Question by Great Crusade: What fish should I add to my community tank? Currently I have a 30 gallon, planted, freshwater fish tank. It contains: 1 Dojo Loach 1 Pleco 1 Albino Cory Catfish 2 Orange-Finned Fish (??) 3 Zebra…

This is my six week old community trpoical aquarium. I plan to add about 20 more tetras in about 5 species. look out for the Amano Shrimps, they’re great and I will be adding some Cherry Shrimps soon. Next…

Species name: Caridina Japonica Common names: Glass Shrimp, Grass Shrimp, Ghost Shrimp Family: Palaeomonidae Order: Decapoda Class: Crustacea Maximum length: 1 – 2 inches (3 – 5 cm) Minimum tank size: 5 gallons Hardiness: Easy Aggressiveness: Peaceful. Sometimes will eat baby fish. Sometimes will fight among themselves if too many in a small tank. Distribution: North America Diet: Omnivore. Will eat almost anything you feed it and also a good bottom feeder. This is not an effective algae eater. Additional information: Known to the scientific community as Palaemonetes paludosus , the ghost shrimp is often sold as food for cichlids and other carnivorous fish. But these fascinating creatures can also be wonderful and very rewarding members of the community tank. In fact many hobbyists love to add a colony of these unique shrimp to their tanks just to watch their antics. The ghost shrimp no doubt owes its name to the fact that it is nearly invisible. The clear coloring of the ghost shrimp is certainly an advantage in the wild, and these creatures are prevalent throughout the south, in waterways as small as drainage ditches. Two of the advantages of the ghost shrimp for the community aquarium are their small size and their non-aggressive nature. The full grown adult ghost shrimp is rarely more than an inch and a half long, making it the perfect choice for community tanks. It is however important not to house ghost shrimp in breeding tanks, as they will be able to eat the fry. But once those baby fish are over an inch in length the ghost shrimp will no longer pose a threat. Hobbyists love ghost shrimp for their fascinating appearance, but it is their scavenging and cleaning ability that is most important. Ghost shrimps will spend most of their time scavenging the bottom of the aquarium for overlooked food and other morsels, and this natural behavior makes them an excellent choice for keeping the tank clean and free of uneaten food particles. Ghost shrimps will also readily swim to the surface at feeding time, and many hobbyists love to watch them compete with the other fish at meal time. Ghost shrimp feed readily in the community tank, and their non-aggressive nature means that they will not battle larger fish for food – at least not for long.

Eager to build a beautiful, green home for your fish? Before unleashing any hidden creative talents on your bare aqua landscape. Know your plants well. Aquarium plants come in a myriad of shapes, sizes, and colors to suit different environments and fish. Small, shy fish seek comfort in the thick foliage, while fish that dwell in shade love broad-leaded plants. If your fish are herbivores, avoid young or soft-leafed plants. By understanding the growth, reproduction and development patterns of different plant species, you can plan the layout with foresight. For instance, uncontrollable, haphazard growth can be avoided by simply observing both young and mature plants. You’ll save yourself from uprooting mistakes that can wreak havoc on the aquarium landscape. Submerged or Floating Plants? Plants are categorized as “submerged” (rooted plants, tubers, and cuttings) or “floating.” Submerged Plants Rooted Plants: They are often sold in pots, are the most common. If the roots are delicate, leave them potted to reduce transplant shock. Conceal the pots in the gravel, or cut away the plastic pots to leave the wadding intact. Plant them individually—not too deep, or the stems will rot. Trim off any brownish dead roots. Tuberous Plants: These are hardy and viable. They hibernate, shedding leaves when they do so. During hibernation, transfer them to a cooler tank for two weeks

If you’re thinking of keeping goldfish in a bowl because the cost of setup looks quaint and it takes up little space…knock that silly idea out of your head! Confining goldfish to a small bowl or container is cruel, as these fish have a propensity to grow very large. It not only leads to premature death, but also stunts growth, deforming them internally and externally. Bowls don’t work too partly because goldfish produce huge amounts of ammonia and waste. These toxic elements poison the water fast. Imagine the situation worsening in meager, cramped spaces. Being coldwater fish, goldfish also need plenty of oxygen—something you won’t find in bowls with small surface areas. If you’ve heard others boast about how their goldfish have lived up to three years in a bowl, get this: Goldfish, if taken care of properly, can live up to 25 years or more! Suffice it to say, dunking your goldfish in a bowl won’t improve their quality of life, let alone encourage longevity. If these still don’t convince you, you’re welcome to read my earlier post on Why Goldfish Won’t Thrive Well In a Bowl . Housing Your Goldfish The Proper Way Aquarium Tank: Get a tank! It’s unavoidable if you want your pet fish happy and healthy. Buy the best you can afford, something that will last your fish a lifetime. Remember, they are going to grow a lot, both length- and body-wise. Don’t overload the tank. Some experts recommend about 10 gallons of water per goldfish, and that’s just for fry and the young ones! Filter: A good filter is vital in maintaining a healthy environment for your fish. Power filters are a good choice, they’re easy to clean, come in many sizes, and priced reasonably. Which filter you buy also depends on your tank size and how many fish you have. I’ve written a number posts on filter, do a search around this site it should bring out a few of them.