhat obvious (the males are the more attractive ones ) but for other species such as goldfish, figuring out if your pet is a boy or girl is a little more involved .  Worst case scenario , you can always choose a non gender-specific name, like Bubbles, or take a wild guess at your fish’s sex (you have a fifty percent chance of being right)! 

Next consider your fish’s appearance.  What color is it?  Does it have prominent characteristics , large eyes or big fins?  If you have a Goldfish, you may want to consider one of countless great goldfish names such as Pumpkin, Sunshine or Garfield. 

If would like a name that’s a little more exotic or unique, pick one from a foreign language like Japanese, Greek, Native American or Spanish. 

Why not use your hobbies and interests for inspiration?  You can name your fish after books, movies or celebrities that you like or after famous fish in film and literature like Dory, Nemo, Moby and Jaws. 

You can also choose a name that references the ocean and marine life.   Triton, Neptune and Sinbad are names that legends are made of while Gill, Finn and Bait are fun , humorous names.

Speaking of humor, funny pet names for fish like Fancy Feast, Sushi and Bob are sure to bring a smile to your face or any one else who asks you your fish’s name.

My last Betta fish, Meow (a name inspired by my cat), lived to be four years old.  I just recently got a new one that I named Walter after one of my favorite authors.  Unfortunately, I’ve realized that I seem to end up calling all my pet fish “Fishy”.  Hopefully you’ll have better luck!

May 28th, 2010  in General No Comments »

The Choice Of Tropical Fishes For Your Tank

Collecting seafood gets a new pastime for many seafood fans. Just before anyone can easily  collect tropical fish being a interest, you ought to have knowledge in what type of fish being gathered as well as which kind of atmosphere they need to be inserted.

Here are some information regarding a number of  tropical fish along with determine on which kind of container as well as environment is actually suited for your own fish.

One particular typical sea food that one could found inside the tank for your fish may be the fish. Fish are often diggers. They generally disseminate the mud over the aquarium which usually damage some of the crops inside tank. It is preferable to feed you goldfish a lot of periods per day playing with small number. The usual necessary drinking water heat for them is around 62 to be able to seventy-five Fahrenheit. You ought not placed you goldfish in the tiny container. You need to pay for meals in which created specifically fish.

An additional seafood that may be common across the world may be the fish splendens as well as Siamese fighting fish. They are popular since they are utilised regarding sea food battling and then for putting in the fish tank. Betta splendens will be more suited in a warmer natural environment which requires drinking water heat for approximately 76 for you to 85 Fahrenheit. They will always be used in a new tank or even pond who have some facilities as well as in a pond-like atmosphere. It’s okay to combined betta into a other bass yet ensure certainly not combined all of them with a lot more aggressive seafood. Guy betta fish probably should not be also combined to a different men fish to counteract all of them battling.

Oscar is considered as the much wanted and ideal catch most  fish collector. That really huge, weighty and wise mineral water monster can determine its proprietor as well as generally accomplish the actual beautification of the company’s environment. A huge tank should be used to place this kind of good sea beast. Oscar’s shouldn’t be positioned along with some other smaller bass unless you want them to be consumed by this monster. They will be put in fish tank that has 77 to be able to 70 Fahrenheit regarding heat. Get acquainted with much more about taking good care of fish through clicking on http://www.TropicalFishFact.com.

May 28th, 2010  in General No Comments »

Discus Fish as a Hobby

 

The Discus fish is a large cichlid from the Amazon River, its tributaries and flood plains, in South America. Discus and its varieties were first described in 1840 by Dr. Heckel as Symphysodon discus, this name is used now for the Heckel discus variety. To begin with the only 3  color varieties were green, brown and blue, but now a much wider choice are available.

 

The discus is a social fish and forms large groups in their native waters, and has ahighly advanced social behaviour; they are one of the few real schooling cichlids. Be sure when Edit this text to care for discus; always begin with a number  of them. They need the social interaction to grow their character to itshighest potential.

 

Right now , it is difficult to find the original color variants in pet shops, only the Heckel is sometimes imported. Most of the discus fish you see today are captive bred color varieties. Some of the discus have lost their stripes and thereby their natural ability to communicate in the school. One of the bonuses of the captive bred discus is that they are now less difficult to maintain than the imported ones.

 

It is getting increasingly less difficult to keep Discus Aquarium Fish with the new technology improving water quality and Discus Fish health, which could be the cause of the rise in demand. The amount of new dealers and breeders is growing fast and even small aquatic shops are stocking a range of Discus. They are beautiful, but still remain a challenge to keep and breed, with the latter being very rewarding and will even cover costs for the hobby. Most people that keep Discus will eventually want to breed them as it is a great experience, though breeding Discus Fish can be challenging

 

Discus Fish are very shy fish and often hide when they are not confident so keep the tank away from noisy and busy areas especially near doorways and halls . The only other component to take into consideration is the height of the tank, the higher up the better as Discus are distracted by movement above and this may cause them undue tension .

Discus should be fed a mixed , vitamin and protein rich diet, and so it is important to use a few different types of food: Fish flakes provide a complete diet, though Discus prefer to take food deeper in the water, even at the bottom, so soak and squeeze out the flakes before introducing to the tank. Frozen brine shrimp, defrosted and rinsed, make an excellent supplement and the carotene helps enhance colors. Frozen irradiated bloodworms are a great daily addition, even if the flakes have some in already. Do not over feed, Discus fish are grazers, and will eat little by little , so allow them time.

 

Although not easy to keep, these beautiful fish are a very rewarding hobby, if you have the patience and time for them: The exquisite colors are a wonderful addition to any tank or aquarium.

 

May 28th, 2010  in General No Comments »

Freshwater Tropical Fish Aquarium – What You Need To Get Started

Freshwater fish tanks are more manageable than saltwater fish tanks. To brighten up your freshwater tropical fish aquarium, you can add some plant life to accompany the fish.

There is a wide selection of prices and choices for freshwater fish tanks. You will find many variable size freshwater fish tanks, starting as small as 10 gallons to as large as 60 gallons. If you choose a glass freshwater fish tank, take the necessary steps in proving enough space as they are heavier than ones of acrylic.

You will need to install pumps, a water filter, an inlet and outlet that all combine to create an optimal environment for the fish. Be certain that there is sufficient circulation of water in the fish tank. The reason for a filtration system in your tank is to keep the water balanced.  It is not necessary to clean the freshwater tropical fish aquarium very often, and you can always replace the old water with normal fresh water.

The choice of filtration system is an important one that has to be got right. There are three types of filtration system to choose from. They are mechanical, biological and chemical systems. To get rid of the particulate matter in your fish tank the mechanical systems will take care of this. Operating like biological filters.
It is critical that chemicals like ammonia are removed from your freshwater tropical fish aquarium.

You can decorate the freshwater tropical fish aquarium with plants to create a more natural environment, and one that is conducive to the fish. Plants also make the aquarium look more attractive. The types of plants to choose from include Java Fern, Amazon Sword, Argentine Sword and Umbrella Plant etc.

Assemble everything you need in your freshwater tropical fish aquarium and then check to see that everything is in proper working order.

To learn more about freshwater tropical fish aquarium visit fish aquariums for sale

May 28th, 2010  in General No Comments »

Understanding a Saltwater Aquarium Investment

Saltwater aquariums can be relatively easy to maintain on a consistent basis , but you need to keep everything under control and watch what is going on . Maintaining a saltwater aquarium will occupy your time on occasion . Maintaining a saltwater aquarium can also cost a lot of money depending on how elaborate your setup is.

This doesn’t mean that keeping a saltwater aquarium can’t be rewarding or very enjoyable . These facts aren’t meant to discourage you . Just understand your new undertaking so that you are better prepared to continue on with your aquarist hobby even after the initial thrill of stocking your aquarium .

Maintaining a saltwater aquarium will be quite a bit more expensive than setting up a similar size freshwater fish tank . There is really no way around this fact, especially when you compare similar sized setups. You will need to spend more money for fish and upkeep supplies. You may need to invest more money in filtration hardware. You will need to buy live rock and salt mix. These costs are solely regarding saltwater aquariums, just to give you a quick example.

Livestock for saltwater aquariums are a lot more spendy than livestock for freshwater aquariums. Visit any fish store and you’ll see that the difference is quite obvious. If your livestock die or if you get a disease or parasite in the tank , the fish loss could be costly compared to losing freshwater fish.

A saltwater aquarium will   also require additional upkeep . You will need to pre-mix saltwater when doing water changes and test salinity levels in addition to all the other standard water parameters.

May 28th, 2010  in General No Comments »