South American

Suggestions on Blood Parrot Cichlid Care and Breeding

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Nor do they have a purely natural habitat. Why, you may possibly ask? Blood parrots are a man-produced hybrid. They are, in simple fact, a single of the only two fish species discovered inside the Exotic-Aquariums Fish Care and Breeding Manual entirely of guy-made origins. While their parental lineage was under no circumstances documented and stays shrouded in mystery, the blood parrot was initial created in Taiwanaround 1986. Prevalent speculation factors to the following cichlid species as the possible candidates of parental origins; the redhead cichlid (Cichlasoma synspilum) and the Midas cichlid (Amphilophus citrinellus) or a coupling involving the red devil cichlid (Amphilophus labiatus) and the severum (Heros severus). Despite the actuality that all of the aforementioned species are native to both Central or South America, the blood parrot is regarded an Asian cichlid considering that of the geographical site of its hybridization.

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Regardless of stage of origin or parental ancestry, blood parrot cichlids have stirred up pretty much as very much controversy as their guy-developed counterparts, the glofish. Not like the glofish, blood parrots are a merchandise of selective breeding instead than genetic manipulation. Perhaps the most physically detrimental deformity relates to the hybrid’s narrow, beak-like mouth. Its vertical mouth opening tends to make it difficult for the fish to feed and leaves it vulnerable to doable starvation. To add additionally fuel to the controversy, countless breeders inject the fish with colored dyes to enhance the intensity and diversity of its colour palette and increase its general marketability advertising them below the trade title Bubblegum Parrot. The dying of fish for industrial resale is detrimental to the fish’s well-being and often shortens their life expectancy. Sensible Fishkeeping has been instrumental in exposing these practices to the general public. As a result lots of fish shops and on the internet retailers no longer stock the modified variations of these fish.

Despite the fact that blood parrots had been a solution of the 80s they had been not extensively out there in pet stores right up until 2000. Numerous avid fish enthusiasts had been opposed to the sale of these creatures on ethical grounds due to the inherent deformities resulting sort their development. Fish merchants who stocked these hybrids had been even boycotted. Some shop proprietors purely cannot pay for not to carry this inventory for the reason that of the large selling price tag they fetch. Ethical ideas and genetic deformities aside, blood parrots often reside to 10 years and have been reported to reside as extended as 15 many years of age.

If you are not ethically opposed to possessing a blood parrot then you must be aware that this is 1 of the bigger cichlids. Blood parrots often develop eight-ten inches in duration. A single fish will necessitate a minimal aquarium dimension of 50 gallons. Care should really be exercised when selecting their tank mates. Blood parrots will need to not be housed with large aggressive fish. They will need to not be forced to compete for meals or turf in a group setting. Angelfish, catfish, danios and bigger wide range tetras make suited tank mates.

Blood parrots should really be offered with ample area and enough hiding places so that they can create their personal territorial boundaries. Drift wood, rock do the job and greater aquarium dcor are wonderful opportunities. Deciding on a smaller, less program substrate is advisable. These fish tend to perform greatest below subdued lights. This is attributed to iris irregularities inherent in their breeding.

South American cichlids desire gentle h2o environments with a ph stability all-around six.8. H2o temperature must be maintained amongst 78-86 F. Reduce temperature ranges could end result in a loss of coloration.

The blood parrot is an omnivorous cichlid. They are much more adept at consuming sinking instead than floating meals offerings. Standard foods fare can be supplemented with bloodworms and brine shrimp. These fish are voracious eaters. They are acknowledged for generating a huge sum of uneaten foods debris in a brief time period of time. A very good filtration procedure combined with regular h2o alterations and substrate servicing is a will have to to preserve nitrate levels in verify.

Breeding Blood Parrot Cichlids

Though Parrots have been recognized to mate and even lay eggs, commonly they are infertile. Male blood parrots are commonly infertile. There have been sporatic situations of productive spawnings, typically when they have been crossed with a non-hybrid fish.. In commercial breeding, males are injected with hormones to boost fertility rates. Like other cichlids, Blood Parrots will tend the eggs and resulting fry fastidiously. As with any eggs, individuals that are infertile will turn white and quickly fungus. New child brine shrimp are the optimum foods during the first few of weeks. Typically pet outlets will carry frozen child brine shrimp, which can also be employed. As they fry grow, they can be weaned to finely crushed flake foods.

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Some Well Known Freshwater Aquarium Fishes

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When you start planning to set up an aquarium at your home the first thing that you should plan about is the type of the aquarium you would like, whether an attractive and peaceful aquarium or a hectic boxer ring.

There are many processes in selecting the right fish for your home that would also suit your aquarium the best. Taking good care of the fish is also equally important as that of getting a healthy one for you. And another important thing is that they should also be well-suited with the other fishes in the aquarium.

So when you set in to select a fish for your aquarium you get a number of choices to choose one from it. The fishes come in different colors shapes, sizes and also with unique qualities. So this doesnt mean that these are the only important things that you should concentrate while selecting the fish for your aquarium. There are also many other factors such as their life period, food they take, the environment they need, etc. So before you select be sure that you get to all these details about the fish.

Here are some basic types of fresh water fish that you can opt for your fresh water aquarium.

Gold fish

The gold fishes are one of the stunning fishes that anybody could have it for their aquarium. The most attractive facts about the gold fish is that they come in different colors and sizes and also have an unique charm in attracting all the people around them.

Angelfish

The angelfishes are the beautiful South American fishes that are commonly seen at the rivers of Amazon, Orinoco and Essequibo. Their unique feature is their structure. They mostly come in round shape and have laterally pressed body with the differently attached fins. They are also good at playing in the water and they often hide behind the roots and plants in their habitat.

Neon Tetra

This is another type of fish that can be often found in the home aquariums. People mostly opt for it because they give an awesome sight to see in the fish tank when they move in groups from one side to another.

Guppies

This fish is commonly being preferred by the pet shop owners to the newbies in growing the fish. This is because these fishes are said to withstand any water conditions or the temperature variations. At the same time they also look colorful and attractive to the audience.

Swordtail

These fishes are also similar to the guppies where it is very easy to take care of. They are mostly in bright red color with about 4 inches in length and look like an elongated sword and also give a visual treat to watch them moving in water.

Platies

These platies also resemble the swordtail in most of their characters and also come in various different colors and they are also well known for their great characteristic of living in groups.

Freshwater Tropical Fish Wholesale Supplier – Aquarium Advice

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East Coast Tranship makes the following information available to pet store trade and consumers to help you give your fish friends a better home to live! For more information, call us at (301) 782-1025 or visit the links at the bottom of this article.

East Coast Tranship, Inc. is a freshwater tropical fish wholesale supplier that sells to the pet store trade only. We are a direct importer which means you save 50 to 70% over wholesale prices.

Very small delicate fish get lost, or are often eaten by larger fish in a normal sized aquarium (30-125 gallons.) But, in a small 5-10 gallon tank, sitting on an office desk, there really are a large variety of small freshwater tropical fish and invertebrates that can be added to make a display that’s every bit as interesting and aesthetic as a big tank.

Here are some interesting freshwater tropical fish wholesale additions for the smaller tanks. Most do well in a planted tank.

Fork Tail Rainbows – Popondichthys furcata (Indonesia code 4764) average 1″

Fork Tail Rainbow

The rainbowfish found in river systems east of the Great Dividing Range of Queensland Australia are schooling and do not do well or show off their best colors if kept singly. Your freshwater tropical fish wholesale tank should include at least six individuals from the species.

The tank can be well planted along the back and sides, but leave plenty of open area as these fish are lively swimmers and require lots of swimming room. Use drift wood and bog roots only sparingly as they tend to acidify the water. A good plant to use is the java moss as it is native to the region and can also serve as a spawning medium.

Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid – Apistogramma cacatuoides (Indonesia code 4003) Average 1-1.25″

Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid

Apistogramma cacatuoides is a species of South American cichlid fish usually known under the common name cockatoo dwarf cichlid. The cockatoo dwarf is one of the best suited cichlid species for the planted aquarium. As the male is highly territorial however, it should be kept in pairs, trios (1 male, 2 females) or harems (1 male with many females), and in the company of peaceful tank mates like tetras. Water conditions should be in the pH 6.0-pH 7.5 range.

Agassizi’s dwarf cichlid – Apistogramma agassizii (Indonesia code 4688) Average 1-1.25″

Agassizi’s Dwarf Cichlid

Apistogramma agassizii is the scientific name for the Agassizi’s dwarf cichlid, a fish that occurs in many southern tributaries of the Amazon river. Male Agassizi’s dwarf cichlids are territorial by nature. Just like all dwarf cichlids the Agassizi’s dwarf cichlid requires weekly partial water changes in order to keep the nitrate levels as low as possible. The Agassizi’s dwarf cichlid grows to 4 inches (10 cm.) in length. It prefers a hardness level of 50 – 10 m/gl and a pH of 6.0.

Apistogramma pandurini (Indonesia code 4240) Average 1-1.25″

Apistogramma pandurini

A freshwater fish from South America. It is a dwarf cichlid, closely related to Apistogramma nijsseni.

Apistogramma Panduro, are sometimes referred to as Apistogramma pandurini. The name is derived from the Peruvian fish exporters who first collected the fish. Their native Peruvian waters are soft and acid with a sandy substrate. pH in their native waters is usually below 6.0. They are not fussy eaters and will adapt to most high quality foods.

Blue Killifish – Aphyosemion gardneri (Indonesia code 4629) Average 1.25″

Blue Killifish

A killifish is any of various egg-laying cyprinodontiform fish. All in all there are some 1270 different species of killifish, the biggest family being Rivulidae, containing more than 320 species. Members of this order are notable for inhabiting harsh environments, such as saline or very warm waters, water of poor quality, or isolated situations where no other types of fish occur. They are typically omnivores, and often live near the surface, where the oxygen-rich water compensates for environmental disadvantages.

Clown Killifish – Epiplathys annulatus (Indonesia code 4186) Average 1.25″

Clown Killifish

The Clown killi or Banded panchax is a type of killifish, and is not related to a clownfish. It is a rather rare fish and is marked with brown and yellow with vivid blue and red.

Most Killifish are territorial to varying degrees. In the aquarium, territorial behavior is different for every grouping, and will even vary by individuals. In a large enough freshwater tropical fish wholesale aquarium, most species can live in groups as long as there are more than three males.

Pencilfish – Nannostomus beckfordi (Indonesia code 4663) Average 1 -1.25″

Pencilfish

Nannostomus thrive in home aquaria when provided with soft, moderately acidic water, low nitrate levels and temperatures in the range of 72 degrees F to 82 degrees F. The addition of aquatic plants, including floating varieties, is recommended. The latter will reduce the likelihood of the fish jumping, which is a common occurrence for some of the species, especially N. espei and N. unifasciatus. They should be kept in schools of at least six in a freshwater tropical fish wholesale tank.

If kept in a community aquarium, the best tank mates are other species of Nannostomus, small peaceful characins and corydoras. Aquaria with strong water current, large tank mates, or swift-moving species are contraindicated. If kept in a thickly planted single-species aquarium with the above water parameters, most species will spawn, eggs will not be eaten, and the fry will be found among the floating plants. Baby brine shrimp, live or frozen, and other small-sized foods are required for both fry and adults.

Nannostomus are also avid biofilm grazers and, for most of the species, algae is an under-reported staple of their diet. In most species the males will establish small territories and defend them. Their defensive actions are usually harmless but, in two species, N. mortenthaleri and N. trifasciatus, antagonistic behavior directed at conspecifics can have deleterious results if sufficient space and plant cover are not provided.

Once acclimated to the aquarium, and provided with conditions to their liking, Nannostomus are hardy and have a firm grasp on life, often living for five or more years.

Threadfin Rainbow – Iriatherina werneri (Indonesian code 4650) Average 1.25″ – 1.5″

Threadfin Rainbow

The threadfin rainbowfish or featherfin rainbowfish: In aquaria they are usually peaceful, they live preferably in groups of six or more. Because of their long fins they should obviously be kept in a tank without fin-nippers. They breed best in tanks without other species.

Threadfin Rainbowfish do well in aquariums of 20 US gallons (76 L), however 30 US gallons (110 L) is preferred. They are best housed in a “species only” tank; meaning that the tank is reserved for the Threadfins alone. Because of their tiny mouths, they can be difficult to feed. They do well with live foods, such as baby brine shrimp, and the micrometre larval diets. They prefer water that is soft to moderately hard, slightly acidic (pH 6.0 – 7.0), and with a temperature of 23 – 29 degrees C (73 – 84 degrees F).

Marble Hatchet fish – Carnegiella strigata (Brazil Code 6117) Average 0.75 – 1″

Marble Hatchet fish

The Marbled Hatchet fish, is a small, freshwater ray-finned fish native to South America and is common in the aquarium industry. Like most Amazonian fish, the species prefers softer, acidic water. Hatchets usually occupy the top portion of the freshwater tropical fish wholesale tank and like many other aquarium species may be shy at feeding times just after they have been introduced. However, given some time and proper water conditions, they will be less hasty.

As with most Characins (see Characidae), they are omnivores and prefer a varied diet, including live or frozen food, and vegetables. However, they will not swim to the bottom to eat so all food must float. Hatchets have a tendency to be shy fish and are easily intimidated by larger or fast moving fish, so they are only appropriate for very peaceful communities or species tanks.

They will also be happier if they don’t have to share the top portion of the tank with any other fish and if kept in schools of at least three. They like plants with long trailing leaves to hide under. It is absolutely necessary for tanks inhabited by these beautiful fish to have a tight lid, as they can and will jump when startled.

Cardinal Tetra – Paracheirodon axelrodi (Brazil Code 6102) Average 0.5″ – 1″

Cardinal Tetra

The cardinal tetra, is a freshwater fish native to the upper Orinoco and Negro Rivers in South America. Given the origins of the cardinal tetra, namely blackwater rivers whose chemistry is characterized by an acidic pH, low mineral content and the presence of humic acids, the species is adaptable to a wide range of conditions in captivity, though deviation from the soft, acidic water chemistry of their native range will impact severely upon breeding and fecundity.

The preferred temperature range of the fish is 21 degrees C to 28 degrees C (70 degrees F to 82 degrees F). The water chemistry of the aquarium water should match that of the wild habitat – filtration of the aquarium water over peat is one means of achieving this.

Scarlet Gem Badis – (Singapore code 1863) Average 1″

Scarlet Gem Badis

The Badis is a small, predatory fish that feeds on tiny invertebrates. Males normally display stronger coloration and females may appear more rounded when gravid. Coloration is extremely variable and changes with mood, though typically the fins are blue and dark vertical bands are apparent on the flanks.

Galaxy Rasbora – Celestichthys Margaritatus (Singapore code 2153) Average 1″

Galaxy Rasbora – Danio

Danio are native to the fresh water rivers and streams of Southeast Asia, The Danio is an ideal species for any planted or community aquarium as they add color and will get along with other community species well. They are quite easy to care for as they will tolerate a variety of water temperatures and conditions, although they would prefer a water temperature around 78 degrees F with a slightly alkaline pH.

Danio are a small schooling species that should be kept in groups of at least 6 individuals with 8 or 10 individuals in the group being ideal. It is best to duplicate their natural environment in the freshwater tropical fish wholesale aquarium with an abundance of live plants and with some drift wood and rocks. In the wild this species lives in very calm water that is often spring fed or formed from overflows of other waterways, thus they should be kept in aquariums that do not have constant strong direct currents.

They live in shallow water in the wild that has strong direct sunlight, so they do very well in strongly lit planted aquariums, and will use heavily planted areas in the aquarium or driftwood and rocks to retreat to if they feel threatened.

The Celestial Pearl Danio is an omnivore that will eat virtually any standard topical fish foods available within the hobby. They will readily accept flaked foods, frozen preparations, vegetable or algae flakes and wafers along with freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex worms and brine shrimp. Essentially they will eat the same foods that would be being fed to the bulk of tropical freshwater species found in a tropical community aquarium.

Harlequin Rasbora – heteromorpha (Singapore code 2159) Average 0.75″

Harlequin Rasbora

All of the Rasbora species are unaggressive, peaceful, and can be kept with fish of similar temperament. They are strong swimmers and in nature prefer to be in small schools. They like to stay in the upper areas of the freshwater tropical fish wholesale aquarium. Your tank should provide plenty of open space for swimming as well as some dense plantings to serve as shelter. The water temperature should be kept around 76 degrees F.

Rasboras prefer soft water and if possible you should use a peat filter bag in your filter, (Tetras will benefit also.) They will eat flake, frozen as well as live food.

Many species of Rasbora will breed without too much difficulty, spawning freely in soft, neutral or slightly acidic water. Unfortunately Rasbora Heteromorpha is not one of these. The water should be very soft with a hardness of 1.5 to 2.5 DH and a pH of around 6.0.

For information on ordering these freshwater tropical fish wholesale for your pet store, call East Coast Tranship, Inc. at 301-782-1025.

Easy-to-care-for Freshwater Aquarium Fish

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Freshwater aquarium fish are just as lovely and relaxing as their saltwater cousins, but are much easier to take care of. While a freshwater tank still has to be kept clean and in the right pH range, there is no salinity to worry about.

Some freshwater aquarium fish are easy enough for a young child to take care of. The best fish are not so sensitive to water quality, and so they make a good, hardy species for the family to enjoy. These popular species are also coldwater fish, meaning the aquarium will not need a heater.

Goldfish

Without a doubt, goldfish are the most popular freshwater aquarium fish. If cared for well, a goldfish will live about six to eight years. People have bred the ones with bright orange scales for hundreds of years. They cost as little as 25 cents each and produce a lot of waste relative to their size; so changing the water in the fish tank frequently is important to the fish’s health.

Angelfish

Domestic angelfish originate from species native to the Amazon River. Their flat, triangular shape is rather uniform, but breeders have produced a range of colors and patterns in their scales. Some have delicate flowing tails and fins while some are more compact.

Angelfish are sometimes known to eat very small freshwater aquarium fish, but in general, if there is enough artificial fish food supplied, an angelfish will not turn on his tank mates.

Neon Tetra

Tetra are very small fish; domestic tetras rarely grow bigger than an inch. But neon tetras have a bright stripe along the sides of their tiny bodies, giving them a big visual impact. They swim in schools, making their colors even more obvious.

Tetras originally came from South American waters. Tetra generally should not be put in a tank with other freshwater aquarium fish because they are liable to be eaten or bullied. They can live up to ten years in a home aquarium.

Betta fish

Betta fish are actually a large family, comprising many members beyond the popular red “Siamese fighting fish”. Siamese fighting fish have elaborate fins in red trimmed in blue, purple or green. Fish keepers say a male betta fish should never be kept in a tank with another male as they will fight. In general, the beta fish needs to be paired with fish that are too big for him to attack and do not have large fins.