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