23-Effect of water hardness on the survival rate of ornamental fishes in Nanded city

Abstract

Water quality index is considered as one of the most effective to communicate information on water quality trend to policy makers and general public. Since aquaria have become a very popular interior decoration for medium and higher class society and their increasing use at commercial places like hotels and restaurants it has become essential to aware the people about the safe use of water for aquaria. Freshwater animals can tolerate the changes in water however it creates a lot of problem for sensitive animals like ornamental fishes kept in aquaria. In the present study the ornamental fishes, Black molly, Blue guramii and Tiger barb were kept in well water and tap water separately in aquaria. The fishes kept in tap water survived for longer time. Hardness, Alkalinity, Calcium and Magnesium content are the important parameters which determine the survival rate in aquaria fishes.