CONTENTS 4 Your fish from head to tail 6 Best fish for beginners Choosing a home for your fish 8 10 Furnishing your tank Getting ready for your fish 12 14 Stocking your aquarium 16 The cleanup crew 18 Feeding your fish 20 Keeping your tank clean 22 Looking after your fish 24 Understanding your fish 26 DIY decor 28 Fish quiz 30 Quiz answers 31 Learning more 32 Glossary and Index
yOUR FISH FROM HEAD TO TAIL Fish were the first vertebrates on the planet They have been swimming in our oceans lakes and rivers for more than 500 million years Scientists believe there are more than 30,000 different species of fish alive today Dorsal fin This stops a fish from rolling over in the water Caudal fins These are also known as tail fins and help to move the fish forward Anal fin This keeps a fish stable as it swims Pelvic fins These are found on each side of the fish They help the fish turn and move up and down 4
Lateral line The lateral line is a row of sensors along a fish’s side that detect the position of objects or vibrations from predators and prey Pectoral fins These help to keep a fish balanced as it swims Brain Fish have good memories and can remember routes people and signals that it is feeding time sometimes for several years Gills Fish need oxygen but most fish cannot breathe air Instead they swallow water and push it out through their gills The gills take the oxygen the fish needs from the water FISH FACTS Some fish lay eggs and others give birth to live young Baby fish are often eaten even by their parents so they need to be moved to a separate tank if they are to survive Surprisingly fish can drown Fish need oxygen and if there’s not enough oxygen in the water they will die 5
