Knowing how to go about caring for fish is very important especially when they are kept outside. Pond fish are very delicate and must be handled carefully. Daily maintenance is required. Unlike fish that live freely in the oceans, seas and other bodies of water, pond fish require special attention. Because all they do is swim and wait for food to be served, you must regularly check on the health of your fish and ensure that they are given proper care.
Let's dive right in.
Caring for Fish through Proper Oxygenation
Oxygenation is one very, very important factor that an owner has to consider when caring for fish. This can never be forgotten in your everyday agenda. You have to check if your fish are receiving the proper amount of oxygen that they need to get through the day.
Proper oxygenation is needed especially during the summer when oxygen levels can rapidly deplete.
While caring for fish it is important to note that during the summertime, the water in your fish pond becomes warmer because of the heat that rotates around it's surroundings. And as the water becomes warmer, the less oxygen it is capable of holding.
Ironically, during summer, fish tend to metabolize food faster than in any other season. This makes it important to increase the amount of available oxygen in the water when caring for fish.
A Small Number of Fish
Good thing if you have only a small number of fish living inside your pond. This will make caring for fish easier because you don't necessarily have to worry about their oxygenation levels.
However, if you really love caring for fish and collecting them and there is a large amount of fish in your pond, and if your pond is just the size of your bath tub, this will result in a serious problem.
That's because the more fish there are inside a small pond, the more oxygen is needed.
When oxygen becomes depleted, your fish can experience an insurmountable amount of stress and can become diseased. Some may occasionally die.
Caring for Fish involves Not Over Feeding Them
Another factor that increases the depletion of oxygen is when fish are over fed. When fish are over fed there are two things that can be expected.
One, there is a greater need for oxygenation because of rapid and increased metabolism of food by the fish.
Two, when fish can no longer eat the food, it will be suspended inside the pond permanently. And organisms living inside the food tend to decompose the waste which consumes oxygen.
While caring for fish you must also be aware that plants also use up the available oxygen in the pond. While people generally think that plants only use up carbon dioxide to produce oxygen, that occurs only during the daytime. When sunlight is absent, plants will consume the oxygen inside the pond.
Steps to Solve the Oxygenation Problem
Here are some of the different steps that you can take to solve the oxygenation problem while caring for fish:
1. If you have an overpopulated pond, reduce the number of fish. This can be painful for the owner to do but it can be quite helpful in saving the lives of the remaining fish. This can be considered as a last resort.
2. Use aerating devices like waterfalls or fountains especially during the night or if medication is given. Keep the performance at a maximum level.
3. When caring for fish frequent, small changes in water can lessen the presence of microorganisms and chemicals that consume oxygen.
4. Remove excess algae and debris.
5. Caring for fish by carefully feeding them small, frequent amounts of food. If there is excess food, remove it immediately after feeding has ended.
Properly Caring for Fish will Result in Healthier Fish
Remember, caring for fish involves proper oxygenation that will result in healthier fish that are properly cared for and living happily inside your pond.
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