Caring For Your

Pet Fish

Preventive care saves money

& improves fish comfort and health 

Veterinary Health Care

Illness in fish is often due to water quality, infections, parasites, or environmental factors.  Fish that are sick may have redness or changes in the color of skin or fins, stop eating, or separate from other fish.  Transport fish in a bucket or ice chest.  Bring a water sample for lab testing.

Preventive Care

Nutrition Counseling

Diagnosis and treatment

- Just like other pets, including physical exam, microscopic cytology (skin, fin, gill biopsy), blood testing, medications, x-rays, ultrasounds, anesthesia, surgery, endoscopy, tank/pond evaluation, fish medications (antibiotics, antiparasitics, pain management).

-Early care is most successful

-Fish euthanasia must be humane with an anesthetic overdose

(Tricaine Methanesulfate, Sodium Pentobarbitol)

Tank Care

Check each fish daily for normal activity

Water change monthly (less than 50%)

Treat new water properly based on source

Algae removal

Water testing monthly

Tank Setup

Filter for waste particles and chemicals

(exterior canister better than undergravel)

Oxygen- air pump or active surface water flow

Constant temperature

Hiding areas

Reduce algae growth with tank placement, temperature control, R/O water

Pond Care

Similar to tank care & setup

Use "drink-safe" lead-free hose

Seasonal strategies

Feeding

Once daily, only amount eaten within 2 minutes

Fish Selection

Similar water requirements (pH, temperature)

Social group (community vs. aggressive)

Don't overcrowd (1-3 gallons per inch of fish)

Group several of the same species (unless solitary)