How to Care for Fish

By eHow Pets Editor

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Instructions

Step 1:
Research each type of fish you have in your aquarium. Make a note of the requirements and follow the guidelines given.
Step 2:
Pay attention to the pH range and temperature of your tank. Regularly test the water to make sure that these elements are within a comfortable range for your fish.
Step 3:
Make changes to the water pH with mixes or drops that can be purchased at your fish store. Keep a heater in the tank and adjust the temperature to keep the water at the optimum warmth for your fish—usually 78 to 82 degrees F.
Step 4:
Do your best to minimize stress to your fish. This includes avoiding sudden changes in temperature or pH and refraining from adding too many fish at one time. Also try to keep anything from disturbing the tank--such as tapping on the glass or rearranging too many decorations in the tank at one time.
Step 5:
Clean your tank and change the water on a consistent basis. For smaller tanks (under 20 gallons), this should be done weekly, but with larger tanks you can usually wait 3 to 4 weeks between changes and cleanings.
Step 6:
Feed fish once or twice a day. Only feed as much as the fish will eat in a 5-minute period. Remove any excess food from the tank to avoid clouding the water or making the fish sick from eating too much.
Step 7:
Monitor your fish and watch for unusual behavior such as erratic swimming patterns, bloating, change in activity level, spots or alterations in coloring. If these symptoms appear, research them online or consult an expert at your local fish store for treatment options.

Tips & Warnings

You can buy water-testing kits at a pet store or fish store.
Don't overstock your tank. The general rule is 1 inch of fish for every gallon of water.
Watch for a condition called "Ich" (pronounced "ick"). It looks as though someone has used a salt shaker on the bodies of your fish. Treat Ich immediately, or it can kill all of the fish in your aquarium.
If a fish dies for any reason, remove the fish immediately. The dead fish can release toxins that are harmful to the rest of the tank population.

Resources

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