Aquatic Care

About Bumblebee Goby's.

The Bumblebee Goby also known as Bumblebee Dwarf Goby or Brachygobius Doriae. Is popular for its tiny size and stunning appearance. Belonging to the Gobiidae Family.

Originating in Indonesia.

Features.

Approx. Size; 1-1.5"- 2.5-3.8cm.

Origin; Indonesia 

Family; Gobiidae.

Temperament; Peaceful

Lighting; Moderate.

Water Conditions.

Ideal PH; 7.5-8.5.

Ideal Temperature; 22-28°C

Ideal Waterflow; Low to Moderate.

Ease of Care.

Bumblebee Goby's are hardy little fish that does not require any special care or treatment which makes it easy for beginners but they do require clean water and well oxygenated tanks.

Diet.

Bumblebee goby's diet mainly consists of fish flake or pellets as well as live food like bloodworm and brine shrimp. they also like small little aqaurium invertebrates.

Compatibility.

Bumblebee Goby's are very peaceful fish and get on well with non-aggressive fish. It is also best to try and have tank mates that have similar water perimeters as this helps not worrying about different ph and things. These include Small Tetras, Dwarf catfish and Rasbora's.

Breeding/Sex.

The Male Bumblebee goby will swim in and out of a cave of his choice and try and make a healthy and ready female enter it which then she will lay eggs which the male will quickly come and fertilize.

The best way to tell male and female is to actually sit and watch it will be very clear who is who. Males generally tend to stay put and hide whereas females are usually perched on the glass or on leaves. But there is a few other ways you can tell the difference. Males have larger heads and also tend to be larger in size but this not always the case.

Lifespan.

Bumblebee Goby's unfortunately do not live as long as some other fish on average they life up to 3 years some aquarists have said they had some live 4 but this is very rare. 

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About Blackmoor's.

The Black moor Goldfish is a variant of the Telescope Goldfish so can often be referred to as Telescope fish this is because of their protruding pair of eyes but mostly known and referred to as Black moors. Belonging to the Cyprinidae Family.

Originating in China.

Features.

Approx. Size; 6-8"/15-20cm.

Origin; China 

Family; Cyprinidae. 

Temperament; Calm.

Lighting; Moderate(try to avoid direct sunlight as this will create algae)

Water Conditions.

Ideal PH; 6.5-7.5.

Ideal Temperature; 18-20°C.

Ideal Waterflow; Moderate.

Ease of Care.

Blackmoors are not difficult to look after, they are classed as easy to moderate to look after. just keep on top of the water as they like clean water and make sure the water conditions are kept on top of as well as a varied diet. it is best to ensure no sharp décor or gravel to avoid eye injuries.

Diet.

Blackmoor's diet mostly consists of sinking pellets this is to ensure that they do not get swim bladder this is caused by taking in too much oxygen. They can also eat tiny tadpoles and tiny insects as well as green vegetables like peas. This also helps with constipation but do not give too much.  

 Compatibility.

Blackmoor's thrive is peaceful community tanks and is best if they are with other slow moving fish and non-aggressive fish. these include other types of Fancy Goldfish as well as Danios(if climatized) and White Cloud Minnows.

Breeding/Sex.

When sexing Blackmoor's when they are younger it is virtually impossible until they reach maturity. The best ways to tell the difference is by looking from above the female will be a bit fatter when carring eggs after the mating period has ended. typically males will be smaller and slender compared to females. Another way to tell is during the reproduction season Males will develop breeding tubercles(white little dots) thast are found on the gills and head.

Lifespan.

On average a Blackmoor will live up to 15 years this is if the right conditions are always met.

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About Bubble Eye Goldfish.

Bubble Eyed Goldfish also known as Water Bubble Eye Goldfish are most popular and known for having delicate eye sacks. Belonging to the Cyprinidae Family.

Originating in China.

Features.

Approx. Size; 2-5"/ 5-12cm.

Origin; China.

Family; Cyprinidae 

Temperament; Peaceful.

Lighting; Moderate.

Water Conditions.

Ideal PH; 7-8.

Ideal Temperature; 15-20°C.

Ideal Waterflow; Low!(They cannot navigate through high flowing waters)

Ease of Care.

Bubble Eyed Goldfish are not the best fish for beginners. Due to their delicate bubbles they need a very safe environment with no sharp objects or décor. They also require some strict water conditions to fully thrive. It is also recommended to have relatively smooth gravel.

Diet.

Bubble Eyed Goldfish's diet mostly consists of sinking pellets they have sinking pellets as if they take to much oxygen they can get a disease called swim bladder and it is best to try an avoid this. They can also have frozen or live foods such as Bloodworm, Brine shrimp and Daphnia but this more of a treat for them so it is best to give once or twice a week.

 Compatibility.

Bubble Eyed Goldfish tank mates are best not being to aggressive or boisterous due to them being very delicate. it is also recommended to have tank mates that are also slow moving like ranchu's as it wont be much competition for food. due to their genetics they cannot swim fast enough to get away if threatened. They live happily with Snails Blackmoors and other Bubble Eyed Goldfish.

Breeding/Sex.

When it comes to sexing Bubble Eyed goldfish when younger in most cases is impossible, as they start getting older it becomes a little easier, Females will take a more plumper shape while Males develop small tubercles(little white dots) on their heads.

Lifespan.

On average Bubble Eyed Goldfish will live up to10 years.

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About Ranchu's.

Ranchu also known as Buffalo-Head or Maruko Goldfish is a popular species of Fancy Goldfish which is known well for not having a top dorsal fin and being very clumsy swimmers. 

Originating in Japan.

Features.

Approx. Size; 5-6"/ 12-15cm

Origin; Japan.

Family;

Temperament; Peaceful.

Lighting; Moderate.

Water Conditions.

Ideal PH; 7-8.

Ideal Temperature; 18-22°C.

Idea; Waterflow; Low!(they cannot navigate through high flowing waters)

Ease of Care.

Ranchu Goldfish are relatively easy to care for as long as the water conditions are maintained and the tank is kept nice and clean they will live healthy and happy.

Diet.

Ranchu's diet mostly consists of sinking pellets - with any fancy fish sinking pellets are the best as if they have fish flake they will take to much oxygen and get a disease called swim bladder. They also like having frozen Bloodworm Brine Shrimp and Daphnia. Feeding a mixture of these helps meet the nutritional requirements to keep them nice and healthy.

Compatibility.

It is best to keep Ranchu's with other slow moving fish as you do not want other fish to be too fast that the Ranchu's do not get any food. these can include Fancy Fantails as well as Bubble eyed Goldfish.

Breeding/Sex.

Sexing Ranchu's is a very difficult thing as Male and Females almost look identical apart from at maturity Males will develop tubercles on their faces and gills(which are like little white dots).

Lifespan.

On average the Ranchu Goldfish will live between 8-15 years although like ost fish kept in captivity this is not always guaranteed.

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About Hong Kong Plecostomus's.

Hong Kong Plecostomus also known as Beaufortia Kweichowensis is a species of Cold fresh water fish mainly known for cleaning the glass of your aquarium. Belonging to the Gastromyzontidae Family.

Originating in China.

Features.

Approx. Size; 1.5-2.5"/4-6cm.

Origin; China.

Family; Gastromyzontidae.

Temperament; Peaceful.

Lighting; Moderate.

Water Conditions.

Ideal PH; 6.5-7.5.

Ideal Temperature; 17-24°C.

Ideal Waterflow; High.

Ease of Care.

Hong Kong Plecostomus can be easy to care for but highly oxygenated water is essential as they thrive of oxygen, make sure their water flow is always high and clean aerated water is key.

Diet.

They mainly eat tubifex, daphnia frozen or live. As well as normal Plecostomus tablets and algae wafers.  

Compatibility.

Hong Kong Plecostomus's are very peaceful fish so will get on with most Coldwater fish but the main ones to stay away from are larger plecos as they will out compete the Hong Kong Plecostomus for food.

Breeding/Sex.

Hong Kong Plecostomus's are difficult to sex. the main way to tell them apart is during spawning season. Males will seem to display brighter colours as well as following the females a lot more and not leaving them alone. 

Lifespan.

If properly looked after and water conditions are kept to the best they can be Hong Kong Plecostomus's will live 8-10 years.

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About Kuhli Loaches.

Kuhli Loaches also known as Coolie or Leopard Loaches are a range of Tropical Freshwater Loaches. Belonging to the Cobitidae Family.

Originating in Southeast Asia.

Features.

Approx. Size; 2.5-4"/7-10cm.

Origin; Southeast Asia.

Family; Cobitidae.

Temperament; Peaceful.

Lighting; Moderate.

Water Conditions.

Ideal PH; 5.5-6.8.

Ideal Temperature; 24-30°C.

Ideal Waterflow; Low.

Ease of Care.

Kuhli Loaches are recommended to be one of the best beginner fish/loaches to have due to their hardy nature and cleaning abilities. Due to their scavenging nature they help loosen the dirt and food from the gravel and bottom of the aquarium which can then be cleaned by the filter making it nice and clean.

Diet.

Even though they are tank cleaning fish this does not mean they do not need to be fed. Kuhli Loaches should be fed a well rounded diet, This includes fish flake, tropical sinking pellets and live or frozen Bloodworm.

Compatibility.

Kuhli loaches enjoy being in an aquarium with higher levelled fish(up higher in the tank) such as guppies, tetras and Rasboras. They also enjoy being with other bottom dwellers such as Plecostomus's and Corydora's. 

Breeding/Sex.

To tell the difference between male and female the main tell tail sign is actually their tail. A female Kuhli Loach tail at the tip will be straight and a males tail will be slightly different another main way to tell the difference is body shape females are typically more round and plump whereas males are more streamlined and slender. 

Lifespan.

On average a Kuhli Loach will live up to 10 years this is good as if the tank is well maintained they will live a long time. 

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About Koi.

Koi also known as Nishikigoi is a Cold fresh water species of fish. Belonging to the Cyprinus Family.

Originating in Japan. 

Features;

Approx. Size; 12-15"/ 30-39cm.

Origin; Japan.

Family; Cyprinus

Temperament; Calm.

Lighting; Moderate.

Water Conditions.

Ideal PH; 6.5-8.5.

Ideal Temperature; 18-24°C.

Ideal Waterflow; Moderate.

Ease of Care.

Koi are very resilient making them very easy to care for. However if water conditions are not well maintained they will become prone to getting health problems and this is not good for any fish. So it is best to water test regularly and any problems to resolve these as quick as possible.     

Diet.

Koi have a lot of feeding options this is good because it gives a good variety of nutriments. Algae and flake is the primary source of food they usually have in aquariums but you can also feed earthworms, plants that are in the aquarium as well as bloodworm and brine shrimp this can be live or frozen they like both.

Compatibility.

There are 5 main species that can coexist with Koi. These are normal Goldfish, Mosquito fish, Coldwater Plecostomus, White Cloud Minnows and Coldwater Catfish. 

Breeding/Sex.

Male Koi often have more vibrant and more brighter colours than Females. This is a lot more visible in breeding season when they will develop a deep red or orange hue on their pectoral fins and head known as Beni. Whereas Females have lighter and more subdued colours but bare in mind this is harder to tell when they have not reached maturity.

Lifespan.

Koi can live up to 47 years given the right care and water conditions. 

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About Shubunkin's

Shubunkin's also known as Red Brocade or Harlequin Goldfish is a popular Cold fresh water fish known for its bright and unique colours. Belonging to the Cyprinidae Family.

Originating in Japan. 

Features;

Approx. Size; 5-6"/12-15cm.

Origin; Japan.

Family; Cyprinidae. 

Temperament; Friendly and Peaceful.

Lighting; Low ( to much light can cause issues to their scales.)

Water Conditions.

Ideal PH; 6.5-7.4.

Ideal Temperature; 18-22°C.

Ideal Waterflow; Moderate.

Ease of Care.

Shubunkin's are very nice and easy to look after due to their peaceful and friendly nature. They get on with most species of standard goldfish which makes this nice and easy for beginners.

Diet.

Shubunkin's like a variety of diffrent foods due to being omnivores. This can include high quality fish food designed for Shubunkin's.  Live foods such as bloodworm brine shrimp and daphnia. As well as things like Peas and Cucumber as these provide fibers and vitamins.

Compatibility.

The best tankmates for Shubunkin's are other peaceful fish. It is best to stay away from mixing fancy and regular Goldfish. So best to stick with other peaceful regular Goldfish and to definitely stay away from tropical species.  

Breeding/Sex.

The best way to to try and tell the difference is that males will have more slender elongated bodies whereas females have more rounded silhouetted bodies especially around the bellies. 

Lifespan. 

With the right care and water conditions Shubunkin Goldfish can live up to 10-15 years. In some cases they can live longer but on average it is up to 15 years.

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About Weather Loaches

Weather Loaches also knows as Pond Loach, Dojo Loach or Misgurnus Anguillicaudatus is a Cold fresh water species. Belonging to the Cobitidae family (loach family)

Originating in East Asia.

Features.

Approx. size; 5-8"/12-20cm.

Origin; East Asia.

Family; Cobitidae.

Temperament; Peaceful.

Lighting; Low-Moderate.

Water Conditions;

Ideal PH; 6-7.5

Ideal Temperature; 15-25°C.

Ideal Waterflow; Fast.

Ease of Care.

Caring for weather loaches is a very easy thing to do. The only thing you really need to understand is substrate and water requirements. But just because they are a hardy species  that does not mean you should push them to their limits. 

Diet.

The main diet would be flake or sinking pellets. they also love Brine-shrimp and as a treat they can have cooked skinned peas which they absolutely love.

Compatibility.

Weather loaches are a community tank fish. they are very peaceful and do not really have issues living with other fish. they do not like tropical conditions for more than a week or 2 so its best to keep them to cold water tank mates. These include Goldfish, White Cloud Minnows. Coldwater Plecostomus and other types of Loaches.

Breeding/Sex.

To sex Weather Loaches it is best to look at the pectoral fins. Males have visibly larger pectoral fins than females. Males also tend to be more thin and delicate compared to Females.

Lifespan.

Weather Loaches will live up to 10 years. 

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