An Ounce of Prevention is less than an Ounce of Medicine!

About 80% of fish illness or disease is caused by STRESS!
Stress causes a fishs' immune system to weaken and that in turn can cause major problems for us fish parents. Listed below are some of the most common stress issues for our fish:

* Water Quality: Poor water conditions for your fish include your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate readings. pH flucuations more than 0.2 units per day, or the wrong pH for the species.

* Temperature: Water temperatures changes more than 2 degrees per day, the wrong temperature of water for your species, or wrong water hardness for your fish.

* Oxygen: There is not enough oxygen in the water, airstone.

* Filtration: Proper filtration is necessary. Example: Goldfish, snails, & crayfish need more filtration compared to like guppies, neons etc.

* Nutirition: Most fish need a variety of foods and a few different types to select from. Some fish are picky eaters and you may have to find their favorite, but always have a backup fish food product they enjoy.

* Species: Make sure the fish you are planning to keep are all compatible.

* Tank: DO NOT listen to the theory of 1" of fish per Gallon of water. Unless your fishes maximum size is only 1" long, I wouldn't go with that theory. Make sure you have the right size tank for the fish you plan on keeping, and DO NOT OVERSTOCK!

*Plants: Most fish love alot of foliage in their tank. It provides hiding spots and activity for them. Hiding spots are necessary too, for alot of fish. You can use almost anything. Example: I use a long black shot glass for my Blue Crayfish.

* Never buy a sick fish from the store. Make sure if the fish seems healthy it has been in the store for awhile. That way the fish has had enough time to develope signs of illness and the store had time to treat it before you buy it. Do not feed your new fish right away, let him settle first. He just came from the store and is a bit stressed right now. I would say wait for at least 2-4 hours.
* Make sure you learn your fishes behavior. When you understand their mannerisms, you will pick up quickly on if he is ill or not. Example: How active he is, hiding, playing, eating, coloration, growth, etc.
* Keep a fish medicine cabinet. You know you are going to hit the E.R. when all the stores are closed!

*Good Luck, and no offense, but I hope to never meet you in the E.R.