Dropsy is a common fish disease that can be found in all types of aquarium fish. Learn how to spot the disease and how to treat it early to give your fish the best chance of survival.

If you have a freshwater aquarium, the last thing you want is for your fish to get sick. It’s important to keep good water conditions in your fish tank to ensure that your fish remain healthy and to monitor the behavior of your fish for any early signs of illness.

Common diseases that are found in aquarium fish can be caused by a wide range of issues. These may be bacterial infections, fungal infections and even parasites.

Preventing Disease

Fish, like any other pets, can become ill. Thankfully the majority of infections and diseases can be eliminated or prevented by regular careful observation, regular water testing, frequent partial water changes, appropriate living conditions (correct tank size, compatible tank mates), and excellent water quality. Ensuring your fish has the cleanest home possible is often the easiest way to keep them happy and healthy for longer!

Tropical fish are fascinating pets, but they're reliant on you for their care and environmental health so it's important that you maintain a healthy place for them to live.

Environment and housing

The tank is the most important aspect of tropical fish care and you need to provide a suitably sized environment for your fish.

Fish keeping can be a very rewarding hobby. Follow our easy step by step guide below to get started.

How to set up your Aquarium

Once you get your new aquarium home follow these steps when setting it up:

1.Location and Stand
Choose the place you are going to place it carefully; it needs to be:

• Out of direct sunlight
• In an area which won’t be too disturbed by people running past
• Near a power supply
• In a draught free, relatively consistent temperature area

The first steps to introducing new fish to your aquarium is to ensure your tank is adequately set up, and you've chosen compatible fish for your aquarium.

Introducing new fish checklist

• Are these fish compatible with the fish you have at home?
• Are they suitable for your aquarium size and type?
• Have you completely cycled your new tank?
• Be patient and introduce only a few fish at a time, don’t overstock your tank (if your tank only has four to six fish, don't add in 12 new fish at once).

Just like us, our fish friends feel stressed when it’s extremely hot outside. Here are 10 ways you can help them stay cool and calm.

Why is Water Temperature Important?

Maintaining a stable water temperature within the recommended range for your fish is incredibly important for the health of your fish. When tank temperatures are high, the warm water causes your fish to become more active and require more oxygen. Just one problem – warm water holds less oxygen than cooler water. In severe cases, there won’t be enough oxygen to go around, and your fish can suffocate.

Aquarium Tips – Here are some tips on keeping your aquarium: