Freshwater Aquariums: Basic Aquarium Setup and Maintenance (CompanionHouse Books) Beginner-Friendly Guide to Keeping Fish, Choosing Varieties, Setting the Tank, Achieving Optimum Water Quality, & More Hardcover

Description

The ideal primer for the beginner fish-keeper!

• Set up your first aquarium, stock it with beautiful fish, and maintain their environment properly
• Fascinating facts about fish biology, the categories of fish, their evolution, anatomy, and habits
• Tankmates and how to choose the right ones for your aquarium
• Recognizing illness and how to treat it, including viral infections, parasites, and bacterial disease
• Breeding strategies, triggers, conditioning, and breeding livebearers
• Water quality and how to maintain your tank at the optimum levels
• Diet and nutrition including flake, vitamins, what to avoid, and how often to feed your fish

For the beginning aquatic fancier looking to start out right with fish, Freshwater Aquariums by David Alderton is the perfect guide!

Packed with common-sense advice, Freshwater Aquariums explains the dos and don’ts of one of the most popular hobbies in the world, with the help of more than 140 full-color photos and diagrams. Choose and set up your aquarium, select your fish from the stunning gallery of possibilities described, and watch them thrive in your care!

A vertebrate that breathes primarily by means of gills and swims by means of fins is the author’s lead-in to the first chapter called “What are Fish?” Alderton builds your confidence by providing solid information about what fish are anatomically speaking, how they evolved, how they breathe, how they move, where they live, and how they behave.

The new fancier’s aquarium begins in chapter two with instructions on setup, including selecting the right size, figuring out how many fish, setting the tank, equipment, substrate, heating, lighting, filtrations, plants, water chemistry, assembly, and more. Get tips on choosing the right tankmates so you can ensure your aquarium remains peaceful and serene.

Choosing the freshwater fish that appeal to you is the subject of “Introducing the Categories of Fish,” which explains seven categories of fish: Cyprinids (goldfish, minnows, and barbs), Characins (tetras), Cichlids (oscars, angelfish, and discus), Anabantoids (gouramis, bettas/Siamese fighting fish, and paradise fish), Toothcarps (guppies, swordtails, platies, black mollies, and killifish), Catfish, and others (like loaches and Chinese algae eaters).

The purchasing, maintenance, and feeding of fish are described in considerable detail, and the author provides a basic overview of breeding and keeping your fish healthy as well. A list of resources, useful glossary, and comprehensive index are included. By always focusing on the natural habitat and behavior of the fish, this book will ensure that your aquarium is a perfect environment!

Bring the wild and alien beauty of fish into your home with complete confidence, with Freshwater Aquariums