Tropical Fish Care

Tropical fishes are those that are found in the tropical environment. They may be freshwater fishes or saltwater fishes. Whatever their habitat, what makes them a favorite choice for aquarium fishes is the fact that they are brilliantly colored and are often showy. They come in different sizes and temperaments and watching them in one's fish tank can be quite an experience. However, to enjoy the beauty of these animals, it is important to know how to take proper care of them. Here is a tropical fish care guide that everyone should be aware of if one is planning to own an aquarium of tropical fishes.

Tropical Fish Tank

An important tip for tropical fish care for beginners is to first accumulate as much information as possible on fish tanks before they decide on which one to buy. The size depends on the type of tropical fish you go for. Your budget and dimensions of the tank should be kept according to the tropical fish. However, as far as tropical fish care is concerned, it is always better to go for larger fish tanks as they are easier to maintain. Sounds unbelievable, doesn't it? But that's the fact! Larger the aquarium, greater the opportunity of setting up the tank in such a way that it replicates the natural habitat of the fishes. Also more water means that the tank would have greater number of beneficial bacteria that would keep nitrate levels in the aquarium under check and maintain a stable environment within the tank. Be sure that the fish tank is not placed in an area that receives bright or direct sunlight as this might raise the temperature of water and increase the growth of algae that would be harmful for the fishes.

The friendly bacteria in the filter would keep tank water clean and healthy for the fishes. Nevertheless, regardless of its size, every aquarium needs to undergo partial water change (5% -10% of the volume) every week. Besides this, 20% - 25% of the water should be replaced once a month. Use a gravel washer to clean the gravel, remove algae from the glass and check if the air-stones are functioning properly. While cleaning the aquarium, never use detergents or soaps. Always use products specific for fish tank cleaning available at pet shops. Also refrain from putting your hand inside the water too often as the oils from the skin will pollute the water. If during the cleaning process the filter has to be changed, then change just one half at a time to maintain the bacterial colonies already established in the aquarium. As far as weekly or monthly cleaning is concerned, never empty the whole aquarium and remove the fishes out as this causes stress to fishes. It is only necessary to empty the aquarium completely once a year. While doing this remember to place the fish in a container that is big enough for them and has more or less similar conditions as in the aquarium. This is important because you will have to give the aquarium water, time to set while setting a new fish tank.

Tropical Fish Diet

The choice of food depends upon the type of tropical fish you have. Nevertheless, let their menu always have some variety so that the fishes get all the nutrients important for them. If you give the same food to your aquatic pets, they may just stop eating. Tropical fish food can include plant matter, algae, aquatics worms, crustaceans, insect larvae, brine shrimps and small fishes. In case, your fish is a carnivore and you want to give it red meat, slice it well. Before giving white meat, ensure that it is cooked well. A high quality flake or pellet food is a good base for tropical fish. However, this should be supplemented with other foods to meet the nutritional requirements of the fishes. Other than the type of food, the quantity given to the fishes is also very important. One mistake that most fish owners do is overfeeding their pets. This results in digestive problems. In such a scenario, it is okay not to feed your fish for a day, every week till its bloated appearance subsides. Also sometimes, the extra food that fishes refuse to eat collect in the fish tank and decay which leads to different types of tropical fish diseases. Read more on what do fish eat?

Tropical Fish Disease

The greatest hurdle to keeping tropical fishes healthy is maintaining a clean environment. Polluted water is the reason behind most of the tropical fish diseases. Other than that, stress or improper feeding habit by the owner may also cause a number of ailments in the fishes. From bacteria and fungus to parasites, there are a host of organisms that can cause diseases in tropical fishes. The best indicator of an ailment is the behavior of the fishes and certain tell-tale signs on the body of the fish. Here are some of the signs that indicates that your fish is suffering from some disease:

• Clamped or decaying fins
• White spots (Ich spots) or red or white sores on the body of the fish
• Bulging eyes indicating the pop-eye disease
• Mucus or slime around the body
• Scales not lying flat against the body of the fish but standing up giving a pine cone like appearance
• Bloated belly
• Flared gills
• Loss in appetite
• An otherwise energetic fish lying quietly at the bottom of the tank

Besides all these, a fish owner should do a daily check to ensure that none of his fishes are missing. In case one does go missing, try to locate it. If it is dead, the fish needs to be removed before it pollutes the water. Also check the thermometer, filtration and aeration system to ensure that they are working properly. Read more on aquarium fish types.

Tropical fish care may be an elaborate process, but they add a beauty and vibrancy to one's home. Following the tropical fish care tips is worth every bit of effort put in. Besides all the tropical fish care tips discussed, a fish owner must check the tank daily to see if the heater and filters are working properly.