在线英语听力室

VOA健康报道2022--How to Keep a Betta Fish

时间:2023-01-10 02:38:59

搜索关注在线英语听力室公众号:tingroom,领取免费英语资料大礼包。

(单词翻译)

  How to Keep a Betta Fish

  Betta fish are known for their bright colors. They are popular with Americans as pets.

  They are often kept alone in a small tank. Male fish are prized for their stronger colors and beautiful fins2.

  With good care, bettas live three to five years, but some are known to live 10 years.

  In the northern parts of the world, winter has arrived, and some people might be wondering what to do with their time now that they are indoors3. Keeping a betta fish can be a fun hobby that does not involve going outside. It also does not require too much skill, but you do have to be willing to learn.

  But how do you take care of a betta fish?

  Required parts

  First, betta fish need a home. A tank that holds at least 11 liters4 of water is suggested although 19 liters is better. Larger tanks are better because the water needs to be changed less often and provides a healthier environment for the fish.

  Second, the tank needs small rocks or sand at the bottom. In the pet fish industry, this is called substrate. A few centimeters at the bottom are all that is needed. Clean the rocks or sand with running water without soap until it runs clear before adding them to the tank.

  Third, a filter5 is needed to purify6 the water. Many people keep bettas without filters7. But the fish should be raised with a filter to stay healthy. Follow the filter's guidelines8 and choose a filter that is the right size for the tank.

  Fourth, a heater is suggested to keep your fish in good condition. These fish prefer warmer water, usually between 24 and 28 degrees Celsius9. Pet stores sell heaters for fish. Choose the right size for your aquarium10 and follow its guidelines, or instructions, to set it up.

  A light and decorations are the final details to set up your tank. A light may not be necessary if the room receives enough natural light. But an electric light might be helpful if you wish to grow plants in the tank. If real plants seem like too much work, plastic plants work as well. You can also find other decorations like rocks, or wood pieces. Just make sure they are safe for fish.

  Water quality and temperature

  The quality of the water is important to keeping a fish alive and healthy. The filter and heater will do a lot to keep the water safe for the fish, but there are additional11 steps you should take.

  Make sure the water you add to the tank is safe for fish. Tap water can be used. But it usually contains a chlorine-based chemical harmful to fish, so additional steps need to be taken.

  Krista Keller is a professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine. Writing online in 2019, she said, "If tap water is used in the tank, it is recommended to use a dechlorinating product and test for heavy metals."

  Pet stores sell dechlorinating chemicals and they are easy to use. Just follow the instructions on the container. Stores also sell home water testing products. But many fish stores are happy to test your water if you bring in a small amount. They can also provide advice on keeping fish in your area's water.

  Betta fish care

  After setting12 up your tank, there are a few more things to consider. You will need to feed your fish and change its water.

  There are many choices for food. There are pellets, frozen13 whole foods, freeze-dried foods, and live food. Pet stores will carry many of these. Feed your fish once to twice a day. Whatever food you choose, make sure it contains meat or insects because that is what bettas eat in the wild.

  It is suggested to change one fourth of your tank's water once every week or two. Remove the old water and add fresh water. Your filter also may require some additional cleaning every month or so.

  Tank friends

  Male betta fish are kept alone because they are aggressive fish. Another name for bettas is Siamese fighting fish. Males should never be kept with other betta males. If you have a larger tank with other fish, they might live together peacefully. But know that male betta fish often attack other fish and may have to live separately.

  Female14 betta fish can live with other fish peacefully. A group of females15 can be kept too. Make sure they have a tank that is large enough and a filter designed for the tank's size.

  Words in This Story

  fin1 –n. the part of a fish or marine16 mammal that the animal uses to move or affect its movement

  pet – n. an animal (such as a dog, cat, bird, or fish) that people keep mainly for pleasure

  hobby – n. an activity that a person does for pleasure when not working

  filter – n. a device17 that is used to remove something unwanted from a liquid or gas that passes through it

  decoration – n. something that is added to something else to make it more attractive

  tap –n. a device that controls the flow (usually of water) from a pipe or tank

  recommend – v. to suggest that someone do (something)

  dechlorinate – v. to remove chlorine from a substance


分享到:


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 fin qkexO     
n.鳍;(飞机的)安定翼
参考例句:
  • They swim using a small fin on their back.它们用背上的小鳍游动。
  • The aircraft has a long tail fin.那架飞机有一个长长的尾翼。
2 fins 6a19adaf8b48d5db4b49aef2b7e46ade     
[医]散热片;鱼鳍;飞边;鸭掌
参考例句:
  • The level of TNF-α positively correlated with BMI,FPG,HbA1C,TG,FINS and IRI,but not with SBP and DBP. TNF-α水平与BMI、FPG、HbA1C、TG、FINS和IRI呈显著正相关,与SBP、DBP无相关。 来自互联网
  • Fins are a feature specific to fish. 鱼鳍是鱼类特有的特征。 来自辞典例句
3 indoors q7Mxv     
adv.(在)室内,(在)户内
参考例句:
  • Because of the coldness of the weather we stayed indoors.我们因天气寒冷呆在家里。
  • It is very cold outside,you'd better come indoors across the board.外面很冷,你们所有人最好都进屋。
4 liters ef17a9e7e856103fa742d35eef4c3521     
n.升( liter的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • In the metric system, measurements are made in metres and liters. 在公制中,用米和升作计量单位。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • This can holds five liters of water. 这个容器可装五升水。 来自《简明英汉词典》
5 filter nktxN     
n.滤器,过滤嘴;v.过滤,透过
参考例句:
  • Foreign influence began to filter into the country.外国势力开始渗透进这个国家。
  • Charcoal is used to filter water.木炭是用来过滤水的。
6 purify 9SGxd     
vt.使纯净,提纯,使纯洁
参考例句:
  • They open the windows to purify the air of the room.他们打开窗户清涤室内空气。
  • You should purify the water before drinking it.喝水前,你应使之净化。
7 filters 2c9885d2b0c7e26971f60a90f33cf718     
过滤( filter的名词复数 ); 滤光器; (香烟头上的)过滤嘴; 交通红灯指示不得直行的同时
参考例句:
  • Filters do not remove all contaminants from water. 过滤器无法过滤掉水中的所有污染物。
  • A liquid filters through a strainer,into the receptacle beneath. 液体经过过滤器流入下面的容器。
8 guidelines 0rtzk5     
n.指导方针,准则
参考例句:
  • The government has drawn up guidelines on the treatment of the mentally ill. 政府制订了对待精神病人的指导方针。
  • Planners seem a little uncomfortable with the current government guidelines. 规划师似乎不太接受现行的政府指道方针。
9 Celsius AXRzl     
adj.摄氏温度计的,摄氏的
参考例句:
  • The temperature tonight will fall to seven degrees Celsius.今晚气温将下降到七摄氏度。
  • The maximum temperature in July may be 36 degrees Celsius.七月份最高温度可能达到36摄氏度。
10 aquarium Gvszl     
n.水族馆,养鱼池,玻璃缸
参考例句:
  • The first time I saw seals was in an aquarium.我第一次看见海豹是在水族馆里。
  • I'm going to the aquarium with my parents this Sunday.这个星期天,我要和父母一起到水族馆去。
11 additional rJTyM     
adj.添加的,额外的,另外的
参考例句:
  • It is necessary to set down these additional rules.有必要制定这些补充规则。
  • I think we can fit in an additional room.我想我们可以再加建一间房子。
12 setting 7i5zmt     
n.背景
参考例句:
  • The play has its setting in Vienna.该剧以维也纳为背景。
  • Where and when a story takes place is called the setting.故事发生的地点和时间称为故事背景。
13 frozen 2sVz6q     
adj.冻结的,冰冻的
参考例句:
  • He was frozen to death on a snowing night.在一个风雪的晚上,他被冻死了。
  • The weather is cold and the ground is frozen.天寒地冻。
14 female 3kSxf     
adj.雌的,女(性)的;n.雌性的动物,女子
参考例句:
  • We only employ female workers.我们只雇用女工。
  • The animal in the picture was a female elephant.照片上的动物是头母象。
15 females d8698f3558c99e12653404bd3adaa915     
n.雌性动物( female的名词复数 );女人
参考例句:
  • The male birds are more colourful than the females. 这种鸟雄性比雌性更加色彩艳丽。
  • The males in the herd protect the females and the young. 兽中的雄性动物保护雌性动物和幼崽。 来自《简明英汉词典》
16 marine 77Izo     
adj.海的;海生的;航海的;海事的;n.水兵
参考例句:
  • Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
  • When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时,他自愿参加了海军陆战队。
17 device Bv8x6     
n.器械,装置;计划,策略,诡计
参考例句:
  • The device will be in production by the end of the year.该装置将于年底投入生产。
  • The device will save much time and effort for us.这种装置会使我们节省大量时间和气力。

本文本内容来源于互联网抓取和网友提交,仅供参考,部分栏目没有内容,如果您有更合适的内容,欢迎 点击提交 分享给大家。