10 TIPS FOR ACQUIRING HEALTHY FISH

Adding fish to your pond provides a whole new element to the overall experience of owning a water feature. In fact, many pond owners decide to install a pond for the sole purpose of fish-keeping. When acquiring fish, there are certain things that you should look for and ask about to make sure that you are receiving healthy fish. And if you're acquiring your fish from another pond owner, these tips for acquiring healthy fish are even more important!

1. ​Cleanliness – Look at the cleanliness of the store/pond. If the store is not clean and well cared for, more than likely the retailer does not care about their fish either.
2. Dead Fish – If you see any dead fish floating in the tanks/pond – even just one – stay away. This can be an indication of a poorly maintained, diseased source. 
3. Quarantine – Does the retailer quarantine their fish, and for how long? It is very important that all fish are quarantined for at least 14 to 21 days for salt treatments to ensure the fish are not carriers of disease or parasites. If you're getting free fish from from another pond owner, this responsibility will probably fall on you.
4. Water Testing and Changes – Find out how often the water is tested and changed. Testing the water monitors ammonia and pH levels, as well as nitrites and nitrates indicating when the water should be changed in an enclosed tank situation. If the fish are coming from a healthy-looking pond, this may not apply.
5. Sick Fish – Look to see if any of the fish are hanging out alone, with clamped fins. This is a good sign that the fish is sick. And this could mean that the others may be infected, as well, even if they're not showing any outward signs just yet.
6. Parasites – Ask if new fish are tested for the presence of parasites with a microscope. Doing so indicates whether the fish are carriers of parasites and can be treated accordingly before they are sold. If you're getting free fish from another pond owner, you'll be taking your chances, but you should be able to tell by site if everything looks healthy.
7. Net Sharing – Make sure the clerk uses a different net for each tank. Using the same net for all tanks can spread disease from one tank to another. This tip doesn't apply to a private owner's pond, of course.
8. Clear Skin – Look for fish with no marks, missing scales, sores, or broken or missing fins. Any of these are signs of a bacterial infection or parasite. And these kinds of things may have already infected other fish in the same body of water, even though it's not obvious on all of them.
9. Sizes – You need to take the size of the fish into consideration, so you don’t overstock your pond. Remember, 1” for every square foot of surface water (or five gallons). 
10. Knowledgeable Staff – You want to purchase fish from a knowledgeable and honest merchant that can help educate you about your pond pets. If you're getting them from a private owner, ask why they're getting rid of the pond/fish, and make your own informed decision from there.

​Whatever type fish you choose to add to your pond, first and foremost you want to make sure they’re healthy. Don’t be shy about asking a few questions. In the end, you’ll be glad you took the time to acquire the right fish for your pond, especially if you're adding to your existing population. The wrong sick fish can wreak havoc!

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