Carp Aquarium And Fish Care

Carp have been the favored pets of people for centuries.  There are several factors which help to create a good living environment for carp including water pH, water temperature, and diet. Asia has been famous for a long time for its interest in carp as a sign of strength, beauty, and virility. Today, we will examine several species from the region and provide tips on proper care of carp.

In environments as varied as streams, ponds, and drainage areas, dwells a most incredible fish, the Asiatic Tooth carp. Known by their scientific name Genera Aplochelilus and Oryzias, Asiatic tooth carp enjoy water temperatures that are generally between 70 degrees and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The carp reside near the surface of the water and do not like water that is very hard or high in alkaline.

Because they live near the surface, Asiatic tooth carp have easy access to mosquito larvae and other relates food sources. while they do eat and enjoy dry fish foods from time to time, it is important to continue feeding carp some of their natural fare while they are in captivity.

These carp enjoy living in small and medium sized tanks that contain about 10 gallons of water at the most. They really love moderately hard and fairly acidic water where organic deposits grow freely. Waters that have high peat contents ought to have floating plants, lime-free fine gravel and plants with fine leaves.

The Spawning Process
The Tooth Carp produces spawn that grow very quickly. Over a period of three weeks, the Tooth carp will mate daily and lay a small number of eggs. While still in the spawn stage, the adults will not hurt the young, however, once the larvae have hatched and become fry, the adults will eat their own young.

If you wish to save some of the fry, remove the parents from the tank prior to the larvae hatching. A second option is to remove the larvae and place them in a separate tank with lots of plants. The first option is usually chosen simply because it is easier.

Once they have hatched, you will want to sort through the fry by size and remove a few in order to prevent cannibalism.


The Dwarf of Green Panchex
Dwarf of Green Panchax, a close relative of the Tooth Carp is also referred to by some as Panchax Parvus. Normally the fish is found in the seas surrounding Ceylon and India and is part of the Aplocheilus Blocki group.

The mature Green Dwarf is 1 3/4" in length which makes it a perfect aquarium fish. The fish is green-yellow in color and has rows of yellow and red markings. Tank water is great for this fish as its native home waters are warm.

They will usually eat both live and dried foods. When you want to breed the Dwarf, make sure the water is 78 degrees.

The best way to successfully breed Dwarfs is to use two males and a small harem of females in the process.

Geisha Girl Medaka
From further to the East, in Japan, comes the cousin of the Dwarf of Green Panchax, the Geisha Girl Medaka, whose scientific name is Oryzias latipes. It is also nicknamed the Ricefish or Japanese Medaka due to it's country of origin. It is a fish that is almost colorless like the rice that is the main staple of Japan, which may also help explain the nickname Ricefish. The fish is about 1/2 inch long.

The females are smaller and rounder than their male counterparts, with rounded fins which make them easy to spot. Slightly acidic waters are the best for the Medaka.

If you have acidic water, it is suggested that you mix about 1 teaspoon of salt in 3 gallons of water to improve the pH balance.

The Geisha Girl Medaka can live in waters that are as cool as 75 degrees or as warm as 80 degrees. However, the optimal temperature is 78 degrees.

As for their diet, the Geish Girl medaka is not a picket eater. She will eat just about anything.