What's the difference between freshwater and saltwater?

So what's different about saltwater versus freshwater?

As alluded to above, saltwater fish are more sensitive to changes in their environment. The critical parameters of a saltwater tank are pH, nitrate, salinity, and temperature. During the cycling process, ammonia and nitrite can also be a problem. These elements are not different from those of a freshwater tank, but the degree to which they may stray is vastly different. Freshwater fish are found in rivers, streams, ponds and lakes. Saltwater fish are collected from oceans and seas. As such, their natural environment is quite stable and they do not readily adapt to major changes in water chemistry or temperature. In addition, since nearly all saltwater fish and invertebrates are captured in the wild (many freshwater fish are either tank or pond raised), there are greater risks associated with handling and shipping. The most important thing you need to know about saltwater tanks, is that you cannot have nearly as many fish as you can have in a freshwater tank! Are saltwater fish hard to keep? Just as in freshwater, there are some species that are usually quite sturdy and some that challenge even the experts. The Compatibility Chart guide is to help the hobbyist choose fish and invertebrates appropriate for his level of expertise.

What Is the Difference between Freshwater and Saltwater? Water is a compound of Hydrogen and Oxygen, which exists in three physical states, solid (ice), liquid (water), and gas (water vapor). Our state of interest here is water in liquid form. Water has further two chemical types, Freshwater and Saltwater. Now, what is the difference between freshwater and saltwater? The ensuing discussion takes a look on the subject vis--vis the chemical difference of the two types and their importance in aquarium. What Is The Difference Between Freshwater And Saltwater? A Chemical View. Freshwater. Water with dissolved salt content measuring less than 1% is called Freshwater. Freshwater is available from two types of sources, stagnant water bodies, such as, Lakes, Ponds, & Inland Wetlands; and flowing water bodies, such as, Rivers and Streams. Freshwater covers only 1% of the total earths surface. Saltwater. When water has high quantity of salts dissolved in it, it is called Saltwater. Owing to the large amount of dissolved salts and the associated electric charges on these salts, the conductivity of saltwater is high and it tastes salty. Sea, Oceans, Rivers, and Saltwater Ponds are the natural sources of saltwater, which add up together to cover 71% of earth surface.

What are the differences between saltwater and freshwater fish?

Saltwater fish live in the oceans and there is salt in the water. Freshwater fish live in lakes Streams Rivers etc. and have no salt in the water. Most fish dwell in either salt water or fresh water; both environments pose special problems for the fish. In fresh water, the concentration of salt in the water is much lower than that of the fish's body fluids. By osmosis, water enters the fish while salt escapes from it. Ocean water has a salt concentration higher than the body fluid of the fish.

Difference between Saltwater And Freshwater Fish

Many people start with a freshwater aquarium because it is easier to get started and maintain. As they become more experienced they begin to consider keeping a saltwater tank because it offers a new challenge and many new varieties of aquatic creatures to care for. This article will explain some if the differences between saltwater and freshwater fish. It will help you to understand the different challenges you face if you are planning to start a saltwater aquarium. Freshwater fish are considered to be more robust to water conditions. This is often why people start off with a freshwater tank. The fish have adapted through the ages to living in water that might change rapidly if there is a flood or a drought. Saltwater fish are not this adaptable because they have lived in the sea that doesn't change much in terms of water quality. The volume of water in the sea is so large that any chemical disturbances are diluted to be negligible. Of course this volume of water is not the case in a small sea water fish tank so the responsibility for maintaining the water quality is down to the owner. One of the obvious differences in saltwater aquariums to freshwater is that there is salt in the water. Due to the process of osmosis water flows from areas of low salinity to high salinity. In the case of saltwater fish there is more salt in the water than in the fish. Thus the fish will lose water to its environment and constantly has to drink water to preserve the balance and stay healthy. Freshwater fish are exactly the opposite. They have more salt in the body than in the water so water passes through the cells of the fish by osmosis. Thus the fish are very different. Freshwater fish need to rid the body of excess water and saltwater fish need to rid the body of excess amounts of salt in order to be in harmony with the environment. Saltwater fish need to work harder to maintain harmony within the environment. They are also more susceptible to changes in the chemistry of the water because they have to drink more of it. Thus the most important part of keeping saltwater fish is maintaining the specific gravity of the fish tank water. This is the level of salt in the water. You need to understand the specific gravity that the species of saltwater fish you are keeping is comfortable in. Then you need to keep the water at this gravity.

Other differences that are determined by the environment that the animals live in are the types of foods that they eat. This will vary from species to species but in general the saltwater variety will be more particular about what they eat. Keeping a saltwater aquarium is more complex than a freshwater tank because there is more responsibility on the fish tank owner to ensure the water quality is correct. However the benefits of keeping a saltwater tank are more diverse environments and species to care for. Find all the products you need at http://www.fishtank-supplies.com . The site has features of fish tank maintenance, how to clean a fish tank , why you need fish tank gravel and much more. Adrian Whittle writes about keeping both fresh and saltwater fish.

What Is the Different Between Freshwater Vs Saltwater Fish?

By Natasha Gilani , eHow Contributor

What Is the Different Between Freshwater Vs Saltwater Fish?

Fish comprise a diverse range of water-dwelling creatures that have skulls and, typically, backbones. They breathe through specialized gills, which are openings located on their skin. Their bodies are streamlined and designed for swimming, and they have fins that allow them to travel rapidly through water. Fish are classified as either freshwater fish or saltwater fish based on their habitat.
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1. Physiology

Freshwater fish have gills that function to diffuse water (not allowing impurities inside) while ensuring bodily fluids remain inside the fish. Freshwater fish have large, well-developed kidneys that are able to process vast quantities of water. Saltwater fish lose large quantities of internal body fluids through their gills because of osmosis. Since saline water is less dilute than the internal fluids of the fish, the saline water rushes in to replace the internal fluids in an effort to form an equilibrium. They replace lost water by consuming large quantities of saltwater.

Habitat
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Freshwater fish are adapted to live in a diverse range of habitats. Some species can survive in mild temperatures (24 degrees Celsuis), while others thrive in temperatures between 5 to 15 degrees Celsius. Freshwater fish are found in shallow wetlands, lakes and rivers, where the salinity of water is less than 0.05 percent. Saltwater fish are found in various habitats, ranging from the cold Antarctic and Arctic oceans to warmer tropical seas. Habitats that best suit saltwater fish include coral reefs, salt ponds, mangroves, seagrass beds and the deep sea, and a range of fish have developed to thrive in each of these conditions.

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Examples
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Freshwater fish include catfish, charr, cisco, mooneye, gar, shiner, trout (apache, blueback, brook, brown and cutthroat), sunfish, pike, salmon (pink, coho, chum, Chinook and altantic) and whitefish. Saltwater fish includes albacore, certain types of bass, bluefish, common dolphin, butterfish, eels, flounder, cod, marlin, mackerel, herring, shark, snapper, tuna and yellowtail.

Size
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Freshwater fish range in size, from the tiny Philippine gobbies (that measure less than an inch in length) to the white sturgeon (which weighs approximately 400 pounds)--one of the world's largest freshwater fish.

The smallest saltwater fish is the Marshall Islands goby fish (which measures 0.47 of an inch), and the largest known saltwater fish is the whale shark (which averages 12.5 meters long and weighs more than 21.5 tonnes).

Structural Adaptation
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Sturgeon and catfish have whisker-like feelers that allow them to taste and touch food before ingesting it. Swordfish, marlin and sailfish stun their prey with their unique bills before feeding on it. The paddlefish stirs up bottom-dwelling organisms with its paddle-shaped snout to feed on them. The goosefish (or angler) has an enticing appendage located the upper portion of its snout. It entices prey by wiggling it like a worm, luring the food to itself. Saltwater fish have evolved structural variances that allow them to find food. Predators have saclike stomachs with thick walls that grind food. Some fish have pharyngeal teeth (in their throats), others have palatine and vomerine teeth (on the roof of their mouths and the tongue) and others have teeth around the edges of their mouths (maxillary and premaxillary).

What's the Difference Between Saltwater & Freshwater Fish Im asked that question often. There are the obvious differences in color & form, and also the environmental and scientific differences. But, from the practical standpoint of fishkeeping, the differences are not as many as a lot of people think. The basics for keeping freshwater fish also apply to saltwater fish (keep the environment stable with adequate filtration, monthly partial water changes and temperature control.) The only major difference is that with a marine aquarium you must add salt to the water (by mixing a dry salt blend) and the cost of the fish themselves is much greater in most cases. Of course a varied diet is important for both freshwater and saltwater fish. One other difference is that most saltwater fish are wild caught specimens whereas most freshwater fish are either tank or pond raised. The transition into a captive environment from the wild can sometimes be difficult, hence the theory that saltwater fish are more "delicate than freshwater". Most aquarium problems occur in the newly set up aquarium, by people who dont understand the basic principles of biological filtration. In their enthusiasm they start up the aquarium with too many fish and/or the wrong kinds of fish, then overfeed them and conclude that marine fishkeeping is too difficult. This is why you hear stories about people spending a whole lot of money on saltwater fish and giving up within 6 months or so because their fish kept dying. Be patient, start with 1 hearty fish per 10 gallon of water (damsels or clownfishes are good choices), feed them lightly and give the aquarium 3-8 weeks to cycle and in most cases you will succeed. Whether you choose Freshwater or Saltwater fish, READ and LEARN as much as you can and you will enjoy the hobby so much more because you will have minimal losses and your tank(s) and fish will look so much better!