Everyone that is a fish-a-holic wants to have a nice display in the tank but also provide a safe living environment for their fish. The betta owner is no different. Even though a betta can survive in just enough water to keep him wet, that does not mean he is happy there. The first thing we suggest is that you have at least a tank/bowl that is one gallon in size. A 1/2 gallon … [Read more...] about What can go in my betta’s water?
Human Mycobacterium marinum Aronson Infections
ABSTRACT Mycobacterium marinum Aronson is generally known as a pathogen of fishes. Since 1962 it has been recognized as causing localized infections on the extremities of humans. Three cases are reported, with cures being effected by use of clarithromycin, ethambutol, minocycline, and rifampin. Cuts or abrasions should not be exposed to aquatic environments or organisms, and … [Read more...] about Human Mycobacterium marinum Aronson Infections
Water Conditions
As humans expand as a species and industry becomes more and more widespread, the water changes - and in essence, we as aquatics people must watch the water we are putting in our aquariums and make sure it is optimal for our fish of choice - the betta. First, let's go over what the betta prefers. The Betta splenden prefers warmer waters with a consistent temperature. That … [Read more...] about Water Conditions
Building a Betta Friendly Community Tank
As I have researched through the internet, I find that there are slim-to-none, when it comes to websites that state the kinds of fish that are compatible community partners with the Betta splendens. This may be due to the fact that Betta have their own personalities. Some, regardless of sex or age, will just not go well with any type of fish you pair them with. Also, if you … [Read more...] about Building a Betta Friendly Community Tank
Monogenea of Fishes
Monogenetic trematodes (Monogenea) are parasitic flatworms mostly found on the gills, fins, skin, and eggs of freshwater and saltwater fishes. They vary in size from about 100 microns to 2 to 3 cm in length. They hold onto their hosts via a combination of hooks, anchors, and suckers at their posterior end (opisthaptor), and use the anterior end (prohaptor) for feeding and … [Read more...] about Monogenea of Fishes
Hyperplasia in Fishes
Hyperplasia is a fancy way of saying abnormal increase in cell numbers or cell numbers "gone wild" leading to a size increase of the affected tissue or organ; it can also be used as another term for benign growth, or tumor. Hyperplasia can be induced by many things, including chronic inflammation, hormone dysfunction, and irritants of many sorts. In humans some examples of … [Read more...] about Hyperplasia in Fishes
Community Females
It is a well-known fact that male bettas cannot share a tank. They are aggressive and will fight, sometimes to the death. Many people can and do keep their male and females (only one male betta in the tank) in community tanks with other fish like gourami's and neon tetras Females bettas are slightly different than their male counterparts beyond an ovispore and easy stress … [Read more...] about Community Females
How do I euthanize my fish?
The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines Euthanasia as follows: the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals (as persons or domestic animals) in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy. As a fish keeper, there may come a time that you need to euthanize one of your fish. In this article we will look at the … [Read more...] about How do I euthanize my fish?
Danger Signs With Your Fishes
PREVENTION is better than cure. Few aquarists are not familiar with that age-old adage. Yet how many are aware of its import in modern aquatics? Too few for their own good and for the good of their stock, for though the last decade has seen many important advances in the treatment of diseases in freshwater fishes, our knowledge of their internal diseases and disturbances is … [Read more...] about Danger Signs With Your Fishes
Daily Tank Checks
Daily tank checks should be done in order to catch problems with living specimens or tank equipment before specimens are lost. Following is a list of items to look for/do during tank checks (Part of this list was from my handbook on how to operate the J. L. Scott Aquarium, where tanks had to be maintained for a daily inspection by the public and politicians. Private tanks … [Read more...] about Daily Tank Checks