Mini aquarium: description, advantages and disadvantages

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Pet stores offer a large selection of "homes" for small fish. The fashion for mini-aquaria has forced the industry to master the production of these products in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. As a rule, small tanks come with all the necessary equipment. It is convenient to keep one or two small fish in them.

Mini Aquarium

There is a huge variety of aquariums. They are distinguished not only by shape and volume, but also by purpose. Reservoirs can be freshwater or marine. Decorative, made in the form of a wall picture. Giant and miniature, designed for breeding or rearing.

In this variety, a mini-aquarium stands apart, which does not exceed 20 liters in volume. Its form is different. The minimum volume for a relatively normal existence of a fish cannot be less than 3.5 liters.

Of course, there are also smaller products, but they usually contain shrimp or snails, or they perform a purely decorative function (they do not contain liveorganisms).

You can buy almost any aquarium in a pet store. The price depends on the volume and layout of the product. It ranges from $20 to $150. Five- or twenty-liter aquariums amaze with a variety of shapes and can be styled to match a specific interior.

Whom to settle

Mini aquariums (tabletop or wall-mounted) can brighten up even the most dreary or formal interior. The presence of an originally made tank with a fish constantly scurrying back and forth will help you concentrate or, conversely, relax a little during the working day.

The following inhabitants of the water world are suitable for settling in such a limited space:

• Gertrude's pseudomugil. They live on the islands of Papua New Guinea, in Australia. They grow up to 3-4 cm. They have a silver-blue or golden-yellow color. Great for keeping in small containers.
• Copper tetra (Hasemania nana). Her homeland is Brazil. It grows up to 5 cm, a rather aggressive creature. The color is silvery at night, and during the day - a pleasant copper hue, in males it is brighter. Better keep them in a small flock.
• Neons are blue or plain. In addition to their amazing beauty, these fish are famous for their peaceful nature. Perfectly adapt to the conditions of detention. For a flock of 6-8 individuals, a mini-aquarium is quite suitable.
• Guppy. Under natural conditions, they live in South America (Venezuela, Brazil, Guiana), on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Ideal for keeping in an aquarium. Unpretentious and calm fish has sucha variety of colors that it is simply impossible to list all the options. Males are much brighter than females. They do great in a pack.
• Petushki. They just look luxurious! But because of their pugnacious nature, they are best kept individually. A male cockerel is quite suitable for settling in a mini-aquarium.

Care

Despite its miniature size, such a tank requires daily maintenance and water quality control. Liquid should always be at hand, settled for at least 48 hours. Replacement is made at the rate of no more than 25% of the total amount of the contents of the container. Change the water at least once every three to four days. Otherwise, the waste products of the inhabitants will accumulate on the walls, and it will be more difficult to clean the aquarium.

Feed the fish in such a way that the food is eaten within 3-5 minutes. All residues are removed immediately. Do not place the container in direct sunlight - this will provoke a rapid growth of algae and an increase in water temperature.

It is not recommended to overpopulate a confined space. Fish should be similar in behavior (if they are different breeds) and not be large.

Benefits

The advantages of mini-models include the ability to place them almost anywhere: on a table, bookshelf, wall. Such an aquarium is easy to transport, you can quickly and without hassle rearrange to a new location.

Perfect tank for jigging or matingfish. You can also use it as an insulator, removing sick or newly acquired individuals.

As a rule, such miniature aquariums are sold complete with all necessary equipment. The pump, filters, lighting - everything is neatly and securely built into the product itself, there are no extra wires.

Flaws

The complexity of caring for such a fragile ecosystem is primarily due to its size. The smaller the capacity, the more attention it requires. In a small volume of water, changes occur rapidly. Pollution, increase or decrease in temperature proceed many times faster than in a large model.

The illuminated mini aquarium looks spectacular, but the lamp can significantly change the temperature of the water. A small amount of liquid heats up quickly and cools down just as quickly after turning off the appliance. Fluctuations of one or two degrees can be fatal for aquatic life.

Frequent water changes, strict control over the nutrition of fish, the state of the environment (temperature, cleanliness, acidity), careful selection of tenants and plants - this is the list of problems that the future owner of a mini-aquarium will face.

Well, and, perhaps, the most basic drawback - it cannot be left unattended even for one day. A business trip or vacation can ruin all living creatures.