1. Aquarium Basics
How to keep fish alive

2. Cleaning the Aquarium NO SOAP Wipe down interior of aquarium
Clean gravel using sieves
Clean only a little gravel at a time
Rinse thoroughly
Clean all rocks and aquarium decorations
Clean filter inside and out
Add water
Clean again if water becomes turbid (cloudy)

3. Aquarium Set Up Dechlorinate
Chlorine will KILL your fish.
You MUST add dechlorinator when setting up your aquarium AND with EACH water change.
Create hiding places with rocks and other décor.
Make sure your aquarium has either a filter or a aerator (“bubbler.”)
Filters may need to be “primed” before they will start to work.

4. Keeping your Water Clean
Rule of Thumb—1 gallon of water for each inch of fish
Allow for the fact that fish grow.
Goldfish need 10 gallons per fish.
Less is more—feed only as much as can be eaten in 2 minutes.
Feed only once per day.

5. Choosing Fish Active and healthy No sick or dead fish in the aquarium
Ask questions
What does it eat?
How big does it get?
Is it a schooling fish? (if so, buy several)
Is it aggressive or territorial?
Are there any special care requirements?
Choose less expensive fish to start.

6. Good Starter Fish Gourami Danio Tetra Molly Cory Cat Platy Guppy
Swordtail
Betta—no more than one male per aquarium

7. Adding Fish to the Aquarium
Fish can only survive in the plastic bag for a short period of time—not overnight.
If you must keep them at home overnight, you will need an aerator or other method of providing oxygen to your fish.
Float the bag of fish in the aquarium for minutes before releasing them IF there is a drastic difference in water temperature.
Avoid adding the water from the bag to the aquarium as much as possible.

8. Wastes in the Water Fish wastes (overpopulation)
Uneaten food (overfeeding)
Nitrates
Ammonia
Filters slow down the rate of pollution, but do not completely remove pollutants.

9. Maintaining an Aquarium
Check water levels for nitrate and ammonia.
Anything above 0—do a partial water change.
Use a siphon to remove uneaten food and other debris from the gravel.
Clean rocks that have accumulated algae.
When adding water, be sure to dechlorinate!!!
Add water slowly to avoid shock.
Avoid complete water changes.

10. Leading Causes of Fish Death
Failure to de-chlorinate the water
Rapid temperature changes
Overfeeding
Poor water quality
Fish incompatibility
Fish vs. filter
Improper handling of fish
Fish suicide (leaping out of aquarium)