Pest Control Of Aquarium Plants And Fish

2023 Author: Molly Page | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 22:49

In an aquarium inhabited by fish and plants, many plant and animal organisms develop. They enter the aquarium together with food, water, plants, fish, dust. Some of these organisms are essential for the aquarium, others are indifferent, and still others are harmful.

Some necessary or indifferent organisms begin to multiply actively under certain conditions and in this case can become harmful. The harmful organisms, first of all, include the causative agents of fish diseases, the majority of invertebrates entering the aquarium. Excessive development of lower algae is undoubtedly harmful to the aquarium.

Blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria)

Algae in the aquarium … Algae are a common group of plant organisms. They are found in all natural reservoirs, can live in any damp places, and form symbiosis with other organisms. Which aquarist has not met them in their aquariums? Metabolism in aquarium water is unthinkable without algae. But not all of them are good for the aquarium. Many of them can be serious enemies of the aquarium. They cover plant leaves, bottom and walls, making it difficult to observe the aquarium and spoil the appearance. With a strong development, algae inhibit plants, consume oxygen necessary for fish in the dark, some release toxic substances into the water. Actively participating in metabolic processes, algae, having developed in large quantities, dramatically change the chemical composition of water in a short period of time. This can lead to the death of fish and plants.

Many algae in an aquarium live primarily in the water column. It is this group that can bring a lot of worries to the aquarist. Consider the most important groups of algae that live in the aquarium.

Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria (Cyanobacteria) - colonial or filamentous multicellular organisms. They have a characteristic color due to the phycocyanin pigment, which gives them a blackish, bluish or brownish color. Many species have a mucous membrane. Blue-green algae usually settle at the bottom of the aquarium, then rise higher, covering the walls and plants with a dense mucous layer. An unpleasant odor appears in the aquarium. Sometimes they form a floating form of short hairs 1 to 3 mm long. The reasons for the active reproduction of these algae are an excess of mineral and, first of all, nitrogen-containing compounds, a low redox potential, and an excess of applied fertilizers. The development of these algae takes place under intense light. Blue-green algae often infest new aquariums,which is due to the insufficient assimilation capacity of higher plants after transplantation.

Diatoms

To prevent the appearance of blue-green algae in a newly set up aquarium, plant a large number of plants at once. It is recommended to place fast-growing species floating in the water column (nayas, elodea, pemphigus, etc.) These plants, having begun active growth, will not allow blue-green algae to develop. If algae appears, it is also recommended to lower the pH to 6.0. Mollies and platies help in the fight against them, although often, because of the bitter taste, the fish refuse to eat them. When the first traces of blue-green algae appear, snails help: fiza, coils and melania.

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Brown, or diatoms (Bacillariophyta) are unicellular and colonial organisms. They have a characteristic brown color due to the content of diatomine pigment in them. Kelp spreads as dense, flat formations on plants, soil and walls of the aquarium, giving it a dirty look. Algae are very tightly attached to the surface, so that even from the wall it is difficult to scrape them off, and from plants it is almost impossible.

Brown algae appear in the aquarium at high pH values (above 7.5) and with a lack of light. Snails scrape off this algae from the surface of the aquarium and plants. Increase lighting to combat brown algae.

Filamentous algae

Filamentous algae (Chlorophyta) are green algae and form bunches on the bottom, on plants, similar to loose cotton wool, sometimes loosely attached to the walls or plants. Compete with higher plants by consuming nutrients and light. Fish can become entangled and die in dense balls of filamentous algae. The appearance of filamentous algae indicates favorable conditions in the aquarium, intense lighting and sufficient nutrients.

Filamentous algae should be regularly removed from the aquarium during cleaning by suction with water or wrapped around a wooden stick. Many herbivorous fish eat this algae, but usually do not completely destroy it. Overgrown bundles are removed along with the affected plants. There are chemical methods of control, but they are destructive for many higher plants.

Single-celled green algae floating in the water column (Chlamydomonas, Chlorella, etc.) are always present in the aquarium water, and during their rapid development they cause the water to bloom. This process is associated with an excess of light and dissolved mineral salts. The most effective way to combat water bloom is to use herbivorous daphnia crustaceans. They perfectly purify the aquarium water. The problem with this is to remove fish from the aquarium with cloudy water before planting daphnia there.