Fish Shopping and Maintenance Tips For Beginners

Q. When I go fish shopping, how do I tell whether the fish I wish to buy are in good health? Also, how do I maintain my aquarium to keep it in a healthy state?

Shopping For Healthy Fish

It takes one sick fish to infect the whole aquarium, so it’s important to learn how to spot a sick fish to avoid this from happening.

Look for fish with clear eyes and skin. Their color should be bright and even with no unusual discoloration or bloody patches. Avoid fish with hollow bellies and bent spines.

Healthy fish usually keep their fins erect. A clamped fin (fin held folded against the body) is a sign that the fish is not well. The fins should have smooth edges and no splits. Split fins could be the result of fights and are likely to heal quickly. However, fins with ragged edges may be a sign of disease or that the fish has been bullied.

The fish should exhibit behavior that is normal for the species. For example, if it belongs to a species that likes to school, it is a sign that something is wrong if it stays away from the rest of the group, or hide in a corner of the tank. Lethargy is another sign that the fish is ill, especially if it belongs to an active species. However, be aware that it is normal behavior for many fish to stay still and do nothing most of the time.

Avoid tanks containing dead fish. Note the condition of the water in them—discolored water could mean that the fish are sick and the tank is under medication.

Related Topics:

• Beginners’ Tips: Good and Problem Fish
• Which Aquarium Fish is Best and Fun to Keep?

Daily Aquarium Maintenance

These are the daily maintenance activities necessary to keep your aquarium in tip-top condition:

• Turn on the aquarium light. If you have a timer, this will be taken cared of automatically.
• Check the aquarium to ensure that the filters, heaters, and bubblers are working fine. Check the thermostat, if any, for the correct temperature.
• Observe the fish for any symptoms of disease.
• Look out for dead fish. Fish usually die at night, so the best time to check for dead ones is early in the morning. Check and see if there is any dead fish lodged between the plants, rocks or other items in the tank.
• Feed the fish twice—once in the morning and once in the evening.
• Check for leaks in the tank, just in case.

On a weekly basis, you should:

• Check filters to see if they need to be cleared and cleaned.
• Replant loosened plants.
• Clean the glass—use a scrubber pad to remove algae building up on the inside glass and wipe away water spots.
• Run water tests regularly to check that the parameters remain stable between water changes.

More Related Topics:

• What Types of Aquarium Filter is Best for my Tank?
• How To Nurture A Thriving Plant Community In Your Aquarium
• Crash Course On Buying Aquarium Plants And Keeping Them Healthy
• Are You Using These Accessories To Keep Your Aquarium In Prime Condition?
• 3 Key Things to Care for when Maintaining your Aquarium
• 8 Easy Steps on Changing and Cleaning Aquarium
• Here’s How To Do A Proper Water Change For Your Aquarium
• Are You Making Your Aquarium Water Safe For Your Fish?
• Water Chemistry: Are you Giving your Fish the Water They Deserve?

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