Kerala Cichlids

11/03/2023

In the Middle East, the hobby of keeping Japanese koi fish has been thriving despite the harsh, hot climate that can reach up to 50 degrees in the summer. Despite this challenge,, Middle Eastern hobbyists have made a name for themselves in koi fish keeping. In 2019, they participated in and won almost 4 prizes at a Japanese koi fish show, demonstrating the quality of their koi. These achievements are impressive as they have successfully raised high-quality Japanese koi in a desert environment... Today's video aims to understand and analyze the methods used by these hobbyists to raise top-notch Japanese koi fish in the Middle East.
When it comes to Japanese koi fish keeping in the middle east we can classify the challenges into 4
1 temperature
2 sunlight
3 oxygenation
4 hibernation
To successfully keep cold water fish in the Middle East, controlling the water temperature is essential. One way to do this is to divide the year into 4 sections, each consisting of 3 months. These sections would be January, February, and March as section 1, April, May, and June as section 2, July, August, and September as section 3, and finally October, November, and December as section 4.
In the Middle East, temperatures can reach as high as 50 degrees Celsius during the months of July, August, and September. During this time, koi fish keepers aim to maintain a temperature of 28 degrees Celsius in their koi fish ponds. As the temperature dips from October onwards, they gradually reduce the temperature of the pond by 3 degrees each month, with the temperature dropping to 25 degrees Celsius in October, 21 degrees Celsius in November, and 17 degrees Celsius in December.
In Dubai, temperatures can drop as low as 16 degrees Celsius in January, when the koi fish pond temperature is further reduced to around 10 degrees Celsius. This is done to maintain optimal conditions for the fish. As the temperature rises in February, the water temperature in the tank is gradually increased by 3 degrees, reaching 18 degrees Celsius in March. In April, the temperature is raised to 21 degrees Celsius, increasing to 23 degrees in May and 26 degrees in June. Finally, in July, the temperature reaches 28 degrees Celsius. This cycle is repeated to ensure that the koi fish are kept in the best possible conditions.

Sunlight
Koi fish, as outdoor pond fish, face two challenges from direct sunlight. Firstly, increased sunlight exposure can result in increased algae growth, making the koi not so appealing which can be prevented by using UV filters in the pond. Secondly, excessive sunlight exposure can cause burns on the skin and fade the colour of the koi fish, reducing their quality. This can be avoided by providing shade for the pond to block direct sunlight from hitting the koi. Providing shade for the outdoor pond helps to cool it down by blocking the extreme rays of the sun, reducing the chances of water temperature increase to a significant extent.

Oxygenation.
The third challenge faced by koi fish keepers is fulfilling the high oxygen demand of the fish. Koi fish require a lot of dissolved oxygen in their aquarium water, and as they grow bigger, their oxygen needs increase. Additionally, rising water temperatures can lead to a decrease in the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water. To counteract this, reducing the water temperature in the tank to 28 degrees or lower can help maintain a stable level of dissolved oxygen, especially in larger outdoor ponds in the Middle East.
Hibernation.
The difference between a regular koi and a champion koi lies in the shape and size of the fish. For a koi to be considered prize-winning, its shape and size must be proportional. Proportion is more crucial than colour in determining the quality of a koi. The secret to attaining the correct proportion depends on the process of acclimation. If the water temperature becomes too high, it increases the metabolic rate of the fish, causing it to become elongated and lose its proper proportion. To maintain the torpedo shape of a koi, the water temperature of the pond should be reduced to 10-14 degrees during the winter season, slowing the metabolic rate of the fish for about a month.
My recommendation is to adopt the Middle Eastern style of koi fish keeping instead of the Japanese method when keeping koi fish in Kerala. The climate in Kerala is characterized by high temperatures during the summer months and a lack of winter, which is more similar to the weather in the Middle East. Based on the success rate of koi fish keeping in the Middle East, it makes sense to adopt their strategies, which are more science-based rather than being dependent solely on the weather and nature like traditional Japanese koi fish keeping methods. I agree, by following the Middle Eastern koi fish-keeping strategy, it is possible to cultivate champion koi fish in Kerala.

https://youtu.be/e-hoU3o1YY4

In the Middle East, the hobby of keeping Japanese koi fish has been thriving despite the harsh, hot climate that can reach up to 50 degrees in the summer. De...

11/03/2023

Plecos, also known as Suckermouth catfish, are commonly recommended in the aquarium hobby in Kerala, due to a lot of misinformation. Beginners often rely on advice from friends and pet shop workers who suggest that Plecos are excellent for cleaning the aquarium by consuming all the biowaste produced by other fish in the tank. They are also touted as effective at preventing algae growth on the glass of the fish tank, leading to a reduction in aquarium maintenance.
However, this information is largely incorrect and misleading. While it is true that Suckermouth catfish consume algae and can help to keep the aquarium glass clean, they cannot survive by eating the biowaste produced by other fish in the tank.

I am creating this video to emphasize the importance of banning the Plecos or suckermouth catfish in Kerala. To better understand why they need to be banned, let's classify their life cycle into four stages: 1 month to 6 months, 6 months to a year, one year to one and a half years, and over two years.

During the first stage, which lasts from one month to 6 months, the suckerfish primarily feeds on decaying aquarium plants and algae growing in the fish tank. They may have little interest in fish food during this stage. Once they complete 6 months, the suckerfish enters the second stage, which is the dominating stage. At this point, the fish grows rapidly and becomes more interested in fish food. During this time, the sucker fish can reach a length of up to 15 cm.

In the next stage, which lasts from one year to one and a half years, the suckermouth catfish becomes increasingly dependent on fish food and produces more biowaste in the fish tank. In the aquarium hobby, it is well-known that fish that consume more fish food also produce more biowaste. As a result, Plecos or suckermouth catfish produce more bio waste in the fish tank than any other fish. This makes them counterproductive for a healthy fish tank environment, leading to ammonia spikes and poor water quality. This, in turn, forces aquarium hobbyists to perform more frequent water changes.

At the final stage of their life cycle, suckermouth catfish can grow up to 25 cm in length. At this point, most aquarium hobbyists recognize that the fish has outgrown the tank and will move it to a small pond or a larger cement tank. However, when plecos are moved from a completely controlled environment to a semi-controlled pond, they immediately begin to dominate the base of the pond. As fishkeepers, we should be aware that the strength of any pond or local river system lies in the base of that water body. Once plecos start to dominate the base of a local pond, they quickly consume the aquarium plants and other plant matter at the base of the pond.

Meanwhile, the actual damage is done to the local pond's ecosystem. There may be many egg-laying and live-bearing fish species that maintain the balance of the pond. Most egg-laying fish lay their eggs on the pond base, among the aquarium plants and vegetation. Once sucker mouth catfish establish themselves in the pond's base system, they easily target and consume the eggs laid by these fish, which are an easy source of protein for plecos to aid their growth. This eventually results in the extinction of egg-laying fishes in the pond, which in turn causes issues for the live-bearing fish. As these fish have fewer algae to feed on due to the shortage of it in the pond, they too eventually become extinct, leaving the pond with no fish and a drop in water quality. As a result, the pond becomes of no use.
In some instances, aquarium hobbyists release their plecos or suckermouth catfish into natural waterways like rivers or streams, rather than in semi-controlled environments like ponds. Once in these natural waterways, the suckermouth catfish rapidly establish themselves at the base of the river and consume the eggs of egg-laying fish. As these suckerfish continue to establish themselves more and more in the river streams of Kerala, native fish species like karimeen can become completely eradicated from the region. This can have significant financial and ecological impacts. With the decline of fish populations in the waterways, mosquito larvae will complete their life cycles, leading to an increase in deadly diseases like malaria that can rapidly spread throughout Kerala. Additionally, the presence of pollutants and other harmful organisms in the water can render it unsafe for drinking.
After comprehending the detrimental effects of fully grown suckermouth catfish in streams and rivers, the governments of Karnataka and Telangana have prohibited the sale of suckermouth catfish within their states. Even the country of Bangladesh has banned this fish. Therefore, my personal recommendation is for Kerala to also impose a ban on suckermouth catfish, which will ultimately prevent the trade of plecos in aquarium pet shops.
https://youtu.be/PDIdYeAfLjA

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Plecos, also known as Suckermouth catfish, are commonly recommended in the aquarium hobby in Kerala, due to a lot of misinformation. Beginners often rely on ...

11/03/2023

Many newcomers to the aquarium hobby may struggle to successfully keep African cichlids due to a lack of knowledge about these fascinating fish. One reason for this is the common misconception that keeping African cichlids is similar to other types of fish, such as tropical fish like guppies or mollies, Central American cichlids like Oscar fish, or even cold water fish like Japanese koi. However, the truth is that African cichlids are entirely different from these other fish. One of the main differences is that African cichlids are primarily alkaline water fish that prefer a pH value above 8. This means that the water in their aquarium needs to contain more minerals than other types of fish. In fact, the presence of minerals in the water is what gives African cichlids their stunning and vibrant colour patterns.
Before delving into the world of African cichlid fish keeping, it is important to understand who typically keeps these fish as pets. Fish keeping, as a hobby, reaches its most refined state with the maintenance of marine aquariums or reef tank aquariums. However, setting up a saltwater aquarium can be a costly and time-consuming endeavour that requires extensive knowledge and expertise. For those on a budget who cannot afford the expense of maintaining a marine aquarium, African cichlid aquariums are a great alternative. Another similarity between African cichlids and marine aquariums is that marine aquariums are typically set up to house vibrant, colourful fish that thrive in alkaline water environments. The seawater in marine aquariums contains minerals that contribute to the fish's stunning colours, much like how the presence of minerals in alkaline water contributes to the vibrant color patterns of African cichlids.
In my personal experience, I suggest conducting thorough research on African cichlid fish and their aquarium setup before diving into the hobby. As one begins researching, they will discover that African cichlids are primarily classified based on the lakes they originate from, such as Lake Malawi, Lake Victoria, and Lake Tanganyika. Among these, the most popular African cichlids are from Lake Malawi, and they are typically categorized as Mbuna cichlids, Peacock cichlids, and Hap cichlids. Although all three types of cichlids are from the same lake, their diets and behaviour differ. Mbuna cichlids are predominantly herbivorous, Peacock cichlids are omnivorous, and Hap cichlids are predatory fish that hunt down Peacock cichlids in the wild.
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African cichlids are entirely different from other types of fish and require a different setup. Here are some important considerations when keeping African cichlids in an aquarium:

1.Water parameters: African cichlids are primarily alkaline water fish that prefer a pH value above 8 The water in their aquarium needs to contain more minerals than other types of fish, which gives them their stunning and vibrant colour patterns.

2.Research: Conduct thorough research on African cichlid fish and their aquarium setup before diving into the hobby. African cichlids are primarily classified based on the lakes they originate from, such as Lake Malawi, Lake Victoria, and Lake Tanganyika. and it's important to understand the differences between the various types of African cichlids.

3. African cichlid aquariums are a great alternative for those on a budget who cannot afford the expense of maintaining a marine aquarium.

Diet: Different types of African cichlids have different diets and behaviors. For example, Mbuna cichlids are predominantly herbivorous, Peacock cichlids are omnivorous, and Hap cichlids are predatory fish that hunt down Peacock cichlids in the wild. So Mixing different types of African cichlids, such as Peacock cichlids and Mbuna cichlids, can be challenging due to their different dietary needs.

Tank size: African cichlids need a tank that is appropriately sized to allow for their growth and provide adequate space for swimming and establishing territories. Underestimating their growth potential can lead to increased stress and even death among weaker fish.

Aggression: African cichlids can be aggressive, and it's important to research the specific needs of the type of African cichlid you plan to keep and ensure that your tank is appropriately sized to prevent increased stress and even death among weaker fish.

Oxygenation: African cichlids are active swimmers, and it's crucial to ensure that their tank is well oxygenated.

Male-only tank setup: When keeping Peacock cichlids, it's essential to establish a male-only tank setup to prevent the alpha male fish from attracting all the other male cichlids in the tank, which can result in the death of all other Peacock cichlids.

By understanding these factors and providing appropriate care, you can help ensure the health and longevity of your African cichlids.

Many newcomers to the aquarium hobby may struggle to successfully keep African cichlids due to a lack of knowledge about these fascinating fish. One reason f...

09/07/2022

https://youtu.be/kKyx258w5mU

Activated Carbon and purigen are proven products aquairum hobbyists use to get crystal clear aquarium water in their aquariums. Since both activated carbon and purigen generate water clarity both the products work totally differently in the aquairum so sometimes it can be confusing whether to go with activated carbon or purigen in our aquariums. for that we need to have a good understanding of how these products work in an aquarium.
The main difference between activated carbon and purigen is that activated carbon is produced from naturally available raw materials like coconut husk by heating above 600 degrees celsius and by removing impurities by chemical wash. Compared with purigen activated carbon can be called an aggressive absorbent as it can absorb chlorine, heavy metals aquarium medications and a lot more that is in our aquairum. due to this aggressive nature, activated carbon can also exhaust faster. any good quality activated carbon will exhaust within 30 days. The faster exhaustion of activated carbon makes activated carbon a less attractive product as it needs to be replaced quite often. Activated carbon is mostly used in the aquairum as a quick absorbent to remove smell and aquairum medications faster from the aquairum. Another disadvantage of activated carbon is that activated carbon absorbs trace minerals that are present in the aquairum as well which can affect the aquarium plants' growth. That's another reason activated carbon is not recommended in planted tank aquariums.
Compared to activated carbon purigen is a mild absorbent that can do only certain things that activated carbon won't be able to do. since purigen won't absorb any trace minerals they can be safely used in any of the planted tank infrastructures. Since purigen is a mild absorbant it won't exhaust easily like activated carbon. so Purigene can be easily used for a longer period of time as per Seachem 250 grams of purigen is good for an aquairum with a size of 1000 litre capacity for 6 months. This is a game-changing feature as purigen can be used for a very long period of time and can be regenerated compared to activated carbon. Purigen is a synthetic absorbent that is purpose build .so purigen can remove organics before they can be converted by bacteria into ammonia, nitrite or nitrate, resulting in lowered nitrate concentrations in our aquarium. The second thing is purigen can be easily regenerated and can be used again and again as far as 10 times.
one thing that we need to keep in mind is when we purchase purigen we need to make sure that we buy a 180-micron mesh bag for loading purigen. While using water clarity products we need to make sure that we do regular water changes to replenish the trace minerals that are lost from the aquarium.
since both the products have their own unique advantages we can use both products together in our aquariums. by doing this way

Activated Carbon and purigen are proven products aquairum hobbyists use to get crystal clear aquarium water in their aquariums. Since both activated carbon a...

29/06/2022

https://youtu.be/mn3zV8Er9CU

As we all know aquairum activated carbon is produced from materials like coconut husk. Since we can quickly have carbon by burning coconut husk in our home we may sometimes think it is best to make our own carbon at home to be used in the aquarium than buying activated carbon from the pet store. What we need to know is the raw material for activated carbon is for sure regular charcoal. But when a regular carbon is heated and treated with chemicals the absorption power of activated carbon increase a lot. for example, one gram of activated carbon will achieve a gas absorption capability of 32,000 square feet which is almost equal to the size of 16 houses at the same time regular carbon produced from cocknut husk will have an absorption capacity of only 5 m2. from this alone we can understand that for meeting the capability of one gram activated carbon we need 600 grams of regular carbon
Activated carbon and regular homemade carbon differ in a lot of ways. Activated carbon is less in phosphate at the same time normal carbon is high in phosphate which can cause algae growth in the aquarium. so it is always advised to use activated carbon instead of regular carbon. On top of that if we try to use activated carbon for a prolonged period of time in any aquarium they can leach out phosphate from the activated carbon back to the aquarium which can increase the presence of phosphate in aquarium water so it is advised to replace activated carbon after a month or two.
What are the benefits of using activated carbon in aquariums? Activated carbon is mainly used in the aquarium for absorbing smell from the aquarium water Activated carbon is so popular among indoor aquarium hobbyists as it absorbs smells.
The second benefit of activated carbon is for removing aquarium medications from the fishtanks. as it is a good absorbent it can absorb the trace of aquarium medication from the water .since activated carbon can absorb aquarium medication from the water we need to make sure that while we treat our aquarium with any kind of medication we need to make sure that there is no presence of activated carbon in our filter media. If activated carbon is present in filter media will absorb the aquarium medication right away and the fish will never benefit from the medication.
We need to make sure that we don't use activated carbon in any of the planted tank setups as aquarium plants need trace elements for their growth. One issue with activated carbon is that carbon in the planted tank will absorb all the trace elements and fertilizers that are essential for the aquarium plants to grow.

As we all know aquairum activated carbon is produced from materials like coconut husk. Since we can quickly have carbon by burning coconut husk in our home w...

19/06/2022

Why Hygger HG908 sponge filter is way superior compared to a traditional aquarium sponge filter?
The main difference between the Hygger HG908 sponge filter and the regular sponge filter is the presence of two media trays and two sponges in each filter. These media trays are designed to hold ceramic bio media that is provided along with every Hygger sponge filter. If we closely look at the design we can see that the sponge filters are positioned right at the intake nozzle of the media tray thereby sponge filters act as a mechanical filter preventing biowaste from contacting the bio media inside the chamber.

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This clever design helps to extend the life of bio media inside the filter. In a normal scenario,.the micropores of the bio-media in a canister filter will be clogged over the period of time by the presence of biowaste produced by the fish. But this way of using a sponge filter helps to extend the life of the bio media for a longer period of time. This change of design along with the presence of ceramic-based bio-media helps to hold way more aquairum-friendly aerobic bacterias in each filter unit compared to a regular sponge filter.
The other benefit of using the Hygger sponge filter is that we can use other types of chemical and biological filter media other than the ceramic ring bio-media provided. For example, we can use carbon in the media tray which helps to reduce the smell in aquairum water or can use a matrix that helps to reduce nitrite from the aquairum water and increase the interval between the aquarium water change. The other benefit of the Hygger sponge filter compared to a regular sponge filter is that in a normal scenario, we say hear a lot to avoid cleaning sponge filters as much as possible, the reason is if we try to clean the sponge filter then the presence of aerobic bacteria in the sponge filter will go down dramatically which can cause in some case ammonia spike in the aquairum. But in the Hygger HG908 sponge filter, the presence of two sponge filters and bio media helps to hold a lot of healthy bacteria all the time, So if we clean one sponge filter it won't dramatically reduce the presence of aerobic bacteria in the filter.
Most of the time those aquarium hobbyists who like to aquascape their aquairum the presence of a sponge filter is a challenge and it will be very difficult to hide a sponge filter from eyesight. At the same time, the Hygger Sponge filter solves this problem by including a suction cup to hold the sponge filter to the glass. All these changes help to make Hygger HG 908 sponge filter one of the most efficient and practically designed sponge filters available on the market right now.

23/05/2022

https://youtu.be/cfts4OWt2Fk

How to choose a quality Aquarium Filter Media? This video is a review of Hygger Aquarium Filter Media. For testing purposes, I got this bio media from Hygger. From the look and feel, I can say right away it is a well-designed quality bio-media.

If we follow three simple steps we can easily spot one quality bio media.

Rough outer surface:
While choosing a bio media, we need to make sure that the outer surface of the bio-media is rough. The rough surface helps aquarium-friendly healthy bacteria to easily stick to the bio media. The best way to understand the importance of a rough surface is by looking at a simple aquarium filtration. We can blindly say that most of the aquarium-friendly nitrifying bacteria are colonizing on the bio media that is inside the aquarium filter rather than the smooth surface of the filtration system that holds the bio media. So on the rough surface area criteria, we can easily say Hygger aquarium bio-media is way superior compared to normal ceramic bio media.

Micro pores in bio-media.
When choosing any bio media, we need to make sure that the filter media we are selecting must have lots of micropores. Studies show that micropores in the bio-media act as a home for healthy bacteria to colonies. So more micropores in bio media mean more chance of healthy bacteria to colonies in the bio media. To easily understand this principle we can say that a normal garden rock's outer surface is sometimes more rough than an aquarium bio-media but we are not using normal rock in the aquarium filter unit as a replacement for bio media because it lacks micropores in the surface of the rocks. At the same time, natural-forming larva rocks are much more popular as aquarium filter media as it has lots of micropores on the surface of the bio media.

Durability: while we choose bio-media we need to make sure that the filter media won't easily break down while it is water body for a long time. In this criteria, plastic bio media perform way better compared to ceramic bio media, but only one issue is plastic bio media don't have many micropores on the surface like ceramic-based aquairum filter media.

Longevity: If we use any type of ceramic-based bio-media we need to replace those filter media after 2 years of use, the reason is the micropores in the bio media will be clogged after a few years of use so the best practice is to replace the bio media that is more than 2 years in the filter.

How to choose a quality Aquarium Filter Media? This video is a review of Hygger Aquarium Filter Media. For testing purposes, I got this bio media from Hygger...

08/05/2022

Koi fish are popular aquarium fish in Kerala, and like any other fish, they require proper care to thrive. One important aspect of maintaining healthy koi fish is monitoring the General Hardness (GH) of the aquarium water. GH refers to the concentration of calcium, magnesium, and potassium ions in the water. These electrolytes are essential for the growth and overall health of koi fish.
Through the process of osmoregulation, koi fish absorb electrolytes from the water, similar to how they absorb dissolved oxygen. If the GH levels in the water are not adequate, koi fish may exhibit stunted growth and other health issues. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain proper GH levels to ensure optimal bone density and muscle growth in koi fish.
In addition to koi fish, the GH levels in the aquarium water also affect aquatic plants in a planted tank setup. Potassium, in particular, is a vital nutrient for plants, and low potassium levels can cause stunted growth and yellowing of leaves. Therefore, understanding the relationship between GH, KH, and pH levels is crucial in maintaining a healthy planted tank environment for koi fish and aquatic plants.
Ensuring proper GH levels is crucial for the growth and health of koi fish in Kerala. Monitoring GH, along with other aquarium water parameters, can help maintain a healthy and thriving aquatic environment for both koi fish and aquatic plants.
GH measures the concentration of dissolved electrolytes, including magnesium and calcium, which are essential for koi fish growth and development. Koi fish absorb these electrolytes through osmoregulation, a process similar to how they absorb oxygen. If koi fish in Kerala are not growing as expected, it could be an indication of an issue with GH levels in their habitat.
It is crucial to maintain proper GH levels in Kerala's koi fish habitats to ensure that these fish have the necessary electrolytes for optimal bone density and muscle growth. This will lead to improved health and growth for koi fish in Kerala. By regularly monitoring and adjusting GH levels in koi fish tanks or ponds, aquarists and fish farmers can provide a healthy environment for these beautiful and beloved creatures.
It is necessary to maintain optimal electrolyte concentrations to ensure that koi fish have healthy bone density and muscle growth. By prioritizing GH levels, aquarists and fish farmers can provide the best possible living conditions for their koi fish

For those maintaining a planted tank aquarium in Kerala, it is crucial to understand the significance of potassium as a vital nutrient for plants. Inadequate levels of potassium can lead to stunted growth and yellowing of leaves, adversely affecting the overall aesthetic of the tank.

Furthermore, it is essential to differentiate between KH and GH, which measure distinct parameters in aquarium water. KH determines the total carbonates in the water that help to neutralize acids, whereas GH measures the total electrolytes or salts present in the water, which is essential for fish osmoregulation.

Having a clear understanding of these basic differences can prevent confusion and aid in maintaining a healthy planted tank aquarium in Kerala. By maintaining optimal levels of potassium, KH, and GH, aquarists can ensure the flourishing growth of aquatic plants and maintain a suitable environment for fish to thrive.