Different Cichlid Types You Should Know

There is no question that cichlids are fast becoming one of the most popular pet fishes. This is just understandable given the lovable characteristics of cichlids. If you want to follow the trend, you better acquaint yourself to the different cichlids types. The ones below can be considered as the most popular types of cichlids. Check to see if one of them is the one that you would like to have on your own.
• Discus fish
The Discus fish is a common choice because they are very sociable. You see, most cichlid breeds are aggressive and dominant so they are usually hard to incorporate with other fishes. Although discus fishes live in large groups, they are really very fond of schooling. The best tip when taking care of discus fish is to ensure that you get at least three of them. Their fish personality dictates that they be part of a group. Having two or only one cichlid in an aquarium would only make the discus fish sad and lonely.

• Angelfish Cichlid
You probably know it as angelfish but this type is very much a part of the cichlid breed. What you should understand is that Angelfish Cichlid is the more obvious choice for people who want fish pets that are relaxed. They are not too aggressive that most people fall in love with their natural grace. Angelfish Cichlids are also very elegant.

• Convict Cichlid
These types of cichlids are the most appealing to beginning cichlid owners. You see, Convict Cichlids are very much easy to keep. They also require low maintenance duties. The only downside is that you need to put on effort in decorating its new home. As much as possible, your tank must be very similar to its natural habitat-rocky with caves and substrate. Convict cichlids often burrow themselves so make sure you give them enough space to play around.

• Dwarf Cichlid
The Dwarf Cichlid is probably one of the most challenging to keep. However, most breeders prefer them over other cichlid types because they are less aggressive than some of its relatives like the Bolivian cichlids. They are also easy to mix with other fishes as long as they are compatible with each other. Although quite active, dwarf cichlids are very popular among breeders and cichlids enthusiasts.

• Jack Dempsey
Jack Dempsey is obviously named after the well-known boxer. They are loved because of their colors. They usually have greenish pecks in their tan bodies while they are young. They turn to purple gray when they get more mature. Their green specks usually turn to gold during these times.

• Oscar Fish
The Oscar fish is one of the toughest varieties. Their best feature is that they can stand almost any kind of water types. They also grow beyond 18 inches. They also have wide food choices including live food, flakes and pellets. It is easy to know if you aren't feeding Oscar fishes enough. Their colors wouldn't be that bright if they are unhealthy. So, it's the sign to watch out for.

Knowing these cichlid types can really help you jumpstart your hobby as a cichlid collector.

Is your cichlid always sick and unhappy? Are you looking for resources to help care, keep and breed healthy and beautiful cichlids? Larry Pearson is an Expert Author and an authority on caring and breeding cichlid fish.

What Makes a Flowerhorn Lucky

Have you seen a flowerhorn? It is not a thorny flower found in the deepest recesses of the forest. Rather, it is a hybrid of various species of South American cichlids that was developed in Malaysia in the late 1990?s. The flowerhorn has a characteristic hump on the top of its head. There are also markings on the side of the fish. This unusual features of the flowerhorn adds to its charms. The flowerhorn cichlids has become one of the favorites of aquarists to care for. This is because of the relative ease in keeping them, as well as the associated luck it brings to those who own them.

There are different kinds of flowerhorn fish. There is the red dragon, the kamfa, the Thai flowerhorn also known as the Thai silk, and many more. These different types of flowerhorns share the same features.

The flowerhorn sale was at its highest in the early 2000. The hump on the fish?s head has been associated to the Chinese God of Longevity, Shou Xing. It also resembles the gourd the god carries with him which contains the water of life. The markings on the sides of the flowerhorn fish, on the other hand, resemble the Chinese characters and numbers. And in some rare occasions, they resemble the character for luck.

There were some occasions in the past where flowerhorn owners attributed their good fortune on the fish. A woman won the lottery. She claimed that the numbers she used were the numbers on the flowerhorn she owns. There are also business owners who experienced increase in sales since they placed a flowerhorn in their shop. With events like these happening around, the market for flowerhorns was stimulated.

Indeed the association between flowerhorn and of the great fortune some owners have amassed while caring for the fish is still an issue of dispute, there is no denying that the flowerhorn fish is becoming the favorite of many aquarists. There is no harm in believing that flowerhorns are lucky. Be it that you believe in luck or you just want to have a fine specimen in your aquarium. After all, there is no harm in trying. If you don?t win the lottery, at least you have a wonderful fish to have as a pet.

The Best Freshwater Aquarium: Glass Vs Acrylic

Many people who are getting started in aquarium keeping will be faced with this question, and it can be quite confusing. It's not easy to decide between acrylic and glass for the best freshwater aquarium without knowing the pros and cons of each, so in this article we will have a look at why you may opt for one instead of the other.

Let's start with glass, the age-old material that has been used for many years to make all sorts of things. It is so trusted because it has its advantages, but it also has its disadvantages.

To start with, glass is much heavier than acrylic. When you consider which is the best freshwater aquarium, you will find that acrylic is the better option. It is much lighter and as a result, even the stand that you use will not be unduly strained. If you think about the possibility of an accident, you are much better off with acrylic too - it will not shatter into tiny, dangerous fragments if it ever falls down. True, the glass aquarium that you buy may be made of toughened glass and therefore hard to break, but this does not mean that it's unbreakable.

Acrylic, though much lighter, is a much tougher material. The material strands are blended in such a way that they can take a lot of strain without giving way and this is what makes it shatter-proof. Glass on the other hand will worry you if it gets even a tiny crack, because it will put strain on the entire structure especially considering that there is the weight of water to make the pressure that much more. As an aside, if you own a glass aquarium and it has a crack, consider replacing it because that is an accident waiting to happen.

Acrylic will also give you options with shape because it is mouldable without making it weaker. Glass is too, but the more you bend and play around with glass, the more delicate and brittle it tends to become. With acrylic, you will be able to get tanks in many different shapes, and you can choose the best freshwater aquarium that is something other than just square or rectangular.

If you ever need to modify your tank, maybe to put in an overflow system, go with acrylic. You can cut it easily with common tools that you can get at your tool store. Glass would require a glass expert and any holes will tend to leave the entire structure rather unstable.

Glass, because of its nature will tend to distort images and light. This means that depending on the angle from which you are looking into your fish tank, you may see that the fish and whatever else is in the tank look distorted. This will not happen with acrylic. Glass tanks also tend to be that much thicker, another factor that will distort view.

Glass does have its positive attributes though; it's a natural material and it will not discolour like acrylic. Acrylic tends to yellow with time, and because your fish tank has algae in it, if you are not very regular with the cleaning, you may find that the color of the tank has permanently changed. Glass will also outshine acrylic any day - you just can't get the same gleam however much you polish an acrylic tank. With an acrylic freshwater aquarium, you are always watching out not to scratch it - scratches are unsightly and they will affect the general attractive look of the tank.

Acrylic, because of all these qualities, will be more expensive, as well as more tasking to ship - it has to be wrapped very carefully so as not to get scratched. All that said though, you are much better off with acrylic as the best freshwater aquarium, so long as you clean it regularly enough for it not to yellow fast and avoid getting scratches on it.

Origins and Different Meanings of Koi Fish Types

Koi fish meaning is the thing that people who own and breed koi fish seek because they want to believe that the koi fish means or symbolize something other than just being ornamental fish. They want to believe that caring for a Koi will bring them more than just satisfaction because it can mean something more.

For people who do not know much about the Koi fish, it is nothing but common wild carp with colored mutations. However, for people in the East, specifically in Japan, the Koi is more than just color mutated common carp. The common carp originated in China and was later on brought to different Asian countries such as Japan and Korea, and now they can be found all over the world. Over the years, since the conception of the Koi (more commonly known as the Nishikigoi in Japan), many beliefs, legends and myths have been told to explain the meaning of the Koi or what it represents.

Indeed there have been many stories that have been told about the Koi. According to Japanese myths and beliefs, the Koi can symbolize masculinity, prosperity or good fortune, perseverance during adversity and strength of purpose. In Chinese, a Koi symbolizes balance and harmony (yin and yang), courage and also good luck.

According to the most popular Japanese story about what the Koi fish symbolizes, if a Koi is able to swim up and against the current of a waterfall, at a point called Dragon Gate on a river called the Yellow River, it will transform into a dragon. Thus, explaining why the Koi fish symbolizes perseverance during adversity. The Koi fish is known to swim upstream, like that of the salmon, this perhaps best explains where this most common story about what it symbolizes have come from.

Masculinity is one of the things that a Koi is said to symbolize in Japanese Culture. Every year the Japanese hold an event they call Boys Day Festival where each son in a family participates in the form of a Koi shaped kite. The bigger the kite, the better. The Japanese consider the carp as one of the most energetic fish because it is constantly moving and motion is seen as a characteristic of that of a boy.

In Japanese culture, the Koi fish also symbolizes Family. A specific color represents a member of the family. For example, the black koi is for the father, the flame red koi is for the mother, the blue and white koi represents the son and the pink and red represents the daughter.

The colors of the Koi also have significant meanings. For example, the platinum or silver colored fish represents success in business and the gold koi represents wealth and prosperity.

Many people have taken up collecting different types of Koi as a hobby and most of them believe that the Koi brings good luck and wealth. This can be because a Koi fish can be very expensive, especially the ones that are deemed to be high quality; these kinds of Koi have perfect color markings.

A Koi can mean a lot of different thing but there are really no concrete meanings. All of these are based merely on myths and different beliefs of people. In the end, it is up to the person to decide what the Koi means for him.

Designing the Perfect Aquarium

An aquarium can range from a small fish bowl to public aquaria that can house marine fish such as sharks and other sea animals including turtles and sting rays. However, the essence of an aquarium is not necessarily what living creatures contain them but how it is designed.

An aquarium can be used as decoration in some cases, to brighten up an event or simply placed in a cosy living room. If you own a fish tank or small aquarium of your own then there are tips on how you can aquascape the water filled space.

When a new fish tank is bought, one of the first things you will consider is the ornaments and plants that will accompany the inhabitants of the tank. The key is not to overload the space with novelty ornaments as it will look too overcrowded. One of the biggest dangers of designing a small household aquarium is getting too eager and filling the tank with too many objects, which makes it look crammed. Yes, we all believe the classic castle ornament belongs in our fish tanks, but too many novelty items can make it look too 'busy'. By all means keep the traditional ornament, however don't go over the top.

Another good tip is to have a good mixture of ornaments and plants in your aquarium. It is important to create a balance so the tank refrains from looking too cluttered. For example you could use artificial or live plants along with plastic figures. However, do not use too many plant forms as it is important for the fish to move around easily and sometimes artificial plants can restrict that. You could also add rocks to the bottom of the aquarium to add a more natural feel to the space.

In addition, adhering to a theme for your aquarium is an option when considering a design. Some fish tank owners like to create a sunken ship scenario or recreate the image of the barrier reef. It is up to you which theme you choose, and you can consult local aquarium or pet shops for ideas about a specific genre for your tank. On the other hand, if you're eager to keep up to date with modern designs then I urge you to go to your local aquarium shop and inquire about new trends and new ornaments available. Also, look around the shop's own displays and try and recreate their design.

Finally, when creating a design one of the aspects that must be considered are the inhabitants of the aquarium. It is important to keep the most natural living space for the fish you have housed in your tank. Look online or ask in your local aquarium shop about the natural setting of your fish depending on the species. I advise you to consider this because even though it is important to create an eye catching design it is vital that the inhabitants of the aquarium can adapt to the setting you have provided for them.

There Are Many Different Fish Tank Filters

A fish tank filter is one of the pieces of equipment that you will need to get your fish aquarium set up properly. A freshwater fish filter will help to circulate the air in the water for your fish. This really helps to maintain a healthy environment. These filters help to run all the water in the aquariums through the fish tank filter at least four times an hour. It is recommended for small to medium fish aquariums to have a power filter or an under-gravel filter but a canister filter is recommended for the larger aquariums.

One of the first filters was the corner filter which set in one of the back corners of the aquariums and is one of the cheaper fish tank filters sold today. They have a less powerful flow intake which is good for those that have breeding tanks.

The canister freshwater fish tank filter is more powerful and fits best on medium to larger tanks. The canister can be hidden in the back of the aquarium and it forces water through the filter media instead of flowing past the filters. If you wish to increase the biological filtration capacity of the canister filter then you will want to add a bio-wheel. The only disadvantage of the canister filter is that it is very difficult to take apart for maintenance and cleaning and is just as difficult to get it primed and restarted.

The next fish tank filter is the diatomic filter which removes the very small particles in the water. This kind of tank filter is used most often when diatomic algae is a problem. These diatomic freshwater fish tank filters are only used for specific situations so most often standard filters are used with a diatomic insert to be used when needed.

Then there is the fluidized bed fish tank filters which use sand as the filer medium and it is a very efficient biological filter. Even though it takes a while longer for these particulate substances to mature they make excellent filters and they can be used in any size fish tank.

The most commonly used fish tank filter is the power filter. It hangs off the back and is so simple to install and maintain. It provides mechanical and chemical filtration and can be combined with a bio-wheel to help biological filtration increase.

The under gravel filter has been around a long time and is placed on the aquarium floor and then the air pump pulls the water down through the rocks along with the unwanted matter. The UGF is inexpensive and is very easy to set up. It is also maintenance free but if you use live plants in your aquariums then this can cause the UGF to clog.

Golden Retriever Puppy Biting

We all know how cute puppies are, especially these ones. However, we are all guilty of mistaking them biting us as cuteness. Many owners don't realise that this so called 'harmless behaviour' can lead to aggressive and dominant behaviour in adulthood. You must therefore, ensure that you get rid of your puppy biting issue immediately.

Most Golden Retriever puppies learn to stop biting very early on as their brothers and sisters will bite them back. This usually happens around about 8 weeks old. If the biting doesn't stop after this point then it can become very troublesome to stop them biting...

Golden Retriever Puppy Biting Problems: Young and Naive

It is imperative that you act quickly and decisively as soon as you notice your Golden Retriever puppy biting problem If you have just got your pup and it is younger than 8 weeks old then at once is the time to act.

To begin, please don't hit your puppy when it bites you. This can sometimes be a major reason why they develop aggression problems in later life.

The best way to stop your Golden Retriever puppy biting is to address the cause issue. To stop your Golden Retriever puppy biting use the 'stick and carrot' method. The basic model of this is to reinforce and reward good behaviour and discourage bad behaviour. This doesn't insinuate punishing them!

Avoid any form of physical games with your puppy as this will encourage aggressive behaviour.The main aim is to be consistent in your actions. Please don't send mixed signals to your puppy such as encouraging rough games one week and not the next. This is because it can confuse them, and can lead to aggression in later life.

Golden Retriever Puppy Biting Problems: Education

Another great way to stop your Golden Retriever puppy biting is to begin some form of obedience training. The obedience classes are great because the trainers are experts at handling biting problems

By also enrolling on socialization classes your dog will become much more socialized. This also helps to decrease violence and worry problems.

Redirecting any biting behaviour is vitally important when trying to discourage biting.If you give them a chew toy instead of your finger then they will associate the chew toy with biting, not your finger.

You can teach your dog that biting is unacceptable by simply displaying pain whenever you are bit. This shows that biting is painful, and instantly discourages it.

By far the best time to train your dog that biting is unacceptable is when they are young. You can eliminate the biting problem within a few months if you start it early enough. This will cause much less stress in later life as it can grow to be much more difficult, although not impossible as the dog gets grown-up and develops habits.

Make the Outdoor Stay of Your Dogs a Comfortable One With Wood Dog Houses

Dogs are pretty amazing and lovable pets. You can hug them, cuddle them and even play with them. However, when they are too many, you would definitely have to assign the others in the outdoors. Your beloved pets may be cute and adorable but you can't negate the fact that they can leave quite a mess. Their fur could be everywhere from your sofas to your clothes. And, the funny thing is that some of them can drool all over the place and even chew up your furniture or shoes.

When it becomes necessary to station your dogs in the outer premises of your home, then make their outdoor stay a comfortable one with the presence of wood dog houses. Offering safe shelters for your canine pals is entirely a must. There are certain dog breeds that couldn't withstand the extreme heat or cold conditions that present in the open. By giving them a home of their own, they will have a place they can seek some shade away from the sun or crawl into to keep dry when it rains.

Wood dog houses are great for your pets for they have amazing features. They are often made from cedar wood, a very resilient and tough wood material. Cedar possesses high natural oil content which makes it a fantastic insulating material.

It can trap some heat during winter at the same time reflect some of the heat during summer. Because of its natural oils, it is not easily attacked by termites and other pesky pests.

Another remarkable thing about these wooden-made houses for dogs is that they are available in wide range of designs. You will surely be delighted in seeing your furry friends sprawling and resting in their little villa, cabin, country-club and lodge-style shelters. Some designs can even come in duplexes while others can feature very charming front porches.

Giving A Puppy As A Gift May Not Be A Good Idea

If you are thinking about giving someone a puppy as a gift, consider these important issues. Remember that a puppy needs to be constantly cared for and trained. The first year the puppy will grow quickly but will not settle down and make a good house companion until it is about two or three years old, depending on the breed it could be longer. Before you give someone a puppy as a gift you should do some research.

Being a pet owner is a big responsibility and your friend might talk about it but does not really want to commit. If you are buying a puppy for a friend, make sure they really want it. Any type of pet requires time and commitment and it should be wanted and loved.

If you are a parent buying a dog for your child, it might be hard to say no but, better in the long run. I am sure the kids will be insisting that they will take care of him but I can guarantee it will be you that does the caring. If you are not filling the bowls with food and water you will be buying it. Your new puppy will need to go to the veterinarian at least once a year and visit the groomer. When the weather is cold or the children are too tired who will be walking the dog for his daily exercise, you.

If your children are very young it could be quite a chore to teach them how to care for your new puppy. Because of their excitement and unpredictability a young child can make a puppy or any dog nervous and fearful. If this is the case your own child or one of their friends could be bitten. Children love animals but do not know how to treat them without being taught. You will form the major part of your dog's personality by the way you raise and care for him.

Adopting a dog from your local pet shelter has advantages. The handlers at the shelters can tell you a little about the dog's disposition when it comes to general behavior and how it gets along with other animals and children. The shelter will usually make sure the dog is up to date with any shots, is in good health and may even spay or neuter them.

When you buy a puppy from a breeder or pet store you can never be quite sure about what you are getting. While designer dogs are all the rage they often have health problems common to their breed. The more purebred the dog the more likely they will succumb to these health issues.

Anytime you consider buying a puppy you should do some research first. Find the breed that best suits your wants and needs before you buy. If your plan is to give someone a puppy as a gift, consider paying the expense to have the dog spayed or neutered to add the value of responsibility to your gift.

Information on Runner Ducks

The Indian Runner Duck has to be one of the most fascinating of all water fowl and they were introduced into Europe around 1800 and the first evidence of the Indian Runner in Britain was about 1830. The Indian runner Duck has a perfect upright stature and is often referred to as the penguin bird simply because of its waddle.

The Indian Runner has a slim neck and a long, narrow head, the legs and shanks of the Indian runner are also incredibly short which is why the Indian Runner walks and runs very upright and straight.

The Ducks are delightful birds and do make excellent pets, they are also quite hardy, meaning they suffer rarely from any serious illnesses. Ducks will need a larger house than a normal chicken coop, especially as they stand quite tall and need to be able to get in and out of the house easily. Each Duck will need a space of 2sqf per Duck in the house to ensure they have enough room to sit. Many people prefer to lay a concrete base for the floor of the house and then build around the floor with wood to provide a good solid Duck house. Concrete floors are fine as long as there is plenty of bedding to keep the Ducks warm and straw is a perfect example of good, warm bedding. Runner Ducks are renowned for being slightly messy and their bedding will become soiled quicker than a standard chicken coop and for this reason you may need to remove bedding and disinfect the floor before replacing fresh straw and depending on how many Ducks you have, you may need to clean them out twice a week.

Runner Ducks will not usually use a nest box and will simply lay their eggs wherever they feel like it and for this reason you need to be aware that eggs may get lost in the bedding. Runner Ducks are fantastic at foraging for their own food and as well as the food you provide, they will find a lot of their own food. Ducks will eat Layers pellets and crumb and mash should be avoided as Ducks have a problem picking this up. Ducks are best fed twice a day and you can also feed some corn late afternoon which your Ducks will look forward to. Water should also be available readily and your Runner Ducks will drink plentifully throughout the day and so making sure their water supply is readily available is very important.

Runner Ducks are fantastic pets and are sweet natured and for this reason they make excellent pets for children.

Attracting Birds Without Bird Seed

Many people think that the best way to lure birds to their yard is with bagged bird seed. While this does draw in birds to their yards, there are alternative ways to entice our feathered friends without visiting the store every couple of weeks.

A good water source will attract a wider range of animals than bird seed because only certain species eat seeds, but all of them require water. In the summer months most species like to bathe. Moving or dripping water will tempt them to visit even more. They are lured to the splashing sound, and the mosquitoes will be unable to lay eggs in the moving water. To accomplish this you can buy a wiggler or a pump of some sort, and if possible one that is solar powered so it does not rely on an outlet. Another way to create moving water would be hanging a bottle with water and punching a small hole in the bottom to drip into the bird bath. The water should be cleaned at least once a week to reduce disease transmission between the birds. If there is no moving water it should be cleaned every other day to prevent mosquitoes.

Another way to attract birds without any bird seed is to stop raking your yard. The added leaf litter gives insects more places to live, which will attract the birds that feed on bugs, such as Eastern Towhees. If you do not like the look of leaves all over your yard you can just rake them to one corner or under a bush. These leaves will also compost and creates good soil for plants.

Planting native plants in your yard will attract birds, sometimes more than store bought bird seed. Plants with berries are good for fruit eating birds, for example Cedar Waxwings; and plants with bright and colorful flowers will attract nectar feeding birds, including Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds. Before planting any plants in your yard you should do a lot of research, making sure it is native to the area and not invasive. The best source to check would be with your state's Department of Natural Resources.

These tips will help attract birds to your yard with less money and can attract more birds than the basic store bought bird seed.

African Grey Parrots - Are They The Smartest Parrots?

There are numerous beautiful birds that exist today; some sing or talk more than others, some are more intelligent than others and some make great pets. One particular parrot is called the African Grey Parrot. This African parrot is one particular bird that is not only beautiful, it is very smart, has the ability to speak many words and makes a good pet for bird lovers.

In addition to their high level of intelligence within bird species and their ability to have a big vocabulary, the African Grey is also admired for their coloring. The colors are not vibrant like many parrots you may find in the jungle or zoo, but this parrot is sleek and elegant. African Grey's are of two different families, one is the Congo African Grey and the other is the Timneh African Grey. As the name states the bird is of a grey color but the Congo has a lighter grey compared to the Timneh whose grey is darker. Both types do have a colored tail, the Congo's is red and the Timneh's is maroon.

The African Grey's Characteristics

The African parrots are considered to be medium sized and their length can be 10 to 14 inches. Within many bird species, the male usually has more vibrant colors than the female but this parrot the coloring is the same for both the males and females. There is one physical characteristic between the males and females and that is that the female has a narrower head as well as a slender neck. The life span is quit long and they can live around 60 years in age.

When choosing this African parrot for a pet, it is best to keep in mind its long life span as well as its intelligence level. Are you willing to commit to this responsibility for a very long period of time? In regards to the parrots intelligence, just like a human, it needs constant interaction otherwise it will be bored. If a human becomes bored, they can have behavior problems and this is the same for the African Grey. Understanding the needs of this African parrot is very important so that it will receive a quality of life that it deserves as it won't be living in its natural environment.

Knowing the history and behaviors of the African Grey, it will help you to provide both physical and mental activities so that your parrot will maintain a healthy life and have a good behavior pattern. Although the parrot is relatively easy to care for, it does require discipline to keep up the good behavior. If there is no discipline or interaction with the African parrot to keep its mind occupied in a positive manner, the parrot might begin to be cranky or even show negative behavior such as feather picking, chew on its cage or even bite. If the African parrot is left unattended to for too long without positive interaction, the parrot may also begin to cause self-infliction; this can lead to very serious physical complications.

The beak is extremely hard and strong as it is used as a tool to not only search for as well as other uses. By nature, African Grey's are extremely social birds; they tend to group together and will show affection for one another. In captivity, the parrot's owner tends to be considered the parrots flock and the parrot will show certain signs of affection to the owner. The African parrot may not prefer a lot of cuddling from its owner but it does enjoy having its head petting or scratched. One deep sign of affection is when the parrot will regurgitate and may even try to "kiss" the owner's mouth (the human mouth has many bacteria that could harm the bird) so try to prevent the "kiss" of possible.

Who Is That Charming Little Creature In My Chinchilla Cage?

Considering all of the unique critters on the planet, which ones are the warmest, cutest, furriest, cuddliest, most entertaining and affectionate pets of all? Well, I suppose if you ask ten different pet owners, you'll likely get ten different answers. For me, it's hard to beat the incredible little critter from high up in the Andes Mountains of South America, the chinchilla. And, that's especially true of the adorable chinchilla baby. Chinchillas as pets were imported, or more likely smuggled into North America nearly a century ago, these adorable dynamos have evolved into one of the world's most cherished pets.

The name chinchilla means "little chincha", a name associated with the Chincha people of Peru, a group who relied heavily upon the once abundant rodent populations for both food and fur. Unfortunately, the arrival of Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century ushered in the eventual demise of the larger king chinchilla and the subsequent endangerment of the remainder of the entire wild species, as the chinchilla fur trade offered an irresistible opportunity for wealth.

Thankfully, that group of a dozen or so chinnies, who were discreetly transported to California at the turn of the century, are given credit, by some experts, as having propagated the entire population of North American chinchillas. Sadly, the numbers left behind in South America have struggled for survival and while they may be protected as an endangered species, the populations appear to lack the necessary growth to offer any substantial hope for the immediate future.

The coolest thing about the species, which happens to be the softest and thickest fur of any animal on the planet, is also the one thing that's contributed to its near extinction. The demands of the fur market, for this high priced pelt, inspired an inexhaustible army of trappers eagerly waging war against the harmless and defenseless 'little chinchas'. The pursuit of profit, it would seem, has no room for conscience. And, although the demand for all types of fur has diminished worldwide, it's unlikely that any organized efforts, with regard to any type of wide scale chinchilla rescue, will ever return the number of wild chinchillas to their pre-conquistador levels of the 1600s.

Here in the United States the chinchilla pet industry has evolved into a stable and profitable enterprise, with breeders and pet stores alike, supplying the needs of a demanding base of enthusiastic and loving chinnie owners.

A few chinchilla facts reveal that this little animal weighs in at somewhere between two and three pounds, and appears to be a cross between a rabbit and a squirrel. Reaching a full-grown length of about 12 inches, the typical chinchilla is relatively easy to care for, demanding only reasonably sized chinchilla cages or enclosure and sufficient room to run about in a daily program of physical exercise. Specialized needs include the relatively inexpensive chinchilla wheel, a few chinchilla toys, and the chinchilla bath, more commonly known as chinchilla sand. The required diet, while somewhat specialized, is rather simple and generally not a challenge for the average budget.

Chinchillas are very intelligent, highly energetic and can be extremely affectionate, showing great attachment to the owners they depend on and love. They are also very delicate animals that are easily injured, a potential that demands supervised activity when young children are involved. As a nocturnal animal, the bulk of their activity occurs between sundown and daybreak, however there's sufficient time in between for you to interact with your comically playful little pet.

Getting to Know the Adorable Chinchillas

Keeping a pet is a common hobby. When you are with your dog, cat, rabbit, parrot or even snake, you will as if you are unloading your stress and throwing your worries away. Indeed pet keeping has many therapeutic effects that people who are keeping animals as their pets will often find it hard to continue living when parted with their pets.

Aside from hamsters, Chinchillas are also popular pets that take the form of rodent-like built. The scientific name of Chinchilla is Chinchilla lanigera. They often live up to 15 years although it is not uncommon for them to reach an extended life of 18 to 20 years. At first look, they may be mistaken as hamsters but considering their slimness as opposed to chubby hamsters, Chinchillas stand above. Their body length can reach to 10 to 14 inches while their tail can reach to 5 to six inches. Chinchillas vary in color but the most common ones are those that have grey coats. They are just too irresistible that an audience may find it hard not to squeeze it.

Chinchilla keeping presents unique requirements. In terms of their cages, they must be wide enough for them to move around. The cage must not be a boring one. It should posses structures like platforms, ramps, perches and even wheels where they can play around like that of white mice. Aside from that, Chinchillas also love to have toys. This is necessary for their incisors to develop well as they tend to chew the toys when they play.

With regards to their habit, they usually are nocturnal in nature. They are most active at night and less playful at daytime. That is the reason why they are sometimes they are called crepuscular referring to animals whose activeness peaks at dawn and dusk. They should be kept in a quiet area during the day so as not to disturb their rest. Since they are so vigorous and playful, chinchillas need a larger cage for all their activities. The temperature that they love will depend on their variety although most love to be around a cooler temperature.

When it comes to feeding, Chinchillas require a lot of fibre. Their diet should mainly consist of a good quality grass hay along with pellets especially made for chinchillas. A total of one teaspoon per day is a usual amount given to them since their digestive system are fairly sensitive. Diet changes should by all means made gradual.

Chinchillas are very active and playful. However, there are instances when they do not like to be cuddled or touched. They can get close with their owners easily so that the owner himself will quickly grow fond of the pet in no time at all. They can be tamed easily and can be kept either in singles or with pairs for mating. Choosing one will surely be an enjoyable moment for a future Chinchilla owner. Before buying any Chinchilla, just be sure that you can give time to take care of it. Otherwise, your pet will suffer from loneliness and malnourishment.

Chinchillas For Sale - Where To Get Chinchillas

For first time pet owners, a chinchilla or a baby chinchilla may be the last thing they would want to get as they may feel like it is a wild rodent and is generally dirty,. However, a chinchilla is one of the cleanest and easiest pet to take care of (as you will see in the later parts of this narrative) and for the most part, even tamer that a rabbit or a mice. These little creatures are blessed with the thickest and softest fur that makes them virtually impenetrable to ticks, dogs, cats and even birds can get fleas even if we have been constantly grooming them and giving them baths as often as every other day. There are also a lot of baby chinchillas for sale in most pet shops, so, they would be quite easy to find.

Pet lovers are everywhere but cannot seem to decide which pet or pets are suitable for them. Most of us who live in highly urbanized cities may often live in condo units or apartments that really do not give much room for a pet to move around in. Chinchillas for sale are great pets to keep us company at home. They really do not need much in terms of maintenance and are fairly even tempered when they are comfortable in your home. They do not need to be bathed in water and all you need is their specially made chinchilla dust for them to roll around and take a chinchilla dust bath in.

Where To Get Chinchillas?
Baby Chinchillas or chins may be bought from reputable breeders that advertise online or from pet shops. They can cost as little as a few hundred dollars each depending on the lineage and or background. A pure standard chinchilla is basically a pure breed and that no mutation or mixing of the gene pool from other chins was made. They are known to be generally healthier compared to mixed breeds that may have genetic complications arise as they grow older.

Breeders of these animals are quite proud of their stock and will always disclose whether their animals are pure standard or not. If you are looking to adopt abandoned chinchillas (bless your heart!) they would come in quite cheap or even free as long as you know animal shelters that have them. There are also a lot of cheap chinchilla for sale out there, one just has to know where to look. Many chinchillas are abandoned or rescued by concerned citizens who take pity on these animals as some people breed them for their fur and sell them to the highest bidder.

What kinds of chinchillas are for sale?
Chinchillas generally have two kinds; the Chinchilla brevicaudata and the chinchilla lanigera. They almost look alike but the Chinchilla brevicaudata has a shorter tail and broad shoulders. This specie is also the one mainly produced in captivity, Chinchilla lanigera is mostly found in the wild along the mountains of South America where they came originally from.

These chins come in generally four kinds of fur colors that are gray, beige, white and ebony. There may be rarer colors found but this may be a sign of cross breeding. Again, it would be wise to ask your breeder about the chins' lineage or family background.

When looking for a suitable chinchilla to bring home, take a close look at the quality of his fur. It should be soft and shiny and not have signs of "fur chewing" this can be a result of an attack by another chin or he may have done it himself. It will be hard to detect how deep the fur chewing or attack went as it is almost impossible to see through all those hair.

What Else To Check?
Second, check to see the over-all demeanor of the animal. It should be up and about during the evening and be rested during the day. They are nocturnal animals (come out during the evenings) and will keep you up for the most part as they jump and tumble inside their cage. Speaking of the cage, some chinchilla cages for sale are not that durable, so, be wise in choosing. This is also perfect for those who work during the day as you are assured that they will not do anything to harm themselves as they will be fast asleep while you are in the office or at school.

Lastly, it would be of great help to you to know more about these animals before you really and finally decide to get one. Take the time to study how they live, watch a few videos and especially learn how to give a chinchilla dust bath! It would also be of great comfort to you if you already have a veterinarian in your phones speed dial for those emergencies. Pay careful attention to your pet chin's diet as they have a very sensitive need when it comes to the kinds of food they eat.

Accessories You Will Also Need
You will of course have to buy chinchilla cages for your new pet, just like how guinea pigs need guinea pig hutches, as well as food, a food dish, a water bottle, hay, and chinchilla toys. There are so many options available and one could easily spend a ton of money getting all of these items. While these things go along with your budget you can't let your chinchilla suffer - sometimes a toy is a necessity along with food and water!

In Conclusion...
Baby chinchillas for sale, though strictly monitored, are quite easy to find and responsible breeders will never sell a chin that is less than 6 weeks old. Some pet chinchillas for sale, even if they are born with fur and with eyes wide open, does not mean that they are fully grown!

10 Things To Consider When Choosing Freshwater Aquarium Fish

If you're getting your freshwater aquarium set up, then you must be thinking about what kind of fish should go in there. There's more to it that just getting pretty ones that match, and here, we will go through things that you should do as you select your freshwater aquarium fish so that you end up with an aquarium that's wholesome, fun and easy to maintain.

1. Determine the number of fish you want to keep. The temptation of course is to keep as many pretty ones as you can get in there, but you may squeeze them too much. An aquarium with too many fish means much more waste, which is not good for the fish and will force you to clean more often. When there are too many fish, there may also be a scramble for food so that there are some that are not fed enough. The rule of thumb is about 2 inches of fish for every gallon of water.

2. You need to choose your fish from a reputable dealer. This way, you are sure that you're getting healthy stock. It's not uncommon to set up an aquarium and a few days later the fish are dead - they were likely not healthy when they were bought. Look at the fish in the shop to start with; are the aquariums clean and do the fish look healthy? If you are impressed with the way the store is kept, you are more likely to get good, healthy fish. If the aquariums are dirty and the fish in them look dull, look for another supplier.

3. Learn as much as you can about freshwater aquarium fish that you may be considering. Do they have particular preferences? Do they prey on other fish? Do they require special kinds of substrate? What temperature do they best thrive in? You also need to know if they have special dietary requirements. Sometimes, this information may help you decide whether you can cope with your selection - some fish breeds are rather high maintenance. A tip here is to get school fish. There will be minimal compatibility issues and it's easier to tell when something is wrong in the fish tank because they will all behave oddly. There are some that come recommended: pearl and zebra danios are beautiful; neons and cardinal tetras too.

4. Try not to get one of everything that you like; they may all be school fish, but they still have different environments under which they thrive best. It's hard to simulate all these environments in a fish tank. 2 or 3 types are ok.

5. There will be algae, and it's always best, together with regular maintenance, to get a species of fish that feeds on it so you can control it naturally. A brittle nose, a clown plecostomus or otocinclus catfish are perfect fresh water aquarium fish for this.

6. Killifish, if you can get them, are an excellent way to start your aquarium. They are not so high maintenance, and by the time you get to add other fish species, you will have got the hang of it.

7. Think about compatibility. Most people will think about freshwater aquarium fish that prey on others here, but there are also some that grow so big in a short time that they start to squeeze out the others. Cichilds, for instance grow quite big. Angle fish can easily squeeze out smaller fish if they are in a fish tank smaller than 10 gallons. Some fish types are also rather messy, and the mess they leave behind may poison more sensitive breeds.

8. DON'T keep a piranha, unless all by themselves. They will eat your other fish. If you go for them, make sure to be ready for the expense that they bring. They need a lot more cleaning after, and they need to be fed much more to keep them from eating each other.

9. There are miniature sharks, like the Bala, that you can keep, but they still will grow rather big and you will need a bigger-than-standard fish tank.

10. Stay away from catfish. They will eat other fish in the fish tank and they never stop growing.

You are now armed with lots of information on choosing freshwater aquarium fish and choosing fish for your aquarium so follow this guidance and remember even one wrong fish in your fish tank can affect all the rest, so it's important to follow these tips.

Three Freshwater Aquarium Fish You Need Named A-B

Angelfish

Great in a community tank, it moves around at a slow pace and is lovely to look at with wonderful colors. Adults can be as big as fifteen centimeters long, so think about that when you are working out how many fish your aquarium can accommodate.
Temperature wise they can endure quite a wide range and they are also happy with a variable range of foods.

This fish looks silvery, is thin and has curvy fins that sweep backwards. Distinct vertical stripes run along the body from the caudal fin to the eye. And you can tell when this fish is afraid as these black stripes suddenly fade away.
Other Angel fish such as the black one, obviously don't show these stripes as clearly. Another one, an Angel fish has lace patterns on the fins. Longer fins can be found on another Angel fish, the Veil Angel that has a marble effect.

Sexing these fish is not easy. When you do manage to get a pair they remain loyal to each other and look after they young well. When breeding you will need a well planted tank with broad leaves and the light needs to be at a low level. Sticky eggs are produced within two or three days.
Bear in mind that these fish can eat the eggs, especially if they feel afraid. The young can be fed with infusoria and then micro worms and then brine shrimps.

Badis

You cannot say that this fish has one particular color as there are lots and lots of variations. The colors vary from red to a nearly purple color and spots have even been noted. Not only that, the color changes depending on the aquarium conditions and during breeding.

Major characteristics are a dorsal fin that that might have bluish green stripes, scales with a line around them and a stripe crossing the eye.
When breeding make sure that the male is smaller than the female because she can be injured by a bigger male. As a cave dweller ensure you use something like a plant pot for it to breed in. Have a well planted aquarium with a water temp of twenty nine degrees centigrade. Remove the female after egg laying, wait for them to hatch and then remove the male. Use infusoria to feed the young.

Black Widow

The family is Characidae and the scientific name is Gymnocorymbus ternetzi. This is a popular freshwater aquarium fish as it is peaceful, fairly small at 6.5 centimetres and therefore great in a community tank. Nevertheless it is susceptible to bad water conditions and this can be identified by seeing if it swims with the head down. Food wise, a range of feeding can be used but it prefers live food.

Color wise its body has vertical dark stripes with red circled eyes and a silvery green body. Sexing is difficult a clue is that the male is not as fat in the body and it has bigger frontal and anal fins and dorsal fins that are sharper. The breeding tank must be thickly planted at on end, water at twenty degrees centigrade and you also need floating plants.

After breeding the eggs are dispersed, some adhering themselves to plant leaves and others falling to the bottom. Remove the breeding pair after spawning and you will see the fry after about thre days. Feed the young on infusoria, then brine shrimp.

Sport Horse Breeders Meet in Devon

The wealth of information, people, places, and horses at the WBFSH Convention was outstanding! The first day we were taken to the Devon Breed Show to see some of the top mares and foals in the country. I was surprised to learn that in Europe they do not have breed shows like this. We had lunch sponsored by Dressage at Devon and were able to talk with many of the representatives of the WBFSH and hear their thoughts and impressions on the show.

After returning from the show we started the 1st seminar session. We were welcomed by Jan Pedersen, the president of the WBFSH, and Ekkehard Brysch, ISR/Oldenburg Registry, our host. Scott Hassler then presented a very interesting talk about equestrian sports in North American and its impact on Sport Horse breeding. He thanked the WBFSH for the implementation of the Young Horse Championships citing that he felt that they were having a very positive impact on the education of the young horse in the U.S. Even though only a small percentage of our 4, 5, and 6 year olds are competing in these classes, it has highlighted the importance of starting the training of our young horses earlier rather than later. Currently the Young Horse Championships for Dressage, Jumping, and Eventing are held at different times and different locations. The goal for 2013 is to have them all in one location at the same time.

Ekkehard Brysch then talked about the impact of thoroughbreds on the modern Sport Horse Breeding in North America. He said that originally the 1st generation of a cross with a TB was not the breeding goal, only the start. Now however, because of the larger pool of quality TB mares in the U.S., they are seeing that the 1st generation cross does produce foals that meet the breeding goal. It is important to note that they have identified a particular type of TB that is suitable. The TB horses that produce the best offspring suitable for the Sport Horse must have quality conformation and are typically out of lines that produced horses that were or are successful in the longer races. Sprinting horses will not produce the gaits desirable for modern Sport Horse Breeding.

Later in the afternoon we heard about the education and training of equestrian professionals in the U.S. by Prof. Dr. Rebecca Splan from Virginia Tech University. They have a unique program designed to educate the students in all aspects of the horse industry. Their goal is that the student be made aware of all the career opportunities available and with the help of the university, industry stakeholder support, and assistance from breed registries and other organizations, is prepared for high-level professional careers with horses. I found myself wishing I was younger and could take part in this excellent program.

Derbydown Farms was our 1st stop the next morning. There, Louise Serio gave us a demonstration of a hunter on the flat and over fences, as well as some videos of the Hunter Derby while we had lunch. She told us what she looks for in a Hunter and verified that the modern Sport Horse is proving to be more suitable than the TB in most cases. It was very educational and many of the WBFSH representatives had never seen this sport and were impressed. We then visited North View Farm, the birth place of Northern Dancer, and saw many beautiful TB stallions and heard about the state of TB breeding and racing in the U.S. Next was the amazing new Hassler Dressage at Riveredge. This facility will take your breath away - you can see pictures on the ISR/Oldenburg website as well at the WBFSH site. Scott and his partner's plans for the future are very exciting, they have a lot of fresh ideas and plans that will help the U.S. become more important in the breeding of modern Sport Horses and the training of both the horse and rider/trainer. We then had a delicious American Barbeque dinner at the farm with lots of discussion about what we had seen and heard so far.

The final day in Devon it was pouring rain from a hurricane that had been on the coast. We were lucky in that most of the day was inside. There was a meeting of the general assembly that we were allowed to sit in on that I found very interesting. It was reassuring to hear them address issues that were important to me as a breeder in their Strategic Plan. This was followed by presentations on new methods for breeding with frozen semen, stem cell uses, cloning, AI breeding practices, the Young Breeders program, horse slaughter in the U.S. and other countries, and the Universal Equine Life Number (UELN). The UELN was the subject of discussion frequently throughout the three day meeting. It has been successfully implemented in many countries, but the logistics of putting it in place in the U.S. is staggering. We do not have the kind of government control that would be required as they do in other countries.

Horse Tack Bridles - Which One To Buy?

Horse bridles are different for every discipline. Deciding which horse tack bridles to buy will depend on what type of riding your do, as well as how your horse has been trained. There are also differences in a horse mouth, and some horses require a firmer bit, while others simply need a simple snaffle. Often finding the horse bridles you need will be easier than finding the right bit.

A bit is the mouthpiece on the bridle that fits on the "bars" in the horse's mouth. This is a space that is found in front of the horse's back molars, and the fit of the bit will mean that your horse is comfortable and willing to work.

There are an endless range of bits, but the two primary types of bits are snaffles and curbs. Snaffle bits are used as "direct pressure," while curb bits are used for leverage. Depending on what you are requiring from your horse will determine what type of bit to purchase.

Snaffle bits are the most common type of bit found in English horse bridles, particularly hunt seat and dressage. These horse tack bridles use snaffle bits to apply direct pressure to the tongue and lip. There may be a "joint" in the center of the mouthpiece, which acts as nutcracker effect inside the mouth to direct the horse. There are a wide range of snaffle bits, including D ring, twisted wire bits, and O rings.

Curb bits work with leverage, which puts pressure on the poll, and is considered a more severe bit. These are found more frequently in Western horse bridles, but there are no hard and fast rules. Leverage curb bits will provide more control depending on the length of the shank, as well as the type of curb. There are some bits that are solid, while others have a jointed center.

Riders are not confined to a snaffle or curb bits. With so many choices, there are hybrid horse tack bridles that work with many horses, such as the kimberwick bit, or even double horse bridles, which incorporate two bits simultaneously using four reins instead of two.

Shopping for the right horse tack bridles for your individual horse may be a process in stead of one stop shopping. Consult with other riders or trainers to find out what may work best with your horse, make sure you have a good fit, and listen to your horse.

Beginning riders may want a milder bit until they learn how to have a good seat, while an advanced rider can still be effective with a more severe bit and a light hand.

Your horse bridles are literally your steering wheel with your horse, and you want to make sure that you are in control. At the same time, you want your horse to be comfortable so you can get willing results. Taking your time and being willing to try different bits on your horse will help you get the maximum performance from your horse.

Horse Grooming Supplies

When you own a horse you will need to keep it looking and feeling great and this can take more work than you may think. Horse grooming is very important as it will not only make your horse look great but also it will make them feel fantastic too. You will need to purchase the right horse grooming supplies which can help you with your task. You will also have to research the best way to groom the breed of horse that you own as some have to be cared for in different ways.

There are many different horse grooming supplies available for you to purchase and you will need to decide what you need and what can be bought on your budget. There will always be essential horse grooming items that you need and these should be bought first. Your horse should be brushed every day if possible as this can help to remove the dead hair, dirt, debris and dry skin. You will be amazed at how much your house enjoys being groomed. You will need to put in a lot of effort to ensure that you horse is brushed well.

You should always brush your house before riding them to ensure there is nothing where your saddle will go. Also when you return to remove sweat stains and make your horse comfortable you can brush them with a hard brush and a curry comb which removes the hair from the brush easily. If your horse has been clipped then you will find you need to do your horse grooming with a softer brush. As well as a dandy brush, body brush and curry comb you may also find that you need a mane comb, sweat scraper and sponges. All of these are essential horse grooming supplies which you can add to make a larger kit.

If you maintain a daily routine of grooming your horse then you will begin to get into a pattern and know exactly what order to groom your horse in. After you have brushed them properly then you may need to comb through their mane and tail. This keeps it free of tangles and knots and if you horse has a particularly thick mane then it may need pulling to keep it thin and tidy. You can find all of the essential horse grooming supplies in your local tack store. They are not too expensive and if looked after will last you a long time.

You need to ensure that your horse's nose and eyes are clean and healthy and wiping these down with a damp sponge is very important. By you grooming your horse every day you are not only bonding with them but also helping to check them over. You can tell if there are any lumps and bumps and maybe if they are showing signs of un-comfort. If you are concerned then you should speak to your vet who can check the horse out more thoroughly. If you spend the time to get to know your horse by horse grooming then they will respond with kindness and love.

8 Top Aquarium Fish Species for Starters

Here are in my opinion top 8 aquarium fish species that are recommended for starters. They won't cause you a lot of trouble if you provide them with a basic level of care and love.

Zebra Danio (Danio rerio)

Size: 1-1.3 inch (5cm)

Active in the middle and top area of the aquarium, likes to school. He can be kept in water with temperature between 64 - 73 F (18 - 25 C), your ph should be neutral (7)

Harlequin Rasbora(Rasbora Hetoromorpha)

Size: up to 1 inch (4.5 cm)

Need to be kept in group ( preferably 10 or more), temperature 24-30 C, range of ph 5,5-7. The tank need to be well planted. Very active fish.

White cloud mountain minnow (Tanichthys albonubes)

Size: about 3-4cm (1inch)

You don't need a heater to keep this fish, it can survive in water temperature of few degrees Celsius above zero. Recommended is 17-22 C ( 62-71 F).

Sumatra Barb (Puntius anchisporus)

Size: 1.5 inch ( 6cm)

Very active fish, require a large space to swim but the tank should also be well planted
Likes to school, shouldn't be together with fish that have long fins.
Requires: Temperature 23-26 C (73-79 F), ph 6-7.

Albino paleatus catfish (Corydoras paleatus)

Size: 1.8 inch max (7cm)

One of many members of corydoras family. Likes to search the surface of your aquarium for food so you shouldnt have sharp gravel. My advice is to have a group of 6 or more of these.
Temperature 18-24 (64-75 F) ph - 7

Guppy (Poecilia reticulata)

Size: male 1inch (4cm) female 1.5 inch (6cm)

Popular fish for beginners, can take a lot and reproduces easily
Preferred temperature is 22-27 degrees (71-80 F) ph-7.
There are many colour variants of this fish, generally males are characterised by colorful fin, females are olive-gray.

Rainbowfish family

Size: up to 3 inches (12cm)

Group of fish that are a little bigger than the ones presented above, but they are peaceful fellas. Optimal temperature varies between particular species but generally it is a range of 22- 27 C (71-80 F), ph 6.5-8.

Neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi)

Size: 0.25-1 inch (1-4cm)

This fish presents great in big shoal, minimum size of the group should be 10. In smaller ones neons become very shy. Water temp 22-25 (71-76 F),ph in range of 5-7.

Stay tune more on other aquarium fish species very very soon.

Its Pleasurable to Watch Rivulus Killifish Jumping Happily in the Aquarium

Rivulus Killifish is a freshwater killifish. It grows much larger than the usual killifish family - up to 5 inches, making it a giant. It is a tough South American species and it can live in adverse conditions successfully.

As it does not require much maintenance of pampering, it can be safely bought by the beginners. In the nature, it can be found in many ponds, streams and polls which are located below the waterfalls. Generally it is comfortable in shallow waters.

It is fond of jumping to catch its food. It can easily catch insects which are flying just over the surface of the water. In fact it can travel on land for a small distance especially in the mud to catch insects. It can remain out of water for a long period of time and it can even remain motionless for some time. So it is always a good idea to close your aquarium with a tight lid, otherwise the fish may find its way on your carpet and on your furniture!

It is not an annual killifish meaning its life cycle is not limited to a particular part of the year. About 100 species of Rivulus Killifish can be found in various places of South America and in some parts of North America.

Its body can grow from 1 inch to 4 inches in a very short time. The male is more colorful than the female. It is found in light blue color with red dots and sometimes you can find yellow stripes on its fins. The female is usually found in brown color. However, there is usually no difference in the size of male and female.

It does not require much maintenance. It can survive within a wide range of temperature from 60 to 85° F. It is comfortable in the slightly acidic water with a ph value of around 7.0 and it can tolerate some variations in the condition of water also.

Rivulus Killifish is famous for eating guppy fish. In fact it is called a guppy predator and studies have shown that it can eat guppies very fast. So if you'll keep it in the aquarium, you will need to exclude the guppy fish specifically.

Breeding Rivulus Killifish is not very difficult. To begin with, you should start feeding it with a diet of high nutritional values. It is better to combine live food with the flaked food. Brine shrimp and blood-worms can be a treat for the fish. As its size is large, you should feed both the male and female in large quantities. If you feed them with a variety of live food, you can get large spawns.

During the breeding season, the female will continuously lay eggs. Usually, the females will prefer to lay eggs in the daytime. Rivulus Killifish is not fond of eating eggs so you can keep the adults in the same tank after spawning.

The eggs will hatch within two weeks. The small fry will require food from the very first day and they will grow very fast. Within about four weeks they will start eating like adults.

If you are a beginner, you can certainly start with Rivulus Killifish. If you can manage a bigger aquarium, you can keep the water levels a bit low over and close the aquarium with a tight lid. Then you can enjoy looking at them swimming happily all over the aquarium and jumping frequently. After some time, you can even enjoy feeding them by tossing the food and looking at their elegance while they catch it in the air!

Arowana - A Brief History Of The Arowana Fish

The arowana is a very old fish dating back to the Jurassic age which is roughly between 150-200 million years ago. The middle Jurassic age was known as "the Age of Reptiles" or dinosaurs as we know them, so this gives some indication of how old this fish actually is.

Through out this time the fish itself has remained almost the same making the arowana fish we see in or pet stores today a living fossil.

A lot of people either have or would like an arowana for a pet but they don't know or realise that this fish has become endangered. The fisher man and collectors don't realise that these fish are disappearing. The stocks of arowana have become very low over the last 50 years. The three main areas today where the fish is found, are Asia, Australia and the Amazon. Luckily owners and breeders of this fish from around the world are helping it to make a comeback.

An arowana in the right environment can grow to a size of around four foot and can weigh between 25-35 pounds. They are known as a fiery aggressive fish in the wild reaching speeds of 25 mph in quick shots to catch there prey. In the Amazon they can be seen leaping from the water to catch insects or small birds in low laying branches. This has earned them the nickname "water monkeys". They are classified as carnivores or meat eaters but will eat anything like other fish, insects or small birds.

In the wild arowanas travel, hunt and fight in groups. The male and female arowanas work in unity to defend there area and family group. To defend they nip, bite, body slap and charge at whatever puts them on high alert in there own territory.

In china the arowana is known as a symbol of wealth, luck, strength and power in the feng shui circles and is commonly referred to as the golden dragon fish. In this way the Asian arowana has become expensive and highly collectible.

Hopefully this will shed some light on the mystery and hype that surrounds this ancient bred of fish known as the arowana and hopefully will promote an interest in you to look into this great fish.

The Interesting Lifecycle Of Hermit Crabs

The lifecycle of hermit crabs can be quite a complex process and one that is perilous for the crab especially during hatching. So if you are looking to breed your own hermies successfully in captivity, then it might be beneficial for you to discover what happens during the early stages of a hermie's life cycle.

It is important to note that there are two types of hermies available; those which live in the sea, and those which live on land! Although the majority of the species live in the sea, the land species are the ones that the majority of people keep as pets. Therefore I am going to concentrate upon these. Another important factor to take into consideration is that all hermies, no matter whether they are sea or terrestrial types, are born in the water.

The first stage of the life of one of these crawly critters is the mating stage. The male crab has to approach the female and encourage her to exit her shell. He does this by gently knocking on the female shell and enticing her out. Once this is achieved, the male places his spermatophores into the females gonophores and fertilizes the eggs which are stored there. Once this process is complete the female will carry them around in her underbelly within the confines of her shell. This keeps the eggs not only safe from predators, but also keeps them moist.

When the eggs are due to be hatched, the female makes her way to the shoreline and empties her eggs onto the sand or rocks. It is here that the waves will carry them into the sea. This is where the life of the little critter really gets interesting and somewhat dangerous.

When the tiny hermies are hatched they are known as "zoea". They spend the first few weeks swimming around the ocean, whereby the ocean currents can send them miles off course, as part of the plankton. At this stage they are incredibly vulnerable and will easily fall prey to larger sea creatures who have a taste for plankton.

After a few months and many changes of skin, the living conditions of the hermie alter again. This time the tiny zoea begin to resemble what is more like the crab that we know and love today. Those that have survived this far have now developed into "Glaucothoe" These are tiny crabs that can now walk about as well as swim. They remain in the ocean but are still vulnerable to predators because they at this stage have no protective shell. They are in a race against time to find a shell that will offer them protection, as well as comfort, for the perilous journey back onto land. If a glaucothoe tries to make it back on to land without the aid a protective shell, then the chances of it surviving are pretty minimal.

Having successfully avoided all the pitfalls, the baby hermie eventually makes his/her home further from the shoreline where it will live nocturnally, scavenging for whatever food it may find. After several more moltings and around two years in length, the hermie reaches adulthood. It is only then that it can start to breed again and therefore can continue the intresting lifecycle of hermit crabs!

5 Top Tips For Feeding a Hermit Crab

In the wild, land hermit crabs feed on a variety of foods such as dropped fruit, tree bark, plants and grasses and food that has been washed on to the shore. They locate their food by a combination of watching other crabs and by using their antennae to sniff it out. Feeding your pet crustacean in captivity isn't as difficult as you guys may think and, provided you follow a few guidelines, your pet should stay happy and well nourished. These crabs are, like people, omnivorous, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. The following five pointers should help, if you have recently purchased one of these little guys, and are a little unsure what to feed him.

1. When feeding a hermit crab you can't go far wrong if you stick to a commercially produced specialized food which can be purchased at most reputable pet stores. These commercial foods are normally produced in pellet or canned form although you may need to crush the pellets if you are taking care of a smaller critter. Ready prepared diets ensure that your pet gets the right amount of supplements that he needs such as calcium, carotene and antioxidants.

2. You're little pets are not normally picky eaters and it's a good idea when giving one of these little guys food is to supplement the commercial food with a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables. Your pet will enjoy eating a wide variety of food and particularly likes fruit from the tropics, such as mangoes, coconuts and papayas although he will be happy with citrus fruit as well.

3. If you are putting your little crawly pet on a fresh food diet it is important to try and source organic, whenever possible. Always rinse the food with water and then leave it to dry naturally as he likes to munch with a crunch.

4. These crawly critters need a good supply of calcium particularly when they are molting and this can be achieved by feeding your little guy with cuttlebone, which is normally located in the bird section of your pet store, which can be given whole or shredded and added to food. Additional sources of calcium can be found in crushed oyster shell, which is also available in the bird section, coral sand and crushed egg shells, which can be boiled, dried and then crushed.

5. Lastly, your pet will need water and supplying your little fella' with both fresh and salt water is preferable. Some of the crawlers like to bath in salt water, so it is a good idea to provide a dish that is big enough for this purpose. When it comes to fresh water you must never use tap water, since chlorine is harmful to your pet's body. Instead, you can purchase drops from your pet store which remove chlorine or alternatively, use bottled water instead, although this is likely to be more costly.

Follow these guidelines and you will have a pet that will provide you with hours of entertainment and fun. To be perfectly honest with you, feeding a pet like this is nowhere near as tricky as feeding a picky adolescent.

Characteristics Of A Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is an exceptionally beautiful large and highly energetic dog. It is also known as one of the world's best family dog breeds. They do well as bird hunting dogs as well as serve as police helpers, a guide for the visually impaired, therapy do and assist as a service dog for the disabled.

These dogs are one of the friendliest and most useful dogs in the world due to their desire and eagerness to please as well as their capacity to love and trainability. They have also been ranked as 4 out of 79 recognized breeds for their working intelligence and obedience. Golden Retrievers are quite calm as well as responsive and affectionate, although they don't make outstanding watch dogs due to their over trusting nature and lack of suspicion of strangers.

They are quite difficult to match against any other breed in the world, which is why they are such a popular pet.

Their general appearance is beautiful, strong, well proportioned body. Their coat is medium in length with a feathery feel; they are generally cream to golden in color, with part of their coat water resistant. They have a strong broad shaped head and a powerful muzzle. Soft brown eyes with dark rims and pendant shaped ears, their muscular neck and thighs as well as broad chest map out their characteristic physic.

Golden Retrievers are such well behaved, lovable, intelligent pets with a lot of charm. They are loyal and quite confident, gentle and eager to please their owners. Although they are very active they do make the ideal family pet. They enjoy spending time with people and love training as a chance to spend more time with you and have excelled in many obedience competitions.

They are happiest when they around people but if isolated they may become mischievous and can cause a bit of chaos by tearing up things around the house. But they do make tremendous companions for people of all ages and are the easiest dog to train. They are very people orientated and will enjoy spending time with someone everyday.

Ideally, Golden Retrievers need regular exercises and prefer large backyards to play and move about it. They love playing games with balls, and sticks so really, exercise for them should be fairly easy. Without adequate exercise they can become difficult in their behavior within the home.

While they are easily trained and exceptionally patient and gentle with children, supervision is a must with a young child due to the dog's uncontrollable excitement can bump young children over without meaning too. They are friendly to anyone they meet including other dogs and family pets but have limited guard dog instincts, although will bark as a form of greeting that is sometimes intimidating.

Although like other dogs they have their fair share of health issues from hip dysplasia and cataract opacity they do generally live a fairly good life span of about 14 years. With a healthy diet and exercise they will live a fulfilling life when spending time with their family, they will give many years of companionship.

Lea Mullins, a long time dog owner, provides information on characteristics of a Golden Retriever. Visit TrainPetDog.com to learn about dog breeds.

Pet Training - How to Train Your Rabbit

Owners must accept that rabbits will instinctively exhibit behaviors that you may not like but are second nature for your rabbit such as, chewing furniture, digging up the carpet and marking the floor. This behavior is rare but does occur.

If your rabbit is chewing furniture consider purchasing a special spray to deter them from chewing. These are sold at all pet stores and shops such as Wal-Mart and Target. Also, be sure to provide your bunny with plenty of chew toys which you can purchase at the pet store. I like to cover the areas they like to dig with a bath mat or another large object to cover the area.

Rabbits have the urge to mark their territory with urine and certain fecal pellets. If you spay/neuter your pet this will eliminate this desire and will prevent the risk of ovarian cancer and unwanted pregnancy. To train your rabbit to use a litter box, make sure you pick a one that is the right size for the bunny. A tiny bunny will not want to use a gigantic litter box and a large rabbit will not enjoy using a litter box designed for a small bunny. Place the litter box in a corner in a private place that is quiet and will be relaxing for the bunny to use. It helps to put several poops in the litter box so they know that it is the designated area for them to relieve themselves

Rabbits respond extremely well to rewards so giving them treats for a job well done is the best thing you can do to train your rabbit. They do not respond when they are yelled at or hit and do not understand why they are being punished. Reward your bunny every time they do something great by giving them a treat. Immediately give them a treat as soon as they do the good behavior and be consistent. Make sure that your bunny knows why they are getting a treat. Make sure you use treats that your bunny loves because they will do anything possible to get that treat. My rabbits favorite treats are lettuce and pretzel treats designed especially for rabbits.

It takes time to train your rabbit and the best thing you can do is to devote at least thirty minutes a day of quality time to training. If you consistently train them each day you will see the results. Your bunny will respond more to you, you and your bunny will be closer and you will see quicker results.

How to Train Ferrets - Tips to Stop a Ferrets Biting

Admirable pets with abounding energy, ferrets are habitual nippers. A Ferret bite is painful as is its habit. Ferrets bite by habit and mostly when they are playful with their peers. So, once you acquire a pet ferret you need to train these little fellows quickly. Be patient with them as you would with any puppy and use a firm but gentle method to train them. If you are tired of ferrets biting you, follow these tips to train them.

Before you commence with training your pet ferret, determine why it bites. Perhaps the pet is injured and the wound has not healed yet. So when you cuddle, you could be disturbing the wound. And every time you pick him up, he bites to get free. Your quick reaction to free him makes the ferret to realize that if he bites, he can free himself.

Another reason your ferret could bite is when the environment is unsuitable and has nicotine smells, dust or alcohol smells which might irritate the pet. Furthermore, confining the ferret can be frustrating to their playful attitude, which they may vent through biting.

Stay firm and signal your pet a staunch `NO` when he bites. If he still bites, leave him and walk away from him. He will sense your resentment to biting and understand biting is not being tolerated. Resume playing when he calms down. Repeating this process will make him understand that he should not bite. If he does not reciprocate, put him in a cage whenever he bites and let him out only when he calms down. Repeat this process every time you get nipped. Since ferrets do not like being caged, he will respond.

As has been advised in the beginning, you need to be extremely patient in dealing with your pet ferret. If he does not respond soon, you may have to be more aggressive with him. Pick him up by the neck, nudge him, shake him, and call out a firm NO. A light tap on his nose will also help him understand. According to experts, you can spray a bitter tasting spray on the paws to discourage ferrets biting.

Finally, it is your love and commitments towards you ferret that will bring out an appropriate response. And do not forget to reward your pet with his favorite food every time that he obeys.

Top 10 Most Popular Types of Parrots

Parrots are becoming more and more popular as pets in captivity. People love to train them and teach them tricks and to speak phrases. In the wild, these birds have been admired because of their beauty, intelligence, and outgoingness. They have similar characteristics as humans, as they replicate human words and sounds. Parrots have very childlike behavior and thinking, with some behavioral scientists demonstrating they have the intelligence and communication skills of a 3 year old. This is why these birds make fantastic companions and pets.

There are many kinds of parrot types in the animal kingdom with varieties based on size, shape, and feather colors. The following outlines the top 10 most popular types as pets and in the wild:

1.) Parakeets - Parakeet parrots are known by their long tails, and tend to be a more favored parrot type compared to the Cockatiel for example. Known as a small parrot, the parakeet has bright feather colors. Their behavior is typically energetic and they crave human interaction.

2.) Cockatiels - Cockatiels are smaller parrot types typically identified by their notable head and tail feathers. Males have great speaking abilities, while the female Cockatiels are quieter, but are more aggressive. The females also are more likely to bite and hiss. The Cockatiels are good pets in captivity, as they are very sociable and love to interact.

3.) Lorries & Lovebirds - These birds are from South America and have been an inspiration to many as they are extremely peaceful birds with bright feather colors. They do not require much space, are able to maintain great health, and love to be with other parrots.

4.) Conures - The Conures are more playful birds that are large parakeets, which have a slightly smaller build with longer tails. These parrots are from Central and South America, and have friendly personalities, sometimes leading to louder squawks.

5.) Macaws -These birds are mostly recognized for their large frame and bright rainbow colored feathers and beaks. Originating from the tropical regions of South and Central America, the macaw shows great intelligence with fantastic speaking abilities.

6.) Amazon -Also known as green parrots (since most have an overwhelming green feather color), Amazon parrots are very smart, talkative, and friendly. These parrots are easier to train than other parrots, and can duplicate the human voice of their owner.

7.) Cockatoo -Most known by their standing head crest and arched bills, these parrots types are larger than many other parrots but have less color in their feathers. These parrots are both friendly and talkative with frequent squawking and screaming.

8.) Caiuges - This parrot type is regarded as both smart and attractive in the parrot world. These parrots have an array of different feather colors, and have been referred to as the seven-colored parrot from their vast feather colors.

9.) Poicephalus Parrots -Originally from Africa, these birds are usually on the shy side but have endearing personalities. Ranging in size from small to medium, this parrot type demonstrates good and social behavioral traits.

10.) Parrotlets - These types are also known for their smaller size. With energetic, enjoyable, and courteous attributes, they can duplicate human voice and words, but are harder to understand. In the wild, these birds travel in flocks.

Parrots can be a fun and rewarding pet to own and care for. It is important to ensure your parrot receives proper training and love with much time devoted to their parrot. Remember this is a long term commitment, since parrots can live literally decades.