Feeding tropical fish correctly is crucial. Most species require a high level of protein, lipids, carbohydrates and vitamins. High quality flake or pellet foods provide a good starting point, but live food sources such as brine shrimp, daphnia, fruit flies and vinegar eels should also be added for added variety.
Other supplements for herbivorous fish include fresh cooked vegetables that are high in fiber and easily digestible by their digestive systems.
Setting up your aquarium
As soon as your aquarium is built, make sure it includes a heater and filter as well as a water conditioner to remove chlorine, which could harm your fish. Once filled with clean, conditioned water, wait until it reaches ideal temperature before adding plants, decorations, driftwood and rocks – remembering to arrange them so as to hide equipment from view of your fish!
Choose the appropriate fish for your aquarium. Guppies are an excellent option for beginner freshwater aquarium owners looking to make an impressionful statement and are colorful schooling fish that require minimal care and upkeep.
Swordtail fish are another great option. Their name comes from their distinctive sword-shaped tails and their wide array of bright, colorful patterns. Omnivorous in nature, swordtails feed on various forms of dry foods including flakes, pellets and compressed “tablets.” You may also consider feeding water fleas (daphnia) or brine shrimp as food sources; simply feed once daily taking into account how long their digestion processes require to break down their meals.
Diseases
Fish become sick due to poor water conditions, stress, overcrowding, lack of food or parasites or disease caused by bacteria, protozoa, fungi or viruses.
Fish are known to consume an abundance of algae and organic materials that accumulate ammonia levels within their bodies, leading to toxic accumulation. Ammonia exposure causes gill irritation which in turn leads to bacterial infections known as Ich. Ich is usually an indicator that other issues need to be corrected such as poor water quality or overcrowding need to be resolved first.
Dropsy is a bacterial infection of the visceral cavity of a fish (body cavity). Symptoms may include protruding scales, bulging eyes and pale gills. To treat it, increase water temperature while bathing your fish in either formalin or salt solutions for short sessions – other options could include malachite green-formalin injections, methylene blue therapy and even 12-hour Trypaflavine treatments.
Maintaining harmony
Tropical fish may not require as much attention or care as other pets – no walking them, bathing them or taking them for regular check-ups required! – but they still require attention and care. Neglecting their tank or providing incorrect foods could quickly become problematic and result in illness and even death for your tropical fish, so speak to a Petbarn team member in your area about finding out which are appropriate foods and amounts to give to keep your aquatic friends happy and healthy.
Consider how your aquarium water temperature should remain fairly constant, as fish are used to gradual seasonal changes in nature. Avoid sudden temperature shifts as this can cause stress and disease outbreak. If you’re uncertain which fish will get along best together, consult your local Petbarn team for recommendations – such as tetras, guppies, platies or mollies as great beginner species). Be sure to add plants, rocks and ornaments for aesthetic purposes as well.
