The Little Blue Sea – Pt. 2
Now that you have selected your fish and aquarium décor, it’s time to discuss proper care.
I mentioned in the previous blog about aquaculture that aquariums are relatively low maintenance. But, there are a few basic tips and processes you should become familiar with to ensure your fish are healthy and happy. For fresh fish– depending on the last time the tank was cleaned– 30%-50% of water should be drained for monthly cleaning. But, if you’re cleaning the tank every 3-5 months, drain about 70% of the water. Alternate which filters are cleaned. They create natural bacterium that helps the environment, so cleaning both at the same time can be unnecessary. If you have a biological filter I don’t recommend cleaning it more than once or twice per year. Remember to rinse flowers and scrub algae on walls, substrate or stones, occasionally.
Regarding light, there’s a rhythm to providing adequate aquarium light. Too much light causes overgrowth of algae. Of course, plants need light, but the changes in homeostasis can lead to disease. Too much or too little can hinder how the fish and plants are growing and throw off their circadian rhythm.
Well, Doc, how can you tell if your fish are healthy? I’m glad you asked. One way to determine healthy fish is by their size. If you notice progression and they are growing, that typically means they are in a good environment. Some things can stifle their environment, however. You want to gauge by their appearance if they are having trouble in their tanks. Just like people, if they don’t eat well, their color may change. Other abnormal signs that may indicate things aren’t normal are if they develop lesions or white spots, if their scales are falling off, or their eyes start to swell. Typically, if your fish are eating, growing, and reproducing you have happy fish.
You can also tell if your fish are content by their behavior. Most fish are community fish–whether they are the same sex or not. Some are loners, don’t travel in schools, and thrive by themselves. They will let you know if they don’t particularly care for an environment, sometimes shown by attacking other fish and being aggressive. (If you prefer fish that do well in communities, cichlids are an example of such.)
Beware of overfeeding. Some fish will eat…and eat…and eat. When they do, it’s like child who eats too much cake or candy. Overeating can cause bloat and over production of feces which would lead to heavy bacteria in the water. If the fish don’t ingest the food that could lead to extra waste in the tank which can breed disease.
I’ve shared just a few basics tips. Hopefully they will help you choose favorite aquatic pets and keeping them healthy! If you have any other questions regarding proper care and maintenance, be sure to contact your local vet or pet store.
