A lot of it is. Even worse, if a fish is then taken from water where there is very little nitrate such as in the case of my hypothetical retailer earlier and suddenly exposed to high nitrate, then it is likely to shock it. To stay with the drinking analogy, someone unhealthy but used to drinking heavily would cope better with a ten pint boozing session than a person in perfect health who has been a lifelong teetotaller.
Think Rab C. Nesbitt versus a nun. Phosphate is introduced courtesy of the foods we offer our fish. It is not metabolised to any degree, and ends up excreted as waste.
Phosphate has questionable health impacts on fish, and is much better understood to inhibit invertebrates. Marine keepers in particular struggle to control it. As phosphate builds, the most obvious symptom is increased algae growth. In waterways, excess phosphate leads to eutrophication it is the prime cause of eutrophication , which turns rivers and lakes bright green with algae, stripping the water of oxygen and killing the inhabitants.
An underlying problem involves the hardness — the mineral content — of the water. Carbonates play a vital role in buffering aquarium pH, as well as providing a source of carbon for some plants and bacteria: specifically those bacteria helping to convert fish waste. When carbonates become depleted, two problems follow. Firstly, the osmoregulation of many fish the way in which they regulate their minerals in the body is compromised, sometimes to lethal extents.
Secondly, without the buffering effect of minerals to keep it in place, pH in the tank can drop or swing wildly, leading to acute acidosis. Either of these can kill a fish outright, and both will cause acute and chronic stress. Bacterial action inside the filter further alters pH. Biological bacteria, as they work, produce quantities of hydrogen ions.
In water, these take the form of hydronium, and the amount of hydronium relative to the amount of hydroxide dictates how acidic the tank is. The more hydronium, the lower the pH, and with a busy filter churning the stuff out, pH levels can soon plummet. Combine that with the simultaneous removal of buffering carbonates as already mentioned, and you have a pH disaster in the waiting.
To make things even worse, if the pH does drop too far then it will stop the filter from working properly.
In acidic conditions, the bacteria that convert ammonia struggle to function, and below 6. Every parameter mentioned here can be tested, inexpensively and easily. They noticed that some of the fish kept to themselves, stayed near the edge of their cages and seemed unexcited about food: all signs of depression. So, they tested cortisol levels in the sea creatures and found that they did in fact have elevated levels of the stress hormone, which is also linked to depression in people.
Cramped environments and aggression from other fish are believed to cause the mood disorder, according to Phys. Since this discovery, researchers have been working on creating the fish version of Zoloft.
Included in the possible treatments is an oil found in bird glands that keep their feathers shiny. I'm a passionate aquarist of over 30 years, a coral reef lover, and the blog editor for Advanced Aquarist. While aquarium gadgets interest me, it's really livestock especially fish , artistry of aquariums, and "method behind the madness" processes that captivate my attention. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
General Discussion. Reefs for Beginners. Advanced Reefs. There are lots of other fun activities you can engage in with your betta by using your imagination or doing a little online research.
Bettas have different personalities and abilities, which makes it difficult to predict what each individual fish can be trained to do. One of the reasons bettas are so popular as aquatic pets is that they're relatively easy to take care of and they don't require a massive amount of space. When deciding what to place your betta tank on, remember that the full weight of a decorated and filled aquarium is approximately 10 lbs.
Your betta will be happiest and healthiest in an aquarium with a filter and heater. Unfiltered habitats in warmer environments can work, but they are more susceptible to water quality problems and may require partial water changes 2 to 3 times a week.
Not only will it provide clearer water, your betta can play in them, too! There are many philosophies on what constitutes the ideal aquarium size, but bigger is always better and less work for you as more water is more forgiving! No matter what type of fish tank environment you choose, use plants and other decorations to make your fish feel safe and at home.
Aquarium lighting for bettas should be somewhat subdued to simulate their natural habitat and reduce stress. In nature bettas live in relatively still water, so the filter should have a gentle flow. A frequently asked question is "Can bettas be kept with other tropical fish? Most male bettas will peacefully co-exist with other mild-mannered fish species as long as there is adequate space, enough decorations and they aren't extremely fast swimmers.
That said, male bettas have individual personalities and occasionally you'll encounter one that doesn't play well with other fish and must be kept by himself. Aside from never putting two male bettas together, avoid fin nippers like tiger barbs, other anabantids gouramis , large predatory fish and tiny fish that your betta might go after. Some bettas are also known to eat small shrimp, so you don't want to pair them together in a fish tank or your shrimp may start to disappear!
0コメント