Care of a have different needs and need special care. Buying an When buying an aquarium – the fish tank – it is important to get the right sort, not one that just looks interesting. Think about this list to make sure you get the best tank:

• The tank needs to be the right temperature. It must not be warmer than 21°C.

• It is important for fish to have a night and day pattern. Turn the light on and off at a regular time.

• A filter must be fitted to make sure the water is good quality.

• Fish like to hide so they need wood and rocks, from the aquatic shop, in the tank.

• give the fish shelter, shade and food. Make sure there are some plants in the tank too.

Diet Goldfish need a -based diet and tropical fish need more .

Surface feeders: These fish come up to the surface of the water to get their food. Examples of these fish are and the hatchet fish.

Mid-water feeders: These fish have small mouths at the front of their faces. Examples of these fish are angelfish and the glass catfish.

Bottom dwellers: These fish have flat bodies. They need their food to sink to the bottom of the tank. Fish like the bronze catfish and clown loach are bottom dwellers.

Did you know…? As well as their fish flake food, goldfish like chopped vegetables like lettuce and spinach, and some tropical fish even like crumbled egg yolk!

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Do Fish Like Company? • Some types of goldfish should not be kept together, as they fight for food.

• Some tropical fish are ‘shoaling’ fish, which means they live in groups. They can get stressed if they are not with other fish.

Signs of Disease or Illness Look out for these signs as they can mean the fish is ill:

• large belly;

• scales that stick out from their body;

• tiny white spots on their scales;

• swimming on its side;

• sinking to the bottom of the tank.

If you notice any of these signs, you need to take it to an aquatic expert who can advise you on the best treatment.

Tips: • Read all about the type of fish you are going to keep so you know what to do.

• Ask the fish experts lots of questions.

Page 2 of 2 Pet Care of a Fish Owning freshwater fish is a great responsibility, as they have complex needs. Goldfish are tough and have been known to live for up to 25 years. Tropical fish are from warmer climates, and have different needs to goldfish. Buying an Aquarium When buying an aquarium, it is better to get one you think might be too big, rather than too small. Some are built to look nice and are more attractive rather than suitable.

The tank needs to be at a temperature of 10 to 21°C, with a thermostat fitted to closely monitor the temperature. Tropical fish can become very ill if the temperature isn’t suitable or constant.

Lighting is important for fish to develop a night and day pattern. Turn the light on and off at a regular time.

Filters must always be fitted, to make sure the water quality is good. Otherwise, the fish can develop illnesses.

Substrate needs to cover the bottom of the tank. Make sure this is from an aquatic shop, so that it is suitable for specific fish. For example, ordinary gravel can be too sharp for catfish who live at the bottom of the tank.

Shelter, in the form of wood and rocks, need to be in the tank. Buy these from an aquatic shop. Fish need places to hide, and shelter is vital for this.

Plants are important as an ‘enrichment’ material. Plants are necessary for providing shelter, shade and for some fish, another source of food.

Page 1 of 2 Pet Care of a Fish

Diet Different species need feeding in different ways - goldfish need a plant-based diet and tropical fish need more protein.

Surface feeders: These fish have straight backs and upturned mouths. They come up to the surface of the water to get their food. Examples of these fish are Siamese fighting fish and the hatchet fish.

Mid-water feeders: These fish have small mouths at the front of their faces. Examples of these fish are angelfish and the glass catfish.

Bottom dwellers: These fish have flat bodies and downward facing mouths. They need their food to be able to sink to the bottom of the tank. Fish like the bronze catfish and clown loach are bottom dwellers.

Fish need food flakes and other foods to get all the nutrition they need. Goldfish like chopped vegetables like lettuce and spinach, but tropical fish have different preferences, and some like crumbled egg yolk!

Generally, fish are only fed as much as they can eat in two to five minutes. Feeding too much pollutes the water.

One Fish or More? • Some types of goldfish should not be together, as they compete for food.

• Many types of tropical fish are ‘shoaling’ fish, which means they live in groups. If they don’t they can get stressed and hide.

Signs of Disease or Illness Look out for these signs as they can mean the fish is ill:

• large belly;

• scales that protrude from the body;

• tiny white spots on their scales;

• swimming on its side;

• sinking to the bottom of the tank.

If you notice any of these signs, you need to take the fish to an aquatic expert who can advise on treatment.

Page 2 of 2 Pet Care of a Fish Owning freshwater fish is a significant responsibility, as they have complex biological needs. Goldfish are hardy and have been known to live for up to 25 years, whereas tropical fish are from warmer climates, and have different needs to goldfish. A Suitable Aquarium When buying an aquarium, it is better to get one you think might be too big, as opposed to too small. Some aquariums are built to look nice, and have more aesthetic properties than practical ones.

Wide tanks provide a larger surface area for water. The tank needs to be at a temperature of 10 to 21°C, with a thermostat fitted to closely monitor the temperature.

Lighting needs to be provided, and switched off at a routine time so that fish develop a night and day pattern.

Filters must always be fitted to ensure healthy water quality and prevent the fish developing illnesses.

Substrate needs to cover the bottom of the tank. This must be purchased from an aquatic shop to ensure it is suitable for specific fish. For example, if ordinary gravel is used, this can be sharp for catfish, which scoot along the bottom of the tank.

Shelter is required in the form of wood and rocks bought from a reputable aquatic shop. Fish need places to hide, and shelter is vital for this.

Plants are important as an ‘enrichment’ material to encourage natural behaviour in captivity. Plants are necessary for providing shelter, shade and for some, a food source.

Page 1 of 3 Pet Care of a Fish

Diet Different species need feeding in different ways - goldfish need a plant-based diet and tropical fish need more protein.

• Surface feeders: These fish have straight backs and upturned mouths. They come up to the surface of the water to get their food, as it floats on the top. Examples of these fish are Siamese fighting fish and the hatchet fish.

• Mid-water feeders: These fish have small mouths at the front of their faces. Examples of these fish are angelfish and the glass catfish.

• Bottom dwellers: These fish have flat bodies and downward facing mouths. They need their food to be able to sink to the bottom of the tank. Fish like the bronze catfish and clown loach are bottom dwellers.

Fish food flakes need supplementing with other nutritional sources. Goldfish like chopped vegetables like lettuce and spinach, whereas tropical fish vary in preferences, and some like crumbled egg yolk.

Generally, fish are only fed as much as they can eat in two to five minutes. Feeding too much leaves the leftovers to pollute the water.

Three’s Company

Some varieties of goldfish should not be kept together, as some will not be able to access enough food.

Many varieties of tropical fish are shoaling fish, so they must be kept in groups of six, often more. They can feel stressed if not in a shoal, and hide if they aren’t relaxed. Be aware of overcrowding.

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Signs of Disease or Illness If fish are displaying a large belly, scales that protrude from the body or show tiny white spots on their scales, you need to take it to an aquatic expert who can advise on treatment.

A that looks torn or ripped could be a sign of fin rot. This is a wasting of the fin muscle, and often a sign of stress or poor water quality.

Also, observe your fish swimming. If it is on its side or keeps sinking to the bottom of the tank, it is likely to be very ill.

Remember:

Read up on the type of fish you are going to keep, and ask the experts lots of questions. You need to be well informed about the type of care these creatures need.

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