How to Prevent Fish From Getting Sick

Fish make great pets, especially for those with allergies, and aquariums have therapeutic benefits, such as helping people stay more relaxed and alert. You can pay your pets back by maintaining their health.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Change the aquarium water frequently to emove waste and other contaminants. Change 25 percent of the water each week so that all the water has been changed by the end of the month.

2. Keep a consistent water temperature. Fish are cold-blooded and cannot control their own body temperatures. Ask the pet store what temperature is appropriate for your particular breed. Purchase fish that can live together in the same temperature range. Note the temperature when you change the water. It shouldn't be extremely hot or extremely cold.

3. Stabilize the pH of the water with rocks, wood or plants. Use rocks to raise the pH and wood and plants to lower the pH. Refrain from using chemicals to stabilize the pH.

4. Quarantine any new fish in a separate tank for at least two weeks before introducing it to your healthy fish tank. Prevent your healthy fish from contracting an illness by removing the sick fish from the mix. Isolate sick fish in another tank.

5. Learn the warning signs. Abnormal swim patterns, discoloration, damaged fins, dull color, lethargy and appetite loss may be symptoms of illness.

6. Look for bullies. Rearrange plants and rocks when you introduce new fish to the tank. This helps minimize territorial behaviors. Separate the bully fish or the victim fish to another tank if bullying cannot be resolved.

Tips & Warnings

• Common fish illnesses are fungus, parasites and bacterial infections. These conditions are treatable with chemicals from the pet store. Talk to your local pet store to help you identify and treat any problems.