Why does anyone start a hobby? What attracts people to hobbies? For some, it is a necessary escape from the mundane or hectic realities of real life; a form of mental relaxation. Finding something we enjoy doing which is outside of our everyday life can contribute to better management of stress and anxiety.
For many, nothing is more relaxing or enjoyable then having an aquarium. The shimmering light effect from the water, the graceful movement of the aquatic plants and animals, and the variety of colours they come in can provide a great sense of tranquility and satisfaction for a hobbyist.
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| Mbuna cichlid from lake Malawi in Africa |
As aquarists progress, they seek out more challenging and rewarding aspects of the hobby. For most, successfully breeding their aquatic pets is the next level. Why? For many fish and other aquatic animals, mimicking the water parameters of their native environment is needed in order induce breeding behaviours. This may involve adjusting water hardness (gH, kH), temperature, and salinity, just to name a few. But the rewards of seeing behaviour rarely seen in captivity drives some to reach this new level in the hobby. For example, female mbuna cichlids from lake Malawi, such as the pseudotropheus saulosi, incubate their eggs in their mouth until the young are able to swim and fend for themselves; usually between 3-4 weeks. However, the eggs are not fertilized by direct contact with the male. Instead, when the female is ready, both fish engage in a breeding dance of sorts, and the female releases her eggs. As the female gathers her eggs, the male lures her with egg spots on the anal fin. As she reaches for the spots, the males releases the sperm and the eggs are fertilized.
In this blog, it is my aim to share my experiences with others who share the same level of satisfaction I receive in caring for, in my opinion, some of the most rewarding and attractive species of aquatic animals; cichlids and freshwater invertebrates. Just as I have gleaned information over the years from many other hobbyists, I hope to contribute what I can to those just entering into this level of the hobby and in turn, perhaps, give back to the hobby that has given me so much enjoyment.
