Compatibility Charts

Hello, and thank you for sticking around!

Last week, I mentioned that not all fish breeds are compatible with others. "But how do I know which ones are and aren't?" you may be asking. Fear not, for dedicated aquarium hobbyists have taken it upon themselves to make charts just for people like you!

Please feel free to post your comments and let me know if you have any questions about the charts below.

Chart 1 (Saltwater)

Chart 2 (Freshwater)

Note: Bettas are a bit of a strange case. While you should be able to house two female bettas in the same tank with few issues, the same is not true for males. Male bettas will kill each other.

That's all for this week! Stay tuned!

Compatibility in the Tank

Once the decision has been made to add a fish tank to the family, how do you know which fish to get? There are hundreds of species, after all, and certain ones are incompatible. How do you know you haven't just created a recipe for disaster when you put gourami in with your bettas?

Well, first of all, don’t buy any fish without doing some pre-planning and research to figure out which breeds the fish you're interested in are compatible with. Sometimes, you’ll see a fish that’s practically begging to come home with you. You fall victim to its lures without knowledge of what it is, what it feeds on, how large it will get or whether any special care is required, and, most importantly, how likely it is to tear the other fish you want to shreds (or vice versa). Buying fish on impulse is almost always a bad decision.

There are a few things to think about before adding a fish to your tank. For instance, species that require a specific environment may not do as well in a tank that is different from their natural habitat. However, fish that adapt easily in a wide range of conditions are more likely to thrive.

If you decide to introduce more than one species in a tank, you need to make sure that they are compatible. Most beginners keep a community aquarium with a large assortment of colorful fish. Usually, they originate from different parts of the world and thus have adapted to different conditions. According to experts, their behavior patterns and food preferences may also vary. That being said, if they are not compatible, there will be challenges.

Peaceful fish do not harass each other. Fish that are exposed to continuous bullying are so physically stressed out that they are prone to getting sick.

Get lost!

The condition of the water may also play a factor. One species may thrive in a hard, alkaline environment while a new fish introduced fares better in soft, acidic water. The species least compatible with the water chemistry may not do so well in the tank.

Experts also advise that behavior patterns play a significant role. Fast swimmers may disturb the slower ones. Aggressive species often eat up the food supply more quickly, leaving very little for their introverted tankmates. Additional food to make up for it may increase the amount of uneaten food in the water, reducing the water quality.

Some fish are also territorial, which may increase conflict even among the ones with peaceful dispositions. Territorial species can limit the amount of space for others, especially if there aren't enough hiding places.

Behavior differences can be very disruptive. Even when fish have peaceful dispositions, conflict over things such as food, territory, and, in some cases, fin-nipping may arise. Even if you're absolutely sure the breeds you picked out are compatible, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Next week I'll post compatibility charts. That’s it for this time!

References:

http://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/choosing-aquarium-fish.htm

http://tropicalfishandaquariums.com/Compatibility/index.php

http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/livestockcaretopicsindex/ss/fishcompatibilitychart.htm

Common Saltwater Fish Diseases

This week’s blog, we’ll look at a variety of common saltwater fish ailments, how to steer clear of them, treat them, and when possible, how to cure them. Some of the most common diseases in saltwater aquariums are Marine Velvet and Marine White Spot Disease. Pathogen epidemics often result in fish death if they aren't dealt with quickly. 

Marine fish can also give refuge to internal and external parasites in the wild. In nature, parasites rarely overwhelm the immune system and cause its demise. Parasites depend on the fish as a source of nutrient at times and it would be detrimental for the parasite to kill its host. Aqariumcommunity.com and the fishchannel.com provide great details on these diseases and other parasites that can be harmful to your swimmers. This is information from their websites:

Fish with Marine Velvet

Marine Velvet

Marine Velvet is cause by a saltwater parasite; Amylodinium. Amylodinium will typically attach the gills of the fish, but can also infect the skin. If you suspect that your fish has been infected with Marine Velvet, you can use a strong flashlight and light up the top of the fish when the rest of the room is darkened. If the gills and the sides of the fish that receives indirect lighting look velvet or as if dusted with gold, you should treat the fish for Amylodinium. 

Fish with Ich Disease

Marine White Spot (Ich)

Marine White Spot Disease is also known as marine Ich and marine Ick. The symptoms are very similar to those displayed by fish infected with freshwater Ich, but marine Ich is not caused by the same parasite a freshwater White Spot Disease (Ichthyophthirius). Marine White Spot Disease is caused by Cryptocaryon, a saltwater parasite. A marine fish that successfully combats an attack from Cryptocaryon can develop immunity that lasts up to 6 months.

Brooklynella

Brooklynella Hostilis

Brooklynella hostilis is a ciliated protozoan that lives in saltwater. An infected fish can become sluggish and will often take food into its mouth and spit it out. If Brooklynella hostilis colonizes the gills, the fish will experience breathing problems. Smear test from the gills is used to diagnose a Brooklynella hostilis infestation. You can also notice signs of Brooklynella hostilis on the skin of the fish. In the beginning, small areas will look faded and listless. As the infestation becomes more severe, these areas will grow and spread outwardly. The skin will become more and more damaged. Brooklynella hostilis is sometimes called "Clownfish Disease", but the parasite can infect a wide range of marine fish species.

Uronema Marinum

Uronema Marinum

Uronema marinum is a saltwater parasite that can grow rapidly in aquariums where the water quality is poor due to large amounts of organic matter. Be extra careful with the levels of nitrate and phosphate if you are having problems with Uronema marinum. The Yellow Tang is especially prone to Uronema marinum infestations, but the parasite is capable of infecting a wide range of fish species, including all the other Tangs. Seahorses can also suffer from Uronema marinum attacks. An infected fish will begin to scrub itself against rough surfaces in the aquarium. Sooner or later, it will become extremely exhausted and rise to the surface where it can gasp for air. Its colors will usually fade and the skin will eventually begin to die. The skin will look slimy, hemorrhagic lesions will manifest, and the eyes of the fish will usually turn clouded. If the Uronema marinum infestation progresses, the fish can become completely blind. Deaths are also common and recent research have shown that Uronema marinum do not only infect the skin and gills of the fish, but the kidney and brain as well.

Disease-related fish fatalities are the top reason for leaving the marine aquarium hobby. Taking good care and keeping informed will make the experience more rewarding.

A healthy Blue Tang Fish

Until next time!

References:

www.aquaticcommunity.com

www.fishchannel.com

Common Fresh Water Fish Diseases

Hey everyone!

Sorry I didn't post last week; I took some personal time off. I'm back this week with new information on common diseases fresh water fish may encounter in their tank environment.

One of the challenges of keeping an aquarium tank is that many diseases will make themselves at home in the aquatic environment.  There are hundreds of afflictions that can affect the health of your fish. The most common seen in are usually either bacterial or parasitic. Fungal infections sometimes occur, and occasionally physical afflictions.

It’s easy to involuntarily introduce fish diseases to the aquarium tank when buying new fish, plants and decorations. Bringing new living organisms into the aquarium is more risky than inserting a new piece of equipment. Luckily, most ailments are easily diagnosed and treated with success. Understanding how the home aquaria and its filtration systems work will help support aquatic life vital in preventing fish diseases. The basics of life support are the same whether you have a freshwater aquarium, saltwater aquarium, or a mini reef.

The most common fish diseases are White Spot Disease, Marine White Spot Disease, skin and/or gill flukes, Anchor Worms, Hole in the Head disease, Velvet, Marine Velvet, Fin Rot, TB (tuberculosis) and Dropsy. I’ll cover a few of the fresh water diseases in today’s blog. For more details on common fresh water diseases: symptoms, causes, and descriptions visit:

http://www.plantedtank.net/articles/Common-Freshwater-Fish-Diseases/13/

White Spot Disease

White spot disease, also known as ich or ick, is the distinguished by the white spots that develop on the body and/or fins of the fish. Heavy breathing can be another symptom. An infected fish will often scrub itself against a rough surface in the tank.

Gill Fluke

Skin and gill flukes are caused by parasitic flatworms. A healthy fish will usually withstand a small fluke attack, but a large infestation can be lethal since they can cause severe tissue damage and lesions.

Anchor Worms Near Fin

Anchor worms are thread-like worms that attach themselves to the head of the fish. They need to be treated with a remedy made special to kill anchor worms. Like ticks, never pull the worms using force since the head still stay attached to the fish and grow a new body.

Hole in the Head Disease 

Hole in the head disease is caused by “Hexamita,” a flagellated protozoan that is found in the gastrointestinal tracts of many fish species. Even healthy fish can carry these protozoa. If the water quality drops, or the fish is weakened by another problem, it can spread from the intestines via feces in the water and attack the outside of the fish. A small sore will form above the eyes of the fish and eventually grow into a large hole. Large fish species are more prone to hole in the head disease.

Knowing that these conditions exist is reason enough to make sure we take care of our fish friends to the best of our abilities. That's it for this time!

References:

http://www.plantedtank.net/articles/Common-Freshwater-Fish-Diseases/13/

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/disease/

http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/information/Diseases.htm