Tropical fish but why not outside?
Many people assume that all tropical fish have to be kept in heated tanks at all times but this isn't strictly true. Many of the hardier species can be kept and bred in outside ponds in the summer months in the UK, North America and other countries in the northern hemisphere.
As long as the fish are put out there after all fears of frost are over and brought back in in early autumn before temperatures drop too low you will be surprised how well many species can do.
Some tropical fish are actually quite well known for being able to live in cooler water. The Paradise Fish (Macropodus opercularis) and the Whitecloud Mountain Minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) are both good examples of hardier species.
Of course you need to get them used to the temperature outside by putting them in a container and allowing it to float for some hours to get to the same temperature. It is no good taking them from warm water in a tank indoors and putting them in cooler water or it will be too much of a shock to their bodies.
As long as the fish are put out there after all fears of frost are over and brought back in in early autumn before temperatures drop too low you will be surprised how well many species can do.
Some tropical fish are actually quite well known for being able to live in cooler water. The Paradise Fish (Macropodus opercularis) and the Whitecloud Mountain Minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) are both good examples of hardier species.
Of course you need to get them used to the temperature outside by putting them in a container and allowing it to float for some hours to get to the same temperature. It is no good taking them from warm water in a tank indoors and putting them in cooler water or it will be too much of a shock to their bodies.
Atlas of Tropical Fish
Paradise Fish
A pair of Paradise Fish
Paradise Fish
Paradise Fish are one of the best-known fish sold as tropicals that can be kept outdoors in subtropical and temperate climates in summer. They come from the paddy fields, ponds and ditches of many parts of East Asia.
Paradise Fish have attractive red and bluish stripes on their bodies as well as red on their fins. The males are larger, have bigger fins and are more colourful in general. They will fight with other males so are best kept only with females or with other fish of a comparable size. Even with fish their own size or bigger Paradise Fish of both sexes can often become bullies and will chase other fish and nip their fins. They will eat small fish they can catch.
They were first brought to Europe in the 19th century long before heated aquariums were popular and available. Besides being able to survive in unheated tanks and outdoors in summer, Paradise Fish do not need much oxygen in the water because they are anabantids or labyrinth fishes, which are adapted to breathing atmospheric air that they gulp from the surface.
Paradise Fish males construct nests of thousands of bubbles into which the eggs of the female go after they have been squeezed out of her in an embrace. The males become especially colourful when courting females and they extend and display their fins.
The interesting habits, colorful appearance and hardy nature of the Paradise Fish makes up for the disadvantages of its aggressive nature.
Paradise Fish have attractive red and bluish stripes on their bodies as well as red on their fins. The males are larger, have bigger fins and are more colourful in general. They will fight with other males so are best kept only with females or with other fish of a comparable size. Even with fish their own size or bigger Paradise Fish of both sexes can often become bullies and will chase other fish and nip their fins. They will eat small fish they can catch.
They were first brought to Europe in the 19th century long before heated aquariums were popular and available. Besides being able to survive in unheated tanks and outdoors in summer, Paradise Fish do not need much oxygen in the water because they are anabantids or labyrinth fishes, which are adapted to breathing atmospheric air that they gulp from the surface.
Paradise Fish males construct nests of thousands of bubbles into which the eggs of the female go after they have been squeezed out of her in an embrace. The males become especially colourful when courting females and they extend and display their fins.
The interesting habits, colorful appearance and hardy nature of the Paradise Fish makes up for the disadvantages of its aggressive nature.
White Cloud Mountain Minnows
The White Cloud Mountain Minnow is another species that is sold and can be kept as a tropical fish but will also do well in unheated aquaria and in outdoor pools where it can survive in temperatures down to 41°F. It comes from China but is virtually extinct in the wild.
The White Cloud Mountain Minnow is a small fish from the Cyprinidae of Carp family. It only grows to about 1.5 inches in length but its small size is made up by its colourful appearance, lively behaviour, peaceful nature and the ease with which it can be kept and bred.
It has a red spot on the tail and a black line down its body. White Cloud Mountain Minnows like to live in shoals and look more attractive this way as they swim happily about.
White Cloud Mountain Minnows scatter theit eggs in amongst water plants and the baby fry can be safely left with the parents because they will not get eaten.
The White Cloud Mountain Minnow is a small fish from the Cyprinidae of Carp family. It only grows to about 1.5 inches in length but its small size is made up by its colourful appearance, lively behaviour, peaceful nature and the ease with which it can be kept and bred.
It has a red spot on the tail and a black line down its body. White Cloud Mountain Minnows like to live in shoals and look more attractive this way as they swim happily about.
White Cloud Mountain Minnows scatter theit eggs in amongst water plants and the baby fry can be safely left with the parents because they will not get eaten.
No comments:
Post a Comment