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Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Choosing the Right Fish

A major step in keeping a healthy and successful freshwater aquarium is choosing the right fish. It is an important decision that should be decided upon before entering a pet store or fish supplier. A few things you'll want to consider are listed below:

Pet Store Fish Health

It's very important to purchase healthy fish. A sick fish will bring disease to your tank and may affect the health and life already residing in your aquarium. Be sure the fish swims effortlessly in the pet store tank. Look for any sores or discolorations and damaged or folded fins. Eyes should be clear, scales should be flat, and breathing should be slow and regular. It's a good idea to try to personally witness the fish feeding, to be sure it eats readily (another sign of good health). Never purchase a fish from a tank that holds dead fish.

Tank Suitability

Many fish grow greatly in size while they mature. You should be sure to have enough room for the fish you choose to raise. Also, fish that remain small may become prey for larger fish. Research should be done ahead of time to be sure you'll have enough room and to maintain compatibility between species.

Species Compatibility

In addition to size, there are other reasons fish species may not be compatible with one another. Fish that school naturally should be kept with their own school within your aquarium for maximum health. On the opposite side, solitary fish may suffer stress by being kept in a crowded tank. Also, male adults of several species are known to compete or fight with other species or even their own. (Siamese fighting fish are known to fight amongst themselves, while marine fishes can be territorial

Special Care

Another thing to consider is whether a species requires special care, such as being fed live foods. Others may be more susceptible to disease or stress. You may want to provide spaces for fish to hide, whether it is holes among rocks or substrate or decorative objects.

A good rule to follow is to include fish that will occupy all levels of your aquarium. Purchase top, middle, and bottom-dwelling fish that are compatible with one another to maintain a happy aquarium, and be sure you'll have enough room in the tank for them to grow and flourish. It's a good idea to research which species are compatible with one another, and don't be afraid to ask questions at the pet store! A good pet dealer should be able to help you choose the right fish to create and maintain your freshwater aquarium.

This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com, which is a site for Pets.

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