Back Stage of a Dog Show

1º Chapter “Planning”

This time I decided to do an exhaustive report and exam of what it cost to plan and then go to a Dog Show. I hope in the end the reader can understand what it takes to work and show dogs and all the effort and sacrifice necessary to do it.

So let’s start for the beginning.

1º Choosing to go or not to the Dog Show

Well this Dog Show is the first of 3 exhibits were a dog can win the Champion title or if you prefer the CAC-QC.
So it is natural to make an extra effort to go or you will lose your chance.

I will not bother you saying what I did and what I didn’t do to join the amount necessary to go to this dog show. I will just say that after a lot of analyzing and thinking the decision to go was taken.

2º Planning the time and costs

The next step is to take an idea of time and cost it will take to arrive to the dog show.
At this case, since I am in Algarve and I must go to Porto, it will be something like 7h drive with 3 stop of about 20-30 min for people and dogs to rest and walk a bit, distance 562 km

The Toll will be around 37.55 EUR and Petrol 51.69 EUR

Since I have to go and come back I put 200 EUR – 14h drive just to do this trip

3º Firs preparation - CAR

Since it is a long way I decided to do a full check up to my car, to be prepare and not have surprises (imagine to be broken on the road with 3 dogs). This was a cost of about 165 €

4º Now to pay the dog show and send our inscription in the first deed line

1 hour in the post office and 65 €

5º Find a place to sleep

Since I am not that crazy, make 14 h drive without a rest it is out of the question. So I asked a friend if I could sleep over the night before the dog show and since she kindly said yes, one less expense and something less to be stress about.

Ok this is the first steps for preparing to a dog show and everything is on the move !

2º Chapter “List of Items”

Continuing our last week topic with the Planning of a Dog Show, we now go to do a list of items that we need to take and buy to that dog show.

1º Cleaning the Dogs

Well I think this is the real bases of presenting your dog, the bath.
Since this is a very long trip and I will work full time, this time I decided to ask some professional help to clean my dogs.

But usually this means buying shampoo, conditioner and softener. And be prepare to spend 3 to 4 hours preparing each dog.

In each case I always take with me cleaning towels (the some we use on babies) and conditioner to give shine to the fur before we enter the ring.

Brushes, combs and scissors are always mandatory items to take.

List: shampoo, softener, conditioner, cleaning towels, brushes, combs and scissors

2º Trip safety

I always take a medicine kit with me (I learned that with a dear friend and dog lover), because with dogs we never know and it isn’t the first time they step on something and get hurt.

So before I go I always check if it has all necessary items for the dogs and for people.

List: dressings, gauze, disinfectant, anti-inflammatory, bandages, aspirin, cotton, alcohol

3º Food, Water and Drinks

Ok, you might think, I will buy something or off course we must take food.

But for me it is always a planning ahead since not all food are proper to take for quick or trip meals and you should always take plenty of water and some juices for you, since a dog show is a very long hours standing on your feet.

I also think that an exhibit food, is expensive and isn’t 100 % safe and becoming ill isn’t part of my plans.

Also if you spend a night out, you must take food for your dogs and of course this is mandatory.
Since I also worry with the long hours my dogs are on travel and sometimes waiting to get in, I also take some treats to keep they interested and happy.

List: sandwiches, juice, water, food for dogs, cookies, fruit, biscuits, coffee, treats,…

Ok this is my list of what I have to check and stock before I go on my way

3º Chapter “Final Preparations”

Continuing our last two weeks topics with the start at the Planning of a Dog Show, following List of Items necessary to take to a Dog Show we now go to the last details before we get in the car and go.

1º Training

As you can guess, at this time we already have some weeks of intense ring or handling training.

The main, in my opinion, is to make the dogs stay on the stand position for a long time and this has to be trained several times.

2º Clothe

Since I handle and show my dogs I have to be careful in choosing the clothes. If necessary it has to be send to the cleaner.

I start to use a different outfit out of the ring and during the trip.

3º Leashes, coolers and dog bowls

Yes yes it is straight forward ... but I once forgot the leashes and was quite upset with myself.
So has soon I can I put on my trip bag. Also take an extra leash just in case one breaks.

4º Sleeping bag and blankets

One of the pleasures of sleeping out of the house is to use the sleeping bag and make an adventure from that.

The blankets is for the dogs to have their one sleeping place and to cover the boxes at the exhibit if and unnecessary noise.

5º Money and Documents

At this stage is to put the necessary amount and dogs, car and exhibit documents at our travel bag.

Don’t forget to check if all vaccines are up to date.

6º Fuel

Fill the car deposit on the day before and you avoid that extra minutes at the beginning of the trip.

Ok, now it is just go to the road and bring lots of prizes.

4º Chapter“Dog Show”

Continuing our last three weeks topics with the start at the Planning of a Dog Show, following List of Items necessary to take to a Dog Show, and finally Final Preparations we now go to the event itself.

As you can imagine a seven hour drive trip is not easy and when we drive alone, more difficult it becomes. But having dogs with you make thinks more enjoyable since you have to stop more times, walk with them and give them water, so in the end, the trip seams more light and enjoyable.

Anyway, like I said in the beginning of this set of posts, the main goal of this dog show is to achieve the long desired C.A.C.-Q.C. that give us, together with three C.A.C. the most wanted title of Champion of Portugal (CH PT) and so this dog show is extra important, since is one of three along the year that give us that chance.

Of course this means that everyone that desires the title, is there to try also to win, and that creates more competition and more difficult to get it.



For my enormous joy, Angel, my Red Merle Australian Shepherd was one of the ones granted with this prize and therefore she is now Champion of Portugal.

And like in all of this important occasions a special thanks to some people is in order.

To our veterinarian, Dr. José Carlos of Zoolagos, that has the patience for all my questions and naughty behavior of my four leg children.

To our handling teacher, Joana Gonçalves, that has the patience to keep teaching and incentive me to continue going to this events.

To our training center, CIC Lagos, where my Angel goes to take out her stress and enormous energy.

And finally to this occasion washer and groomer that took the mud and dirt out of my dogs (and this time they were really dirty) Mr. Carlos Alves from Myfriend Petshop.

And finally I personally give a thank you to God who grant me the pleasure of sharing my live with this small four leg people who stand everything of their owner.

The importance of writing a blog

Image source http://www.bringpetshome.com

I am being confronted, specially in the dog breeding area, about the importance and impact of writing a blog.

I hope with this article to show to lovers and friends of our four leg pets what is the importance and best points in writing and having a blog.

• 1º Opportunity

A blog provides to people the opportunity to show and show their work.
In the search in showing more they also have an incentive and motivation in continuing and improving the work they have done.

• 2º Advertise

I imagine a blog as a newspaper, where we publish every week the latest news about work work or area of interested.

• 3º Distribution

Since a blog it is a newspaper it is also important to distribute it in several communities and give several different people the opportunity to read and know your articles.
Communities like DIHITT, PTNOTICIAS, DIGG, MIXX, offer this king of audience and permit to advertise and get readers to our articles.
Some communities like DIHITT, have a speaking Portuguese audience with na high level of interaction.

Image source http://www.caica.org

• 4º Write in English

Yes, I am Portuguese and like most Portuguese I love to read and write in my birth language, but is it enough? I think the answer is obviously not and since English is the recognized universal language it is also evident that we should try to use it.
At this moment my blog was seen in 31 different countries and I feel a little pride about that achievement.

• 5º Expense

The expense is very low or none, since there is the opportunity to create free blogs. I think the worst is the time and enough dedication required to update and create original In my case I always try to be unique and it is the planning and work around the article that gives me pleasure.

• 6º Feedback

Since the blog is a fast tool to create and submit new articles, receive comments and analyse searches and views, it is also a fast way to provide readers feedback about our work.


Friends, breeder, owners and in the end four leg lovers, try to teach, learn and in the end to be more. Maybe that way we can start having conscience owners, responsible breeders and much more people interested to have more then a simple pet and therefore to create more opportunities to have more people working with our beloved long time companions, the dogs.

Other Publish Articles:

• Dogs and children
• Choosing a puppy
• Receiving a new puppy
• Aussie - Australian Shepherd (Origin, Characteristics, Temper and Care)
• Golden Retriever (Origin, Characteristics, Temper and Care)
• Some tips to prepare a dog (Grooming)

Dogs and Children

A) Bring a Dog to a family with children

Many people think that to have children automatically gives them a good reason to have a dog, and they are right, it is a very good reason, but can’t be the only reason.

Children that grow up with pets, leaving and passing time with them, are proven to be more responsible, less selfish and happier out going children.

This is definitely a good reason to have a dog, but what happens when children loose interest or change their attention to something else? Well this is why we can’t bring a dog to our homes just thinking about our children, but also thinking that the dog is our responsibility and it is our family member and therefore is with us that he/she will stay until the end of their natural life.

Ok, now that we have in mind that the dog will be with us and will be our family member, what is the right way to make then relate to children? The first thing I do is a speech with my son and I explain all that is involved in having a puppy dog:

1)the toys that will be destroyed if he isn’t careful with then

2) the house that will be dirty and he has to help in cleaning

3) the way he has to deal with the dog without hurting but being also firm

4) the places were the dog is allowed to go

5) the feeding time that it is off limits to my son

6) the time he has to spend playing and going out with the dog

7) the money and therefore the sacrifices he has to make in not asking for some things to be bought

Ok, now that we all agree with the points before, it is important to keep them and respect them. My son is now 6 years, but since the age of 3 he makes tasks at home related with the dogs (a good way to take him out of the tv and video games) and we have days of the week to training and taking the dogs in walks.

I also make a point to celebrate the special occasions, like Birthdays and Christmas, with my dogs to remind my son that they are family members also very important to be reminding off.

Dogs are social members and so they know by instinct how to live in group. In order to respect children has high group members, the children must be taught to respect dogs, to not scream at them, not hit them or throw things at then. A calm and, most of the times, natural going way around dogs is the most advisable way from them to interact.

I am also adding to this, that at this point of my life I already change house 3 times and pass through 3 jobs and a divorce. In any time my dogs were in question and they are always considered in any decision I take.

B) Children and strange dogs on the street

When a child grows up with a dog starts to thing that every dog on the street is like the one he has at home. This is something that we must teach in early age, not to touch or play with dogs that we don’t know or haven’t be introduce to.

The proper way is to ask the parent and the owner if it is ok, and then to show the back of the hand to the dog, let him smell and in the end to pet him on the side.

Only dogs with leash or with the owner near him are allowed dogs to my son to ask to pet and possibly play.

The games with strange dogs don’t include lay down on the ground, throw things at the dog, bend over the dog or to clime in any way to the dog. Dogs must be respected!

At home I never let my son alone with the dogs and in every occasion I always tell him to not hurt, scream or throw objects at the dogs. He likes to play fetch with the dogs and this is allowed with my supervision, since my dogs are big and can hurt my son in the middle of the excitement.

C) Bring a baby into a family with dogs

When a couple has a dog and decides to have a baby they must realize that the time will be shorter, the routine will be different, the responsibility will be grater and the money will be less, but the dog must not be in any moment a variable to be discarded.

The first thing we must do at home is to start to limit the dog to the space that will belong to the baby. That way, months before, he will not strange when the baby comes and he will not be allowed to enter in some rooms.

Next is to realize that the 2 months before birth and 3 months after birth the mother will have her time full with the small baby and therefore, the other partner has to do more to take care of his four leg friend.

Finally, babies aren’t toys and therefore shouldn’t be neglected or left unattended anywhere at the house and specially around animals or strange people. It is our obligation to look after our children and if something happens to them it is mainly our fault and definitely not our pet fault that didn’t ask for such a strange thing to come to their life.

Babies don’t smell like people, don’t look like people and definitely don’t sound like people. Even if our pet identifies a baby like a puppy, will treat like one and most of the things like grabbing, screaming, biting and walk away isn’t allowed on puppies and the mother grab them by their necks to punish or bring them closer, something that doesn’t do well with babies.

It is in our hands to teach both dogs and children to share their life’s and respect each other, sharing space and the group.

You can also find this article on our website

Other Publish Articles:

• Choosing a puppy
• Receiving a new puppy
• Aussie - Australian Shepherd (Origin, Characteristics, Temper and Care)
• Golden Retriever (Origin, Characteristics, Temper and Care)
• Some tips to prepare a dog (Grooming)

Some tips to prepare an Australian Shepherd for a special event

I will give in this article some hints that I use to prepare one of my dogs for a special occasion like a dog show or a visit to children.

The brushes and combs are essential for the removal of the sub-hair and release the fur.



These are the 2 scissors that I use to trim the hair and keep it strait. Both scissors and combs must be careful handled to not hurt the dog.The best way to train a dog is to praise and reward a lot and the experience will be good for both dog and owner.


Bath


Personally I like to give bath in the bathtub with warm water.

If I am in the summer I first use bug shampoo, then normal shampoo, and finally soft conditioner.

In winter I only use normal shampoo and soft conditioner.

The most important is to pass a lot of water to clean all shampoo and conditioner traces.


Drying


After drying well with the towel dry well with drier.

The Aussies are dry brushing horizontally back and the Goldens are dry brushing vertically down.

There are some products on the market that give brightness / smell to the hair. I apply this before to be well dried and then I finish drying.

Trimming



The ears I choose to trim inside cutting the long hair, around to get I neat look and behind to bee neat with the collar.







The paws I trim the hair in the middle of the cushions, around toes and behind until the finger that is on the top.













This picture is the usual fan shape that I push and trim behind the front paw.

The back paw I trim to be strait.




The tail is not usual in Aussies, so I choose to do like in Goldens leaving a nice fan shape.

In the back, middle of legs, beneath I push and trim the hair to be round without points.

In the end we have a nice looking dog.

You can find this and other articles also in our website: http://www.casacalado.com/

Receiving a new puppy

There are few points that we must consider when we receive anew puppy in our home.
1) Receiving


When a puppy enters in an unknown home he feels a crash, since he left the known environment to a total strange one, without the dog family elements that he know.

His welcome must be warm and we must remember that we are dealing with a leaving bean that needs understanding.

My advice is that in the first two nights the owner stays with the puppy during the night at his sleeping place. This will get him to feel comfortable and knows the owner and the home..

I also advice to spend at least two days with the puppy and leave him alone for short periods of time.


2) Presentation

If there are other residents in your home, like cats, dogs, children … ,the presentation must be gradual and always in the owner presence.
Introducing to children, must also be slowly and gradual, since the puppy in in growing stage and any injuring may be a defect for the rest of his life.

Never live them alone without supervising !

3) Feeding

The bolds should be inox for three reasons, avoid destruction, there last longer and must more easy to keep clean.

The puppy should go to the new family with a sac of ration that usually eats. To introduce a different food, this must be gradually, since puppies are very sensitive to food changes-

The introduction starts with a few grains in a mug full during a week. Then 10 %, plus is ration. After 15 % … And so on until total replacement.

The number of meals until he reaches 6 months should be at least 2 and in the max 4.

O número de refeições até aos 6 meses deve ser entre no mínimo 2 e no máximo 4.

Never leave the food at his disposal!

Try always to feed the puppy after you have eaten and then remove the mug. This is enforcement for your owner position.

Always leave plenty of water at his disposal!

4) Hygiene

In order to schedule is needs the meals should be at regular ours.

Also you should brush the fear regularly so to keep in good conditions and avoid to many baths. The brushing is a way to increase the relation between owner-dog !

5) Veterinarian

Always follow the dates to vaccine your pet and to make parasites prevention!

Keep inform about the best ways to protect annual your pet.

The puppy should not go out or take a bath until all vaccine taken.



6) Entertainment

If the puppy is going to be kept alone for some period of time always leave some toys that allows him to play and bite (be careful with plastics).

To leave the radio or TV on can also help your puppy to feel least alone.

Keep some specials toys, like balls, for only when you play with your dog. This help to strong your relation with your dog.

7) Out

After all vaccination done you are going to want to take your puppy to all the paces were you go.

Always use a leach and collar with identification. Even in places that seam more isolated, keep the leach at hand, since its use is mandatory and avoid conflicts with people/dogs.

Respect the space of other dogs and persons!

Take with you bags to catch your dog droppings. Respect the space that is for all of us!

Inside the car use a proper leach or a net to keep your dog in a restricted area.



8) Rules

All leaving beans that leave in socity need rules to keep a good relation between each member.

Try to create some rules, that all family respect, to create a clear and pleasent enviroment for your puppy.

a) Sleep – Create a space, like a bed or crate, for your puppy to sleep. Respect the space, keep the children far away and not use it to punish.

b) meals – The meals should be taken in a pre-stabelish regular schedule, where the owners eat first and right after the dog.

c) Hygine – Teach your puppy to releaf in pre-estabelish place. The place can have newspapper, send, ... Do not force him to wait a very long time to go out. Create a SCHEDULE! They are leaving BEANS!

d) Interdiction – Create barries (like a board) that define place that he can’t access in the house. This rule must be resoected for all family members!

e) Repreending – Many repremends can be made just with a strong NO and a isolated punishment. Be consistent and maintain the pusishment for several minuts for him to UNDERSTAND!

f) Ariiveing home – For your puppy to learn not to jump on people, ignore this behaviour and make your rotine until he calms down. After he IS quite for a few minutes call him and great him strongly.

7) Exercíce – All dogs need exercice, but depending on the breed (study this caracteristic) this can be greather or less. Any way a daily walk is good for your dog and you.

8) Teach – All dogs can and should be teach, at least the basic concepts, like NO, STAY and SEAT.
Try to teach understanding your dog needs and without physical punishment. Consult professionals !

Golden Retriever



Origin

It is believed that the origin of this breed is related with the effort of a English lord, Lord Tweedmouth 1835, to select a docile dog, easy to teach and that retrieved his hunted peaces with damaging them.

Characteristics

This docile medium dog has for main characteristic the tenderness and friendship witch deals with people. In fact this can even been a down side, since they are dogs that don’t sea any evil and therefore lousy guards, since they trust anyone.

Can be placed in a yard, but prefers to be with his owners, as part of a family member. His docile, attempt and adapt component made then perfect adapt to the owners disposition and ideal companions for children.

His big down side is the need to retrieve any object and the paixon to gnaw anything that is in his reach.

Easy to teach and please, made them one of the favourites for jobs for dogs.

They need daily attention to make them happy, where can be included the task to brush them, since they have long hear.

Consideration

SIZE: The ideal size is 56-61 cm for males and 51-56 cm for females.

COR: Any ton between crem and gold.

Coat: Texture and size medium.

Other references

http://www.thegoldenretrieverclub.co.uk/

The Golden Retriever Club

Aussie - Australian Shepherd


Origin

The origin of this breed as generate a lot of discussion and controversial, but what is settled is it's recognition came from America.
It is believe that the Aussie origin were the shepherd dogs that settled brought to the New World, were breading was made with the only goal to bring up it's working characteristics, shepherd, guard and fast thinking.

The main impellor to the recognition of this dogs was an actor/trainer, Jay Sisler, of shows that use Aussies, or Blue Dogs as were the now, as show partners.

Only in 18 of April pf 1991, Australian Shepherd was recognized as a bread by American Kennel Club.

Characteristics

Aussie is a owner devoted dog that needs training, attention and contact with people.
It isn't a dog to put aside in the yard !

It is a dog that follows the owner through every room and loves to lay down at his feet. This characteristic may be rewarding, since we are never alone, and we have always some one near us, but can also be disturbing, since implies too have a shadow that needs attention and even follow us to the WC.

Dew to his strong working genetic component, this breed needs exercise, attention and training. If that isn't done or even not follow every day, the Aussies may became destructive or imagine form of escape or other ways to reach what he wants.

They are atletic, curiose dogs, great for physical activities, like agility, frisbee, flyball ...

Guard and alert for presence of strangers and even defend in case of invasion of their territory.

Don't adapt well to sedentary life and only tolerate a residence in a apartment if follow by a dedicated owner that is ready for physical activities.

Their quick thinking many times overcomes the owner.

Has many hear and is a moderate shaver that requires regular brushing.

Consideration

SIZE: The ideal size is 51-58 cm for males and 46-54 cm for females.

COR: Blue-merle, Red-merle, black, and red his colors, with or without white spots and/or cobber spots. The white collar must not go below the cernelha. The white is tolerated in the neck (partial or forming a complete collar), in chest, legs, lower face, straps in head, and may go lower part until reaches 10 cm measure horizontally by elbow. The head white must not dominate the eyes that must be surrounded by colorful areas. The Merles, characteristically become darker with age.

Coat: Texture and size medium.

Other references

American Kennel Club

http://www.akc.org/breeds/australian_shepherd/index.cfm

Australian Shepherd Club of America

http://www.asca.org/

Is an Australian Shepherd the Right Dog for You?By Liz Palika

http://www.lizpalika.com/rightdog.html

Books about the breed:

The Australian Shepherd: Champion of Versatility
by Liz Palika (2003, Howell Book House).

All About Aussies: The Australian Shepherd from A to Z by Jeanne Joy Hartnagle-Taylor

Choosing a puppy

Before choosing to have a puppy, a few considerations must be done:

1. Home

The home were the dog will leave is fundamental in choosing a dog. This doesn't mean to consider only the size or type of home (apartment, farm, …), but also if it is accessible or not to the dog.
For instance, the owner may have a big house, but if the dog only can access the yard, then it's home is the yard.
If the owner have a small apartment, but the dog only be there small periods of time, and in the remaining time is with the owner outside, as a companion in work and pleasure, them will be a dog that lives inside a house.

2. Availability

Dogs are essentially social animals that like to live in a group.
There are some races that tolerates better outside alone live, and other that needs company of people or other animal.
The owner availability time, has a big weight, since if he is absence a long period of time, will have to choose races that better adapts to this absence or to choose to have several dogs (sometimes cats and dogs also form family groups).

To live on a farm or yard doesn't mean that the owner doesn't spend time with the dog, since it is important the time spent for him to feel connected to the owner and part of a family.

3. Job

Dogs through time form partnerships with people, and were bread and trained to this jobs.
So we have breeds for pasturing, guard, hunt, company, ...
So some breeds don't leave well confined and without a job. For instance a Perdigueiro Português wouldn't be happy confined in a apartment.
This doesn't mean that isn't possible to have a kind of a breed, but means that training or some exercise, like agility, must considered.
The study and analysis of a bread must be done before buying that breed.

4. Maintenance

The maintenance of a healthy dog has some expensives that must be considered.

a) Feeding

Dogs should be fed with their on food and people left overs are not suitable for dogs.
The breeder or veterinarian are the best people to inform the owner about the food that should be given during the dog life.

b) Veterinarian

Every dog should be vaccine and desparitize annually.
Sickness and health problems, like in people, can also appear in a dog and some times this can be quite expensive.

c) Hygiene

Apartment dogs have more expenses, since is necessary to buy proper bags to collect droppings in the street or to traine the dog to use a place, like a sand box.
But farm or yard dogs also need cleaning of the dropping site, witch implies trash bags and cleaning with detergents.


5. Training

Some breeds imply more work and dedication by the owner for their training and socialization with people and other animals.
All dogs should have basic training, that can be or not administrated by the owner.

6. Breeding

To breed a dog is not something light, since implies expensive health tests (like genetic diseases, dysphasia, eyes,… ); expensive with correct feeding of the mother and regular visits to the veterinarian to watch the pregnancy mother and after birth health; feeding and vaccination of the puppies; and the possibility of not having a proper owner or devolution of the puppy.
After all considerations, the choice of mother and father must be made with careful and analyses, in order to keep the race standards and have healthy puppies with good personalities.

Steps to mount a sweet water aquarium

1. Ecosystem

Before mounting an aquarium we have to be awere what kind of fish we intend.
Every type of fish as his needs, specially concerning to the ecosystem and aquarium size.
There are fishes that leave in a habitat of rocks, others of send, or Amazon or even swamp. This fishes have to be also consider as aquarium companions or even what kind of plants to use.
After the habitant choice, we can go to the next step, equipment.

2. Equipment

The equipment is compose by 3 elements:

a) Thermostat

Basically is to keep the water temperature. This can change depending on the fish and plants kept, but normally should be kept about 28ºC.



Attention – Disconnect the electricity, before removing it from water

b) Filter

Basically is used to filter and oxigenate the aquarium water, and should be clean in a regular bases.

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Some filters work through resins, ceramic, coal and sponge. The sponge filter, must be changed when the sponge is dark with dirt. The coal must be changed 6 to 6 months.

c ) Light

Imitates sun light, and it’s intensity must match the needs of plants or fiches. Normally, 8 h period of exposure is enouph.



We can, depending of the needs equipment for CO2, that adds some feeding complement to the plants. Also a circulation pomp may add some oxygen to the water.

3. Substratum

Now that we chosen our aquarium and have the basic equipment, the substratum must be chosen, that is, what is going to be the bottom of the aquarium. There are several choices:
a) Coral gravel for alcaline ecosystem like Lake Malawi

b) Send for sendy river fishes

c) Fertilizer or plant base necessary for plants to grab on

d) River gravel, that can be thick, medium or skinny

4. Mounting

Finally mounting !

First all is washed with running water. The gravel must be well washed or the aquarim water won’t be clean.

Attention: Never use detergents or any other product that isn’t indicated for aquarium

After the aquarium is placed in the chosen place. Do not put near a window.
The gravel, filter, light, and thermostat are placed (only after full with water the equipment is turn on)

The aquarium should stay about 15 days only full of water and with the equipment working, were the temperature should be controlled. In this days the decoration, like rocks and other can be chosen.

5. Plants

After 15 days, with filters and temperature stabilized, it is time to add the first plants.

At this time the location, light and fertilizers must be considered.

Plants are leaving beans that have needs and should be respected.

http://www.tropica.com/default.asp

Between plants and fish, 3 days should be given for plants to recover for the transplantation.


6. Fish

Finally we arrive to fish.

Before choosing fish on the store, a few basic rules must be considered:

a) Companions and aquarium habitat
b) Fish characteristics like size
c) How many time is in the store (ideal should be 15 days)
d) Store aquarium, if it is clean and looks good
e) Fish skin and flippers.
f) Any sick companions or with bad look
g) Store water characteristics

After buying we have to be careful to fish introduction, since a choque can cause his death.
So, leave the fish in the bag inside of the aquarium at least 5 m, so he accustoms to the temperature. After that time add some aquarium water to the bag and wait another 5 m.
Now we can let them free. Do not add the store water to your aquarium !
In the first day it is normal that the fish doesn’t eat hides. This should respected, since the huge stress can cause sickness and even kill the fish..

7. Feeding

Fish and plants need to be fed. To plants a fertilizer should be had 15 to 15 days and a weekly change 10% of water should be done.
Fish can be fed with flakes, frozen food or alive food. A mix of several foods should be given for a healthy fish.

8. Maintenance

Now that the ecosystem is mounted and working a few rules should be follow:
a) When we feed the fish, all the food should be eaten and no remains should be left on the aquarium bottom.
b) Check if the equipment is working properly
c) Watch the fish to see if there are any health problems.
d) Change 10% water every week
e) Drop fertilizer for the plants every 15 days
f) See, if it is a sponge filter, needs to be changed or washed.
g) If it is a coal filter, change the coal after 6 months.

9. Sickness

Like us, fish also are subjected to sickness, and many times this is introduced with new fish or by our hands.
To detect an observation is the key. Changing flippers, lost of appetite, changing colors, changing on the skin, … are some symptoms that we can detect in our little friends.
Some times they can be treated, but not always this happens.

Livebearers

Description

Livebearers are fish that don’t lay eggs, but give birth to tiny live fish.

They are easy fish to breed and keep, because they are little demanding about the water conditions.

Usually they only need a well-planted aquarium, temperature about 25º-28º, a balanced diet and weekly partial (10%) water changed, to keep this fish healthy and during a long time.

The great attractive about this kind of fish is it’s coloration (yellow, blue, red, orange, white, black, …) and easiness to breed.

Feeding

They are not demanding fish, but we must take care to offer then a balanced diet.

The diet may consist in dry food, flakes, baby brine, Microworms, Daphnia, Grindal Worms.

Breeding

Livebearers are fish easy to breed and normally its only necessary to have a male and several females, for us to have young fish swimming around.
But dew to the easiness of breeding, the parents don’t have any parent care in relation to their fry, thus is necessary to have some care in order to have some survivors.


There is, mainly, two methods to increase the rate of fry survival:
1ª) Maternities: Consists in setting a fish support (it is very common in any pet shop), where the female is placed until delivery.
Personally, we do not have a good opinion on this method, because a great percentage of the times, the females leave themselves to die or give birth before delivery time, which is a consequence of the stress being confined to a place smaller and different of they environment.

2ª) Hiding places: Consists in a very planted aquarium with rocks and other decoration that allows the fry to hide.
This method is mainly used, not only for supplying more natural and free stress environment, but because it seems to reduce the mortality of the mothers. In other end, we have a considerable reduction of fry survival.



The livebearers females are easily to distinct from the males, due to their large bellies (mainly when they are pregnant) and when they are ready to deliver, a dark spot can be seen in the end of the belly, witch is the eyes of the babies.

Desieses

Poor water conditions are the main reason for fish stress and therefore for the creation of ideal conditions for the beginning of desieses.



Follows below a brief description of some livebearers illnesses:

Columnaris (Mouth fungus)

Symptom: Whit fungus around the mouth, that sometimes, may appear in the body and fish fin.

Treatment: Usually is caused bay fish stress and poor water conditions. For treatment use anti-bacterial medicines.


Wasting Disease

Symptom: Shrinking of the belly, loss of weight, lost of vitality and shrunk fins.

Treatment: Flagyl or internal remover of parasites.


Ictio

Symptom: Small white spots that provoke tingle.

Treatment: Raise water temperature and use anti-fungus medicines. It exists in the market medicines that relate the treatment against this illness.


Velvet

Symptom: Tingle, lethargy, appetite loss and weight, gasping breath, fins leaned against the body and white or yellowish velvet in the skin.

Treatment: Raise temperature of the aquarium, reduce illumination and use copper sulphate. It exists in the market medicines that relate the treatment against this illness.