Results for “freshwater”

freshwater

Water that is not salty.

Used in 375 profiles

algae shrimp

Somewhat misleading vernacular name for the freshwater shrimp Caridina multidentata Stimpson 1860, a popular addition to freshwater aquaria due to its reputation for consuming algae, though in reality it is unable to survive on a diet of algae alone. Formerly referred to as C. japonica De Man 1892 (that name is now regarded as a junior synonym of C. multidentata) and also known as the Amano shrimp. Exhibits an amphidromous life cycle in nature and is thus difficult to breed in captivity, though it has been achieved.

algae crab

Loose term used to describe any type of crab useful in an aquarium because it eats algae and/or diatoms. In marine aquaria this would include Sally Lightfoot, Emerald and various species of hermit crab. In freshwater the micro-crab Limnopilos naiyanetri fills the same role.

amphipod

A crustacean of the order Amphipoda, most of which are small and have a laterally-compressed shape. The suborder Gammaridea contains all freshwater species.

Used in 1 profile

anadromous

Migrating from marine to freshwater environments in order to spawn, as many salmonids do for example.

anchor worm

Member of the copepod crustacean genus Lernaea. Adult females are parasitic on freshwater fishes.

aquaculture

Commerical production of marine or freshwater food fish or shellfish under controlled conditions. Sometimes referred to as 'fish farming'.

Used in 34 profiles

aragonite

Naturally-occurring, crsytalline form of calcium carbonate with a notable buffering capacity. Popular as a substrate or substrate additive in marine and freshwater aquaria where pH and hardness must be maintained at high levels, and has a more rapid, effective effect than coral sand, for example.

biome

A major regional or global biotic community normally characterised by the dominant vegetation and local climatic conditions, e.g., deserts, tropical rainforests, tundra. The two major aquatic biomes are freshwater and marine but these are often broken down into less-generalised categories.

bloodworm

The freshwater larvae of certain midges which appear bright red due to their high haemoglobin content. Some species of the non-biting Chironomidae family are produced commerically for fish food with the larvae frozen or freeze-dried.

Used in 1,068 profiles

brackish

Refers to water with a salinity between that of freshwater and seawater, technically 0.5 - 30 grams of salt per litre, equivalent to 0.5 - 30 parts per thousand (ppt).

Used in 114 profiles

broadcast spawner

A fish which releases its gametes into open water for external fertilisation, with no subsequent parental care. The strategy is more commonly-seen in marine than freshwater species.

catadromy

Migration of fishes from freshwater to the sea.

Chilonodella

Genus of unicellular, ciliated protozoa; some species are parasites of the skin and gills in freshwater fishes.

chironomid

Any member of the Chironomidae, a family of nonbiting midges with larvae normally found in freshwater. The larvae of some species are produced commercially for fish food and commonly referred to as 'bloodworm'.

Used in 342 profiles

chlorophyta

Division of mostly freshwater eukaryotic algae, informally referred to as chlorophytes and containing the true green algae and stoneworts under modern systems of classification. Like higher plants members possess chlorophylls a and b and store food as starch.

columnaris

Disease symptom resulting from infection by the bacterium Flavobacterium columnare which is ubiquitous in freshwater environments. Often mistaken for a fungal infection due to its appearance and is referred to variously as mouth rot, mouth fungus, fin rot, gill fungus, body fungus, saddleback columnaris, and cotton wool disease. Highly contagious and usually fatal unless treated with antibiotics or other.

Used in 1 profile

copepod

Any member of the subclass Copepoda, a group of small marine and freshwater crustaceans of which the planktonic species are important to global ecology, forming the main constituent of oceanic zooplankton. Some species are parasites of fishes.

Used in 6 profiles

costiasis

Disease of freshwater fishes caused by species of parasitic flagellate protozoa from the genus Ichthyobodo and more accurately referred to as ichthyobodiosis. It attacks the gills, fins and skin with symptoms including an increase body mucus secretion giving rise to the vernacular term 'skin slime disease'. Can be treated using proprietary products but frequently fatal otherwise.

Cyclops

Genus of freshwater copepods characterised and so named by possession of a single, large, median eye. Sometimes cultured as food for fry or very small fishes.

Used in 8 profiles