ACTIVITY -6 EXOTIC ORNAMENTAL FISH .

 EXOTIC ORNAMENTAL FISH 

 KOI CARP 

Carp comprises a large group of fish originally found in Central Europe and Asia, The word 'koi' comes from Japanese, and which means simply 'carp'. Varied lot of carps and carp-like fishes are found throughout the world in both tropical and temperate waters. They belong to the order Cyprini forms and family Cyprinidae. The Koi carps have all originated from East Asia and China. There are at least two subspecies of the common carp ,one from the western Eurasia and other from east asia . The koj verities became popular in century in Japan. Soon, a number of colour patterns had been established, most notable being the red-and-white Kohaku Koj varieties are distinguished by colouration, pattern and scalation Some of the major colors are white, black, red, yellow, blue, and cream. Although the possible colours are virtually flmitless, breeders have identified and named a number of specific categories. The most popular category is Gosanke, which consists of the 'Kohaku', 'Showa Sanshoku' and 'Taisho Sanshoku' varieties . These fishes are toothless and possess herbivorous or omnivorous feeding habit. They are very hardy and active and hence easy to keep in aquarium. The clear water with plenty of oxygen is a prime requirement for these fishes C. carpio requires a very large aquarium with lot of open space to swim on at the surface. Some Of them are solitary fishes while others form shoals, Both surface feeders and bottom feeders are reported, Males develop secondary sexual characters during breeding season. Koi carp is a colour variant of common carp. The Koi carp has two prominent barbels at the corners of the mouth.  The sexual maturity is attained by 24 years. of them spawn naturally. 

BLACK LAYIR TAILED MOLLY

Mollies are exotic fishes, belonging to the family Poeciliidae. These are native central American river deltas, Mollies are suitable for beginning aquarium keepers, Many types of mollies have been produced experimentally with varied colours. The black molly is a popular variety, which has high demand as an aquarium fish. In both sexes, the body is completely black in colour except the margins of the eyes. Black lyre-tail molly has a tail fin expanded in the form of a lyre in male fish ,where as it is rounded in female fish. It is easily acclimated in the aquarium tank and hence aquarium keepers prefer black mollies. The molly requires slightly brackish water so aquarium salt should be used in a molly aquarium. All mollies prefer slightly brackish water so aquarium salt should be used in a molly aquarium. All mollies prefer slightly alkaline water (pH 7.4 to 7.8). It is omnivorous and forms shoal. Mollies are very sensitive to changes in the ambient conditions. The lyre tailed molly was developed in china in early 1960 s .it is a live bearing fish 

GUPPY 

Guppy is a native of South and central America. It is one of the most popular aquarium fish since it is available in many colour shades. It is a small member of the Poeciliidae family. Sexing is easy because female guppies are olive green with a silver belly. Females are double the size of the males. The males are brightly coloured especially the tails. which have rainbow spots . males, there may be an extended dorsal and tail fins and a gonopodium. Guppies with different tail patterns have been developed by selective breeding. These fishes prefer slightly saline waters with pH between 7 .0 and 8.0. The preferable temperature is 24 °c .it is omnivorous fish .

SAIL FIN MOLLY 

These fishes are able to live in freshwater, brackish water and even in seawater .These are widely distributed in Mexico, Florida, Virginia, Texas, etc. belongs to the family Poeciliidae. The body of the sail fin molly is Oblong. The head small and dorsally flattened, with a small, upturned mouth. The caudal fin is broad and large ,rounded, and sometimes tipped with black. In mature males, the dorsal fin is greatly enlarged and colourful . It is this feature that gives the species its common name. The caudal fin is also colourful. Males Can be identified with gonopodium and high, wide dorsal fin. It is a live bearing fish. The fish prefers algal matter as their food. In the freshwater aquarium, a teaspoon of aquarium salt per gallon is recommended for optimum health of sail fin molly. Several rows of spots occur along the sides, back, and dorsal fin. Often, these spots are found in an array forming stripes. Aquarists have developed many color variations such as melanistic, leucistic, albino, and speckled forms in this species. The Dalmatian Molly is another hybrid colour variation of Poeciia latipinna. It has a white body with black patches . It is also called marbled sailfin molly. It requires a tank of at least 30 gallons densely planted with plenty Of Strong plants such as Java fern, Sagittaria, , and Anubias. The Dalmatian molly is omnivorous. Algae based flake food, as well as freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex, and brine shrimp.

RED SWORD TAIL 

Red sword tail is an inhabitant of Central America. From olive green, short sword wild males, a variety of fishes have been developed through selective breeding. These fishes prefer hard and slightly saline waters. Xiphophorous hellerii belongs to the family Poeciliidae.The fish owes its name due to the presence of a sword 'in fully adult male . The bottom ray of caudal fin of male fish is extended, had points out from the body like a sword. This sword can be as long as a few inches’ and develops as the male grows. The term sword for this appendage 'is a misnomer since it is too soft and pliable, and never used for fighting. Its only 'function seems to be display of virility and masculine beauty in order to attract the female. Now, swordtails are available in   different colours such as red, black, green, albino and even neon coloured swordtails since these have been extensively bred in captivity during many years. Aquarists can also choose between a lot of different swordtail types, such as the red Simpson, the spotted swordtail, the gold tux swordtail and the fanciful lyre tail. The fish prefer free swimming space, clear and moving water with Plantation. These are omnivorous, taking prepared food and live food .

RED PLATY 

The red platy belongs to Central America. Xiphophorous maculates belongs to the family Poeciliidae of the order Cyprinodontiformes. Platies are peaceful active livebearers that do well in an active peaceful community tank. Red platy adds color and charm to the aquarium and is very easy to keep. Body of the fish is shorter and deeper than that of sword tails. Males are smaller and grow to a size of 3 cm. Females are larger than males and reach up to 5 cm in size. They prefer Slightly saline and hard water with pH between 7 and 8. The temperature preference is around 23 °c. Breeding of these livebearers is quite easy. A breeding trap can be maintained the aquarium since they eat the fry. About 100 young ones will be formed at a time. Platies can be kept with other livebearers. 

ANGEL FISH

The angel fish are a common item of fresh water aquanum. Angelfish come From the-Amazon-River basin Pterophyllum are  belongs to the family Cichlidae, These are the inhabitants of the Amazon basin in South America. The fish require slightly acidic water with a temperature around 300 degree C. They prefer both live feed and artificial diets. The graceful body is deep with coloration with silvery shades . The body has characteristic dark ,coupled and silvery shade .

RED CARP ORANDA 

Red Cap Oranda is one of several varieties of goldfish. Originallyfrompars of Asia, Japan, and China, Goldfish now enjoy worldwide distribution due to controlled breeding programs. Carassius auratus belongs to the family Cyprinidae of order Cypriniformes. Mainly three types of gold fish are available, metallic, and dull coloured. The red orandio belongs to metallic types in which the scales glisten like mirror.Orandas are quite popular among goldfish aquarists. The fish are commonly characterised by having a fleshy outgrowth on the head that is termed the hood or wen . This growth often covers most of the head, in juveniles the eyes and mouth are not usually covered. As these fish age, the wen may sometimes begin to overgrow the eyes and impair the vision of older specimens. Male fishes are slender than females. After maturation, a white tuberclemay appear on the operculum of males,   The gold fish has omnivorous feeding habit and accept both live feed and artificial feed.

SIAMESE FIGHTING FISH 

The Siamese fighting fish is a true beauty and a jewel in an aquarium. The term Betta spenders means 'brilliant warrior', a very suitable name indeed, since males of the colourful species perform an elaborate aggressive display when provoked. The ancestors of this fish are native to the rice paddies of south East Asia, The common name, Siamese fight fish denotes the practice of organized fight between male and female . Male fishes are more colorful and have elongated fins . Females are, in general, more brownish to white and less colorful than males. The domesticated fish have been bred through centuries and there are fish of almost any color, combinations of colors, fin length and shape of fins. The breeding has also created females with colors similar to male colors. The natural habitat of bettas is quiet shallow freshwater ponds with muddy bottoms or flooded rice paddy tree. These prefer slightly acidic water with pH around 6.5 and temperature between 24 °c and 28 °c. The food includes insects and insect larvae in natural conditions.  live foods are the ideal diet for the bettas, however they will adapt to eating flake foods and frozen and freeze dried foods. Brine shrimp, Daphnia, plankton, tubifex ,glass worms, and beef heart, are all excellent options. Even in small aquarium, breeding occurs.

PEARL GOURAMI 

Pearl gourami is a comparatively large aquarium fish. It is an inhabitant of the South East Asia. Trichogaster leeri belongs to the family Belontiidae. The pearl gourami IS one of the most attractive and hardiest aquarium fishes. The body is brownish with Pearl-like spots At the end of the body near the caudal peduncle there is a black spot. The average size of the fish is 10-12 cm. While swimming, the feelers may be pointed forwards, The optimum pH is 7.0 and temperature nearly 26°c . The insect larvae and tubifex worms form the major food of gourami. It readily he accepts artificial food also .Adult males are easy to distinguish from the females by their deep bright orange colour around the throat region. Another difference lies in the dorsal fin, which is longer and more pointed on the male than the female. When ready to spawn the female will have a much plumper body than the male. Male safeguards the eggs

*special reference to the book "ornamental fish keeping "

*image from Microsoft.com