KEEPING FISH HAPPY AND HEALTHY
Who wouldn’t love an aquarium or a little bowl at their personal space? Fish and its tiny ecosystem is a happy sight and once a person starts it, fish keeping soon grows beyond a hobby. Easier said, but maintaining an aquarium requires patience, keen interest and readiness to devote time. Here are a few tips on taking care of aquatic pets. Research fish before purchasing: When it comes time to purchase fish, take some time to research exactly what you are buying. Understand how big the fish will get, its temperament, space requirements and which fish it will get along with. An overcrowded tank results in increased aggression, increased stress, increased disease and an overall unhealthy living situation for your fish. Water conditioning: Water for fish is like air for humans. It is critical to your fish’s longterm health. Tap water comes with countless properties that need to be balanced in an aquarium. Ensure that proper pH levels are maintained for a natural, antiseptic effect that helps your fish resist illness. Water change: It is recommended to change 25 per cent of your aquarium water at least once a month. This will help maintain a clean and healthy tank and keep nitrate concentrations at a safe level. Use a gravel vacuum to siphon out water and debris. Water temperature: Changes in temperature can wreak havoc. Don’t place your aquarium in a window that gets a lot of sun or next to heating or air conditioning vents, as drastic temperature changes can make your fish sick or even kill them. For tropical freshwater fish, which requires a constant temperature of 72° F - 82° F, purchase an aquatic heater for your tank. Avoid overfeeding: It is very difficult to starve a fish. One feeding per day is plenty, making sure you provide food items for each type of fish in your tank. A good flake food meets most needs, but if you have many bottom feeders, you may wish to include sinking pellets. Excess food is not only unhealthy for the fish, but can dirty the tank and cause spikes in the chemicals.