when buying fish for pets how do you know which ones are healthy?

Answer 1

First, it helps for you to know a little about the behavior of the fish you like. I like to look for fish with clear (not cloudy) eyes that are actively swimming, but some species are nocturnal, so these will just be lying still, or swimming very little. You should also be able to distinguish between normal swimming and "flashing" (rubbing against objects - usually because they have an itchy parasite), and swimming rapidly up to the surface and down again (this could mean a problem with the water chemistry). Some fish like to burrow in the gravel, so you may not even be able to see these very well.

I also don't like to see strings of thin, white poop, sunken bellies, dull colors, clamped fins (held close to the body), or rapid breathing (or breathing at the surface).

Also, consider not just the specimen you want to buy, but all the fish in that tank (or group of tanks - some commercial tanks have units that are connected - which means if any fish in the tanks is sick, there's a good chance all of them might be). Any tank with obviously sick or dead fish should be avoided. If you see sick fish, is there a sign telling customers that the tank is under quarantine and the fish not for sale? Does it look like there is any medication in the tank (not all will be obvious, but many will discolor the water)?

Before you buy, ask to take a closer look at the fish you want. An employee should be will ing to get it into a bag for closer inspection, or at least net it and move it to the front of the tank for you to see. Look for any signs of parasites, fungus, sores, lumps, etc. that a normal fish wouldn't have.

Unless it's a fish that's rare, don't be in a hurry to buy. Even if there are only a few of the kind you like, remember, if the store got these, chances are they'll get more. Let the store keep them and come back in a few days to make sure they and their tankmates are okay. If it's something you really feel you have to have, ask an employee or the manager on duty if they would be willing to hold the fish if you pay for it or put down a deposit. If you pay any money, keep your receipt. If the fish dies, the store will have to refund any money you spent, because they can't claim it was something that was your fault that caused the fish to die.

If you do buy the fish and take it home, it's a good idea to use a quarantine tank. This is a separate tank where you can keep fish for a few weeks to be absolutely sure they're healthy before you add them with your others. It doesn't have to be fancy - no gravel, just a filter and heater if needed, and a place for fish to hide - maybe a few old plastic plants that have lost some of their leaves that you took out of the main tank. Since you'll have two tanks, be sure to rinse any equipment (nets, gravel vac) very well with hot water before using it in the other tank to prevent transferring diseases and parasites this way - even better, do any tank work on different days for each tank and let the equipment dry between uses. If your fish does okay in the quarantine, then add him with the others. If not, at least you've managed not to give them whatever he had!

Answer 2

The best way is to buy from a reputable pet store. One where you can talk to someone who knows what's going on.That doesn't mean Petco,Walmart or Petsmart. These big box stores are not really fish-friendly. People who just buy from the cheapest source get exactly what they pay for,the cheapest value. If you can find a small store,look for the fish you want,if you find a lot of them, come back in a week. If the same fish are there and still looking healthy,buy them. If there are only a few fish of the type you want,ask the store to hold them for a week,you may have to pay all or part to get this.Come back in a week,if they are still looking good, buy them and take them home. I think you get the idea. Also a good book can be a big help in deciding what a healthy fish looks like.

Answer 3

Shop at a reputable fish store that offers a garrantee. While observing the fish if you notice dead fish in the tank, dirty tanks, sluggish fish, do not shop at that pet shop. A clamped dorsal fin can be a sign of stress or illness. Bent spine or scoliosis is also something to look for & avoid. Make sure they don't appear to have any other physical deformites, torn or frayed fins, pinholes in the fins, fungus (fuzzy white spots) or Ich (tiny granular white spots).

If the fish appear healthy & thier motility is good, buy them, but if you are planning to add them to a community tank it is always a good idea to quarrantine them for at least 3 weeks to a month to watch for signs of illness. That way if they do have an illness they won't pass it on to your other fish.

Answer 4

In my opinion, the best place to look for fish is a pet shop: Petco, Pet Club, Petsmart, etc. NOT places like WalMart. First, look to see if the fish LOOKS sick ... does it swim near the ground all the time and do the fins look torn? Also, look for Popeye -- a disease in which bacteria makes the eyes bigger. Also, look for Fuzz -- it's a disease that's caused by bacteria that make the fish like the lips are plump and fuzzy. Also, look for Ick -- white dots that can cause serious illness.

*Hope this helps!*

Answer 5

don't buy the ones that are floating on their side or on their back... don't get them if they're losing color. A lot of times people by Betas that are white thinking they are cool... but losing their color is a sign that they're about to go to fish heaven. Get ones that are lively looking and swimming around a lot. I had a gold fish that lived with me for 5 years.... he might still be alive, I had to give him away though. They do last long if you take care of them. Good luck =)

Answer 6

I'll only add to all of the good advice you have gotten by saying it's important not only for the fish you want to look healthy, but every fish in the tank to appear healthy.

As others have said, the best source of healthy fish is the smaller privately owner aquarium stores.

MM

Answer 7

Look out for clamped fins, heavy breathing, sitting still at the surface (unless the species does that specifically), sitting still at the bottom (unless the species does that specifically).

Stay away from dirty looking aquariums (not including algae) and look at the tanks for signs of disease (most specifically fin rot and ich (small dots on the fish that look like salt), which are highly contagious.

And floating upside down - not a good thing.

Answer 8

If all the other fish (of same kind) are swimming in a shoal, the one you may purchase should be swimming around, not lagging behind, it's gills should be moving evenly, it's eyes should be clear, it's fins be all intact, and not seem torn. Hope this helps!

Answer 9

Well you should look at they're top fin. If its up, they're healthy.
If its down, they're sick. Also look at how much they swim around, if they're laying at the bottom of the tank they're sick.
If they're swimming every were, they're good to take home.
Good luck on finding the perfect fish!!
Hope I helped!

Answer 10

read this article ... it is also a great forum for all fish lovers


Things to look for when purchasing new fish
http://www.theoscarspot.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=49&topic=11698.0