Fish Care

Tips for Good Fish Care

Always inspect a fish before you buy it to check for any physical problems. It is important that you do not start off with a fish that is already injured. If you bring a new fish into your aquarium that already has a disease or infection, it is likely to spread it to your other fish as well.

Ensure that fish you buy are compatible with each other. Putting incompatible fish together is a common mistake and will likely result in one eating another.

Read as much as you can about fish care tips and the fish you wish to buy so you understand beforehand any necessary requirements. Temperature is also a major concern as tropical fish generally have low tolerances when it comes to water temperature.

Regularly monitor your fish for signs of disease. Many parasitic infections have very few signs before it is too late. You will also need to monitor the activities of the fish because changes in behavior can often indicate a health problem.

Buying your First Fish

Do not buy a fish from an aquarium where dead or dying fish are. Even fish that appear to be healthy are likely to have been affected.

Before buying a fish, be sure to inspect its physical condition and avoid any with visible signs of damage.

It is important to slowly add new fish to an aquarium. They will almost certainly fall victim to new tank syndrome. Adding too many fish can also disrupt the balance of the aquarium.

Overfeeding your tropical fish causes the tank to become polluted and can also cause significant growth of algae which can be damaging to the fish. Read up on fish care and feeding tips.

Setting up Your Aquarium for Tropical Fish

Do not place the aquarium in a place where it will receive excess sunlight. Sunlight will increase the rate at which algae grows in your tank, requiring frequent cleanings. Incoming sunlight will also make it difficult to maintain an appropriate temperature inside the aquarium.

Place the tank away from windows, doors, vents and radiators. Also place the tank in an area that does not have people walking around frequently or in an area in which doors are often opened and closed. All of these actions cause vibrations which disturb your fish.

Cloudy Aquarium Water

If the water in your aquarium is cloudy or has a green tinge, you most likely have an abundance of algae growth. Generally this will not negatively harm your fish. However, if the algae growth continues over time, it can become harmful to the fish.

Replacing some of the water over the course of a few days will help reduce this problem. Approximately twenty-five percent of the water should be changed daily until the water clears up. You should also put less food in the tank as any excess food will only promote algae growth. Try leaving the tank light off as much as possible. Implementing these tips should be enough to clear your tank up over the course of a few days.

If all else fails, there are always additives you can buy from your local pet store that will clean the algae up fairly quickly. More fish care tips can also be found by asking your vet or visiting your local pet store.

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