Month: February 2019

How Much Are Terrapins To Buy

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Pre-planning:

Are you planning to buy terrapins as your pet? Think twice, and dont act whimsically, because looking after terrapins is not a cake walk! But in case you are determined to have these small and cute creatures, then some research work is very much needed.

A good knowledge about terrapin habit and habitat, their uniqueness, feeding pattern, mating ritual, hibernating etc. can help you to offer them a healthy life. It would not be wrong to mention here that terrapins are cold blooded reptiles and survive long in captivity (about 30 years), provided you take loving care.

Where to buy:

* A good pet store in the locality is a good option as their expert can demonstrate live how to handle your terrapin as well as can give you valuable tips.
* You can buy online too. Browse through the websites and select the best. But discuss with them so that collection can be done safely and conveniently. Make sure that you are not being cheated with any sick terrapin.
* Breeders know the best; Purchasing from them is another safe alternative to get healthy hatchlings. Ask him for some useful tips.
* Ask a good veterinarian for some guidelines.

Pick the right species:

Both hardy (European) and half-hardy (North-American) species can be chosen. Commonly kept terrapins are Red-eared sliders, Yellow-bellied Terrapin, Map terrapin, etc. You may look for the semi-aquatic breeds too.

Points to ponder:

The coin sized hatchling grows fast, so plan the size of your terrapinarium accordingly (3 x 1 x 1 for two baby terrapins). Water level should be moderate.

Water temperature needs to be maintained between 240 to 260C with the help of a thermostatic heater.

You would need an water filter, a siphon, and a net to keep the water clean.

A fluorescent lamp has to be fitted which can emit UV-A and UV-B light.

Construct an elevated basking area with white spot lamp, inside the tank.

Keep some small logs and pebbles inside the aquarium.

Their food should be a balanced combination of 50% fresh vegetables, 25% meat and 25% of commercial supplements

They should be heavy, healthy looking with clean and freely opening and closing mouth, bright eyes with no discharge, active with easily moving head and limbs. Avoid one with any crack or wound on the skin and the shell.

Good luck and be a proud owner!

Freshwater Tropical Fish Aquarium Hobbyists Add Blue Bee Shrimp

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How Freshwater Tropical Fish Aquarium Hobbyists Are Adding The Blue Bee Shrimp

According to wholesale tropical fish supplier Gary Smith, of East Coast Tranship, the Blue Bee shrimp is a species that is becoming quite popular with owners of small aquariums. The Blue Bee Shrimp is comparatively new to the shrimp hobby, having first been introduced around March 2008.

This shrimp can be many colors and is occasionally hard to get because it is caught in the wild and is just recently starting to be bred by hobbyists in significant numbers. The Blue Bee is a species found in freshwater streams in China. So far most all of the Blue Bee Shrimp obtained by hobbyists from the pet store trade are wild caught. However, since breeding has begun, captive bred specimens should not take long to hit the hobby shelves.

Breeding the Blue Bee Shrimp

Successful breeding has been reported in a pH range of 6.5 to 6.8 with a temperature of 74 Fahrenheit. These parameters are very similar to the factors required for the Crystal Red Shrimp or Bee Shrimp. Since this is a close relative of those two species, Gary recommends that the same care should be applied to the Blue Bee Shrimp.

Feeding the Blue Bee Shrimp

It is best to do feeding once per day. Only feed an amount of food that the shrimp can finish within 2-3 hours maximum. It is not good to feed in excess and have food sitting for too long. Overfeeding is a known cause of death and can also cause water quality issues. Because shrimp are scavengers in the wild, they will eat anything they can find and are not accustomed to a constant food source.

Most freshwater tropical shrimps are undemanding in their care requirements. They should be kept in a well-established aquarium with no predators. The most important factor for water parameter is stability and as long as none of the water parameters are in the extremes they should be happy and healthy.

Because of the shrimps non-aggressive manner and their algae-eating habits, they are also widely popular in natural/planted aquariums. If there is not enough algae present, foods intended for aquarium fish and invertebrates can be used as a supplement to their diet. Another fine supplement is vegetables that have been boiled just until they are soft.

There are a good number of other distinct and colorful species of shrimps that can bring interest to small aquariums such as the Black Crystal Shrimp, Red Cherry Shrimp and the White Spot Shrimp.