How do you know for sure if a fish at a store is healthy?

[~A betta named Mowgli~]

I've always wondered, how exactly do you know a fish you're getting is healthy? I don't want to know the obvious stuff, like "look for ich," I really want to know pretty much everything... I don't want fish dying on me See, I've wanted platies but when I think of a dead fish, I ALWAYS think of a platy (I don't know why!) and I'm afraid that they'll have some parasite that I can't figure out unless someone tells me how to figure it out on them and they'll all die... a waste of money....


Does anyone have a complete list that if I look at the list and check it off at the petstore, the fish will have at least an 80% chance of living a while?

~ABNM~

 

[me_wee_todded]

well a healthy fish will always accept food so ask a stor associate to feed it.

you cant always tell with parasites so all you can doo is quarantine quarantine and quarantine.

 

[AquataHolic420]

HEre are a few things to look for...

Make sure the fish doesnt have nipped fins, and isnt getting beat up..

MAke sure the fish has both its eyes, and they are not glassy or foggy looking

MAke sure the fish doesnt have concave sides and or stomach; which brings me to my next point....Make sure the fish will eat in front of you before you purchase it.. if the store wont feed it, dont give them the business..

MAke sure the fish has clear fins, unless they are not supposed to be clear...

Look for other parasites on the body...

MOre answers will come from others..in 3, 2, 1...

 

[~A betta named Mowgli~]

Thanks so far

 

[BIGgourami]

also they should be about as active as they would in any tank.

even thought this isn't a sign that the fish is ill/healthy, it's just better to buy less stressed fish.

 

[~A betta named Mowgli~]

Any more? Come on guys!!!

 

[carolinafishkeeper]

also usually the bigger fish out of the bunch esp. with cichlids are healthier, growing more rapidly because of it

 

[sweeTang21]

looking for clamped fins is another way to tell if he/she is high in the stress range. with platys thats one of the best ways to tell if it will be healthy. active swimming and eating as mentioned above are another good way of telling. inspect the fish closely after being caught, look for missing scales, bad fins, glossy or missing eyes, sunken or pinched stomach. with most stores you will get a guarantee, so if your fish is quarantined like most books will suggest, then you shouldnt have any problems with transmitting a disease into your show tank. i do agree that seeing dead fish is always a downpoint in the hobby, but it happens to everybody. good luck and enjoy.

 

[fishingaddict]

i always look for the fish thats runnin the joint.. always swimmin around beggin for food or chasin other fish. and of course ask the employee to feed them.

 

[AnDr3w]

HEre are a few things to look for...

Make sure the fish doesnt have nipped fins, and isnt getting beat up..

MAke sure the fish has both its eyes, and they are not glassy or foggy looking

MAke sure the fish doesnt have concave sides and or stomach; which brings me to my next point....Make sure the fish will eat in front of you before you purchase it.. if the store wont feed it, dont give them the business..

MAke sure the fish has clear fins, unless they are not supposed to be clear...

Look for other parasites on the body...

MOre answers will come from others..in 3, 2, 1...

I agree with all except for number 1. It is ok if a fish has some nipped fins. P's in the Pygo group eat fins and they are very nutrious. A nipped fin is ok here and there, but make sure he isnt beat up. Beat up and nipped fins are two different things.