| Tropical fish | | | | peace-loving roamers! |
| - HOW TO STOCK YOUR TANK - | | | | * Water temperature. Just because the dozen or |
| It's all very well to hear people talking about the | | | | so species of fish in that wall of tanks in the pet |
| beauties of an aquarium, how to maintain | | | | store are all labeled 'tropical fish', doesn't mean |
| adequate pH, keeping nitrate and phosphate levels | | | | that they're all tropical fish from the same region. |
| adequately balanced, and so on … there | | | | Different fish thrive in different temperatures - |
| seems to be plenty of technical detail available! | | | | and because you can only have one temperature |
| But what about the actual fish? How do you | | | | at a time in your tank, it's best if you choose fish |
| choose which ones you want? How do you know | | | | that are comfortable in the same temperature |
| whether they'll be too big for the tank when they | | | | range. |
| grow up, or whether they'll be compatible with | | | | * Life expectancy. Some fish live for upwards of |
| your other fish? How do you find out how to | | | | ten years - which is a pretty serious time |
| stock your tank? | | | | commitment! If you're a free spirit who likes to |
| Here is a quick rundown of the things you'll need | | | | roam about (and, let's face it, tropical fish tanks |
| to bear in mind when choosing fish for your tank, | | | | don't normally go down so well when you're trying |
| as well as a brief look at a couple of the more | | | | to thumb a ride), consider how long you're likely |
| common types of tropical fish. Hopefully it'll give | | | | to want to keep this fish tank for, and shop |
| you a good idea of where to get started! | | | | accordingly. |
| Freshwater vs. Saltwater | | | | So what types of fish can I buy then? |
| Obviously, the water type is different, but what | | | | Shopping for tropical fish is fun! As long as you've |
| does that actually mean in terms of the kind of | | | | got your tank dimensions figured out and know |
| aquarium you'll end up with? | | | | basically how much money you want to spend |
| Specifically, freshwater tanks are generally | | | | (and have perhaps printed out the above list, to |
| recommended for beginner aquarists - especially if | | | | take with you to the store), grab your wallet and |
| children are going to be involved in looking after | | | | head to the pet shop/fish breeder. One of the |
| the fish. | | | | best parts about keeping a tropical tank is that |
| This is because freshwater fish are much easier | | | | the beauty of the fish doesn't depend on the size |
| to look after, and are generally more resilient to | | | | of your checking account! |
| less-than-perfect water quality and fluctuations in | | | | Some common breeds that you'll likely encounter: |
| temperature (and, really, all the sorts of mistakes | | | | * Clown Loach. Clown loaches are colorful, lively, |
| that beginners are prone to make!). In general, | | | | and humorous fish with plenty of quirky |
| freshwater tanks are both cheaper and easier to | | | | personality traits (like lying on their side when |
| maintain than saltwater ones. | | | | resting, and making loud clicking noises when they |
| Saltwater aquariums often have more colorful | | | | eat!) Clown loaches do best in schools, so if you |
| fish, but maintaining the chemistry of a saltwater | | | | like them, get at least three or four. These fish |
| tank is a pretty finicky business, and is best | | | | grow between 6 and 12 inches - they're pretty |
| undertaken by someone well-versed in the lore of | | | | sizeable! - and prefer to eat meaty food. |
| fish-keeping. | | | | * Congo Tetra. These peaceful fish are popular |
| What to think about when choosing your fish | | | | choices for beginners, as they're very brightly |
| Unfortunately, choosing fish for an aquarium isn't | | | | colored and like to flash around the tank in |
| as simple as you might think. You can't just go | | | | divertingly attractive schools (again, you'll need to |
| into a pet store and select arbitrary numbers of | | | | get more than a few of these to keep them |
| the fish that you find the most appealing - you | | | | happy). These are a medium-sized fish, generally |
| need to invest some forethought into your tank | | | | growing to around 5 inches in length, and require a |
| to ensure that your fish lead happy, healthy lives. | | | | minimum of 30 gallons of water for adequate |
| Some things to think about: | | | | swimming space. Tetras love clean water, and |
| * Fish size. When you buy fish, they're usually | | | | lots of live plants to dart around and hide behind, |
| babies. Some will stay about the same size, but | | | | but aside from this they're pretty easy-care. |
| other will grow much, much larger - so you'll need | | | | * Elephant Nose. These are really amazing fish to |
| to bear the size of your tank in mind! As a | | | | look at - they have a long, protuberant 'trunk' for |
| standard rule of thumb, always buy for the adult | | | | a nose (hence the name) which they use to hunt |
| size. If there's no guide on the tank or if you're | | | | small live food - although they will also eat frozen |
| unsure, ask the assistant. This is really important, | | | | and flaked food too, if it's all that's available. They |
| because fish are sensitive little creatures: if they're | | | | grow to be about 8 inches long and need a sandy, |
| subjected to overcrowding (which happens when | | | | gravelly bottom on the tank. These are fairly |
| fish are too large for their surrounds), they can | | | | territorial fish, but will do fine as long as the tank |
| get so stressed out that they die. Really. | | | | isn't overcrowded. |
| * Recommended diet. Not all fish dine equally - | | | | * Tiger Barb. These fish derive their names from |
| some fish eat live food, some eat frozen food, | | | | the characteristic black barring ('tiger stripes') on |
| some eat flakes, and some will eat anything (but | | | | their flanks. They're very striking fish, but they |
| don't rely on that last one when it's tank-stocking | | | | can be quite aggressive toward other species |
| time!) Because different fish eat different things, | | | | (they're known as fin nippers). Aggression is |
| unless you're prepared to invest time each day in | | | | minimized by keeping them in schools, where |
| measuring out the accurate quantities of various | | | | they'll be distracted from the other fish in the |
| fish foods, it's best to get fish that eat the same | | | | tank by working out the necessary hierarchy |
| thing. It'll make it easier and less expensive for | | | | among themselves - it can be pretty diverting to |
| you to take care of your new pets (and will | | | | watch! Tiger Barbs grow to about 3 inches and |
| ensure that the kids can participate, too, if they | | | | need plenty of space for schooling. They're |
| want to get involved). | | | | omnivores, so they eat all types of food: the one |
| * Compatibility. Contrary to popular belief, fish do | | | | feeding rule is to do it regularly, to avoid |
| actually have personalities - and some of them | | | | aggression! |
| can get pretty aggressive. Many tropical fish have | | | | Further Reading |
| well-deserved reputations as bullies: they can nip | | | | For more information on the technicalities of |
| the fins of other, more peace-loving fish, they can | | | | keeping a tropical fish tank, check out Katy's |
| 'barge' smaller fish, and they can get into fights | | | | Tropical Fish - A Complete Guide. As the title |
| (which are frequently pretty vicious). To eliminate | | | | promises, it's a complete compendium for the |
| the likelihood of your fish getting into scraps, you | | | | responsible fish-keeper of any experience level, |
| should aim to buy fish that have mutually | | | | and is packed from start to finish with valuable |
| compatible personalities - which means, no | | | | gems of relevant, detailed, and easy-read |
| territorial fighting fish in with a school of | | | | information. |