Introduction to Clownfish

Clown fish are known technically as Anemonefishes. Anemonefishes are a subfamily of damselfish, in the pomacentridae family. There are 26 unique species of 'Clownfish', 25 of them being in the Amphiprion genus and only 1 in the Premnas genus. They are typically a small fish, mature males only growing anywhere from 2 to 5 inches in length.

Habitat

Clownfish are only found in the tropical waters of the Indian or Pacific oceans, and the Red sea. These climits provide a suitable environment for enemonefishes due to their warm temperatures. Clownfish tend to be bottom dwellers, and most notably reside in inshore reefs, specifically inside sea anemones. The anemone provides protection for the Clownfish both by enabling the fish to hide, and with it's poisonus tenticles, keeping other fish away. There is no definite information why the Clownfish is not stung by the anemone, but many theories exist.

Prey or Preditor?

In nature a clownfish will attract it's pray by swiming around it's anemone and displaying it's bright colors. Once the victim, all the time thinking that he is the preditor, begins to aproach, the clownfish will recede into the anemone with his prey following closely behind. The sea anemone once in contact with the 'preditor' will sting, kill, and begin to eat the prey. This leaves the leftovers for the Clownfish to snack on. Other forms of food are planktonic crustaceans and algae that may develope on coral or nearby rocks. Anomenes themselves may provide food as the clownfish will pick at and consume dead tenticles.

Captivity

This fish is a very good first choice for saltwater tanks, which is one of the reasons they have become so popular in the united states and parts of europe. Part of their suitability is found with anemonefishes having a very small territory; which is good for the small area offered in fish tanks. The substrate area of tank, meaning the area on the bottom of your tank adjusted for protruding rocks and sunken ships, is more important then the total volume of the tank. A 20 gallon tank would be considered the minimum recommended size for Clownfish. Living peaceably in your fish tank a Clownfish would require aprox. 14 hours of light and 10 hours of darness every day. These amounts may be adjusted and are only suggestions. Be carefull of high nitrate levels. Mature Clownfish can sometimes tollerate these levels, but the larva and babies will almost certainly not. Include a large variety of food when feeding Clownfish. Feedings should include live brine shrimp, frozen food, algae and the traditional flakes. Being that clownfish will have no preditors in a fish tank a sea anomone is not requird to protect them.

Breeding

Many people believe anemonefishes will not breed without the presence of a sea anemone, but this is not the case. After some time, a particular spawning site will be chosen. This spawning site will remain the same throughout the life of the Clownfish pair. Clownfish will spawn all year round laying their eggs in large batches. In the wild eggs are normally laid on coral or rock that is near the anemone, though in your tank they may be laid anywhere. Once laid by the female, the male clownfish assumes the job of gaurding the eggs until they hatch, typically 4 or 5 days aftwards. When clownfish reach sexual maturity they will strike out on their own, searching for a vacant sea anomone. Clownfish may be expected to live around 3 to 5 years in captivity.

About The Author
Keith Quince is the owner of http://www.saltwater-fish-tanks.com and provides many more education articles on the site.

Tips In Naming Your Puppies

So, you finally deiced to get a puppy. You spent so many hours talking to dog breeders and surfed the Internet countless times to have the perfect puppy for you and your family. You went from doghouses to doghouses, to dog associations, to animal societies, looking and meeting puppies until you have found the right one.

Question is: Now what? Your puppy needs a name!

Throughout his lifetime, you will use the dog's name over 35,000 times. So, make sure that you choose a name that you and your family will use to refer to that loving dog of yours.

Here are some tips in finding the perfect name for your puppy.

Remember that dogs understand brief commands. Names should therefore be easy to remember. Names with two syllables or lesser work well. Don't expect that your dog would be able to respond to you immediately when you named him "John Dewey McArthur".

The name of your puppy should not sound like the rest of the commands. For example, do not call your dog "Stacy". It's too close with the command "stay". Having a name like that will only confuse the dog.

Remember that you will be using the dog's name in public. Remember the joke circulating in emails when someone has a dog named "Sex" and gotten the dog owner into trouble? "Boner" might be funny for your drinking buddies, but may have a different reaction when you are in a veterinarian clinic or at a park.

Ask your kids what they want to name the dog. Let them participate in name decision process. If they want to name the dog "Champ" or "Tootsie" so be it. Reserve your funky names when in front of other people.

You may believe that it would be an honor for your Uncle Tom or best friend Bobby if the dog is named after them. Maybe naming your baby after them might honor them, but naming your puppy after them won't.

If you decided to bring home a dog that is quite older, it would be probably better to stick with its old name. But, what if the name of the dog is "Barney", the name of your-ex whom you had a bitter breakup? Then, stick with other sounds similar to it.

Once you've picked a name, see if it works out. You will know if that works. If not, then there are tons of dog names available to replace it.

With these tips, naming your puppy would be fun.

About The Author
Jack Russell is a a long time dog fancier, visit his Dog Resources Blog and download his Free Dog Owners Handbook - it's Dog Gone Good! http://www.daveshealthbuzz.com/dogcare/.

Types Of Bird Baths

The birds in our locality that visit us each and everyday, find nothing better than lovely layout of fresh and clean water for their bird bath. It is like a little oasis for them. You will definitely be repaid for your thoughtful deed of creating a bird bath with a sight that will appease you heart. For a matter of fact just watching the feathered creatures having fun in the water will make all your efforts worth it.

Many a times this type of arrangement is created for people too. A well created bird bath can be a perfect addition to garden environment. I found great Pet related information at http://www.pleasepetme.com. This creation serves two purposes at the same time; besides being visually attractive it is also serving a useful purpose. The right combination of type and style of the bird bath can increase the appeal of your outdoor garden area and thus can then be enjoyed by both birds and people alike.

Also it acts like a great tool for bird watchers to attract birds and see them form a closer distance. Thus in turn it is a great incentive for bird watchers to build as bird bath for our feathered friends. By using one the bird baths you can attract a diverse collection of species of birds, as proclaimed by some watchers. If you actually check this out you will notice that a greater number of avian creatures are enticed by water than by seeds.

Although amazing, only seed-eating species like the blue jays and the sparrows are attracted to the feeders. You might rarely get a glance of a finch or a bright red cardinal but you can be sure that the feeders will attract the same kind of birds.

Beside the normal seeds, insects and fruits are also a part of the diet of a number of birds. Your seed feeder won't be able to draw bird species like catbirds, wrens and waxwings which are the ones that will give your garden a bit of diversity. Though, you might be able to interest them in a wonderful bird bath. All birds don't indulge in seed, but all do drink water, thus the wonderful thing of a bathing area is that it attracts a wider audience.

Now that you have realized that a well crafted bird bath can complete your garden, you will have to remember a small number of things whilst out shopping. So as to enable the bird to stand properly in the water, ensure that the article has a rough bottom. Also the bird bath has never to be deep, recommended height is three inches or less.

It has been found out that the hum of trickling water attracts more birds than stagnant water, thus it would be great if you would think of including a fountain element to summon the birds to the water oasis.

About The Author
Dylan Mccabe
In Dylan's spare time he helps out with the following internet websites: http://www.mmdatahub.com http://www.massreleases.com

Dog Accessories

Dog ownership carries with it the burden of a number of other purchases. In order to properly care for a dog and to comply with certain local laws, the owner must have a number of dog accessories in his or her arsenal. Some of these items are necessary, others are merely conveniences. It is important to know exactly what you'll need to properly care for your dog.

The Essentials

Most of the truly necessary items for dog care are fairly obvious. If you've got a dog you'll need bowls for the dog's food and water. Mid size to large dogs have a habit of moving their food bowls around the room as they eat. This can make a lot of noise and have the frustrating result of requiring the owner to hunt around for the bowl at feeding time. The problem can be solved by using a heavy ceramic bowl that is difficult for the dog to move around. A sturdy plastic bowl with a rubber lining on the bottom can be useful as well. The rubber on the bottom prevents the bowl from sliding around as Rover enjoys his meal.

For taking the dog on walks you'll need a leash and a collar. These can be as simple or as elaborate as you'd like, but of course you'll want to take the size and strength of your dog into account when selecting them. The collar can (and should) be adorned with a license tag or at least an ID tag that provides your name and contact information in case your dog is lost.

If you live in a big city like New York (Manhattan), Chicago, or other urban area, you'll need to purchase that miracle of modern doggie convenience the "pooper scooper." Most cities have laws against owners simply allowing their dogs to "foul the footpath" or leave little Poodle Bombs all over the city park. In some cities there is a hefty fine for such crappy behavior.

Optional Accessories

There are literally thousands of optional items available for people to purchase for use with their dogs. Some of these items, like the gravity refillable water dishes and food bowls, serve a very useful purpose, others – the dog bandana comes to mind – serve no real purpose and are merely decorative or just plain silly.

One item that some owners do find very useful, especially those that live in a hot climate, are "dog booties." While they may seem like a simply precocious and relatively useless item, they do a good job of protecting the sensitive pads of a dog's feet from rough terrain, rocky areas, and hot pavement. Those in cooler climates may not understand, but in some places, particularly the desert environments of cities like Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Albuquerque, the summer pavement can literally become hot enough to fry an egg. You wouldn't walk barefoot on such a surface and neither should your dog.

About The Author
Kirsten Hawkins is a dog lover and animal expert from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.doghealth411.com/ for more information on dog health, the care of dogs, and dog travel.

Good Cat or Bad Cat?

All domestic cats develop behavioral problems as their predecessors. They encounter both physical and behavioral changes. Cats are creatures of habit. They do what they need to do as their ancestors did from climbing to hunting to marking their territory. What is amusing to a cat can be an enigma for us. Some behavioral problems may be perfectly natural for a cat. Prevention is easier than cure; there are simple remedies. As a previous feline owner I have experienced most of these behavioral problems. My favorite defense was my infamous water pistol.

Cats will climb as this is one of their instincts. As a cat owner utilize implied corrections such as making a loud noise or use a water pistol. Cats will soon associate this activity with consequences. Satisfy your cats desire to climb by providing a location for this natural activity. Some cats explore certain locations out of curiosity.

Cats claw our personal items to mark their territory and to leave their original scent. Provide your cat with a scratching post to prevent damage to your furniture. Always reward them with treats as a reward for utilizing their post instead of your favorite chair or couch. Another simple remedy is to massage catnip on the post to encourage further use of it. To discourage your cat from returning to an already defaced area you can cover the area with two way tape or plastic.

Cats will stalk and can ambush your ankles from a concealed place. This can be painful! Unfortunately this is a natural predatory activity. Direct your cats need by providing proper toys that will stimulate stalking and capturing their prey. If this is unsuccessful either revert to the water pistol or throw a toy.

I recall my cats had a habit of digging in my plant pots. Attempt to keep your cat away from your plants or cover the soil with marbles or gravel. Cats hate to dig in gravel or marbles. Cats also find satisfaction with chewing on items as the actual house plant. Some house plants are poisonous and can be potentially fatal such as Lily of the Valley, Mistletoe, any flower bulb, Ivy, Rhododendron....just to name a few.

If you want to prevent a cats natural instinct to explore you must implement options. Jumping on counters or tables can be hindered by applying two sided tape or revert back to the water pistol. Offer your pet a diversion.
Outdoors offer multiple interests to a curious feline. When you open a door a cat can dash before you realize what happened. A male that is not neutered will bolt to satisfy his mating needs or they can just exit to satisfy their curiosity with all those distractions. Give them food or a toy. Distract them as you depart. With a male not neutered there is only one option....take him to the vet and get him fixed.

If your attempts at resolving your cats behavioral problems are unsuccessful, consult your vet. Maintain regular checkups to ensure there is not an underlying medical problem associated with their specific behavior. Make your vet your friend as they can refer you to a qualified cat trainer as needed. For clawing and climbing your other option is to have your feline declawed by your vet. Give the title good cat to your cat and enjoy those humerous, mischevious moments.

For further information visit me at http://www.cherishmypet.com.

About The Author
Rose Long
We here at Cherish My Pet only offer quality products for the health, safety and welfare of your pet. We have dedicated our lives to animals. We cater to dogs, cats, ferrets and small animals. We emphasize the importance of pet safety, health, training, sanitation, accommodations, nutrition, treats, toys, pet first aide and even fun gifts for the pet owners...come visit and have fun! Visit me at http://www.cherishmypet.com

Stop your Dog Barking When You're Away

Obviously, most problems with barking dogs result from dogs that don't have their owner around to quiet them down. In fact, the owner's absence in many cases is what's rousing the dog's vocal chords.

Most of what you can do to get your dog's barking under control is done directly by you when you catch your dog in the act. For instance, if you know that your dog is barking at, say people who walk their dogs past your house when you're away, then it is possible to recreate this scenario with you present so you can correct the behavior.

However, intermittent barking such as this may be tolerated, by you, the neighborhood, and indeed your local dog legislation, provided your dog is not menacing passers-by through a crumbling fence.

A lonely dog barking or whining can be both much more of a nuisance and much more difficult to address, but there are still some things you should be doing. Try to come home more often, or try to arrange for a friend to visit, ideally with their friendly and energetic dog. It may nip the problem right in the bud. Enough said.

If you know you've got a barking dog problem that has the potential to anger neighbors, a little public relations work can go a long way. If possible, ask your neighbors if there is a barking nuisance coming from your place and, if there is, tell them you're working on it. Then work on it.

You might also try staging a false exit. Walk once around the house or whatever it takes so they think you're gone. When your dog barks, correct the behavior with a "Quiet" command (though your sudden appearance will likely be enough).

You can use special bark collars, that either use sonic or electric power to correct your dog. Others squirt a substance such as citronella when they bark, a scent they despise. I don't use them, and the ones I have seen in use were awkward and not 100 percent effective. But I stay away from them less because they train through discomfort (they do not harm your pet), and more because they displace the source of authority from you to some device they don't understand. Furthermore, they don't differentiate between acceptable - even necessary - barking on one hand, and noise pollution on the other.

There's also a medieval-like procedure whereby the dog's voice-box is removed to render them barkless, or at least takes the bite out of their bark. This is simply abhorrent.

A better option for desperate dog owners is arranging some form of doggy day care, whether it's a professional service or a personal arrangement. Some dogs simply do not get enough stimulation during the day, and they will let the world know about it until they do.

About The Author
Martin Olliver is a proud member of the Kingdom of Pets team (http://www.kingdomofpets.com). For more great articles on problem barking, visit: http://kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/articles/barking_dogs.php.

Puppy Agility Training

You may be asking, "When can I start agility training with my new puppy?" Puppies are always learning, so every time you are with your pup you can be playing and socializing with agility in mind. Always remember, if you can control your puppies environment, you can teach and train the behaviors you want, left on their own, even in a fenced yard, puppies will learn and develop behaviors that later we may want or need to extinguish.

One of the first behaviors we teach our pups is "Table" or "Box". This behavior transfers to the agility pause table. But more than that, the table is the center and control point of our puppy training. We introduce pups and older dogs to the table set at a 12 inch height. If you have a very small pup you could use an 8 inch table, but even with bigger dogs we use the 12 inch table and not higher. To begin, lure pup up on a low pause table, treat him for getting on the table. Once the pup is comfortable getting up on the table, then lure the pup up to a sit. You can also lure to a down.

Next you want to work on distance to the table. If you have a person to help you you can use a white target plate on the table, take the pup and step back from the table about 3 feet. Have your helper make a noise to get the pup's attention, and place a treat on the table. Release your pup to, "Go table." The pup gets his reward only when getting up on the table. If you don't have a helper, than place your treat in a covered container that will be recognized as a treat box for your pup. Leave the treat container on the table, step away from the table about 3 feet, face the table and say, "Go Table".

If your pup is very young, you can hold him as you lift him off the table and move away from the table. If your pup is too big for you to hold then use a flatbuckle collar and light dragline for your pup.

Now introduce your jumps to your pup. But you are not going to use the jump bars yet. First you want your pup to go through or between the jump uprights. Set a jump about 4 feet away from your table. Take your pup to the other side of the jump. So you are lined up pup, jump, then table. You want to get your pups attention to the treat on the table, either with a helper or a treat container, release your pup to the table, "Go Table". Let the pup run ahead of you, but go meet him at the table so that he can get his treat, praise him then offer him another treat for sitting on the table.

Progress with adding one extra jump at a time. Spacing the jumps about 3 feet apart. You are developing a jump chute that will lead the pup to the table. Remember your goal is to build the command, "Go" and "Table". You are also teaching the pup to move out ahead of you, working away from you and getting comfortable working around tables and jumps. Your pup is getting familiar running through the jump uprights, but you are not focusing on having your pup jump.

With all your puppy training, have fun with your pup. Use all your puppies motivators, praise, toys, and food. It is up to you to be more interesting to your pup than all the other distractions out in the yard.

About The Author
Brad Carlson is a dog trainer at Agility by Carlson. For more training details, visit our website at http://www.carlson-agility.com/.

The music of the beaks: Understanding Canaries

Big time symphonists turn their attention to the sounds of thunder, but a lyrical composer listens to bird sounds like that of canaries. I have a flutist friend who keeps canaries in a spare room in his home.

His canaries are called border canaries, the singing kind, all yellow in color. It is only the males that sing with songs as memorable as stashed-away kisses. Not only that, my friend plays his music with his canaries, for they listen and imitate him and sometimes perch on his flute.

Canaries live about ten to fourteen years and can reproduce twice a year. My flutist friend's canaries, now about twenty in number, descended from two canaries, since just a few years back.

He says their daily upkeep doesn't cost much and they are clean birds. Still, the most important thing a bird lover can do is to keep his canary cages or the room used as aviary sparkling clean. Canaries, as all birds, are more susceptible to diseases in a dirty environment.

Direct exposure to sun, too much outside noise, polluted air, sudden temperature changes, bad diet, lack of exercise can make canaries seriously ill. Canaries should never be exposed to damp and drafty conditions since they can develop asthma and rheumatism. Should a canary become ill, the best bet is to consult a veterinarian.

These birds are accident prone, also. Bookshelves, wastebaskets, couches and big upholstered armchairs can serve as death-traps. Canaries are known to fly into mirrors and windows and sustain concussions and broken limbs, too. If a spare room is to be made into an aviary, the furniture should consist of simple tables without drawers and wooden chairs.

Canaries have a light skeleton as they can fly and dart across a room, and they need large cages and space to fly. As most birds, they have a very high rate of metabolism that burns up energy during flight.

What a canary eats is important for its health. The seeds have to be fresh and drinking water clean. Canaries drink the water they bathe in. So, the saucers they bathe in should contain the same quality of water in their water bottles. Non-carbonated mineral water is best. Tap water, if chlorinated, is not good for any bird.

A proper diet for a canary consists of birdseed mixture, organic fruits and vegetable greens, spray millet, cuttlebone or mineral stone, and once in a while, sprouts, fresh twigs, and hard-boiled egg yolk with low-fat cottage cheese. Pesticide sprayed greens, fruit pits, and the skin of an avocado act like poisons for a canary.

The eyes of a canary work independently of each other, and through the use of its eyes, a canary orients itself to its environs. The vision of a canary draws almost a full circle of 320 degrees.

Canaries also possess an acute hearing. The structure of a canary's ear is akin to that of mammal, but without a flap. Otherwise, how else would the bird imitate a flute?

It is fun to watch canaries in their daily life. They preen themselves, and out of friendship, each other. In addition, the courting birds dance and feed each other. When the birds are relaxed and happy, they sit on one leg and may puff their plumage.

When a canary sleeps, it partially buries its head in its back and fluffs up its feathers. Canaries sleep through the night and are awake at daytime, but a relaxed and non-threatened bird may take short naps during daytime.

Male canaries may sing as they fly over what they consider to be their territory. They also sing while attracting the female. The female may sing too; although the female bird has the necessary organs for singing, its voice is so soft that it is not heard.

When two canaries threaten each other, they raise their beaks and flap their wings. In general, however, canaries in a colony live peacefully together.

All birds hate to be seized, especially because human fingers hurt their feathers. If a canary escapes from its cage, it is better to cajole it back rather than to try grasping it.

Keeping a single male canary alone in a cage is not fair to the bird, no matter how good a care its owner might give him. A pair of canaries and a very large cage is the least you can do, if you want canaries in your life.

About The Author
This article has been submitted by Joy Cagil in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com. Joy Cagil's education is in linguistics and foreign languages. She is an animal lover.

Dog Hats

While Gaston, a seven-year-old pooch was wearing his dog hat striding down the parking lot of the local university with pride, two ladies with astonished voices exclaimed, "Oh my gosh, look at that dog in that hat!" In fact, it wasn't the first time that he caught the attention and admiration of others.

Do you own a dog hat or ever had your dog wear one? Hats are perhaps one of the most popular accessories that are sold and being used on a daily basis. The reason for wearing a hat varies from culture to culture and person to person. Whether it is for protection, political, social ranking, or fashion usage, headwear has emerged from its history and become a fashion that stays.

World's Oldest Hat

The history of the hat can be traced back to the hunter-and-gathering era when the hat was used primarily for protection from the extreme weather. According to BBC dated 25 April, 2000, "Woven clothing may date back at least 27,000 years, according to archaeological evidence left by Stone Age hunter-gatherers… After discovering the impressions on the clay fragments…a number of "Venus" figurines found in Europe…Many appeared to be wearing clothing including basket hats and caps, sashes and belts."

Underneath the Hat

According to the Dictionary of Idioms, wearing a hat is associated with "keep something secret," this expression came from the late 1800s. Although the earliest artifacts depicted women (the Venus clay figure) were the one to wear hats. However, in our contemporary society, more men wear hats than women.

As time passed, keeping something under the hat still stands. Movies depict a spy trying to hide his face under a hat, and, in real life, celebrities covering their faces with hats in hopes not to be recognized. Now that hats have become an integral part of our lives, it carries symbolic meaning. Through wearing, we send out our sense of belonging and who we are. The baseball hat, for example is more than just a hat. It gives you a clue of that particular person who wears it. If you pay attention to the symbol in front of the baseball hat, it may have a story behind it, whether it is a particular group or activity, the symbol can be a profession, sports team, name of a famous designer, or just simply a phrase to express the inner self.

A Complete Mini Me

Now hats have extended to dogs as well. The movie Legally Blonde captured girls hearts with that "mini-me" look. The movie portrait how Elle (Reese Witherspoon), the Harvard-educated lawyer cherishes her little companion, she even accessorized her little pooch with the matching pink dress and hat. The hat certainly adds a dazzling look. So, if you are single and open to meet people, get out there and reveal in the season's pleasures. Remember nothing is better at capturing life's most personal moments than creating your "mini me" look. Expressed "your sense, yourself." Let your attitude have an overhaul, pick a dog hat that makes you frolic.

About The Author
Pamela Chao adores those mammalians we called pets, her love for pets started as young as a toddler and throughout her growing up years. Her love for pets has transcended into the products she designed and sells.
View their website at: http://www.petadorn.com
pamela@petadorn.com

How to Choose Goldfish

How you choose your goldfish, depends largely on two things: the type of fish you really like to see, and the kind of container you intend to keep them in.

People in warmer climates, like to populate their outdoor ponds and pools with goldfish, which is a wonderful addition to the outdoor décor of your lawns and gardens. These may be natural ponds, or manmade pools that are actually vinyl liners sunk into the ground, and provided with air and water circulation through a pump system. This circulation, natural or otherwise, is important to keeping the water well oxygenated for the fish.

But surprisingly, if your pond is deep enough, it's possible to over-winter your goldfish outside. If you are populating an outdoor pond, it's best to start with fish that were raised that way themselves, as there is less likelihood of losing some that are unable to adapt. Store-bought fish raised in tanks can adapt, but you can expect to lose a certain percentage of them, depending on the harshness of the weather.

If you're just starting out, you might try just the common goldfish at first, since these will be less expensive to replace, should you have a hard winter. If your fish are not surviving, you may need to look at better air and water circulation, or deepening the pond. But once you have a thriving colony, you can begin adding some of the hardier varieties of fancy goldfish.

About The Author
Nate Jamieson
Love Tropical Fish? Find out how to create a beautiful, low-cost tropical fish aquarium with complimentary tips at http://www.TropicalFishIsland.com.