Fish

Fish are extremely popular pets; however, they are not always the easiest pets to care for. Before you bring home your new pet fish be sure to take the time to educate yourself regarding important fish care facts so you can provide the best care possible for your new friend.
First, it is important to understand that fish do not do well at all with changes and that means moving into a new home. So, it is important to do all you can to ensure your fish tank is in excellent condition before introducing your new fish to it.

Begin by purchasing a tank that is at least ten gallons in size. This will need to be done at least one week before you actually plan to bring your fish home because once it is set up you will need to let your tank rest for about a week in order to ensure the chemistry between the bacteria and the water is right as well as to ensure the water has had a chance to dechlorinate.

After your new fish arrives home, remember it is best not to just dump her into the water all at once. Instead introduce her gradually to the water by submerging the bag she was placed in at the fish store in the water in the tank. This will allow the different waters to equalize and help to ease her adjustment period. After a little while you can then begin adding small amounts of water from the tank to the fish’s bag. This should be done gradually over a period of about an hour before you actually add the fish into the tank. When you do place the fish in the tank be sure not to let any of the water from the bag empty into the tank because this could contaminate your tank.

In the event that you plan to have more than one wish, remember it is not a good idea to add to many fish to the tank at once. The best course of action is to add one or two fish gradually over a period of time. No more than two fish should be added every two weeks. In addition, before introducing new fish make sure the fish are either all the same species or are compatible species because some types of fish do not cohabitate well with other types of fish. In addition, some types of fish prefer different environments. For example, some need soft water while others prefer hard water.

It is important to make a commitment to cleaning your tank; however, recognize that this must also be done over a gradual period of time to prevent your fish from going into shock at the change in surroundings. The water in your tank should be cleaned on a weekly basis; however, you should only remove about 1/3 of the water to prevent changing the chemistry of the water in the tank. Be sure to always use dechlorinated water that is the same temperature as the water in the tank.

 
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