The Flagfin Angelfish or Three-Spot Angelfish

Flagfin Angelfish
Three-spot Angelfish
Apolemichthys trimaculatus
I have a few spots on my bright yellow body – can you find them?

The Flagfin Angelfish is also called the Three-spot Angelfish – because of its three

spots!

The Flagfin Angelfish Apolemichthys trimaculatus is considered a very beautiful angel. Its main color is bright yellow, with an obvious black spot on its forehead and a purple mouth. This angel can grow fairly large – reaching 9.8″ (25 cm)! It has another common name – the Three-spot Angelfish – because of the three spots it has. These are a spot above the eye, the spot on its forehead, and faded spots behind each of its gill covers.

The Apolemichthys genus has eight species within it. The Flagfin Angelfish is the most common and is imported the most frequently. Most of the angels in this genus are considered to be quite hardy, but unfortunately the Flagfin Angelfish is not among the hardy ones. These angelfish are difficult to maintain for a long time in home aquariums. The main reason for this is they have special dietary needs that are hard to mimic in an aquarium… Read More

Animal-World: A Beginners Look At Saltwater Fish

If you are fascinated by saltwater fish… This is going to be fun and exciting.

Under the Sea Radio Show…. Join us!

“A Beginners Look At Saltwater Fish”

Blog/Talk radio show featuring Clarice Brough from Animal-World. Learn about hardy saltwater fish for the beginning marine aquarist. The discussion will be centered around an aquarium the size of 30 gallons, and the hardy fish that are available for beginning saltwater aquarists. Included will be Damselfish, Clownfish, Cardinals and many others.

Keeping marine fish is a wonderful hobby. If you are a beginner about to start your first saltwater aquarium, you are embarking on a grand adventure. Marine fish are some of the most spectacular aquatic animals, and there is a very diverse and magnificent selection to choose from. The benefits of keeping saltwater fish are many. They are entertaining, relaxing, and make an incredibly beautiful show piece for your home.

Saltwater fish keeping is an exciting hobby for anyone interested in learning more about life in our oceans. You can see pictures and information for all sorts of marine species in our World of Saltwater Aquariums atlas too.

Pet Ownership: Buying a Pet Shark

Sharks are creatures of the deep. They are similar to their prehistoric ancestors in build and purpose. If you are fascinated with this aquatic character, here are some things you need to know about buying a pet shark.

Sharks can be classified as what people call “exotic pets.” They are not the typical type of animal that one takes into their home as a companion. For many pets, there are no special requirements for living environment except comfort. With sharks, you are dealing with a different habitat – the sea.

Most sharks are saltwater fish. This means that you would need to create that same environment within your home if you want your pet to thrive and survive. But this doesn’t need to be your first consideration when deciding on this type of pet. Let’s begin at the beginning.

What to Know before Owning a Pet Shark

1. Research – Just like with any other purchase, research all there is to know about it. When it comes to sharks, this will include but not be limited to: types of sharks kept as pets, housing requirements, expense, breeders, veterinary care and maintenance.

2. Cost – Owning exotic pets often comes with a high price tag. Because sharks need a lot of room to move, this dictates a large aquarium or pool environment for them. If you don’t already own one, you’ll have to construct it. Factor in dietary needs as well.

3. What to expect – Your pet may start off at four inches long but grow to over a foot in length. This may require a larger habitat in no time at all. Also, sharks are aggressive by nature. You don’t want your choice of pet to put you or others at risk.

4. Know the law – There are different regulations in each state that govern the ownership of certain types of pets. The last thing you want is to run afoul of the law.

5. Ask the experts – Find out from breeders how to spot a sick animal so you don’t get “had” your first time out. Learn to recognize if your shark is not well and needs medical attention.

A pet shark can be a wonderful addition to your home if you are ready for the responsibility. If not, you are endangering the life of the animal entrusted to your care. To that end, establish your shark habitat before bringing it home.

Be sure that you have a large enough aquarium with the proper salt content, sandy bottom and aquarium extras (rocks, etc.) to satisfy the needs of your new pet. A minimum aquarium size is about 200 gallons (depending on the type). Your shark will grow quickly and you don’t want to have to upgrade too soon.

Give your new pet shark every advantage by doing your homework first.

A Saltwater Aquarium Guide – How To Set Up a Saltwater Aquarium

Saltwater Aquarium Guide
Setting up a Saltwater Aquarium
"Super Quick Guide – Beginner saltwater aquarium setup in five easy steps! All you need… supplies, setup, cycling, and fish!”

Anyone can keep a saltwater aquarium! If you so desire and are dedicated, you can begin

keeping many types of marine life!

Many types of marine life – including fish, invertebrates and corals are available to keep in a home saltwater aquarium. Owning and maintaining a saltwater fish tank can be extremely fun and exciting because of this, regardless of whether you are just starting out or not!

Check out Animal-World’s Quick Guide to a beginner’s saltwater aquarium! It gives an outline in five steps, including needed supplies, building the aquarium, cycling the aquarium, and how to introduce your fish… Read More!

What Type of Fish is Right for Your Lifestyle?

Choosing fish as a pet for your home may appear to be an easy choice, but choosing what type of fish is right for your lifestyle may need a little more knowledge and investigation.

After deciding that pet fish would make the best choice to suit your lifestyle, you need to begin researching how much time and effort you have to put into this endeavor.

Variety – Varieties of aquariums can fall under the categories of freshwater, marine, reef, and even pond.

Size – Starting with gallon sizes, you must realize that fish tanks come in a variety of shapes and sizes ranging from the standard size goldfish bowl up to tanks that hold 100 gallons or more. Aquariums vary in shape ranging from oval and tall, to wide. Remember, the larger the tank, the more maintenance of equipment or expense may be involved, and the smaller the tank, the more difficult to keep clean. Once you have decided on the size and shape of your tank, be sure to find the appropriate base or stand for your tank as larger tanks can weigh upwards of 200 pounds.

Type of fish – Once you have decided on what size tank you wish to care for, you need to gain knowledge regarding what type of fish can thrive it that size tank. Some fish require larger spaces if they are a dominating species of fish. Others may be too small for a larger tank, and be preyed upon by larger fish. Compatibility is a factor as some species of fish can be aggressive, nipping at fins of other fish.

Home Environment – Water temperature, PH balance, hardness, plant species, heating and filtration systems are only a few components you will need to explore as you dive into the proper care of your particular species of fish. Whether or not they eat live plants, other feeder fish or insect larvae as well as vitamins and supplements are factors for which you will need to obtain and be educated.

Style – The style of the fish tank or aquarium depends upon your reasoning for owning one. If you were considering fish as a family pet, then a small to medium size (perhaps 10 gallon) tank would suit your needs. On the other hand, if you are dressing to impress, there are choices from custom made, wall-to-wall, and even floor-to-ceiling aquariums.

Whatever choice you make, be sure it is a choice that you are comfortable in making. Obtaining knowledge as to what is involved regarding cost, upkeep and maintenance, but mostly the care for your fish will assist you in deciding swimmingly on what type of fish is right for your lifestyle.