Freshwater Algae Eaters

All bottom-dwelling fish which feed on algae are most commonly called algae eaters. People who enjoy keeping fish and aquariums in their houses need to purchase freshwater algae eaters for keeping their aquariums clean. These fish help eliminate the algae in the aquarium and work as an anti-algae arsenal because of their appetite. Now, not all of these aquatic animals have the same appetite or eat all types of algae. So you need to make sure that the ones you choose to be a part of your fish tank have the compatibility to live for long term and provide you with satisfied results. As there are various types of freshwater algae eaters, which come in different shapes and sizes, we will go through each of the algae eaters one by one.

Freshwater Algae-eating Fish

The first thing you need to look for in any algae eater is its size. There has to be a balance in these non-aggressive animals, so that they don't get too big for the tank. Which is why, smaller fish fit perfectly for any household aquarium or tank.

Siamese Algae Eater
This fish eats huge amounts of thread and brush algae, along with planarians (freshwater flatworms), which can create nuisance in an aquarium. As these fish are very territorial, keeping them in large groups can be an issue. So, keep either single or a group of 5 if you have a large fish tank (minimum tank size for 2 adult Siamese algae eaters is 100 liters). This fish is related to Red-tailed Sharks and other similar species. Due to their aggressive nature, they should not be kept together with their relatives, unless it is a long, well-planted tank. They are very easy to keep as they eat just about anything, such as pellets, live foods, flake food, parboiled vegetables, etc. They remove algae from living plants, decorations and the tank glass very easily and without harming them. But, do make sure to cover your tank, as they have the tendency to jump really high above the water.

Otocinclus Catfish
Throughout South America, Otocinclus catfish are found in rapid rivers. They only grow up to 5 cm, which is why they are well-suited for the job. A planted tank is a perfect abode for these tan and black peppered fish. Otocinclus are considered as the best leaf cleaners, as they remove the algae from them without harming the leaves. Their main concentration lies in young algae rather than the grown algae. This works out perfectly because as soon as they eat the young algal, the tank stays cleaner more often and keeps the growth very low. Similar to other catfish, Otocinclus love bogwood as well, so add a piece to the tank. If the amount of algae reduces and the Otocinclus don't have anything to eat, place blanched zucchini on a piece of bogwood once every week. Avoid feeling them sinking catfish tablets, algae wafers, lettuce, spinach, and cucumber, as they tend to ignore it.

Amano Shrimp
Amano Shrimp are also called Yamato Numa Ebi. They are one of the best algae eating shrimp available in the market. They only grow up to 5 cm, which is why they are a great addition to small tanks. As a busy algae eater, their main concentration goes to all algae except for the green spot and blue-green algae. One important aspect you should be aware of about Amono Shrimp is that if they are regularly fed with commercial food, they will decrease their algae intake altogether. Regarding water requirements for shrimp, make sure the water is treated with dechlorinators. The reason being, chlorine is dangerous for their habitat. Don't include Amano Shrimp with big fish and Cichlid species, as they tend to eat them. So house them with smaller, more tranquil fish species.

Malaysian Trumpet Snail
These snails grow up to 2 cm only and are a great addition for small, well-planted tanks. They eat algae, leftover food and only dead plant material. These snails have the ability to aerate the gravel in the fish tanks as they spend majority of their time digging themselves through the substrate. They come out of the gravel only at nights, so if you think that your snails are dead or missing, look closely on the gravel surface. You will find them digging their way through. Don't include Malaysian Trumpet Snails with Loaches and Cichlids, as they tend to eat them. Another advantage of choosing these snails is their ability to indicate poor water quality. They require alkaline water to rebuild their shells, and if they find something wrong with the water quality, they tend to come up and stick to the tank glass above the water level.

Bristlenose Plecostomus or Plecos
Bristlenose Plecostomus belong to a group of suckermouth catfish species. Their heads and noses grow up to 10 to 15 cm and they need a continuous supply of green food. Apart from the algae, they tend to feed on blanched vegetables and sinking algae tablets. If there is a shortage of green foods, they will eat Amazon sword plants and other soft-leaf plants. Plecostomus are fairly peaceful and tend to be compatible with other fish (apart from the predatory species). Well oxygenated water is a perfect habitat for these fish.

Other Freshwater Algae-eating Aquatic Animals

• Ramshorn Snails
• Twig Catfish
• Nerite Snails
• Butterfly Goodeid
• American Flag-fish
• Loricariid Catfish
• Surgeon Fish
• Sea Urchins
• Rabbitfish
• Cherry Shrimp
• Japonica Shrimp

These algae eaters are wonderful fish, as they are usually peaceful and keep to themselves. Their invaluable service is what keeps your aquarium and house more attractive.

Female Betta Fish

Betta fish are one of the most popular aquarium fish and are also known by the name Siamese fighting fish. Betta fish come in brilliant colors; while some are resplendent in blue-green shades, and others have monotones with green as their natural color with double tails, and still others will be completely blue. While the blue betta fish are quite common, and the most regular betta fish will have orange-golden shades. These fish are called Siamese fighting fish, because of their particular behavior. You cannot keep two or more males in the same tank or bowl, because they will fight with one another till only one of them remains. However, you can maintain more than one female betta in a tank or bowl. Here are some female betta behavior and other facts that will help you in maintaining female betta in a safe environment.

Female Betta Facts
Here is some important female betta information and care instructions that you will need, while caring for these fish.

• Female betta have shorter fins and less vibrant colors compared to the males. But some female betta can be as colorful as the males. A breeding female might have horizontal or dark vertical stripes.
• Female betta can't usually co-exist with males, except during mating period.
• When keeping more than one female betta in a bowl or tank, there are certain factors you need to consider. Females are rough with each other, and will fight till they determine which one of them is the dominant fish.
• You should always have 4 or more female betta fish in a tank. If there are 2 female betta then they might fight each other, till only one remains alive.
• If you keep 3 female betta , then there is a possibility that two might gang-up against one, and therefore, 4 or more female betta is a safe bet. So maintain around 4 - 6 female betta in a tank of 10 gallons capacity
• However, you will need to maintain a suitable environment in the tank, so that the fish have enough hiding places, because female betta behavior tend to be somewhat territorial.
• Live plants will work best as hiding places and keep the fish tank environment clean. However, you can also have fake plants instead of live ones.
• To buy this fish, it is best if you look for online suppliers, as you can have a lot of variety and you can see the pictures of the different breeds too. Online betta suppliers which are near you, will not only have more varieties but also healthier ones compared to those in pets shops that have fish. The fish in pet shops will be kept in constricted spaces, which might make them miserable. In case you wish to get it from a pet shop, then buy female betta as soon as they arrive at the shop.
• When you keep 4 or more female betta in a tank together, there is a possibility that they will start picking at each other, which is just their normal female betta behavior.
• The picking will calm down, as soon as they determine the one dominant fish.
• The time when you should introduce a male betta fish is only when you want to go for breeding. Otherwise it is wise to keep them separated.
• Maintain a temperature of 70 - 75 F in the tank, and keep the temperature steady. Feed them floating food pellets which are labeled for betta fish, and dried worms. You can also feed them live black worms and some live or frozen brine shrimp. Make sure you remove the uneaten food after 10 minutes, using a small net.
• Good tank mates for female betta include platies, swordtails, mollies, angelfish, danios, gouramis, a school of bala sharks, one plecostomus and a school of clown loaches.

This was the information on female betta behavior towards other females, and their opposite sex which will help you in keeping a group of female betta together in a fish tank and will help you when you want to breed these fish. Also keep the tank, temperature and food requirements in mind, to maintain healthy female betta.

Cape Cod Decor

If you prefer your home to have that old world charm and exhibit a warm, cozy and inviting feel, Cape Cod decor is ideal for you! This type of decor is very commonly seen in the houses in the eastern part of the United States, however now, due to its simple, at the same time, unique look, it has caught the fancy of modern interior decorators everywhere. This traditional decor is now being replicated in houses and in apartments, by people who prefer their homes comfortable as well as exhibiting an old, antiquated appeal!

Cape Cod decor is all about living a life of relaxation and simplicity. Open air, natural environment, fresh breeze - these are some of the things that represent Cape Cod decor. Keeping these in mind, the various interior decorating decisions regarding paint colors, furniture, flooring and accessories should be taken.

Paint Colors
In a Cape Cod style house, bright and bold paint colors like red, yellow and blue are used. However, if used alone, these paint colors can be very overwhelming, so always use them in combination with white, to create a balanced look. Painting the room walls in white color will give it a very crisp and fresh look, at the same time the bright colors will add energy to the room surroundings!

For those of you who have a spacious, private house where there is a lot of scope for natural sunlight to come in, instead of painting the walls, have them paneled in knotty pines. This will give a raw cottage-like appeal to your house, making it look as authentic as some of the houses that you find in eastern United States. If you have a flat and you feel that knotty pine walls will give the rooms a very dark, grim look, then an interesting idea is to paint three walls and have just one of them paneled in knotty pine!

Furniture
The furniture pieces should be strong, big and durable, very similar to the country-style furniture. However, when it comes to Cape Cod decor, nothing dull looking will do. So, if the sofa is of brown color, throw bright-colored pillows on it to create a cheery ambiance. Otherwise, buy sofas in some bright color itself such as red or chocolate. Wicker furniture, especially which is painted in white color goes very well with this kind of decor. White wicker furniture will give the whole Cape Cod home decor a very unique look!

Flooring
In a Cape Cod home, the flooring has to be wooden. If you feel that it is going to pinch the pocket, do at least the living room and the master bedroom floor in hardwood. If the entire house has hardwood flooring, then accentuate the look of the floor by throwing some bright-colored rugs on it.

Fabrics
When it comes to choosing fabrics, be it curtains or table runners or napkins or rugs, go with floral designs, striped designs or those which depict some historical theme. Fabrics with maps and things which remind one of sea like fish, shells, rocks, beaches, etc. are some other patterns that you can consider for a Cape Cod home.

Accessories
In a Cape Cod decor, use antiquated accessories. Metal candle holders, iron or glass chandeliers, inherited quilts, these are some of the accessories that go very well with a Cape Cod decor. As wood is widely used in Cape Cod homes, so wood panels which have some beautiful, old-world kind of designs on them, should be put up on the walls to create decorative patterns. Panels painted in white color go exceptionally well with the decor.

As sea themes are very much a part of many a Cape Cod homes, so you can have accessories that are inspired by the same. Wall hangings or pictures which have a light house, ship, sea waves, rocks, seagulls, beaches or any other thing that reminds one of the sea, decor items made up of seashell, a large compass placed on one of the shelves in the living room, these are some of the items that you can use to accessorize your house. Hanging a large fish made of glass or metal on one of the prominent walls in the living room is a unique and interesting idea for Cape Cod homes. If you have shelves in your living or bedroom, fill glass vases or bottles with different shaped rocks and seashells and display them on these. To complete the decor, a must have in a Cape Cod living room is a lamp filled with seashells which has a sailor or a lighthouse by its side!

A Cape Cod decor has a very rustic, cottage-like feel to it. It is meant for those people who want to slow down and take life easy. So, if you want to live in a home that reeks of freshness, that makes you feel as if you are on a never ending vacation, then go ahead and decorate your house in Cape Cod style!

Calories in Canadian Bacon

Cured pork is commonly recognized as bacon. The fat content and calories in bacon vary, depending upon the type of cut used to prepare the bacon. For example, the side cut is high in meat and low in fat than the belly cut. Bacon can be made from pork belly which is quite fatty. Traditional American way of enjoying bacon involves, eating bacon strips made from the belly portion, while in Canada bacon is often made from pork loin which is very lean. Canadian bacon is also known as back bacon. Let us first take a look at some popular types of bacon.

Types of Bacon

American Style Bacon: Initially, pork belly is cured in a brine for at least three days. The brine consists sugar, salt, pepper and various other spices. Then the pork is cold smoked. Bacon is made available in the form of juicy strips, slices, etc. The strips can be 0.031 to 0.111" thick.

Irish bacon: It is also a smoke-cured bacon. It looks like a boneless pork loin roast. Irish bacon is prepared from the lean meat derived from the 'eye part' from a piece of pork loin. You can slice it to any desired thickness.

Canadian bacon: It is made from the pork loin. It is low in fat and calories when compared to American-style bacon.

Apart from these popular types, there exist several other types of bacon like Italian-style bacon (Pancetta), slab bacon, boiling bacon, etc. Cooking in a oven or microwave or deep frying are the popular ways of preparing bacon.

Canadian Bacon Nutrition Facts

6 oz or 170 g of Canadian-style bacon (unheated)
Nutrient Quantity Calories 267 Calories from fat 107 Calories from protein 150 Calories from carbohydrates 10.2 Total carbohydrate 2.9 g Saturated fat 3.8 g Monounsaturated fat 5.4 g Polyunsaturated fat 1.1 g Total fat 11.9 g Cholesterol 85.0 mg Sodium 2395 mg Protein 35.1 g Riboflavin 0.3 mg Vitamin B6 0.7 mg Vitamin E 0.4 mg Vitamin B12 1.1 mcg Niacin 10.6 mg Folate 6.8 mcg		Nutrient Quantity Copper 0.1 mg Betaine 3.2 mg Thiamin 1.3 mg Pantothenic acid 0.9 mg Calcium 13.6 mg Iron 1.2 mg Magnesium 28.9 mg Phosphorus 413 mg Potassium 585 mg Zinc 2.4 mg Manganese 0.0 mg Selenium 42.5 mcg Omega 3 fatty acids 153 mg Omega 6 fatty acids 918 mg Water 114 g Dietary Fiber 0.0 g Choline 117 mg Sugars 0.0 g

The table shows that Canadian bacon is high in protein and various vitamins and minerals, but it is also high in cholesterol and sodium. So limited use of bacon is recommended. Calories in bacon may vary according to the thickness and weight of the piece and also according to the type of bacon.

Calories in Canadian Bacon

• One slice of cured Canadian bacon contains 43 calories.
• One ounce of cooked Canadian bacon contains 52 calories.
• One oz of raw (yield after cooking) Canadian bacon contains 43 calories.
• One cubic inch of cooked Canadian bacon contains 33 calories.
• 100 g of Canadian bacon contains 185 calories.
• 3 slices (53 g) of Oscar Mayer Canadian bacon contains 60 calories.
• 1 serving (56 g) of Canadian bacon by Hormel offers 68 calories.

I hope the information on the nutrients and calories in Canadian bacon helped you decide the portion. Bacon is one of the most popular food items in the world, but some studies show that sodium nitrite, a chemical colorant present in processed bacon increases the risk of developing pancreatic cancer by at least 67%. Sodium nitrate can cause cerebral tumors, leukemia or vesica cancer. Consumption of bacon in moderation is therefore recommended by doctors and dietitians.

Prawns Vs. Shrimp

Amongst the most popular types of seafood are prawns and shrimp. Prawn and shrimp meat feature a sweet, delicate flavor and are a rich source of protein, calcium and antioxidants like selenium. The words 'prawn' and 'shrimp' are often used interchangeably in restaurants, cook books and markets. This terminology differs from nation to nation. For example, what is generally referred to as a shrimp in the US, is considered to be prawn in England. In the culinary circles, the term prawn is used to describe a large shrimp, whereas, in other circles, the term shrimp is used to describe both prawns and shrimp. Moreover, to increase complications, in some regions the term prawn is used to describe both prawns and shrimp.

Prawns and shrimp bear semblance to each other in terms of appearance and taste, however, biologically they are not the same creatures. Before heading into prawns vs. shrimp discussion, let us find out the similarities between these two, due to which they are often mistaken to be the same.

Similarities between Prawns and Shrimp

A quick look at prawn and shrimp will conduce to the idea that they are one and the same creature. In fact it's virtually impossible to differentiate between the two. Physically they look similar and also have similar flavors. These two creatures are decapod crustaceans, which means they both exhibit similar exoskeletons and feature 10 legs. The body segmentation is also the same.

They are typically found swimming in salt and freshwater sources across the globe, in search of food. Prawns and shrimp tend to dwell near the ocean floor and come in scores of sizes, from minuscule to large. Moreover, both require to shed their shells during growth stages. They are also known to be high in omega 3 fatty acids and are low in saturated fats. The high level of good fats in shrimp and prawns reduces the level of bad cholesterol in the blood.

Dissimilarities between Prawns and Shrimp

Despite the similarities, shrimp and prawns are separate species and have some distinguishing features that separates the two. Let us have a look at these slight distinguishing features.

Biological Classification
To the bare eye, the two may appear identical but they are biologically different. Prawns and shrimp belong to the same order, Decapoda, but different suborders. This itself is a major differentiating factor. Prawns belong to the suborder Dendrobranchiata, while shrimp belong to the suborder Pleocyemata.

Gill Structure
The primary visual differentiating factor between the shrimp and prawn is the gill structure. Prawns feature branching gills. On the other hand, shrimp have lamellar gills, which are plate-like in structure.

Abdominal Segments
Examination of second abdominal segment is the easiest and most practical way of differentiating between shrimp and prawns. In case of shrimp, the second segment overlaps the first and third segment, whereas, in case of prawn, the second segment only overlaps the third segment. This is an important distinguishing feature between the two.

Chelate Leg Pairs
In prawns, the first three pairs of legs are chelate or claw-like. However, in shrimp only the first two pair of legs exhibit chelation.

Other Distinguishing Features
Besides these main distinguishing factors, some other factors that differentiate the two include the front pincers of shrimp that are typically the largest. However, prawns feature bigger second pincers. Prawns also feature longer legs as compared to shrimp. Moreover, female prawns shed their eggs into the currents, wherein the eggs develop independently. Shrimp on the other hand, brood their eggs.

There are scores of varieties of shrimp and prawns that are harvested for consumption. There is the pink, brown, white, spot, royal red, etc. type of shrimp, which are not only delicious, but also unique in flavor. Prawns on the other hand, include varieties like deep water, king, banana and tiger prawns. When prepared properly both shrimp recipes as well as prawns pacify the palette.

Piranhas: Busting a Few Myths

Everyone has heard of the ferocious Piranha fish that is found predominantly in the Amazon River in South America. However unfortunately this species of fish has developed a reputation that it does not deserve. Most people regard as something that is to be feared and definitely kept away from.

There have been tales when schools of Piranhas have brutally devoured cattle that have strayed into the Amazon River. Leaving behind only the skeleton of the unfortunate bovines in a matter of seconds. There are also stories where people have dipped their fingers in the Amazon River; once they take it out they only find the bone and no flesh!! Tales such as these have accorded Piranhas the status of fearsome predators who are second to none in hunting ability. Most people regard a school of Piranha to be deadlier than the Great White Shark. These tales have no scientific bearing whatsoever and they remain just that: Tall Tales. But unfortunately academicians and scientists have not done much to shatter these myths. One of the reasons may be that humans do not hunt and kill Piranhas in large numbers. The only threat that they seem to face is loss of habitat. It has also not been conclusively proved that they are huge contributors to the River ecosystem.

Scientifically called "Serrasalmus nattereri", the Piranha can be as small as 1.5 inches and as large as 18 inches. Similarly its color also varies from silver to orange. The life span of the Piranha is unknown, but they probably live for several years. Piranhas feed on worms and insects found in the river, however they also eat small fish once they become adults. Piranhas also have the propensity to feed on carcasses of animals that lie on riverbeds. This tendency has contributed most to their ferocious reputation. Piranhas in captivity have generally been afraid of the human presence but there have been instances when people have put their hands in tanks containing Piranhas and have got bitten. This could be attributed to the fact that the fish were under fed in the first place.

There have been intermittent reports of attacks on bathers in Brazil. This may have been caused by the damming of rivers. Dams slow the flow of rivers, and may cause an increase in piranha numbers because the fish favor gentle stretches of water for breeding. Most of the attacks seem to happen on the Rio Mogi Guacu River. It provides a very fertile environment for the young Piranhas to survive because of the presence of water hyacinths. Piranhas lay their larvae in submerged or floating waterweeds, which collects in slow-moving rivers. When rivers flood, much of this vegetation is swept away and this probably controlled piranha populations in the past. But the damming of the rivers prevents these floods. The vegetation offers protection for these nests of piranha larvae, and parents often "brood" over, or guard, them. The fish usually bite their victims once, ripping a chunk out of the person and leaving a round, crater-shaped wound with accompanying loss of tissue and bleeding. A few victims have said to have got their toes amputated after being bitten, but this is still not enough justification to provide Piranhas with the man-eater moniker. If they have eaten any humans then it is because that these humans were already dead due to drowning and their carcasses were lying in the river.

It is illegal to store Piranhas in most states in America. However if they have to be kept in captivity then a minimum of 50 gallons of water at a temperature between 75 and 80 degrees F, would be required. When they are young they must be fed normal fish food and freeze-dried bloodworms, but as they grow bigger, they can be fed chunks of fish. It is recommended that beef be avoided because it is difficult to digest. It is a known practice in America for aquarium owners to pass off other fish that look similar to the Piranha as Piranhas, most notably - Plecostomus Catfish, Silver Dollars and Pacus.

How to Poach a Salmon

If you are bored with the regular salmon cooking method, try a new and healthy salmon recipe. What about making poached salmon? Yes, it is a simple and different way of cooking salmon in a savory liquid, with your preferred flavoring spices. You just need 15 minutes for completing the steps for how to poach a salmon perfectly. Hence, it is an excellent dish for fixing a quick meal, especially when you are in a hurry. And the best part is it simply tastes great with or without additional sauce.

Methods for Poaching a Salmon

Poached salmon is for those who love the true, moist and tender taste of salmon, which you will not get with baking or grilling methods. So, you are preparing poached salmon for the first time and are not sure about how long to poach salmon? To get the best tasting dish, make sure you buy fresh, center-cut, thick salmon fillets. And choose cuts having intact skin. Based on your convenience, poaching salmon can be done with plain water or bouillon, or in the oven or a stove.

Poaching a Salmon in Water

Required Supplies

• 4 (6 ounce) salmon steaks
• 3 - 4 cups water
• 1 lemon, thickly sliced
• 1 small onion, thickly sliced
• 3 parsley sprigs
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 4 black peppercorns

Procedure for Poaching Salmon

Select a large pan that is big enough to hold salmon steaks. Pour water in the pan and add the ingredients - lemon slices, onion, parsley, bay leaves, sea salt and peppercorns. Bring water to a rolling boil and reduce heat. Cover the lid and allow the flavoring herbs to infuse for 4-6 minutes. Add salmon steaks in it, making sure that they are submerged completely in the cooking water. If required, you can add some hot water. Then, cook the fish, uncovered, until they become soft. Drain water and serve poached salmon after drizzling a savory dressing over it.

Poaching Salmon Filets with Court Bouillon

Required Supplies

• 1 to 1 pounds salmon fillets
• cup water
• cup dry white wine
• 1 medium-sized yellow onion, peeled and sliced
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 shallot peeled and thinly sliced
• Dashes of dried dill, or several fresh dill sprigs
• 1 sprig of fresh parsley, finely chopped
• Sea salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper

Procedure for Poaching Salmon

This is a tasty fish recipe for serving in dinner. In a saute pan, add the ingredients for making court bouillon - water, white wine, onion, carrot, shallot and salt. Place it over the stove in a high heat setting. As it reaches the boiling temperature, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add salmon filets with the skin side down, and parsley. Cover lid and cook salmon for 8-10 minutes, or until you get the desired doneness. Sprinkle black pepper to taste and serve hot. Or allow it to chill in the refrigerator for serving it cold.

Poaching a Salmon in the Oven

Required Supplies

• cup butter
• cup white wine
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Dashes of dried dill weed
• Sea salt and pepper to taste
• 4 salmon fillets with skin

Procedure for Poaching Salmon

In a large microwave safe casserole dish, combine together white wine, lemon juice, sugar, dried dill weed (or fresh chopped dill weed), sea salt and pepper. Cover lid and heat in the oven until the butter melts completely, say 2-3 minutes. Gently place the salmon fillets in the dish and put the lid on. Cook the fish in high heat setting, for about 6-7 minutes. Remove it from oven and add more seasoning spices, if required. With this, your poached salmon recipe is done. Serve with your favorite veggies on the side.

So, this was all about how you can poach a salmon easily. With poached salmon, you have the option of serving it alone or with a complementary sauce. Also, it tastes great, whether you serve it cold or warm. In case, you are expecting some guests, you can make it ahead of time and serve it cold. What's more, poached salmon is a fresher and healthier substitute for canned salmon recipe. Hence, spend 10 minutes and poach salmon for better taste, instead of adding canned fish.

How to Look for Fresh Seafood

The freshness of food is important, not only from a nutritional point of view, but also from its taste. Imagine baking an apple pie with stale apples or cooking a rich casserole with old vegetables. Even old meat can leave a nasty taste when cooked and can cause serious harm to the body, since the germs in rotting or old meat, are toxic. Fish is one non-vegetarian food that should be consumed as fresh as possible. Toxins such as scombrotoxin and histamine, can develop in the fish as it ages. Consuming such aged fish can be very bad for your health, even if the fish is completely cooked. But how to select fresh fish?

How to Buy Fresh Seafood

To buy fresh fish, one needs to use three of the five body senses: sight, smell, and touch. Tips on choosing and buying the freshest and best fish are outlined below, based on the type of fish.

Uncut Fresh Fish
Whole fish should have all body parts, head, fins, tails etc. intact. Ask the fishmonger to let you touch and examine the fish. A key indicator of freshness are the gills of the fish. They're located on the head of the fish, near the eye socket and appear as a flap. Gently push the flap open and see what color the gills are. If they are a bright red, the fish is fresh. Discolored pinkish or brownish gills indicates an old fish. This is because the gills start to discolor as the fish dies. The gills should also be moist, not dry or grimy.

The next part of the fish to examine are the eyes. Irrespective of the actual color of the eyes, a fresh fish has clear, translucent eyes. Gray or cloudy eyes means the fish is at least 5 days old and not at all fresh. They should be convex in shape and be slightly bulgy in the eye socket. Old fish have eyes that have sunk into the sockets. The body of the fish should be firm to touch. Gently touch the body with one finger, the flesh should spring back. If your finger sinks into the body or your touch has left an impression on the flesh, the fish is old. The flesh should be slippery. The tail of the fish should be stiff and whole.

Observe the scales of the fish. They should have a metallic sheen. Yellow or creamy scales are signs of an old fish. Even brown or yellow spots on the fish, means it is not fresh. Even after death, the scales of a fish remain moist and fixed firmly to the body. Avoid fish with missing scale patches or whose scales fall off, when touched or moved. After physically examining the fish, take a deep breath and smell the fish. This may seem funny but fresh fish does not smell "fishy". A fresh fish should have a sea-breeze or watery smell, that may be strong but is not offensive or unpleasant to your nose. Even a salty or briny smell means the fish is fresh. Old fish stinks, with a distinct ammonia or sulfur-like odor. A sour smell means the fish is rotting internally. No amount of cooking will eliminate the odor of a foul-smelling fish.

Fish Fillets/Steaks
The best way to ensure a fresh fish fillet, is to choose a fresh whole fish and then get it cut into a fillet, right in front of you. The following points will help judge the freshness of a fish fillet:

• Fish fillets should be firm and moist to the touch. The flesh should be stiff and should bounce back when pressed, just like fresh whole fish.
• There should be no bruises or discolored spots on the fillet. Bruises and patches means the flesh is aging or has been mishandled. Avoid buying such fillets.
• The freshest fillets have a clear, consistent metallic color throughout. A dull or yellowish flesh tone is a sign of age.
• The flesh of the fillet should be continuous throughout, meaning there should be no tears or gaps in the flesh. If the flesh separates, the fillet has been cut from an old fish.
• Fillets can ooze liquid but it should be translucent and clear. A milky liquid indicates the fillet is rotting.
• Look at the cut edges of the fillet. If they are brown or colored differently from that of the fillet's color, then the fillet is old.
• Fillets should smell fresh and salty, just like whole fish. Avoid fillets with a sulfur-like odor.
• Packed fillets should contain very little packaging liquid. Check the label for the packaging date. Do not buy fillets with a packaging date older than 2 days.

Oysters
Do not buy frozen or dead oysters. Most oysters are sold in their shell alive. They should be completely shut. If there is slight gap or the shell is open, gently tap the shell of the oyster. If it immediately closes up, it is alive and healthy. Do not purchase oysters that do not close up when tapped. If the shell is closed, it should be tightly shut and not cracked or broken. The shell of the oyster should be slimy and scratchy to the touch. It should be free of any algae or seaweed. Fresh oysters have a salty or briny, sea smell. They should not smell unpleasant or ammonia-like. For a fresh and flavorful taste, consume the oysters within 24 hours of purchase.

Lobsters and Crabs
These types of shellfish spoil rapidly after death, so for utmost freshness, always buy such seafood live from tanks. Ask the shopkeeper how long the fish have been residing in the tank. Select the friskiest and most active lobster or crab. Let the shopkeeper lift the lobster up from the tank and see if it tucks away its tail. A healthy lobster is active and mobile and this reflex action shows how healthy it is. Make sure all the limbs are intact and full. Lobsters and crabs should be an appropriate color and when carried, should be heavy for their size.

While buying fresh seafood, you should shop smart and consider all angles, even the fish store. A fish shop located near a port or pier, will obviously have the freshest fish right off the boat. Their advertised "catch of the day" is the real deal. If you purchase fish from a local grocery, then the fish may not be as fresh. In such cases, ask when the shopkeeper receives his fish and shop from him only on those days. A fish shop should not stink of fish but should have an ocean and salty smell. Note the level of cleanliness. Are there bloody knives lying around or ill-kept displays? Is the fish displayed on dirty ice? Is the fishmonger handling the fish with clean hands and tools? Even such factors count in purchasing sustainable seafood.

Charcoal Drawing Techniques - How to Draw with Charcoal

Let's first understand what exactly is a charcoal drawing. A charcoal drawing can be defined as, 'The use of charred sticks of wood to make finished drawings and preliminary studies.' - Encyclopedia Britannica. It produces an intense and a very dark, velvety black line. Unless some form of resin or gum is applied, charcoal as a medium easily tends to get smudged or erased which makes it perishable. This special characteristic of charcoal is used in wall murals outline which is either drawn directly on a wall or on sketches. It is also used in roughing the outline of a large painting on canvas which is further completed by using something which is more permanent such as oil. It is often used by the artists to have a quick replication of a preliminary idea.

The edge of a charcoal is soft and that is why charcoal tends to prefer broad, robust drawings. It gives emphasis on mass and movement rather than on the fluidity of the lines. An artist can freely draw and make changes in the drawing, since charcoal particles usually tend to fall off from the canvas. Some of the renowned charcoal artists of the 16th and the 17th century are Albrecht Durer and Paulus Potter. It continued throughout the 19th, 20th and the 21st century with notable names like Edouard Manet, Edgar Degas, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Ernst Barlach and Kathe Kollwitz.

Techniques for Charcoal Drawing
For more effectiveness and ease, charcoal drawing should at first be done with a medium-sized charcoal. You can simply use your finger or paper towels to rub off any part of the drawing. Shading, merging, highlighting, toning, etc. are some of the steps that are required in a charcoal drawing. So it is important that you should have proper charcoal drawing supplies. They are mentioned below:

• Paper: Select a white, thick paper with a bit of texture. It should not be too smooth, else the charcoal will not stick to the paper. The paper should also not be too dark, otherwise the detailing will not be done properly.
• Vine Charcoal: Vine charcoal is an uncompressed charcoal that is easy to erase. It is also called willow charcoal.
• Compressed Charcoal: These look like graphite and come either in pencil or stick which is soft, medium or hard. The soft ones are darker, while the hard ones are lighter.
• Kneaded Eraser: These erasers are soft and bendable so you can knead them into any shape. Kneaded erasers are good for creating subtle changes.
• Gum/White Erasers: These erasers are comparatively harder. These are good for revealing white highlights.
• Blending Stumps: Blending stumps are also called tortillon. They are good for blending in smaller details.
• Paper Towels: These can be used for blending large areas. These are also effective for rubbing vine charcoal sketches.

Tips to Draw with Charcoal
Start off by setting up your workstation. Remember working with charcoal is a dirty job. In order to keep it clean, put some newspapers on your working table. Now, you can get ready to learn charcoal painting:

• Take a paper and cover it with charcoal. Be careful not to leave any white spots.
• Take a good black and white photograph or even a portrait if you are a beginner. Turn the picture upside down to lend your own imagination and uniqueness to the drawing. Just try to give some basic highlights of the face since you don't have to replicate the image.
• Rub off the outline of the head with an eraser.
• You can start with the eyes. Be careful not to place them on the top of the image, since you will also have to draw the hair.
• In the photo, start finding the places that are the lightest. Erase out those areas completely. Apply less pressure as you go on rubbing out the areas.
• Work on the details with a charcoal. You can also erase out additional areas.
• Now you can start erasing the area that is supposed to be the hair. Try to follow the patterns of the photo.
• Erase out the other areas besides the portrait. Fill the outline that was white with the charcoal.
• Your portrait will be ready by now. It may not be the best of the portraits, which means that you will need more practice. You can try some other pictures which include fruits, vases or flowers. Be careful to pay attention to the lighting and technique.

When you have completed these, you can try to draw intricate images like trees, streets and houses. Follow the same technique. Now that you have learned how to draw with charcoal, it is important that you follow a few safety measures. Try to work on a well-ventilated room. Wash your hands after working with charcoal and never put them in your mouth. With these few tips and techniques, your charcoal drawing is sure to be appreciated by all.

Oscar Fish Care

Oscar fish is basically a 'huge' ly popular aquarium fish. Proper care plays an important role in the average life expectancy of the fish, as they have a long average life span of 8 to 12 years. If you are looking forward to see your pet fish happily swimming through your fish tank for many years to come, then this guide will help you through. Before we answer your question how to take care of an Oscar fish, let us learn a little more about the fish.

Oscars are from South America and are basically freshwater cichlids. These freshwater fish are commonly known as the Walnut Cichlid, Peacock Cichlid, or Velvet Cichlid. They were given the Latin name Lobotes oscellatus in the 1800s, which was rechristened to Astronotus oscellatus. There are many types of Oscar fish available called the Albino Oscar, Lemon Oscar, Lutino Oscar, Red Oscar, Tiger Oscar and Yellow Oscar. Oscars tend to grow very large, up to 12 inches in length. These fish have their own sense of appeal that makes them very popular. It is very important to know all about caring for these fish before you bring one home. These are long living and big fish that require some homework before introducing them to your fish tank.

How to Take Care
Let us begin with our guide, by recognizing a bit more about the physical features of this fish. This should help you learn the process better

Physical Features
The fish has an oval-shaped body with large, thick lips. These wild fish are typically dark in color with an orange-colored gill area, sides and a black spot with an orange-ring around it, at the caudal fin base. They are territorial and combative fish, that tend to change colors when in an aggressive mood. The juveniles are easily distinguished by the orange wavy bands and stripes with spots on the head. You can bring home captive bred fish which are marbled, mottled, blotched, red and black, all red and all black. They can grow up to 12 inches and are known to be a bit smaller in size in the aquarium. They are fast growers and quickly out-grow their aquariums.

Tank Requirements
Before you bring home your fish, make sure you get your fish tank ready with the appropriate equipment.

• Aquarium tank that will suit the size of growing fish
• Gravel
• Aquarium heater
• Aquarium Filter
• Fish Net
• Ornamental Plants
• Thermometer
• Fish Tank Decorations

Aquarium Size
Oscars are large fish that require an ample amount of space to live and swim freely. You will need an aquarium tank of minimum 40 gallons for your fish, as these fish require 30 gallons of space each.

Water Temperature
These fish need clean, warm water to flourish. The water temperature should be maintained at 77 and the ideal temperature should be maintained at 74 to 81 F. Thus, you should have a heater and a thermometer along with your fish tank, as too much of warm water and too much of cold water will damage the immune system of your fish, making them prone to diseases.

Tank Maintenance
Oscar tends to be a little messy, therefore, maintaining the cleanliness of your fish tank is of utmost important. You need to change 10 to 15% of the water weekly and remove the waste matter that is not processed by the tank filter. You should opt for a tank filter that is suitable for your 40 gallon tank size. You may also use many small filters to help you clean your tank and avoid changing all the filter media at once.

Food
Oscars are carnivores and need a high protein diet. They eat all small fish, aquatic invertebrates, insect larvae, scavenging old carcass, nibbling at the fins and scales of other fish in their natural habitat. You need to provide them with a variety of processed, frozen and freeze dried foods. Feed them the amount that is consumed by the fish within 2 minutes. Never feed them more than once a day, as they tend to produce more waste, dirtying the tank. A proper diet pet food helps maintain the long life and immune system of your fish.

Hiding Places
Oscars need a lot of places to hide and feel comfortable. They tend to push and move everything in the tank, thus, opt for large and heavy decorations that are hard to move. Use decorations that are smooth and without hard and sharp edges, so that your fish don't get hurt while swimming. It is seen that when half or three fourths of hiding places are provided to the fish, they tend to be more active and will come out more often. They remain stress free and thus have a good immune system.

Tank Companions
They are aggressive fish and tend to eat up small fish. They will eat anything that fits their mouth size. It is better to have Cichlids as Oscar companions and make sure they are not the larger breeds. Larger breeds tend to be aggressive and spoil the otherwise peaceful surroundings of the tank. Different fish like Pacu, Clown Loach, Catfish, Black Lancer and the Synodontis, Silver Dollar, etc. can prove to be good companions. Make sure they are not large or very young. Convicts, Firemouths, Sevrums, Jack Dempseys, and Geophagus Juripari are also suitable as companions.

Oscars, as you must have understood by now quickly, over grow their tanks. Thus, make sure you have a large area to house these huge fish. Pet care is the owner's responsibility, especially when you bring home a fish that will be with you for a long time. Proper diet, clean, warm water will help your Oscars stay disease free. Before you bring home an Oscar fish, make sure you have the time, energy and dedication to commit to these fish. Do proper research and gather all the knowledge about caring for these fish, as it is not easy to maintain a big fish. With all the resources in hand, bring home your fish and bring home an 'Oscar'.

Benefits and Uses of Salmon Oil

Salmon oil mainly contains omega-3 fatty acids. This is considered to be an excellent way to boost up the HDL in the blood. There are many benefits and uses of salmon oil and generally side effects are uncommon. Salmon oil has proven to be excellent and extremely essential for health. In other words, it is known to be very advantageous for health, at almost every stage of life.

Fish oil is considered to be valuable for the health of a person because it is rich in omega-3 acids. The oil that is derived from salmon fish which have a relatively shorter lifespan compared to other fish. These are also smaller in size and are also a high source of omega fatty acids. When one looks for supplements, one needs to ensure that these are molecularly distilled. This would ensure it cleans out all the impurities found in the salmon. With the waters being polluted, it is now mandatory that you check the authenticity of the products before you purchase them. Apart from using it, there are people who prefer to eat the salmon fish itself, which would be enough to maintain the balance of the intake of omega-3 acids.

If one prefers to take supplements in the form of medication, it is advisable to take the opinion of the dietician before proceeding with the supplement product. This would ensure you take the right dosage.

Benefits

• Salmon oil is used for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Researchers believe that it is very useful as a measure of protection against heart attack.
• Salmon oil is said to be a very good supply of essential nutrients for the body, as the oil supplements are known to be very beneficial for eyesight.
• Salmon oil is known to reduce the 'bad' cholesterol in the body as it increases the HDL in the blood.
• Inflammation in the body can cause excruciating pain, discomfort and decreased mobility. This is yet another benefit of salmon oil - it helps in reducing the inflammation.
• Salmon oil is also packed with essential fatty acids. These help in the reduction of the symptoms of diseases such as asthma, gallstones, psoriasis, arthritis, atherosclerosis, Crohn's disease, etc. Studies have shown that children who consume fresh salmon fish regularly have a lower risk of developing asthma than others who generally avoid the consumption of fish.
• Salmon oil is also known to prevent prostate cancer.
• It also helps in reducing the chances of breast cancer.
• Research has shown that the right intake also reduces the feeling of depression. Low levels of intake have shown high level of depression between people as compared to those who consumed this at least twice a week.
• A high intake of salmon oil is also linked to a decline in the suffering caused by Alzheimer's disease. Low levels can cause frequent memory losses later on in life.
• Salmon oil also helps in lowering high blood pressure.
• One of the other benefits is that it reduces the pain caused by menstrual cramps.
• The wild variety of salmon oil is a rich source of amino acids that aids metabolism as well as cellular, muscular and osteal recuperation.
• The wild variety is also a grand source of vitamins A, B, B₆, D and E which basically boosts your body circulation and immunity.

Uses

Omega-3 fish oil has uses that are far-reaching. The most popular use is in its role as a natural and effective pain reliever. It is also one of the safest kinds available. Therefore, it is used in numerous medications. Drugs that used omega-3 fish oil proved to be more effective for people suffering from inflammatory diseases, respiratory diseases, etc.

Salmon oil is also unique because it provides an added boost of omega-3 compared to any other kind of oil. It is the most complete omega-3 fish oil supplement.

When taking an intake of salmon oil supplements, moderation is the keyword. The supplements are very useful for brain development and memory function. It enhances the power of recall and also aids concentration levels. Capsules need to be taken under medical supervision to ensure you have the right balance. In some cases, there have been side effects such as a fishy taste, belching problems and nausea. But with proper instructions, even these can be diminished.

Salmon oil is a miracle food that helps us maintain a healthy body due to all its beneficial properties. The uses of are aplenty and it is only a matter of correct usage that will give us the best effects in the long run.

How to Fly Fish

Fly fishing as a hobby has been growing in popularity by the day. Anybody can learn the techniques of fly fishing, regardless of their age. In fact, fly fishing has been around for a long time. According to historians, there are records of it dating back to the 2nd century AD, in Mesopotamia, a region which lies between the Tigris and Euphrates, a part of which is now known as Iraq. Rooster feathers were used to make the flies which were cast using a pole measuring six foot in length and a line about as long. Fly fishing today has not changed very much basically, although, of course, there has been progress in terms of the materials that the rods, lines and flies are made of.

Techniques Used for Fly Fishing

So what is so unique about fly fishing, you might well ask. No, it is not about catching flying fish and neither is it about catching flies! When you fly fish, in contrast to other types of fishing, you do not use any bait that is organic, whether dead or live. Instead, artificial flies, such as string, ribbon, feathers, hair, etc., are used as lure to catch fish. First, the fly fisherman attaches the artificial flies to the hook and line. Then he/she casts the line into the water and shakes the fly in jerky movements on or just above the water's surface, making the fly mimic the movements of an insect. The first and most important factor, if you want to learn to fly fish, is knowing the different kinds of artificial baits that are used.

Another distinguishing aspect that differentiates it from other types of fishing is the way in which the line is cast. While in other types of fishing you need to cast the line and rely on the bait to attract fish, in fly fishing you will need far more expertise in order to lure the fish. It needs a lot of skill to cast the line and mimic insects, skimming just the top of the water, even sometimes dipping it under the water's surface, and then finally managing to entice a fish to take a bite at it. And this is also a major part of why fly fishing is so engrossing and such fun.

The fishing rod is the most important tool for fly fishers, as this is what is used to cast the fly line and then to control it. In the beginning, it is recommended to use a hollow fiber glass rod instead of a bamboo rod. Fiberglass rods are lighter and far more flexible, and require less maintenance. Plus, they are relatively cheaper and do not need to be stored as carefully as bamboo rods. Once you gain in experience, you could switch to a graphite rod. Not only is a graphite rod stronger, but being thinner and lighter it is far more maneuverable, hence the line can be cast far more swiftly and much further away.

Usually, these rods are longer than the usual fishing rods. The reel is also fairly simple, as it is usually used only to recover the hook and the lure - perhaps with a fish caught at the end of it! Before they cast the line, fly fishermen generally loosen it, pulling some of it from the reel, to create slack. This helps in casting the lure freely to the area the fisherman has targeted.

The fishing line used in fly fishing is also quite different compared to those used in normal fishing. The line is larger in diameter and is therefore completely visible. Some of them are designed to float on the surface of the water, while others sink under the surface. A tippet is attached at the fly line's end, which is what actually does the fishing. This is about 6 feet in length with the lure being tied to the end of the fly line. This contraption is the reason the fish are unable to catch sight of the fly line and fools them into thinking that it is a real insect that they are seeing.

The next thing that fly fishing beginners need to familiarize themselves with is the lure. While it is true that the lure is supposed to mimic insects like flies, but these days, they have become much more specialized. With the evolution of this sport, fly fishing buffs now are going in for lures that mime the exact prey of the fish they set out to catch. Hence, once you learn the basics of casting and using the lure, in order to refine your skill even further, it would be helpful to learn about the specific feeding habits and baits of a variety of species of fish. The main kinds of flies that you will find in a shop dealing with fly fishing gear are emerging bugs and dry flies, wet flies, streamers, nymphs, saltwater flies, panfish and bass flies, and steelhead and salmon flies. However, modifications can be made to the basic flies according to any kind of fish, and there can be nearly endless combinations and color patterns that can be designed.

As is quite evident, fly fishing is a fascinating sport. The best way to gain expertise in it is to seek instructions from an experienced master. He/she will not only tell you more about lures, reels, rods and lines, but also give you information about the best spots for fly fishing.

Sauteed Scallops

Scallops is a popular edible shellfish, that is similar to oysters and clamps. There are scores of different recipes of scallops that are enjoyed by one and all. The soft and fleshy texture of scallops, along with its mild sweet flavor is the reason for this seafood becoming so popular in almost all parts of the world. Now, you must be wondering how to cook scallops! You can bake them, grill them or just fry them in butter, they are surely going to satiate your taste buds.

Sauteed Scallops Recipes

Sauteed scallops are easy to make and are ready within minutes. The key here is to choose the best quality scallops for these recipes.

Recipe 1
Ingredients:

• 1 pound scallops
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• cup butter
• 2 sprigs rosemary

Directions:
Melt butter in a medium-sized saucepan. When the butter melts completely, add crushed garlic and rosemary to it. Then add scallops and cook over medium heat for about 2 minutes. Turn them over and continue cooking for two more minutes. When it is of the desired consistency, remove the rosemary and garlic. Serve hot!

Recipe 2
Ingredients:

• 1 pound scallops, with shells
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• cup butter
• teaspoon salt
• teaspoon pepper
• 1 clove garlic, crushed

Directions:
Wash the scallops and dry them well. In a medium-sized saucepan or skillet, melt butter over low heat. Add crushed garlic, chopped parsley, salt and pepper, when the butter melts completely. When you see the butter foaming, add the washed and dried scallops. Saut for about 2 to 3 minutes. Serve hot!

Recipe 3
Ingredients:

• 1 pound scallops
• 6 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 ripe tomato, skinned, seeded and chopped
• cup parsley, finely chopped
• teaspoon salt
• teaspoon black pepper

Directions:
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Saut crushed garlic and chopped shallot, until it is tender. Add the scallops and saut till they turn slightly brown and opaque. This may take five minutes or so! Now, add lemon juice, chopped tomato, parsley, salt and black pepper. Cook for about a minute over medium heat.

Recipe 4
Ingredients:

• 1 pound sea scallops
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and de-veined
• 2 slices of bacon
• 1 small green onion, sliced

Directions:
Microwave the bacon slices until crispy. Drain them and place on a paper towel. In a large skillet, add the bacon grease or the drippings. Add scallops and shrimp and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often. Cook until the scallops are opaque and the shrimp turn pink. Now add sliced green onion and cook for another minute, stirring constantly. Serve it hot with crumbled bacon sprinkled over it!

I'm sure you liked the above recipes! So, then what are you waiting for? Pick up a favorite recipe and get going! Happy cooking!

How to Breed Betta Fish (Siamese Fighting Fish)

Betta fish are aggressive in nature. Two males cannot be kept in one tank without a partition. The males fight each other till only one survives. To avoid continuous attack on the weaker fish, it is best to house one male with two or three females. You can clearly distinguish between the males and females because of their physical appearance. The males have brilliant colorations and long flowing fins; on the other hand, females are not as brightly colored and have shorter fins.

Water Properties Required for Betta
They have a lifespan of 2 - 3 years. They survive in soft water with a temperature up to 75 - 86F. They require a pH level between neutral to slightly acidic.

What Other Breeds Can I Keep With My Betta
Although called fighter fish, bettas usually fight amongst their own species. They are quite harmless, docile and peaceful when kept with others. They lack the aggressiveness and are slow compared to other aggressive species. When introducing this aquatic creature in a community tank, one should keep in mind that there should not be any aggressive or fin-nibbing fish in the tank. Aggressive ones like Cichlids, Tetras and Gouramis should be avoided. Male bettas often get confused with aquarium fish like swordtails (has a lot of red or blue coloring), guppies (long flowing fins), angelfish, mollies as another betta and kill them. Goldfish, danios and barbs like to nip the fins of others, and may nip the fins of a betta causing infection and injury. You should avoid keeping Betta imbellis, also known as peaceful betta, with Betta splendens as the latter could attack them. You can keep Siamese fighters with these fish in large tanks with lot of spaces to hide. You can hang plastic containers from the top for the betta fish to avoid confrontation or nibbing by others in the aquarium.

Breeding Procedure
Breeding a betta fish is very easy. However, there are number of factors that should be understood well before starting this rewarding endeavor. You need time, knowledge, patience, proper resources and total commitment to mate bettas. You should learn everything about the care that should be taken and mating methods. Be well aware of their genetics and behavior. Also consider the reason you want to breed this fish. Bettas lay 600 eggs in a single spawn. Thus, you may end up taking care of at least 500 bettas. If you want to supply them to a local pet store it may be a good business venture. Breeding is a serious undertaking that may require an investment of both your time and finance. It is not a profitable venture initially and may take time to give you the desired returns. If you have made up your mind to copulate betta fish as a hobby or business venture then here are a few instructions related to their mating.

Selection: You should buy a pair of Siamese fighting fish that are not more than 14 months old. They should be nearly of the same size, with vibrant colors and without any injury or missing scales. The pair must have smooth gills without any visible swelling. Both should have clear dark eyes and there should be no tearing of fins and it should not have any holes. You should locate a reputable breeder online or in your area to purchase the mating pair. It is very important to have information about their genetic traits. Most of the fish in pet stores have unknown genetic background and you may end up breeding sickly or undesirable fry.

Various Types: There are 10 groups of betta species with 42 types of individual bettas. They have different methods of copulating. The 'Bubblenesters' that include spendens, bellica and coccina make a nest of bubbles to support the eggs. Then there is the 'Mouthbrooders' like the forrest betta or the green throat mouthbrooder. The males of these species carry the eggs in their throat.
Setting Up the Tank: You will require a breeding tank of about 5 - 10 gallons. It should have a removable divider, hiding places and heater set to 80F. Do not add gravel or sand in the tank as the eggs may get lost when they fall to the bottom.

Introducing the Fish to Each Other: Keep the fish in the opposite sides of the tank to get them accustomed to each other. When they do not show aggressiveness and do not try to attack through the divider, it means they are interested in each other.

Observe behavior: If the bettas are interested in each other than the male will swim around the tank displaying his fins, flaring and showing off to the female. The female displays vertical bars on her body and submissively holds her head down. Slight aggressiveness is fine, but if they try to attack each other, separate them and try again later or else, try another pair.

Breeding Time: The male builds a bubble nest when he is ready to mate. The female shows typical submissive behavior and a bloated belly meaning, she is ready for egg production. Release the female in the male territory or remove the barrier. Keep an eye, when they are together. The male may bully the female and nip at her fins and chase her around. It is fine as long as the female fish's life is not at stake. The hiding place provided will help the female escape the bullying male for sometime. When she is under the bubble nest, they embrace each other. This act helps in squeezing the eggs out of the female's ovipositor. The male swims down and scoops the fallen eggs and puts them one by one into his nest. During this time the female becomes zombie-like as the eggs fall down from her ovipositor. They embrace many more times and finally she stops releasing eggs. When the female comes out of her zombie-like state, she may help the male in carrying the eggs to the nest. Be very vigilant as she may eat the eggs. Remove and place her in the other side of tank. Treat the tank with Maroxy as it is very helpful in healing her injured fins and preventing fungus from killing the eggs.

Removing the Fish: After about three days you will observe the fry swimming out of the bubble nest. Take out the male and female from the tank and place them separately with a divider or barrier.

Feeding the Fry: Feed the fry with live microworms twice a day. If live microworms are still present in the tank till the next feeding time, skip giving more food. When the fry is about a week old you may feed them some baby brine shrimp.

Best Growing Conditions: The fry requires temperature of about 80F for growth. Gradually increase the amount of their feed. When they outgrow the tank space, place them in a larger fish tank. Many of them do not survive the first few weeks so you should check the temperature, chemical levels and water condition.

Caring for Growing the Fry: When they are about a month old, slowly wean them off the live food. Feed them frozen dried flakes or pellets. When they are about 5 - 8 weeks, separate the males to avoid them from injuring one another. Place the transparent cups or tanks near each other as they may not be used to living alone. Males may not eat for a day or two, thus stimulating their appetite by giving live food. Isolate the males with opaque dividers as they may wear themselves out trying to attack the other male in the adjacent tank.

Future of Your Fry: The adult traits are visible within 10 - 11 weeks. You may start selling your fry after this period. If you want to continue mating betta fish, then select them from each spawn. The others can be sold or given away.

If you own a pond, you can release the adult bettas in it or you can give them as gifts. You can sell them to the local pet store and build a long business relationship of selling them. Do not breed betta fish, if you are not sure that you can sell or give away all the 500 fry produced by a single pair. If you have weighed all the pros and cons of breeding these fish, then have a great time carrying out this marvelous yet different hobby.

New England Vacation Spots

A New England vacation allows you to traverse this beautiful land, distinctly known for its rich culture and the spectacular picture postcard beauty. New England essentially comprises the six states which includes Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine and New Hampshire. Located on the northeastern corner of the United States, this area was one of the earliest English settlements in the country. Each of these states have their own unique character with scenic ocean beaches, quaint little towns and a distinct cultural entity. So whether you choose a romantic getaway at the gorgeous seacoast in Maine, or enjoy a cultural and educational family weekend at the historic Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts, New England vacation spots has something for every vacationer.

Top 5 Vacation Spots in New England

Spot 1: Rhode Island in New England is known for its rich cultural history and its natural beauty. A well-known attraction of this place are its long sandy beaches. With the relatively gentle ocean waves and soft sea sand, these Rhode Island beaches are ideal for a family outing. In addition to this, check out the popular Newport gilded age mansions or enjoy a cultural performance or the public art in Providence. However, if it is relaxation that you are seeking on your vacation, then Block Island is definitely the place to be. The seventeen miles of beach front allow you to laze around and enjoy the sun and sand. However, for all the adventure lovers, Block island offers a host of adventure activities such as, kayaking, biking and hiking, and while you are there do not forget to check out the wonderful seafood restaurants. You can access it from Rhode Island by a ferry.

Spot 2: Cape Cod in Massachusetts is destination number two in this list. What makes this region a vacationer's paradise are its 560 miles of unspoiled and quaint beaches, beautiful vineyards and amazing seafood. The spectacular settings overlooking the ocean boast of amazing views of the wide dune fields and sandy bluffs that form the edges of Cape Cod. Swimming, sailing, fishing and whale watching are some of the common adventure highlights of this region.

Spot 3: Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire offers a range of outdoor recreation activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and much more. So, whether you want to go sailing or just laze around on the beach, Lake Winnipesaukee offers the perfect natural backdrop for a great vacation.

Spot 4: Known as the green mountain state, Vermont in New England is a mecca for those wanting to enjoy their ski vacations. Stowe, Kilington and Mount Snow have amazing ski areas for people wanting to enjoy snow skiing and tubing. Besides that, there are activities like hiking, fishing, biking and paddling which you can enjoy in Vermont. Vacationers can get a feel of the historic place with its fascinating museums, theater and music venues. A must see spot for all vacationers is the Lake Champlain and its picturesque valley with the beautiful, rustic farms.

Spot 5: The rocky coastlines and magnificent marinas packed with fishing boats; Acadia National Park in Maine is a delight for all tourists. You can hike along granite peaks, cycle along the historic carriage roads or just sit back and enjoy the scenic beauty of the place. The notable attractions are the Cadillac Mountain, the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse and the 27 mile scenic Park Loop road.

Although this list may not be all-inclusive, it does offer the vacationer an insight into the wealth of beautiful and fun vacation spots in New England, which is perfect for every vacationer.

Best Halibut Recipes

Being one of the largest saltwater fish, the Halibut can weigh up to 160 pounds! Yes, people have been gorging on these delicious fish ever since the beginning of time. Throughout history, the Halibut has been considered by most religions as a sacred fish and has also been served at religious festivals and on holidays. A nutrient rich food, halibuts are an excellent source of proteins and other essential nutrients like magnesium, minerals selenium, potassium, vitamin B, phosphorus and above all, the extremely important omega-3 fatty acids.

In the kitchen, the halibut is just as versatile. With so many different recipes for frying, grilling, broiling, baking, deep-frying, barbecuing, poaching and pan-frying your halibut, you can take this delicious dish when you are out picnicking or even for family getaways.

Grilled Halibut

Ingredients

• cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• cup brown sugar
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard

Directions

In a marinade dish, mix all the above ingredients and then add the halibut steaks. Cover both sides of the steaks and then set it aside for about 4 hours. Keep turning the steaks over frequently. Heat the grill at a medium temperature. Grill the steaks until they are well done but make sure they don't go dry, and keep basting them with marinade every now and then. Make sure you don't over cook the halibut, so stick to grilling it at a low temperature. Serve your grilled halibut with veggies or rice. Without being too overpowering, the marinade will give the fish a nice flavor.

Spicy Grilled Alaska Chili-Lime Halibut

Ingredients

• 4 Alaska Halibut steaks
• cup rice vinegar
• cup lime juice
• cup grape seed oil
• 1 cup sweet Thai chili sauce
• cup black sesame seeds

Directions

Mix all these ingredients together and then marinate the Alaskan steaks for about one hour. Make sure both sides are marinated well. Grill the steaks on the barbecue grill until the halibut flakes when you test it with a fork. This makes for 4 servings. The sweet Thai chili sauce is available at any Asian specialty market.

Halibut w/Sambal Vinaigrette and Wasabi Cream

Ingredients for Sambal Vinaigrette

• 1 teaspoons rice vinegar
• 2 teaspoons Sambal Oelek
• 1 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil

Ingredients for Wasabi Cream

• 2 teaspoons Wasabi powder
• 3 tablespoons water
• cup sour cream

Ingredients for Halibut

• 1 halibut steak (1" thick), skinned and cut into 4 pieces
• cup parsley, chopped
• teaspoon vegetable oil

Directions

Preheat the oven to about 400F. To make the Vinaigrette you need to blend all the ingredients together in a blender until a smooth paste is formed and then season this paste with salt. To make the cream you must first whisk the Wasabi powder with the water until it becomes a smooth paste and then whisk this paste in the sour cream and season with salt. To make the Halibut you must first pat the fish dry and then season it with salt and pepper. Sprinkle each side with the chopped parsley. Heat a skillet over a high flame until it becomes hot. Then, add some oil and put in the fish with the parsley side up. Sear the fish for about 1 minute until its underside turns brown. Turn the fish over and then put the skillet in the center of the oven. Roast for about 5 minutes until the fish is well cooked. The fish is now ready to be served, parsley side up, with a spoonful of each of the sauces on top.

Halibut Hot Pie w/Mashed Potato Crust

Also great when served with mahi-mahi or salmon. Re-warm the potatoes in your microwave before you use them in this recipe and add more warm milk if the mashed potatoes are too thick.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 fennel, trimmed, halved, sliced
• cup sliced shallots
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 cups vegetable broth
• 1 lb halibut fillets
• 6 oz baby spinach
• 3 cups mashed potatoes, warm

Directions

Preheat the broiler. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over a medium flame. Add the shallots and the fennel. Cover the pan and cook for about 8 minutes while stirring occasionally until they turn tender. Sprinkle with salt, flour and pepper. Saut for about 2 minutes. Add the broth and then bring it to a boil while stirring frequently. Add the spinach and fish. Cover the dish and let it simmer over a medium flame for about 4 minutes until the fish is almost done. Transfer this mixture to a baking dish. Spoon the mashed potatoes into the dish and cover it completely. Broil the dish until it starts bubbling at the edges and the potatoes develop brown spots. Your hot pie is now ready to be served.

Weren't these some of the best halibut recipes? Once you prepare these recipes, we'd love to hear from you. Let us know they turned out and if there are any suggestions or comments, you can let us know.

Evil Skull Drawings

Evil skulls are symbols that are favorites with many groups (or bad guys) like gangsters, heavy rock bands, some weird blood drinking cults (ok, I just made this up!), bikers and my favorite, the pirates! Depending upon the purpose, you should design or select skull art designs.

Guidelines to Select Evil Skull Designs
There are certain technical things you need to keep in mind, when selecting a skull design for any arts and crafts project. Here are some tips.

• If you wish make a logo for some magazine or site, then stick to simple and edgy but stylish skull art. For example, if you are looking for a site which describes deadly snakes, then a skull can represent death and a snake in or around the skull can represent the killer snakes. Make sure you keep the designs as simple as possible, with clear lines so that the graphic represents the meaning of the site properly.
• If you wish to get the drawing printed on a coffee mug, then again keep it simple. You can accompany it with the cross bones sign or a name or label.
• To get the skull drawing or art printed on your t-shirt, make sure you consider the technical details. For example, if you are getting your t-shirt design printed, then how much will it cost you, will it cost less if the design is simple and black and white, or calculate the cost of the printing of a colored detailed graphic on your t-shirt. Select the design according to your group or whatever you want your t-shirt to represent. You can also add a one-liner message if you like.
• If you are looking for an evil skull art drawing for your door sign, to ask others to keep out, then select a nasty mean looking skull art and you can draw the details, and color the drawing with your crayons.
• For graffiti, there are no limitations and you can add as many details as you want to your skull art drawing. Just make sure the wall is big enough, to contain the design.

How to Draw Evil Skull Designs?
Now that you know how to select skull art, let us look at the step for drawing it...

Step 1: Anatomy and Basic Form
If you want to study skull anatomy, you will need to remember all the weird names like maxilla, zygomatic bones, glabella and what not! Instead let's opt for a simpler approach and concentrate on the three main parts of the skull. The top round-oval shaped portion of the head, the bottom part of the skull which is the jaw, and third, the placement of the nasal bone or nose, and the eye sockets or the eyes. Here, I have drawn a basic outline form of the skull, showing the top head and the jaw part.


Step 2: Adding Evil
Whenever drawing anything evil, try to draw sharp lines. Now add details and characteristics to the drawing; in this sketch I have added the eyes, which have sharp uplifted eyebrows thus betraying an emotion of anger. The jaw or the mouth line is like an inverted 'U' shape showing displeasure. You can try out your own eye shapes and mouth shapes if you like.


Step 3: Giving Life!
Adding character to the skull is important. Here, I have drawn a bandanna, an earring and added some cross bones to give the skull a pirate look. You can add different details to give the skull different characteristics, below are some examples.


Theme Skull Art Designs with Pictures
Here is a collage of different character theme skull art designs like death, devil, pirate, girl skull, gangster, rock star etc. You can work out your own skull drawings on similar designs, or draw a basic skull and give it a brand new bad look of your choice.


Stylized Skull Art Designs with Pictures
Here are some skull clip art and some stylized skull art designs. If you wish to make your skull art design stylized and cool looking, then stick to a basic edgy styled drawing and try to add least number of details.


So start sketching your evil skulls and get them printed on different objects, to hoard up on your very own evil art skull treasure trove!

Nigiri Vs. Sashimi

Those who have tasted sushi can hardly stop raving about this famous Japanese delicacy. Those who haven't, will instantly crinkle their noses at the mere mention of this dish. Why? Because sushi is often wrongly translated to fresh, raw fish! I agree, the idea of digesting smelly raw fish is hardly appetizing. But what if I told you that the word 'sushi' has nothing to do with fish! Confused? If you visit a sushi bar you will come to know that there are dozens of sushi recipes (nigiri being one of them) and many of them do not include fish. Nigiri and sashimi are two different Japanese dishes and sashimi does not even remotely concern sushi. So let's try to uncover the mystery about nigiri, sashimi and sushi.

Nigiri Vs. Sashimi

To understand the comparison between nigiri and sashimi, one needs to know what is sushi. Sushi is basically vinegared rice served with a variety of dishes. When sushi is served with a single fish topping it is called nigiri. When a single thin slice of raw fish is served without rice, it is called sashimi.

Sashimi is often served as an appetizer or a palate cleanser at the beginning of a meal. The fish is very thinly sliced and is usually served with an array of garnishes and sauces. Pickled vegetables such as ginger, shredded daikon radish, and toasted nori (a type of seaweed) are some common garnishes for sashimi. Sashimi is also served with soy sauce and wasabi. Oftentimes, ground ginger root is added to wasabi for an added flavor.

Sashimi is always made from saltwater fish, rather than freshwater fish. The reason is, freshwater fish contains some parasites which are capable of inducing intestinal problems. Fresh fish is always preferred for sashimi, though frozen, thawed fish may sometimes be used. Tuna, abalone, bass, bonito, fish roe, snapper, mackerel, shad, prawns, octopus and squid are some commonly used fish varieties for making sashimi. Fresh fish ensures that the fish used in sashimi retains its flavor. Reputed restaurants and sushi bars have their own saltwater tank which enables them to take fresh fish as per customer's order. At sushi bars you can see the dish prepared right in front of your eyes. The chef skillfully slices the fish and removes bones from it. The dish in then presented with an assortment of garnishes and sauces, as mentioned above.

Nigiri on the other hand is a true sushi dish as it is served with a clump of vinegared rice or sushi. A small rice clump is made by hand and a thin fish slice is pressed on top of this rice. This fish topping is also called neta. The whole mixture may sometimes be tied together with a toasted nori. Often, wasabi is placed between the fish topping and rice clump. The fish topping used in this dish can be raw, grilled, batter fried or slightly smoked, depending upon the variety of fish used. Smoking or grilling kills the parasites and makes the fish safe to eat.

As the fish topping is often used in the form of a raw fillet, it is imperative that the fish must be of highest quality. Reputed sushi bars do not compromise on the quality of fish used. Tuna, eel, haddock, shad, snapper, octopus, or shrimp are some commonly used varieties for nigiri dishes. Nigiri is served with an array of garnishes and sauces. At times, it is also combined with other sushi dishes such as maki, which is nothing but sushi in the form of a roll. Temaki, sumaki are some forms of maki sushi.

Hope, this article helped you to understand the comparison between nigiri and sashimi. Sushi is indeed a delectable dish, so do not let your preconceived notions about this dish prevent you from enjoying this wonderful delicacy.

Ice Fishing Tips for Perch

Blatantly starting off with the first fact of freshwater perch fish, these species are abundantly found in the North American region and have 165 sub-species in its category. They are freshwater fish found in rivers, streams and also in some Canadian lakes. Yellow perches are usually the ones that are spotted in the NA lakes and thus are called lake perches. It is mostly during the winter season when the activity of ice fishing for yellow or white perches gets exciting. Sometimes many anglers manage to catch jumbo perches as well. You too, should definitely go for ice fishing and fetch a few perches for yourself! Moreover these species aren't very big in size and they tend to team up in winter seasons. So that is the best time you can try your luck on the ice and gear and fetch a school of them for a good meal! To become a successful angler all you need to have is some handy tips and along with that some know-how on the gear techniques to get a fish bite your bait!

Perch Ice Fishing Techniques and Tips

• Perch fish generally swim at the bottom of a freshwater body. Hence bottom of a river can be a great spot to fish for them if you really have excellent angling skills to go about doing this task.
• If you can prepare the perch baits in minnows, cut the heads and tails of the minnows and feed them to the perch. They will dole out to be a great bite for them.
• Big size perch fish swim in dense waters, whereas ones which are small-sized swim in shallow waters. So once you have prepared the bait, depending on the location you are situated at, dip your bait deep down into the bottom of the water or let it remain floating on the surface.
• Today many anglers have advanced equipment and make use of electronics like GPS systems and sonar systems to check the spots for perch fish beneath the thick ice layers. Some people have even come up with their own techniques of using underwater cameras for perch fishing.
• Perch fish are very aggressive and finicky when it comes to eating habits and hence they take a while to adjust towards eating the bait that has been offered. The best way to know when they calm down is to be patient and observant till you are rewarded with a big meal on your hook for which you will feel happy about.
• Another tip to share regarding perch fishing is to at least carry more than 2 sets of fishing rods equipped with different lures. Make sure one of the rod is a plain hook and has some weight attached to it. This method is called jigging, wherein, one of the rod is used to bring the perch close to the bait and the other rod attached with minnow as a bait is used to distract the fussy and picky fish around.
• Under the subject of yellow perch ice fishing tips, make sure you utilize hooks which have a sharp needle-like appearance. It is important because when the perches bite the bait they can easily get nicked to the hooks only because they are sharp and pointed.
• Another technique you can implement is to drill holes in the layer of ice but in a zig-zag pattern. This will give you more space and time to fish for the school of perches instead of sitting around one drilled hole and waiting for those shy creatures to angle your lure.

Some Other Ways to Ice Fish Perch

Although fishing for a perch with the right line and gear sounds very pleasing, remember when it comes to ice fishing no fish literally comes to the hook all by themselves. To be smart and find your catch right beneath that thick layer of ice, you surely will need some real tips and some crucial techniques too. So have a look at them below.

Locate their Move!
Finding the location of perch fish is the biggest task. For that you need to study their environmental behavior. Like for instance, with the changing weather, perch changes it's location from one place to another. So if you fish for them in the shallow weeds where the ice isn't too much, you will not have to spend a lot of time looking out for them. In such a case, going in an early winter season is a good idea.

Perches tend to move to deep waters in mid-winters and again in late winter and spring times; all the shoals move to dark bottom bays and spawning areas. So these are the perfect places you can drill perch holes in the ice and sit around fishing for a good lot!

Jigging for a Catch
Well when it comes to perch fish, the two most important things to note is the location for fishing and the presentation needed while you drop the lure. Jigging happens to be the best presentation for a school of perches that too during an ice fishing season. Are you wondering what jigging is? In simple words, it's a way to make your fishing rod dance. When you drop your lure in the water, raise it after every 5 to 10 seconds which will stimulate the moves of a bait fish. This is a very common presentation and works quite often while ice-fishing for perch.

Just one last quickie I wish to add to the list of perch fishing tips; always remember that perch are a good catch during daylight hours and are rarely found during the night. But the best way to capture them is to have a good presentation, an excellent location and last but not the least, great equipment and delicious-luring bait! Enjoy Fishing!!

Clownfish and Sea Anemone

All clownfish are born male, and they have a choice (which is irreversible) to change their gender, to become the dominant female of their group.
The sea anemone gets its name from the beautiful anemone flower. Unlike its namesake, the sea anemone is a carnivorous water dweller, feeding on fish and shrimp. This polyp is a highly dangerous being, as its tentacles are triggered off by the slightest touch. These venom-filled tentacles, when touched, fire off a harpoon-like filament into their prey.

Big things come in small packages. This phrase is apt while describing a clownfish. Albeit small, this temperamental fish has a beauty of its own. Although so varied, the existence of both these creatures are intricately woven into each other. Symbiosis refers to a living situation between two organisms, from which both the creatures may or may not benefit. In the case of a clownfish and sea anemone, the symbiosis between them is beneficial for each other.

Clownfish
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Actinopterygii
Order	Perciformes
Family	Pomacentridae
Subfamily	Amphiprioninae

Sea Anemone
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Cnidaria
Class	Anthozoa
Subclass	Hexacorallia
Order	Actiniaria
Diversity	46 families

Clownfish

Size	2 - 5 inches
Color	Red, orange, yellow, purple, black
Lifespan	6 - 10 (wild), 3 - 5 (captivity)
Habitat	Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, Red Sea, Great Barrier Reef
Traits	Temperamental, aggressive, territorial
Food	Omnivorous
Diet	Plankton, algae, mollusks, crustacia, zooplankton, isopods

Sea Anemone

Size	0.71 - 1.12 inches
Color	Multicolored
Lifespan	50 years or more (wild), several months (captivity)
Habitat	Tropical waters, shallow waters mostly attached to rocks
Food	Carnivorous
Diet	Small fish, shrimp

Their Symbiotic RelationshipThe beauty of the relationship between the two is remarkable. A tiny fish making its residence within the venomous tentacles of the sea anemone seems difficult to fathom. But this is no cruel trick of nature - it is reality!

The reason behind their compatibility is that they have a give-and-take relationship between them. The clownfish, because of its bright colors, attracts prey for the sea anemone to hunt and feed on. In turn, the sea anemone feeds the clownfish with scraps or leftovers from its meals. Also, the clownfish prunes the sea anemone by eating up the dead tentacles of this polyp, and algae that settles on it. Better water circulation is given to the sea anemone when the clownfish fans its fins while swimming. The feces of the clownfish also provides as a fertilizer to the sea anemone.

Being very territorial, the clownfish drives away polyp-eating fish, thus providing protection to the sea anemone. In return, this polyp provides protection to the clownfish, as the predators of the fish prefer to steer clear of the venomous tentacles of the sea anemone.

Clownfish do not get harmed when they touch sea anemones. This is because the clownfish has a coat of mucus on its skin, which is made of protein instead of sugar. This could be a reason as to why the sea anemone does not consider the clownfish as an enemy.
Facts about Clownfish and Sea Anemone

• Clownfish like shallow waters and sheltered reefs.
• They are not found in the Atlantic Ocean.
• The male clownfish courts the female, lures her into his nest where they mate.
• The tentacles of a sea anemone contains venom, which is a mix of toxins and neurotoxins.
• Nematocysts are the cnidae that sting.
• Sea anemones have a soft, cylindrical body, with a broad, circular foot at the bottom.
• On the top of its body, it has its mouth surrounded by tentacles with poison, that paralyzes its prey.
• Although they usually lie attached to rocks and shells in the ocean, they may also slowly crawl the ocean floor with the help of the foot or swim using the tentacles.
• Some species of sea anemones have their sexes defined, while others are termed as hermaphrodites, as they reproduce through budding and binary fission.

ThreatsClownfish

• Global climate change
• Octopus and large fish
• Eels and stingray
• Sharks and humans

Sea Anemone

• Butterfly fish
• Humans
• Rise in sea water temperature
• Global trade as ornaments

We can see the beautiful relationship between these two marvels of the sea. Their relationship is proof that different species can live in harmony with each other, in order to ensure their own survival.