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Writer's pictureShabbir Salumbarwala

Common Fish Tank Problems and How to Avoid Them


1. Starting with too small of an aquarium.



Our parents and grand-dads have taught us to always start something on a smaller scale and see if it works out for us. Here, in this case, you should always go for the biggest tank that fits in your room and your budget.

Small tanks mean too frequent water changes and cleaning, which is not good for your fish as it stresses them whenever we interfere with the tank. Bigger tanks allow you to take longer cleaning breaks and keeps the water parameters much stable than the smaller tanks.

Also, we all like to have an extra leg space while buying a car, right? Let’s give that fishy some extra space, c’mon.

Aquariums of 30 to 35 litres are ideal for first-time aquarists.


2. Buying fish on the same day as the aquarium.

When you get a brand new tank and fill tap water in it, the tank needs some time to develop the beneficial bacteria that are required for the fishes to survive. The fishes that come from your local store might be kept in a different PH level and moving them in the new tank with fresh tap water could put them in a shock because of the sudden spike they’ll face due to the extremely acidic water.

It is suggested to age your tap water for at least 24 hours, which will eventually bring down the PH to its suitable state.


This explanation could also be an answer for *why did my fish die the very next day when I introduced it into my new tank?*


3. Overstocking.

When you’re new to fishkeeping, you want to buy every fish you see. But there is a limit to how many fish a beginner aquarium can hold, regardless of how large it is or how efficient the filter is.


Many fish grow larger after they are purchased, and some fish are territorial and become aggressive when crowded with other fish. Always err on the side of having fewer fish in your aquarium rather than too many.


4. Leaving the aquarium light on all the time.

Like all animals, fish need a resting period, and it should be the same period every day. In nature, the day/night cycle is fairly consistent, especially in the tropics. Leaving the aquarium light on all the time stresses your fish, and also contributes to unsightly algae growth.


So let them have their darkest hours.

(please don’t take this literally just put the lights off)


5. Overcleaning.

This could be a problem if you ask me, don’t listen to MONICA.


When you clean too much, you’re also wiping out the beneficial bacteria that’s been growing in there. Doing too many water changes could put the fish in stress and it could also cause the fish to weaken its immune system which could cause health issues or even death.


6. Insufficient cover.

Aquarium decorations provide habitat, make your fish feel secure, reduce stress, and enhance their colors. Fish often hide because there are not enough decorations in the aquarium, seeking refuge behind a heater, filter tube, or other objects.


Fishkeeping could be the most soothing hobby but is equally stressful as caring for a human child if you have too many.


So let’s summarize and keep it short, shall we?


  1. Get a decent-sized tank for your mermaids.

  2. Buy the house first, then Gruha Pravesh the next day.

  3. Don’t overstock. Because even fishes have compatibility issues.

  4. Keep the lights off in the day time and turn it on for 5 to 7 hours in the evening kyunki gharme guests tabhi aate hai.

  5. Don’t clean too much, they like it when it’s a little messy. A little.

  6. They like to play hide and seek, so put some aquarium toys in there.


Thanks for reading. Feel free to reach out with any questions in the comments below or on any of our social media.


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