How to care for Freshwater Aquatic fish, According to the American Pet Products Association’s 2019-2020 National Pet Owners Survey, fish are kept as pets by around 13.1 million American households, making them the third most common form of pet after cats and dogs.

Are you taken aback? You must not be! Aquatic life can be a lovely addition to your home, with their fascinating antics and exquisite beauty—as long as you know how to properly care for them.

If you’re thinking about introducing aquatic life into your house, the easiest way to get started is to get your aquarium set up. This, together with an understanding of the continuing maintenance requirements, will help you and your aquarium succeed. Maintaining an aquarium can be quite simple and stress-free if you know what measures to take. Consider the following as a starting point.

Choose the appropriate aquarium

The size of the aquarium you’ll need is determined by the type of fish you want to bring home (think freshwater, saltwater, and individual species), as well as the number of fish you desire. With fish tank sizes ranging from desktop aquariums for a single betta to enormous aquariums suitable for many species of fish, it’s crucial to consider the ecosystem before bringing any aquatic life into your home.

Overcrowding can result in low oxygen levels in the water, excessive waste, and even mortality in extreme circumstances. Stop by your local Petco for guidance on which size aquarium or tank is best for you based on your space and the fish you want to acquire.

Create the ideal aquarium water conditions

Varying species of aquatic life require different water conditions, but a suitable environment is essential for any underwater creature. A few things to think about are:

The water is being conditioned. To maintain aquatic life, tap water has a variety of qualities that must be adjusted in an aquarium. Use a dechlorinating chemical in conjunction with a biological aquarium supplement to appropriately condition water.

Maintaining the optimum pH balance. The pH of your tank water indicates whether it is acidic or alkaline. To check the pH level, get a pH test kit. Freshwater fish flourish in a pH range of 6.8 to 7.5, depending on the species, because this is the range that provides a natural habitat for your fish to resist illness.

Temperature stabilization Changes in water temperature can also harm aquatic life, so avoid placing your aquarium near a sunny window or near heating or air vents that can abruptly change water temperatures. Depending on the species, tropical freshwater fish require a steady temperature of 72 °F – 82 °F. An aquatic heater will assist you in maintaining a comfortable temperature.

Make sure your fish tank is in good shape

Regularly monitoring the water conditions in your aquarium or tank is a good start, but there are other things you can do, such as cleaning it regularly.

Once a month, plan to replace 25% of the water in your aquarium. This will help keep the water in your tank clean and the nitrate levels in check.

A gravel vacuum can aid in the removal of water and debris, particularly from the tank’s bottom. Also keep a watch out for algae growth. This may appear as a haze on your tank’s glass, or the water itself may appear murky, indicating low oxygen levels in the water. Use a tank scrub brush or an aquarium algae magnet to assist clear the algae from your aquarium.

Acclimate your aquarium properly

Ask the store partner what the water parameters for nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, and pH levels are for the species you’re getting, then test your setup at home to make sure it matches as precisely as possible.

To allow for temperature adaptation, float the sealed bag containing your aquatic life in your aquarium for at least 15 minutes, but no longer than an hour. Open the bag and slowly pour in a quarter-cup of aquarium water.

Fill the bag with a quarter cup of water every five minutes until it is completely full. This gradually brings the temperature and chemistry closer together, allowing the new aquatic species to adjust to their new environment without being frightened by abrupt changes.