Tropical Fish Keeping

My mother was an avid tropical fish breeder and so I come by it honestly. Here are a few tips to keep your fish healthy and happy.

• Most tropical fish do best in temperatures of 73-75ºF.
• Know your fish. Some types do not mix well with others. Barbs are aggressive and will kill smaller fish. Bettas will go after any fish with long fins. Conversely, they are usually the ones who get beat up in community tanks. Kissing fish can also become aggressive.
• Mollies do best in slightly saline conditions but they can survive in fresh water. They are mild tempered fish and do well in community tanks. They come in unusual colors and patterns and many sizes.
• Don’t add tap water to your tank without aging it or conditioning it first. The chlorine will kill your fish.
• Do partial changes of water more frequently than changing the whole tank at one time. Change one quarter to one third of the water weekly.
• Avoid temperature fluctuations. This can create sick fish and allow parasites and disease to get a foot hold.
• Isolate any sick fish in a separate tank and treat it and the community tank as well. This will ensure all the sick fish get treated, even those not showing any symptoms.
• If you plan to breed, read up on the requirements for type of fish you have. Most will require isolation and some sort of foliage to protect the young fish.
• Feed food that is geared to your fish. Find out what type of food your fish naturally eat and try to provide that. I believe natural food is best but you have to make sure you don’t overfeed. Take up any food that is left over 5 minutes or you will pollute the tank.