From Stan & Debbie Hauter,
Your Guide to Saltwater Aquariums.
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• Nutrition

Find out from the fish store exactly what they have been feeding the fish. Don't be afraid to ask if they will feed the fish in front of you so you can see for yourself that, it is in fact eating!
• Activity & Movement

A fish should not be lethargic nor too overly active. Fish that are hardly moving, just sitting propped up against the glass or something on the bottom of the aquarium is not a good sign, unless of course it is a bottom dweller. It is a good sign when fish take an active interest in their surroundings. Fish should respond quickly and actively to movements just outside as well as inside the tank, but not to the point of where they look like they are freaking out, such as darting around wildly or trying to jump from the tank altogether.
• Disease

If you see any fish that shows signs of poor health, be cautious. It may have an underlying disease, or if in poor enough health may be prone to contracting one. The most obvious diseases to look for are Whitespot (Cryptocaryon) and Coral Fish Disease (Oodinium). These are both parasitic infestations commonly known as Saltwater Ich, but they are two quite different forms and you should learn how to identify and treat them accordingly.
• Other Tips

Observe the overall appearance of the store. Is it clean and tidy? How a store is cared for reflects greatly on how they care for their animals. If it is a full service pet shop, don't just look at the fish tanks, check out how all of the animals look. Are their cages clean? Do they appear to be healthy? Don't overlook inspecting the freshwater fish section as well. Learn more about what to look for when choosing a fish store or online supplier to do business with. Take notes of the things we have outlined here so that when you go shopping, with this information in hand you will know what to look for when buying fish. After you have found the fish you are interested in, write down the species/scientific name and then go home to do your research about its characteristics, compatibility, as well as its dietary requirements and eating habits. Learn how to take care of any fish BEFORE you buy it!!! If you want to be ahead of the game, make a wish list of fish you might like to have and study up on them FIRST. This way you can go shopping for what you want, with knowledge in hand.

If you have not yet set up an aquarium or are just getting ready to do so, refer to Using Common Sense When Choosing Animals For A NEW Aquarium. Here you will find important information about what types of livestock to consider buying when establishing and cycling a new tank, as well as options for cycling a tank other than having to use live animals.

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