So now that you have your tank set up (if you haven’t gotten that far, please read my article on Tips for Starting Your Own Aquarium), and it has cycled through, it is time to start adding some fish.
Before you go shopping, however, make sure that the tank has cycled through the Nitrogen Cycle and that the water is no longer cloudy. This process will take a couple of weeks.
Check out the store
When you shop for fish, it is wise to ask lots of questions at the beginning. Also, be sure to be very observant. Check out the store you are planning to purchase from. Are the tanks clean? Do the fish look healthy and colorful? Are there a lot of dead fish in the tanks? Are the salespeople knowledgeable about tropical fish?
If you feel that the store is in question – move on. There is nothing worse than coming home with a new fish only to have him infect the rest of your tank with a disease. If you feel that the store checks out ok, then by all means start shopping.
Resist the Urge to Buy All the Fish at Once
The other thing you probably shouldn’t do is to buy all your fish at once. You might go to another store and find a gorgeous tropical fish that you really want and you’ve already used up all the room in the aquarium. Try to pace yourself. I always enjoy “going fishing”, which is my way of saying “fish shopping” and I can’t do it if my aquarium is bursting at the seams. Since you have a new fish tank, you will want to add the fish slowly. Maybe a couple of newbies a week. Don’t forget that the water has to age and build up beneficial bacteria, otherwise the ammonia that the fish excrete will build up to dangerous levels.
How Many Tropical Fish Will Fit in My Aquarium?
A good rule of thumb to use when determining how many fish you can have in your aquarium is one fish per gallon. So, if you have a twenty gallon tank, you can have about twenty fish. Keep in mind, though, that that does not mean twenty huge fish. If you are planning to keep fish that will grow large, you should have fewer fish.
If you overload the fish tank with too many tropical fish, they will not be healthy. Too much excrement will build up and you might just lose your favorite. The tanks that you see in pet shops are only temporary homes and are always overloaded. Although it can be hard, you should resist this practice.
What kind of Tropical Fish Should I Buy?
There’s no correct answer here. But as a beginner, I suggest that you look in to community fish. These are fish that are not aggressive and who will not bite or, worse yet, try to eat each other. Out in the ocean and rivers, it’s a fish eat fish world, so you want to have fish who will coexist peacefully.
In addition, community fish can usually live well in water with a ph of about 7.0. You will need to check the ph level of the water frequently. I suggest you purchase a good ph test kit and keep the water pretty stable.
There’s So Many Too Choose From
Yep. That’s one of the things that make tropical fish keeping a fun hobby. You really have a nice variety to choose from. There are Gouramis, Tetras, Loaches, Algae Eaters, Angel Fish, schoolers and so many more.
Schooling Fish
Schooling fish are a great asset to any aquarium. They do just what their name implies. They school together. If you choose schooling fish, be sure to get a bunch of them. At least six to eight or more if you can fit them. They can be so graceful as they swim and turn together.
There are many different types of schooling fish. Tetras are a great example. Neons are a tried and true example of schoolers. They are red and blue and will stand out well in your tropical fish tank. Check out the different types of schooling fish and choose a variety that you like. You will see even in the pet store how they swim in unison.
Loaches and Angels and Plecos…Oh my!
You’ll also want to get an algae eater. One type is called a Plecostomus (or Pleco). These fish are really fun to watch. They don’t really swim around much. They sort of glide around from time to time, but what they are really good at is keeping your tank clean. They have sucker-type lips and will literally eat any algae that build ups in your tank. They may hang on the glass and you can watch their funny lips do their job. If your tank is very new, you will not have much algae for them to eat, so be sure to buy some sinking-type wafers to supplement their diet.
Loaches are a type of fish that are bottom feeders. They usually have whiskers, or barbels, which will help them feel along the bottom and look for food. It’s good to have some loaches or other type of bottom feeder to eat up the food that sinks into the rocks. They can also be quite entertaining. My favorite tropical fish was a clown loach who would greet me anytime I walked near the aquarium and would “dig” into the rocks for a snack.
There are many different types of loaches. One is the clown loach which I just mentioned. They are orange and black stripped. Another is a Khuli Loach. These fish look almost like brown stripped worms with little whiskers. They will hide on the bottom and clean up the rocks.
Another fish I will mention here is the Angel fish. What beautiful fish these are! They will get pretty big, so be sure you have room if you buy some. You may even find that as they mature, they form pairs and lay eggs. I had a pair that was inseparable. They would lay eggs and watch over them for days. It was fascinating to watch. They are very graceful and come in beautiful colors.
Sometimes angel fish can be semi-aggressive. Be sure to ask the salesperson for advice before purchasing. Often if you mention the other fish in your aquarium, they will know if you can add angel fish. I have had several in my community tanks with no problems at all.
There are other types of Tetra fish besides schoolers. These tetras tend to be a little larger than the schooling fish and are perfect for beginners. They are non-aggressive and pretty to look at. There area large variety of these type of Tetras, so shop around and see who you would like to bring home!
Go For It!
I hope I have given you a starting point. Tropical fish keeping can be a relaxing and rewarding hobby. Have fun shopping for your fish and enjoy your new aquarium. You’ll be an expert in no time at all!
