| Aquarium tank fish death is one of the common | | | | That's a single factor that affects fish survival as |
| challenges faced by aquarists. There are number of | | | | pets. |
| factors that could be responsible for the deaths | | | | Another thing to watch out for in a newly installed |
| experienced. These are outlined briefly below: | | | | tank is the quantity of food: very little of this should |
| - The aquarist selection of fish. | | | | be given during the fist three weeks. Mind you! I am |
| - The removal and packing of the fish from the pet | | | | not suggesting that you should not give them food |
| shop | | | | at all, because without food, no bacterial flora forms. |
| - Transport time and period and the handling of the | | | | The food supply to the bacteria should be increased |
| fish in transit | | | | only very gradually. |
| - Quarantine procedure. | | | | Fish keepers with old functional aquariums should |
| - Adjustment and adaptation into the new | | | | avoid general cleaning that is washing of sand/gravel, |
| community or environment by the new fish. | | | | scrubbing of tank wall and complete water changes |
| When buying fish from the pet shop always spend | | | | so as not to disturb the bacterial flora. |
| some time at the place to inquire about the life | | | | When you have to service, it should just be the |
| history and habits of the new purchase. You can | | | | removal of the mulm and dead leaves sufficient to |
| then make a selection from collection of the same | | | | ensure adequate flow through the filter and no more. |
| species. Never buy the last specimen in reserve at | | | | The bad habit of replacing the entire filter material or |
| any shop because if it had been a good specimen, | | | | the soiled part with fresh materials is detrimental to |
| you would not have met it there in the first instance. | | | | fish life. Most bacterial live in the sludge at the |
| Always form the habit of making your fish purchase | | | | bottom of the tank, so don't throw them away. |
| during the cool periods of the day, preferably before | | | | Many pet shops that operate a house-to-house |
| 12 noon or after 4.30pm. | | | | maintenance routine on aquariums are used to the |
| These are the only periods I can guarantee for fish | | | | habit of complete overhaul which invariably lead to |
| comfort. This restriction is borne out of my | | | | fish death. I have met many people who have said, |
| observation that most pet shops and aquarists alike | | | | "I used to service my tank myself. On close scrutiny |
| do not seem to care about insulation of the fish | | | | I discovered that he indulge in the unforgivable habit |
| against temperature fluctuations after gassing them | | | | of washing the aquarium with detergents! |
| in a polythene. | | | | In real life situation, no one can attest to having |
| When making your fish selection from the pet shop | | | | experienced a complete overhaul of a river bed. The |
| be sure the attendant has the expertise to pick fish | | | | only thing that happens during heavy rains or flood is |
| out from a selection. This you can know through the | | | | the partial/complete change of the water body. The |
| swiftness with which your choice fish is removed out | | | | bed, sand and gravel components get cleaned but |
| of the selection. | | | | not overhauled. |
| Reject a fish that has been chased around, gasping | | | | This is nature's method of 'servicing' the fish's natural |
| for breath... It is week already! Chances are that it | | | | environment. So why don't we all adopt nature's |
| gives up with the further stress that accompanies | | | | method. Professional aquatic pet dealer's service |
| the transportation of the fish. | | | | aquariums in the same way, and to the committed |
| Make sure that your new purchase is quarantined. | | | | aquarist, I will advice you to do this yourself! |