setting up your first fish tank(freshwater)

Hi all this is a new segment on how to keep freshwater fish!
Freshwater tanks require lower maintenance and resources are generally easier to find as compared to marine tanks.

I dont only fish but I enjoy keeping fish as well because it's facinating to observe their behaviour and feeding patterns that could be useful information when you fish as well. I'm currently keeping this meow meow known as the Amazonian Redtail Catfish.

let's get started!

starting off is the cost of setting up a fish tank
one time investment that will last you throughout:

1)Fish tank at least 1ft and better if it is bigger----------------------------------$10-$40(basic tank)
2)Filter(back hanging filter is best so far to me for easy cleaning)----------------$10-$20
3)Air Pump(or some filters cater to both)---------------------------------------$5-$10
4)dechlorinator-----------------------------------------------------------------$2-$20
5)Lights (LED are best and most power efficient and saving)--------------------$10-$20
6)Small handheld net------------------------------------------------------------$2-$3
7)gravel cleaner(only for 1ft-2ft tanks with gravel)-------------------------------$3

optional items:

1)aqua plants (cost about $1 each)_____________________________________$1-$5 each
2)gravel(bigger gravel equals easier cleaning)______________________________$3/bag
3)ornaments(make sure they are water safe and not toxic)____________________$ varies

check these basic items off your list and you're all set to create a fish tank!


First/starting fishes
first off,if you're not familiar with keeping fish,do aquire hardy fishes to that can survive any negligence that you think you may make.

Clown loach

Sucker fish(pleco fish)

Cichlids

Pufferfish

Catfish

Tilapia

TYPE OF FOOD

 the type of food to feed your fish should be recommended by the pet,aquarium store that you bought your fish from because that's what they have been feeding the fish for the longest time.
but alittle common sense also goes a long way.carnivorous fishes eat carnivore pellets and herbivorous fish eat algae pellets and etc. I would recommend the ones by "HIKARI" because they cater to a wide variation of fishes and their appetites.

SETTING UP

step 1: 

add the gravel(if any) into the tank and level it well.do not add too much or risk contamination to your tank when fish waste is buried consistently within the gravel.

step 2:
install the hanging filter at the back and fix in the filter media that is provided in the filter package

step 3:
install the air pump and place the tube at the side of the tank so it does not obstruct the fish

step 4:
install the slights and adjust to your preferred angle

step 5: 
Mix water with dechlorinator according to the recommended amount at the back of the dechlorinator bottle. wait for 5-10 mins for the mixture to fully combine(this is important)

step 6: 
add the water into the tank slowly(wont stir up the gravel or press down the plants) or if you aren't so particular with the aquascape so far then just pour in fast.

step 7:
cycling the tank.this part is easy.just let your filter run for 1-2 days in the tank with water before adding the fish in so that beneficial bacteria can grow and the water chemistry is stable (nitrates,ammonia etc.) some people are hardcore and do it for 1-2 weeks even but a small tank doesn't require so much effort and since the first few fishes are hardy,water stability is not much of a concern just yet. ammonia and nitrate testers?not required to me.just remember the weekly water changes and all will be fine.

step 8: 
after cycling the tank for 1-2 days its time to add the fish in.introduce the fishes into the tank one by one to prevent any stress.you may notice that the fish will be very active and will be swimming in a consistent pattern.this is not because they are retarded but because they are getting used to the new environment.give it a day or two and they'll adjust well.

and there you have it,a complete guide on how to set up a freshwater tank!easy to setup.

FOLLOW UPS

follow ups include feeding and maintaining plants(if any)

feeding:

it is important to feed your fish as even hardy fish will easily starve if not kept properly.feed your fishes slowly and allow them to consume small portions per time before adding more.usually the advise is to feed for 5 minutes until the fish doesnt eat anymore.but wrong.if you continuously feed when food isnt finished,the fish will most likely neglect the ones that have sank to the bottom and go for those still dropping from the top.this will increase your waste in the tank greatly.

plants:

this one is easy.ensure your plant receives enough light to stay healthy so turn on the light for at least 4 hours a day(mostly at night) to ensure your plants are healthy and green/red.

MAINTENANCE

Now that your fish tank has probably been running for 5-6 days,it's time to do your weekly maintenance.

step 1: water changes.

water changes are important to rid your tank of fish waste and to ensure that the chemistry of the water is stable.
the size of your tank determines your cleaning method.you can use a gravel cleaner for a 1ft-2ft tank or you can use a small pain to scoop out the water if your tank is very small and barely 1ft long.
simply scoop out 20% of your existing tank water and pour it down the drain cause you'll never need it.mix the water with dechlorinatior again and pour it into the tank. if they tank is very filthy,you can do 50% water changes and let your filter remove the remaining residue in the water. but i usually do a 30% water change(below)

step 2: filter media.check if your filter sponge or media to see if it is filled with residue.if it is extremely dirty,remove and rinse off 90% of it but leave 10% of that dirt as it contains beneficial bacteria in it to run the tank. your filter media must never be 100% clean.

ensure your fishes arent stressed up or look like they are able about to die.if that is seen,that could probably mean that there was insufficent dechlorinator added or that you forgot to feed them.

there you have it,everything you need to know to get you started on your fish keeping hobby.as you get better and better,you'll definitely want a bigger tank and maintenance will be easier from then.

References:
                          hang on filter                                                              Gravel Cleaner/washer

                                 Air pump

 that's all and all the best!

Cheers and peace out!
-Abel

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Pasir Ris Sungei Api Api Bridge catch report

Hi one and all!Abel here again!Why me?because I'm the one who usually takes pictures for documentation purposes!But I'm here to bring you an updates catch report for Pasir Ris for the year 2013 and 2014.

As you've already known, most of our barramundi catches are from Pasir Ris.
Sungei Api Api is a bridge where freshwater and saltwater mix so its basically brackish water.
we'll be sharing the common fishes caught here!

Barramundi!firstly, if you're ever curious if the Barramundi is a fresh or saltwater fish, you must know that they are highly adaptable in both. they are present in brackish water as they migrate upstream to spawn.
It's difficult to believe that such a highly prized fish is so near the coast! Usually the ones that are caught are around 1kg in weight.these are actually juveniles.Adults have the potential to grow up to 10kg or more.
You can catch these fishes in the evening or night.there is no specific feeding time so you'll just have to be present all the way.

this was caught last year and weighs about 1.2kg. Wild barramundi tend to look healthier and "fatter" due to their diet and the fact that they have no space restrictions unlike farm bred ones. they also have a more circular tail as compared to farm bred ones(Pay Ponds) as they  maneuver more freely and develop a stronger and more effective tail design.


Most common and widely available fish in Pasir Ris is the eeltail catfish!I'm sure many have caught them elsewhere in singapore!this specific breed is also highly adaptable in Salt and Fresh water! they dont grow very big and a common size is about 200g or slighly more. Do watch out for the spikes located on the top and side fins. stings are not fatal but they do hurt a lot when you've been pierced.

 these scavenges eat just about anything and can be caught using dead prawns, any smelly fish, worms, chicken liver. Theres no fight but a slight struggling feeling when reeled up.not the best eating quality but goes well with Assam as told by many malay uncles who bring them home.


Next up is the Mangrove jack Snapper. They used to be plenty in Pasir Ris but now on a steep decline because of overfishing here.We were fortunate enough to catch this beautiful specimen for our documentation. It was later safely released. We tend not to keep our fishes if they their population within the area is declining or they are too small to bring back, they are mostly safely released back to grow and thrive.

 Like most snappers they dont usually put up a fight unless they are bigger. They are very common fish in many Pay Ponds but those are of a bigger size.These fishes are more adaptable to Saltwater and brackish but will not do so well in a freshwater environment. they can be caught with live prawns, dead fresh prawns, or whiting fish.

Sagor Catfish. just recently are these fishes caught so near inland and in brackish water.they are under the catergory of Marine Catfish and are found in deeper waters out at sea.they dont grown very big but put up a good fight and dash down when hooked. the Sagor Catfish is like many other catfish,a scavenger.they go for dead and smelly prawns and smelly small fish like kunning or kembong.

This is our biggest Sagor Catfish catch yet.its about the size of one and a half 500ml bottle in length.

it has a shark like appearance and was almost mistaken when being reeled in!hahas

Now this one is one of the craziest fishes yet. The alligator Gar. the only reason when there is a plastic sheet wrapped around it, is to prevent it from thrashing around and cutting me with its sharp scales. The body is as tough as nails and hard to penetrate.this lovely fish was released back to freshwater. It is a juvernile which is hard to believe but these fishes are huge when fully grown. Just to clarify, this fish wasn't caught on rod and reel but trapped on a net by another fisherman. We asked for a picture with it because it's just too nice too pass up!I'm not too sure how this fish ended up here but it could be because it was released by someone who just couldnt keep this fish in his/her tank anymore. needless to say the uncle who netted this fish was encouraged to release it.

Who knows?maybe you'll be the next fortunate person who reels up this fella. 

Sungei Api Api is connected to the mangrove swamp. It is no wonder the swamp eel can be caught here. It is by far the worst and most annoying fish to catch here.they are often gut hooked and your rigs are often coiled up after a fight with this eel. they tend to coil up on your rigs or any structure and do a suicide barrel roll.they grow up to massive sizes and are commonly mistaken as a water snake.they produced this foul smell and slime that repels other fishes.so if you realise a layer of slime on your rig after hooking one of these do change your rig immediately else the rest of the day/night will be quiet for you.

Swamp eels are considered a delicacy to the chinese and often sold in wet markets around singapore. but no thanks,not gonna eat that. released!out of sight out of mind. they too eat anything and will go for prawns and fish meat.

Black eeltail catfish! One of the bigger catfishes that can be caught.they can grow up to 1kg or more! they put up a good fight and struggle. relatively heavy as well. we often use smelly prawns to catch them. Although they look big,they are actually quite skinny. those who have consumed this fish describe it as having a rubbery texture with a slight muddy taste.

 we often release this fish to breed and fight another day. they are mature adults and are essential to allow a sustainable population when they spawn.



The Flathead Goby. the big ones are often mistaken as a legit "flathead fish".
Pardon the blur photo.we try our best to take good sharp ones but night photos are generally more difficult to get a clear shot! the Golden Flathead goby is one of the "bigger" goby species unlike the other variations.
they are quite common if you cast to the mangrove side of the bridge. they usually go for dead fresh prawns.
Some people consider this a good catch and deep fry them to consume.but as long as we're catching them?it'll all be released.

its about the length of a soda can though it can grow slightly bigger.their skin is quite transparent and clear enough to see its veins.

Spotted green Puffers are the most annoying catches yet.they pull hard on the line and can be mistaken as a decent size fish although they are small. they have relatively sharp teeth that can cut though metal hooks and strong lines(even those 50lb and more) Although they are seldom gut hooked, it is still tough to remove the hooks due to the large teeth that reduces visability of the hook. they are considered pest of the sea and most anglers kill them by not releasing them back.but a life is still a life and we do release them.

prawn meat are their favourite and they are top feeders so those using apollo rigs do be weary of them.

Cardinal Fishes are also common at the mangrove side. these greedy little fishes pull the line hard when hooked and can swallow a whole prawn!of course when you reel them up, half the prawn will be sticking out of their mouths.they are common mangrove fish and is differentiated from glass fish by the black spot just infront of the tail.

they have an extendable jaw just like the barramundi!

Barred ponyfish are plenty in Pasir Ris waters. the small ones dont often go for bait. it is mostly caught using a throw net by many anglers. Nothing much to say about this fish but if you plan to catch these,they are found just under the bridge and a tamban rig can be used to attract them. 

The Oyster toadfish can be caught everywhere in singapore.the big ones struggle hard and when they surface,are often mistaken for a grouper at first sight but quickly identified at a toadfish. these are bottom feeders and go for any type of bait.

thats all we've managed to catch but stay tuned for more updates!

cheers and peace out!

-Abel

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