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Tropical Freshwater Fish
Fresh-water fish come in a vast array of sizes, colors, shapes
and dispositions providing plenty of choice for fish fanciers. They
may remain small or grow to be very large and many have different
temperature, feeding and compatibility requirements that must be
considered before selecting and setting up your aquarium.
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Tropical Freshwater Fish
The tank and all equipment, decorations and gravel should be
thoroughly washed in hot water prior to set up. Do not use soap or
cleansers! Prepare tap water by treating with a product to remove
chlorine and other harmful chemicals and check the temperature. Most
tropical fish need a range of 75-80 deg. F. Only add 1 or 2 fish at
first, and allow at least four weeks for the tank to become
established before adding more. Monitor the levels of ammonia,
nitrate and pH regularly and once the tank is established, exchange
about 25% of the water weekly.
Housing
For a beginner a 20 or 30 gallon is large enough to house a good
selection of fish. The tank should be located out of direct
sunlight, drafts and heavy traffic flow and it will need sturdy
support. as it will be heavy when filled. A lid or hood provides
safety for the fish and houses a light source. Install a heater and
thermometer to control the water temperature and a power filter to
provide biological and mechanical filtration, essential to a healthy
environment. Substrate, and such features as natural rock, plants or
artificial decorations should be safe for fresh-water fish.
Diet
Feed your fish appropriate dried, frozen or live food once or twice
a day, making sure not to give them more than they can eat in a few
minutes. Leftovers will pollute the water.
Cleaning
Follow the manufacturer's instructions in maintaining filtration
equipment and clean the aquarium monthly, using a siphon attachment
to suck debris from the bottom and scrubbing off any algae. Never
use soap or detergent in cleaning aquarium equipment.
Fertility
Most fresh-water fish will breed in a well maintained tank, unless
you select only one sex.
Health
Check your fish daily for signs of stress, disease, fighting or not
eating and take appropriate action. Water quality is key in
maintaining healthy fish.
Warnings
Never use salt-water decorations such as coral, shells or live rock
in a freshwater tank as the salts will leach out into the freshwater
and kill your fish
Additional Reading
Aquarium Owner's Guide: The Complete Illustrated Reference for the
Home Aquarium, by Gina Sandford.
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