If you are also interested in breeding you must know a few things about it first. The basic thing to know is that breeding requirements vary from fish species to species.

How to make the fish to mate

If you are trying to get your fish mate then you can follow few guidelines.

A number of species require the tank water to be of very good condition for successful mating. This is in fact the pre requisite of almost every aquarium fish. The water condition matters too in the sense that there are some species that won’t mate if the pH, temperature, and a few other conditions are not within certain range. Again there may be certain less choosey species that will care less. So you must do a thorough research on your fish species and if they are choosy then provide them what they require for mating.

There are a few fish that also need a specific kind of tank environment. For example, there are some fish who will mate and lay eggs in caves. So if you do not have caves in your fish tank, they will probably not mate.

If you read a little you will learn that there are fish whom you can induce for mating by changing water. When you remove the water, let it remain low for sometimes. After that, refill the tank with slightly cooler water. This sudden drop in the water temperature will lead some fish species to mate crazily. Similarly, there are species how will mate when you raise the water temperature a little.

Some aquarium fish also need that you search particular mating pairs them. In such cases it is handy to purchase the fish from a breeder who is selling them as mates.

How to protect the fry from the Predators

A huge problem associated with fish breeding is that the fry are, in most cases, being eaten the parents or other fish in the tank.  Before breeding you will have to do a   little research on the behavior of different species. Accordingly you will need to devise a plan to save the babies. If you have only one species of fish ion the tank and they do not eat the babies, then there is no problem. But if you have a variety of fish in the tank and some of those tend to eat fray then you must take precautionary measures like removing the fray to another tank. If that is difficult then you can also remove the parent to another tank. But removing the fray is the best option and a small fray tank can easily be prepared and that too with minimal cost.

If you want to take a risk then you can let them stay in the main tank. But for protecting the babies from the predators, you will have to provide enough cover. However, fish like African cichlids; this may prove to be a lot of hard work.

For anglers, most creek fishing is limited only by access, weather and water levels. Shore bound anglers have much more vegetation to content with. This can be a considerable problem, especially in areas where trees, reeds or tall brush grows along the shoreline. Some shore anglers use waders to gain access, while others seek out open areas and avoid areas that include dense foliage.

Boaters and kayakers have more access but often find fishing to be best near the shoreline, especially near dense cover. Summer creek environments usually require less travel time and more fishing for boaters and fish occupy more areas. For small, shallow creeks, fishing kayaks are especially useful as they can go where other boats cannot.

Summer anglers find a wide range of species in local creeks and rivers. Species such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rock bass, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, catfish and pickerel are all very active in many American creeks. Depending on the species desired or personal preference, anglers rely on baits or cast artificial lures to entice fish.

For species such as sunfish, crappie, perch and other panfish, one favorite technique involves mimicking local food sources that fall from tree branches of shoreline vegetation. Casting small jigs near overhanging limbs will often draw strikes from predators that are lurking underneath, waiting for insects or other prey to land near the surface.

During the low light periods of early morning or late day, surface lures such as poppers, topwater plugs or other noisy, commotion-causing lures often work well. During these times, top predators such as musky, pike, pickerel and largemouth bass lurk near submerged structures such as fallen trees, stumps or dense cover, waiting to ambush prey struggling on the surface.

These summer tactics work in most small and slow moving bodies of water such as creeks, canals and minor rivers. Until fall arrives, fishing in these areas is consistent and action-filled.

Advantages

There are a lot of advantages of having rocks or wood inside your aquarium.
If your fish need a particular type of water atmosphere, woods or rocks. For example, rocks like Texas Holey Rock can contribute in raising the pH of your aquarium. On the other hand, Driftwood can help in reducing the pH level of water.

Again, there are some species of fish that eat algae grown on rocks or woods. Wood itself). So if you have such fish you can provide them rock or wood so that they find a taste of their natural and they will feel better.

Moreover, wood and rock also offer a great amount of surface area the purpose of nitrifying bacteria. These helpful bacteria help in reducing ammonia and nitrites from your fish tank.

Rocks and wood provide a hiding place for your fish. It can help them from attacks by some aggressive species of fish. Those fish who are used to live in caves will also feel save if they have woods and rocks inside the tank. Moreover, some fish species require woods and rocks to breed and lay eggs.

The last but not the least advantage of having these woods and rocks is simply aesthetic. Beautiful rocks can increase the look of your fish tank to a   great extent. They also help to give the tank a more natural look.

Disadvantages

There are some disadvantages as well regarding the use of rocks and wood in fish tank.

First of all if you have a  large quantity of rock or wood in your tank it may prove to be quite difficult to maintain and cleaning. Moreover fish food residue and debris can go and get6 stuck in the rock and wood which will rot with time giving birth to bacteria and chemicals. So vacuuming the area will be impossible without removing the rock work.
Covered substrate is impossible unless the rocks are removed.

Moreover, rocks and wood may make it difficult for you to catch fish. As with rocks your aquarium has a number of places for the fish to hide and you will get a hard time catching the fish.

Again there are some rocks or wood which are harmful for certain species of fish. For example, driftwood can decrease the pH level of water. So if you place driftwood in tank with fish like African cichlid which thrive in high pH level, it will surely bring in disaster.

Also, generally rocks weight a good deal. Although your glass fish tank may be strong enough but still it is better not to put too much weight upon it by stocking  great deal of rock. If you are going to have a   bit large collection of rocks buy some egg crate from any hardware store. Then cut it according to size, and place it at the bottom of your fish tank.

So if you too feel confused about which fish to buy then first of all you must remember that if you are a beginner you must go for freshwater fish which are easy to maintain.

Apart from that you must consider some fish attributes while getting fish for your new aquarium.

Compatibility

When you are buying aquarium fish you must look at the compatibility factor. Carefully see if the new fish can sustain in a community setting, whether it is peace loving fish or an aggressive fish that is a potential danger to others in the tank.

Hardy constitution

Adaptability is another essential factor. When you buy a new fish see that it has a hardy constitution.

Feeding

As a beginner always opt for those fish who have simple food requirements. As a fish owner you will have a lot of other tasks in your hands. So you will not like the idea of having fish that are in need of special food every day.

Price

When you are starting off as a fish hobbyist you may not like over expenditure. In this case freshwater fish are great as they more affordable than saltwater fish.

Fish Size and Requirements

All baby fish are very small but some of them may end up becoming quite large when adult. So you must choose a fish keeping in mind the size of your aquarium and the future grown up size of the fish.

Breeding

A lot of fish owners like fish breeding inside the tank as they enjoy this special aspect of fish keeping. So if you are also among those who love breeding then you must choose those fish who are good breeders in captivity. Livebearers like guppies and swordtails are well known tank breeders.

Fish for beginners

Here you will find a list of freshwater fish which can be great choice for a beginner:

* Anabantids Bettas which are also known as Siamese fighting fish can be a great choice for a   beginner. They are beautiful fish who draw oxygen at the surface water. But one problem is that in a tank you can keep only one male of this type!

* Cichlids. There are a lot of different Cichlid fish species. But this will not cause you any problem in selecting the one that suits you the most.

* Cyprinids: Fish belonging to this group are quite little but also prove to be great aquarium fish, especially for the beginners. There are a lot of color varieties available to choose from they are very playful and you still surely enjoy keeping them. You can begin your fish keeping with a White Cloud Mountain Minnow.

* Livebearers (Guppies, Platies, and Swordtails. They are beautiful fish and can be great additions to your new fish tank. One advantage is that they remain small even when they grow up. So you will not need much space for them. They are colored brilliantly. They are easy to keep and feed and come at affordable price.

* Tetras are great to keep and they are damn cheap. They come in vivid colors and can beautiful your aquarium immensely. They are a delight to naked eyes.

* Loaches a bit different from all the others mentioned in this list. They are basically bottom dwellers. They love being secretive and are loners.

Freshwater fish are not only easy to care for, but are also very beautiful, playful and gentle. If you are a fish hobbyist and are keen on having your very own freshwater aquarium fish, this article will offer you a lot of helpful insights.

Make firm decision before buying

Prior to buying any fish tank, you must consider a few things and also need to make a few decisions:

Where to place the fish tank?

Placing the fish tank at the most appropriate place is a very crucial aspect of the whole business of owing fish. The location where you place your fish tank is important for a number of reasons. You must find a suitable place where you can place the tank and which is not a very crowded place. Moreover you must have enough space around the tank which is required for different activities like changing tank water, feeding etc; also you must keep the tank away from direct sunlight which can be dangerous for your fish. Ensure that you have an electricity socket near the tank.

Secondly, you must find a place which can tolerate a little but of water spillage. So you will surely not like to have it near your new white carpet. So, tile or a not so costly rug would be great choice.

How much will be the cost of the fish tank and supplies?

Naturally involves a   little cost. Just as having a dog or a cat can be a little expensive, so also a fish tank. If you are interested in setting up a fish tank, before purchasing anything you must plan the entire cost after considering the things associated with a fish tank set up.

You need to take into consideration:

* Tank

* Gravel and decorative accessories

* Food items

* Water treatment substances

* Aquarium lighting and bulbs

* Water Heater

* Water filter, air pumps

* The fish

Naturally, if you plan to set up a big tank then you will need more gravel as well more lighting, heater etc.  So the set up cost will also depend on the size of the tank that you want to keep.

Is it Possible to set aside time needed for fish tank maintenance?

To keep a fish tank and to maintain the health of your fish you will have to dedicate time in maintaining the water quality of the skin.  This process will know require a   lot of your time, that is for sure, but it is crucial to keep an eye on the tank. You must monitor the fish to detect and problem in water or any disease occurring in the fish.

In fact, if you are able to dedicate only 309 minutes daily, you will be able to keep your fish successfully for a long period of time. But in return for these 30 minutes you will enjoy a soothing experience watching the little fish play before your eyes.

Lemon Tetra – Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis (Family: Characidae)

Behavior:A very popular fish, well suited to a community tank, it is best to have say up to six of them in a small shoal. It is peaceful, active (good swimmer) and a sturdy fish.

Water and Tank Conditions: You need plenty of swimming space for this tetra and a tank temperature between 22 and 26 degrees centigrade.

Features and Colors: Do not often grow  bigger than 5 cms. Difficult to see the differences between male and female. The female is generally the bigger of the two but you cannot rely on this. As its name suggests it has a silvery yellow tint and a noticeable feature is its eye that is red in the upper part and yellow in the lower part.

Feeding: Not a fussy eater but give it a live meal now and again to maintain optimum health.

Breeding Conditions: It is very important to select a compatible pair for mating and it is advisable to condition the female before breeding. The breeding tank itself should be thickly planted and have water with a temperature of 26 degrees centigrade, a depth of about 15 cms and no gravel on the bottom.

Many of the eggs laid will not survive because the parents will eat them! So try to remove the fish after spawning has taken place. Low light conditions are recommended for incubating the eggs. Feed the hatched fry on the usual infusoria etc.

Leopard Corydoras – Corydoras julii (Family: Callichthyidae)

Behavior: They are active fish and well suited to a community aquarium. They are very good scavengers and will live a long time.

Water and Tank Conditions: The usual tropical tank temperatures range will be fine though it will survive in a wider range than normal.You will need to ensure there are plenty of hiding places for it.

Features and Colors: The head and top half of the body are scattered with black spots. These tend to merge forming horizontal lines along the flanks. The caudal fin also has spots and the dorsal fin might have a large spot at the top. The overall body color is a white gray mixture. There are a few other species of the Corydoras genus you might be interested in. The Corydoras arcuatus, that grows to about 5 cms, the Corydoras nattereri, 6cms and the Corudoras aenus up to 9 cms. The main colors are white-mauve, silver-brown-blue and bronze-green respectively.

Feeding: Not fussy eaters and will eat a wide range of food.

Breeding Conditions: The female is slightly bigger than the male and its pelvic fins are shorter and less pointed. Not easy to breed in the aquarium. It is suggested that three or four males should be partnered with the one female. Eggs will be laid in the breeding tank on slate or flat stone and are in danger of being eaten by the fish so beware. Fry will hatch in three or four days and are easy to bring up.

Orange Chromide – Etroplus maculatus (Family: Cichlidae)

Behavior: This is a small member of the Cichlidae family (7.5 cms) and as it is one of the more peaceful ones it is suitable for your community tank. Best in a small shoal with its own kind as it is a bit shy. Also known as the Orange cichlid.

Water and Tank Conditions: A tank that is well planted is needed and a temperature range of 22 to 24 degrees centigrade is adequate.

Features and Colors: Often called the Orange cichlid as its throat and stomach are orange. It’s back is olive colored and sides are a light yellow. Its fins are also yellow apart from the ventral fins that are black. The anal fins are also edged black. Along the mid-line of the body are several large spots. And each scale also has a spot, a red one.

Feeding: Can be fussy at times and refuse to eat dry food or any type of food on occasions.

Breeding Conditions: Not that easy to breed. Increase the breeding tank temperature by two degrees. Segregate the breeding pair and condition them prior to mating in a well planted tank. Try something like a plant pot turned on its side for the fish to spawn in as well as the plants.

Eggs, dark in color, will be attached to the underside of leaves or the pot by threads. It is advised to leave the fish in the breeding tank for about two weeks after spawning takes place even thought the fry will have hatched after several days.

Three freshwater fish for tank conditions have now been described and give you more options when deciding what other fish you can add to your community tank. When you do add more make sure you have enough capacity for them.

If you are looking for a new way to get everyone excited about eating fish then give them a challenge. This could be an outing to the lake, river, stream or pond for catching your favorite fish with the family. If this approach is not feasible then you may have to purchase from your local markets. Nothing can compare to the taste of freshwater fish.

This is an easy recipe suggestion for you to try

Fried Potato Flake Walleye Fillets

Four medium size walleye fillets cut into pieces

Two cups instant potato flakes

Two eggs

One cup of milk

Two tablespoons of parsley flakes (optional)

1/3 cup of lard and 1/3 cup butter

Pepper seasoning to taste

Mix the eggs, milk, and parsley (if used), seasoning to taste in a bowl

Place potato flakes in a different bowl then dip your fillets into egg/milk mixture, then into potato flakes. Fry in the hot pan of melted lard and butter until brown.

You can replace the walleye fillets with any freshwater fish of your choice if you prefer.

There are many benefits of eating fish at least twice a week, some of which are:

A higher quality of protein levels than most other meats.

Fish are a very good source of potassium and other minerals

Many freshwater fish have high levels of omega 3 fatty acids, which aid in the prevention of heart disease per many clinical studies. Fish from cold-water sources just as herring, lake trout, salmon, and whitefish are among these. Some species of fish have monounsaturated fats which is like olive oil and helps reduce cholesterol.

Often the problem with adding freshwater fish in your diet is the lack of a good recipe for If only you had a good cookbook that had over 300 recipes just for fish, would that help? As I am an avid angler, who enjoys the taste of freshwater fish, I found a recipe book with excellent fish only recipes at  http://tinyurl.com/2v5uet9 It is hard to argue with the healthy benefits of fish.