Fish are aquatic
animals and abundant in the sea and in fresh water, with species being
known from mountain streams. A typical fish is
exothermic; has a streamlined body that allows it to swim
rapidly. There are over 25,000 species of fish. Fish at large are
divided into three groups; bony, cartilaginous and jawless fish, the
size ranging from a 45 foot (whale shark) to an 8 mm long (dwarf gopi).
Four types of fish are kept in the home aquarium:-
Tropical fish
- These are live in either salt or freshwater but needs a warm
(tropical) temperature to live. Examples of such fishes are Danios,
Tetras, Guppies, Corydoras, Barbs, Angelfish, Gouramis, Male Bettas,
Oscars, Jewelfish etc.
Coldwater fish
- these fish can be salt or fresh water fish which needs colder water
temperatures. Salmonidae, Goldfish, Trout,
Weather loach, Phoxinus, Oncorhynchus, Salmon etc.
Freshwater fish - these fish
live in freshwater and are usually the fish that you would find in
inland rivers and streams of most continents. They can be as
colorful as marine fish and yet need less care.
Carp, Sturgeons, sunfish, buffalo fish,
whitefish, perch, brook trout, speckled trout, sucker etc
Marine fish - these are fish
that live in salty seawater. Most commonly, marine fishes need
tropical climate. There are around 1500 species of marine fish.
Some major fishes are Anthias, Batfish, Blennies, Butterfly
fish, Filefish, Hawk fish, Snappers, Sharks and Rays, Tangs and
Surgeonfish etc.
Caring of Fish: (1) The fishes usually die of overfeeding than of
starvation. So, DO NOT OVERFEED and feed only once a day.
(2) The fish excrete waste which easily dissolved in the water
and make it impure. Therefore, regular water change is
necessary, at least once a week.
(3) While changing the water, do not change all of the water in
one bowl. This is very stressful to the fish and can cause his
immune system weaker.
(4) The bowl or aquarium needs to be cleaned once a week, or
once after two weeks if it has filtration.
