It is much easier to keep fish healthy than to cure them.
Disturb your fish as little as possible.
Fish in good health are active and keep dorsal fin erect. (Folded fins
for a short period do not mean a sick fish.)
Most fish ills develop from chills. Keep fish above lowest safe
temperature. Young fry especially should be kept warm.
Avoid extremes of temperature. Avoid sudden changes of temperature.
Provide some type of aquarium heater for cold months.
Do not crowd fish—be sure plants are thriving and there is ample oxygen
in water.
Fish constantly at top indicate foul water and lack of oxygen. Remove
part of water and replace with fresh of same temperature.
Dying plants cause much trouble—be sure plants are healthy and growing.
It is much easier to keep fish healthy in a large tank (above 5
gallons). A large tank maintains a more uniform temperature, allows more
air surface, plants thrive better, and water is not fouled so easily by
excess food.
An aquarium can be maintained in healthy condition, both plants and fish
thriving, under artificial lighting furnished by an ordinary light bulb.
Vary the diet for the fish. Feed only as much as they will eat in ten
minutes. Feed sparingly and several times a day if necessary. Use glass
feeding ring. (Fig. 4). All uneaten food drops to one spot where it can
be easily removed with a dip tube.
Health and growth of fry depend upon oxygen supply. Use tank with large
air surface. BE SURE AND DO NOT CROWD YOUNG FRY. Crowding stunts growth
and frequently causes disease, and loss of whole brood. Fry demand
approximately same amount of water as adults—see page 31.
[Illustration: FIG·4]
[Illustration: Tropicals in poor condition, (usually indicated by
folded fins).
Fish constantly at top indicate foul water and lack of oxygen.]
[Illustration: SEVERAL HOURS DIRECT SUNLIGHT DAILY
Always keep glass cover on aquarium.
Always keep a thermometer in aquarium.]
[Illustration: Never give fish more food than they can clean up in
ten minutes.]