How to Care for Tropical Fish (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 10:50

Tropical fish are part of a fragile ecosystem that requires consistent, careful and attentive care. Apart from the fish you have, there are certain other factors to consider, such as how you care for them and their environment. Consider the information below to take good care of tropical fish.

Step

Part 1 of 3: Preparing the Aquarium

Step 1. Determine the exact location

When you are setting up your aquarium, you should place it in a location that will not cause stress to the fish.

Avoid locations where fish will be exposed to noise, such as near televisions or sound systems or near washing machines and dryers, etc.
Avoid locations that will affect the water temperature, such as near heaters, radiators or cooling units.
Avoid locations that will cause the fish to vibrate, such as places near doors that open and close frequently or where people walk around a lot.
Do not place the aquarium in a place that is directly exposed to natural light sources, such as glass roofs or windows, as this can increase algae production and disrupt the balance of the ecosystem in the aquarium.
Do not place the aquarium in a potentially windy place, such as near a door or window.

Step 2. Install a high quality filtration system

Cases where an aquarium is overfiltered are nearly impossible, so it's better to filter more than filter less. There are three types of filtration, namely mechanical, biological and chemical filtration.

Mechanical filtration uses a pump to pump water to flow through a sponge, which filters out any debris. Mechanical filtration keeps the water in the aquarium looking clean and clear, although most tropical fish don't need crystal clear water in their habitat, so clear water is better for you.
Biological filtration also pumps water to flow through the sponge, but in biological filtration, the sponge contains bacteria that will eradicate the pollutants.
Chemical filtration uses special filter media that eradicate chemical pollutants.
If you have a saltwater aquarium, you'll also need a protein skimmer, which is a filtration device that removes dissolved organic matter from the water.

Step 3. Install heater-stat

A heater-stat is a device that is a combination of a heater and a thermostat designed for use underwater. The thermostat can be set to a certain temperature and the heater will work when the water is below the temperature you have set.

The most important factor in choosing a heater-stat is the appropriate wattage. Make sure that you choose a heater-stat with a high enough wattage to warm an aquarium the size of your aquarium, but don't buy a heater-stat with a high wattage, which can overheat the water in the aquarium. The most common formula for calculating it is 5 watts per gallon (3.785 L) of water

Step 4. Install the water pump

The aquarium water pump will produce bubbles into the water that facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide that fish need to breathe.

In general, a water pump is not mandatory, as most filtration systems deliver sufficient oxygen to the water. A water pump will be useful, if a lot of oxygen is being used by the surrounding environment, for example there are a lot of plants in your aquarium.
Some people choose to use a water pump for the aesthetic value produced by the bubbles in the water.

Step 5. Install the aquarium light

Aquarium lights usually consist of a starter unit and a tube, and of the many different types of aquarium lights, fluorescent lighting is the most common choice for beginner freshwater aquarium owners. Some saltwater aquariums will require more specific lighting settings, depending on the species of fish being kept in the aquarium.

Fluorescent lamps are relatively inexpensive to use and do not generate significant heat, so they are good for use in an aquarium.
Other types of lighting are suitable for stimulating plant growth or enhancing fish coloration, but generally full spectrum light will provide sufficient illumination as well as suitable light for plants.

Step 6. Set up the physical environment of your aquarium

Carefully choose the things (rocks, plants, decorations) you put in your aquarium.

The aquarium environment should be as close as possible to the natural habitat of your pet fish or the fish will experience stress, illness, and may even die.
If you are unsure of a suitable environment for your fish, you can consult a local fish shop or aquarium.
If you are setting up a saltwater aquarium, it is highly recommended that you add live rock, which is part of the rock that breaks or falls off naturally. Live rock contains many of the living organisms needed in a healthy aquarium ecosystem.

Step 7. Run an aquarium without fish

Prior to introducing fish into the tank, fill the tank with water and run the pump/filtration system for three to seven days, which will stabilize the aquarium environment and make it comfortable for your new fish to live in.

It's also important to run the tank before adding fish, as this step can remove any harmful debris

Step 8. Add good bacteria

Get good bacteria into your aquarium water with cycling-aid products, which you can get from pet or fish retailers.

Good bacteria are a necessary and complementary part of your aquarium environment. Without it, the delicate ecosystems that fish need to survive would not be able to form

Part 2 of 3: Putting Fish in the Aquarium

Step 1. Add the strong fish

When choosing the first fish to be introduced into the tank, choose a stronger type of fish. Certain types of fish are better able to survive in an environment with high levels of ammonia and nitrite, which your current tank is very likely to contain.

Some examples of strong fish are danio, gourami, and livebearer fish.
Do not introduce vulnerable fish species into a new aquarium environment as they will likely not survive.
Ask employees at the store where you will be buying fish to help you choose the right fish for your new aquarium.
Do not put too many fish in the aquarium. Do not introduce more than three fish per week or you will increase the ammonia level in the aquarium environment to toxic levels, which can kill your fish.

Step 2. Choose the right fish

As you gradually increase your aquarium population, choose your fish carefully. There are hundreds of species of tropical fish, and not all of them live peacefully with one another-- some of them are aggressive, territorial, prey on other fish, and so on. Make sure that you choose a type of fish that can live together in the tank and will not fight or kill each other.

Picking the wrong fish not only causes undue suffering to fish, it's also something that can easily be avoided with a little research.
Do your research and negotiate with fish shop or aquarium staff so you know what your fish needs. In addition, to ensure that all fish will live in peace, ensure that all fish have suitable environmental requirements. If the fish in your aquarium have different environmental needs to thrive, your ecosystem will not be able to accommodate all the different needs of fish.
In addition to making sure your fish have similar environmental requirements, make sure that their temperature and pH requirements are similar.

Step 3. Introduce new fish gradually

Do not introduce new fish directly into the tank. New fish need to adjust to the temperature of the tank, and placing them directly into the new water can cause significant stress to the fish.

Turn off the aquarium lights so that the bright light will not disturb the new fish.
For freshwater fish, dip the plastic in which the fish is kept for you to take home (keep it covered) in the tank for about half an hour.
Open a plastic bag, add enough aquarium water to it, and let it sit for at least 15 minutes.
Remove the fish with the net slowly.
Remove the plastic bag when the fish have been removed.
Leave the aquarium light off for a few hours or until the next day.
For saltwater fish, you should first quarantine your new fish in a separate tank before placing them in your tank.

Part 3 of 3: Taking Care of the Aquarium

Step 1. Feed the fish regularly

This is not as simple as it sounds. At first, feed your fish once a day when you are new to setting up the aquarium, and when the tank is done properly, you can start feeding the fish on a "little and frequent" rule.

Saltwater fish, especially those caught from the wild, may need to be gradually weaned to aquarium food over a period of several weeks.
Some fish breeders recommend providing one "rest day" each week where you don't feed the fish. This is believed to be healthy for fish and encourage fish to seek food actively.
Food is the main source of dirt and pollutants in your tank, so it is very important not to overfeed, as this is one of the main reasons for fish death.
Just feed your fish as much food as they can eat in 3-5 minutes and no more. Make sure that you read the instructions on the fish food label.
If there are leftovers floating on the surface of the water or sinking to the bottom of the tank, you have given too much food.
There are three main types of fish food: food for bottom swimmers, middle swimmers, and surface swimmers, so buy the right type of food for the fish you have.
In general, it is recommended that you provide a variety of high-quality frozen and pelleted foods, and make sure you thaw them before giving them to your fish.

Step 2. Observe the temperature of the aquarium every day

Test the water daily to ensure that the water temperature is consistent and at the ideal distance for the type of fish in the aquarium.

In general, the ideal temperature for freshwater tropical fish is in the range of 23-28 degrees Celsius.
For saltwater fish, the recommended temperature is usually between 24-27 degrees Celsius.

Step 3. Observe the composition of the water

Test your water's hardness and alkalinity, as well as the ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, pH, and chlorine levels of your aquarium water weekly. The ideal level distance for each of these aspects is as follows:

pH - 6.5 - 8, 2
Chlorine - 0.0 mg/L
Ammonia - 0.0 - 0.25 mg/L
Nitrite - 0.0 - 0.5 mg/L
Nitrates - 0 - 40 mg/L
Water hardness - 100 - 250 mg/L
Alkalinity - 120 - 300 mg/L
Saltwater fish have more specific requirements that differ by species and you will need additional specialized water testing equipment. To find the specific needs of your saltwater fish, consult with a fish or aquarium retailer. In general, most seawater requires the following:
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.024 mg/L
pH: 8.0 - 8, 4
Ammonia: 0 mg/L
Nitrite: 0 mg/L
Nitrates: 20 ppm or less (invertebrates especially)
Carbonate hardness: 7-10 dKH
Water testing kits can be found at most pet and aquarium retailers.
If there are levels of some of the aspects above that increase, discard some of the water and refill with clean water until the levels of some of these aspects are close to the numbers they should be.
If the water looks cloudy or dirty, replace some of the water and check if the filter is working properly.
For freshwater aquariums, remove 10% of the aquarium water and replace it with the same amount of dechlorinated water every week. Make sure that you add water that is at the same temperature as the water in the aquarium or you may cause temperature fluctuations which will stress the fish.
Once a month, remove 25% of the aquarium water and replace it with dechlorinated water. Make sure that the water is at the same temperature as the water in the aquarium or you will stress the fish.
For saltwater aquariums, remove 20% of the water once a month, or about 5% weekly. Make sure you don't add the new seawater mixture to the tank right away; Do this by preparing the seawater mixture at least one day in advance.

Step 4. Scrub the walls of the aquarium

Every week, clean the walls in the tank and remove any adhering algae.

Use a special acrylic or glass cleaning pad (depending on the material of your aquarium wall) to prevent scratching the surface of the aquarium.
If there is too much algae in your aquarium, it usually means that something is out of balance in your aquarium environment. Test the water level and make sure that you haven't put too many fish in, you're not feeding too much, the aquarium isn't overexposed to natural light, etc.

Step 5. Maintain the water filter

Perform complete maintenance on the water filter.

A water filtration system is essential for maintaining your aquarium as it cleans floating debris and other substances that contaminate the water while neutralizing ammonia and nitrite.
Check the filter media (also known as filter fiber). If necessary, rinse the filter lint with discarded aquarium water. Do not rinse with tap water or other water as this can upset the balance of good bacteria and may kill them.
Replace the carbon and filter cartridge, then rinse the filter.

Step 6. Maintain the water pump

Change the air stone (helps with filter efficiency and durability) every month.

Clean all pump impeller parts at least once a year

Step 7. Prune live plants regularly

If there are live plants in your tank, prune them once a month to prevent them from growing too long.

Also make sure you remove any browning or rotting leaves from your aquarium plants

Tips

If you're torn between freshwater fish and saltwater fish, keep in mind that saltwater fish will cost more to prepare and require more intensive care.
Never clean the entire aquarium at once. There are millions of beneficial bacteria that can help maintain the living ecosystem in the aquarium. Removing all the water in the tank will drastically upset this balance.
Do daily checks on your fish and make sure they look healthy and active.
Watch out for signs of an unhealthy fish, such as refusal to eat, faded colors, shriveled or torn fins, abnormal wounds or substances on the body, hiding, swimming abnormally, and gasping for air on the surface of the water. This often indicates that something is wrong with the aquarium environment--either an unhealthy water content, the fish are being fed too much or too little, or that the tank's contents (rocks, plants, and decorations) are not suitable for the fish you are keeping..
Do not put rocks or other objects that you get from lakes or rivers into the aquarium, as this can disturb the ecosystem.
Wash your hands before and after handling each tank's contents and components.