Freshwater Aquarium

Before you go out and buy some tropical aquarium fish you must take into consideration a few factors. You want to get the best fish you can so I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s important to do some research and learn what to look for when you go to the pet shop to buy your fish.

I’m going to talk to you today about how to spot healthy and colorful fish that will help you create a stunning aquarium. Here are a few things you should look for:

1, Look for fish that come to the front of the glass when looking in the tank. If a fish hides at the back or in ornaments then that fish is not going to be a good buy. The fish must swim around freely and without any problems.

2, If been fed, look for fish that are quick to feed. These fish will grow bigger, have more color and be healthier in general. The others that take time before starting to feed are likely to be smaller fish that may be bullied by the others.

3, Don’t buy dark or very pale colored fish. These fish have a risk of having disease or been under stress and might not last long when been moved to your aquarium.

4, If buying livebearers make sure the females aren’t heavily pregnant. These fish will become very stressed when been moved and can often die as a result. Instead look for medium sized females that don’t have a big round bump.

5, Ask assistance and do your research before about fish you are going to keep together and if they are compatible. Make sure you don’t mix peaceful fish with very aggressive fish.

6, Make sure you only buy a few fish at a time. If you buy all your fish at once you will overstock your tank and cause ammonia problems which could result in deaths.

Please make sure you think about these things when looking to buy tropical fish. If you follow these six things I’m sure you shouldn’t have many problems. For more information please check out my blogs.

Rob owns a few blogs on saltwater fish and tropical fish.

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A balanced diet for your aquarium fish is essential to thier survival. Most of the commercially available dry fish foods are almost always unbalanced. In many cases, the vitamin content will gradually decline at room temperature and since majority of the dry food for tropical fish commonly used will only keep for about three months, it is always advisable to buy fish-feeds in many small packs rather than in one large pack.

The feed could preferably be kept absolutely dry in a refrigerator. However, all fish appreciate a change of diet and will thank you for your consideration with more interesting behavior, better colours, and greater readiness to breed and better general well -being. This change of diet should be supplemented with live food; majority of which now come in irradiated freeze dried forms to make sure that they are disease free.

I will mention a few that could be found handy in some major aquarium shops and I will group them into two. And they are flake foods and freeze-dried foods

Flake foods

Most popular and highly recommended brands are Aquarian

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Fish death is one of the main problems that beginner aquarist and even some expert aquarist face. It’s frustrating to the extent that most quit keeping aquarium fish.

But fish death can be avoided. Most fish deaths are caused as a result of both an internal and external types parasites that compete with the fish in tank.

As a result if you watch your aquarium fish often you should be able to discover when they have been infected by this parasite and be able to treat them to avoid fish death.

Look out for the following White Spot disease behavioral symptoms in your fish.

- Constant lying on the bottom or hanging at the surface.

- Rubbing of the body against rocks

- Gasping at the water surface

- No response to feeding

- General dullness and lethargy

- Hovering in a corner

- Fish swimming with clamps up

The most common of the visible signs is the development of the pin head-size while spots on the body or fins. This ailment is referred to as White Spot disease and is caused by the parasite - Ichthyophthirius Multifillis.

This parasite has a free-swimming stage, which attaches itself to the fish. The most common chemical used in treating infected fishes is Methylene Blue. You could buy a one per cent stock solution from a reputable chemist or aquarium shop and apply at 0.8 to 1.0ml per gallon of water. This amount should be added all at once. Repeat after one or two days.

The fishes must remain in this bath until every while spot has disappeared. A water change after treatment is necessary or else prolonged contact with the chemical may affect the fertility of the fish.

Another tip if you are using a side filter with activated charcoal should remove it to prevent the coal from absorbing the Methylene Blue.

Another tip… during treatment you should use artificial aeration with coarse bubbles near the surface, since a dirty bottom would inactivate the medicament by absorption. A better measure is to remove all dirt from the bottom before treatment.

Methylene Blue is harmless to young fish and unlike the general belief, it does not affect plants if used in weaker concentration.

For more great aquarium related articles and resources check out http://freshwaterfish.aquariumspot.com

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