Claygate Vets Explains the Basics of Tropical Fish Care
July 21, 2024
Inspired by National Marine Week (July 27th – August 11th, 2024), here’s your beginner’s guide to creating a thriving home for tropical fish from Claygate Vets. Contact us for more fish care advice.
Caring for Tropical Fish
There’s little as soothing as watching colourful fish swimming around in their tank, but it’s important that their environment is kept pristine, which is where this beginner’s guide from Claygate Vets can help:
1. The Tank Temperature: When it comes to caring for tropical fish, the place to start is the tank, with the temperature being the single most important consideration. What the temperature should be will be dictated by the type of fish you’re keeping, but as a general rule, it’s around 25°C and requires constant monitoring with daily checks.
2. Tank Air & Filtration: Our Vet and exotic pet enthusiast, Darren Partridge, explains that tropical fish need good water movement and oxygen. Air pumps with air stones (bubbles) are common, but some filters can also oxygenate the water. Choose a filter with good surface agitation or add an air pump for heavily stocked tanks.
3. Where To Position Your Tropical Fish Tank: Where you position the tank is important – there shouldn’t be too much natural light or any source of loud noises, such as a TV.
Looking for a fish vet in Claygate? Call Claygate Vets on 01372 460107.
4. What Goes Inside the Tank: Tropical fish need appropriate lighting in their tank for a natural day-night cycle. Use a timer-controlled aquarium light suitable for plants and fish species, such as LED lights. This provides light for photosynthesis in plants and a natural lighting cycle for the fish. Plants aren’t essential in tropical fish tanks, but they offer benefits like oxygenation, hiding spots, and aesthetics. Whether to include them depends on preference and fish species. You’ll need some gravel too, and you may want to add some decorations and tank ornaments for your fish to explore.
5. Feeding Tropical Fish: What and how much you feed your fish can also impact their environment. The type of food you offer will be species-specific, so you will want to do your research thoroughly. If there is evidence of leftover food in the tank, you’re probably feeding them too much.
6. Tank Cleaning: Excess food can build up, which is why regular monthly cleaning of the tank is necessary. Darren advises that you should clean the tank, including its walls where algae can build up, and any accessories provided for your fish to swim in and out of.
7. Spotting Illness: You’ll need to keep a close eye on your aquatic companions to check for behavioural changes and their condition. If you do notice anything that seems out of the ordinary, please call us for advice on 01372 460107.
We hope you found our beginner’s guide to tropical fish care helpful. If you’re seeking a fish vet in Claygate, contact Claygate Vets today.
