Home » Seven Tips to Consider When You Buy Freshwater Fish

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There is no absolute guarantee when you buy freshwater fish that they are are going to be 100 percent disease or parasite free. There are a few signs that you can look for when making your purchase that can help you with your buying choices.


If you see fish in a shop aquarium that looks unhealthy, it's probably best to not buy any of the fish from that batch, even if the others look healthy,  it's simply not worth the risk.


Here are seven things to look for and consider when making your new fish purchase:

1. Lively and swimming about. Fish that have little visible movement, seem to just hang around, lying on the bottom or floating on the surface are best left. Being on the move is a sign of a healthy fish, unless it is natural for the fish to do this type of behaviour, for example the Tench fish, which dwells on the bottom.

2. Eyes that are bright. This may take a bit of time to notice, however healthy eyes are clear and unhealthy eyes tend to be milky or cloudy.

3. Fins that are erect. A fish that is lively will tend to have and carry it's fins erect and well extended, using them to propel themselves through the water.

4. Colors that are bright and do not have a milky cloudy covering of mucus on their body causing a dullness of overall color. It may take a trained eye to spot it, but taking your time and looking for it you can begin to spot it.

5. Normal balanced swimming. A healthy fish doesn't normally roll or appear off balance when swimming. This includes floating or sinking. Some fish after eating will do a gentle rock while hovering and while chewing their food and keep that in mind!

6. Full body of muscle and flesh, looking solid. Examine the neck area and it should appear at least as wide as or in some fish even wider than their head.

7. Have an appetite- Sometimes difficult to figure out because they may have already eaten and are full. Consider that for the fish, it's stressful on them to transport right after eating and they will tend to excrete in the bag of water on the way home. Perhaps it's best to consider the other factors and ask your aquarist questions and for their advice and choices.

Not all tears in the fins or scale loss means that the fish is unhealthy, it could mean the fish was physically injured. Examine closer in this case for blood spots, fungal growths or streaks and if present take caution in your selection.