Keeping colourful fish in a home aquarium is a popular hobby, yet fish sometimes die suddenly despite care, especially within days of new fish being added. A desk report from Agricare24 says the usual causes are water quality, overfeeding, lack of oxygen, temperature changes, overcrowding and disease.
Fish tipped straight from a shop bag into new water can be stressed by sudden changes in temperature and water chemistry, so they should be allowed to adjust gradually. Overfeeding leaves food to rot and foul the water; it is best not to give more than fish can eat in a short time.
Clear water can still hold harmful substances. Skipping regular partial water changes, a filter that is not working properly, or keeping the same water too long can leave fish weak and sick. Too many fish for the tank raises oxygen demand and builds up waste quickly, and mixing peaceful and aggressive species can lead to fighting and stress.
Many fish do best in a particular temperature range, so tank temperature needs watching in cold and very hot weather. New fish that look healthy can carry disease, so it is safer to keep them apart for a while first. If water movement or aeration is poor, fish keep rising to gulp air at the surface, and oxygen must be supplied quickly.
Regular checks, partial water changes as needed, a working filter and measured feeding keep fish healthy, the report says, along with stocking to the size of the tank and choosing compatible species.
Photo: Matthias Kloszczyk / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.5)
Source: Agricare24
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