| Freshwater fish are perhaps the easiest fish | | | | can be purchased at a local pet store. Try to |
| to care for in comparison to saltwater | | | | avoid overcrowding the tank. This should help |
| species because they are usually hardier | | | | to reduce the amount of stress caused to the |
| fish. A basic aquarium set up will be | | | | fish. |
| required. You will need a tank, some rocks or | | | | |
| substrate to line bottom of the tank. You | | | | Change about a third of the water in the |
| will also need a filter, and some lighting. | | | | aquarium at a time, because this type of |
| When choosing fish, it is imperative to make | | | | change will cause the least amount of |
| sure the fish are compatible. Not only do | | | | disturbance to the fish and other |
| they need to be compatible for water | | | | inhabitants. This will need to be done every |
| temperature and P.H., but they also should | | | | two to three weeks. Use either a bucket or a |
| have similar food requirements. Try to keep | | | | siphon to remove the water from the tank. Try |
| the fish relatively the same size. It has | | | | to remove any loose or floating debris at |
| been said that if a fish is small enough to | | | | this time. When adding the new water to the |
| fit in another fishes mouth, that is usually | | | | aquarium, be sure that it is within |
| where it ends up. So don't be discouraged if | | | | approximately two degrees of the tank water. |
| this happens. Even fish that have been housed | | | | The sides of the aquarium should be scrubbed |
| together for several months have been known | | | | regularly to remove an algae build up. Again |
| to disappear on occasion. | | | | be careful not to disturb the fish. Wash your |
| | | | hands thoroughly before and after handling |
| Freshwater fish should be fed twice daily. | | | | the aquarium. Lastly, check the |
| Feed only a small amount that can be consumed | | | | manufacturer's recommendation on filters and |
| within the first two to five minutes. Over | | | | change them accordingly. Filters collect any |
| feeding is a common mistake among novice fish | | | | fish waste or left over food. They can't |
| keepers. Any excess food should be lifted | | | | function properly unless they are clean. |
| with a net if possible, as it will become | | | | |
| debris and quickly dirty the tank. Water | | | | Introduce hardy fish to a new tank. These |
| should be kept regulated and tested weekly. | | | | fish can withstand higher nitrite levels that |
| Any discrepancies in P.H. and water | | | | are present in a new aquarium. Choose fish |
| temperature should be corrected immediacy in | | | | such as danios, barbs, gouramis, and live |
| order to minimize stress caused to the fish. | | | | bearers. Don't add more than three to four |
| Stress is significant because it causes | | | | small fish per week. Acclimation times vary |
| illness in fish. It is important to monitor | | | | per species, so check with your retailer |
| the activity and overall well being of the | | | | before adding any other new fish. |
| fish in an aquarium. The signs of stress will | | | | |
| be fairly obvious. Slow moving or lethargic | | | | To read about sand shark and salt water fish |
| looking fish will require a stress coat that | | | | tanks, visit Aquarium Fish Care. |