Maned Wolf| Wolf having fox face, dog body and deer legs| South America's largest wolf 

One would quite be amazed looking at this magical creature in the wild which seems to be a dog-like creature but with characteristics and appearance similar to other animals such as a fox and a deer. The Maned Wolf or Chrysocyon brachyurous is the largest canine in South America with a large body and long slender legs like those of a deer and perhaps the most striking feature is the “roar-bark”. 

Although these are considered to be wolves, still their DNA and physical characteristics are quite close to the other members of the canine family. Maned wolves are left in quite a few numbers in the wild mainly due to habitat loss, road accidents, diseases from domestic animals, and worst is being killed by humans who consider these as threats to their livestock.

Distribution and Features 

Maned wolves are found in the Southern region of the American Continent. These were once found in the entire continent but due to habitat loss and the constant struggle for their survival, these are now found only in regions of Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguayan, and some regions of Argentina. 

The most numbers around 90 percent of the individuals are found in Cerrado- savanna of Brazil and some in Pampas of Peru as well. These prefer to live in areas ranging from  45 to 100 square kilometers where there are grassland and shrubs.

Long slender body of Maned Wolf Image Source-  Google | Image by -  Pixabay

Maned wolf reaches from 92 to 115 centimeters in body length with height around 90 centimeters and weight ranging from 25 to 36 kilograms. It has a golden red to orange colour dense hair on its mane and its leg and snout are black. Its tail comprises of a whitish tuft and a white spot under the throat. It has long slender legs like those of a deer to facilitate its swift movement through bushy grasslands. 

Behaviour and Diet 

Maned wolf does not live in packs and prefers to be alone other than the mating period when a male and female team up until the end of the breeding season. These are nocturnal creatures and these are active mostly during dusk and dawn. The Maned wolf has an excellent sense of smell and its long fox ears which are its main weapons during a hunt. 

These characteristics assist them in hunting in open grasslands where their prey may be present deep inside a burrow. Not only a hunt but these can eat anything that can fit in their mouth and are also scavengers of the Cerrado plains. 

Maned wolf in zoo  Image Source-  Google | Image by - Wikimedia

These are opportunist hunters and eat according to the availability of food in the region. Maned wolf diet includes fruits and seeds, small insects and mammals, eggs and rodents, and even bigger animals such as Deer, Emus, and foxes which is a very rare sight. These also wander around the human habitation in search of food and often scavenge on the leftover. 

Lobeira, an important tree for this maned wolf as it bears fruit throughout the year, provides food for the Maned wolf and these become seed bearers for this tree thus completing the cycle. 

Conservation 

The IUCN has considered the Maned wolf as “nearly threatened” as its numbers have significantly fallen in recent years because of habitat loss and urbanization. These are being killed by humans in conflicts and these hunt on small prey and sometimes livestock. 

Rapid agricultural activities wherein modern chemicals and fertilizers are being used also harm these when coming in contact with them. Road accidents and tougher competition from other inmates of the area such as jaguars are making the situation more difficult. 

However various organizations and government efforts are trying to resolve the situation. The local people are being made aware of the importance of these beautiful creatures in their ecosystem and the ideology of Eco-tourism is being incorporated to protect Maned Wolf and wildlife in the region.

Maned Wolf| Wolf having fox face, dog body and deer legs| South America's largest wolf 

How to keep cichlids in a community tank| How to care for cichlids| African and South American cichlids

The Cichlid community of fish is probably one of the most popular fish breeds in the aquarium hobby. Whether it be African cichlids with more vibrant colours or huge cichlids from the South American region, both have their personality and presence, and watching these amazing fishes in aquariums resembling their natural habitats is just amazing.

Convict Cichlids Image Source-  Google | Image by - Common Wikimedia

Cichlids come in all sorts of colours, shapes, and sizes. Normally cichlids are considered quite hardy and easy-going but do not be mistaken as some cichlids can be very challenging to keep and it could turn out to be a nightmare if you do not take good care of them. 

Having a cichlid community tank is another challenge as some of them are so aggressive that your tank could soon turn into a battleground. Although I would not recommend cichlid to a beginner who has never kept a fish as each of the cichlid fishes have unique requirements of their own. Still if one decides to set up his first cichlid tank, here are some of the most important key points which a hobbyist has to consider before even thinking of getting cichlids from a breeder or pet shop.

Mbuna Cichlid Image Source-  Google | Image by -  Pixabay

Cichlid- The Breed 

There are around 1800 different varieties of cichlids and more are being discovered every year. Each of these has unique traits, appearance, and behaviour and so is their requirement to live in an artificial environment such as an aquarium. One has to be very specific while choosing the breed as some are difficult to keep and breed especially breeds like discuss which can only thrive in suitable habitat. 

Yellow Regal Peacock Cichlid Image Source-  Google | Image by - Pixabay

Also if these are kept in a community tank with other cichlids, our aquarium could turn into a battleground as these are quite aggressive and also disturb the aquascaping. A few of the most popular breeds of cichlids are Oscars, Convict, Angel, Flowerhorn, Discuss, Firemouth, Green terror, Jaguar cichlid, Texas, and other African cichlids.

Tank Size 

Apart from Dwarf cichlid, most of the cichlids grow to quite a huge size some even reaching more than 12 inches in length, so having a large aquarium would be very much needed which should be atleast 4 foot in length. A thumb rule of keeping cichlids is that 55 gallons are needed at least to house 10-12 fishes. 

Image Source-  Google | Image by - Pixabay

Furthermore the aquascaping should be such that it should not have any sharp edges and corners as these tend to explore their surroundings and would also disturb or uproot plants if kept in a planted tank, so it would not be a good idea to keep these in a planted aquarium. 

Water parameter and Filtration 

Cichlids are mostly tropic fish and would thrive in a warm environment, so having temperatures between 24- 28 degrees Celcius is considered optimum for cichlids, and choose a 5-watt heater for each gallon of water to maintain temperature if needed. 

For efficient filtration, the most important aspect is that the entire volume of water in the tank should be filtered 5 times an hour. Like if one has a 5 gallon of water in the tank, so the filtration should be able to circulate 25 gallons of filtered water in an hour for better results and better water quality. The absence of proper filtration can lead to ammonia build up in the water which could also be fatal for the fish if left unchecked.

Cichlid – feeding 

While there is a huge list of commercial fish food available in the market and some claim to be especially prepared for cichlids, but one should always look for the ingredients present in these. These fish food alongwith some nutrients such as protein, also have some chemical components which may be harmful to the fish. 

Frontosa Cichlid Image Source-  Google | Image by - Pixabay

To be on the safer side and to give the best nutrition to cichlids, various homemade food options are available and easy to prepare which are very beneficial for cichlids. Some of these are prawns, bloodworms, veggies such as lettuce and peas, soya chunks, and many more. 

Not only the type of food but also the method of feeding the fish determine its health. One should always feed the amount of food to fish which it can finish in a few minutes and should not overfeed as the leftover food in water will deplete the water parameters.

How to keep cichlids in a community tank| How to care for cichlids| African and South American cichlids

 Mudhol hound or Caravan hound | Rajapalayam dog| BSF and police now training Indian dog breeds

Dogs have been an important part of our lives for ages whether they be used as working dogs or just for companionship. In today's world, these furry friends have become a more integral part of our lives and dogs are now being used in wide aspects such as search and rescue operations, sniffer to catch criminal activities, protection, and military dogs and even some are being trained to detect symptoms of diseases such as cancer in humans.

When it comes to military applications breeds such as german shepherds, Belgian malinois and Dobermans are quite popular because of there supreme agility, hunting instincts, powerful jaws, and the tendency not to give up easily makes them perfect for military operations. 

But recently amazing news came from Border Security Force of India(BSF), an elite force responsible for protecting its borders on the eastern and western region, has started trials for the training of two Indian dog breeds coming from the Indian hound community of dogs are Rajapalayam and Mudhol hounds found in the southern region of India.

Although these breeds have never been used in such applications before and these being not so popular as pets have become quite rare as there are not so many breeders in the country having the original bloodline, these breeds are now being considered suitable for many reasons. 

These being local breeds are most appropriate in Indian conditions and are less prone to diseases. Coming from the hound family, their long slender body gives them agility and these can run easily at 55-60 km/hr. Rajapalayam and Mudhol hound are both short-coated and being a hound these are always ready to work and please their masters, so training these is also not very difficult. 

These factors make grooming and training easy. The most striking feature of these breeds is their sense of smell which is very much needed in a military dog used at border patrols and security. BSF is now looking for use of these breeds in bomb squads, patrolling, and even as police dogs to catch criminals. According to BSF officials, if such trials are considered successful, they would be going forward with other Indian breeds as well.

Mudhol hound - the breed

                                                    

Mudhol Hound or Caravan Hound  Image Source-  Google | Image by - Common Wikimedia

                                                

Mudhol Hound is close to Greyhound  Image Source-  Google | Image by -Pixabay

It is difficult to train this breed but with proper exercise and training, these can turn out to be very useful in military and police units. The breed is close to the greyhound and in general, is quite healthy with very few health issues. The breed, in general, is large with fawn and mix coat colours. These have a short and dense coat so grooming is not an issue.

Rajapalayam - the breed

                                                            

Rajapalayam  dog  Image Source-  Google | Image by - Common Wikimedia

Rajapalayam or the Indian ghost hound is a breed of dog originating in the Rajapalayam district of Tamil Nadu. It was developed as a vivacious hunter to hunter wild boar and small game. This breed of dog is facing the threat of extinction because of the loss of pure bloodline and these are not popular due to which, it is found in very small tribal areas of Tamil Nadu. 

While the government is taking necessary steps to protect the breed, various campaigns have been launched to make people aware of the breed. This breed of dog is excellent for guarding because of its large size and ferocious behaviour. This breed has a white short dense coat with a long body and generally does not have health issues. These are very loyal to their owners but can be aggressive towards strangers and other animals.

 Mudhol hound or Caravan hound | Rajapalayam dog| BSF and police now training Indian dog breeds

Aquascaping| Planted aquarium| Community fish tank| Shrimp and java moss| aquarium plants| Carbon dioxide setup for Planted aquarium| Betta, Molly, and Tetra fish  

As we have discussed in the previous article  (Part 1) for the most important tips for a beginner who aspires to become an aquascaper and takes his first step towards having a planted aquarium, here are some other very important tips that one need to consider in aquascaping to achieve a beautifully planted ecosystem while taking inspiration from nature. 

Angel fish in a planted aquarium  Image Source-  Google | Image by- Pxfuel

Water parameters 

Now the water parameters may vary for different species of plants but some average values of parameters should be considered for aquascaping in general. Some major water parameters that need to be considered are –

Temperature 

It is one of the most important parameters as a sudden variation in temperature than the required one can inhibit plant growth which can turn out to be disastrous in the long run. Normally required temperatures are between 75 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This can be achieved with the use of a good quality heater which can be placed inside tank or external filters.

Discuss tank  Image Source-  Google | Image by - Pikrepo

Hardness and PH levels 

A water with more hardness content should not be used as it would harm the aquascaping which is why the use of tap water is not recommended. The hardness of the water should be in the range of 50ppm to 110 ppm at max. The alkalinity of water should be in the range of 3.5 to 8.5 only which would provide the most habitable environment for aquascaping.

Nitrates and Phosphates 

Both nitrates and phosphate which are needed for the growth of plants in the aquarium also should not be in excess as it would cause the growth of excess algae issues in the aquascaping.

Along with this, one needs to provide proper circulation of water and surface skimming as well which will support the exchange of gases with the surrounding, and tap water used in any case should be treated for chlorine beforehand.

Also Read-  Top 12 tips for Planted aquarium aquascaping for beginners- Part 1

Filtration

Filtration without a doubt is the most important aspect of aquascaping. Nowadays filtration comes in so many types, shapes, and sizes that beginners are also confused about which one to go for. Let us make this simple and broadly classify the filters into two types-

Internal Filter 

These are the most common and quite cheap and come in many shapes and sizes. Some most common ones are internal powerhead filters, Sponge filters, under gravel filters, and so on. But honestly, these are not recommended for a planted aquarium as these have limited performance and occupy space inside the tank and interfere with the aquascaping which does not look good at all.

External filters

Planted aquarium with External sump filter Image Source-  Google | Image by - Flickr

These are the most appropriate ones for a planted aquarium and also for any aquarium type of large size. These are very effective providing great circulation of water inside-out and used along with biological media such as ceramic rings, lava rock, and others which promote the growth of beneficial bacteria thereby controlling the ammonia content in water. 

The two most common external filters used are Cannister filters and external sump filters which are a little expensive. To go for a less expensive option, one can always go for DIY options available among hobbyists.

The development time for growth and generation of bacteria 

Setting up a planted aquarium and aquascaping uniquely is a long process and should not be done in a haste decision as it requires time commitment initially as well in the long run. Setting up of plants and giving them time to grow may take a couple of months too to get the desired results.

So fishes or any other organism should not be added right after aquascaping and proper cycling of the tank is needed which includes formation and development of beneficial bacteria mostly in the biological filter media which would help to break down the nitrite content to nitrate which is required for plant growth.  

 
Artificial fertilizers  

Despite providing with a most suitable environment, a planted aquarium still needs the use of good quality artificial fertilizer because as we know, an aquarium setup, however good it be is still an artificial habitat made so it would need an external supply of nutritional content to thrive. 

The artificial fertilizers available nowadays are very effective as they contain proper proportions of Macronutrients such as nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium along with Micronutrients such as iron, boron, and Manganese both of which are needed for aquatic plants to thrive. These artificial fertilizers provide a sort of balanced supply of nutrients to the aquascaping. 

Aquascaping| Planted aquarium| Community fish tank| Shrimp and java moss| aquarium plants| Carbon dioxide setup for Planted aquarium| Betta, Molly, and Tetra fish  

Planted aquarium or Aquascaping is probably the most amazing aspect of fish keeping among the hobbyists. Aquascaping an aquarium while taking inspiration from nature-rivers and oceans brings out a feeling of ecstasy and optimism all around, and watching those amazing planted aquariums having colourful fishes in a green ecosystem is a treat to the eyes. However, it takes a lot of attention and care to maintain such beautiful aquascapes in aquariums whether it be a small or a big one. 

Planted community fish tank  Image Source-  Google | Image by - flickr

Every beginner hobbyist is in the dilemma of how to get started with aquascaping as there are numerous aspects to be taken care of. So here are a few important tips and hacks that could help a beginner to his first steps towards aquascaping.

Tank size

It is often said in the aquarium world that the bigger is better. But in the case of aquascaping, the bigger the aquarium, the more will be care and attention required and more will be the cost factor as these don’t come cheap when it comes to initial setup and long-term maintenance. So one needs to be very clear about the size of the tank while choosing as aquascapes can be done in aquariums as small as five gallons and as big as a few thousand gallons. 

The cost factor is significant as tank size would determine the quantity of substrate and the number of plants required for aquascaping as these determine the major part of the initial setup cost of the aquarium. 

Also Read- Top 12 tips for Planted aquarium aquascaping for beginners- Part 2

Type of Setup (with or without CO2)

Carbon dioxide is the key factor when it comes to aquascaping as it the primary constituent required for the growth of the plants and to carry out photosynthesis efficiently. In aquascaping, the setups that require an external supply of carbon dioxide to the system for plant growth are called high tech systems whereas those which do not require an additional supply of Carbon dioxide are known as Low tech systems as these are easy and less bulky to maintain. 

The high-tech systems have aquascaping that needs a regular supply of CO2 in water which makes the system bulkier as there will be an additional system of cylinders for CO2 supply. However, the results are quite profound in the case of high-tech systems as the plant growth and its quality is better.

Inspiration for aquascaping

Mother nature gives the best learning and inspiration to a hobbyist when it comes to the type of setup one needs. This typically depends on the observation and perception of nature like the ecosystems of rivers, lakes, and oceans which gives us a clear picture of how plants and fishes co-exist, and replicating those systems to a miniature level in our aquarium aquascapes will give us the finest results.

Artificial ecosystem Image Source-  Google | Image by - pxfuel

So one has to be very clear of the aquascape setup(positioning and type of rocks or stones used) well before as these setups once did cannot be disturbed and change every often.