Breeding fish at home is one of the most interesting activities in the world. What could be more exciting, and most importantly calmer, than observing the many diverse inhabitants of an aquarium. There are hundreds of magnificent creatures to suit every taste in the pet store, but there are some minor drawbacks for beginners.
Novice aquarists simply cannot afford to take some types of fish without practice and knowledge in caring for them when they go to the store.
Sometimes the most majestic and interesting specimens require enormous expense and effort. The better the animal is in beauty and appearance, the more capricious it is in the conditions of detention.
Let's consider the most popular and unpretentious types of domestic creatures.
Common types of individuals
If your desires go far beyond normal care, and are aimed more at increasing the population, then you need to know the main types of fish, their characteristics, as well as the pros and cons of this type.
Aquarium fish at home are divided into 2 varieties based on the birth rate of fry: spawning and viviparous.
But, no matter what species or subspecies the fish is, there must always be a female and a male present. Without the male's sperm, the female will not be able to produce offspring.
Fish in sour cream
Photo: rybalka2.ru
An elegant and flavorful dish for every day.
You will need:
400 g fish, 4 tbsp.
sour cream, 2 tbsp. parmesan, 1 tomato, dill, green onions, garlic and spices. Preparation:
Finely chop the peeled tomato, green onion, dill and garlic. Mix them with sour cream and grated Parmesan. Rub the fish fillets with spices, place them in molds and pour the sauce over them. Bake for about 20 minutes at 180 degrees.
Gold fish
Probably the most famous fish around the world. Although fairy tales have been written about her, in life she demands more than she gives. And it is important for her to have a large space in the aquarium. Therefore, in order for the golden individual to produce offspring, it is important to purchase a huge home for it.
Pros:
- She is not picky about food, and also does not need special treatment of herself and the water: +18 degrees of liquid without a sharp change in temperature and the fish will be happy.
- The water can be changed gradually, because it clogs small volumes.
- I am calm and ready to not eat for 3-4 days.
- With proper care, it can live up to 13-15 years.
Minuses:
- It is necessary to have large volumes of aquariums - 50 liters per 1 individual.
- Unable to stop eating, therefore prone to overeating.
- It is better to keep goldfish at home separately from aggressive ones, because they are not able to get along with their “relatives”.
- Quite a polluting fish, you need to purchase the strongest and best water filter.
How much does it cost to maintain an aquarium and where to start for those who want to have one at home?
First of all, before you decide to get fish, you need to understand for yourself that this is not a beautiful piece of furniture like a painting, these are pets, and the aquarium is their home. So you need to approach its selection, equipment and care with all responsibility. Aquarium keeping is more of a hobby than just keeping pets. And those who decide to take up it will have a lot of new information ahead as they gain experience.
One liter per centimeter
“First of all, you need to choose an aquarium based on your budget and the capabilities of the place where it will stand,” says Albert Smirnov from the company AKVAARIUM OÜ, which sells everything necessary for aquarium hobby. – There are, for example, small aquariums of nine liters for 35 euros. There are larger aquariums, 22 liters. These cost 45–49 euros. They all come with filters and lighting. Additionally, you will need to buy some soil, two or three kilograms, and live plants if desired.”
Of course, the size of the aquarium depends not only on the wishes of the buyer; this parameter must also be correlated with the number and size of the future inhabitants of the reservoir. As the specialist explains, one centimeter of a fish’s body requires an average of one liter of water. If the fish is a large breed, then there should be two liters of water per centimeter of its length when it grows.
“An aquarium is a closed reservoir in which it is impossible to provide running water, so it is necessary to change the water periodically. The main question here is how often this should be done. It depends on how many fish are in the aquarium and how much food you give. To understand more clearly, water changes should be done once a week, tests should be carried out once every two weeks or once a month. These are strips that determine several indicators at once,” explains the aquarist. – Every week one strip was set for one to three seconds, and after a minute all the indicators were visible. If nitrites and nitrates are exceeded, the water should be changed. If it’s normal, you can skip this week.”
Albert Smirnov adds that only water transparency can be determined by eye, while PH levels, hardness, nitrites, nitrates and other indicators can only be determined by a test. Such tests cost 12.50 euros for 50 pieces, 10.50 euros for 25 pieces.
Two weeks of waiting
“First, you buy an aquarium that suits your money and space in your apartment. Chose, buy, install. Just choose a place where direct sunlight does not shine on the aquarium. Then you need to fill the aquarium with tap water and add conditioner. It neutralizes chlorine, binds heavy metals, and protects the mucous membranes of fish,” explains a representative of AKVAARIUM OÜ. – In the future, it will also need to be used when changing water. First, for the entire volume, and subsequently in the amount for which you will do a water change.”
If the water temperature is above 5 degrees, Albert Smirnov also advises adding beneficial biobacteria. They collect in the filter, in the soil and begin to multiply. Both conditioner and bacteria must be added after water changes. Since the filter also gets dirty, and in addition to beneficial bacteria, dirt gets packed in there, it needs to be washed. By rinsing under the tap, the beneficial bacteria are washed out and must be added again.
“The water in the tap is not suitable for fish. Therefore, I do not recommend buying an aquarium and fish on the same day. It is better to do this after two weeks, when the beneficial bacteria have multiplied. Plants, some kind of snag for beauty can be placed in the aquarium on the first day. Such a landscape will not only be pleasing to the eye, but the fish also feel better when there are stones, snags, and plants in the aquarium, and not just soil,” notes the aquarist. – You set up the aquarium, add beneficial biobacteria, turn on the filter, and everything starts working. The light can be turned on for five hours the first week if there are living plants. And in a couple of weeks you can start releasing fish.”
Take what you like
The specialist advises choosing the fish that you like, because no other criteria exist. Of course, in the store, when choosing, they will explain who gets along with whom and how best to combine the breeds you like. Buyers, according to the specialist, purchase a variety of fish breeds: blue and red neons, swordtails, mollies, goldfish, ancitrus, angelfish...
There is an opinion that catfish and snails help keep the aquarium clean. Albert Smirnov notes that, first of all, this is done by the filter, although ancitruses, cockroaches, and larikalias still also clean up something and help a little.
“Ordinary yellow snails, which are inexpensive, filter the water a little, perhaps even remove mucus somewhere, but at the same time they dirty the aquarium. But neritins really clean snags and plants from unnecessary fouling, and they are also worth taking,” advises the aquarist.
However, he adds that the filter must work constantly. If some problem arises, the fish begins to hang, then blowing may be required - an air compressor, or the filters have special devices that can provide air.
Aquarium by law
According to the requirements for keeping animals from 2009:
- (1) The aquarium must be fitted with a lid or otherwise covered to prevent fish from jumping out.
- (2) If aquarium plants and other aquarium equipment do not provide sufficient shelter for the fish, a fish shelter should be created in the aquarium.
- (3) The quantity, quality, water temperature and depth in the aquarium must be suitable for the species, size and number of fish contained therein. The water in the aquarium should be changed and cleaned quite often.
- (4) Dead fish are removed from the aquarium immediately upon discovery.
- (5) The aquarium equipment and bottom material must be suitable for the fish species kept in the aquarium.
- (6) In the case of combining groups, schools and species of fish or adding new fish to a group, the compatibility of different fish species and the natural behavioral habits of fish of different species should be taken into account.
Both private and legal entities must comply with such conditions for keeping fish. If they are not observed, the Chief Animal Welfare Officer of the Veterinary and Food Board should be informed.
First expenses:
- Aquarium with filter and light – from 35 euros (9 liters)
- Water replacement tests – from 10.50 euros (25 pcs.)
- Conditioner – from 3 euros (100 ml)
- Beneficial biobacteria – from 5 euros (100 ml)
- Soil for plants – from 19.50 euros (3 l)
- Live plant – from 3 euros
- Aquarium decorations – from 2 euros
- Soil cleaner (siphon) – from 8 euros
- Fish – from 2.5 euros/piece.
Betta
Many breeders are very interested in this individual and how long the betta fish lives at home. Approximately 2-5 years if cared for well.
Pros:
- Unpretentious to water temperature. I feel calm at +18 and +35 degrees Celsius. The main thing is not to make sudden changes.
- Don't need a lot of space.
- Incredibly distinguished by their beautiful appearance.
- They eat any type of food.
Minuses:
- Aggressive.
- Prone to obesity and overeating.
- Lively, they jump out of the walls of the aquarium.
Fish casserole with shrimp
Photo: povar.ru
The dish is easy to prepare, but turns out very delicious.
You will need:
400 g fish, 10 large shrimp, 4 eggs, 125 g sour cream, 150 g tomato sauce, 1 tbsp.
breadcrumbs, spices. Preparation:
Beat eggs with sour cream, tomato sauce and spices. Cut the fish and boil in salted water for 2-3 minutes. Place it with the peeled shrimp in the sauce, mix and place in a baking dish sprinkled with breadcrumbs. Bake for 40 minutes at 180 degrees.
Guppy
Bright and beautiful fish that do not require special living conditions, therefore they are perfect for both children and professionals. Keeping aquarium fish of this breed at home will not be difficult.
Pros:
- Up to 10-15 individuals can fit and live in a 20 liter jar.
- Savings on lighting and filtration.
- They eat any food.
- Calmly endure a week without food.
- You can set any temperature.
- Friendly and sociable.
- They reproduce easily, often in hundreds of fry.
Minuses:
- Not long-lived - up to 1 year.
- They will not be able to live with aggressive fish, such as bettas.
- Capable of eating their own young.
Fish in tangerines
Photo: vsemrecept.ru
Take red fish and you will get a luxurious holiday dish!
You will need:
1 kg of red fish, 100 ml of vodka, 6 tangerines, 5 tbsp.
honey, spices. Preparation:
Squeeze the juice from 4 tangerines and mix it with vodka, honey and spices, and then reduce the sauce to half. Add 2 tangerines cut into slices and simmer for another 5 minutes. Place the fish on parchment, brush with tangerine sauce, place circles on top and bake for 20 minutes at 180 degrees.
The difference between viviparous and egg-laying
These types of individuals differ from fish that reproduce by eggs in that fertilization occurs in the female body. That is why the fry are born already developed, without a shell, like in caviar.
Keeping babies alive requires a number of basic processes. It is important to install a special trap in the aquarium for the future pregnant female. After immediate birth, the mother is planted away from the fry. They need to be fed microscopic ciliates or other organisms 3 or 4 times a day.
What plants to choose for an aquarium
The more diverse the aquatic plants, the better. After all, each of them is also food for fish. Some pets gnaw at algae, and there are some that lay eggs on the leaves.
There are also those who do not pay any attention to algae. But do not forget to thin out the bushes and remove rotten leaves. They also need to be washed under running water to prevent plaque from forming on them.
When changing the water in the aquarium, do not leave elongated algae without water, they are also alive and may die.
Basic mistakes of newbies
The main rule for breeding a particular fish is to have enough space for all the little ones. Sometimes newbies make a huge mistake and overpopulate the water tank. For fertilization, fish require a large space and a lot of stones and decorations to hide from other individuals.
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In addition, creatures are capable of dying out if their genotype does not develop or the males are infertile. To do this, it is important to cross fish of different breeds, where there will be no likelihood of closely related relationships.
The last item should be fish food, which does not have to be Premium. Breeders without experience often spend money on expensive bags of food, while forgetting about other maintenance items. It is enough to select food for fish according to the principle of composition. The composition should contain vitamins, minerals, acids and other beneficial substances.
Fish balls
Photo: poleznii-site.ru
An excellent recipe for a dish of small salted fish.
You will need:
500 g of small fish, 3 eggs, 3 tbsp.
flour, 1 bunch of green onions, spices. Preparation:
Clean the fish, chop very finely and place in a bowl. Add chopped green onions and beaten eggs, season the minced fish and mix with flour. Place the meatballs with a spoon onto the heated frying pan.
Marinated fish in tomato sauce
Photo: rybalka2.ru
A very easy recipe that even beginners can repeat.
You will need:
1 kg of fish, 2 tbsp.
salt, 1 kg of onion, 0.5 cups of sugar, 1 cup of tomato sauce, 0.5 cups of 9% vinegar, 0.5 cups of water, 1 cup of vegetable oil. Preparation:
Clean and wash the fish, cut it into small pieces. Chop the entire onion into half rings and place it in an even layer in a saucepan with a thick bottom. Then lay out a layer of fish and again a layer of onions. Mix all the ingredients for the marinade and also pour into the pan. Leave the fish to simmer on low heat for 3-3.5 hours. If desired, add bay leaf and peppercorns and leave for another 40 minutes.
Fish in garlic and cream sauce
Photo: watson.ch
Garlic, butter and lemon juice with herbs are an ideal combination for fish.
You will need:
350 g fish, spices, 2 tbsp.
starch, 2 tbsp. vegetable oil, 2 lemon slices, 4 tbsp. butter, 3 cloves of garlic, 1 tbsp. lemon juice, 1 tbsp. chopped parsley. Preparation:
Cut the fish into portions and roll it in spices and starch. Mix melted butter with crushed garlic, lemon juice and herbs. Fry the fish in this oil and place on a paper towel to remove excess fat.
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Fish in kefir
Photo: pizza-top.ru
Another simple homemade way to cook fish based on Jamie Oliver’s recipe.
You will need:
1 kg of fish, 700 g of potatoes, 400 ml of kefir, 20 g of fresh ginger, 3 cloves of garlic, 1 tbsp.
turmeric, dry mint, chili. Preparation:
Mix kefir with spices, grated ginger and crushed garlic, pour the sauce over the fish and leave in the refrigerator for half an hour. Boil the potatoes until they are a little soft and cut into large pieces. Place potatoes and fish in a mold, pour in the remaining marinade and bake for about 20-30 minutes at 180 degrees.
Fish nests
Photo: pro-orehi.ru
Beautiful, tender and very tasty.
You will need:
350 g of fish, 5 potatoes, 1 carrot, 1 onion, 100 g of sour cream, 50 ml of cream, 50 g of cheese, spices, lemon, butter.
Preparation:
Boil the potatoes until half cooked and bake the fish, sprinkled with spices and sprinkled with lemon juice, in the same way until half cooked. Fry chopped onion with grated carrots in butter.
Form molds for nests from foil, lay out half of the grated potatoes, brush with sour cream and cream and lay out the fish. Place carrots on top, brush with sauce again, then the remaining potatoes and sauce, and grated cheese on top. Bake for 20 minutes at 180 degrees.
Crispy fish in the oven
Photo: simplyscratch.com
There is no oil at all, so the recipe is dietary.
You will need:
800 g fish, 100 g breadcrumbs, 1 egg white, salt, herbs, pepper.
Preparation:
Mix breadcrumbs with spices and beat the whites separately until foamy. Cut the fish into pieces, mix it with protein, roll in breading and bake on parchment for 20-30 minutes at 180 degrees.
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Fish julienne
Photo: banqueteur.ru
Red fish is best suited here, but the choice is yours!
You will need:
300 g fish, 1 onion, 1 tbsp.
flour, 150 ml 15% cream, 150 g cheese, herbs and spices. Preparation:
Fry chopped onion in a mixture of vegetable and butter with spices. Grate the cheese and cut the fish into medium cubes. Place the fish on the onion and fry for a couple more minutes, then sprinkle with flour and pour in cream. Cook until the sauce thickens, season, place in ramekins and add herbs and grated cheese. Bake for 7-10 minutes at 180 degrees.
Fish in pita bread
Photo: top10a.ru
Another delicious fish dish for beginner cooks.
You will need:
700 g of fish, 3 sheets of pita bread, 150 g of sour cream, 100 g of mayonnaise, 1 onion, 1 tomato, 70 g of vegetable oil, spices.
Preparation:
Cut the onion and tomato into rings, mix sour cream with mayonnaise and spices and cut the pita bread in half. Cut the fish fillet into portions and roll in spices. Place onions, fish in sauce and tomatoes in each pita bread, wrap the envelopes, place them in the mold, seam side down, grease with oil and the rest of the sauce, and bake for half an hour at 180 degrees.
Caramelized fish
Photo: vkusnoinfo.ru
An unexpected but very interesting Asian fish recipe.
You will need:
350 g fish, 1 tbsp.
starch, 2-3 cm ginger, 2 tbsp. vegetable oil, 1 tbsp. chopped green onions, 2 tbsp. soy sauce, 2 tbsp. water, 1 tbsp. sugar, 1 tsp. sesame oil, white pepper. Preparation:
Cut the fish into medium-sized pieces and roll in starch. Mix soy sauce, water, sugar, sesame oil and white pepper. Fry the ginger strips over high heat, remove from the pan and fry the fish in the same oil until golden. Pour in the sauce and reduce heat when it boils. Continue cooking until the fish is caramelized and finish with a sprinkle of ginger and green onions.
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