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| − | [[image:aquarium6.jpg|thumb|left|200px|A freshwater aquarium.]] | + | {{Taxobox | color = pink |
| | + | | name = ''Poecilia sphenops'' |
| | + | | regnum = [[Animalia]] |
| | + | | phylum = [[Chordata]] |
| | + | | classis = [[Actinopterygii]] |
| | + | | ordo = [[Cyprinodontiformes]] |
| | + | | familia = [[Poeciliidae]] |
| | + | | genus = ''[[Poecilia]]'' |
| | + | | species = '''''P. sphenops''''' |
| | + | | binomial = ''Poecilia sphenops'' |
| | + | }} |
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| − | Fishkeeping is a popular [[hobby]] concerned with keeping [[fish]] in the home [[aquarium]] or garden [[pond]].
| + | '''''Poecilia sphenops''''' is a species of fish, of the genus ''[[Poecilia]]'', known under the common name '''Molly'''. They inhabit the coastal brackish and marine waters of Mexico. |
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| − | The hobby can be broadly divided into three specific disciplines, [[freshwater]], [[brackish water | brackish]], and [[sea | marine]] fishkeeping. '''Freshwater fishkeeping''' is by far the most popular branch of the hobby, with even small pet stores often selling a variety of freshwater fish, such as [[goldfish]], [[guppy | guppies]], and [[freshwater angelfish | angelfish]]. While most freshwater aquaria are set up as '''community tanks''' containing a variety of peaceful species, many aquarists keep single-species aquaria with a view to breeding. [[Live-bearing_aquarium_fish | Livebearing]] fish such as mollies and guppies are among the species that are most easily raised in captivity, but aquarists also regularly breed numerous other species, including many types of [[cichlid]], [[catfish]], [[characin]], and [[killifish]].
| + | This species is the ancestor of the Black Molly, a [[melanism|melanistic]] breed which is black all over. It is one of the most well-known aquarium fishes and nearly as easy to keep and prolific as guppies (for optimal health and breeding success, they demand fresh vegetable food like algae). There are several other popular breeds, like the golden molly nicknamed "24 [[karat]]", or the balloon molly, which however has a deformed spine and a decreased lifespan due to the associated health problems. Also, breeds with altered dorsal fin structures like lyretails exist. The wild form is in fact quite rarely kept, as it has a rather plain silvery coloration suffused with brown and green hues. If given good care with ample sunlight, high water temperatures and fresh vegetables, they will, however, prove charming fish who make up for their somewhat plain coloration with their lively behavior. |
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| − | '''Marine aquaria''' are generally more difficult to maintain and the livestock is significantly more expensive, and as a result this branch of the hobby tends to attract more experienced fishkeepers. However, marine aquaria can be exceedingly beautiful, due to the attractive colours and shapes of the [[corals]] and [[coral reef]] fish kept in them. Temperate zone marine fish are not as commonly kept in home aquaria, primarily because they do not do well at room temperature. An aquarium containing these coldwater species usually needs to be either located in a cool room (such as an unheated basement) or else chilled using a [[refrigeration]] device known as a 'chiller'. | + | The common molly can produce fertile hybrids with many ''Poecilia'' species, most importantly the [[Sailfin Molly]]. In the case of black hybrids, they are called Midnight Molly. These are very popular due to their impressive dorsal fins, but require a bit more attention and have a somewhat decreased lifespan. |
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| − | '''Brackish water aquaria''' combine elements of both marine and freshwater fishkeeping, reflecting the fact that these aquaria contain water with a salinity in between that of freshwater and seawater. Fish kept in brackish water aquaria come from habitats with varying salinity, such as [[mangroves]] and [[estuaries]] and do not do well if permanently kept in freshwater aquaria. Although brackish water aquaria are not overly familiar to newcomers to the hobby, a surprising number of species prefer brackish water conditions, including the [[Poecilia | mollies]], many [[gobies]], some [[pufferfish]], and virtually all the [[Sole_%28fish%29 | freshwater soles]].
| + | {{fish-stub}} |
| | + | [[Category:Live-bearers]] |
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| − | Fishkeepers are often known as '''aquarists''', since many of them are not solely interested in keeping fish. Many fishkeepers create freshwater aquaria where the focus is on the [[aquatic plants]] rather than the fish. Though known as the 'Dutch Aquarium' in some circles, in reference to the pioneering work carried out by European aquarists in designing these sorts of aquaria, one of the most active advocates of the heavily planted aquarium is the Japanese aquarist [[Takashi Amano]]. Marine aquarists very often attempt to recreate the coral reef in their aquaria using large quantities of [[living rock]], porous calcareous rocks encrusted with algae, sponges, worms, and other small marine organisms. Larger corals as well as shrimps, crabs, echinoderms, and molluscs are added later on, once the aquarium has matured, as well as a variety of small fish. Such aquaria are sometimes called '[[reef tank |reef tanks]]'.
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| − | | + | [[fr:Molly]] |
| − | Garden ponds are in some ways similar to freshwater aquaria, but are usually much larger and exposed to the ambient climatic conditions. In the tropics, tropical fish can be kept in garden ponds, but in the cooler regions goldfish, [[koi]], and [[orfe]] are kept instead.
| + | [[pl:Molinezja ostrousta]] |
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| − | == The origins of fishkeeping ==
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| − | Fish have been raised as food in pools and ponds for thousands of years. In Medieval Europe, [[carp]] pools were a standard feature of estates and monasteries, providing an alternative to meat on [[Calendar of saints | feast days]] when meat could not be eaten for religious reasons. Similarly, throughout Asia there is a long history of stocking [[rice paddies]] with freshwater fish suitable for eating, including various types of catfish and cyprinid. Particularly brightly coloured or tame specimens of fish in these pools have sometimes been valued as pets rather than food, and some of these have given rise to completely domesticated varieties, most notably the goldfish and the koi carp, which have their origins in China and Japan respectively. Wild-caught fish have been similarly valued for centuries, and many wealthy [[Romans]] kept [[lamprey | lampreys]] and other fish in large pools. [[Cicero]] reports that the [[advocate]] [[Hortensius | Quintus Hortensius]] wept when a favoured specimen died, while [[Tertullian]] reports that Asinius Celer paid 8000 sesterces for a particularly fine [[mullet]].
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| − | == Modern fishkeeping ==
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| − | Although some tropical fish were kept in gas-heated tanks in [[Victorian times]], tropical fishkeeping only really became popular from the 1930s onwards when devices like electric heaters and cheap glass aquaria became available. Air transportation has also made it possible for fish to be imported from many parts of the world rapidly and inexpensively. As a result, aquarists are routinely offered large numbers of freshwater fish collected from South America, South East Asia, and East Africa. However, the majority of freshwater fish sold to aquarists are commercially bred, primarily in South East Asia and Florida.
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| − | Marine fish are not easily bred in captivity, and only a few species, most notably [[seahorses]] and [[clownfish]] are farm-raised. Most are collected from coral reefs, in particular from South East Asia, the Red Sea, and the Caribbean.
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| − | == Aquarium hardware ==
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| − | See [[Aquarium]].
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| − | == Fish breeding ==
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| − | Fish breeding is a challenge that many aquarists find attractive. While some species reproduce freely in community tanks, most require special conditions, known as [[spawning triggers]] before they will breed. The majority of fish lay eggs, and the juvenile fish that emerge are very small and need tiny live foods or their substitutes to survive. A fair number of popular aquarium fish are livebearers, and these fish produce small number of relatively large offspring, and these will usually take ground flake food straight away (see article on [[Live-bearing_aquarium_fish | livebearing aquarium fish]]).
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| − | == Conservation and science ==
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| − | According to the [[FAO]], least 90% of aquarium fish are captive bred [http://www.fao.org/documents/show_cdr.asp?url_file=/docrep/005/x4933e/X4933e10.htm]. The rest of the fish are collected from the wild, and provide an especially valuable source of income for people in regions where other high-value [[exports]] may be lacking [http://www.wetwebmedia.com/AqBizSubWebIndex/marlifeuse.htm]. In theory, wild fish should be a good example of a [[renewable resource]] that places value on maintaining the integrity and diversity of the natural habitat: more and better fish can be exported from clean, pristine aquatic habitat than one that has been polluted or otherwise degraded.
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| − | However, this has not been the case with industries such as [[trapping | fur trapping]], [[logging]], or [[Fishing_industry | fishing]] where a similar situation existed. Historically, wild resources have tended to be overexploited rather than managed (see [[Tragedy_of_the_commons | Tragedy of the Commons]]). Moreover, in places where collecting for aquaria is very intensive, there is good evidence that collecting can result in a decline in fish populations. A particular notorious example is to be found on the [[Philippines]], where overfishing and the widespread use of [[cyanide]] to stun the fish has caused a drastic decline in the diversity of the coral reef fish considered most desirable by aquarists [http://www.panda.org/news_facts/newsroom/features/news.cfm?uNewsID=5563].
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| − | On the other hand, breeding programs by aquarists have helped to preserve species that have become rare or extinct in the wild, most notably among the [[Lake Victoria]] cichlids. Some species of aquarium fish have also become important as laboratory animals, with cichlids and [[Poecilia | poecilids]] being especially important for studies on learning, mating, and social behaviour. Aquarists also observe a large number of fishes not otherwise studied, and thereby provide valuable data on the ecology and behaviour of many species.
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| − | == Controversy ==
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| − | At its best, a properly maintained aquarium allows the fish to socialise with their own kind and in many cases breed successfully. This is in marked contrast to the conditions enjoyed by larger animals like [[cats]] and [[dogs]], which are often kept alone and [[neutered]], and thus unable to experience anything like a natural lifestyle. However, in many cases fish are maintained in the wrong conditions and therefore live short lives and never breed. Inexperienced aquarists often attempt to keep too many fish in their tanks, or introduce too many fish into an immature aquarium, with the result that large numbers of fish sicken and die. This has given the hobby a bad reputation among some animal welfare groups, such as [[PETA]], for treating aquarium fish as nothing more than cheap toys that are simply replaced when they die [http://www.peta.org/factsheet/files/FactsheetDisplay.asp?ID=30].
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| − | Marine fish in particular tend to be less resilient during transportation than freshwater fish, and relatively large numbers of them die before they are finally sold to the aquarist. Although the trade in marine fish and corals for aquaria probably represents a minor threat to coral reefs when compared with habitat destruction, fishing for food, and climate change, it is a booming trade and may be a serious problem in specific locations such as the Philippines and Indonesia where most of the collecting is done [http://www.ofish.org/data-area.asp?aid=9823&gid=4838], [http://www.aaas.org/international/africa/coralreefs/index.shtml].
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| − | Goldfish and [[Siamese_fighting_fish | bettas]] have often been kept in cramped bowls or aquaria that are really far too small for their needs [http://www.peta.org/feat/aquab/]. In some cases these fish have been installed in all sorts of inappropriate objects such as the 'Bubble Gear Bubble Bag' and the 'Betta in a Vase', both of which contained a live betta [http://www.peta.org/feat/aquab/wycd.html]. These types of products are not really aimed at aquarists but rather at people looking for a novelty gift, and in fact most aquarists abhor them.
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| − | Modifying fish to make them more attractive as pets is an increasingly divisive issue. Historically, artificially dyeing fish was fairly common, with [[glassfish]] for example being injected with fluorescent dyes. The major British fishkeeping magazine, Practical Fishkeeping, has been effective in its campaign to remove these fish from the market by educating retailers and aquarists to the cruelty and health risks involved [http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=72]. On the other hand, genetically modified fish like the [[glofish]] are likely to become increasingly available, particularly in the United States [http://www.glofish.com/], [http://www.ofish.org/data-area.asp?aid=9820&gid=4839].
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| − | Serious problems can occur when fish originally kept in ponds or aquaria are released into the wild. Some species establish themselves in place that they are not native to, so-called [[exotic species]]. Examples of exotic fish that have become established outside their normal range are the Asian [[snakeheads]] in Hawaii and the African [[walking catfish]] in Florida. Some of these exotic species can become extremely disruptive preying on, or competing with, the native fish (see [[invasive species]]).
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| − | == References and further reading ==
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| − | * ''Aquarium Atlas, vol. 1'', by Hans A. Baensch and Rudiger Riehl
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| − | * ''The Conscientious Marine Aquarist'', by Robert Fenner
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| − | == See also ==
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| − | * [[Aquarium]]
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| − | ==External links==
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| − | *[http://www.tfhmagazine.com/ Tropical Fish Hobbyish] - Popular American fishkeeping magazine.
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| − | *[http://practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/home.php Practical Fishkeeping] - Popular British fishkeeping magazine.
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| − | *[http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ Wet Web Media] - Large web site covering different aspects of fishkeeping.
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| − | *[http://www.aquatichouse.com/ Fishkeeping Products]
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| − | *[http://homepage.mac.com/nmonks/aquaria/brackfaqpart1.html Brackish Water Aquarium FAQ] - Detailed FAQ on brackish water fish and aquaria.
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| − | [[Category:Fishkeeping]] | |
Template:Taxobox
Poecilia sphenops is a species of fish, of the genus Poecilia, known under the common name Molly. They inhabit the coastal brackish and marine waters of Mexico.
This species is the ancestor of the Black Molly, a melanistic breed which is black all over. It is one of the most well-known aquarium fishes and nearly as easy to keep and prolific as guppies (for optimal health and breeding success, they demand fresh vegetable food like algae). There are several other popular breeds, like the golden molly nicknamed "24 karat", or the balloon molly, which however has a deformed spine and a decreased lifespan due to the associated health problems. Also, breeds with altered dorsal fin structures like lyretails exist. The wild form is in fact quite rarely kept, as it has a rather plain silvery coloration suffused with brown and green hues. If given good care with ample sunlight, high water temperatures and fresh vegetables, they will, however, prove charming fish who make up for their somewhat plain coloration with their lively behavior.
The common molly can produce fertile hybrids with many Poecilia species, most importantly the Sailfin Molly. In the case of black hybrids, they are called Midnight Molly. These are very popular due to their impressive dorsal fins, but require a bit more attention and have a somewhat decreased lifespan.
Template:Fish-stub
de:Spitzmaulkärpfling
fr:Molly
pl:Molinezja ostrousta
