The most important rule of fish keeping is;
1 inch = 1 gallon
Never overstock your tank or diseases will break out.
Diseases are caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites in the tank, but healthy fish generally have enough immunity to fight it off. Unfavorable conditions, such as inadequate diet, poor water quality and overcrowding, and other situations causing stress can however weaken them enough so that they might get sick.
Avoiding Disease:
You can prevent many diseases from breaking out by offering the fish optimal living conditions. There are also a few important rules that you should observe.
- Don't buy or introduce into your tank any fish that are visibly sick
- Place sick fish in a separate tank for treatment
- Remove dead fish immediately
- Check your fish daily for signs of illness
- Treat sick fish promptly. The sooner the treatment, the better the chances for recovery
Tip: Always keep medications for the most common diseases on hand, so that you can start treating your fish immediately
- Disinfect catching nets and other utensils after every use if you have more than one tank. You can use a salt solution made of 1 quart (1L) water and 3 1/2 ounces (100 g) salt, or you can buy a methylene blue solution from a pharmacist.
Important: Nets and other accesories that have been disinfected must be rinsed clean under clear water.
Diseases That Are Fairly Common:
