How to Buy Healthy FishWritten by William berg
Well, of course there is no guarantee that fish you see, you are interested in (and you are going to buy) is totally healthy. A Fish can appear as healthy as it could be but in fact it has invisible inner problems. There are many ways, many things you should seek out to determine if a fish is healthy.And here's a list of some: Firstly, look for physical characteristics of good health. A healthy fish should have bright body color, not pale or dull. However darker or patchy coloration may be an indicator of stress and not of bad health. Before you buy a fish, find out how it should look under normal conditions. No open sores, boils, ulcers, peeling scales or blemishes. No visible parasites, such as tiny white crystals that look like salt or tiny black nodules that look like "blackheads". There are also viruses, like Lymphocystis (cauliflower-like growths on edge of fins). Be sure to examine fish before buying it. Eyes should be clear, not cloudy or popping out of sockets. Fins are erect, especially top fin (dorsal). Buckled fins can mean trouble. No ragged, torn or ripped fins. All of them should be intact. Scales are flat and smooth, stomach is well rounded, girth of entire body is of normal size, not bloated or sunken. Visible fish waste should be dark in color, not pale. You should also examine their behavior! Healthy fish should breathe normally, not guzzling for air or hanging around top of tank where its mouth kissing top of water. Compare gill movement of a fish with other fish in tank. Extremely rapid gill movement may be a sign of stress.
| | Breeding PiranhasWritten by William berg
Breeding PiranhasPiranhas are a unique creature that has won its so popularity, not only because of its appearance, but also due to many myths they are told in. Unfortunately only a few species having been breed, some of species that have commonly bred include Serrasalmus nattereri, S. spilopleura, S. gibbus, S. rhombeus. Another species that is considered relatively easy to breed is S. maculatus. Whichever you choose, you should have an aquarium that is at least 100 gallons. A group of 5-6 piranhas is quite appropriate, however if you want them breeding, best is to keep them in pairs so that there are no other fishes to bother them. To find ae mating pair, you can pick two adult Piranhas, one is thick and other is thinner. In most cases, thick piranhas represent females and thinner Piranhas represent males. Just make sure you are not looking at them after they have been fed. Though having found males and females doesn’t automatically mean success, it is however a step on way. The ideal temperature is between 73-83F. Standard fluorescent bulbs are fine for lighting. Notice that they also like some protective cover. You should also make lighting of half of aquarium darker than other. Piranhas are hardy fish but it iss a good idea to maintain water clean and clear. In their original habitat, Amazon River, rainy season is time when most fish spawn. Frequent and bigger water changes seem to have an immense effect on success of breeding (as they simulate rainy season) and most likely getting piranhas into breeding condition.
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