Glossary

Short, plain-language definitions of the terms used across The Fish Bowled.

Ammonia

The nitrogen compound (NH3/NH4+) produced by fish waste and decaying food; highly toxic to fish and the first stage of the nitrogen cycle.

Dechlorinator

A water conditioner that neutralises the chlorine or chloramine in tap water, which would otherwise harm fish and the tank's beneficial bacteria.

Labyrinth organ

An accessory breathing structure in fish like the betta that lets them gulp atmospheric air from the surface, an adaptation to low-oxygen water.

Nitrate

The relatively safe end product (NO3−) of the nitrogen cycle; much less toxic than ammonia or nitrite but still removed by regular water changes.

Nitrite

The toxic intermediate compound (NO2−) that beneficial bacteria produce from ammonia and then convert into far less harmful nitrate.

Shoaling

The behaviour of fish that live together in groups for security; schooling fish are stressed and unhealthy when kept alone or in too-small numbers.