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Fresh Water Fish Care

An Introduction
Fresh water fish care can be an exciting adventure! Fresh water fish vary from the hardy to the delicate depending on the type. The water they swim in needs special care to keep them happy and healthy.

It is important to keep a consistent and well maintained water environment for your fish. Chemical toxins as well as fluctuations in pH or temperature can do serious harm to your fresh water fish.

Water changes and other treatments will keep ammonia levels from becoming toxic. Because tap water may have chemicals, like chlorine and chloramines, that can kill your fresh water fish, it is important that you treat the water. A tap water conditioner for freshwater aquariums will neutralize both chemicals.

Other things you can do to better your fresh water fish care include monitoring the water temperature and the pH levels. Make sure to always keep the water temperature stable. Changing water temperature will cause unnecessary stress on your fish.

You can adjust the ph to match the the requirements for the type of fresh water fish you have. Once your fish are established, the most important thing is to maintain a stable pH level in your tank. Drastic changes in pH can be harmful to your fish. There is plenty of fresh water fish information available as well as many kits that test the pH levels so you can raise or lower the pH as needed.

An important note when taking care of fresh water fish is to be extremely careful whenever moving them. Moving the fish can cause them to weaken. Their stress increases and their protective slime coating may be diminished. A fish protection formula should be used together with chlorine/chloramine removers to help reduce stress and provide the protective slime coat back onto the fresh water fish.

Many fresh water fish can also benefit from small amounts of salt placed in their water. Lack of sodium in the tank's water will break down the slime coat of the fish. One tablespoon per every five gallons will provide enough salt for most fresh water fish. Only use salt that is recommended for aquariums. Never use regular table salt.

With hard water, it is best to use a water-softening product to soften your water. Hard water causes a white crust to form on parts of the aquarium and also makes it hard to adjust the pH.

Make sure to research as much fresh water fish information as possible before investing in fresh water fish of your own.

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