Looking for the Right Fish for Your Aquarium

If you have just decided to set up an aquarium, the number one question on your mind must be what kind of fish should I get? When you look at your choices in the pet store, you realize that it will not be easy to make that decision.

With the many varieties of fish to choose from, it can be so easy to pick the wrong fish. You would naturally want to get the fish that you think are attractive or have a certain look that you want your aquarium to have. After you have narrowed down your choices, it’s best to try to answer these three guiding questions before you make your final decision. How large do these fish grow? What water quality do the fish need? How well will they live with the other fish that I’ve chosen?

Community fish are fish that are usually about one inch or less. Fish keepers usually choose to populate their tanks with groups of similar community fish. Some examples of community fish are sword tails, guppies, Dwarf Gourami and Platies. When you have chosen a variety, find fish that are close to the same size. Get some advice on which varieties get along well with each other if you want to mix them. Avoid getting just one community fish because they are used to swimming in schools and will just be lonely in your aquarium. As a rule of thumb, provide one gallon of aquarium water for every inch of these fish.

Other bigger species of fish can grow from 6 inches to several feet in length. They are generally best kept alone for they are known to attack or eat smaller or weaker fish. You will need a larger aquarium to keep them in. A ten gallon tank may suffice while they are still young, but eventually, you will need to transfer them to something bigger.

When buying your fish, it is best to immediately get the aquarium that would accommodate the adult size. Once you have chosen the specific species that you like, find out how big the fish are at adult size and get the correct size aquarium. The one gallon per inch rule of thumb for the much smaller community fish would not apply to these kinds of fish.

A few varieties of fish can live in almost any water condition. The most popular of these is goldfish. They are known to be almost indestructible, and will probably survive even without lights or a filter on the tank, although this is not recommended.

The slightly more picky tropical fish need a narrower water temperature range, as well as high-quality water. To achieve the water quality these fish need, test your water frequently, use a good filter on the aquarium, and consider products like the EcoBio-Block, which improves your aquarium water quality and reduces maintenance. Some fish need a specific pH, or have other water quality requirements. Be sure to do your research so that the fish you choose have similar water requirements.

The last category of fish is the saltwater or marine variety. They are much more difficult to take care of, and are not recommended until you have acquired more fish keeping skills and experience with freshwater fish. On top of the light, temperature and water quality requirements of these fish, you also have to monitor the salt content in the aquarium. Never mix the saltwater fish with the freshwater varieties.

And lastly, examine every fish closely before you buy them. Check that they have healthy bright eyes, intact tails and fins, no missing scales or injury of any kind. Observe if they have healthy appetites and a high level of activity. Choose only bright and healthy looking fish.

The fish you eventually choose for your aquarium will bring you many happy days of living nature experiences that are guaranteed to reduce your stress and give comfort and beauty to your home or office.

Leonard Boyler has been keeping fish for more than two decades. His favorite products make aquarium care and maintenance very easy from start up to clarifying cloudy aquarium water. To learn more about how you can keep your water clear and have healthy fish, please visit ONEdersave.com.