| If you're getting into the hobby of running an | | | | seeming small, or "filmed over" - the eye of a fish |
| aquarium, particularly of the salt-water variety, | | | | is the most common place for infections to show |
| understand that there's more to it than simply | | | | symptoms, and it's worth checking over the |
| putting a bunch of water and fish into a fishbowl. | | | | course of a week or so at the store to make |
| Talk to your ADMA certified pet store about | | | | sure the fish is healthy. The soft tissues around |
| handling requirements for specific kinds of fish, | | | | the mouth are another place where fungal or |
| how to maintain the pH (percent Hydroxide, or | | | | bacterial infections can show, and it's better to |
| acidy) of the water, and what levels of salinity | | | | find out about them at the store. Mouth injuries |
| are needed to keep everything working nicely. | | | | can also affect the fish's willingness to feed itself. |
| Fish for saltwater aquariums are rated by their | | | | For overall body characteristics, make sure that |
| difficulty to handle, and how quickly they adapt to | | | | the fish is moving fluidly - that it's passing water |
| new circumstances. The five categories for | | | | through its gills regularly, rather than spasmodically. |
| handling are Beginner, Intermediate Skill Required, | | | | Check for tears and raggedness on the fins; this |
| Reef Only, Advanced Skill Required, and | | | | can be a sign that it's fought with other tank |
| Requirements Unknown. Make sure that your | | | | mates, or that it's suffering from ammonia burns |
| selected fish meet the skill requirements you'll | | | | from improper filtration. Check the abdominal |
| need to thrive and survive in your aquarium, by | | | | region and the scales; if the abdomen is "fat", the |
| talking to the store owner. When looking at fish in | | | | fish is eating well, and can probably adjust to the |
| the store, take the time to observe them for a | | | | shocks of moving to a new tank. If the abdomen |
| while before buying. Far better to find out that | | | | is sunken in, the fish isn't eating well and may not |
| the fish is sick or injured before you buy it than | | | | be viable. Likewise the coloration and status of |
| after you've taken it home. Comparison shop | | | | the scales should be smooth and even; missing |
| between multiple stores. There are some easy to | | | | scales and discolored blotches are signs of |
| check items that will help you get the most | | | | infection, particularly when matched with |
| pleasure out of setting up your aquarium, and help | | | | spasmodic gill action. Finally, don't neglect plants for |
| make sure that the fish you get is healthy; all of | | | | your aquarium, but do make sure that they aren't |
| them boil down to checking the behavior and | | | | ones that will cause problems with your new fish! |
| appearance of the fish before you buy. In | | | | Again, talk to the fish store owner to make sure |
| particular, look at the eyes - the eyes should be | | | | that the plants and fish are compatible! |
| bright, and active, rather than recessed or | | | | |