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85-703: Product Line Expansion Over the years, Dog Chow has expanded its product line to cater to the varying needs of dogs at different life stages and with specific dietary requirements. In addition to the original Dog Chow formula, the brand now includes: Puppy Chow: Formulated for puppies to support their growth and development. Senior Chow: Tailored for older dogs with age-related nutritional needs. Healthy Weight Formula: Designed for dogs that require weight management. High-Performance Chow: Created for active dogs needing higher energy levels. The brand has also extended its offerings to include pet foods for other animals , such as Cat Chow and Kitten Chow. Due to

170-523: A dye laser ; such fishes have been sold in the UK under the name of kaleidoscope gourami and striped parrot cichlid. Some people give their fish body piercings . Hybrid fish such as flowerhorn cichlids and blood parrot cichlids are controversial. Blood parrot cichlids in particular have a very unnatural shape that prevents them from swimming properly and makes it difficult for them to engage in normal feeding and social behaviors. The biggest concern with hybrids

255-454: A 230-litre (51 imp gal; 61 US gal) aquatic system, an increase of over twenty percent. A variety of nutrient cycles is important in the aquarium. Imitating natural waves that would be found in natural bodies of water allows dissolved oxygen to be dispersed, causing the release of carbon dioxide . There are plenty of other vital processes and nutrients that are necessary for an aquarium to thrive. Nutritional cycles such as

340-444: A coral reef in their aquaria using large quantities of living rock , porous calcareous rocks encrusted with coralline algae , sponges , worms , and other small marine organisms. Larger corals, as well as shrimps , crabs , echinoderms , and mollusks are added later on, once the aquarium has matured, as well as a variety of small fish. Such aquaria are sometimes called reef tanks . Brackish water aquaria combine elements of

425-546: A multitude of reasons, including but not limited to: culture , beliefs surrounding health , nutrition and what is perceived to be more natural for their pets . Feeding raw food can be perceived by owners as allowing the pet to stay in touch with their wild, carnivorous ancestry. The raw food movement has occurred in parallel to the change in human food trends for more natural and organic products . Prepared foods and some raw ingredients may be toxic for animals, and care should be taken when feeding animals leftover food. It

510-469: A natural ecosystem. Fish may prefer anything from nearly still water up to swift, simulated currents . Water movement can be controlled through the use of aeration from air pumps, powerhead pumps, and careful design of water flow (such as the location of filtration system points of inflow and outflow). Fish are animals and generate waste as they metabolize food, which aquarists must manage. Fish, invertebrates, fungi , and some bacteria excrete nitrogen in

595-483: A natural water source (such as a river, lake, or ocean) in order to have easy access to water that requires only minimal treatment. Water temperature forms the basis of one of the two most basic aquarium classifications: tropical vs. cold water . Most fish and plant species tolerate only a limited range of water temperatures: Tropical or warm water aquaria maintain an average temperature of about 25 °C (77 °F) are much more common, and tropical fish are among

680-481: A non-government agency that establishes guidelines and standards on feed laws and regulations. Although government officials do comprise a large portion of AAFCO, it has no regulatory authority and acts simply as an advisory body, working closely with the FDA to develop standards that food consumed by animals must meet. AAFCO leaves the responsibility of regulating these standards to the individual states. Most states have adopted

765-522: A particularly fine mullet . Cicero reports that the advocate Quintus Hortensius wept when a favored specimen died. Rather cynically, he referred to these ancient fishkeepers as the Piscinarii, the "fish-pond owners" or "fish breeders", for example when saying that "the rich (I mean your friends the fish-breeders) did not disguise their jealousy of me". The first person to breed a tropical fish in Europe

850-408: A planted aquarium, in practice aquarists will prune and remove substantial amounts of plant litter. Although called the nitrogen "cycle" by hobbyists, in aquaria the cycle is not complete: nitrogen must be added (usually indirectly through food) and nitrates must be removed at the end. Nitrogen bound up in plant matter is removed when the plant grows too large. Hobbyist aquaria typically do not have

935-515: A single Chinese company, beginning in February 2007. After more than three weeks of complaints from consumers, the recall began voluntarily with the Canadian company Menu Foods on March 16, 2007, when a company test showed sickness and death in some of the test animals. Soon after, there were numerous media reports of animal deaths as a result of kidney failure, and several other companies who received

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1020-524: A total aquarium fish population of approximately 85.7 million, suggesting that the US aquarium fish population turns over more than 2.3 times per year, counting only imported fish. Historically, fish and plants for the first modern aquaria were gathered from the wild and transported (usually by ship) to Europea and America. During the early 20th century many species of small colorful tropical fish were exported from Manaus, Brazil; Bangkok, Thailand; Jakarta, Indonesia;

1105-838: A variable as well. Decomposition consumes oxygen, reducing the amount available for fish. Oxygen dissolves less readily in warmer water, while warmer water temperature increase fish activity levels, which in turn consume more oxygen. Worldwide, the fishkeeping hobby is a multibillion-dollar industry. The United States is the largest market, followed by Europe and Japan. In 1993, the United States Census Bureau found that 10.6% of U.S. households owned ornamental freshwater or saltwater fish, with an average of 8.8 fish per household. In 2002, census data indicated that aquarium products and fishing accounted for US$ 684 million. From 1989 to 1992, almost 79% of all U.S. ornamental fish imports came from Southeast Asia and Japan. Singapore, Thailand,

1190-555: A variety of compatible species , single-species breeding aquaria are also popular. Livebearing fish such as mollies and guppies are among those most easily raised in captivity, but aquarists also regularly breed many types of cichlid , catfish , characins , cyprinids , and killifish . Many fishkeepers create freshwater aquascapes where the focus is on aquatic plants as well as fish. These aquaria include "Dutch Aquaria" that mass contrasting stem plants, named for European aquarists who first designed them. In recent years, one of

1275-411: Is a popular hobby , practiced by aquarists , concerned with keeping fish in a home aquarium or garden pond . It is a practice that encompasses the art of maintaining one's own aquatic ecosystem, featuring a lot of variety with various water systems, all of which have their own unique features and requirements. Fishkeeping primarily serves as a token of appreciation and fascination for marine life and

1360-492: Is currently considering defining some of the terms. However, the terms "natural" and "organic" do have definitions; e.g., organic products must meet the same USDA regulations as for organic human food. In Canada , products that pass the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) Pet Food Certification Program, which involves a feeding trial, carry a CVMA label on their packaging. Participation in

1445-643: Is essential for these ecosystems to survive and to properly reflect conditions that exist within a natural system. These ranges and simulations include freshwater (salinity below 0.5 PPT) , simulating a lake or river environment; brackish water (a salt level of 0.5 to 30 PPT), simulating environments lying between fresh and salt, such as estuaries ; and salt water or seawater (a salt level of 30 to 40 PPT), simulating an ocean or sea environment. Even higher salt concentrations are maintained in specialized tanks for raising brine organisms. Several other water characteristics result from dissolved materials in

1530-530: Is facilitated by larger volumes of water which dilute the effects of a systemic shock . For example, the death of the only fish in a 10-litre (2.2 imp gal; 2.6 US gal) tank causes dramatic changes in the system, while the death of that same fish in a 400-litre (88 imp gal; 110 US gal) tank that holds many fish may create only a minor imbalance. For this reason, hobbyists often favor larger tanks whenever possible, as they require less intensive attention. This same concept extends to

1615-558: Is formulated to address the specific nutritional requirements of cats, in particular containing the amino acid taurine , as cats cannot thrive on taurine-deficient food. Optimal levels of taurine for cat food have been established by the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition . Recommendations differ on what diet is best for dogs. Some people argue dogs have thrived on leftovers and scraps from their human owners for thousands of years, and commercial dog foods (which have only been available for

1700-411: Is increasingly controversial. Historically, artificially dyeing fish was common. Glassfish , in particular, were often injected with fluorescent dyes. The British fishkeeping magazine Practical Fishkeeping has campaigned to remove these fish from the market by educating retailers and aquarists to the cruelty and health risks involved. In 2006, Practical Fishkeeping published an article exposing

1785-417: Is known that the following foods are potentially unsafe for cats, dogs and pigs: Generally, cooked and marinated foods should be avoided, as well as sauces and gravies, which may contain ingredients that, although well tolerated by humans, may be toxic to animals. Xylitol , an alternative sweetener found in chewing gum and baked goods designed for diabetics, is highly toxic to cats, dogs, and ferrets . In

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1870-448: Is limited by the available physical space which includes all surfaces in the aquarium such as the inner facing sides and the surface of rock substrate and any objects such as large rocks or pieces of wood. Fish capacity is a function of aquarium size. Limiting factors include the availability of oxygen in the water and the rate at which the filter can process waste. Aquarists apply rules of thumb estimating appropriate population size;

1955-497: Is metabolized in aquaria by a group of bacteria known as nitrifiers (genus Nitrosomonas ). Nitrifying bacteria metabolize ammonia into nitrite , which is highly toxic to fish, even at low concentrations. Another type of bacteria (genus Nitrospira ), converts this nitrite into the less toxic compound, nitrate . This process represents a portion of the nitrogen cycle . In a planted aquarium, aquatic plants also metabolize ammonium and nitrate as nutrients , removing them from

2040-425: Is not always fatal but can result in the death of aquarium fish. A few days after adding hardy fish for the cycling process, it is essential to look out for the key signs of ammonia stress. These include a lack of movement and appetite, inflammation and redness of the gills, fins, and body, and occasionally gasping for air at the water's surface. The latter can also be attributed to poor aeration, which can be negated by

2125-400: Is perhaps the most important aspect of water conditions, as total dissolved solids and other constituents can dramatically impact basic water chemistry, and therefore how organisms interact with their environment. Salt content, or salinity , is the most basic classification of water conditions. Depending on the water system that an aquarist chooses, maintaining the proper range of salt content

2210-654: Is that the plant sometimes blocks the betta's passage to the water surface. They are labyrinth fish and need to breathe at the surface to avoid suffocation. Such products are aimed at people looking for a novelty gift. Aquarists actively condemn them. Similarly, the awarding of goldfish as prizes at funfairs is traditional in many parts of the world but has been criticized by aquarists and activists as cruel and irresponsible. The United Kingdom outlawed live-animal prizes such as goldfish in 2004. The use of live prey to feed carnivorous fish such as piranhas also draws criticism. Modifying fish to make them more attractive as pets

2295-447: Is that they may be bred with native species, making it difficult for hobbyists to identify and breed particular species. This is especially important to hobbyists who shelter species that are rare or extinct in the wild. Extreme mutations have been selected for by some breeders; some fancy goldfish varieties in particular have features that prevent the fish from swimming, seeing, or feeding properly. Genetically modified fish such as

2380-442: Is usually specific to the type of animal, such as dog food or cat food . Most meat used for animals is a byproduct of the human food industry, and is not regarded as "human grade". Examples of foods for pets would be canned foods and dry mix. Pet food production has environmental, land-use and climate change impacts. In 2019, the world pet food market was valued at US$ 87.09 billion and is projected to grow to US$ 113.2 billion by

2465-538: Is valid for canned wet pet food on an 'as sold' basis. The European Union does not use a unified nutrient requirement. A manufacturer committee called FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation) makes recommendations for cats and dogs that members follow. Beginning in March 2007, there were massive recalls of many brands of cat and dog foods. The recalls came in response to reports of kidney failure in pets consuming mostly wet pet foods made with wheat gluten from

2550-402: Is why many fish keepers purchase testing kits to monitor the levels of ammonia in their water as well as monitoring nitrites and nitrates which are also part of the nitrogen cycle. Ammonia is produced from fish waste and uneaten food, after this is created it is broken down into nitrites by beneficial bacteria that is present in a properly cycled aquarium. Nitrites are then further broken down into

2635-593: The American Veterinary Medical Association , British Veterinary Association and Canadian Veterinary Medical Association have warned of the animal and public health risk that could arise from feeding raw meat to pets and have stated that there is no scientific evidence to support the claimed benefits of raw feeding. The practice of feeding raw diets has raised some concerns due to the risk of food borne illnesses , zoonosis and nutritional imbalances. People who feed their dogs raw food do so for

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2720-481: The Song dynasty to enjoy them in large ceramic vessels. In Medieval Europe, carp pools were a standard feature of estates and monasteries, providing an alternative to meat on feast days when meat could not be eaten for religious reasons. Marine fish have been similarly valued for centuries. Wealthy Romans kept lampreys and other fish in salt water pools. Tertullian reports that Asinius Celer paid 8000 sesterces for

2805-711: The United States and its associated territories, all pet food is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). It is further regulated at the state level. State Department of Agriculture officials, major feed manufacturers, and ingredient suppliers form the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO),

2890-443: The chlorine used to disinfect drinking water supplies for human consumption, tap water cannot be immediately used. In the past, it was possible to "condition" the water by simply letting the water stand for a day or two, which allows the chlorine to dissipate. However, monochloramine became popular in water treatment because it stays longer in the water. Additives are available to remove chlorine or chloramine and suffice to make

2975-432: The phosphate and nitrogen cycle allow essential elements to support a stable environment. Consumption and waste both contribute greatly to these systems, including sulfur , iron , and other micronutrients . Appropriate handling of these factors, along with a balanced food supply and consideration of biological loading, is a requirement to keep these nutrient cycles in adequate equilibrium. The solute content of water

3060-448: The water column primarily through leaf surfaces. Plants remove some nutrients through their roots, either in or at the substrate level or via aerial roots floating in the water. Additional nitrogen and other nutrients are also made available for root uptake by decomposing organic matter in the substrate as well as the breakdown of mulm . While very small amounts of rotting foliage may be allowed to decompose and cycle nitrogen back into

3145-428: The "AquaBabies Micro Aquaria", "Bubble Gear Bubble Bag", and "Betta in a Vase", all of which house live fish in unfiltered and insufficient water. The last is sometimes marketed as a complete ecosystem because a plant is included in the neck of the vase. Some sellers say the fish eat the plant roots. However, bettas are carnivorous and need live food or pellet foods. They cannot survive on plant roots. Another problem

3230-488: The Canine Nutrition Expert Subcommittee (1990–1991), respectively. The nutrient profiles were updated in 2016. The "Family Rule" allows a manufacturer to have a product that is "nutritionally similar" to another product in the same "family" to adopt the latter's "complete and balanced" statement without itself undergoing any feeding tests. The "similar" food must be of the same processing type; contain

3315-627: The Netherlands Antilles; Kolkata, India; and other tropical countries. Import of wild fish, plants, and invertebrates for aquaria continues today around the world. Many species have not been successfully bred in captivity. In many developing countries, locals survive by collecting specimens for the aquarium trade and continue to introduce new species to the market. Today, the ornamental fish trade has expanded significantly, estimated to experience growth of approximately $ 4.49 billion between 2024 and 2028. Southeast Asian countries still continue to be

3400-596: The Philippines, Hong Kong, and Indonesia were the top five exporting nations. South America was the second largest exporting region, accounting for 14% of the total annual value. Colombia, Brazil, and Peru were the major suppliers. Approximately 200 million fish worth $ 44.7 million were imported into the United States in 1992. These fish comprised 1,539 different species ; 730 freshwater species, and 809 saltwater species. Freshwater fish accounted for approximately 96% of

3485-428: The US increased 15 percent in 2015. Worldwide, the compound annual growth rate of pet food purchased online was more than 25% between 2013 and 2018. As of 2015 , the U.S. leads the world in pet-food spending. As of 2018, there are around 470 million pet dogs and around 370 million pet cats . Given the carnivorous diets fed to many pets (especially cats and dogs), involving the consumption of an estimated fifth of

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3570-454: The United States and Canada. It plays an important role in ensuring the safety and quality of pet food and animal feed, providing reliable standards for the entire industry. However, AAFCO itself does not have the authority to create laws. Instead, its standards serve as the basis for individual states, regions, and federal governments in the U.S. and Canada to establish and enforce laws and regulations regarding pet food. Additionally, based on

3655-412: The attractive colors and shapes of the corals and the coral reef fish they host. Temperate zone marine fish are not as commonly kept in home aquaria, primarily because they do not thrive at room temperature. Coldwater aquaria must provide cooler temperature via a cool room (such as an unheated basement) or using a refrigeration device known as a 'chiller'. Marine aquarists often attempt to recreate

3740-490: The balance found in nature in the closed system of an aquarium. In practice, it is virtually impossible to maintain a perfect balance. As an example, a balanced predator-prey relationship is nearly impossible to maintain in even the largest aquaria. Typically, an aquarium keeper must actively maintain balance in the small ecosystems that aquaria provide. Basic aquarium maintenance should generally be performed weekly to maintain optimum conditions for fish and plants. Balance

3825-507: The brand's growing popularity, a string of commercials were aired in Canada in 1962. The commercials introduced Jim Henson 's brainchild, Rowlf the Dog . This brand-name food or drink product–related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Pet food Pet food is animal feed intended for consumption by pets. Typically sold in pet stores and supermarkets, it

3910-411: The color of ornamental fish. Bird foods are used both in birdfeeders and to feed pet birds. It typically consist of a variety of seeds. However, not all birds eat seeds. Nectar (essentially sugar water) attracts hummingbirds . Cats are obligate carnivores , though most commercial cat food contains both animal and plant material supplemented with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Cat food

3995-523: The contaminated wheat gluten also voluntarily recalled dozens of pet food brands. Menu Foods recalled almost over 50 brands of dog food, and over 40 brands of cat food. Nestlé Purina PetCare withdrew all sizes and varieties of Alpo "Prime Cuts in Gravy". Some companies were not affected and utilized the situation to generate sales for alternative pet foods. In early January 2021, Midwestern Pet Food products recalled its Sportmix products which were linked to

4080-645: The death of over 70 dogs and sickness in about 80 others. Dog and cat food, sold by retailers across the United States over the internet, were being investigated by the US Food and Drug Administration for the possibility that fatal levels of aflatoxins were present in the food. Midwestern, which is based in Evansville , Indiana , broadened its recall to include all its pet food products manufactured in its Oklahoma facility that contain corn and have expiration dates on or before July 9, 2022. Fishkeeping Fishkeeping

4165-503: The enjoyment and appreciation of aquatic life. The hobby can be broadly divided into three specific disciplines, depending on the type of water the fish originate from: freshwater , brackish , and marine (also called saltwater) fishkeeping. Freshwater fishkeeping is the most common of the three disciplines, with even small pet stores often selling a variety of freshwater fish , such as goldfish , guppies , and angelfish . While most freshwater aquaria are community tanks containing

4250-618: The environment that surrounds such, along with other purposes such as the piscicultural fishkeeping industry, serving as a branch of agriculture , being one of the most widespread methods of cultivating fish for commercial profit. Fish have been raised as food in pools and ponds for thousands of years. Brightly colored or tame specimens of fish in these pools have sometimes been valued as pets rather than food. Many cultures, ancient and modern, have kept fish for both functional and decorative purposes. Ancient Sumerians kept wild-caught fish in ponds , before preparing them for meals. Depictions of

4335-439: The examples below are for small freshwater fish. Larger freshwater fish and most marine fishes need much more generous allowances. Some aquarists claim that increasing water depth beyond some relatively shallow minimum does not affect capacity. Experienced aquarists warn against mechanically applying these rules because they do not consider other important issues such as growth rate, activity level, social behavior, and such. Once

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4420-453: The filter media every time the filter or filters are serviced to allow the remaining bacteria to repopulate the cleaned half. Biological loading is a measure of the burden placed on the aquarium ecosystem by its living inhabitants. Higher biological loading represents a more complicated ecology, which makes equilibrium easier to imbalance. The surface area of water exposed to air limits dissolved oxygen . The population of nitrifying bacteria

4505-542: The filtration system as well, external (outside of the tank) systems in particular. Generally speaking, the larger the filtration system depending on its configuration, the more capable it will be of properly maintaining an aquatic environment. External filtration systems provide the added benefit of increasing the overall volume of water and its dilution effect. For example, a 190-litre (42 imp gal; 50 US gal) aquarium with an external filter that holds 40 litres (8.8 imp gal; 11 US gal) creates

4590-432: The form of ammonia (which converts to ammonium in acidic water) and must then pass through the nitrogen cycle . Ammonia is also produced through the decomposition of plant and animal matter, including fecal matter and other detritus . Nitrogen waste products become toxic to fish and other aquarium inhabitants above a certain concentration. Ammonia is toxic to fish and other aquatic life in large quantities and that

4675-484: The guidelines set forth by AAFCO. AAFCO requires that all pet food products sold in the United States have labels that contain eight components: Dog and cat foods labeled as "complete and balanced" must meet standards established by the AAFCO either by meeting a nutrient profile or by passing a feeding trial. Cat and dog food nutrient profiles were established by the AAFCO's Feline Nutrition Expert Subcommittee (1991–1992) and

4760-431: The inclusion of an air pump or spray bar in the setup. The largest bacterial populations inhabit the filter; efficient filtration is vital. Sometimes, simply cleaning the filter is enough to seriously disturb the aquarium's balance. Best practice is to flush mechanical filters using compatible water to dislodge organic materials while preserving bacteria populations. Another safe practice involves cleaning only one-half of

4845-552: The lead family product or the AAFCO nutrient profiles, whichever is lower. The label statement on the similar food can be the same as the lead product if the ME is substantiated by the 10-day ME feeding study. Critics of the AAFCO standards argue that such requirements are too lax. Generational studies conducted by researchers at University of California, Davis have shown some foods that pass AAFCO's feeding trials are still not suitable for long-term use and estimated that of 100 foods that pass

4930-428: The less toxic nitrates which can be absorbed by aquarium plants and nitrates absorbing filter media. Aquarists also use water changes as a way to keep these toxins under control by removing water from the aquarium and vacuuming fish waste and food from the gravel and replacing it with fresh, treated water. A well-balanced tank contains organisms that metabolize the waste products of other inhabitants. Nitrogenous waste

5015-560: The most active advocates of the heavily planted aquarium was the Japanese aquarist Takashi Amano . A photographer who has gained notoriety due to his images of his own complex aquariums. He would then proceed to establish his own company "Aqua Design Amano" in 1982 to sell aquarium products "featuring excellent quality and design" to share his vision towards other aquarists. Garden ponds are in some ways similar to freshwater aquaria, but are usually much larger and exposed to ambient weather. In

5100-644: The most dominant force of exporters, however, more countries from that area and even other regions of the world are showing evidence of being able to provide a competitive market. New countries from the Southeast include smaller regions that can still match the volume exports of countries like Japan; including Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Myanmar. Additionally, some European countries have joined the higher ranks of exporting nations; including Netherlands and Czech Republic. Fish are sometimes maintained in inadequate conditions by aquarists who may make errors that are detrimental to

5185-435: The most popular aquarium denizens. Cold water aquaria maintain temperatures below the room temperature. More important than the range is temperature consistency; most organisms are not accustomed to sudden changes in temperatures, which can cause shock and lead to disease. Water temperature can be regulated with a combined thermometer and heating or cooling unit. Water movement can also be important in accurately simulating

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5270-435: The nitrogen cycle due to insufficient beneficial bacteria, which is known as "New Tank Syndrome". Therefore, new tanks have to mature before stocking them with fish. There are three basic approaches to this: the fishless cycle , the silent cycle , and slow growth . Adding too many fish too quickly or failing to allow enough time for the bacteria colony to establish itself in the filter media can lead to ammonia stress. This

5355-478: The nutritional analysis, 10 to 20 would not pass the feeding trials. Although maximum levels of intake of some nutrients have been established because of concerns with overnutrition , many still lack a maximum allowed level and some contains large disparity between maximum and minimum values. The NRC accepts that despite ongoing research, large gaps still exist in the knowledge of quantitative nutritional information for specific nutrients. Some professionals acknowledge

5440-587: The other types, with salinity that must stay between that of freshwater and seawater. Brackish water fish come from habitats with varying salinity, such as mangroves and estuaries , and do not thrive if kept permanently in freshwater. Although brackish water aquaria are not a common option chosen by many aquarists, brackish water hosts unique benefits that could be more optimal for traditional species within aquaria, as many species prefer brackish water, including some mollies , many gobies , some pufferfish , monos , and scats . Ideal aquarium ecology reproduces

5525-472: The past century) contain poor-quality meats, additives, and other ingredients dogs should not ingest, or that commercial dog food is not nutritionally sufficient for their dogs. Many commercial brands are formulated using insights gained from scientific nutritional studies. Many dog food manufacturers refer to AAFCO standards to ensure the safety of their dog food.AAFCO is a collaborative organization involving feed control officers and regulatory authorities from

5610-628: The pet food life cycle, including formulation, ingredient selection, manufacturing processes" and so on. Fish foods normally contain macronutrients , trace elements and vitamins necessary to keep captive fish in good health. Approximately 80% of fishkeeping hobbyists feed their fish exclusively prepared foods that most commonly are produced in flake, pellet or tablet form. Pelleted forms, some of which sink rapidly, are often used for larger fish or bottom-feeding species such as loaches or catfish . Some fish foods also contain additives, such as beta carotene or sex hormones , to artificially enhance

5695-566: The possibilities of phytochemicals and other vital nutrients that have yet to be recognized as essential by nutritional science. With such broad guidelines and loose feeding trial standards, critics argue that the term "complete and balanced" is inaccurate and even deceptive. An AAFCO panel expert has stated that "although the AAFCO profiles are better than nothing, they provide false securities." Certain manufacturers label their products with terms such as premium, ultra premium, and holistic. Such terms currently have no official definitions. The AAFCO

5780-1237: The program is voluntary. The program was discontinued at the end of 2007. There is no government regulation of pet food manufactured in Canada. However, imported pet food does receive stringent oversight. In the European Union , pet food is regulated by the same harmonised standards across the EU, via the Feeding Stuffs Act . All ingredients used for pet food have to be fit for human consumption according to EU requirements. But regulations require that pet food that contains by-products be labelled as "Not for human consumption" even though such by-products have to be derived from animals declared fit for human consumption. Raw pet food has to be labelled "Pet food only". Products meant for daily feeding are labelled "complete feedingstuff" or "complete petfood" or other EU languages equivalent. Products meant for intermittent feeding are labeled "complementary feedingstuff or "complementary pet food" while products with an ash content of over 40% are labeled "mineral feedingstuff". Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight. With

5865-582: The purpose of the hobby, such as keeping too many fish in one tank, or adding fish too quickly into an immature aquarium, resulting in the accidental deaths of many fish. This has caused the hobby to receive criticism and concern among some animal welfare groups, such as PETA , who accuse aquarists of treating aquarium fish as cheap toys to be replaced when they die. Goldfish and bettas , in particular, have often been kept in small bowls or aquaria that are too small for their needs. In some cases, fish have been installed in all sorts of inappropriate objects such as

5950-649: The recommended nutritional guidelines for dog food and cat food that AAFCO published in 1993, nutritional standards have been set for different life stages (growth stage for puppies and maintenance stage for adult dogs). Many dog food manufacturers now refer to these standards. Raw feeding is the practice of feeding domestic dogs , cats and other animals a diet consisting primarily of uncooked meat, edible bones, and organs. The ingredients used to formulate raw diets can vary. Some pet owners choose to make home-made raw diets to feed their animals, but commercial raw food diets are also available. Veterinary associations such as

6035-469: The released Commission Regulation (EU) No 107/2013, the European Union has set new maximum levels for melamine in canned pet food. According to results of an in-depth research of the 2007 pet food crisis , melamine used in coatings for pet food cans can migrate into the food. Therefore, the regular melamine migration limit (SML) of 2.5 mg/kg for food and feed has been expanded to pet food. This limit

6120-551: The requisite bacteria needed to detoxify nitrogen waste. This problem is most often addressed through filtration . Activated carbon filters absorb nitrogen compounds and other toxins from the water. Biological filters provide a medium specially designed for colonization by the desired nitrifying bacteria. Activated carbon and other substances, such as ammonia absorbing resins , stop working when their pores fill, so these components have to be replaced with fresh stocks periodically. New aquaria often have problems associated with

6205-557: The sacred fish of Oxyrhynchus kept in captivity in rectangular temple pools have been found in ancient Egyptian art . Similarly, Asia has experienced a long history of stocking rice paddies with freshwater fish suitable for eating, including various types of catfish and cyprinid . Selective breeding of carp into today's popular and completely domesticated koi and fancy goldfish began over 2,000 years ago in Japan and China , respectively. The Chinese brought goldfish indoors during

6290-429: The same moisture content; bear a statement of nutritional adequacy for the same or less demanding life stage as the lead product; contain a dry matter, metabolizable energy (ME) content within 7.5% of the lead product's dry matter; meet the same levels of crude protein, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, lysine, thiamine (and for cat foods, potassium and taurine) as the lead food; and meet or exceed the nutrient levels and ratios of

6375-399: The tank nears capacity, the best practice is to add the remaining fish over a period of time while monitoring water quality. The capacity can be improved by surface movement and water circulation such as through aeration, which not only improves oxygen exchange but also the decomposition of waste materials. Capacity can also be increased with the addition of external filtration which increases

6460-456: The techniques for performing cosmetic surgery on aquarium fish, without anesthesia , as described by Singaporean fishkeeping magazine Fish Love Magazine . The tail is cut off and dye is injected into the body. The piece also included the first documented evidence to demonstrate that parrot cichlids are injected with coloured dye. Hong Kong suppliers were offering a service in which fish could be tattooed with company logos or messages using

6545-489: The total emissions of countries such as Mozambique or the Philippines . Like humans, dogs are omnivores . There is research on alternative protein sources for pet food including insects and algae . A life-cycle analysis of contemporary pet foods suggests wet foods for cats and dogs tend to have a larger impact than dry foods. It also suggests there are substantial opportunities for improvement in "all phases of

6630-405: The total volume and 80% of the total import value. Only 32 species had import values over $ 10,000. The top species were freshwater and accounted for 58% of the total imported value. The top imported species are the guppy , neon tetra , platy , betta , Chinese algae eater , and goldfish . Given 91.9 million total US households in 1990, 9.7 million are fishkeepers. 8.8 fish per household implies

6715-422: The total volume of water in the aquatic system. Other variables affect tank capacity. Smaller fish consume more oxygen per unit of body weight than larger fish. Labyrinth fish can breathe atmospheric oxygen and need less surface area (however, some are territorial, and do not tolerate crowding). Barbs require more surface area than tetras of comparable size. The presence of waste materials presents itself as

6800-404: The tropics, tropical fish can be kept in garden ponds. In the temperate zone , species such as goldfish, koi , and orfe work better. Marine aquaria have more specific needs and requirements to maintain, and the livestock is generally more expensive. As a result, this branch tends to attract more experienced fishkeepers. Marine aquaria can be appealing from an aesthetics perspective, due to

6885-522: The water and are important to the proper simulation of natural environments. Saltwater is typically alkaline , while the pH of fresh water varies. "Hardness" measures overall dissolved mineral content; hard or soft water may be preferred. Hard water is usually alkaline, while soft water is usually neutral to acidic. Dissolved organic content and dissolved gases content are also important factors. Home aquarists typically use modified tap water supplied through their local water supply network . Because of

6970-583: The water ready. Brackish or saltwater aquaria require the addition of a mixture of salts and other minerals. Aquarists with experience sometimes delve further into trying to find a homeostasis by using external resources to modify the water's alkalinity, hardness, or dissolved content of organics and gases. This can be accomplished by additives such as sodium bicarbonate to raise pH. Some aquarists filter or purify their water using one of two processes: deionization or reverse osmosis . In contrast, public aquaria with large water needs often locate themselves near

7055-399: The world's meat and fish, the impact of pet-food production on climate change , land-use and other environmental impacts becomes an issue. Pet food production is responsible for 20-30% of the environmental impacts from animal production . It has been estimated that global greenhouse gas emissions from dog and cat dry food represents around 1.1%−2.9% of global emissions, an amount close to

7140-551: The year 2024. The pet food market is dominated by five major companies, as of 2020: Mars, Inc. , Nestle Purina Petcare , J. M. Smucker , Hill's Pet Nutrition , Inc. (owned by Colgate-Palmolive ), and Blue Buffalo Co. Ltd (owned by General Mills ). In the United States , pet-food sales in 2016 reached an all-time high of $ 28.23 billion. Mars is the leading company in the pet food industry, making about $ 17 billion annually in pet-care products. Online sales of pet food are increasing and contributing to this growth. Online sales in

7225-743: Was Pierre Carbonnier , who founded one of the oldest public aquaria in Paris in 1850, and bred the first imported Macropods ( Paradise fish ) in 1869, and later more species. A pioneer of tropical fish breeding, Carbonnier was awarded the Gold Medal of the Imperial French Acclimatization Society in 1875 for research and breeding of exotic freshwater aquarium fish, and for his success in introducing exotic fish species to France. Fishkeepers are often known as "aquarists" since many of them are not solely interested in keeping fish, but rather for

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