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Beginner's Guide to Owning Tropical Fish
Are you interested in
starting your own aquarium for tropical fish? Observing
a colorful aquarium of fish is both interesting and
relaxing. Doctor's offices are well known for featuring
aquariums to provide a means of distraction for waiting
patients and to reduce stress.
Perhaps you've been admiring some extraordinary
aquariums yourself and imagined how restful it would
be to watch the swaying plants, gentle dancing of the
fish and glistening reflections of the water. Before
you invest a large amount of money, here's what you
should know so you can enjoy your fish for a long time.
CREATING THE PROPER ENVIRONMENT
While tropical fish are captivating
and restful to watch, you may find your first attempts
at keeping fish to be fraught with complications. Cleaning
the tanks, proper feeding and selection of tank mates
can all be causes of frustration that may lead to ill
or dying fish and feelings of guilt or anxiety.
Choosing the right aquarium and companions
for your fish is crucial in creating a stable environment.
Some fish are naturally aggressive and will bite or
even eat their tank companions. Ask about your selection
at the store or research your chosen fish to determine
what size of tank it needs and what types of fish it
can live with.
Don't give in to the temptation to overstock
your aquarium. Some fish may live peaceably with others
only when they have room to move and claim territory.
Too many fish will also create extra waste which will
lead to a polluted environment causing disease and death.
Learning about the proper environments
for tropical fish is the first step in creating a long
lasting aquarium.
FEEDING YOUR FISH
The simplest way to keep fish healthy
is by providing a clean environment for them. Uneaten
food particles and fish waste create a toxic environment
that can cause disease and death.
Overfeeding of fish is a common problem.
Uneaten food and waste products will cause ammonia to
build up in the water. Using foods that float near the
surface allows you to observe the feeding habits of
your fish. Feeding them only what they can eat in several
minutes (before food begins to sink) is optimal. Several
small meals will lead to less contamination of the water.
Overfeeding will cause excess waste products which will
contaminate the water leading to more frequent cleaning
of the tank or illness to your fish.
TANK WATER
Water from your tap can contain chemicals
like chlorine which can harm your fish. When starting
a tank it is recommended by some fish specialists to
use bottled water only. You can also purchase water
cleansing products to detoxify your tap water when cleaning
the tank and replacing tank water.
A properly established tank will develop
an eco-system that will naturally breakdown toxins and
permit healthy bacteria to develop. It is important
to keep this system alive by not removing all of the
tank water during cleanings. Your fish will do well
with only 20-30% of the water being removed and exchanged
every week.
While the green algae that grows on
the tank may not harm your fish you may wish to remove
it during cleanings or take steps to reduce build up
such as keeping your tank away from too much sunlight,
which encourages growth, and adding algae eating creatures
to your aquarium.
START SMALL
New fish owners may consider starting
with only one fish, such as a betta, which does well
by itself in a simple one gallon bowl, without the costly
setup of a heated aquarium. Learning how to care for
a relatively hardy, but beautiful, tropical fish like
this will allow you to learn about the care and needs
of fish before investing a lot of time and money.
A simple setup like this is ideal for
children, the elderly, or those who simply want to enjoy
the natural beauty without the effort. Whatever you
decide, learning to care for your fish will give you
healthier pets that are a joy to behold!
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