ANS 105 Fish

Overview

• fish tanks are found in homes, restaurants, and offices

• reduce stress

• less demanding

• beautiful and unique

• companionship

• select fish type, select tank or pond size (glass or acrylic) (high or long)

Filtrations

• mechanical- needed to filter particles out of the water

• chemical- change water chemistry, changing pH or hardness of water

• Biological- #1 importance in a tank. Reason for a filter bacteria live in filter to make the fish waste less harmful

Nitrogen Cycle

• Ammonia

  • produced by fish as waste

  • toxic to fish

• Nitrite (bacteria)

• Nitrate (bacteria)

  • less harmful form

  • can be removed by plants or in water changes

Lighting

• fluorescent is the best bc it does not heath the water

• do not need lighting all the time

• too much lighting can be as bad as not enough

Heating

• tropical- 76-82F

• Goldfish and Koi- Below 76F

• Marine- 72-78F

Water

• pH scale

  • 6.0-9.0 for fish

  • tropical tanks= 7.0

  • saltwater fish= 8.6

• Success means water changes

  • small water changes are better than big water change

Marine/ Saltwater

• more expensive to house

• cycling water can take a long time (be patient)

Sick Fish

• “treat v cure”

• vet care is sometimes available although not common

• skin darkening/ reddening

• white spots

• weakness

• gasping at surface

Fishes and Birth

• can lay eggs or be livebearers

• breeding process= spawning

• put eggs/babies (fry) in separate tank due to being eaten

Guest Lecture

• Gregory A. Lewbart

• Sheepshead bully

• Big Blue the Catfish

• Puff the Dogface Pufferfish