Can you teach a goldfish to drive

Can you teach a goldfish to drive?

Well, the answer is yes, you can teach a goldfish to drive.  We have been telling you for a while that fish are very smart and can be trained – Smithsonian agrees.  According to an article published in Smithsonian Magazine, a group of researchers designed a mobile tank for goldfish to drive on land.  The study was performed to learn about fish navigation skills, no matter the habitat.  The study was published in February 2022 in Science Direct.

Going on to say that the fish were taught to make movements necessary to propel the vehicle to dispense food.  This enabled the fish to navigate over land and obstacles visually thru the Fish Operated Vehicle (FOV) walls.  Their FOV, simply put, is a fish tank on wheels.

ABC News goes on to report that before the experiment could begin the fish needed to be taught how to drive the car. The scientists were surprised how quick the fish learned  to get the food dispensed.  Once the fish learned how to drive the FOV, they were successfully able to drive the vehicle on land and their skills drastically improved with repeated attempts.

The Can you Teach a Goldfish to Drive Study had 2 conclusions. First, fish navigational ability is universal to the species rather than specific to the environment. Second, it showed that goldfish have the ability to learn complex tasks in an unfamiliar environment and make adjustments to survive.

“It shows that goldfish have the cognitive ability to learn a complex task in an environment completely unlike the one they evolved in. As anyone who has tried to learn how to ride a bike or to drive a car knows, it is challenging at first,” study author Shachar Givon, a graduate student at Ben-Gurion University, said in a statement.

Cleaning Your Aquarium

This subject may not seem worth an article, but you’d be surprised how little people know about cleaning your aquarium.  I remember when I was a young fish keeper boiling the gravel on the kitchen stove to make sure was as clean as possible, I look back now and think what the hell was I doing??

Everybody likes a clean aquarium, thinking the inhabitants are well kept, happy and not distressed , a little like a cat or dog bed or bird cage, but with aquatic life this can be different.

The aquarium needs to sit somewhere in the middle of this, clean but not overclean.  The popular saying in aquarium talk is you keep water not fish, and this is so true. Bacteria is the key and you do not want to clean this out.

Weekly Cleaning Routine:

Use a non abrasive pad to clean the glass and avoid scrapers around silicone joints if used.  Change any pre-filter pads , avoid over cleaning the main filter pads.

Fortnightly Cleaning Routine:

Use a gravel cleaner to clean the gravel or substrate, it is advised to rotate and do 50% at any cleaning session, this stops taking to much water out of the aquarium, 20% maximum water removal is a good target.

Use this water taken out by the gravel cleaner to clean any filter sponges. NEVER rinse under the faucet as any chlorine will kill the friendly bacteria.

Monthly Cleaning Routine:

Remove rocks or woods or ornaments and remove trapped uneaten food or waste.  Aquarium ornaments can be cleaned using a sponge, avoid any abrasive pads as may remove the paint.  Trim any live plants and remove dead leaves etc.  Exchange or recharge any filter media like carbon.

Never use furniture polish or any household chemical in or around the aquarium and turn off the lights when cleaning to try and keep the stress down from the cleaning of the aquarium.

For all aquariums, big and small AquariumH2o has the supplies you need to keep your dream aquarium! When we say we have all the supplies you need, we mean it, we are a one-stop shop for all that you need. If you have any questions, call us at 856-985-9339 or email us at sales@aquariumH2o.com.

Why Are Bottom Feeder Fish So Important?

So why are bottom feeder fish so important to an aquarium?

Why are bottom feeder fish so important?  A bottom feeder is an aquatic animal that feeds on uneaten foods, algae and other debris on the bottom of the tank. In essence, cleaning the aquarium for you.  The general room of thumb with stocking quantities is one bottom feeder for 6 of mid or surface feeding species.  Bottom feeding types are usually catfish based species or loaches, popular in the ornamental trade.  See Swell UK’s article on bottom fish.

Aquarium fish can be broken down to three types of fish:

1. Surface Feeders, these are aquarium fish with mouths on the top of the head, like guppies.
2. Mid Range Feeders, these are aquarium fish with mouths at the front of the head, like tetra’s.
3. Bottom Feeders, these are aquarium fish with mouths at the bottom of the head, like corydoras.

Most types of bottom feeders have barbells to help locate food, as in the wild are usually in dark dee water with little natural light.  They often have a flattened body shape as they spend most of their lives skimming the bottom of tanks and aquariums.

Uneaten food from over feeding or fish waste can pollute aquarium water fast, as due to being a small body of water usually 10-150 gallons.  Bottom feeders eat this food source and therefore help maintain a better aquarium water quality.  Also, create zones in the aquarium to stop over crowding of species.

It is important that you use aquarium foods that are suitable for bottom feeders, it is common in aquariums that the bottom feeders can starve, if you are only feeding floating flakes there is often little food that gets to the bottom of the aquarium.  Granule’s or sinking pellets are suitable for bottom feeders, Aquariumh2o stock Dajana products specially formulated for bottom feeders.

For all aquariums, big and small AquariumH2o has the supplies you need to keep your dream aquarium crystal clear! When we say we have all the supplies you need, we mean it, we are a one-stop shop for all that you need. If you have any questions, call us at 856-985-9339 or email us at sales@aquariumH2o.com.

Green Aquarium Water

Green Aquarium water isn’t always bad for fish and plants, certainly not pleasing on the eyes but can be easily treated.  Green water is caused by an increased growth of single cell algae blooms, technically called phytoplankton.  When the blooms become too concentrated in your aquarium it turns the water green. Plants and fish like green water as phytoplankton is the start of the food chain in a productive aquatic eco-system in both fresh and salt water aquariums.  Healthy tanks have a balance of phytoplankton in fact, it creates oxygen and is a food source.

What are the Causes of Green Water in an Aquarium?

Bacteria and algae lives everywhere in the aquarium, in the substrate,  filter, filter media, and on decorations.   In order for phytoplankton to bloom, there needs to be excessive light, an imbalance of aquarium nitrates and room to grow.

• Lots of light either natural sunlight or artificial tank lights
• Left over food in the water
• Too many fish and waste
• Dirty water
• Not enough good quality water changes
• Dirty substrate
• Poor tank maintenance

Rid your Tank of Algae Blooms

Algae blooms can be cleared in your tank once you recognize what caused the bloom to start in the first place. Algae need the proper amount of food and light to bloom.  You can rid your fish tank of green water by adding chemicals, adding a UV clarifier, half tank water changes and thorough substrate vacuuming.  Following a couple of suggestions can help get your fish tank or aquarium back to crystal clear water.

• Chemicals, called algaecides can be used to help kill the algae
• Control the lighting
• Install an Ultra Violet Clarifier, often called a UV Filter
• Completely break down your filter, clean or purchase filter media
• Do a thorough water change
• Clean the tank, substrates, glass, decorations, rocks or wood
• Vacuum to clean the gravel or sand
• Install an algae eater

Prevent Green Water in your Aquarium

Green water in your aquarium isn’t always a bad thing.  It creates food and oxygen for your fish and plants to eat, but an over amount of blooms will turn your tank water into pea soup like green water.  If the water remains untreated it will ultimately lead to problems for fish by raising the pH too high, starving the tank of oxygen, blocking filters, and trapping fish.  

• Reduce the amount of light:
  • put your tank lights on a schedule
  • make sure you have an aquarium background installed to reduce light coming from back
  • control direct sunlight, do not put your tank in direct sunlight
• Install a UV clarifier
• Do regular tank maintenance:
  • Water changes, do a full water change of up to half or a third of the water
  • Proper substrate and gravel cleaning and vacuum your gravel and substrates
  • Remove visible algae from the glass with a proper Aquarium Glass Cleaner
  • Wash all ornaments, plants centerpieces, rocks wood pieces, and decorations
  • Perform regular water changes
  • Clean filter media
• Regularly remove uneaten food and wastes, don’t over feed your fish (check out our blog on feeding aquarium fish)
• Maintain proper aquarium water parameter’s by purchasing a water testing kit
• Floating aquarium plants that eat algae like duckweed, water sprout or guppy grass

For all aquariums, big and small AquariumH2o has the supplies you need to keep your dream aquarium crystal clear! When we say we have all the supplies you need, we mean it, we are a one-stop shop for all that you need. If you have any questions call us at 856-985-9339 or email us at sales@aquariumH2o.com.

Choosing The Right Aquarium Substrate

When setting up a new tank choosing the right aquarium substrate or gravel is one of the most important considerations to be taken into account.
Careful consideration is the key to your success or failure in many cases.

Why do you need substrate? You do not actually need it as many fish are kept in aquariums without substrate and would be easy to maintain, but would not look attractive and the fish are not going to act like they are in natural underwater environment.

The first considerations are what fish you are going to keep? What PH range is required?  Hard or soft water? Substrates chosen specifically for these will help.  Coral based sand for instance will give hard, alkaline water parameters and a silica gravel base will give a more neutral PH.

Additional consideration is do you want to have natural live plants? If so, choose a substrate that is designed for plant root growth.

What size substrate do I use?  Larger fish especially cichlids are better with coarser heavier gravels. Bottom feeders prefer a smaller gravel size or sand.

Adding Substrate

Gravel is probably the most popular substrate option for many aquariums. The variation in shapes, sizes and colors make gravel suitable for a variety of set-ups.

Substrate material should be between half to 2 inch thick especially if plants are going to be grown.

Wash it first under fresh running water to get all particles of dirt out to stop your aquarium going cloudy.

To calculate how much sand or gravel you’ll need to buy in order to achieve a two Inch (2″) gravel depth in your fish tank, please use the following formula:

1.  Multiply tank length by tank width (in inches); Example: 36″ in. x 14″ in. = 893
2. Divide the answer by 10; 504 / 10 = 50.4 lb or 23 kilo

Spread the substrate out evenly and try to create a slight slope in the front to allow cleaning to be a little easier.

Using proper consideration while choosing the right aquarium substrate will make your next new tank set up a proper success.

How To Choose and Introduce New Fish to Your Aquarium

Get fish acclimated to their new environment!

Here are some useful tips on how to choose and introduce new fish to your aquarium.  Every aquarium owner loves this part of fish keeping. The excitement of going to your local fish store, choosing your new fish, asking advice, buying new supplies. Then, rushing home to add them to your collection.

How To Choose and Introduce New Fish to Your Aquarium:

1. Purchase from a reputable long established aquarium store, does not have to be a big strip mall store. Often the best aquarium stores are tucked away, offering in many cases generations of experience and knowledge.
2. If you are just starting out and are adding fish to an aquarium, never purchase more than three fish on any visit.  Another great tip is take some of your aquarium water with you if you do not own a test kit to check your water quality.  Often stores will charge a small fee to check your water quality, well worth it to stop any issues increasing stocking density may cause.  Also, see our Blog on new aquarium syndrome: https://www.aquariumh2o.com/2019/09/19/new-aquarium-syndrome/.
3. Talk to the staff and tell them what you already have in your collection and what they recommend for your level of experience and local water conditions. Some fish like Discus require soft water and if you live in a hard water area will make it more difficult to keep these type of fish.
4. Once you get back home, first thing to do is turn your aquarium light off, they are stressed enough from the ride home without adding to been thrown straight under bright lights.
5. Place the fish transport bags so they float on the aquarium and leave them for at least 10-15 minutes so the water temperatures in the bag and aquarium equalize again to minimize stress.
6. When opening the transport bag don’t rip it or try to puncture it, use scissors or take off the rubber band. Most experienced fish keepers will not add the store water to the aquarium when they introduce the fish as well, so get your aquarium net and place over a vessel like a small bucket and slowly pour the contents through the net so catching the fish, then slowly introduce the fish to the aquarium. You can of course add the water if easier, just mix the water slowly together.   Finally, slowly tip the fish out so they can escape.
7. Keep the aquarium light off to ensure the fish can get used to their new home.  Monitor the new arrivals for stress, be sure they aren’t being picked on as new kids on the block.
8. Enjoy watching the new fish in your aquarium, after all, that’s why you bought them.

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When it comes to aquarium keeping, it just comes down to how much time and expense you can give, either way AquariumH2o has the supplies you need to make your dream aquarium, fish, turtle or reptile tank come to life! When we say we have all the supplies you need, we mean it, we are a one-stop shop for all that you need.  From an Gravels & Substrates to maintenance care and Aquarium Aeration, we have you covered! If you have any questions call us at 856-985-9339 or email us at sales@aquariumh2o.com .

Fish Species Explained – Corydoras

Fish Species Explained – Corydoras

Fish Species Explained – Corydoras covers a wide selection of bottom feeder fish, covering nearly 200 species. Callichthyidae, the Latin name and Corydoradinae been the sub species where the abbreviated word Cory.  Check out other species in our Information Center.

Corydoras are peaceful bottom feeders, best kept in small shoals. All Corydoradinae species originate from South America. They can be very active and alert while moving around the aquarium. It is important to always have hiding places for them to rest.  Be mindful when feeding that food meant for bottom feeders is used, as sometimes bottom feeding fish can starve if no food ever reaches the bottom.

Originate – South America
Water Conditions – 7-7.8 PH Tropical 72-80 Degrees
Community Fish – Ideal, use ratio of 1 bottom feeder to 6 surface or mid range fish
Breeding – Egg Layer
Comments – Best kept in small groups or pairs. Make sure the aquarium has a good base of gravel for corydoras to search for food and as they generally scavenge.

Conclusion

Fish Species Explained – Corydoras are a must for any freshwater tropical aquarium, attractive and useful for hoovering up all uneaten food. Can easily live for up to 5 years and are very hardy species.

Check out our shop for fabulous accessories for your tropical aquariums, reptile habitats and more.

Fish Species Explained – Angel Fish

Fish Species Explained – Angel Fish

Fish Species Explained – Angel Fish, looks at the requirements of the Pterophyllum Species, check out other species in our Information Center.

Pterophyllum is a small genus of freshwater fish from the family Cichlidae commonly known to most aquarists as angelfish and contain over 20 color variants and shapes. All Pterophyllum species originate from the Amazon Basin, Orinoco Basin and various rivers in the Guiana Shield in tropical South America.  This unique body shape allows angelfish to hide among roots and plants.

Originate – South America
Water Conditions – 6-7.2 PH Tropical 78-82 Degrees
Community Fish – Suitable with larger community species, can be territorial
Breeding – Egg Layer
Comments – Best kept in small groups or pairs.

Conclusion

Fish Species Explained – Angel Fish in a fish tank can be very easy to care for.  Once set up in an aquarium, Angel Fish require little maintenance other than proper water conditions and tend to be hearty fish that can live for 5 to 10 years.  Angel fish can have very distinctive personalities and can be quite personable. However, they tend to be territorial and can be aggressive towards other fish.

Check out our shop for fabulous accessories for your tropical aquariums, reptile habitats and more.

Fish Species Explained – Tetra’s

Fish Species Explained – Tetra’s

Fish Species Explained – Tetra’s, looks at the requirements of the Tetra Species, check out other species in our Information Center

Tetra’s are a common species.  Easy to obtain and generally easy to keep.  Tetra’s are a favorite with aquarium fish keepers all over the world. They are generally originate from Africa, South & Central America.  Species Group-Characidae which contains over 150 species and sub species.

Fish keeping Level- Easy/Moderate

Popular Tetra’s available for your aquarium.

Neon Tetra ((Paracheirodon innesi)

Originate South America
Water Conditions 6-7.2 PH Tropical 68-82 Degrees
Community Fish Yes
Breeding – Egg Layer and not easy to breed
Comments. One of the most popular aquarium species available, easy to keep, look great in small shoals has a light-blue back over and blue horizontal stripe along each side of the fish grow to approx 1.2 Inch in overall length.

Rummey Nose Tetra (Hemigrammus rhodostomus)

Originate South America
Water Conditions 6-7.2 PH Tropical 68-82 Degrees
Community Fish Yes
Breeding – Egg Layer and not easy to breed
Comments. Rummy-nose tetra is a torpedo-shaped fish, usually one central black stripe in the central portion of the tail fin, head is a deep red color and grow up to 2 Inch long. Great addition to a amazonian tank with slight acidic water ideal with Discus. Great shoaling fish and always add interest to any aquarium with their bright red nose.

Congo Tetra (Hemigrammus rhodostomus)

Originate Congo River Basin Africa
Water Conditions 6-7 PH Tropical 75-82 Degrees
Community Fish Yes
Breeding – Egg Layer and not easy to breed
Comments. Congo tetra is one of the larger tetra species. Congo Tetras are blue on top, changing to red through the middle to yellow-gold, and back to blue with flowing fins. The males get up to 3 inches (8.5 cm). Females up to 2.75 inches (6 cm). The male is larger, usually with more color, also the tail and dorsal fins are more extended. Congo Tetras prefer slightly harder alkaline water and great in shoals, and is a peaceful species.

Serpae Tetra (Hyphessobrycon eques)

Originate Brazil, Peru, Paraguay & Boliva South America
Water Conditions 6-7 PH Tropical 72-79 Degrees
Community Fish Yes
Breeding – Egg Layer and not easy to breed
Comments. Serpae Tetra can grow to be 5 cm (2 in). They have very distinctive coloring with a red body and a black spot near their eye.  As with most South American tera species prefer slightly acidic softer water.

Conclusion

Fish Species Explained – Tetra’s are a perfect fish for just about every type of aquarium.  Tetras are usually easy to keep, generally peaceful fish and very colorful. Found in most tropical aquarium fish stores.  And, generally one of the more inexpensive purchases.

Check out our shop for fabulous accessories for your tropical aquariums, reptile habitats and more.

Real or Artificial Aquarium Décor?

The eternal question in fishkeeping, do you go Real or Artificial Aquarium Décor plants, rocks and wood ornaments decorations?

Artificial Aquarium Décor

Artificial aquarium decorations are easy to maintain with no dying plants, wood or rocks altering the PH of the water.  Fish tanks with artificial decorations are quick to setup, usually with no additional requirements such as, special lighting to help the real plants thrive. Usually take just a good wash in water  and placement in the tank.

Advancements in the aquatic décor industry has produced better designed artificial rocks, plants and woods.  Ultimately,  giving a real look to aquarium aquascaping.  When done properly, your time and money invested will offer long term, easy to maintain aquariums and fish tanks.

Real Natural Aquascaping 

A fully planted aquarium with thriving aquatic plants, that contains brightly colored aquarium fish swimming in between, just like the below photo, is unbeatable for relaxation and looks. Fish and aquatic life will tend to thrive better in a natural aquarium as there is more natural food from plants and other organic matter.  Turns out this is good for people as well, Psychology Today compiled research and studies in to the effects of “blue spaces” on mental health. These “blue spaces” refer to bodies of water in general and the findings show that being in the presence of bodies of water regularly can reduce levels of anxiety and depression. So, in this case – aquariums are good for your health.  

When it comes to aquarium keeping, it just comes down to how much time and expense you can give, either way AquariumH2o has the supplies you need to make your dream aquarium, fish, turtle or reptile tank come to life! When we say we have all the supplies you need, we mean it, we are a one-stop shop for all that you need.  From an Gravels & Substrates to maintenance care and Aquarium Aeration, we have you covered! If you have any questions call us at 856-985-9339 or email us at sales@aquariumh2o.com .