Buying Healthy Fish

A healthy fish at the store is much more likely to stay healthy at home. Take a few minutes to really look before you buy.

Look at the fish:

• Eyes: clear, not cloudy or bulging
• Fins: open and whole, not torn, ragged, or clamped
• Body: smooth, no white spots, fuzz, sores, or red streaks
• Belly: not sunken in, and not swollen
• Breathing: calm and steady, not gasping
• Behavior: active and alert, swimming normally

Look at the whole tank, too. Fish in the same tank share the same water. If you see any of these, skip that tank for now:

• Dead or dying fish
• Fish with white spots or fuzz
• Several fish hiding with clamped fins

Ask to see them eat. A fish that eats eagerly is usually in good shape. A fish that won't eat at all may be sick or stressed.

Be patient. If the fish you want don't look their best today, it's fine to come back next week.