| Many fish diseases can be avoided by keeping | | | | have fast metabolisms |
| your fish healthy in the first place, but a major | | | | * Feed large fish more substantial meals less |
| factor that can have a detrimental effect on the | | | | often |
| immune systems of fish is stress. Stress is | | | | * Keep food fresh and where possible, do not |
| responsible for, or linked to, many fish deaths and | | | | buy loose dry food because it will already have |
| is a more common problem than many aquarist | | | | lost much of their nutritional value. |
| believe. Stress can be caused by number of | | | | * Remove any uneaten food immediately, as it |
| factors in the aquarium, and these are noted | | | | will disintegrate and adversely affect the water |
| below. | | | | quality. |
| Causes and signs of stress | | | | * Provide a varied diet of fresh, frozen and dry |
| There are obvious factors that can cause stress | | | | foods to your fish wherever possible, as this will |
| to aquarium fish, such as aggression from other | | | | provide interest for the fish as well as optimum |
| fish and overcrowding, but there are also invisible | | | | nutrition. |
| causes such as poor water quality or the wrong | | | | Water Quality |
| water conditions. To check for signs of stress use | | | | Providing good water for your fish is paramount |
| a test kit to give a clear idea of how the system | | | | and vital for their long-term health, so remember |
| is running. Second, use your eyes to look for | | | | to adhere to the following rules |
| indications of rapid gill movement, reluctance to | | | | * Choose an adequately sized filter that will allow |
| feed and a change of behavior. | | | | for the future growth of your fish. |
| Treating stress | | | | * Never wash biological filter media under the tap, |
| Some water conditioners contain Aloe vera or | | | | because all the good bacteria will be lost and toxic |
| herbal extracts and have been shown to reduce | | | | ammonia will rise. |
| stress, especially when you are introducing or | | | | * Choose maintenance regime, such as changing |
| transporting fish, but normally the cause of the | | | | 25 per cent of tank water twice weekly, and |
| stress must be removed if the fish is to recover. | | | | stick to it. |
| Avoiding stress | | | | * Provide the right type of water for your fish, |
| Properly research the species that you are | | | | such as soft water for South American species. |
| keeping and check their eventually size and long | | | | Fish Stocking |
| term compatibility. If you keep soft-water species | | | | The wrong stocking can have dire consequences |
| with hard-water species, for example, one or | | | | on your fish and affect their long-term health, so |
| none of the species will be truly happy in the long | | | | consider the following points when you are |
| term, causing stress. | | | | choosing your fish. |
| Seemingly minor factors, such as having the light | | | | * Only buy fish that you are sure you can |
| on for too long, vibration from loud music or | | | | adequately house. Some fish grow to be huge, |
| unsuitable hiding places and retreats, can stress | | | | and it can be easy to underestimate this when |
| many species. | | | | you are buying them. |
| Feeding | | | | * Don't stock fish to heavily. It is tempting to try |
| Once you are satisfied that stress is not a factor | | | | to create a visual display with as many different |
| in your tank, you can concentrate on the long | | | | fish as possible, but this can cause stunting, |
| term health of your fish. Proper feeding of | | | | parasite infestations, oxygen deprivation as well |
| aquarium fish can do wonders for their health, and | | | | as a very heavy load on your filter. |
| a well-fed fish can naturally fight off many | | | | * Keep shoaling fish in groups and keep solitary |
| diseases. So, be sure to follow the advice below | | | | fish on their own. |
| when you are feeding your fish. | | | | * Provide the right lighting conditions for the fish |
| * Feed branded foods manufactured by reputable | | | | at all times - some are sensitive or unaccustomed |
| companies. Take time to research so that you | | | | to bright light and this can cause stress. |
| know that you are feeding the correct type of | | | | * Stock slowly with compatible fish from the |
| foods, such as algae wafers for algae eaters, for | | | | outset. Do not keep predators with prey fish , |
| example. | | | | even if you buy them when they are small. |
| * Feed small fish little and often because they | | | | |