Freshwater

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Part II: Fish and How to Care for Them
Fins are long and flowing, or short and erect. The fish should not have
any ragged, torn, or missing fins.
Scales are flat and smooth, not protruding away from the body.
The stomach is well rounded, not sunken or concave.
Girth of the entire body is of normal size, not bloated or emaciated.
Visible excreta (fish waste) should be dark in color, not pale.
All the fins on the fish’s body should not be collapsed or completely
clamped shut.
Eyes are clear, not cloudy or popping out of the sockets.
No visible parasites, such as ich or velvet.
Know your fish’s behavior
A few behavioral characteristics (how the fish acts) are worth taking a look
at. Healthy fish should
Swim in a horizontal motion, not with its head up or down.
Swim with complete ease, not continually fight to stay afloat.
Swim throughout the aquarium, not lurk in the corners or hiding behind
decorations.
Breathe normally, not gulp for air or hang around the top of the tank
with its mouth gasping the top of the water.
Getting the Right Fish
To be a successful hobbyist, you need to understand your purchases. What
we mean by that is that you need to know which fish are best for you. By
now, you know how to spot a healthy fish, but there’s more to it than that.
You also need to pick fish that are compatible and won’t tear each other to
bits and turn your aquarium into a war zone. Making a shopping list and
understanding a fish’s ultimate size are two ways that you can avoid disaster.
Here are a couple good charts to get you started: