How many times have we brought the wrong fish in the Aquarium? How many times did we face this disappointment of having the fish outgrown the tank? Lastly, the pain of giving away the pet to the aquarium store for “FREE” or exchange. How many of us were not guided by the Aquarium store? If you faced this situation as an aquarist then read this article. Also, request the readers to share this article with beginners to the fish hobby. I get this query quite often what should I do with the fish that I brought a year back? Its grown and now it cannot even move properly in my 3 feet tank. It looks stressed. Its body shape has changed due to the shape of the tank. I had this same problem in my 6.2 feet tank. I had the Aligator Ghar. When it was small it looked beautiful. Imagine, I had 6.2 feet in length tank with a depth of 1 foot and a height of 2 feet. (6.2ft x 1ftx2ft) but I had a problem with the alligator Ghar getting deformed. The mistake I had done was providing him less depth to turn and move around. It was not about the length or the height. I felt sorry for it and sadly, I had to give it away. That experience has made me write this article for all beginners or hobbyists looking to purchase these magnificent monsters for home aquaria. Truly, Size Matters when deciding which species to bring home and why? It's easy to be excited when individual steps into an aquarium shop. Some shopkeepers have good collections of monster fish. What most of them don’t tell you is the maintenance part of these species and most importantly the growth pattern of these fish. Let's look at the fish which a beginner should avoid for lack of space. Silver Asian Arowana Arowana:- Yes, you heard it right. Avoid this fish if you cannot give it a minimum space of 5 ft length x 20inches depthx2 ft height. Asian Arowana (Silver Arowana), grows in length very fast. It requires good feed to maintain healthy scales, fins and body. In Wild, they eat anything from fish, and insects to birds accidentally droppings from the nest. Good filtration is a must for this species. Arowana is a carnivorous fish. The fish wen stressed has got a tendency to jump out of the tank. So be careful not to have an open tank. Also, while cleaning the tank proper procedure needs to be followed so as not to stress the fish.The tank should be properly closed from top. The growth of an Arowana is anything between 6 feet to 12 feet long. It is a difficult fish to start with in a residential aquarium. Arowana are very sensitive to nitrites. 40% to 50% Weekly Water changes is necessary to keep the nitrites low. Water temperature should be between 22° celsius to 28° celsius. For useful tips in selecting an Arowana please go to the link provided https://www.aquafishcare.com/post/tips-to-take-care-and-buy-an-arowana-fish-www-aquafishcare-com Oscar fish : The sheer beauty of the Oscar’s can compel any beginner to go for this fish. These fish comes in various colors from copper, albino with beautiful orange marked on them to tiger Oscar, etc. They are omnivorous and belong to the monster category. Many hobbyists do not understand the possibility of the growth pattern of this fish. This fish is not for a tank having an Aquarium length below 4 feet. The tank needs to be at least a height of 2 feet. They look cute when they are small at a size of 2 inches. But the problem starts when they start growing very fast. Most of the pattern on the body fades away. They are ferocious eaters. Malnourishment as well as obesity is also a problem with Oscar. They cannot be housed with other fish which do not fall into the monster fish category. I know of people who have parrotfish into their tanks with Oscars and complain of incompatibility. The fish can outgrow an Aquarium very fast. It is natural for an Oscar to be aggressive and behave erratically towards the other species sometimes to its own kind, as it becomes very territorial due to lack of space. They like to dominate their own kind. Old ones will give their dominant position to young Oscar. Oscars grow upto 12inches. The temperature of the water is between 24° celsius to 28° Celsius. In Short every addition of Oscar needs roughly 110 litres. Give them good filtration and good diet. Even if they are omnivorous they prefer more of live fish, worms and insects. Iridescent Shark catfish Iridescent Shark catfish: Beginner fish hobbyists fall for this fish very easily. They are very cute and fast movers in the tank. They don’t remain cute any longer as they start to outgrow the 3ft tank within 8-10 months. It normally grows to around 50 inches. I have personally kept these fish and found them very aggressive eaters and grow very fast. These fish are also edible. Meaning they are also eaten by human beings. So why buy these fish for an aquarium? A gullible hobbyist who don’t research well before buying this fish regret later for adding to their tank. They are peaceful in temperament but require lots of space. They like to swim around very fast and may hurt themselves and get stressed in a small aquarium. The minimum space should be 5 feet tanks in length x 18inch depth x 2feet in height. They are omnivorous when young, but when they become adults they turn out to be herbivorous. As a caretaker, you will need to change their diet. They will eat anything that fits in their mouth. Its best to avoid this fish as you will regret giving it or putting them into a pond or a well. They are hardy fish and can tolerate harsh water conditions. The water temperature should be 22° celsius to 27° celsius. Redtail catfish Redtail catfish: This fish is not for beginners and is meant only for the experts. This fish will outgrow any fish tank in less time. This fish is omnivorous, anything and everything is eaten by this tank. They can nibble on driftwood, and gravel and eat other fish too. They are confident fish and do not need any place to hide. It is recommended to feed them cut-up meat, insects, shrimps, and worms. This fish can grow to 3-4 feet in captivity and upto 5ft in length in wild. This fish looks very attractive due to its caudal red tail. It can be very aggressive. You cannot blame them due to their predatory nature. To house this fish you will require a minimum 5ft tank. Even that might not be enough as it can grow much bigger. You don’t want the fish to be unhappy in a cramped small tank. Avoid this fish for lack of space and dietary requirements. Water temperature should be around 22° Celsius to 27° Celsius. Giant Gourami: A gentle giant that can grow upto 20inches long. So a tank of around 5 feet with a depth of 2 feet and a height of 3ft will do well for this species. The height of the tank is very important for this species as they come up to breathe quite often. Having a lid on top of the tank is vital. As a juvenile, these fish are aggressive towards its own kind as they like to be dominant. As adults, maturity and calmness sink in their behavior. Try to avoid two male adults as they can become very territorial. Unless you can provide them with bigger tanks avoid these gentle creatures as they also have a tendency to jump out. They are herbivorous fish and also have a personality of their own. They recognize their owner's bond with them very well. They prefer some live food to maintain a balanced diet. Regular water change is necessary for this fish. It is prone to common aquarium diseases. The bigger the tank the better it is for the fish to grow without stress. Water Temperature of 22° Celsius to 30° Celsius is needed by this fish to grow well. Common Pleco Common Pleco:- These are the fish commonly called “Suckers” as they are seen sticking themselves on the internal side glass of an aquarium. These fish can grow very long upto 1 to 2 feet. These are sold in the shop as 2 inches but outgrow the tank in a few years. House them if you can give them a bigger space to live in around 4 feet tank with 1.5 feet depth and atleast 2 feet in height. They are good algae eaters but may mess up as they grow into a bigger size eventually . There are other better algae eaters like bristle nose plecos which normally grows to around 5-6 inches in length. Looking after the pleco is a life time commitment. There are vaious plecos in the trade nowdays. Do well your research and house them. And always provide them with driftwood as it provides them with fiber requirements. Provide them with premium Algae wafers as their main diet in an aquarium for their healthy growth. Feed them at night when the main lights in the room are put off that is the time they are most active. KOI Fish Koi :- These are meant for Ponds not in an aquarium. These can grow very big. Some species grow in their tank environment. They will never grow to their potential in a fish tank. Don’t be cruel to them. Even if you want to keep them at least 250-gallon tank is needed. More of horizontal space having a depth of 1.5 feet. They grow well within the temperature of 20° Celsius to 26° Celsius. There are other schooling fish that need at least 1000 litres. Tinfoil barbs (can grow upto 1 foot), Silver dollar , bala sharks which can grow upto 1 foot. These are all schooling fish and should be kept minimum of 6 in a tank. That becomes challenging in a small tank as the fish grows. Also, check their compatibility with your existing fish in the Aquarium. We are all familiar with the Phrase “small is cute” and “good things come in small packages”. Is this true? Ask yourself when you step into an aquarium shop. Am I making a good decision to buy the cutie fish? Am I providing them with good space to grow? Or am I bringing a monster only to get rid of later. Be prepared when you step into an Aquarium shop. Don’t fall prey to what the seller is doing. Do your research on fish with tank space in mind. And remember Aquafishcare has just warned you not to get a monster. Warning Fish should be kept in a tank and not in a bowl not even a Goldfish.

Lab pup chewing leash Dogs chewing on their leash is a common behavior that many dog owners encounter. Dogs may chew on the leash for a variety of reasons, such as boredom, anxiety, or habit. It's important to address the underlying cause of the behavior in order to discourage it effectively. Providing appropriate chew toys, using bitter sprays, keeping the leash out of reach, and using positive reinforcement training techniques can all be effective strategies for discouraging leash chewing. With patience and consistency, it's possible to train your dog to stop chewing on the leash and enjoy walks without this frustrating behavior. Why do the dogs chew the leash? There are several reasons why dogs may chew on their leash. Here are a few common reasons: 1. Teething: Puppies may chew on the leash as part of their teething process. This is a natural behavior, and providing appropriate chew toys can help redirect their chewing. 2. Boredom: Dogs may chew on the leash out of boredom or as a way to release excess energy. Providing plenty of exercise and mental stimulation can help alleviate boredom. 3. Anxiety: Some dogs may chew on the leash as a result of anxiety or stress. This could be caused by a variety of factors, such as separation anxiety or fear of new environments. In these cases, it's important to address the underlying cause of the anxiety. 4. Habit: If a dog has chewed on the leash in the past and has not been discouraged from the behavior, they may continue to do so out of habit. 5. Hunger: Some dogs may chew on the leash if they are hungry or not getting enough food. Make sure your dog is getting a balanced diet with appropriate portions. It's important to determine the underlying cause of your dog's leash chewing behavior in order to address it effectively. In some cases, a combination of strategies may be necessary to discourage the behavior. Does my dog chew the leash ? what should I do? Chewing on the leash is a common behavior in dogs, and there are several things you can do to discourage it. Here are a few suggestions: 1. Provide appropriate chewing Toys Provide appropriate chew toys: Dogs have a natural desire to chew, so it's important to provide them with appropriate chew toys. Make sure your dog has access to a variety of toys to keep their interest, and offer them when you take your dog on a walk. 1. Use a bitter spray: You can purchase a bitter-tasting spray that you can apply to the leash to discourage chewing. The bitter taste will deter your dog from chewing on the leash. 2. Keep the leash out of reach: If your dog only chews the leash when it's within reach, try to keep the leash out of reach when you're not using it. Store it in a safe place where your dog can't get to it. 3. Train your dog: Use positive reinforcement to train your dog not to chew on the leash. When your dog refrains from chewing on the leash, praise them and offer a treat. 4. Consider a different type of leash: Some dogs may be more likely to chew on certain types of leashes. If you're using a nylon or cloth leash, consider switching to a leather or chain leash. Remember, consistency is key when it comes to training your dog. With patience and persistence, you can train your dog to stop chewing on the leash. If you continue to have problems, consult with a professional dog trainer or behaviorist. Positive reinforcement explained : Suggest using positive reinforcement to train your dog not to chew on the leash. Positive reinforcement involves rewarding your dog for good behavior to encourage them to repeat that behavior in the future. Here's how you can use positive reinforcement to discourage leash chewing: 1. Start by holding the leash and letting your dog sniff it, but don't let them chew on it. 2. As soon as your dog sniffs the leash but doesn't chew it, praise them and offer a treat. This will reinforce the behavior of not chewing the leash. 3. If your dog tries to chew the leash, immediately say "no" or "leave it" and remove the leash from their reach. Wait a few seconds, then offer the leash again. If your dog sniffs the leash without chewing it, praise them and offer a treat. 4. Repeat this process several times until your dog consistently sniffs the leash without trying to chew it. Gradually increase the amount of time your dog must leave the leash alone before getting a reward. Remember to be patient and consistent in your training efforts, and always use positive reinforcement techniques instead of punishment or negative reinforcement. So there you have it, folks! Whether your pup is teething, bored, anxious, or just plain hungry, there are ways to deter them from turning your leash into their chew toy. With a little patience, positive reinforcement, and maybe even a bitter spray or two, you can help your furry friend break the habit and enjoy leash-walking sans the slobber. So, go forth and conquer the leash-chewing dilemma, and don't forget to give your pup a pat on the head (and maybe a treat or two) for a job well done!

Bird behavior is a fascinating and sometimes puzzling subject. From mimicking human speech to flapping their wings in a seemingly erratic dance, birds have a unique way of communicating with their surroundings. Some birds are known for their quirky habits like the way pigeons bob their heads or the impressive nest-building skills of weaver birds. But behind these quirky behaviors lies a complex and fascinating world of bird behavior. So, let's spread our wings and dive into the world of feathered friends and their strange, amusing, and sometimes perplexing behavior! Let's talk about strange bird behavior. Birds, like all animals, have unique personalities and can sometimes exhibit strange or unusual behavior. Here are some examples of strange bird behavior and their possible causes: 1. Feather Plucking: Feather plucking is a common behavior in birds that can be caused by stress, boredom, or health issues. It's important to identify the cause of the behavior and address it to prevent further harm. 1. Screaming: Birds can sometimes scream excessively, which can be caused by boredom, frustration, or a lack of social interaction. Providing them with enough stimulation, socialization, and training can help prevent excessive screaming. 2. Nesting behavior: Some birds, like parrots and pigeons, can exhibit nesting behavior even if they are not laying eggs. This behavior can be caused by hormonal changes or a desire to mate. Providing them with enough mental stimulation and toys can help prevent excessive nesting behavior. 3. Head-bobbing: Some birds, like doves and pigeons, can exhibit head-bobbing behavior, which is believed to be a form of communication or a way to maintain balance. It's a normal behavior and usually nothing to worry about. 4. Mirror gazing: Some birds, like budgies and cockatiels, can become fixated on their reflection in mirrors or shiny surfaces, which can be a sign of boredom or overstimulation. It's important to limit their exposure to mirrors or shiny objects and provide them with enough mental stimulation. Overall, it's essential to observe and understand your bird's behavior to identify any unusual or concerning behaviors. Addressing the cause of the behavior and providing enough mental stimulation, socialization, and care can help prevent strange bird behavior and promote their health and well-being. What are the signs of bird behaviour resulting out of neglect by the owner? Neglect by an owner can have severe consequences on a bird's health and behavior. Here are some signs of bird behavior resulting from neglect by the owner: 1. Aggressive behavior: Birds that are neglected may become aggressive towards their owners or other birds. This behavior can be a result of stress, lack of socialization, or boredom. 2. Feather plucking: Feather plucking is a common behavior in birds that can be caused by stress, boredom, or health issues. Neglected birds may be more prone to feather plucking due to a lack of mental stimulation or attention from their owners. 3. Lack of vocalization: Birds that are neglected may stop vocalizing or become less vocal. This behavior can be a sign of depression, boredom, or illness. 4. Poor feather condition: Neglected birds may have poor feather condition, including broken or missing feathers, due to a lack of proper nutrition or grooming. 5. Self-destructive behavior: Some birds may exhibit self-destructive behavior, such as head-banging or self-mutilation, when they are neglected. This behavior can be a sign of severe stress or anxiety. How should the owner tackle the above problem? If an owner suspects that their bird's behavior is a result of neglect, there are several steps they can take to address the problem: 1. Consult a veterinarian: The first step is to take the bird to a veterinarian for a check-up. The veterinarian can identify any underlying health issues and provide treatment or medication if necessary. 2. Provide mental stimulation: Neglected birds often lack mental stimulation, which can lead to behavior problems. Providing toys, perches, and social interaction can help prevent boredom and promote mental stimulation. 3. Canary bird taking a bath Grooming: Neglected birds may have poor feather condition due to a lack of grooming. Owners should provide regular grooming, including bathing and feather trimming, to maintain a bird's feather condition. 1. Training: Providing training sessions can help improve the bird's behavior and strengthen the bond between the bird and the owner. 2. Socialization: Neglected birds may lack socialization with other birds or humans, which can lead to aggressive or self-destructive behavior. Owners should provide enough socialization and interaction with other birds or humans to prevent such behavior. 3. Create a healthy living environment: Providing a healthy living environment, including a clean cage, fresh water, and a healthy diet, can help prevent health issues and promote a bird's overall health and well-being. In Conclusion, Bird behavior can be strange and sometimes downright odd. However, it's essential to understand your bird's behavior to promote its health and well-being. Neglecting your bird can result in severe behavior problems, including aggression, feather plucking, and self-destructive behavior. Providing mental stimulation, socialization, and a healthy living environment can help prevent behavior problems and promote your bird's overall health and happiness. So, let's keep our feathered friends entertained, well-fed, and well-loved to prevent any strange behavior from driving us bird-brained! Join the forum lets discuss. Hope you liked the Article.