AquariumBoard Forums - View Single Post - Freshwater Fish of the Month *please read*..where to submit

OrionGirl · 05-17-2006, 05:12 PM

I think we need to establish a few things first. Because we do want these for reference purposes, it shouldn't just be something hurriedly typed up. We don't want to discourage anyone from participating, but in order to make them easy to understand, grammar, spelling, and punctuation will all be very important. If you're not comfortable with that, get in touch with one of us--we can help point you in the right direction.

Secondly, our long term goal will be to have each species summary put into a profile list. In order to make these the most effective, there needs to be a standard format--and we're working on that! So, for now, please make sure to include the following information for any species, and understand that we'll be working with you (ie, any authors), to get the pieces together. Pictures will be great--your own, or others if you have permission to use them. Please do NOT just take a picture from another site! Copyright issues are a big deal, so anything you use from another site should be referenced, including images!

Elements:
Species Name common and scientific. If the scientific name is in dispute, list them, with the preferred name first. If the species is known by more than one common name, list them as well (ie, Pea Puffer, Dwarf Puffer).

Description Color, size, shape, gender characteristics, commonly confused with, etc.

Natural Habitat Where is the fish from originally (geographic location can be specific, ie, the Amazon River, or Generalized, South America)? What are the water conditions the fish is found in, in the wild?

Aquarium Needs Water parameters, tankmates, tank size, planted/unplanted, food sources--anything related to keeping them in the tank.

Disease concerns Are they prone to ick? Get fin rot at the first problem? Able to survive just about anything?

Breeding information Not everyone will have this from personal experience. If you've kept the species, and never seen breeding behavior, just note that, and indicate if the species has been succesfully captive bred. For example, I've kept dwarf puffers, but they never bred in my tanks. I do know that they can be bred in the tank, and are considered one of the easier puffers to captive breed.

Your personal experience. After all, the goal of these writeups is to share what you've seen in your tank, and gone through to care for the fish. Please understand that if your personal experience is contrary to what most aquariasts will have, it IS going to be corrected. If you say that an oscar will be fine in a 10 gallon tank, we aren't going to let it go. So, consider the species you keep carefully, and determine how comfortable you are with sharing that information. We don't want to discourage anyone is helping out--and it is a huge help! But at the same time, we want to develop a quality product.

05-17-2006, 05:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
OrionGirl Miss you, Old Man Join Date: May 2006 Location: California coastline Posts: 6,722	I think we need to establish a few things first. Because we do want these for reference purposes, it shouldn't just be something hurriedly typed up. We don't want to discourage anyone from participating, but in order to make them easy to understand, grammar, spelling, and punctuation will all be very important. If you're not comfortable with that, get in touch with one of us--we can help point you in the right direction. Secondly, our long term goal will be to have each species summary put into a profile list. In order to make these the most effective, there needs to be a standard format--and we're working on that! So, for now, please make sure to include the following information for any species, and understand that we'll be working with you (ie, any authors), to get the pieces together. Pictures will be great--your own, or others if you have permission to use them. Please do NOT just take a picture from another site! Copyright issues are a big deal, so anything you use from another site should be referenced, including images! Elements: Species Name common and scientific. If the scientific name is in dispute, list them, with the preferred name first. If the species is known by more than one common name, list them as well (ie, Pea Puffer, Dwarf Puffer). Description Color, size, shape, gender characteristics, commonly confused with, etc. Natural Habitat Where is the fish from originally (geographic location can be specific, ie, the Amazon River, or Generalized, South America)? What are the water conditions the fish is found in, in the wild? Aquarium Needs Water parameters, tankmates, tank size, planted/unplanted, food sources--anything related to keeping them in the tank. Disease concerns Are they prone to ick? Get fin rot at the first problem? Able to survive just about anything? Breeding information Not everyone will have this from personal experience. If you've kept the species, and never seen breeding behavior, just note that, and indicate if the species has been succesfully captive bred. For example, I've kept dwarf puffers, but they never bred in my tanks. I do know that they can be bred in the tank, and are considered one of the easier puffers to captive breed. Your personal experience. After all, the goal of these writeups is to share what you've seen in your tank, and gone through to care for the fish. Please understand that if your personal experience is contrary to what most aquariasts will have, it IS going to be corrected. If you say that an oscar will be fine in a 10 gallon tank, we aren't going to let it go. So, consider the species you keep carefully, and determine how comfortable you are with sharing that information. We don't want to discourage anyone is helping out--and it is a huge help! But at the same time, we want to develop a quality product.