ADVERTISEMENT

How to keep your aquarium fish safe

Here are some guidelines for keeping your pets secure

Triparna Chatterjee (t2 Intern) Published 27.04.23, 11:25 AM

Having an aquarium at home not only adds to the aesthetics of your space, it is also a great way to bring home some flora and fauna. An aquarium can be immensely soothing for the eyes and calming for the mind too. You can place an aquarium in your living room or dining space. Maintaining your aquarium on a regular basis is a crucial duty if you love fish and want your aquarium fish to live for a very long period. It takes some hard work to keep them secure and healthy. Here are some guidelines for keeping your fish secure in a home aquarium:

Choose the correct tank size: Make sure the aquarium you choose is big enough for the fish to swim about in. The size of the aquarium will have to be decided upon according to the number of fish you wish to keep. The aquarium should come with the basic features. To keep the water at the right temperature and quality, it should feature a heater, filter, and thermometer.

ADVERTISEMENT

Check the pH and water quality: Periodically test the water’s quality using a water testing kit. pH level is an important part of the water. By acquiring a pH test kit, you can keep track of the pH value in your tank. In general, freshwater fish thrive in aquariums with pH values between 6.6 and 6.8. Fish in saltwater do best when the pH is between 7.6 and 8.4. Additionally, you must often check your tank to ensure that the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels are appropriate. Of course, the kind of fish you have and the type of aquarium you have will determine these levels. Ask our pet counsellor for guidance on preserving pH balance and other levels for the best outcomes.

Feeding fish: Properly feed your aquarium fish. Give your fish a healthy, balanced diet that is diverse. Poor water quality brought on by overfeeding and food residue may be hazardous to fish. Overfeeding your fish will increase the waste and dirt in your tank. Most fish can thrive without being fed a lot of food. Overfeeding can lead to the growth of algae, thus lowering the oxygen and quality of your water. Keep a regular feeding schedule and give the right amount of food.

Avoid overcrowding: It might be tempting to keep a lot of fish as pets, but packing your tank with too many fish isn’t the best option. Low oxygen levels brought on by overcrowding might make your fish more susceptible to illness. Additionally, it may result in an excessive amount of trash, debris, and mortality, all of which may lower the quality of your water. Overcrowding your aquarium with fish can lead to stress and illness in the fish. New fish should be quarantined before being introduced to the aquarium to make sure they are healthy and disease-free.

Clean the aquarium: Keep your aquarium and its accessories clean on a regular basis, such as the filter and gravel, to avoid the growth of hazardous bacteria and other impurities. Sometimes you can come across green particles on your aquarium water. The presence of a little green in your aquarium is often nothing to worry about, but too much green might be harmful. The amount of oxygen in the water is decreased by algae accumulation, which also gives your tank a murky, swampy appearance. Your tank’s fish and aquatic plants may suffer as a result.

Change water on a regular basis: Every month, changing 25 per cent of the water in your aquarium maintains it clean and keeps nitrate levels stable. You also get rid of extra trash and waste products that high phosphate levels have left behind. Your fish will be under further stress if these levels are left high, which may cause serious illness. Your fish can remain robust and healthy when the water is kept at a constant temperature.

Monitoring your fish: In order to maintain fish safe and healthy in an aquarium, it’s crucial to routinely observe their behaviour. By doing this, you may see any health concerns in the early stages and take action to stop them from getting worse. Watch the behaviour of the fish and keep an eye out for any indications of stress or disease, such as lethargy, appetite loss, or unusual swimming patterns.

Follow us on:
ADVERTISEMENT