Category: Hygger Aquarium Official Blog

Featuring a silver and green body, plus transparent fins, the costae tetra also has special stripes on the caudal and anal fin. In this article, we will walk you through some basic information about costae tetras, like features of costae tetras, and care guides.

Moenkhausia costae tetra

Before getting into deeper learning, let’s have a quick look at the costae tetra.

Scientific name	Moenkhausia costae	Adult size	About 2.5 inches
Other names	Costae Tetra, Blackline Tail Tetra	Temperament	Peaceful
Family	Characidae	Care Level	Easy-Intermediate
Origin	South America	Minimum tank size	30 gallons
Diet	Omnivore & Micropredator	Swimming Level	Middle-Top
Lifespan	3–5 years	Compatibility	Long-finned or slow-moving fish should be avoided.

Very sociable tetras

In fact, costae tetras are schooling species. They are active and fast-moving. They like living in groups to defend against predation. And it is best to keep at least 6 in an aquarium. Generally, as long as the aquarium room allows, the more fish, the better. For example, keeping more than 100 tetras is a peculiar scenery of the fishtank.

In addition to costae tetras, here are more schooling tetras:

• Neon tetras
• Cardinal tetras
• Congo tetras
• Lemon tetras
• Diamond tetras

How to keep a school of Costae tetra

Costae tetras are not difficult to care for. Nonetheless, to keep them happy and healthy in aquariums, you should follow some rules. And this segment will share some care guides.

Tank set up

1.  Tank size

Costae tetras are schooling fish, and it is recommended to keep them in a school of six or more. But never overstock. A 30 gallons tank is the minimum tank size, while the best height should be over 1.2 meters. Also, the costae tetra aquariums should be large with plenty of space for fish to move around in. Besides that, it is better to add an aquarium lid, which can avoid costae tetra jumping out of fish tanks.

2. Water parameters

Though costae tetras are hardy and tolerable for a wide range of water conditions, maintaining great water conditions provides an enjoyable and healthy living environment for them. And the tetras are fond of freshwater and soft water aquariums. Next, we will cover some references to water parameters.

• Ideal water temperature: 75-82 ℉
• pH level: 6.0-7.5
• Water hardness: 5-18 dGH
• Ammonia level: 0 ppm
• Nitrite level: 0 ppm
• Nitrate level: less than 10 ppm

3. Hiding place

Costae tetras need plenty of hiding places in aquariums. Consequently, you should build enough hiding places with aquatic plants, rocks, stones, wood, or other aquarium decorations. Moreover, dark substrate and background are suitable for costae tetra aquariums. Furthermore, planted tanks are perfect to keep a school of costae tetras.

4. Tankmates

Costae tetras are peaceful. And you can keep them with other peaceful fish of similar sizes. For example, Cardinal tetra, Neon tetra, Zebrafish, and Tiger barb. Also, costae tetras prefer swimming in the middle and top of the tank. Thus, it is feasible to add some peaceful bottom dwellers. On the other side, it is better not to keep costae tetras with slow-moving or long-finned fish. Because costae tetras would cause stress on slow-moving fish.

Daily tank maintenance

1. Tank maintenance

Costae tetras are tropical freshwater fish. And the water temp should be maintained between 75℉ and 82℉. Hence, adding an aquarium heater to keep stable and optimal water temp is necessary. Accordingly, a quartz heater is an excellent alternative, which is perfect for 5-160 gallons tanks. The heater is made of explosion-proof quartz glass material and a high-temperature resistant nickel-chromium heating wire with silicon carbide heat conduction, which makes it anti-corrosion, non-leakage, non-conductive, and explosion-proof. And it can heat water faster and safer.

Aside from maintaining stable water temp, it is also vital to keep great water conditions by changing the water regularly. Generally, it is feasible to change 15-30 percent of water once each week. In this case, a gravel vacuum will help you out. While a gravel vacuum helps to change the water, it also makes sense in sucking out debris and waste from the tank.

2. Diet

Costae tetras are omnivores. The available food includes daphnia, brine shrimp, blood worm, white mosquito larvae, flake foods, pellet foods, and small frozen foods or others. But keep in mind – never overfeed. Otherwise, it would cause health problems or poor water quality because of unnecessary substance accumulation. Commonly, you can feed them once or twice a day and make sure they finish eating within 2–3 minutes. Remember to suck out the uneaten food in time.

3. Lighting

On one side, adding an aquarium light is beneficial for plant growth. Plus, aquarium light is also helpful to enhance fish’s body color. It makes the tetras more attractive and then improves the ornamental value of the tank.

4. Pump air 

If you keep a school of costae tetras in tanks with plenty of aquatic plants, adding an air pump would be better. Because plants would release carbon dioxide at night, which may pose risks of oxygen deficiency.

More about these magic beans tetra

In addition to all mentioned above, this part will share some interesting facts about costae tetras. Costae tetra may be afraid of people at the beginning. Commonly, the tetras always take 7–30 days to adapt to the environment. Also, you can turn on the light and play with the fish, then they will gradually get familiar with you. Accordingly, the fear will disappear. Moreover, if two male costae tetras fight, the black stripes would extend to their tail or even anal fin. Additionally, costae tetras are egg scatterers. But they may not breed in home aquariums sometimes.

In conclusion

To conclude, costae tetras are tropical freshwater fish. They are easy to keep in aquariums. Hence, they can be an excellent option for beginners. By the way, if you want to know more about tetra fish, you can go to Most Popular Tetra Fish Types to Aquarists.

For additional info about costae tetra, welcome to share with us in the comment or share them with the hygger aquarium group on facebook. We’re happy to receive your sharing. Finally, thanks for taking the time and we hope this article helps.

Popeye is a fish disease, which may pose risks to fish health problems. It is also known as exophthalmia. Generally, Popeye will lead to swollen or bulged eyes, you can see the fish with big eyes. More seriously, fish may suffer decaying eyes, blindness, or even death. So here is this article, we are going to discuss some basic information about Popeye in betta fish, like the causes, how to treat Popeye in betta fish, and prevention. Rant over, let’s dive in.

Popeye in betta fish

In general, betta fish may get Popeye on one eye (unilateral Popeye) or two eyes (bilateral Popeye). Next in this part, let’s take a look at the causes and symptoms of Popeye in betta fish.

Causes

Eye injury or trauma, and infections are two main causes of Popeye in betta fish.

Sharp rocks or other aquarium decorations are potential reasons for injury. You should avoid anything that would cause damage to your fish. Instead of sharp objects, soft ones are excellent alternatives. Also, fish fights can be another cause of injury. Accordingly, you should pay attention to fish compatibility when introducing new fish. Once you find incompatible fish in the tank, separate them into different tanks as soon as possible.

Besides that, Popeye may be the result of infections by parasites, fungus, or bacteria.

Common symptoms of Popeye in Betta fish

• Color changes in fish eyes: Color changes in fish eyes usually mean unilateral Popeye. Commonly, the color changes range from red to milky. Correspondingly red eyes or cloudy eyes.
• Bulge or protruding eyes: Bulge eyes may be the result of the build-up of pressure behind the eye.
• White spots or a white ring on fish eyes
• Loss of appetite
• Stay on the bottom of the fish tank
• Stay in the same place in the fish tank for a long time
• Avoiding other tank mates
• Lethargy

Is popeye fish disease contagious

Whether Popeye disease is contagious or not is determined by the cause of Popeye. Specifically, if your bettas get Popeye due to injury, then the Popeye disease would not be contagious. However, if the betta fish Popeye is caused by infections of parasites, fungus, or bacteria, the disease would be contagious under this circumstance.

How to treat popeye disease in betta fish

The treatment can be varied from the cause of Popeye. Once you find the root cause of the popeye, take the necessary steps and start the treatment.

Treatments for Popeye in betta fish

Commonly, no matter what are the reasons for Popeye, it is recommended to separate the fish into quarantined tanks. Moreover, changing the water is necessary. Next, we will share some specific cures according to different causes.

(1)Cures for Popeye caused by injury

Prepare another fish tank, and add aquarium salt or Epsom salt to the tank. Generally, just follow one tablespoon of Epsom salt for one gallon of water. Then move your betta to the tank until the salt is dissolved completely. After that, bathe the fish in the water with salt for 10–15 minutes. During Epsom salt baths, if your fish is about to lose consciousness or suffer breathing problems, you should remove them from the salt water and put them back in freshwater as soon as possible. Additionally, never use salt to treat betta fish over 10 days.

(2)Cures for Popeye caused by infection

In this case, it is recommended to set up a quarantine tank and isolate the infected fish first. Then it is vital to change the water of the original tank, which is helpful to remove parasites, bacteria, and fungus in the tank. After that, antibiotic medication to the quarantine tank, like Ampicillin. Usually, just follow one tablet of Ampicillin for 10 gallons of water. You should change the water of the quarantine tank twice each week. Plus, treat the betta with Ampicillin again after changing the water.

In addition, if you want your betta get recover sooner, just add some Indian almond leaf to the quarantine tank. The leaves are natural antibiotics, which are beneficial to heal the betta fish.

To conclude, facing Popeye caused by infections in betta fish, it is feasible to apply for medicine, like antibiotics, antifungals, or antibacterial medication.

Prevention for Popeye in Betta Fish

Though there are effective treatments for Popeye, it is best to prevent it. After learning, we know that the reasons for Popeye infection include poor water quality, bad living environment, injury, and infections. The following are some pointers.

• Never overstock in betta fish aquariums.
• Never add aquarium decorations with sharp edges.
• Quarantine new fish before introducing them to the aquarium.
• Create a great filtration system. Bacteria would accumulate without sufficient water flow. Also, clean or replace the filter media regularly. And check the filtration system once a month.
• Monitor the water parameters, including water temp, pH level, ammonia level, nitrite level, nitrate level, etc.
• Change the water regularly. For instance, once a week.
• Keep betta fish aquariums clean. Remove unnecessary substances, waste, or fish feces with a gravel vacuum during water changes.
• Never overfeed.

In closing

Popeye disease is not fatal for betta fish as long as the Popeye is not a secondary bacterial disease or the fish does not get treatment in time. Just keep in mind – prevention is better than treatment. It is painful for fish to get the disease.

That’s all for today. And What Is a Good Way to Keep Betta Fish Happy gives more info about betta fish keeping. For additional cures for Popeye in betta fish, please feel free to leave messages in the comments. Finally, thanks for your reading.

Freshwater shrimp can be found in areas with warm water in the Southern US, Mexico, and Central and South America. They come in diverse and vibrant colors. Without wasting much time, let’s dive deep into what shrimp eat in the freshwater aquariums and the care guides.

Shrimp tank

Freshwater shrimp can be kept in most tropical freshwater fish aquariums, like tetras, and tiger barbs. However, setting up a shrimp tank can be different from setting up a fish tank. Then, how to set up a shrimp tank, and how to care for shrimp in aquariums?

How to set up a shrimp tank

The basic steps include adding substrate, adding aquarium decorations, filling the aquarium with water, cycling your tank, and introducing shrimp. Next, let’s learn more about the shrimp tank setup.

Tank size

You should prepare a tank first. Although most shrimp are small, the minimum tank size can be about 2 – 5 gallons. However, in general, the larger, the better if you keep an amount of shrimp.

Aquarium substrate

Fine gravel, sand, and aquarium soil are excellent alternatives. However, it is better to rinse the substrate before adding it to aquariums. Otherwise, your aquarium water will be cloudy for a few days. Generally, just keep the substrate for about 1–3 inches in height. Because too deep a substrate would lead to a build-up of anaerobic gas, which is not good for shrimp tanks.

Aquarium decorations

Shrimp need hiding places. You can create hiding space with aquarium decorations, like wood, caves, rocks, ornament tree trunk, or others. Plus, microorganisms will grow on the surface of these aquarium objects. And it can be another food source for shrimp.

Aquatic plants

Aquatic plants provide more hiding places for shrimp. The available aquatic plants can be Anubias, Java moss, Java fern, and moss balls. Plus, adding some aquatic plants can improve the ornamental value of shrimp tanks.

How to care for freshwater shrimp in aquariums

Regular water changes

It is vital to change the water once every two weeks. During the water change process, you can also clean the substrate with an electric vacuum cleaner. Then, the aquarium water quality in the shrimp tank would not get poor.

Monitor water parameters

Frequent water parameter fluctuation would cause shrimp death. It is better to test the water parameters regularly, like TDS, water temperature, ammonia level, nitrite level, nitrate level, pH level, etc. TDS measures the total dissolved solids in aquarium water. Too much TDS would pose threats to shrimps’ health. Take ghost shrimp as an example, the ideal TDS ranges from 150 to 200.

Necessary aquarium equipment

• Aquarium light

Seeing that there are aquatic plants in freshwater shrimp aquariums, adding an aquarium light may be needed. Any planted aquarium LED lights can be optimal options. Just choose one according to the tank size and plants’ needs.

• Aquarium heater

Whether you should add an aquarium heater depends on the shrimp’ needs. Commonly, it is better to keep the water temp between 70℉-79℉. Hence, in some areas, it may be necessary to add an aquarium heater to keep a stable and warm water temperature.

• Aquarium filter

The sponge filter is perfect for shrimp tanks. Because it is effective and easy to install. Furthermore, you should make sure that the filter in shrimp tanks will not suck away the small shrimp. Additionally, you need to clean the sponge once a month.

What do shrimp eat

Favorite foods of aquarium shrimp

Freshwater shrimp are omnivores. They can eat various foods. For instance, algae, dead shrimp, uneaten fish food, live or rotten aquatic plants, decaying substances, or others.

To conclude, the following are some favorite and suitable diets for shrimp.

• Aquatic plants
• Leaves (e.g. Indian almond leaves)
• Vegetables (e.g. Cucumber, Zucchini, Spinach)
• Alage
• Biofilm
• Cuttlebone
• Bloodworms
• Brine shrimp
• Daphnia
• Pellets

Food requirements for different freshwater shrimp

1. Ghost shrimp
What do ghost shrimp eat? Ghost shrimp are great scavengers. The leftovers on the bottom of the fish tank can be a food source for them. Also, algae, aquatic plants, larvae, and pellets are available foods. Ghost shrimp are omnivorous. Hence, you can feed them a variety of foods.

2. Brine shrimp

Brine shrimp is a great food for many aquarium fish, but what do brine shrimp eat? Brine shrimp eat anything they can swallow. Algae, like diatoms and cyanobacteria, are accepted. Furthermore, you can also feed brine shrimp egg yolks, yeast, soybean powder, and wheat flour.

3. Red cherry shrimp

The available diet for cherry shrimp consists of algae in the aquarium and leftover dried food from other fish in your tank. This makes them a great secondary food feeder for your fish.

4. Crystal red shrimp

Crystal red shrimp are omnivores and eat anything that comes near them. In aquariums, they would like to eat algae. You have to supply enough food frequently in case of a clean environment.

5. Grass shrimp

Grass shrimp are fond of eating leftovers and love eating dead and decaying plants. In addition to this, algae, larvae, pellets, or others can also be excellent food. Exactly, they are great aquarium cleaners.

How to feed shrimp

Commonly, you should feed shrimp once every two or three days. Also, foods rich in protein should be fed once each week. Moreover, do not forget to supplement minerals and calcium. Plus, you should ensure shrimp would finish eating within 2–3 hours. Keep in mind, do not overfeed, and remove the uneaten food in time.

Next, we will give you an example of how to feed cherry shrimp. A diverse food will be perfect for cherry shrimp. Algae wafers, carrots, snails, crabs, or others are feasible to feed. However, they may need to be fed every day.

Facts about aquarium shrimp

Freshwater aquarium shrimp can be held in aquariums alone, or introduced to community fish tanks. In this part, we will share some facts about freshwater aquarium shrimp.

• Aquarium shrimp are not picky eaters. They eat almost everything. So, as for the cost of food, they are lower cost.
• Some shrimp are nocturnal. They will hide in aquariums, while they will be active and eat at night. For example, the peppermint shrimp, Amano shrimp, and Ghost shrimp are all nocturnal.
• Introducing shrimp is beneficial to keep fish tanks clean. Aside from removing algae, some shrimp also makes sense to clean aquarium glass by stripping algae from the aquarium walls.
• Shrimp are easy to breed. Because they can carry the eggs underneath the body.
• The freshwater shrimp can molt. You may be surprised about it. They often molt at young ages. It is common for shrimp to melt once a week.
• Shrimp are great swimmers, and they usually walk around aquariums.

• Popular Freshwater Shrimp for Fish Tank
• A Bio Solution to Algae in Fish Tank – Amano Shrimp
• Filamentous Algae Killer Clean Shrimps

By Sarah Robertson from justfishthings.com

Oscar fish are one of the most popular cichlids in the aquarium hobby. They are known for their vibrant colors, playful personalities, and unique behaviors. These fish are native to South America and can be found in the Amazon River Basin. If you want to provide your Oscar fish with a natural and comfortable environment, it’s important to mimic their natural habitat. In this article, we will discuss how to create a natural habitat for your Oscar fish by mimicking the Amazon River Basin.

Water Quality and Parameters

One of the most important factors in creating a natural habitat for your Oscar fish is water quality. The Amazon River Basin is known for its soft and acidic water with a pH range of 5.5-7.5. To mimic this natural environment in your aquarium, you should strive to create similar water conditions.

The first step is to test the water in your aquarium regularly to ensure it is within the proper range for Oscar fish. The ideal temperature range for Oscars is between 74° and 81° F (23.5° and 27° C) and a pH range of 6.0-7.5. A pH of 7.0 is considered neutral, while a pH below 7.0 is acidic.

To mimic the soft and acidic water of the Amazon, you can use natural methods such as adding driftwood or peat moss to the aquarium. These natural materials can help to lower the pH and soften the water. Another option is to use an aquarium water conditioner designed to lower the pH.

Filtration

The Amazon River Basin is known for its strong water flow and high oxygen levels. To mimic this in your aquarium, you will need a high-quality filter that can provide good water circulation and aeration. A canister filter or power filter is a good option for an Oscar aquarium.

When selecting a filter, consider the size of your tank and the number of fish you have. A filter that is too small or weak can lead to poor water quality and health problems for your fish. On the other hand, a filter that is too powerful can create strong currents that can stress out your fish. The hygger Aquarium Internal Filter Pump is an excellent option for Oscar tanks, as it has adjustable flow settings and offers good filtration.

Decorations and Plants

In the Amazon River, the water is usually clear and has a sandy or muddy bottom with lots of vegetation. To mimic this in your aquarium, you can use sand or fine gravel as the substrate and add plants such as Amazon Sword or Java Fern. These plants not only provide a natural look but also help to maintain water quality by removing excess nutrients.

When selecting plants, consider the lighting and nutrient requirements of the species. Some plants require high levels of light and nutrients, while others can thrive in lower light and nutrient conditions.

In terms of decorations, you can use rocks or driftwood to create hiding places for your Oscar fish. This will help them feel more secure and reduce stress levels. Avoid using sharp or rough decorations that can harm your fish.

Fish Compatibility

When setting up an Oscar aquarium, it’s important to consider the compatibility of the other fish in the tank. Oscars are known to be aggressive and territorial towards other fish, especially those that are smaller. Therefore, it’s best to keep Oscars with larger and similarly aggressive fish such as other cichlids.

If you want to keep multiple Oscars in the same tank, such as the veil tail oscar or the tiger oscar, make sure to provide plenty of hiding places for them. This will help reduce aggression between the fish and create a more natural environment. Also, make sure you have a large enough tank to accommodate their size and territorial nature. A tank of at least 75 gallons is recommended for a pair of Oscars.

Feeding

Oscar fish are omnivores and will eat a variety of foods including pellets, flakes, live or frozen foods, and vegetables. It’s important to provide a balanced diet that includes a variety of protein and plant-based foods. Overfeeding can lead to health problems such as obesity and poor water quality. A good rule of thumb is to feed your Oscar fish once or twice a day and only what they can consume in a few minutes.

Breeding

If you want to breed your Oscar fish, you will need to provide them with the proper environment and conditions. Oscars are known to be substrate spawners, meaning they lay their eggs on a flat surface such as a rock or piece of wood.

To encourage breeding, you can provide a spawning site such as a flat rock or slate. The water temperature should be raised to around 80-82 °F (27-28 °C) and the pH should be kept around 7.0-7.2. Once the eggs are laid, the parents will guard and fan them with their fins to ensure proper oxygenation.

Common Health Issues

Like all fish, Oscars are prone to certain health issues such as ich, fin rot, and bacterial infections. To prevent these problems, it’s important to maintain good water quality, provide a balanced diet, and avoid overcrowding.

If you notice any signs of illness such as lethargy, loss of appetite, or unusual behavior, it’s important to act quickly and seek the advice of a veterinarian or experienced fish keeper.

In Conclusion, mimicking the natural habitat of your Oscar fish is essential for their health and happiness. By replicating the water quality and conditions of the Amazon River Basin, you can create a comfortable and natural environment for your fish. Remember to test the water regularly, provide proper filtration, use appropriate decorations and plants, choose compatible tank mates, and provide a balanced diet. With proper care, your Oscar fish will thrive in their natural habitat.

Authors bio:

Sarah Robertson is an avid blogger and a lover of fish-keeping. She enjoys writing about her hobby, which is essentially keeping fish as pets and has acquired considerable expertise in the field through years of experience. Sarah is also an avid reader of adventure and survival books.

Speaking of fish tank filters, do you know their roles in aquariums? Actually, adding a fish tank filter will bring a handful of benefits to aquariums. For instance, remove excess waste and toxic substances, convert the harmful substances into harmless ones, promote the nitrogen cycle, promote the generation of beneficial bacteria, as well as circulate the water and aerate the tank. So next in this article, we are going to cover some pointers about how often to change fish tank filters and how to clean and maintain them. Without wasting much time, let’s dive deep into the topic.

Does a fish tank filter always need to be on

Generally, it is recommended to keep a fish tank filter always on. Then why turning off the fish tank filter is not a good choice?

• A fish tank filter can remove waste, uneaten food, fish feces, harmful bacteria, or other unnecessary substances from the aquarium.
• The filter provides places for beneficial bacteria and microbe colonies to grow. It is helpful to the nitrogen cycle.
• Without a fish tank filter your fish tank may face bad oxygen flow, waste accumulation, and poor water quality. And it is not good for fish.
• Some fish tank filters also play a role in aerating aquarium water, which helps to maintain sufficient oxygen levels.
• If you turn off the filter, dirty water and unnecessary substances on the filter may regurgitate into the fish tank when you turn on it.

Additionally, can you turn off the fish tank filter at night? Actually, maybe sometimes you can. But it is better not to turn off the filter at night. Because a night may mean 7 hours or more. It is a long time, actually. Stagnant or dead aquarium water would pose risks of oxygen deficiency, and fish may breathe hard.

Then, when can you turn off the fish tank filter?

• The time you feed fish, you can turn off the fish tank filter for a while. Then the motor of the filter can take a break, which also prevents the motor from getting burned.
• You can turn off the filter in the case of clean aquarium water and there is an air pump in the tank. But do not keep it off too long. Otherwise, it would damage fish.

How often to change the fish tank filter

Until now, you have known that fish tank filters are necessary for aquariums. It helps to keep aquariums clean and keep aquatic pets healthy. Nevertheless, the filters need to be changed. But how often to change it? If you want to know the answer, please read on.

Regular cleaning and replacement are vital. The average lifespan of fish tank filters is about 2–3 years. You can change the filter once each year or it is also feasible to use the filter until it is broken. Nonetheless, you should change the filter media. Commonly, whether should you change the filter media is determined by the status of the filter media. Usually, mechanical and biological filters do not need to change regularly. You can replace them until they fail to filtrate the aquarium water. Also, you should change the chemical filters once a month. When you change the media, you can soak them in aquarium water before adding them to the tank.

How to clean the waterfall and internal filter

Next in this segment, we will give you examples of how to clean fish tank filters.

How to clean the hang-on waterfall filter

In this part, let’s have a look at how to clean a hang-on waterfall filter.

• One: unplug and detach the filter.
• Two: pour aquarium water to fill an empty bucket.
• Three: clean the impeller, hoses, and other small parts of the filter with a soft brush.
• Four: clean the filter sponge with water.

How to clean the internal canister filter

Cleaning an internal aquarium canister filter can be easy. Just follow the steps mentioned below:

• One: unplug and remove the aquarium equipment connected to the filter.
• Two: pour aquarium water to fill an empty bucket.
• Three: put the filter media into the bucket filled with aquarium water.
• Four: clean the impeller, hoses, and other small parts of the filter with a soft brush.
• Five: After hooking the filter back up, refill the canister with aquarium water before turning on the filter.

Maintaining your fish tank filter

Fish tank filter cleaning

Commonly, it is feasible to replace the filter media once a month. As for fish tank filter cleaning, just keep in mind – to avoid frequent and thorough cleaning. Because it may kill a large portion of beneficial bacteria on the filter. Plus, it is best to clean the fish tank filter with tap water or water in the fish tank, never use hot water to clean. While cleaning the filter with soap or bleach is not a feasible alternative.

Then, how often should you clean the filter? There is no definitive answer. Because the frequency of filter cleaning may be varying from filter type. The followings are some tips.

• Hang-on filter: clean it once every few weeks or once a month.
• Sponge filter: clean the sponge once every two weeks.
• Canister filter: clean it once every a few months. For instance, once every three months.
• Under-gravel filter: clean it once every two weeks.
• Internal filter: clean it once every few weeks, but once a month at least.

Related topics

The coral disease would affect corals’ growth, or even lead to coral death. Below is an article about common coral disease and treatment, if you come across a coral disease outbreak in the reef tank, take it as a reference. Without wasting much time, let’s dive in.

Common Coral disease

To begin with, let’s take a look at some common coral diseases.

Common coral disease	Description
Bleaching	1. Causes: the frequent fluctuation of water temperature /intense light /low oxygen level /stress 2. Symptoms: Loss of colors, and turn white
Bad status of corals	1. Causes: too many corals in the tank (high coral density), which is one reason for corals to compete for space and release toxins /poor water conditions 2. Symptoms: skin shedding /mucus on the coral surface /partial shrinkage
Decoloring	1. Causes: uneven aquarium light /too low KH level /increased salinity level /microelement deficiency 2. Symptoms: loss of coral color
Black band disease	1. Causes: bacteria infection, like cyanobacteria, photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic bacteria 2. Symptoms: Black bands on the coral surface
Dark spots disease	1. It is also named Black necrosing syndrome 2. The causes are still not confirmed. Stress or other pathogen is possible reasons 3. Symptoms: dark, brown, or purple areas on the coral
White band disease	1. Causes: the cause of the disease is still unknown 2. Symptoms: white band extending from the base to the top of the coral /exposed coral skeleton
White plague	1. Causes: bacterial infection, sometimes caused by the bacterium – Aurantimonas coralicida 2. Symptoms: loss of tissue /exposed white skeleton
White pox disease	1. Causes: caused by the pathogen Serratia marcescens 2. Symptoms: loss of coral tissue /irregular white patches on corals
Red band disease /Brown band disease	1. Causes: caused by protozoa and cyanobacteria 2. Symptoms: exposed white skeleton /a brown zone on the coral
Yellow band disease	1. Causes: caused by vibrio 2. Symptoms: yellow blotches on corals forming in an o-ring shape
Aspergillosis	1. Aspergillosis affects Gorgonian soft corals, also famous as sea fans 2. Causes: the result of fungus infection – Aspergillus sydowii from sewage or dust 3. Symptoms: loss of tissues and skeleton /white or purple spots on the coral surface
Rhodotorulosis (Rapid wasting)	1. Causes: bitten by parrot fish /growth of fungus Rhodotorula rubra 2. Symptoms: breakdown of coral tissue and skeleton

What causes coral bleaching in reefs

Coral bleaching is corals’ response to stress. And coral bleaching usually appears when expelling symbiotic algae and zooxanthellae. Commonly, coral would become pale first, and then gradually turn bleaching. Because of the decrease or death of symbiotic algae, bleaching corals cannot release colors through photosynthesis.

Besides that, vulnerable branching corals, like Acropora coral, are more susceptible to get bleaching. On the contrary, large corals which can tolerate water temperature changes, are not easy to face bleaching.

Coral reef decoloring

Coral reef decoloring may be the result of uneven aquarium light, too low KH level, increased salinity level, microelement deficiency, or others. Generally, impressionable corals may include elegance coral, staghorn coral, or other SPS corals.

When the Black Band disease is attacking

You can see a black band on the coral once it is affected by black band disease. The band separates the healthy tissue on the coral surface from the freshly exposed skeleton. Also, black band disease can be spread across coral colonies, which will degrade the coral tissue completely. Additionally, star corals, brain corals, massive corals, or other corals are susceptible to suffer black band disease.

Coral disease treatment

Treatments to deal with some common coral disease

Disease	Treatment
Bleaching	1. Adjust the water temp and keep it at optimal values 2. Adjust the light intensity 3. Do regular water changes 4. Feed natural plankton regularly
Bad status of corals	1. Never overstock 2. Remove some corals from other aquariums 3. Monitor the aquarium water, and adjust the water conditions
Decoloring	1. Test the water and then add the corresponding element 2. Adjust the aquarium light
Black band disease	1. Add compound nitrifying bacteria 2. Add marine epoxy mixed with chlorine powder on the black band
Aspergillosis	1. Add an aquarium lid 2. Change the aquarium water

What to prevent the pathogen from reaching the coral

The pathogen may include bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and some parasites. Give below are some maintenance pointers.

• In the face of too much algae on corals, it is vital to remove the algae with your hands or aquarium cleaner.
• Clean your coral tank regularly. For instance, do water changes and test the water. You can do that once each week or once every two weeks.
• If you find mucus on the coral surface, you should remove the coral from the tank, and then rinse it with salt water. Or remove the aggressive corals or saltwater fish from another tank.
• Facing partially damaged corals, it is best to cut off the damaged part. And keep the rest and healthy coral in an aquarium with clean water, optimal water temp, and ideal light are necessary.
• If the coral’s surface sheds, you can slow down the water flow rate. But if the shedding lasts over two weeks, it is recommended to take treatments immediately.
• To strengthen coral’s body, you can feed natural coral food, plankton, or others. Just make sure sufficient diet.

The effect of NO3 and PO4

NO3 means the nitrate level, while PO4 refers to the phosphate level. No3 and PO4 will affect the growth of coral. Because they can accelerate the growth of zooxanthellae, and limit the coral growth in the face of too high levels of nitrate and phosphate. Generally, increased nitrate and phosphate in aquariums may be caused by overfeeding, untreated new water, bad aquarium filter, fish feces, or other factors.

Plus, there are some symptoms of too high levels of nitrate and phosphate:

• Cloudy aquarium water and poor water quality
• Algae thriving, like brown algae
• Bad status of corals, like shedding coral skeleton

By the way, too high levels of nitrate and phosphate may lead to brown symbiotic algae on coral. You can deal with it by changing aquarium water if it is not severe. Aside from that, the ideal phosphate value of saltwater tanks should be 0.08-0.12 ppm. Next, the table below will show you some reference values:

	Ideal nitrate level	Ideal phosphate level
Hard corals	Less than 10 ppm	0.02-0.05 ppm
Soft corals	1-5 ppm	About 0.1 ppm

Being decapod crustaceans, hermit crabs come in two groups – aquatic hermit crabs and land hermit crabs. The former lives underwater most of the time, while the latter spends time inland. So here in this article, we are going to learn something about hermit crabs and discuss hermit crab tanks and maintenance.

Pet hermit crab

Keeping some hermit crabs in tanks helps clean aquariums. Because they are omnivorous scavengers and eat almost everything, like algae and uneaten food. Also, hermit crabs are a social species. If you keep the crab alone, it will feel lonely. However, if you keep more than one hermit crab in a tank, you should pay attention to crab fights because of insufficient food, water, or space. While some hermit crabs are aggressive, and attempt to steal shells.

Plus, most hermit crabs are nocturnal. Consequently, it is best to feed them at night. Besides that, hermit crabs will molt, usually twice each year. And they will eat the shed skin, which is rich in calcium. After molting, a larger shell is necessary for hermit crabs. Just keep in mind – prepare various spare shells for crabs to choose from.

Furthermore, the table below will give you basic information about hermit crabs.

Superfamily	Paguroidea	Diet	omnivore
Adult size	2 /6 inches	Ideal water temperature	72 /80 ℉ 22 /27 ℃
Lifespan	about 15 years	Ideal pH level	8.1 /8.4
Temperament	friendly and peaceful /aggressive	Minimum tank size	10 gallons

Hermit crab tank

Hermit crab tank size

Generally, a hermit crab tank should be at least 10 gallons. How large the hermit crab tank should you get is determined by the quantity and size of hermit crabs. Usually, you can keep 1-2 hermit crabs in a 10-gallon tank. If you want to keep more than 5 hermit crabs, then a larger tank is better, like 30 gallons. One more tip here, hermit crabs fancy plenty of space, so, the larger the tank, the better.

What kind of tank does a hermit crab need

(1)Humidity requirement

Without humid air, hermit crabs can not breathe properly. Thus, an ideal hermit crab tank should keep optimal humidity of at least 75% and fresh air. Accordingly, a fish tank is an excellent alternative. If necessary, you can add a hygrometer to monitor the humidity of hermit crab tanks.

(2)Hermit crab tank decoration

As for the substrate, sand or soil are great options. The substrate depth should be 3 times the height of the biggest hermit crab in the tank. Because hermit crabs will dig the substrate, and stay in or hide under the substrate.

Furthermore, some climbing toys may be necessary. For example, natural rocks and seashells. And sterilized them before adding to crab tanks. But never add painted toys, which is damaging for hermit crabs.

Aside from that, you should also make sure of adequate hiding places. Because hermit crabs would need to hide in case of danger. Empty shells and broken pots are available.

Additionally, freshwater and saltwater water bowls are critically crucial. Hermit crabs need to drink water. Therefore, you should provide clean freshwater and saltwater. But do not use tap water. Since the chlorine and minerals in tap water are harmful to hermit crabs.

(3)Tank equipment requirements

Hermit crabs are from tropical areas. And too low temp will slow down the metabolism of hermit crabs. Hence, you should maintain stable and warm water. The water temperature should be kept between 72℉ and 80℉. An aquarium heater and thermometer will help you a lot exactly. The heater is beneficial to keep the temp at an optimal level, while the thermometer can monitor the current temp. Plus, it is recommended to add an aquarium light and keep it on for about 8–12 hours.

How many hermit crabs are in a 10-gallon tank

In general, keeping 1-2 hermit crabs in a 10-gallon tank is feasible. But if the crab is large, then keeping one hermit crab in a 10-gallon tank is better. Moreover, hermit crabs prefer living in groups. Provided keeping one hermit crab in a tank, the crab would feel lonely, and it may be not good for its growth.

How to clean hermit crab tank

Tank cleaning

Regular tank cleaning is vital. You can do a partial cleaning once every two weeks and do a complete cleaning once every a few months. While doing complete cleaning, you should set up another temporary tank to stock hermit crabs in advance. Also, you can clean your hermit crab tank with a vinegar solution. Plus, you should replace the substrate once every six months. Because dirty substrate would cause the appearance of mold, which is damaging to hermit crabs.

Hermit crab cleaning

In addition to cleaning the hermit crab tank, you should also clean hermit crabs. Just provide a freshwater and saltwater bowl for them to bathe. Also, it is recommended to add a sponge to the tank, which is helpful to keep crabs clean.

In summary

In a nutshell, hermit crabs are a great addition to your tank. Nonetheless, you should be cautious when you want to touch your hermit crabs because they may pinch you.

That’s all for today. For additional information about hermit crabs, please share with us in the comments. We’re happy to receive your sharing. Finally, thanks for taking the time and we hope this article helps.

By Emma Anderson from Shernbao USA

Having pets in the home brings a sense of joy and comfort that only pet owners understand. Wet, warm tongue greetings at the door, warm, furred body brushing against the legs, purring uncontrollably.

Benefits of having pets in the home

There are many benefits to having pets in the home. Some benefits of owning a pet are:

Increase Opportunities To Exercise And Be Active – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rigorously playing with pets or taking the dogs out for a walk or run can lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels and decrease blood pressure. Some studies have shown that activities with pets can vastly improve cardiovascular health.

Walking or jogging with the dog can also reduce symptoms of PTSD and feelings, such as anxiety, depression, and loneliness.

Increase Optimism And Other Positive Feelings – A study conducted by Indiana University showed that simply watching videos of cats increased feelings of positive emotions and boosted the energy of the participants.

Improved Mental Health – Having pets in the home not only increases positive feelings but is beneficial to one’s overall mental health. Interacting with pets also decreases the release of the stress-related hormone cortisol.

Improved Socialization – Owning a pet means more opportunities to socialize. Pets are great icebreakers when someone new visits the home. Also, approximately 68% of people own pets, which is a great conversation starter or a way to find common interests with others.

Improve Overall Wellness – Owning a pet can improve the overall wellness and quality of life by simply being around them. Science has proven that pets can be a source of therapy for some.

The Troubles With Owning Multiple Pets

When there is more than one pet in the home, it may be challenging to keep the peace, especially if the pets are of two completely different species.

For instance, sometimes cats and dogs don’t get along or cats and gerbils, hamsters, pet mice, or guinea pigs have been known to be sworn enemies. Maybe two pets of the same kind don’t get along because they have different personalities.

How To Keep Harmony In The Home

So, how does a pet owner keep harmony between two different pets? By creating that harmony. Some tips for keeping the balance in the home are:

Dogs And Fish

Dog-Proofing

One way to keep the harmony between canine and aquatic pets is to dog-proof the fish tank. Dog-proofing an aquarium involves:

• Keep the aquarium out of the dog’s view. Just like humans, dogs enjoy watching fish swim back and forth, however watching those colorful, little creatures dart from one side of the tank to the other may tempt them to play. Keeping the fish tank out of a dog’s view will certainly help keep fish safe.
• Keep the fish tank at a safe distance. Place the aquarium where the dog can’t reach.
• Place the aquarium on a sturdy table.
• Another way to dog-proof an aquarium is to distract them with toys or other entertainment to keep their mind off the fish.

Intense Playtime

Exhaust the dog with intense play. Before leaving the dog home alone for a long period, play with them and make sure they’re tuckered out.

This can prevent any problems that might happen while the dog is alone. Also, before leaving the house, ensure the lid on the aquarium is properly sealed.

Safe And Secure

If the dog resides in an apartment, there is always the option of putting them in a dog kennel.

A great way to keep fish safe when the dog needs care is to use dog grooming tubs. Dog grooming tubs are a safe, secure way to bathe the dog and prevent it from running around and possibly diving into or bonking over the fish tank.

After bathing the dog, ensure to dry their fur completely to avoid water droplets hitting the electric outlets where your aquarium is plugged in. This will also keep the home clean.

Cats And Dogs

Bonding

If the pets are youthful, introduce them at a young age and help them create a bond through socialization. If the pet is older and they’ve resided in the home and is introduced to a new pet, remember the older pet’s favorite spaces and keep the new pet away from those spaces until the older pet has adapted.

Personality

Consider each pet’s personality. Is one pet overly excited and energetic and the other calm and introverted?

The best way to handle a situation is to find similarities between the two pets and see if they can bond together. Also, see if a toy can create a bond.

Perhaps both pets like to play a specific game and enjoy spending time on the couch in front of the TV, snuggled up against their favorite owner.

If a fight breaks out between a cat and a dog, ensure to use commands your dog will obey. This will keep the dog calm and the cat level.

Author bio

Emma Anderson from Shernbao USA has been involved with dog grooming for the past 15 years and now wants to share her experience and knowledge with others.