Things fall apart...

The filter is not working involved goo, lots of goo. All is well now. One of my anacharis has fallen out of it's wire harness now though. I need a longer pole to fish out the thing. Can one really say that it falls out if, when it comes apart, it actually floats up? Whatever...

Scrub a dub...

OK, that tank really needs to be cleaned. That little frilly leaves plant I bought has almost completly broken apart. Little bits of it are all over the place. The anachris is doing great however. The little leafy thing the snail ate may grow back, which is exciting. And for some reason the filter is not working as it should.

goldie

Testing out my goldfish widget.

I wonder if livejournal has one of these? Spot's in good form today, not too psycho. I seem to be loosing plants though. One of the broadleaved ones has been completly devoured, buy the snails I believe. Another has been uprooted and is floating about somewhere. I'll re-plant it when I clean the tank.

Oh it's my birthday! Yeah me.

Goldfish, you ought to care.

Goldfish hold the title of being number one in several aquarium categories. They are the first domesticated fish to be kept in
aquariums. They are number one in popularity of domesticated fish, and they are the first fish most aquarists own.
Unfortunately, they are often not number one in the care they receive. While the tropical fish hobby has made great strides in
understanding the needs and improving the quality of care for almost all species, myths regarding goldfish still abound.

Common myths about goldfish

Myth 1. Goldfish will thrive in a goldfish bowl.

One of the most common myths is that goldfish can thrive in goldfish bowls. The reason people think goldfish can live well in bowls goes back to the very earliest days of fish keeping. Goldfish were originally domesticated in China. These fish were kept by nobility in ponds and viewed from the top much as their relatives the koi are today. Over time, people began to move these fish indoors to be viewed in glass containers. The bowl-shaped container with two flat sides was one of the best containers for viewing fish. While the bowl provided great viewing, it was never designed with the health or welfare of the fish in mind, and is actually one of the worst possible designs in which to house fish. Because of the round, tapered sides, there is very little surface area for oxygen exchange. In addition, the bowls are much too small, difficult to clean, and provide no place for needed equipment, such as a filter.

Myth 2. Goldfish are short-lived.

In one sense, this statement is partially true: if goldfish are improperly housed and cared for, they will be short-lived. However, if goldfish are cared for properly, they will often live twenty years or longer. The oldest known goldfish lived 43 years.

Myth 3. Goldfish are small and do not require much space.

Goldfish grow fast and become large, and they grow in relation to their environment. As healthy adults, goldfish are not small fish, and in fact, many can grow to be a foot or longer when fully mature. Even the smallest of species reach a size of six inches at maturity. Juvenile goldfish are 1-2 inches in length; if they remain that size as adults, they have not had proper housing or nutrition.

Myth 4. Goldfish are inexpensive and replaceable.

Goldfish are one of the most common aquarium fish, and the common types are relatively inexpensive and readily available. Some owners may have the attitude that 'if it dies just get another one.' However, if provided the proper environment and care, goldfish can be magnificent aquarium fish of which the owner can be proud. Fancy goldfish can actually be more expensive than many tropical fish.