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bacteria

By Shirlie Sharpe, About.com

Definition: Bacteria is a minute unicellular organism that has no true nucleus. Some bacteria species cause diseases in fish, however others are beneficial and play a key role in the breakdown of toxic nitrogenous substances.

Separate species of bacteria are responsible for each step in the process of decomposition. The nitrogen cycle in the aquarium is based on maintaining equilibrium of specific bacterial colonies.
Shirlie Sharpe
Guide since 1998

Shirlie Sharpe
Freshwater Aquariums Guide

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