Tropical fish are even more sensitive to changes in the water than other fish and arguably the most important aspect of looking after tropical fish is the quality of the water. There are however, other things to consider when caring for tropical fish and this guide outlines some of the factors that can have an effect on the health of the tropical fish.

Correctly Caring For Tropical Fish

•    There are lots of kits available that are used to test the quality of the water in a tropical fish tank. These kits test the temperature, pH levels, ammonia levels, nitrate levels, the salinity as well as the dissolved oxygen content of the water. All of these levels should be adjusted accordingly when looking after tropical fish.

•    When caring for tropical fish, the correct airflow rate of the water should be 2L per hour per 1L of water. An aerator is used to control this. When you do need to adjust the water in the tropical fish tank, do it gradually as any sudden change can seriously affect the health of tropical fish. This is especially true when changing the temperature of the water.

•    You need to make sure that the tropical fish food contains the essential amino acids that are needed for the continued good health of tropical fish. Diet is vital when caring for tropical fish. Tropical fish food should contain about 30-36% protein, 10% fat and contain a low amount of carbohydrate.

•    A general rule of thumb when looking after tropical fish is to feed 10g of flake food a month per 50 adult tropical fish. This figure will vary depending on the size of the fish in your tank. Someone at your local pet shop will be able to help you. It is very important not to overfeed your tropical fish. You will be able to notice if you are as the water quality will go down due to the excess food floating in the tank.

•    Tropical fish food should be stored in containers that do not let any moisture in to them and they should be kept in a cool and dry area. If you freeze your tropical fish food, don’t keep it frozen for more than three months.

•    Using the correct lighting avoids any heat accumulation and prevents the growth of algae. Use a light that is intended for use in an aquarium. Dimmer switches help to prevent startling the fish when the lights are turned on. Having proper equipment in your tropical fish aquarium is vital when caring for tropical fish.

•    When looking after tropical fish, keep the aquarium covered at all times to stop any contaminants getting into the water and to minimise fluctuations in the temperature. 20% of the water should be changed every mont