How To Grow Daphnia For The Aquarium
Excerpt : The benefits of feeding live food to fish in a community tank are many: live food will improve vigor and color, and more closely resemble the food found in the fish's natural habitat. Live food is
The benefits of feeding live food to fish in a community tank are many: live food will improve vigor and color, and more closely resemble the food found in the fish's natural habitat. Live food is easily obtained.
Some drawbacks include the transmission of diseases or parasites to the aquarium, it is time consuming to maintain the cultures, and a lot of space needs to be devoted to raising live foods. The cost of equipment and supplies needed to maintain cultures is also a consideration for the beginner.
In this article I will discuss how to raise Daphnia. This article will be part of an on-going series on live foods. You can find many more related articles on http://www.kingdiscus.com.
Daphnia belong to a group known as the Daphniidae, and are close relatives of the freshwater shrimp, and the brine shrimp (Artemia). Their generic name is generally referred to as
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com
Also see :
Aquarium Lighting
Aquariums need light for the fish to survive, this doesn't
matter if it is a freshwater set up or a marine set up. There
are however different...read more
Fishing for a New Aquarium?
According to one source, more than 60 million people around the world keep aquariums for fun or profit. These can range from a small glass desktop...read more
|
"water flea." This common name is derived from the jerky movements of Daphnia in the water. The over 150 different species can be found in North America, with a similar amount of species growing in Europe. Some of these species find common ground on both continents.
Daphnia are a small crustacean, and are great to use as a fresh food because they will exist in the tank water until eaten by the fish. Daphnia can also be sterilized if it is felt necessary by placing in a 5% solution of Clorox for 3 to 5 minutes. Very few micro-organisms can survive this. Be sure, however, to rinse them thoroughly before feeding!
Daphnia can be raised both indoors and outside. Many people raise daphnia in a small children's wading pool. A more controlled environment, however, is done indoors, and can be done year round if one lives in northern climes. This can be as simple as a couple of two liter bottles, to a 20 gallon tub purchased from a
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com
store such as Menard's. The ideal situation is to have as much oxygenated surface area as possible, so if there is room for a larger container, by all means use it. A shallower environment suits daphnia best for prolific growth.
Setting up the environment for daphnia is quite simple. Many methods are used for collecting the water to use for the culture. The best advice I have heard is from Joe F. of Circle City Aquarium Club in Indianapolis, IN. He gave a presentation at the August meeting of Southwestern Michigan Aquarium Society, and recommends using tank water saved from a tank change. Joe has been raising live foods for a long time, and has had good success. His video presentation was top notch.
PH levels for successful Daphnia cultures should be in the range of 6-8, and should be more alkaline than acidic. If raised outdoors, no aeration is needed. If raised indoors, aeration should be adjusted to produce large
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com
Also see :
The Optimum Cichlid Aquarium Part 1
Setting Up Your Cichlid Aquarium
The groups of fishes commonly referred to as Cichlids, comprise a vast group of, generally larger and more...read more
Home Aquarium
Home aquariums are becoming more and more popular, it is a hobby
that many people are flocking too and fish shops are on the
rise. Fish are...read more
|
bubbles. Small bubbles in the daphnia culture will cause the bubbles to become lodged in the carapace of the culture, and they will die.
Water temperatures for Daphnia magna are not a high requirement, but the optimal temperature should be in the 64-72 degree range. they are very tolerant to changes in temperature, and can withstand fluctuations down to freezing. In fact, Daphnia can be frozen and kept in the freezer, and then revived when needed. Moina withstand a higher fluctuation in temperature than do D. magna.
Lighting should be in the neighborhood of eight or more hours light per day and light intensity equal to or greater than 850 lux. A simple light and a timer can accomplish this indoors.
Feeding the Daphnia is where most aquarists fail. Daphnia feed on dissolved organic matter, yeast, various groups of bacteria, microalgae, and detritus, or mulm. Organic fertilizers, such as fresh cow manure. It is not
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com
recommended by our breeder, though, because of the antibiotics and supplements fed to dairy and beef cattle. A much better mixture is a combination of one tablespoon each of spirulina, soy flour, and active dry yeast, added to a pint of water. This mixture should be added so that the water is cloudy, but you are able to see the bottom clearly, and observe the Daphnia swimming in the culture. This mixture should be added carefully every two or three days, being careful not to over feed. At this time, you should see an abundance of Daphnia, and they can be harvested to feed your fish.
Harvesting is quite simple - simply use a small aquarium net, observing that the smaller Daphnia fall through the netting to grow further. In this way, the adults are harvested, and can be fed to your fish. The younger Daphnia can go on to produce still more fish food. Harvested Daphnia can be kept in the refrigerator for several days in clean
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com
Also see :
Tropical Fish And Aquariums
The hobby of aquarium keeping and tropic fish as pets is fairly recent in the Western World, and took a while to catch on. The keeping of fish in...read more
Aquarium Glass
Aquariums are built from specially enforced glass to make sure
that when the water is added to the tank and all the equipment
and the fish are in,...read more
|
water.
Daphnia are high in protein, and a very good diet for tropical fish. Some aquarists feed them exclusively. They provide up to 70% protein to your tropical fish, and are an excellent source of live food for the aquarium.
Much can be written on the culturing of Daphnia. this guide is only meant to help the beginner to live foods to establish a colony, and feed live food high in protein to their fish. A series of article on live foods is forthcoming, and can be viewed at http://www.kingdiscus.com.
About The Author
Alden Smith is a published author who has been publishing on the internet for 7 years. Visit his website, http://www.kindiscus.com, for articles, software, and other resources. This article is one of a series available at http://www.kingdiscus.com.
More Aquarium Articles
Aquarium Glass
Aquariums are built from specially enforced glass to make sure
that when the water is added to the tank and all the equipment
and the fish are in,...
Aquarium Tank Basics
Any new aquarium tank should first be given a thorough test to ensure that it is watertight. If after 12 hours there are no leaks, it may be...
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com
Aquarium Tips
|
sitemap
Partners :
Compare Savings | DVD rental | Compare Savings | Find jobs | Compare Cruises
copyright www.aquariumtips.net 2006
Warning: include() [function.include]: URL file-access is disabled in the server configuration in /home/aquarium/public_html/php/footer.php on line 30
Warning: include(http://www.ultrasonicspabath.com/adsenselogger.inc) [function.include]: failed to open stream: no suitable wrapper could be found in /home/aquarium/public_html/php/footer.php on line 30
Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening 'http://www.ultrasonicspabath.com/adsenselogger.inc' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php:../:../../:../../../:../../../../') in /home/aquarium/public_html/php/footer.php on line 30
|
Recently Added Aquarium Articles
Picking The Right Aquarium Type
Aquariums have evolved into a very popular hobby, with about millions of aquarium and tropical fish enthusiasts worldwide.
Starting in the 1850s...read more
Aquarium Tank
Your aquarium tank is something that you should choose wisely.
It is not something to be bought on a whim. The tank has to be
suitable for what you...read more
Aquarium Stand
Aquarium stands are a great thing to have in your home when you
have an aquarium. Placing tanks on tables can be dangerous;
maybe the table is not...read more
How To Keep Your Aquarium Clean
No one likes living in a dirty, stuffy house. Thank goodness a
little dirt is not hazardous to our health. The same cannot be
said for our aquatic...read more
Aquarium Plants and Lighting Mini-Guide
Aquarium plants are as important to aquariums as water is to fish. Aquarium plants add more life to aquarium and make it to look beautiful while...read more
Discover The Aquarium Of The Pacific In Long Beach California
The Aquarium of the Pacific is located near the waterfront in The Pike at Rainbow Harbor in the city of Long Beach, California. It is one of the...read more
Setting up your first tropical fish tank
When you have decided what type of fish and plants you wish to
keep, found a suitable tank and purchased all the necessary
equipment, the next step...read more
Is Your Aquarium Balanced?
The world as we know it is in balance. Animals breathe in oxygen and give off carbon dioxide. Plant absorbs carbon dioxide and give off oxygen as...read more
Marine Aquarium Do's and Don'ts for beginners
Marine Aquarium Do's and Don'ts for beginners Over the years I have come across a number of helpful do's and don'ts for marine aquarium keeping...read more
How to Build the Perfect Aquarium
Choosing a New Home for Your Tropical Fish, Saltwater Fish,
Coral and Invertebrate
All it takes is one glance and the carefree motion of...read more
Some News About Aquarium
- Aquarium in competition to fund coral reef exhibit
NIAGARA FALLS—The Aquarium of Niagara is seeking votes to help it establish a$ 50,000 coral reef exhibit at its site at 701 Whirlpool St. The Aquarium, in competition with other agencies throughout the country, has filed a grant request with the national Pepsi Refresh Project for a$50,000 grant.
- Aquarium Launches Conservation Center
Baltimore's National Aquarium marked its 30th anniversary by launching a conservation center dedicated to preserving aquatic ecosystems worldwide.
- Aquarium unveils new Conservation Center
Expanding conservation, research role The National Aquarium is set Thursday to unveil its new Conservation Center, established to focus the institution's work in marine conservation and research, and to expand its scope to a national and global stage.
- National Aquarium Unveils Future with Launch of the National Aquarium Conservation Center
The National Aquarium was joined today by honored guests, esteemed partners, elected officials and supporters from the community to officially unveil the National Aquarium Conservation Center and kick off its celebration of the Baltimore venue’s 30th anniversary year. The Conservation Center enables the National Aquarium to become a global leader in conservation, research and education, and to ...
- Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is recruiting Sea Rangers
The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium's Sea Ranger Naturalists program equips volunteers from fifth-grade students through adult with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide interpretation, conservation and environmental monitoring at Cabrillo Beach, Point Fermin State Marine Park, the Cabrillo fishing pier and the Salinas de San Pedro Salt Marsh.
- Aquarium celebrates 30-year legacy
A major milestone ahead for what's become a Baltimore landmark. Soon the National Aquarium will celebrate its 30-year legacy. Â
- Baltimore Aquarium Announces Conservation Center
A major announcement from the National Aquarium in Baltimore.
- Audubon Aquarium of the Americas turns 20
The aquarium celebrates its 20th birthday with three days of special events.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium seeks volunteer docents
Monterey Bay Aquarium is recruiting volunteer docents age 18 and over and will hold informational meetings from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 14 and 21 at the aquarium. For more information or to request application materials e-mail volunteers@mbayaq.org or visit the "About Us" pages on www.
- Otaru Aquarium oil spill spreads
SAPPORO (Kyodo) Fuel oil from a tank at Otaru Aquarium in Otaru, Hokkaido, spilled into the nearby port early Wednesday, the aquarium said. The spilled oil, used to warm water for tropical fish aquariums, could reach up to 2,000 liters, and has spread to a 500-meter radius covering the surface, according to the aquarium and the local coast guard.
|
