| for Good Fish Care | | | | fish. Read up on fish care and feeding tips. |
| Always inspect a fish before you buy it to check | | | | Setting up Your Aquarium for Tropical Fish |
| for any physical problems. It is important that you | | | | Do not place the aquarium in a place where it will |
| do not start off with a fish that is already injured. | | | | receive excess sunlight. Sunlight will increase the |
| If you bring a new fish into your aquarium that | | | | rate at which algae grows in your tank, requiring |
| already has a disease or infection, it is likely to | | | | frequent cleanings. Incoming sunlight will also make |
| spread it to your other fish as well. | | | | it difficult to maintain an appropriate temperature |
| Ensure that fish you buy are compatible with each | | | | inside the aquarium. |
| other. Putting incompatible fish together is a | | | | Place the tank away from windows, doors, vents |
| common mistake and will likely result in one eating | | | | and radiators. Also place the tank in an area that |
| another. | | | | does not have people walking around frequently |
| Read as much as you can about fish care tips and | | | | or in an area in which doors are often opened and |
| the fish you wish to buy so you understand | | | | closed. All of these actions cause vibrations which |
| beforehand any necessary requirements. | | | | disturb your fish. |
| Temperature is also a major concern as tropical | | | | Cloudy Aquarium Water |
| fish generally have low tolerances when it comes | | | | If the water in your aquarium is cloudy or has a |
| to water temperature. | | | | green tinge, you most likely have an abundance |
| Regularly monitor your fish for signs of disease. | | | | of algae growth. Generally this will not negatively |
| Many parasitic infections have very few signs | | | | harm your fish. However, if the algae growth |
| before it is too late. You will also need to monitor | | | | continues over time, it can become harmful to |
| the activities of the fish because changes in | | | | the fish. |
| behavior can often indicate a health problem. | | | | Replacing some of the water over the course of |
| Buying your First Fish | | | | a few days will help reduce this problem. |
| Do not buy a fish from an aquarium where dead | | | | Approximately twenty-five percent of the water |
| or dying fish are. Even fish that appear to be | | | | should be changed daily until the water clears up. |
| healthy are likely to have been affected. | | | | You should also put less food in the tank as any |
| Before buying a fish, be sure to inspect its | | | | excess food will only promote algae growth. Try |
| physical condition and avoid any with visible signs | | | | leaving the tank light off as much as possible. |
| of damage. | | | | Implementing these tips should be enough to clear |
| It is important to slowly add new fish to an | | | | your tank up over the course of a few days. |
| aquarium. They will almost certainly fall victim to | | | | If all else fails, there are always additives you can |
| new tank syndrome. Adding too many fish can | | | | buy from your local pet store that will clean the |
| also disrupt the balance of the aquarium. | | | | algae up fairly quickly. More fish care tips can also |
| Overfeeding your tropical fish causes the tank to | | | | be found by asking your vet or visiting your local |
| become polluted and can also cause significant | | | | pet store. |
| growth of algae which can be damaging to the | | | | |