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Keeping a Goldfish Pond

goldfish pond

Goldfish are hardy fish and are very inexpensive to buy. For this reason, they make good pond fish.

Goldfish were first domesticated in China. They are the domesticated type of dark-gray/brown carp that are native to East Asia. They can reach a length of 23″ and can weigh as much as nine pounds. However, most don’t reach that size. The majority of goldfish live six to eight years. They are a colorful fish.

The most common types of goldfish are London & Bristol shubunkins, jikin, wakin, comet and fantail. These will do well in a goldfish pond because they are pretty hardy. Moor, veiltail, oranda and lionheads are more of a Summer fish only.

The size of your goldfish pond can be small or large. The most important thing to remember is that the depth should be at least 80 cm (31 inches) to keep it from freezing. Goldfish will thrive in a pond that freezes occasionally, as long as there is enough oxygen and it doesn’t freeze solid.

In the winter, your goldfish will slow down and not eat. This is normal. They may also stay at the bottom of the pond. But, in the Spring they will return to normal activity. Good goldfish care includes making sure that your pond has a good filtration system. Adding plants will raise the oxygen levels and are also a good source of food for your fish.

Rudd, tench, orfe and koi are good fish to consider for your goldfish pond. Orfe fish will eat the excess goldfish eggs and will keep the pond from becoming overcrowded. Adding koi fish is good because when they breed, they will produce a sterile fish that also helps with the fish population. It is important to maintain the PH level in the pond. The water will need to be changed or additives used to return the PH level to the proper state if the water becomes too acidic.

If you want to learn more about goldfish or more specifically Goldfish Pond then check out Goldfish Secrets 

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DO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT STUFF TO MAKE IT IN THE $43 BILLION PET INDUSTRY?

THE RIGHT STUFF?
So you’ve been thinking about how to turn your love of animals into a good paying career. Or maybe you’re stuck in a job you hate, or are tired of the commute or perhaps you’ve been laid off in this tough economy and you’re not sure what to do.

Repeated studies have shown that even in recessionary times, people still spend on their pets.

According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association in a study released in early 2008, Americans will spend an estimated $43.4 billion on pets in 2008, more than double what they spent a little more than a decade ago. Fueling that growth are high-end product and service purchases, such as pet spas, daycares, and luxury gifts for dogs and cats, according to the association.

Watch the video to learn about the “Right Stuff” survey you can take now:

 

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DOG LOVERS: Check Out DogTatts For Your Car

Dog Lovers can get a car decal with their favorite breed!  You can choose from one of our great pictures or GET YOUR OWN DOG’S PICTURE ON A Car Decal :

CarTatts - Dog Tatts

The cool thing about these CarTatts is that while they are extremely durable, they can be removed (using a blow dryer) and are guaranteed not to hurt your car’s paintjob.

Check out all the breed choices HERE.

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Information Regarding the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

By Omer Ashraf 

CatFeline Immunodeficiency Virus is a viral disease-causing agent that is often recorded in domestic cats around the world. The pathology that it causes is known as Feline Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, a long-term disease marked by lowered resistance of the animal’s defense system, leading to various opportunistic infections.

This virus, also known as FIV, is often recorded in free roaming outdoor cats. Once the virus enters the victim’s body it spreads to the lymphatic system. Next it may lead to feverish condition and other relatively mild symptoms before becoming dormant, just like the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, for a long time. After a period of several months or years, the virus may finally reemerge and attack the body’s protective white blood cells – lowering their numbers and as a result weakening the diseased animal’s defensive capability to a degree that makes it quite exposed to opportunistic illnesses.

Even with the illness and risk of death associated with FIV, exposure to it is not always lethal. Often the cats act as carriers and with a nutritious diet and good veterinary care, they can live a normal and healthy life for some time. Alongside the added care it is important that the feline be sterilized and not go outdoors where it may infect other cats or acquire other illnesses. If there are other felids in the vicinity, they may be separated. Usually though the risk of transmission to other house cats is low in a normal household. The virus does not infect other animals and people. Therefore there is no need to euthanize a cat that has been diagnosed with FIV. The Association of Feline Practitioners recommends against it and advises routine checkup and care.

In order to prevent your pet from contracting this disease, make sure that it doesn’t go outdoors unsupervised for long periods of time. Spayed or neutered cats and the ones that stay indoors are the ones least likely to come into contact with the virus. A vaccine is available that is said to protect against FIV but its efficacy is not firmly established at the moment. Therefore, at the moment, prevention is better than cure! 

The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

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