No one wants to buy a sick fish, but how can you tell for sure if the fish you want is healthy, and has a good chance of survival? Here are five ways to help you choose a healthy animal that will stay healthy, the first time!
1) Check for healthy fins that aren't torn or bitten, and make sure the body of the fish is smooth, with no missing scales, bite marks, or injury
2) Look for obvious signs of disease, including white spots (ich or crypt, more on curing this annoying parasite soon to be posted!), gold 'dusting' (Oodinium, aka velvet disease), white or black "mold" indicative of a bacterial or fungal infection
3) Less obvious signs of disease, such as breathing hard and/or fast, 'flashing' (quick scratching against the rock or tank), general listlessness, fin clamping, or unusual behavior for the species you're observing
4) Make sure the fish you're interested in is eating! If you're buying a known finicky fish online, ask the reseller if it is eating. If you're buying it from an LFS, ask an employee to feed it.
5) Quarantine the new fish for at least two weeks! Introducing diseases into your display tank is a nightmare no one wants!
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