Choosing your Tropical Fish

If you’ve ever been to an aquarium, then you know that there are thousands of species of fish in the world. Tropical fish come in all sizes, shapes and colors. Which ones will you use to outfit your aquarium?



They are all so beautiful but all fish are not for your tank. You have to be discerning about the fish you put together. Here are a few tips to help you choose just the right mix.



Know your fish – Your fish tank will be a work of art through living colors. But, each fish is different just like other pet species have different temperaments.



Books about fish can give you insight on what types of fish are delicate, hearty, saltwater fish or freshwater fish. Now, when you go to the pet store you are knowledgeable about the types of fish that you want for your home.



How healthy are the fish? – Buying fish, especially tropical fish, is an investment. As such, going to a reputable fish breeder or pet store is best.



These individuals have the knowledge you need to make the right choices for your aquarium. What do you look for? If fish have any discolorations outside of their normal pigmentation, don’t buy them.



Fish that have white spots are probably sick. Fish that seem to be attacking or quite aggressive to other fish in the tank will almost certainly do the same to other fish in your tank. 



Saltwater or freshwater – We touched on this a bit but will go more in depth here. Freshwater fish are less expensive. You can get started with fish keeping for less.



Saltwater fish cost more and are more labor-intensive when it comes to maintenance.



Keeping the temperature, salinity, pH and bacteria levels at a proper level takes constant monitoring in a saltwater environment. Freshwater fish may be heartier and withstand conditions that other fish can’t deal with.



Fish size – Tropical fish come in many sizes. They may start out about an inch long but fish grow just like any other animal species. They may be small and cute now but will grow to be large and cute later.



One problem with a tropical aquarium is too many fish for the size of the tank. Buy your fish keeping in mind how big they will get. In this case, less is more.



Fish food – All fish don’t eat pellets. Some like heartier food like worms. New fish (fry) have their own special diet until they are old enough to eat what you feed the rest of your fish.



If you don’t want the food to ruin your budget so choose fish with simple tastes.



Before you invest in tropical fish, know what to look for when choosing a species. 


Tropical Fish Aquarium

Before you ever bring fish home, they need to have a place to stay. The aquarium will be their new home so it needs all of the amenities of their previous digs. Here is a guide to help you set up a tropical fish aquarium.



Hopefully, you have purchased the biggest aquarium that your money will buy. A thirty gallon tank may seem large for one small fish but it will grow and so will your fish family. Fish need lots of room to swim so that they can get plenty of oxygen. 



Positioning your aquarium – It is important that you find the right spot to showcase your fish. Windows are bad because the sunlight can heat up your tank beyond what the fish can bear and they will go belly up.



Also, placing the tank near an air conditioner or under a ceiling fan can cool it off too much. Be sure there is an outlet nearby for running your filters and lights easily.



Fill and de-chlorinate your tank water – Tap water is easy to use for freshwater aquariums, but the chlorine will kill helpful bacteria and your fish. Use an approved kit to remove the chlorine before your fish take up residence. 



Set up your filtering system – If you use an under-gravel filtering system, be sure to cover it with about an inch of gravel to aid in filtration. A filter on the side of the tank needs at least two cartridges so that you don’t disrupt the aquatic cycle when replacing one.