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- 10 things to avoid with your new fishBringing home a new fish is exciting, but there’s also lots to think about. To help you out, we’ve listed 10 things to avoid with your new fish.
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- 10 things to avoid with your new fishBringing home a new fish is exciting, but there’s also lots to think about. To help you out, we’ve listed 10 things to avoid with your new fish.
- How to maintain good water quality in your fish tankTop tips on maintaining good water quality in your fish tank
- Why is water quality such a big issue when it comes to fishkeeping?Why is water quality such a big issue when it comes to fishkeeping?
- All Blog Entries
- 10 things to avoid with your new fishBringing home a new fish is exciting, but there’s also lots to think about. To help you out, we’ve listed 10 things to avoid with your new fish.
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Ask the Experts - We're here to help
Browse through our frequently asked questions to find an answer to your problem.
If you can't find an answer to your question, please fill in our Ask the Experts form and a member of our Customer Service Team
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Most Frequently Asked
How often should I change my aquarium water?
Most aquariums should be cleaned every 2 weeks on average. It is easier to combine cleaning and water changes by using a gravel siphon, as this also removes any dirt and waste from the bottom of the tank.When can I add new fish to my tank?
If you are introducing new fish to a matured aquarium, then there shouldn’t be a problem. However, you should monitor the ammonia and nitrite level for the few days following introduction as a precaution. Also, you should quarantine any new fish for at least 4 days in a separate tank before adding to your main tank. This will help to prevent spreading any diseases.
It is advisable to run a new tank with water only for at least 1 to 2 weeks before adding fish, to allow the filter to build up some beneficial bacteria. It helps to add King British Filter Aid + during this period to help the filter to mature. Fish produce ammonia through respiration, and release it into the water through their urine and across the gills. In a matured aquarium, the filter can remove the ammonia quickly before it causes any problems. However, in a new, un-matured aquarium the ammonia will linger and may build up and cause problems. If fish are added straight away to a new tank then the ammonia they produce can poison them and they may die. Also, once you do start adding fish, they should be added slowly and gradually, not all at once. Spread it out over of a period of weeks by adding two or three fish at a time, to allow the filter to adjust to the larger load of ammonia and nitrite.
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Just share with us the details of your query, what type of pet you have and your pet’s name.
Previous Questions
- Fish Care
- Aquarium - Maintenance and Care
- Set Up & Maintenance
- Does my aquarium need gravel or substrate?
- How long should I leave my aquarium lights on for?
- What maintenance should I do on my aquarium?
- What is a biological filter?
- How do I calculate the volume of water in my aquarium / pond?
- When can I add new fish to my tank?
- Can I add tap water directly to my aquarium?
- Water Quality
- How often should I change the aquarium water?
- How often should I clean my aquarium?
- How can I eradicate algae from my aquarium?
- Why are nitrite levels slowly creeping up in my new tank set up?
- Why does my aquarium water have a pale yellow tinge to it?
- What causes cloudy water in my aquarium?
- What is Water Hardness?
- How can I test the water in my aquarium?
- Set Up & Maintenance
- Fishkeeping Myth Busting
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My fish has become swollen in the belly region. What's wrong?This could be caused by a number of things, such as a swim bladder problem, constipation or an internal infection. ✔ Make sure that the water quality is pristine (test for ammonia and nitrite using King British 6 in 1 Water Test Strips), and the dissolved oxygen is high (by ensuring good aeration). ✔ Stop feeding for a day or two, to allow the gut to return to normal ✔ Adding a salt solution, such as King British Revitaliser Tonic, can help the fish to recover and regain the c…Read More
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My fish has a red sore on its body. What should I do?External wounds and infections can be treated with a number of fish medicines, including King British Disease Clear. It is important to keep your fish tank's water quality pristine, otherwise the wound will become re-infected. It is also important to find out how your fish got the sore/wound in the first place. If it was a one-off due to handling, then just try to be more careful next time. However, if it was caused by a bullying tank mate then you need to assess whether it could happen again. Certain species of fi…Read More
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Why do I have to remove the carbon filter when using treatments or medicines?The carbon in the filter removes contaminants and chemicals from the water. Therefore, if it is left it in whilst treating the tank for something, it will remove the treatment and whatever you were trying to treat will continue to be a problem.Once the course of treatment has been completed, carry out a 10% water change and replace your carbon filter. The only treatments in the King British range where removing the carbon filter isn't necessary are King British Filter Aid+ and King British De-Chlorinator.Read More
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What is a biological filter?The biochemical function of the aquarium filter is to remove harmful substances from the water by biochemical reaction. This means that bacteria within the filter can chemically alter a substance (for example, ammonia) to turn it into something else. Nitrifying bacteria are responsible for removing the dangerous ammonia and nitrite that are produced by fish as a waste product. They do this by changing the chemical composition of these toxic substances, resulting in the formation …Read More
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Do fish grow in relation to the size of the tank?This is a common myth and is not true. Some fish will have their growth stunted by being kept in smaller tanks, which can lead to growth deformities. However, most fish will simply outgrow their aquarium in a heightened level of stress, often resulting in decreased life expectancy and/or leaving the owner with the difficult task of re-homing their large fish. Common fish that this happens with include: ✔ Plecs ✔ Clown loaches ✔ Angel fish ✔ Oscars ✔ Red tail catfishRead More