Lionfish make attractive pet tropical fish. They are boldly striped, with long, delicate-looking fins and spines. There are many different species, and their stings, while painful, are avoidable and seldom dangerous. Here is an article on what great pets lionfish make; http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-11/fm/feature/. But released into the wild where they aren’t native, they cause serious problems. They are very efficient ambush predators, and can quickly reduce native fish populations by 80%, according to a recent study, described here http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080717164319.htm. That’s not only bad for other fish; when lion fish eat too many plant-eating fish, whole coral reefs could smother in seaweed. It’s the same story as any other exotic species; lionfish are from the Pacific. In the Atlantic, nothing eats them, and nothing knows how to escape from them.

I haven’t read anything suggesting that lionfish were released on purpose, though not all articles agree on the hurricane story, which I found here; http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111695369. There’s no way to predict which exotic species will cause problems, and no way to be sure they don’t escape. I know keeping pet tropical fish is fun, but please think about what you’re keeping where. If you’ve got saltwater tanks in South Dakota, you’re probably safe, though a freshwater aquarium might not be. Pet tropical fish are probably ok in Alaska, too. But if you’re anywhere your fish could survive if they got out of your tank, consider keeping native species, because you never knew when the next hurricane will strike.

Photo © maciekish

These wonderful creatures have captivated our hearts with their high intelligence, sociability and playful nature. Another thing worth mentioning is that we’ve always interacted with them. This interaction has been beneficial for us — it’s not a secret that dolphins heal a number of very serious illnesses like children brain paralysis, the Down syndrome, severe hearing and visual problems, different affections of the spinal cord, autism and so on.

Want it or not, dolphins bring great joy and happiness to the heart. I guess people who have at least once swum with them in a fresh water aquarium or just fed them with fish or even marine and water turtles will prove what I say. Their sounds are so relaxing, and their appearance is so calming. Seems like you get rid of all troubles even just watching them.

The sound the dolphins produce has a healing effect on humans — it acts as a stimulus for the human brain, especially for children with autism and other disorders. The sound is called sonar or echolocation. It’s emitted from the dolphin’s forehead or melon. The waves of their sounds “hit” different objects and return back to the dolphins like echoes.

Besides, these sounds tell dolphins about the object or the sick people that swim with them in a special fresh water aquarium. In other words, these sounds act as ultrasound that’s used in medicine.

Swimming therapies with dolphins also help to calm different types of spasms and moreover, dolphins can also sense human-energy field imbalances.

The studies at the National Marine Mammal Foundation have shown that dolphins, like people, are susceptible to type two diabetes (a type of diabetes because of which the body doesn’t respond normally to insulin (insulin resistance), and as a result our blood sugar doesn’t get into cells to be stored for energy).

The difference is that healthy dolphins can “turn the diabetes-like state on and off,” this means they can control the amount of insulin.

And lastly, whenever you have an opportunity to touch or hear dolphins in reality, use that chance — be sure these wonderful creatures will lengthen your life and make you happier! And don’t forget to feed them their favorite fish or water turtles.

Photos © Loren Sztajer, www.dolphindiscovery.com

Pufferfish is not a fast swimmer, but it can ingest a lot of water or air and become like a small ball, like a puppy toy. This is what makes this pet tropical fish unique; it is magnificent when it looks at you with its puppy eyes, and it is even more magnificent when it is puffed up like a balloon.

There are many types of pufferfish, and they are of different sizes, though the most common size for a pufferfish is between three to six inches.

It’s really difficult to keep such a fish at home because they need special care. First of all, their food: they eat mostly algae and invertebrates. But they can also be trained to eat shrimps, shellfish, mussels, crabs, worms, prawns and krill, but it would be better to give them algae at least from time to time.

It is also important to keep them in saltwater fish aquariums and provide them with enough water (five-six gallons of water for each inch of body) and keep the needed temperature in the aquarium (80 degrees F). And besides, as your pufferfish can eat other smaller fishes, I advise you not to keep it in one aquarium with them.

This pet tropical fish is very irresistible towards diseases, especially towards a common skin disease, known as “ich.” So whenever you see your tiny friend scratch itself against the aquariums rocks, or the aquarium walls, then it’s time to see a veterinarian.

And if you follow all these rules, your small puffers will live up to ten years. These intelligent and lively fish, who recognize their owners at once, will let you know by their devoted small eyes that they are hungry, or that they want to play. They will even swim rapidly towards the front of the aquarium to greet you. And though it is funny to see how they puff up, you should remember that they do this only when they are frightened, and those “transformations” are a great stress for them; so do not frighten them just to amuse yourself.

One more interesting fact about this pet tropical fish: they contain tetrodotoxin — an extremely poisonous substance, which is 1200 times more poisonous than cyanide. Only one puffer can kill 30 adult human beings. So be careful. There is no antidote for this poison yet.

By the way, the Japanese prepare a delicacy from this fish known as fugu. Only specially licensed chefs are allowed to cook this food, because even the smallest mistake in this case can kill the one who eats it.

Photo © fugm10, debbilytle, Steve & Jemma Copley

Lionfish (scientific name is pterois volitans) is one of the most beautiful undersea creatures I have ever seen. Its marvelous spins and fins are so gracious and glamorous.

But be careful, those spins are poisonous! In fact, the “Miss Underworld” is considered to be one of the most poisonous fish in the world. But its poison is not that strong to cause death to human beings.

In some countries it is considered to be a delicacy, but in others people mostly buy and keep it as a pet.

So if you have decided to be one of those people, then here is what you should know about this pet tropical fish.

Actually, lionfish are not capricious; moreover, they are very “shy.” They like to play “hide and seek,” so it would be great to keep them in a glass aquarium, which has appropriate commodities. You should keep them in saltwater fish aquariums, which contains at least 75 gallons of water. The water temperature in the aquarium should be between 75-79 degrees F.

But they are very dangerous for smaller fishes. So make sure you keep them with fish that can defend themselves or have such an appearance, which will make this pet tropical fish stay away from them. Keeping two males in one aquarium is also dangerous: they will fight with each other, just like the small mandarinfish.

These fish usually eat crabs, shrimp and small fish, but if you can’t afford such a diet, then there is good news for you. It is possible to shift from live food to dead fish food; but do this gradually, not instantly.

“Lions” are very hardy fish, like the “mandarins,” and they are also very resistible to most common fish diseases. And if you keep all the demands they have accredited to you, your gorgeous pets will give happiness to your heart and pleasure to your eyes for up to fifteen years.

Photo ©  Tambako the Jaguar, Jeff Kubina, Tambako the Jaguar

So how to make a good choice? If you want a fish that will be very easy to keep, you should buy a gold fish. Who knows, perhaps one day it will make your three dreams come true!

If you want something extraordinary, choose among tropical fish species.

Mandarinfish. This is one of the most beautiful and interesting representatives of tropical fish species.

The scientific name of this pet tropical fish is pterosynchiropus splendidus. The name mandarinfish was given to it as the colorful pattern resembles the robes of Chinese mandarins. This fish has a magnificent palette of colors — blue, green, orange and red. It looks like a real masterpiece of an abstract painter. Mandarinfish is not very big in size; it can reach the length of only three inches.

Care. This beauty demands special care.

Pay attention to its nutrition. Many representatives of this type eat amphipods and copepods. So keep them in big reef tanks, where these tiny creatures can breed rapidly. Or you can create favorable conditions for these amphipods and especially copepods by placing a pile of aquarium rocks and putting some shrimp in it. So your beloved mandarinfish will always have “fresh” food at their disposal. Besides, if trained, some mandarinfish can eat also frozen brine shrimps and bloodworms, which are sold in pet stores. One more note: mandarinfish are very slow, and even if there is enough food for them, you should also make sure that other fishes do not eat the whole, and leave the poor “slow-coaches” to starve.

Anyhow, the mandarinfish are not very capricious creatures, they are non-aggressive to other tropical fishes, and do not attract much attention. But you should never keep them in one aquarium with angelfish, groupers, anemones, or other larger aggressive species, because they can eat the poor “mandarins.” And besides, you should never keep two males in one aquarium; they will fight with each other. Keep a male and a female. They do not need much space to swim, but need many places to hide in.

The temperature should vary from 76 to 82 degrees F, under such conditions they will live up to 10-15 years.

And, yes, I nearly forgot to tell you that you can buy this magnificent pet tropical fish for only $15-$30!

And, by the way, this fish is greatly honored in its natural homeland — throughout the Indo-Pacific. So don’t miss a chance to make this “enchanting” fish the permanent resident of your aquarium.

Photo © Trodel, Feline Groovy, prilfish

Imagine having a real changing picture that gives new impressions every time you look at it. If you have decided on turning into tropical aquarium fish hobbyist then I am going to help you to be a good one.

Choosing aquarium tropical fish tank is of primal importance. There is a variety of tanks of different sizes and materials among the top choices, being glass and acrylic. While choosing aquarium, do not forget that it will become a part of your room design.

Fish type is also an important factor in determining the size of the aquarium. Some fish species like spacy territory, others prefer rocks and plants to hide.

No matter what design and size your aquarium will have, the essential elements of any aquarium must not be disregarded.

Filters are crucially important. A variety of filters are available on the market designed for different tanks. Aquarium power filters are very popular. They are easy to install, to maintain and they are installed on the tank with a tube in the water.

As we know cartridges are used in many of the filters. The process of changing the cartridges sometimes may be annoying. The advantage of the undergravel filter is that there is no need to change the cartridge. Undergravel filters consist of a  plate which is installed on the bottom of the tank.

Like humans most fish need stable temperature that can be achieved with aquarium heaters. Almost all aquarium heaters are submersible.

Decorations and lighting are among the things to consider and in some part they are a matter of personal preference.

With all these being done choose the aquarium tropical fish you want and enjoy your new hobby.