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