Everything about Freshwater Aquarium totally explained
A
freshwater aquarium is a receptacle that holds a single or a collection of
freshwater aquatic organisms, plants and animals for decorative, pet-keeping or research purposes.
General description
Freshwater aquarium inhabitants could either be
coldwater or
tropical specimens. Although freshwater tanks can be set up as a
community tank, the coldwater and tropical specimens are not mixed due to their fundamental and obvious differences in temperature requirements. The contained environment, whether housed in
transparent glass,
acrylic glass or
acrylic material, usually mimics the natural habitat of the aquatic residents.
Freshwater fishkeeping history and evolution
Captive fish have been important to mankind since prehistoric times. Ancient
Egyptians were the first humans known to keep fish
Tilapia species and
Mormyrids as depicted in their
hieroglyphics, not only for food purposes but as a source of entertainment. In
China,
goldfish have been selectively bred for ornamental purposes since at least the 10th century.
However, the goldfish wasn't introduced into
Europe until the late 17th century (c. 1691). The first reports about the Chinese goldfish date back to
Marco Polo (1254 to 1323). The first live goldfish arrived in England during the reign of
King James I (1566 to 1625). Then it eventually reached
Russia around 1650,
Portugal in 1691 and
France around 1750. As the 18th century slowly drew towards its close, widespread public interest in the study of nature was awakening, and the wonderfully colorful fishes were kept in sugar jars, porcelain containers, tubs and small artificial ponds in the houses of ordinary citizens, for the pleasure of the adults and the education of children. It was precisely during this time that the
German zoologist and
botanist,
Johann Matthaeus Bechstein (1757-1822), kept a large number of animals such as fishes and
amphibians that are housed in glass containers,
porcelain and
stoneware. By doing so, Bechstein laid down the foundation for
aquarium and
terrarium science. However, it was only in 1829 that the concepts of the
proper aquarium and terrarium were laid down through a
Briton in the person of Dr.
Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward (1791-1868).
Classifications
Freshwater aquariums are mainly classified into
coldwater and
tropical. Coldwater biotopes house fish that doesn't necessarily require heating apparatus such as goldfish and
koi. For a tropical fish tank, maintaining a warm environmental temperature ranging between 75 to 80°F (24 to 27 °C) enables the fish specimens to thrive.
A
community aquarium refers to the mixing of fish and plants which originated from different geographical areas emphasizing on compatibility, color and hardiness of the aquatic specimens. An example is the combination of various species of
gouramis,
tetras and
rasboras with a selection of hardy plants such as
Hygrophila difformis,
Hygrophila polysperma and
Vallisneria spiralis.
[
Although the goldfish aquarium can be set-up as a "sterile" or unfurnished and bare-bottom tank to give emphasis on the bright coloration of the specimens, a combination of the different varieties of goldfish and decorations that contrast with the vivid colors of goldfish would be an attractive household display.][ Live plants are not usually grown in a goldfish biotope, except for oxygenating weeds like Egeria, because goldfish regularly disturbs the substrate, and they also tend to feed on softer-leaved plants.][ A fine substitute for real plants are plastic plants.][ ]
An African cichlid aquarium commonly consists of Lake Tanganyika or Lake Malawi cichlid varieties, and generally requires a large number of rocks combined with fine substrate, gravel or sand. Since cichlids, like goldfish, disturb the substrate by digging, plastic plants are used as a substitute for live plants. However, real plants like Vallisneria or Anubias can be grown in a cichlid tank.[
A planted aquarium or plant tank features emphasis on living plants rather than the fish specimens. Large groupings of plant species such as Hygrophila, Limnophila, Rotala, Vallisneria, Echinodorus and Cryptocorynes against a limited number of fish is a fine example of a plant tank. Typical fish choices include small tetras, rasboras, angelfish and algae-controlling Siamese flying foxes.][Further Information]
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