How to Care for Your Fish
Fish make wonderful pets whether they are tropical, gold or saltwater fish. They are not only great for children but many adults enjoy the serenity of a fish aquarium in their home. Freshwater fish are the most common kept fish in a home aquarium. Although they look like they are low maintenance, caring for fish requires a lot of daily and weekly upkeep.
Items needed:
- Fish tank
- pH level kit
- Water
- Fish food
- Tank hood
- Make sure you purchase healthy fish. Play close attention to the fish before purchasing them. Look at their eyes to see if they are cloudy or if their bodies appear slimy.
- Keep new fish in a quarantine tank with the same water quality as the main tank. Fish should be kept in their quarantine tank for at least two weeks and then introduced to their new tank.
- Put the aquarium along the side of inside wall. Keep it far away from doors, windows and heating systems. This is to prevent the tank and fish from enduring sudden temperature changes.
- Maintain the quality of the water. Test the water’s ammonia, nitrate and pH levels as often as possible. Purchase a special test kit from the pet store you purchased the fish from. If there is a chemical imbalance in your fish tank it could lead to fish sickness. Once the water quality is acceptable in your tank, use a special filtered siphon to change 25 percent of the water every seven days.
- Provide your fish with a diet that is specially catered for its needs. Make sure it is stored in a cool and dry place.
- Remove all waste and uneaten food with a net every other day. Rinse the fish net before using to avoid the spread of infection.
- Purchase a hood to fit over the tank. This keeps the fish from jumping out and extra debris from falling inside the tank. Avoid allowing your fish to become stressed under poor water conditions such as drastic changes in lighting or constant movement around the outside of the aquarium.