Sunday, June 16

The Oscar - one of the most popular tame fish of USA.

one of the most popular tame fish of USA.
The Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus) is a species of fish from the cichlid family and it has become one of the most popular “pet” fish because it will learn to recognize its owner/feeder and will become extremely tame. Origin from Amazon, South America the fish can also be found in other areas, including China, Peru, Ecuador, Australia, Colombia, Brazil, Guiana, French and the United States.

Beautiful pet fishThe species was originally described by Louis Agassiz in 1831 as Lobotes ocellatus, as he mistakenly believed the species was marine but later, it was proved that the species to the genus Astronotus. The most popular pet fish Oscar known under a variety of common names, including Tiger Oscar, Velvet Cichlid, Marble Cichlid, Red Oscar, Common Oscar, Albino Oscar, Lutino Oscar and Wild Type Oscar. The fish is considered a popular aquarium fish in the United States and it has also become a major game fish in Florida, where escapees from fish farms / aquariums have become well established as part of the local fauna.

When the Oscar is about 1 to 2 inches long and wiggling its little nose in the tank at the local fish store, it is so cute and appealing that lots of fish lover buy it. When the fish is young, it can grow at the impressive rate of up to 1+ inch per month. The Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus) has been reported to grow to about 45 cm in length and 1.6 kilograms (3.5 pounds) in weight.

Most popular pet fish

The Oscar is typically darkly colored with yellow-ringed spots on the caudal peduncle and on the dorsal fin. These spots have been suggested to function to limit fin-nipping by piranha, which co-occur with the fish in its natural environment. The beautiful pet fish, Oscar is also able to rapidly alter its coloration, a trait which facilitates ritualized territorial and combat behaviors amongst co specifics. When it is in juvenile stage it has a different coloration from adults and is striped with white and orange wavy bands and has beautiful spotted heads.


Quick stats of Oscar
Family
Cichlidae
Scientific Name
Astronotus ocellatus
Subfamily
Astronotinae
Genus
Astronotus
Origin
Amazon, South America
Order
Perciformes
Class
Actinopterygii
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Max. Size
45 cm (18 inch)
Care Level
Difficult
pH level
6.6 to 7.0
Water
Keep them in clean water
Water Conditions
72-77° F, KH 5-19
Color Form
Black, Orange, Red
Foods
Beetles, crayfish, spiders, cricket's, worms and insects


Wednesday, June 12

Arowana - The Royal aquarium fish.

The Royal aquarium fish.
Arowana is a Royal aquarium fish. It is a bony fish of freshwater and from the family of Osteoglossidae. Sometimes the Arowana is called as dragon fish because of its colorful, metallic and reflective scales. The beautiful Arowanas are also known as bonytongues.  

a bony freshwater fishAs per I know there are only ten described living species of Arowana from which three from South America, one from Africa, four from Asia, and the rest two from Australia. In the family of Osteoglossidae Arowana fishes, the head is bony and the elongate body is covered by large, heavy, metallic and colorful scales, with a mosaic pattern of canals. The dorsal and the anal fins have soft rays and are long based, while the pectoral and ventral fins are small. The arowana is a facultative air breather and they can obtain oxygen from air by sucking it into the swim bladder, which is lined with capillaries.

The Arowana can be a great choice for those that think something like big. The fish can grow up to 3-4 feet long (120cm) and it can live at least 25 years. They are excellent jumpers; it has been reported that Arowana have been seen leaping more than 6 feet from the water surface to pick off insects and birds from overhanging branches in South America.

The fish that creates positive energy

These popular, beautiful and royal aquarium fish have special cultural significance in areas influenced by Chinese culture. They believed that, it is able to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck, happiness and wealth for the owner. Chinese people consider themselves descendants of dragons, and many of them would pay big money, to own their very own dragon (Arowana). There is also a superstition about the fish is that; it’ll be benefit from the charmed Arowana by displaying pictures or images of it. As you may know, in China and Asia, the older the fish, the more expensive it is, as like as a good wine. Sometimes they claim that this fish creates positive energy. It is also said that the Arowana possess ability to stay focus and understand human language (!).

Arowana fish at a glance
Family
Osteoglossidae
Subfamily
Heterotidinae and Osteoglossinae
Genus
Scleropages
Origin
South America, Africa, Asia and Australia.
Order
Osteoglossiformes
Class
Actinopterygii
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Max. Size
3 – 4 feet (120 cm)
pH level
between 7.0 and 7.5
Water
Keep them in clean water
Water Conditions
75-86° F, KH 8-12, pH 7.0-7.5
Foods
small fish, crab, crickets, Hikari pellets, insects or Shrimp (try to avoid the salt)


Thursday, June 6

The only transparent living sea creature of the World.


The only transparent living sea creature of the World

Glass Catfish is different from any other typical fish that we have seen, in the sense that we can actually see through to their internal body. It is also known as Indian Ghosts, Ghost Fish, or Glass Cats.

The glass catfish is from the genus of Kryptopterus and one of the most unusual fish commonly kept in the hobby, and it is certainly the most transparent living sea creature. The fish was included its smaller relative the ghost catfish but now its known as K. minor. It is a unique transparent fish that offers fish-keepers an incomparable view of its whole internal organs. The fish is like a living skeleton whose organs, including its swim bladder and vertebral column are also visible.

very peaceful and a great community fish
As a true schooling fish the Glass Cats should be kept in groups of five or more to stay healthy and happy in order to survive and thrive. If the fish are not kept in the aquarium in groups, they will often go into a state of stress, stop eating and waste away. The Ghost / Glass Catfish do not like a lot of light and is most active during dawn and dusk. Its loves a low light condition and that’s why it will usually hide from the light. However, they will come into the open and swim around in darkness. The fish should be kept in aquariums with plenty of rocky coves and hiding places, as well as dense, live vegetation. 

Glass Catfish Factoids
Family
Siluridae
Genus
Kryptopterus
Origin
Sumatra, Java, Borneo region
Max. Size
15 cm (5.9 in)
Care Level
Moderate
Temperament
Peaceful
Water
Keep them in clean water
Water Conditions
75-80° F, KH 8-12, pH 6.5-7.0
Foods
Small worms, brine shrimp, flake foods
Plants
Tend to gather around plants
Breeding
Unlikely

They are very peaceful and a great community fish that will give their caretakers hours of enjoyment and it is the only fish of the whole World that, you can see right through them!