CATDOLL : CATDOLL: How to Breed Tropical Fish

1. Essential equipment for tropical fish breeding

1. Fish tank: It is the place where tropical fish grow and move. The fish tank for raising tropical fish must be a slightly larger rectangular glass fish tank.

2. Suction pipe: It is used to suck out dirt from the bottom of the fish tank when changing water. It is made of a soft rubber tube and a glass tube. The length depends on the height of the fish tank. Generally, it is 1.2 to 1.5 meters.

3. Thermometer: used to measure and adjust the water temperature of the fish tank.

4. Fish net: used to catch and transfer tropical fish.

5. Glass lamp barrel: Put the bulb into the glass lamp barrel and sink it into the fish tank for heating and lighting. The mouth of the glass lamp barrel must be 100MM above the water surface to prevent fish from jumping in.

6. Electric heating tube: used to increase the temperature in the fish tank in winter.

7. Air pump: removes carbon dioxide from the fish tank and increases the oxygen content in the water.

8. Filter: Filter out dirt in the fish tank, keep the water clean, and play a dual role of increasing oxygen and purifying water.

9. Thermostat: used to automatically control the temperature in the fish tank and can keep the temperature constant for a long time.

10. Food bucket: prevents fish food from floating on the water surface, which is beneficial for fish predation. It can also prevent fish food from falling into the bottom of the water and drilling into the water plants, making the water plants and sand turn black and deteriorating the water quality.

11. Decontamination liquid: Made of plastic board. Used to scrape away dust and oil on the surface of the fish tank.

2. How to raise tropical fish?

First of all, we need to create a living environment for tropical fish in the Tandengxian water. The tropical and subtropical geographical and climatic conditions allow tropical fish to live in weakly acidic soft water with sufficient sunlight, high water temperature, small temperature difference, and abundant natural bait for a long time. Therefore, their growth, development, and reproduction are closely related to water quality and water ecological conditions. When artificially breeding, it is impossible to achieve the same conditions as the waters of the tropical fish's hometown, but they must be provided with basic living conditions that they can adapt to, including water temperature, water hardness, water pH, etc.

How to raise tropical fish? --1. Water temperature conditions and adjustment methods

Tropical fish are stenothermic fish. They have strict requirements on water temperature and are particularly sensitive to changes in water temperature. They can adapt to water temperatures of 20-30 degrees. Exceeding the upper or lower limit of this range can be life-threatening for most tropical fish - if the water temperature drops below 20 degrees, tropical fish will get sick or die; although the water temperature reaches 20 degrees, if it is too low for a long time, it will also affect their appetite and growth; excessive temperature difference between day and night, such as exceeding 5 degrees, can also cause discomfort to them, which will lead to illness and death over time.

There are generally two ways to regulate the temperature of water used for fish farming: one is to directly heat the water in the aquarium, and the other is to indirectly increase the water temperature by raising the indoor temperature.

How to raise tropical fish, Cichlid? --2. Water quality requirements and adjustment methods

(1) Water hardness and adjustment methods

Most tropical fish require to live and reproduce in soft water and water with low hardness. The hardness of water is mainly determined by the amount of calcium and magnesium salts contained in the water. 8 degrees is soft water, 8-14 degrees is low hardness water, and 20-30 degrees is hard water. General rainwater and snow water are soft water; there are more red soils in southern my country, and the water hardness in the rainforest belt rivers is low, mostly soft water. The north has less rainfall, higher salinity and alkali content in the soil, and higher water hardness. Tropical fish are not as demanding on water hardness as water temperature, and can adapt to water with higher hardness. But when breeding, they require water with lower hardness or soft water.

Tap water is a common water source for breeding tropical fish. The easiest way to judge its hardness is to boil the water and look at the scale in the kettle. If there is more scale, it is hard water, and if there is less scale, it is soft water.

(2) Water pH and its adjustment method

The pH value of water refers to the concentration of hydrogen ions in the water. The pH value of water can be measured using pH test paper or a meter. Please refer to the instructions for use.

How to raise tropical fish? --3. Change the water

Fish have to constantly metabolize and excrete feces while they are alive. The fish food is also constantly oxidized and decayed, which will affect the water quality. Therefore, the water in the fish tank should be changed regularly and timely to keep the water fresh. Water change is divided into partial water change and full water change. Partial water change is also called water addition. Water addition means that the amount of water should be added according to the amount of water drawn out from the fish tank. It is not necessary to remove the fish and water plants from the tank when adding water. Generally, the amount of water added should not exceed one-fourth of the total water volume of the fish tank each time. When adding water, pay attention to the temperature of the newly added water, and try to keep it consistent with the water temperature of the original fish tank. The number of times of water addition is one to two times a week in autumn and winter, and two to three times a week in spring and summer. The specific number of times depends on the turbidity of the water in the fish tank. If the filtration conditions are good and the water quality is clear, the number of times can be appropriately reduced, and if the filtration conditions are poor, the number of times can be appropriately increased, but it should not be too frequent, otherwise the fish will get sick.

How to raise tropical fish? --4. Oxygen

Any living thing needs oxygen to survive. Without oxygen, there is no life. Tropical fish also cannot survive without oxygen. The oxygen needed for fish survival is obtained by absorbing dissolved oxygen in the water through the microvessels in the gills, and then brought to the body through the blood circulation system. Carbon dioxide is also discharged through the microvessels in the gills. The amount of dissolved oxygen in the water directly affects the growth of fish, so it is necessary to ensure that there is enough dissolved oxygen in the water. In addition to obtaining dissolved oxygen in the water by adding water and changing water, it can also be produced by photosynthesis of aquatic plants in the water.

How to raise tropical fish? --5. Bait selection and feeding method

Most tropical fish are carnivorous, a few are omnivorous, and very few are herbivorous. Carnivorous fish are divided into fierce and mild ones. Fierce ones have big mouths and fierce temperaments, and like to eat large pieces of food such as small fish, shrimps and earthworms, such as Texas leopard fish and dragon fish; mild ones have small bodies and small mouths, and like to eat small animals such as water fleas and midge larvae.

When feeding, you should feed selectively according to the fish's eating habits. The food you choose must be fresh. Natural food is best fresh, frozen food is also OK; artificial bait cannot be moldy or deteriorated. In addition, to avoid nutritional deficiencies, as long as the fish can accept it, the choice of feed should be as diverse as possible, and the variety of feed should be changed frequently.

After choosing the right bait, you must also master the correct feeding method to make it grow fast and well. When feeding tropical fish, you must also determine the feeding amount. The method of controlling the feeding amount is very simple, that is, feeding little by little. At the beginning, the fish will scramble for food, and you can stop when the fish are not obviously scrambling for food. If you feed too much at one time and the fish cannot finish it, it will remain in the water and affect the water quality. Generally speaking, feeding 1-2 times a day is enough. It is best to feed at the same time. If an aquarium wants to raise several kinds of tropical fish at the same time, you can feed them twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Tropical fish can only have a good appetite when they grow in a suitable environment. Therefore, in addition to delicious food, you must also create an environment suitable for their growth. Factors such as low dissolved oxygen, inappropriate water temperature, and deteriorating water quality will affect the appetite of fish.

How to raise tropical fish? --6. Light

Light is very important for tropical fish to survive. Without light, tropical fish cannot survive. Light has three main effects on tropical fish breeding.

Light is the most important factor for all plants to photosynthesize. Without light, water plants cannot photosynthesize, absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, and plants cannot maintain their own survival. However, plants also have certain limits on light requirements. If the light is too strong or the light duration is too long, water plants will grow green moss, which will affect the photosynthesis of water plants; but if the light is too weak or the light duration is too short, the branches and leaves of water plants will turn yellow or even die due to too little photosynthesis.

Reasonable lighting should be that in a sunny room, do not expose the fish to direct sunlight, and do not place them on windowsills or under windows. Use sunlight in the morning and evening for 1 to 2 hours. Of course, the time of using scattered light from the window can be appropriately extended. In a room without sunlight or insufficient sunlight, artificial light can also be used. A 60-watt incandescent lamp or a 40-watt fluorescent lamp can be used for about 6 hours a day. Tropical fish also need light to grow and reproduce. Fish with light grow faster, their bodies will be more colorful, and their reproduction cycle will be shortened.

The third function of lighting is to facilitate viewing. If you are in a dark room or a room with too little light, you will not be able to see the scenery in the fish tank clearly, and if you can't see it clearly, there is no point in viewing it.

3. Misconceptions about tropical fish breeding

1. Household spray insecticides are essential daily necessities for many families, but they are also a big taboo for fish breeding. Because these insecticides contain pyrethroids that are highly toxic to fish and shrimp, we cannot poison our beloved tropical fish because of them.

2. When using medicine to treat fish, the combination of some medicines may lead to failure or even poisoning of fish, which has serious consequences. Pay attention to formalin, which is corrosive and toxic. Quicklime should not be mixed with bleaching powder, fish health, fish safety, calcium, magnesium, heavy metal salts, organic complexes, etc.

3. Not paying attention to the properties and individual differences of the mixed species when raising them together will result in a mess. Tropical fish with different properties cannot coexist, and carnivorous tropical fish will bully or even eat herbivorous tropical fish.

4. Feeding depends entirely on personal preference. The fish may be full for one day and hungry for several days. This may cause the same population to be large and small due to malnutrition, or the fish may bite each other due to hunger and contract other diseases.

5. The fish tank is not placed properly, which will cause large temperature changes within a day, or moss will be all over the fish tank, and the dissolved oxygen will change greatly during the day and night. If you are not careful, gentle and steady during the operation, you will suddenly turn on or off the light, knock on the tank wall, and cause the tropical fish to panic or even hit the tank.

6. Not paying attention to the decorations in the fish box, and putting in some items that can change the water quality and produce toxic side effects: such as iron, copper, zinc, lead, mercury, calcium stone, etc.

The most important things to pay attention to when breeding tropical fish are water temperature, water quality and feed. If the water temperature and water quality are not suitable, it is most likely to cause various fish diseases. In addition, oxygen is also an important point. Only with sufficient oxygen can tropical fish be kept lively and the ornamental effect will be better.

Things to note when raising tropical fish:

After the newly bought fish get used to the new environment, you can start feeding them. Generally, after the fish are placed in the water tank for half a day, if you find that the fish start to peck at the wall or sand on the bottom of the tank, it means that you can start feeding them. Some fish refuse to eat when they change their environment, so you should feed them the feed they like. You can feed them a balanced amount of artificial feed and daily feed. Pay attention to the amount to avoid leftovers, because the residues will rot, break the lead and damage the water quality.

Several reasons that cause tropical fish to become sick and die:

1. Drastic changes in water temperature - The best temperature for tropical fish to survive is 25°C, but different species have different temperature requirements, some require as high as 30°C, and some prefer 20°C. Therefore, on average, 25°C is a generally acceptable temperature.

2. Too high stocking density - Many people see that aquariums can put many cute fish in one fish tank, so they also raise many fish in their home fish tanks. This kind of breeding method will kill all the fish. If you raise many different kinds of fish, you must consider the suitable living space for each fish and reduce the number of fish. No matter what kind of fish, a small tank with many fish is never a good thing.

3. Types of feed - The feeding habits of tropical fish vary from species to species and can be roughly divided into three categories: animal, plant, and omnivorous. Therefore, we must understand the type of fish in the tank, what kind of food they like to eat, and classify them for feeding.

4. Disease - There are many reasons why tropical fish may become sick, including infection from purchased sick fish, white spot disease caused by too low temperature, and water quality deterioration due to leftover food or decomposition of fish feces and waste.

i. The difference between a “new” aquarium and an “old” aquarium

The main difference between the two is that there are no minerals or other nutrients in a "new" aquarium for plants to absorb; however, the bottom and side walls of an "old" aquarium are rich in nutrients, such as nitrogen fertilizer, phosphorus fertilizer, etc. Therefore, in an "old" aquarium, water plants will grow rapidly at the beginning, and after a few weeks, these nutrients will turn into debris and settle. In a "new" aquarium, the number of bacteria is very small; on the contrary, the bacteria content in an "old" aquarium is quite high, and contains organic matter, leftover bait, excrement, and many non-nutrient salts. Bacteria can decompose these wastes together with dead plants into harmless substances, which are lacking in a "new" aquarium.

ii. Substances that cause death in a "brand new" aquarium

After we set up a brand new aquarium, we waited for 1-3 weeks before putting the fish in. We were originally very happy, but found that some or all of the fish died. We carefully studied the causes of their death: most of them died due to suffocation or gill swelling, and even the installation of high-performance ventilation equipment did not help. At this time, the most effective and only way is to change the water frequently, or immediately transfer the surviving fish to another "old" aquarium. This situation also often occurs in aquariums with new filters. What is going on? It turns out that the fish in the aquarium did not die because of insufficient dissolved oxygen in the water, but because of nitrogen compound poisoning! Because there are not enough bacteria in the brand new aquarium to convert the toxic nitrogen compounds in the water into non-toxic nitrates.

iii. Nitrification:

There are trillions of bacteria living in "old" aquariums. Different bacteria have different jobs and tasks. They will decompose or convert organic nutrients into water, carbon dioxide and various inorganic salts through many processes of oxidation. Proteins will be broken down into amino acids and converted into inorganic salts of ammonia. Fish will excrete ammonia and urine, and enzymes in the water will break them down into ammonium salts and carbon dioxide. Some nitrifying bacteria can use oxygen dissolved in water to convert ammonia into nitrites, which are then decomposed into non-toxic nitrates. This whole process - ammonia → nitrite → nitrate → is called "nitrification".

iiii. Characteristics of nitrifying bacteria:

Most bacteria need about 20 minutes to reproduce by cell division, while nitrifying bacteria that oxidize ammonia need 2-3 hours to divide, and some even need 20-30 hours. Therefore, when other types of bacteria are multiplying in large numbers, the reproduction rate of nitrifying bacteria will lag behind significantly, resulting in the non-nitrogen organic matter in the water being decomposed quickly, while nitrogen compounds and ammonia are decomposed slowly. This is also the reason why most aquarium enthusiasts believe that nitrogen compounds in water are the most difficult substances to decompose.

As shown in the chart, the reproduction speed of nitrifying bacteria and the time required are clearly marked: at the beginning, the number of nitrifying bacteria is 1,000, and by the end, the number of nitrifying bacteria has increased 100,000 times to 1 billion, and its reproduction rate doubles every day. Some enthusiasts may think that this is not very objective, but it is the fact. However, there is a prerequisite, that is, there must be sufficient nutrients in the water for the bacteria to use.

Be patient and wait for 1-3 weeks. When everything is set up for a new aquarium, most aquarium enthusiasts rarely have the patience to wait for 1-3 weeks, because everything seems normal in the aquarium: the aquatic plants grow luxuriantly, the water is clear and transparent, and it seems to be the same as those "old" aquariums that have been established for a long time, so they directly put fish in and feed them regularly. But after a long period of hard work, the fish still get sick, infected, and die to varying degrees... Strange! Why is this so? A careful investigation of the reasons can reveal that: because there is no nitrifying bacteria in this new aquarium environment to decompose toxins. The energy for bacterial reproduction comes from the excrement or corpses of other organisms, especially plants. Therefore, if there is no dense aquatic plant in the water, those bacteria, especially nitrifying bacteria, cannot reproduce at the bottom of the empty aquarium. Raising fish in this environment can be said to be "indirect murder"!

a. Water quality:

People living in cities mostly use tap water to raise tropical fish. Basically (in Beijing area), it is neutral water, and the hardness and pH value meet the requirements for raising tropical fish, so you don't have to worry too much about this. However, when tap water is used to raise tropical fish, the chlorine must be removed. The main methods are air-drying and chemical methods. The air-drying method is to dry it in the sun for two days, or dry it in a dark place for 4 to 6 days before it can be used. The chemical method is to use sodium thiosulfate to remove chlorine, and the ratio is 1 gram of sodium thiosulfate per 10 kilograms of water. After stirring and dissolving, it can be used. There is also a water quality stabilizer that is also a good choice, but it is a bit expensive.

b. Water temperature:

Temperature is the most important condition for tropical fish to survive. Tropical fish are stenothermic animals and are extremely sensitive to temperature. If the temperature is not suitable, they will die soon. The water temperature for tropical fish should be 20-30℃. However, different types of tropical fish have different requirements for water temperature. For example, guppies and swordtails can tolerate low temperatures of about 10℃, while angelfish and tiger barbs will die when the temperature is below 18℃. Therefore, to raise warm fish well, the water temperature must be controlled to make it suitable for the growth of tropical fish. The water temperature for the growth of most tropical fish is 20-24℃; the water temperature for breeding is 25-28℃, and it should not exceed 4℃ day and night, otherwise it will affect the growth of tropical fish. The water temperature during breeding should be kept constant, which will be more conducive to the production of broodstock, the hatching of fish eggs and the growth of young fish.

c. Light

Light is also very important for tropical fish. It has three main functions for raising tropical fish. Light is the most important factor for all plants to photosynthesize. Without light, water plants cannot photosynthesize, but there are certain limits. If the light is too strong, the branches and leaves of water plants will grow green moss, affecting the photosynthesis of water plants. However, if the light is too weak or the light exposure time is too short, the branches and leaves of water plants will turn yellow or even die due to too little photosynthesis. If you place the fish tank in a sunny room, it is best to expose it to sunlight for about an hour each in the morning and evening when the sunlight is not sufficient. If you place the fish tank in a room without sunlight, you should use light to illuminate the water plants, using a 60-watt incandescent bulb or a 40-watt fluorescent lamp for six hours a day. Tropical fish also need light to grow and multiply. Light can make tropical fish grow faster, make the fish body more colorful, and shorten the fish's breeding cycle. The light exposure time and intensity required for tropical fish can be the same as that of water plants. The second function of light is to facilitate our viewing. Without light or too weak light, we cannot see the scenery in the fish tank clearly, and we cannot observe

d. Change water

Tropical fish constantly excrete feces, and the residual food in the water is constantly oxidized and rotten. All of these will produce harmful substances, deteriorate the water quality, affect the normal breathing of tropical fish, and make the fish sick and even die. Therefore, it is necessary to change the water for tropical fish frequently and in a timely manner to keep the water fresh and enable the fish to grow normally. There are two types of water changes: partial water change and full water change. Partial water change is also called "watering", which is to use a siphon to suck out the fish feces, residual bait and other dirt at the bottom of the fish tank. The amount of water to be sucked out should be about one-fourth of the water in the tank. For large fish tanks, a certain proportion can be sucked less. In short, it depends on the specific situation. After the dirty water is sucked out, add the same amount and temperature of new water that has been dried or chemically dechlorinated. If the water temperature is low, add boiling water or use a heater to heat the water to the water temperature in the tank, and then add the new water into the tank. The frequency of watering is preferably twice a week in autumn and winter; three times a week in spring and summer. A complete water change is when there is a lot of dirt in the tank, and the water plants and bottom sand need to be cleaned again. To do a complete water change, all the equipment in the fish tank should be removed, the water plants should be taken out, all the fish should be fished out, and they should be temporarily placed in other containers with the same temperature as the original water. Use a sponge or gauze to clean the tank wall and bottom, and then suck out all the water. If necessary, wash it again with a small amount of concentrated salt water and then rinse it with clean water. The bottom sand and water plants should be cleaned once. It is best to wash the bottom sand with concentrated salt water, then rinse it clean, and then refill the tank. After adding new water, wait two to three days before putting the fish back into the tank. Even if the water has been chemically treated, it is best not to put the fish in immediately, so as to avoid accidents caused by the new water being too irritating to the fish. It is best to change the water once every three to four months, but if the water quality changes, the water should be changed at any time.

e. Oxygen:

The oxygen needed for tropical fish growth is absorbed by the microvessels in their gills, and then carried to various parts of the fish body through blood circulation. The carbon dioxide they expel is also carried out through the microvessels in their gills. The amount of dissolved oxygen in the water is an important sign of the good growth of tropical fish. If there is a certain amount of dissolved oxygen in the water, tropical fish will float to the surface of the water, and the "floating head" phenomenon will occur; if the dissolved oxygen in the water is seriously lacking, tropical fish will die of suffocation. The source of dissolved oxygen in the water is, first, the oxygen in the air dissolves in the water. The larger the contact area between the air and the water surface, the more dissolved oxygen there will be. Therefore, the water film on the surface of the water should be removed frequently to increase the contact between water and air. Second, the oxygen produced by photosynthesis of aquatic plants, so in order to increase the oxygen content in the water, a certain amount of water plants should be planted in the fish tank. Timely removal of fish feces and residual feed debris, and frequent water changes are also important ways to increase dissolved oxygen in the water. The dissolved oxygen content is inversely proportional to the water temperature. When the water temperature is high, the dissolved oxygen content is low, and when the water temperature is low, the dissolved oxygen content is high. Tropical fish require a higher water temperature, so using an air pump to inflate the water is a good way to alleviate this contradiction. The stocking density of fish is the key issue of whether there is enough dissolved oxygen. If there is more water and fewer fish, the dissolved oxygen will be sufficient. Otherwise, hypoxia will occur. This is not absolute, and it depends on other factors. The stocking density of tropical fish should be determined according to the specific conditions of each fish tank.

How to start a tank and maintain water (for beginners, I wrote this myself, please refer to it)

1. Clean and disinfect the fish tank by soaking it in potassium permanganate for one hour (fill it with water and mix potassium permanganate until it turns purple-red. Potassium permanganate is available in all pharmacies)

2. Add a few marine fish stockings to the water and hang them up. (To provide organic matter for the later cultivation of nitrifying bacteria)

3. Turn on the fish tank heating and keep it above 25 degrees. (25 degrees is the best temperature for nitrifying bacteria to grow)

4. Turn on the oxygen pump and add a lot of oxygen to the water (aeration of new water has the effect of producing chlorine, and high oxygen content in the water is beneficial to the growth of aerobic bacteria)

In the following days, the water will first become turbid, and then a few days later the water will change from turbid to clear. This is a process of nitrifying bacteria production.

5. After about 20 days, you can take out the marine fish stockings and add a fish to test the water. (Choose a fish with a strong physique)

The fish in the new tank may have abnormal reactions after entering the port, such as lighter body color and loss of appetite.

6. After about 30 days of opening the aquarium, when the fish's body color has recovered and they are eating normal food, you can add valuable fish.

7. When selecting new fish, choose those that are in good spirits and are more lively. Also check if there are any abnormalities on the surface of the fish such as damage or ulceration.

8. When putting new fish into the tank, the water quality in the aquarium store is quite different from the water quality at home, so it takes 1-2 hours for the new fish to be transferred into the water. The method is: put the bag containing the fish into the water for 30 minutes, let the water in the bag keep the same temperature as the water in the tank, after the temperature is balanced, pour out one-third of the water in the bag (flush the toilet~), and then overflow the water in the fish tank into the bag (the overflow of the infusion tube is very useful, and the speed of drop by drop is the best). When the water level in the bag reaches the previous level, pour out one-half of the water in the bag, and then overflow the water in the fish tank into the bag, until the water in the bag and the water in the tank are similar in quality, then you can put the fish into the tank.

9. Change the water regularly. Change the water regularly according to the density of the fish. For fish tanks with low single-stocking density, the amount of water changed should be less (about one-sixth per week). For fish tanks with high group stocking density, the amount of water changed can be slightly larger (one-fifth per week).

10. After raising fish in the aquarium for more than a month, the pH value of the water will slowly decrease and turn acidic. If you want to maintain the water in the neutral water range, you need to add some alkaline filter materials, such as corals.

11. Feeding: Feed at regular times and in reasonable quantities, 1-2 meals a day is appropriate.

12. Different fish prefer different pH levels. Please understand the habits of fish before you decide to raise fish to avoid unnecessary casualties.

1. To raise fish, you must first raise water

2 Water temperature

3 Filter

Just master these three points and you'll be fine

After setting up the tank and raising the water, put the fish in