How to Select Healthy Saltwater Fish 

Finding a fish that you want to purchase is easy. Just visit your local saltwater aquarium store and you’ll find many varieties of attractive, colorful fish. Here are some tips to ensure that your selection is both beautiful and healthy.

Avoid choosing fish from aquariums that have ill or dead fish. Adding a sick fish to your tank can infect healthy ones.

Observe the fish swimming in the tank. Make sure that the fish does not appear slow-moving or sluggish.

Check your prospective fish's eyes and make sure that they are clear and bright. If the eyes appear cloudy or bulging, choose a different fish.

Make sure that the fish's fins are free of holes, tears, or fraying which can indicate disease or stress. Fins should be bright, erect, and move fluidly as the fish swims.

Make sure there are no white specks that look like grains of salt on the fish. This may be a sign of infection or disease.

The fish should not be breathing heavily or gasping for air. A fish in this condition will probably not be alive much longer.

Gills should lay flat along the side of the fish. Fish with gills that are open or stick out should be avoided.

Look for fish with full bodies, bodies that are not pinched in behind the skull.

Buying a new fish is fun and exciting, especially when you start with a healthy specimen. Making sure that a fish meets the above physical characteristics will save you time, money, and frustration.