Fish Care Buying Guide
While there are tons of different fish  out there--from the goldfish that dig freshwater ponds to the tropical angel fish that love swimming among salt-water coral reefs--there are few basic staples of fish care that can be universally applied. Check these tips out before making your next trip to the pet store, and see our related guides to find out how to care for specific varieties of your finned friends.
Universal Tips- Early tank set-up. Try to let the water in your tank sit for about a week before introducing your new pet fish. This is referred to as the conditioning period, where the water slowly de-chlorinates and finds a healthy bacteria balance. Word to the wise: If your tank becomes cloudy after a few days, don't fret. This is pretty normal and everything should clear itself in the week's time. If you want to get rid of the clouds fast, your local pet store might have some nitrogen-fixing bacteria that you can add to help get a balanced tank sooner.
- The perfect temperature. You may want to float your fishies' bag in the tank for a bit to let the temperatures equalize. You can also slowly add small amounts of tank water to the bag to help make a smoother transition to the tank. Just don't mix that old bag water with the new tank water because you might introduce some nasty parasites.
- Try getting a thermometer to help you maintain an optimum tank temperature--23° to 26° C ideally. Waters with higher temps can have an increased bacterial account along with reduced amounts of dissolved oxygen. Plus a sudden drop in temperature can cause a nasty shock for the fish, leading to disease and maybe even death.
- Let there be light. Fish need light to see, eat and reproduce. Make sure you have a natural or artificial light source that allows them at least 12 hours of light a day. And while a dull illumination might be enough to keep them going, you may need it a bit brighter for optimum plant growth--natural light supplemented by a lamp may work best here.
- The tide's changing. When it's time for your weekly water change, remove only one-third of the water to ensure you're not drastically altering the water chemistry. Also avoid using soap or any other detergents when cleaning, as they can often be toxic. Still got gritty gravel with a bunch of left over food chunks sticking to the bottom of the tank? Try picking up a gravel vacuum to suck out the debris weekly.
- Good eats. Provide your fish with an exciting diet of commercially prepared fish food--variety is key. And make sure you store it in a cool, dry place to keep bacteria or mold from forming. For more information on what to feed your fishy friends, check out our fish food and nutrition guide.
Some Extras
Consider these extra gizmos and gadgets to help take your tank from a measly fish bowl to a tricked out aquarium. - Air pump. It stops dangerous film--this can mess with the carbon dioxide/oxygen exchange--from forming on the top of the water.
- Foliage, rocks and other types of cover. Plants can introduce some natural elements to the water while providing a good place for your fish to hide.
- Heater. Depending on where you live and where you place your tank, a heater may be necessary. Check to see what temperature water in which your particular breed of fish thrives best.
- Tank hood. Some fish may be jumpers, so keep them safe by purchasing a tank hood or canopy to keep your aquarium enclosed.
Related Guides
These related guides will give you some more specifics on how to care for your fish based on their breed, as well as some more detailed advice on buying those extra gizmos for your tank.
External Links- Auspet.com: Gives a bunch of general fish care tips to help get you started.
- Ehow.com: A step by step guide on what to do with your fish from the moment you bring them home.
- HealthyPet.com: A site that includes everything from how to find a good vet to how to care for exotic creatures.
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