Ornamental Fish Production and Management

3.1.2 Equipments and accessories needed for small scale recreational ornamental fish culture unit

3.1.2 Equipments and accessories needed for small scale ornamental fish farm

Glass / Fibre Glass Tank

 A small tank made of sheetglass/floatglass or transparent fiberglass may be kept in a strong stand made of wood, steel etc. To prevent accumulation of dust particles a hood may be provided. Such hoods will serve as ‘lid’ for the tank.

Accessories for fish tanks:

To beautify aquarium tank, various accessories are used depending on one’s taste and affordability. They are as follows :

Hood

Hood or tank cover is made of glass, wood or tin plate.

Stand:

To keep aquarium tank in position a stand made of wood or metal is required. It must be capable of carrying the weight of tank

Light Source: Aquarium lights to be fixed inside the hood give bright illumination to the inner environment and help to maintain healthy plants and fishes. Direct and excessive sunlight increases water temperature and development of algal bloom. Lamps may be fluorescent tubes, mercury vapour lamps or metal halide lamps. Lighting for 10 to 15 hours a day is considered sufficient for an aquarium of 5 l capacity a lamp with 10 watt is enough.

Heaters:

Heaters are required in cool places where the temperature is less especially during night hours. Heating is most commonly done by using immersion heaters with adjustable thermostat.

Air Pumps and Accessories

In order to keep good water quality in the ornamental tanks and for maintaining the fish in a healthy manner, oxygenation of water is very important. For this purpose, air pumps costing Rs.200 to 500 per piece are available in the market. Air tubes and controlling devices are also needed to regulate the airflow to the system. Air stones are useful for production of small air bubbles and for efficient oxygenation.

Filter

Biofilters and mechanical filters are frequently used to maintain ornamental fish in an aquarium. Some of the filters used in ornamental fish farming include under gravel filter, box filter, poly U filter, power filter, etc. Biofilter can be set up by ornamental fish culturist himself by knowing the principle and by using the easily available raw materials. For institutional establishment and for aquarium maintenance, biofilters coupled with a sump and overhead tank will be of much use. In such flow through systems, a small electric pump (of lesser capacity) will be needed to lift water from sump to overhead tank/filtering units.

Hand Nets

To handle ornamental fishes without subjecting them to injury/diseases, hand nets are very important. Hand nets made of mosquito nets or velon screen or bolting silk are in common use. The brood stock of ornamental fish should normally be handled by hand nets made of velon screen (no.30-40).