Freshwater fish are perhaps the easiest fish to care for in comparison to saltwater species because they are usually hardier. A basic aquarium set up will be required. You will need a tank, some rocks or substrate to line bottom of the tank. You will also need a filter, and some lighting.

The fish in your tank must be compatible in terms of temperature, P.H. and food requirements. You should also keep in mind a basic fact of nature --fish eat other fish. If this happens, don't be discouraged, but learn from it. You can keep this to a minimum by keeping fish of roughly the same size.

You should feed freshwater fish twice a day. Use only a small amount of food, that the fish can consume within five minutes. Excess food will quickly become debris and make the tank dirty. The water in the tank must be regulated and tested weekly. Correct and discrepancies in water temperature and P.H. immediately to reduce stress to the fish.

You cannot ignore stress, because it is a major cause of illness. That's why it's vital to closely monitor the general behavior and condition of your fish. Do not overcrowd your tank; this can be a cause of stress. It isn't hard to spot signs of stress. If you notice fish that are slow-moving or lethargic, purchase a stress coat at your local pet store.

When you change the water in the aquarium, only change about 1/3 at a time. This will create the least amount of disruption to the fish. This should be done every two to three weeks. When removing the water from the tank, use a siphon or bucket. Also remove any debris you can to keep the tank clean. Make sure that the new water you add is close to within two degrees of the tank water already there.

Scrub the sides of the aquarium regularly to remove any build-up of algae. When doing this, be careful not to disturb the fish. Always thoroughly wash your hands both before and after contact with your aquarium. Remember to change the filters according to the manufacturer's recommendation. Filters remove left over food and fish waste; they only function properly when clean.

Start your aquarium with hardy fish such as danios, barbs, gouramis and live bearers. These kind of fish are able to withstand the higher nitrite levels that are present in a new tank. Before adding fish, check with your pet store or other expert, as acclimation times vary per species. As a rule, do not add more than three or four small fish per week.

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