How to Keep Freshwater Fish As Pets
Freshwater fish can make fascinating pets. There's an amazing number of varieties from which to choose, making it easy to stock an aquarium full of colorful fish. However, many people think of fish as low-maintenance pets, and that's not always the case with freshwater fish. Keeping these fish healthy requires careful preparation of the aquatic environment, regular feeding and frequent tank maintenance.
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Instructions
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Learn about the different types of freshwater fish you can keep as pets. You can do this by visiting a local pet store or by reading freshwater fish guides you can find through your local library. Some freshwater fish die faster than others or are harder to care for than other types. Researching different breeds can help you to select fish you can care for easily and choose types that can safely live in the same tank. Oscars, for example, may eat other fish you might select for your tank.
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Read about the type of aquatic home your fish need (see Resources). Some fish need water that's kept at a precise temperature, for example. Learning such things in advance will help you to create the right home for your freshwater fish before you purchase them.
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Select an aquarium that is large enough for your freshwater fish to move around in comfortably. Aim to allow 2 or 3 inches of space per fish at minimum. If you choose larger fish or you want to have many fish at one time, you'll need a larger tank. Bala fish, for example, can grow to a foot long, requiring a larger tank.
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Purchase the equipment you'll need to care for your pet fish. You'll need an aquarium filter--undergravel filters are easy to maintain, heater and a thermometer. You'll also need an air pump for your aquarium.
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Obtain kits that test for ammonia and nitrate in the water. You'll also need a chlorine remover--often called a water conditioner--to take chlorine out of the water. You won't need this if you are 100-percent sure the water in your tank does not contain chlorine.
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Learn what the fish in your tank need to eat in order to stay healthy; ask at the pet store from which you purchase your fish. Some fish need to consume a varied diet for health maintenance.
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Perform maintenance on your fish tank every day. This includes removing any dead fish. If you notice a sick fish, put it in a quarantine tank to prevent illness from spreading throughout the tank.
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Scrape the algae off the tank walls and siphon about 10 percent of the water out of the tank once per week. Replace it with fresh water that doesn't contain chlorine. The water you put in should be the same temperature as the water that is already in the tank.
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Take care of filter pad changes and chemical testing about every 14 days.
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Tips & Warnings
Some freshwater fish need to eat every day while others can go longer between meals.
