To prevent your fish from dying you need to keep them happy and healthy. You can keep them in a bowl or in a large aquarium with other specimens. While almost all fish are animals that don't require a lot of care, you still need to take precautions to make sure they lead a happy and healthy life.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Taking Care of the Aquarium Environment
Step 1. Filter or treat the aquarium water
To keep your fish healthy in this environment, you need to keep the aquarium clean and free of toxins. These animals, in fact, can produce more waste than plants or bacteria are able to dispose of, causing an accumulation of toxic or harmful chemicals in the aquarium, if the water is not filtered or replaced.
- If your fish lives in a bowl, you need to treat the tap water you use to fill it, so that it is a safe habitat. Treat the water with a water conditioner and a pinch of aquarium salt before putting it in the bowl. The salt helps eliminate bacteria in the water and keep it clean. Don't use iodized salt, which can be bad for your fish.
- If your fish lives in an aquarium, you need to install a filtration system to keep the water clean. Before introducing fish into the case you should de-chlorinate the water and install a filtration system. You have to wait for the filtration cycle to complete a few times and introduce only a few specimens at the same time, so that the system is not overloaded with waste to be disposed of. This helps avoid "new aquarium syndrome" which can lead to the death of your fish.
Step 2. Maintain the correct water temperature for your fish
If the environment is too hot or too cold, these animals can experience severe stress, which suppresses their immune systems. Consequently, this exposes them to a greater risk of contracting infections and diseases. The ideal water temperature varies by species. If you have tropical fish, the temperature should be around 22 ° C. These species are able to withstand only small fluctuations in temperature. Goldfish, on the other hand, can tolerate temperatures between 20 and 22 ° C. The important thing is to avoid too large variations and maintain a pleasant temperature for your specimens.
- Different tropical fish species can require different temperatures, so always be informed to ensure that you provide the ideal environment for your animals.
- When buying a fish, the shopkeeper should recommend a reliable aquarium heating system that can keep the water temperature constant. You can also get a thermometer so you can check the temperature yourself. You should wait a couple of days after setting up the aquarium before introducing any fish, so that the water temperature can stabilize. Ask the shopkeeper for advice, so you can be sure that the tank or bowl is big enough for your fish; too small an environment is dangerous for the health of these animals.
- If the water temperature is too high for your fish, you may notice some symptoms, such as erratic movements and hyperactivity outside meal times. On the other hand, if they move very slowly, seem to shake or have no interest in food, the water may be too cold for them. In these cases, adjust the temperature so that it is closest to the ideal temperature for the species you breed.
Step 3. Make the aquarium more pleasant
Add decorations to reduce the stress levels of the fish and make them feel happier in their environment.
Place a plant, real or plastic, in the aquarium. This gives the fish a place to hide and they will appreciate it. If you are using a live plant, notice if the leaves rot. In these cases, you need to remove or prune them so they don't pollute the water. You can also add broken stones and clay pots to give the fish more hiding places and make them feel safer
Step 4. Change 10-15% of the water once a week
This helps to dispose of accumulated waste and decaying organic matter due to excess food, waste generated by plants and fish. Partially replacing the water every week also allows you to remove toxins and keep it clean.
- Do not remove plants or decorations from the aquarium unless necessary. That way you could kill the beneficial bacteria that have formed in the aquarium and reduce the quality of the filtration system. You also shouldn't remove fish from the aquarium when you change some of the water. This can stress the animals and expose them to dangerous bacteria.
- To partially change the contents of the aquarium, remove 10-15% of the water and replace it with fresh, dechlorinated tap water. You can use a siphon to suck dirt out of gravel and decorations. Clean a quarter or third of the gravel and decorations with the siphon. You should also use a putty knife to remove algae from the aquarium surface or decorations before replacing the water.
- If your aquarium has a volume of less than 40 liters, you need to replace 50-100% of the water at least twice a week, or every two days. If the bowl you use does not have a filter, you should change all the water at least once a day to remove waste and toxins. Buy a bowl cover or filter and you will be able to afford to change the water less frequently, as well as protect your fish from infection and disease.
- Check the water once a day to make sure it's not cloudy, frothy, and doesn't have an unusual odor. These signs may indicate a bacterial infestation, which requires a complete replacement.
Part 2 of 3: Feeding the Fish and Taking Care of Them
Step 1. Provide small, frequent meals for your fish
In nature, these animals eat little and often. Imitate their habits with small meals throughout the day instead of just a larger one. This type of diet also has the advantage of not overloading the filtration system.
Almost all fish feeds on the market are designed to meet all the dietary needs of your fish. Ask a salesperson at your nearest pet store for the best variety for your fish based on their species
Step 2. Pamper your fish with a salt bath
This treatment can do wonders for the health of these animals. However, if they take other medications, you should only bathe them before administering the other medications.
- Sea salt, kosher salt, aquarium salts and rock salt are all recommended. If possible, use natural sea salt that is free of additives, as it contains a lot of minerals.
- Use a clean, contaminant-free container. Add aquarium water to the container, if it is safe, or fresh dechlorinated water. Make sure the temperature is the same as the aquarium or no more than 1.5 ° C difference.
- Add a teaspoon of salt to every 4 liters of water. Mix the salt in the water to dissolve the grains, then place the fish in the container.
- Keep the fish in the salt water for 1-3 minutes and observe them during the bath. If they show signs of stress, such as swimming quickly or moving erratically, return them to the aquarium.
Step 3. Add chlorophyll to the aquarium
This substance is considered a real medicine for goldfish and can improve the immunity and health of your fish. Look for pure chlorophyll in liquid form at your local pet store. It usually comes in drops.
Give your goldfish a chlorophyll bath in its aquarium, following the instructions on the product packaging. You can also give him chlorophyll by adding it to his gel food
Part 3 of 3: Recognizing the Symptoms of Infections or Diseases
Step 1. Notice if there are white-green streaks on your fish's skin
This is a symptom of anchor worms, small crustaceans that burrow into the skin of fish and enter their muscles. They release eggs inside the body before they die, causing wounds that can become infected.
- Your fish may also try scratching at objects to remove worms, and areas where parasites are present can swell.
- To treat the worms, you need to remove the parasite from the fish and clean the wound with an antiseptic, such as iodine. Even a bath in seawater for 5 minutes a day can force the parasite to detach.
Step 2. Look for a layer of mucus covering the gills and body of your fish, or notice if the gills and fins look chewed
These symptoms may indicate the presence of flukes, worms 1 mm long. These worms develop due to less than ideal environmental conditions, such as poor water quality, too many fish or stress. These worms often live in aquariums, but remain harmless as long as unfavorable conditions cause an infestation.
- Your fish may try scratching at objects to remove worms, have red skin or drooping fins. They can also move their gills quickly and have a swollen abdomen.
- You can treat the infestation with a commercial pesticide. Always follow the instructions on the package. You can also treat secondary infections due to worms with antibiotics or antifungals.
Step 3. Check if your fish have protruding scales or look puffy
These symptoms indicate dropsy, a bacterial infection of the fish's kidneys. This condition can cause kidney failure and water retention, or swelling. It often occurs in fish that are weakened by polluted water.
To treat dropsy you need antibiotics or medicated feed, prescribed by a veterinarian. You should also be proactive by changing the water regularly, maintaining the ideal temperature and adding aquarium salts
Step 4. Notice if your fish are covered in white specks that look like salt or sand
This is a symptom of icthyophtyriasis. The spots may be slightly protruding and fish will likely try to scratch at objects in the aquarium due to itching and irritation. The animals may also have respiratory problems and flounder on the surface of the water. This disease attacks fish that are stressed due to the irregular water temperature and pH changes.
You can use a pesticide, which is available in pet stores, to treat ichthyophylliasis in goldfish. You can also prevent the problem from developing by keeping the water temperature constant, cleaning the aquarium every week and using aquarium salts
Step 5. Check if your fish's tail or fins look torn or faded
These symptoms indicate that the animals are suffering from a bacterial infection that causes the fins, tail and mouth to rot. The problem usually occurs in specimens that have been abused or bitten by other fish. It can also occur due to a less than ideal environment inside the aquarium.
