Pet Supply Source

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Fish

You may be considering a pet fish due to lack of space for a larger animal, lack of time to care for a more needy pet or just because you love fish. Pet fish can be a beautiful addition to your home and generally require minimal care.

Choosing your fish

When you think of a pet fish, you may first think of Goldfish. However, fish come in many different sizes, colors and varieties; literally thousands of species exist. Because there are so many choices, it can be overwhelming to decide on a particular kind of fish to purchase, but you can narrow the choices down to a manageable number by asking yourself a few questions. Think about the size of fish that you want and how much you want to spend on them. Some fish need to be in a community and some prefer to live alone. Certain types are aggressive and may prey on other fish in the tank. Some species are not compatible with others at all, so keep that in mind if you plan to house multiple kinds of fish in the same aquarium. You also want to consider the type of tank and other equipment that will be needed for your fish.

Once you have established a basic idea of what you want and can afford, learn about specific types of fish that fit your needs. Though there are thousands of kinds of fish, a small percentage of those are commonly available as pets. Do some research on fish that are available in your area and locate the ones that meet your qualifications. Fish that are good for beginners include Goldfish, Mollies, Tetras, and Guppies.

Feeding

The correct feeding of your fish is essential to their health. Most pet stores supply flaked fish food, which is good for the fish but can get boring if it is the only thing they are given. Variety is important, so try to switch fish foods from time to time. Supplements and vitamins are also available to help keep your fish in the best of health.

Overfeeding is a big problem and can cause the fish to die. Though feeding your fish is one important way of interacting with them, resist the temptation to do it too often. To avoid this common mistake, feed your fish on a schedule and only give them what they can eat in about 5 minutes. Watch them carefully to see how quickly they eat and make sure that they all are eating. Uneaten food should be removed. Also, it is recommended that only one family member feed the fish, or that a written log is used to keep track of when the fish were last fed.

Cleaning the tank

Cleaning your fish tank is not a fun job, but one that must be done about once a month. The frequency depends on the size of your tank and other specifics. Basically, you will need to siphon out about half of the water; this must be done with a siphoning tool by hand. Do not remove all of the water at once. Take the rocks from the bottom of the tank and clean them. Remove any algae or dirt from the tank with an aquarium scraper. Never use soap or cleaning products inside your fish tank. Once it is clean, you may return the rocks to the bottom and add fresh water.

Illness

Though fish are generally easy to take care of, like other living things they sometimes get sick. Two of the most common illnesses in fish include bacterial infection and parasites.

Symptoms of a fish with a bacterial infection are cloudy eyes, sores on their body, possible tears in their fins, and sluggishness. Bacterial infections can come from various sources such as the water, food or other fish in the tank. To treat this illness, purchase an antibiotic solution from your local pet store and use it to treat the whole tank.

Parasites are not a problem in small numbers, but can cause trouble if not controlled. If you notice that your fish has something attached to it, or has little white patches on its body, you may have a parasite problem. Other indicators include appetite changes, rubbing against the side of the tank and trouble breathing. You can control the number of parasites in your tank by limiting the number of fish that you have. Remedies for parasite disease can be purchased at a pet store as well.

Transporting fish

It can be difficult to transport fish, especially if you are traveling a long distance. For short trips, under a couple of hours, fill a small plastic bag with water from the fish tank. Carefully place the fish into the bag, making sure that you do not overcrowd them. Twist the top of the bag, fold it down and secure it with a rubber band. There should be some air between the top of the bag and the water to give the fish oxygen.

For longer trips, it is best to move the fish in their aquarium. Remove most of the water, leaving just enough for the largest fish to be able to swim. Remember not to overcrowd them. Take out any plants, filters and lights and transport them separately. This will help keep the fish from being injured during the trip. Place the aquarium in a safe spot and make sure nothing will fall into it while you travel. When you arrive at your destination, add water and replace the filters and plants. If you are careful, your fish will arrive no worse for the journey.