In comparison to salt water fish, fresh water fish are much more resilient and easy to care for. A basic aquarium set up will be required. You will need a tank, some rocks or substrate to line bottom of the tank. You will also need a filter, and some lighting. When choosing fish, it is imperative to make sure the fish are compatible. Not only do they need to be compatible for water temperature and P.H., but they also should have similar food requirements. You also want to make sure the fish are all about the same size. Fish of different sizes eat each other. So, don't be too surprised if your much smaller fish disappears. They can even live in the same tank for months, and then, suddenly, one eats the other.

You should feed your fresh water fish twice a day. The food you add to the tank should be eaten within the first few minutes. Over feeding is a common mistake among novice fish keepers. Uneaten food should be removed promptly, so as to not make the tank dirty. Water should be kept regulated and tested weekly. Correct abnormalities of PH and temperature to avoid causing stress. Stress is significant because it causes illness in fish. Keep your fish regularly monitored. Signs of stress are easy to recognize. Slow moving or lethargic looking fish will require a stress coat that can be purchased at a local pet store.

Change about a third of the water in the aquarium at a time, because this type of change will cause the least amount of disturbance to the fish and other inhabitants. Only do so every two to three weeks. You can remove the water with a bucket or with a siphon.

Only change about one third of the water at a time. This will need to be done every two to three weeks. Use either a bucket or a siphon to remove the water from the tank. Also remove any debris you see. When adding the new water to the aquarium, be sure that it is within approximately two degrees of the tank water. Clean the sides of the tank to remove any algae buildup. Again be careful not to disturb the fish. Wash your hands before you clean the aquarium and after you are finished. And make sure you change filters regularly. Filters collect any fish waste or left over food. But they won't do their job if they are not clean.

It is best to only introduce strong fish to a new tank. New aquariums have higher nitrate levels that not all fish can withstand. You can start with danios, barbs, gouramis and live bearers. Don't add more than three or four small fish per week. Find out from the retailer the approximate time of acclimation required by the fish, and don't add any more until that time has passed.