Freshwater aquarium

For other uses, see Aquarium (disambiguation).

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.

A tropical freshwater aquarium

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 mimicks the natural habitat of the aquatic residents. A fish bowl, fish globe, or a small aquarium are also available in plastic.

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. It was believed that the first goldfish pond was constructed in Kahsing by Governor Ting Yen-tsan during the Sung dynasty (960 to 1126 A.D.). By around 1547, the Chinese nobility, dignitaries, mandarins and other rich gentry started keeping their goldfish pets, not just in private garden ponds, but also in vessels of precious jade; while the average folk, in contrast, kept their fish in earthenware tubs, vats and bowls. By 1644, towards the end of the Ming dynasty, almost every household, whether rich or poor, had its own large or small basin as a pet dwelling.

A fancy goldfish aquarium.

However, the goldfish was not 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).

In 1853, the London Zoological Society established a public aquarium to display a group of fish species. By 1864, public aquariums had been opened in Paris and Hamburg. The majority of the fish in these aquariums were species that were local and could be caught in nearby rivers and lakes. In 1869, the first so-called “tropical” fish was imported from Asia, the Paradise Fish (Macropodus opercularis). From that point on, more and more “tropical” species were imported from other far-off lands.

In 1878, Rear-Admiral Daniel Ammon brought the first fishes from the Far East to the United States. The arrival of these small and colorful tropical fishes resulted to the decline of interest in goldfish among a large number of aquarists.

Early days of the freshwater aquarium

In the early days, tropical aquariums were heated by an open flame, which is a dangerous and inefficient means of warming an aquarium. Filters were large, noisy and expensive. Water chemistry was poorly understood and good water conditioners did not exist. Fish suffered dietary deficiencies from the poor variety of live and dried foods. Only a small variety of species was available; of those, only a few were well documented. The aquarist was at a loss of finding reliable information regarding fish size, feeding, care, and social behavior. Almost all fish were caught from the wild; only a few were bred in captivity. During transport, mortality rates were high, thus driving up the cost of the hobby. As a result, tropical fishkeeping, as freshwater fishkeeping was then known, was solely a hobby for the rich and the scientifically inclined.

Modern-day freshwater fishkeeping

Today, aquarium technology has improved and fishkeeping is a much easier hobby. Cultivated forms of ornamental fish are kept mainly in all-glass aquaria. However, most aquarium fish are still bred in Asia, although substantial numbers are produced in Florida. These captive-bred species have several advantages over wild-caught fish, such as that they are now available on a more regular basis; they are less likely to harbor a wide range of parasites; they are less expensive; and they tend to be hardier. However, successive generations of captive inbred fish tend to have less color and sport smaller fins than their wild counterparts, except in the case of selective breeding.

Freshwater fishkeeping, whether coldwater or tropical, is becoming more and more popular despite the advent of aquarium simulation programs on the computer, where a person can keep a fish tank without ever getting their hands wet. The reason for the increasing popularity of the hobby is due to environmental awareness, the greater variety of species, and the relative ease of caring for the fish. Fish are pets that do not require much care, and an aquarium can add to the decor of a room. Fishkeeping is an enjoyable hobby that brings relaxation and enlightenment for persons of every age and interest.

Fundamental components, considerations and set-up

A typical household freshwater aquarium set-up, apart from its aquatic tenants, consists of furnishings such as gravel (substrate), live or plastic plants, rocks, driftwood, a backcloth or background and other decorations. A canopy or hood as aquarium cover, an aquarium stand or base, lighting accessories, a heater, a thermometer, air pumps, filtration apparatus, airstones, fish food, a fish net, water conditioner, water quality testing kits, a siphon hose or gravel cleaner, and a bucket for water changes are the other basic necessities for the fishkeeping hobby at home.

Surface area and height are important in the set-up and maintenance of a living biotope. The surface area contributes to providing superior in-tank oxygenation and it also facilitates the creation of attractive aquatic themes. Freshwater environments benefit more from taller aquariums. In general, a larger-sized aquarium provides a more stable water-world and the hobbyist can also acquire a greater number of fish. A large aquarium can also enhance aesthetic value. With regards to material, an all-glass aquarium is preferable due to its reasonable cost and its superior ability to resist scratches and discoloration. In-door aquariums are normally placed far from windows, heating and cooling ducts of the house because direct sunlight and temperature changes can negatively affect the aquatic environment. Overexposure to sunlight leads to rapid algae growth inside and outside the tank. Sudden temperature variations are harmful to fish.

Classifications

Freshwater aquariums are mainly classified into coldwater and tropical. Coldwater biotopes house fish that does not necessarily require heating apparatus such as goldfish and koi. Although these fish would be more active at 78°F (25°C) temperature. 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. Freshwater aquariums, whether coldwater or tropical, can also be community tanks or planted aquariums.

Freshwater aquarium themes

An African cichlid aquarium such as this Lake Malawi tank typically has a rocky set-up with numerous caves and hiding places

One of the most interesting factors in establishing a freshwater aquarium in the home is to recreate a natural-looking aquatic environment. Fishes comes from different geographic locations. Aquatic themes for the freshwater tank are based on these habitats that are confined in four continental regions of the globe, namely: Central America, South America, Africa and Asia. The four "natural" aquarium thematic set-ups derived from continental origins of fishes include community aquariums, goldfish aquariums, African cichlid aquariums and planted aquariums.

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 regulaly 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 aquarim 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.

See also

Main article: Aquarium

• Fishkeeping
• Fish food
• Aquascaping
• Aquarium
• Goldfish
• Koi
• Butterfly koi
• Tropical fish
• List of freshwater aquarium fish species
• List of freshwater aquarium plant species
• List of freshwater aquarium invertebrate species
• List of freshwater aquarium amphibian species
• List of aquarium diseases
• List of aquaria
• Public aquarium

External links

• Freshwater aquarium at Curlie
• Norfolk, Howard. My Visit to the Freshwater Public Aquarium in Havana, Cuba, Aquarticles.com, January 2004, retrieved on: June 22, 2007
• Testing water why and how?,