Canadian Council on Animal Care , Gilman, J. 1984. Chapter I: Fish. In : Guide to the Care and Use of Experimental Animals, Volume 2 . Canadian Council on Animal Care , Gilman, J. (ed). Canadian Council on Animal Care, Ottawa, Canada.

Excellent guidelines for the keeping of fish in the research laboratory setting. Following issues are dealt with: (1) Procurement; (2) Transportation; (3) Acclimatization after transport; (4) Water source; (5) Water quality; (6) Tanks; (7) Water and air supplies; (8) Light; (9) Stocking density; (10) Water flow; (11) Maintenance; (12) Food; (13) Health care; (14) Identification; (15 Handling. Internally, fish tanks should be designed so as to allow the fish to swim freely whilst coming contact with as few obstructions as possible. Circular, square, or square with rounded corners common shapes, all of which are satisfactory and allow for an even flow of water. Sharp corners the sides or bottom should be avoided as feces and uneaten food tend to accumulate. Similarly, the base of the tank should gently funnel down to the centre, or some other point, to a self-cleaning action. All plumbing should be of non-toxic material; ABS or PVC is very Copper or copper containing fittings should be avoided. Outside standpipes are preferable to internal ones, as they cannot be dislodged by the fish, and they leave the inside of tank free of obstruction. Whatever the arrangement, and there are many that are suitable, should be no possibility of back-flushing of water, as this may present a serious source cross-contamination between tanks ... Different species of fish have different preferences regarding how close they choose to be to other, and allowing them as much room as possible is not necessarily either in their best interest to their liking, as illustrated by the following two examples 1) Certain marine flatfish will congregate on top of one another in a corner when provided with large area of tank bottom over which to spread; 2) Salmonids require relatively high stocking densities for optimal growth rates at early stages their life cycles whilst later on, crowding may depress their growth Species' tendencies for schooling and territoriality should be taken into consideration deciding on stocking densities. .. Fish are covered with a thin, delicate cuticle, and damage to the skin represents a break in osmotic barrier between fish and water. When handling fish, therefore, great care must be taken avoid damaging the skin. The hands should always be wet, as should nets and all other coming into contact with the fish. In order to avoid abrasions to struggling fish, netting should not be too coarse or hard.