[thekoimaiden]

In April 2012 I started a fish blog that covers topics from fishkeeping to fish conservation. Bettas (being one of my favorite fish) will be a large focus of my blog, but I will also post many articles about fishkeeping in general. I plan to publish approximately one article per week with some weeks having minor droughts and others having downpours (so to speak :lol. I am a very visual person and like to include pictures of the fish that I talk about.

The blog main link: Sitting by the Koi Pond

When I post a new article I will add a snip-it as well as the article here. I have already posted 13 articles which can be found on the lower right-hand side of the main page.

 

[thekoimaiden]

Best and Worst Beginner Fish

My most recently published article detailing good and bad beginner fish.

I see a lot of people ask “what fish should I start with?” I also see a lot of people starting with fish that they were lead to thinking were easy. Most people want a tank full of beautifully colored fish. I understand this, but often the most beautiful fish are also much more delicate. However, there are some very pretty and hardy fish with which you can start your hobby. They may not look like much in the store tanks, but once you get them home and into a good setup, they will show their true colors for you.

Through personal experience and discussion with other aquarists, I have gathered a list of fish that are good for the budding fishkeeper. These fish were chosen for their hardiness (ability to survive a cycle and live in less than ideal conditions), adaptability (can live in a wide range of parameters), small size (ideal for the first aquarium), and peacefulness. I have also compiled a list of fish that beginners should avoid for various reasons such as size, aggressiveness, and sensitivity.

Sitting by the Koi Pond: Best and Worst Beginner Fish Click for the full article including pictures

 

[sparkyjoe]

Just brilliant, Izzy! I loved the article on Best & Worst Beginner fish. I also enjoyed reading about your various tank setups.

I subscribed to your blog and I look forward to future articles!
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[thekoimaiden]

11 May Update

Woah it's been a while since I updated my blog. Writer's block and a busy life have kept me from it. So instead of publishing my normal fishkeeping tips, I've gone on a mild comedic diversion. ;-) Enjoy!

Sea Monsters on film!!!

 

[thekoimaiden]

New fish with pics!

Wow. Two blog posts in a week. I'm on fire. :lol: I'm just making up for the drought of the past two weeks. Well not really; this post wasn't planned. Went in for plants and supplies, came out with a fish!

My Tanks: 14 June Update

 

[thekoimaiden]

Betta Fish Awareness Day 2012

Finally. I'm back to writing in my blog on a weekly basis. Since today is Betta Fish Awareness Day, I thought I would make a post about promoting proper betta care!

Let's face it. There is a problem with the way most store sell bettas (and goldfish). While regulations against small tanks might do a bit, a betta in a dirty, unheated 2.5 gallon bowl isn't better off than a betta in a clean, heated 1 gallon bowl. The only way to save these beautiful fish from that horrible fate is to educate the public and pet store workers. And that is what today is all about.

Betta Fish Awareness Day 2012

 

[thekoimaiden]

The heat wave that has been hitting the eastern US has got me thinking about pools and how neat it would be to swim with my fish. Thanks to Tikibirds, I discovered natural swimming pools. How I would love to have one of these things in my backyard. Read the full article for some general information and more gorgeous pictures. Natural Swimming Pools

 

[dramaqueen]

That is beautiful.

 

[thekoimaiden]

Thanks, DQ! I wish I had the land and the money to afford one of those!

 

[thekoimaiden]

Goldfish Petition

A young girl in England has started a petition to put an end to fairground goldfish. If you hate this practice as much as I do, please help her. Maybe the US will follow suit and put an end to any animal being given away as a prize.

An end to fairground goldfish?

 

[thekoimaiden]

How to stock a fish tank

Whew. I've been sitting on this one for a while. Finally got it published!

A very common beginner question is “how many fish can I put in my tank?” The process of adding fish to a tank is called stocking and is more of an art than a bright line rule. However, there are some generic guidelines that will help you understand the thought process that goes into choosing fish for an aquarium. When you are in doubt don’t hesitate to ask a more experienced aquarist.

How to stock a fish tank

 

[thekoimaiden]

Tanks update

Just an update and some current pictures of all of my tanks.

My tanks: 22 July Update

I probably won't be able to post for the next two weeks. I've got an overload of work this week, and then I jet off to Sweden for 10 days. Hopefully August will be filled with more blog posts than July was.

 

[Bacon Is Good]

genius

 

[thekoimaiden]

Thanks, Bacon! It's a way to combine my favorite hobbies: fishkeeping and writing.

 

[Bacon Is Good]

well writen stuff.

 

[thekoimaiden]

New post + bad news

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to post again. Since I made my last post I've been worked to the bone, traveled to Europe, and grappled with computer problems. I'm recovered from work and travel, but the computer problem persists. I recently got a new computer, and Firefox isn't working with Blogger. It worked just fine on my old computer (which was also a PC and ran FF). Until I can get it fixed (I'm contacting google about it now), I have to borrow someone else's computer every time I post.

My most recent post is just some thoughts on future pond construction.

Not often in life do you get a chance to do things over. Hopefully, in 20 or so years, I will get a chance to build another pond. The construction and maintenance of my pond has taught me many things. Some lessons were learned the hard way, and others have just been slow realizations.

What I would do differently with my pond

 

[thekoimaiden]

So ya. Still haven't fixed the problem with Blogger. I'm hoping this doesn't continue forever or else I'll have to find a new place to host my blog. :evil:

Have a new article up. Nothing informative. Just some pictures of the Visitors to my pond.

 

[thekoimaiden]

Blogger is still giving me problems. I guess I'll just wait for an update of FF before anything gets fixed.

I did a different kind of blog entry today. Jewels of the Rift Also it's about cichlids... something I don't normally talk or think about. Thank you Tazman for showing these to us.

 

[thekoimaiden]

Still having problems with Blogger, but I'm determined to not let that slow me down. Another article today.

Okay, so you've gotten your first tank, and it’s fully cycled. Whew. Glad that ordeal is over. But you have to be careful. There are still a few beginner mistakes that will trip up a new fishkeeper. I’ll recount some of the big ones here and ways to avoid them.

Common Beginner Mistakes

 

[Htennek]

So ya. Still haven't fixed the problem with Blogger. I'm hoping this doesn't continue forever or else I'll have to find a new place to host my blog. :evil:

Have a new article up. Nothing informative. Just some pictures of the Visitors to my pond.

Why don't turtles visit my ten gallon tank??? xD