Signs of Healthy Fish

Hey all!!

So I have pondered a new question, hope you don't mind. I figure this is the best place to think about fish

I know there is a section of Freshwater Fish Disease, but I was wondering if anyone could tell me about the opposite. I know a lot of things are happening in my 20 gallon high tank on a micropscopic level and I read about things to watch for that may indicate things like: Ich, ammonia poisoning, nitrite/nitrate poisoning, swim bladder disease, oxygen deprivation ect.

But what are signs of healthy fish...How can you tell your stock is thriving at an optimum level. How can I tell I am taking excellent care of my aquarium other than no deaths. Because I'm sure you all know as well as I know that no deaths doesn't always mean great care; some fish just survive, even if the conditions aren't the best.

I am very proud of my tank and my new found hobby. I'd just like some reassurance and ways to find it.

I have 5 Glofish, 2 Mollies, 1 baby Guppy (he/she was accidently acquired when I purchased Ghost Shrimp. he/she is probably about 1/4 inch long) and 6 Ghost Shrimp.

Thank you!!

 

For me I look for good color. Good appetites. The fish being active (if they're an active fish). Then outside of that I just watch for personality changes that could hint to the fish being stressed or ill.

 

Thank you so much.

That's what I have been doing thus far. I look each fish and check for any signs of something wrong. I watch them while they eat, who's eating and who's not. The tank is relatively new so their personalities will take time to develop, and Ill just keep a keen eye.

 

active, moves well and freely

healthy glow (good color)

eats well

eliminates well

exhibits typical species behavior (i.e., if a schooler, stays with school)

inhabits standard area of tank

 

Thank you, thank you

 

Fins that are erect and fully opened.

 

Thank you all again...I love any excuse to watch my fish!!

 

I personally think it was a very good question and I am going to watch and see how everyone replies. We never stop and think about are our fish healthy and happy when they are, it is when they are not that we notice something wrong.

We notice the fish hiding in the corner and wonder what is wrong. Is she pregnant or stressed because she is being picked on or is that normal behavior for that species are just a few of the questions that come to mind. We never notice the positive signs of a healthy tank.

 

I personally think it was a very good question and I am going to watch and see how everyone replies. We never stop and think about are our fish healthy and happy when they are, it is when they are not that we notice something wrong.

We notice the fish hiding in the corner and wonder what is wrong. Is she pregnant or stressed because she is being picked on or is that normal behavior for that species are just a few of the questions that come to mind. We never notice the positive signs of a healthy tank.

Thank you.

I really like to think of my fish as pets and not just a hobby. I treat them like I do my dogs and cats, like people of course!! I don't just wanna know when they there is something wrong, I wanna know if I'm doing my job right and if they are happy where they are.

As I mentioned before, I take pride in my tank and I wanna be able to say, I keep an excellent tank because my fish are [[insert healthy sign here]].

 

i'm always worrying about my fish, it's unreal how much , but I think the day you stop caring will be the day you stop keeping fish , end of .....

 

I agree with the group as well, I tend to watch for a general good appearance of the fish, and also that all the fins are out and moving and not clamped to the body. I watch for eating at meal time and that they get some of the occasional treats. I'm also careful to pick at least one diff tank a day and just watch the fish closely for quite a while, not as an enjoyment so much more of as a head count and symptom check.

I don't like to watch TV much so usually when I want to relax away from work and the computer (althou at least 3 tanks are visable while at the computer lol) I find myself pulling chairs over to the tanks and just sitting there staring.

 

I don't like to watch TV much so usually when I want to relax away from work and the computer (althou at least 3 tanks are visable while at the computer lol) I find myself pulling chairs over to the tanks and just sitting there staring.

I am sitting at my computer right now and can touch two 30 gallon Molly tanks that are on the desk with the computer. LOL

 

so much more enjoyable than TV isn't it.

 

It is not only enjoyable and relaxing but you can learn so much about your fish just watching them. You learn who is the boss in the tank and why. You learn their feeding habits, where they go to hide out now and then and who might be a problem child just from watching a few minutes a day. At times I am not sure who is watching who because they seem to notice every move I make and know when it is feeding time just from where I am coming from.

By watching them you learn what is normal behavior and what is just a little bit out of the ordinary. Is the males flaring to impress a female or informing someone he is the boss and they need to back off. Are they nipping fins, simply playing a game of tag or does the water have a problem and they are letting me know it.

Normal healthy behavior can only be learned by watching YOUR fish and knowing what is normal for them and what is not. What is normal in my Angelfish tank is not normal for my Tetra tank and the same goes for the Mollies. They all have their own personalities and until you learn your fish behavior by watching them you will not know what is normal healthy behavior for them is or what is a sign of a potential problem.

This is why I have wait to see what other would say before I chimed in. What is normal healthy behavior in my tanks might not be exactly the same in someone else’s tank simply due to the size of the tank, the number or types of fish in it or how you have it decorated. By watching your fish in your tanks you gain the knowledge of what is normal for them and by doing so you are able to quickly pick up on what is out of the normal.

 

@bowcrazy; thank you so much. I always enjoy reading your replies. so elegant and intelligible. I love watch my fish. My tank is actually adjacent to my tv and on the same level, so if with just one move of the eye, I can watch the tank. my tank is also at just across the foot of my bed. so I sit on the end and stare on lol I'm watching as I type away ob my lap top.

I love how friendly my mollies are towards me, I come up to the tank often place my hand on the tank and they almost always emerge from where ever they are or stop what theyre doing to come up to me. ive noticed I can't watch too close the tank though!! not with out my two male mollies getting fiesty with eachother. almost as if to say, hey get out of my way I'm trying to say hello and watch christina say hi!! once I walk away or get back into bed, they are the best of friends!! jealousy perhaps ha.

All of my fish come up to the glass to greet me when I'm near. and swim through my fingers when I place my hand in the tank to feed them. they adore me, I hope. and I adore them.

thank you all for your insight. and I love getting to know my fish.

 

I have been provided the gift of gab but putting my thoughts down in writing can be a challenge at times. I am always happy to give my 2 cents worth which sometimes people even take my advice. LOL

 

One thing I always look at is their eyes
Bright eyes is a sign of health, dI'm eyes a sign they need better care and cloudy means they're ill/really olllddd. I especially use this when buying fish. So many times a fish has had nice colour etc but then had the start of eye cloudiness.

Works for most animals, not just fish as well Way I make sure my turtle is healthy is the bright eye check

 

Fins that are erect and fully opened.

Yup, that's my #1. Color and behavior and all are important too, but when I evaluate my fish (and fish at the store) I check their fins first.

 

Yup, that's my #1. Color and behavior and all are important too, but when I evaluate my fish (and fish at the store) I check their fins first.

Agreed. Number 1 sign.

Other than that, I believe the fish' reaction to you is also a good sign. After time you will get used to the reaction and notice immediately a change.

 

I am going to try and compile a list some of the healthy signs for everyone to add to. Please feel free to edit and add to or make corrections to the list. I will try to keep up with it and repost every now and then.

1. Their eyes look bright with no cloudiness or dullness
2. Their colors are bright and not all washed out looking
3. There are no obvious signs of red or white spots or bumps where they don’t belong
4. They come out to eat at feeding time and eat well
5. Their bellies don’t look bloated or distended if they are not with fry or egg
6. Gills not showing outside of the gill plate
7. Fins are not clamped and held against their bodies but are out erect and moving
8. Fins are not torn or missing large areas
9. Spine looks straight and not bent when looking at the fish from the top down
10. Active fish are swimming about and not just hanging out right at the surface or sitting on the bottom for long periods of time
11. Normally peaceful species are just that and not showing signs of unusual aggression
12. They swim around in and out of currents without too much trouble
13. They don’t look like they are having to work hard just to stay where they are or swim about
14. Playful fish like the Glofish are playing tag with each other and not just hiding in plants and corners
15. Fish are not flashing off of decorations
16. Fish waste is not a light colored long string still hanging from them

 

Unnusual agrression is one that comes to mind

 

Unnusual agrression is one that comes to mind

I would think #11 would cover that but I can reword it.

 

missed that out actually...

apologies...