| If you're getting into the hobby of running an | | | | small, or "filmed over" - the eye of a fish is the most |
| aquarium, particularly of the salt-water variety, | | | | common place for infections to show symptoms, and |
| understand that there's more to it than simply putting | | | | it's worth checking over the course of a week or so |
| a bunch of water and fish into a fishbowl. Talk to | | | | at the store to make sure the fish is healthy. The |
| your ADMA certified pet store about handling | | | | soft tissues around the mouth are another place |
| requirements for specific kinds of fish, how to | | | | where fungal or bacterial infections can show, and it's |
| maintain the pH (percent Hydroxide, or acidy) of the | | | | better to find out about them at the store. Mouth |
| water, and what levels of salinity are needed to keep | | | | injuries can also affect the fish's willingness to feed |
| everything working nicely. | | | | itself. |
| Fish for saltwater aquariums are rated by their | | | | For overall body characteristics, make sure that the |
| difficulty to handle, and how quickly they adapt to | | | | fish is moving fluidly - that it's passing water through |
| new circumstances. The five categories for handling | | | | its gills regularly, rather than spasmodically. Check for |
| are Beginner, Intermediate Skill Required, Reef Only, | | | | tears and raggedness on the fins; this can be a sign |
| Advanced Skill Required, and Requirements Unknown. | | | | that it's fought with other tank mates, or that it's |
| Make sure that your selected fish meet the skill | | | | suffering from ammonia burns from improper |
| requirements you'll need to thrive and survive in your | | | | filtration. Check the abdominal region and the scales; |
| aquarium, by talking to the store owner. | | | | if the abdomen is "fat", the fish is eating well, and |
| When looking at fish in the store, take the time to | | | | can probably adjust to the shocks of moving to a |
| observe them for a while before buying. Far better | | | | new tank. If the abdomen is sunken in, the fish isn't |
| to find out that the fish is sick or injured before you | | | | eating well and may not be viable. Likewise the |
| buy it than after you've taken it home. Comparison | | | | coloration and status of the scales should be smooth |
| shop between multiple stores. | | | | and even; missing scales and discolored blotches are |
| There are some easy to check items that will help | | | | signs of infection, particularly when matched with |
| you get the most pleasure out of setting up your | | | | spasmodic gill action. |
| aquarium, and help make sure that the fish you get is | | | | Finally, don't neglect plants for your aquarium, but do |
| healthy; all of them boil down to checking the | | | | make sure that they aren't ones that will cause |
| behavior and appearance of the fish before you buy. | | | | problems with your new fish! Again, talk to the fish |
| In particular, look at the eyes - the eyes should be | | | | store owner to make sure that the plants and fish |
| bright, and active, rather than recessed or seeming | | | | are compatible! |