1. Fish dying for
no apparent reason.
Although fish, or any living being, can and
sometimes do die for no apparent reason, it is an exception to the rule.
Living things die from three major factors: Traumatic injury, disease, or simply
of old age. Captive fish generally die from poor husbandry and disease.
Whatever the reason, chances are that the fish was sick or
injured long before it died. One of the biggest problems I've found that
people have with their aquariums or ponds is they don't know what to look for or
they just don't look at all. Before you can diagnose a symptom you need to
know what a healthy fish looks like. Ideally you will know the habits and
mannerisms of the individual species. Then again ideally, I'll win the lottery and I can
stop sucking fish crap, moving huge rocks, and scraping pond scum for a living.
Then I can just do that for fun!
Regardless, let's start with a few basic general rules.
Healthy fish are active and react to stimulus. They
hold their fins erect and are generally swimming around looking for food
sources. The eyes are clear and shiny. The gills and mouth move at
an even rate processing oxygen (about one or two "gulps" per second). They
float in the water parallel to the substrate. The body is generally sleek and
streamlined. Their behavior is that of the species, be it schooling with
others or defending their territory. They learn that people feed them.
They recognize the individual person that feeds them. They react to your
presence the same way, all the time, whether you feed them or not.
Fish are amazing creatures and didn't ask to be captured,
bred, and then stuck in a tank or pond. If you are keeping aquatic life it
is your responsibility to provide them with the best care you can give them.
Coming to this website is a great start.
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