It can be overwhelming to walk into an aquarium or pet shop and see a sea of fish in all shapes, sizes, colors, and breeds. Where do you start? There are so many options!
Starting Off
Do your research. It may seem like common sense but it is important. Choose fish that are compatible, both in terms of compatibility and other factors such as similar water temperatures, pH levels, food types, behavior patterns, etc.
This may seem trivial but if you do it right, your underwater ecosystem will be beautiful and thriving in no time.
You can choose between two ways of buying and introducing your fish. This is largely based on the setup of your tank. It also depends on your long-term plans for how many fish to keep. You may want to start with a cold water fish, depending on the tank setup method that you select. If you are adding fish to your aquarium, only buy and introduce the minimum amount of fish each time (two maximum). Too many fish can stress out your existing fish as well as the new fish.
Cold Water Fish
Cold water fish are the first choice of many new aquarists. They are low maintenance, come in a variety of shapes, and are relatively inexpensive.
To avoid last-minute surprises, it’s important to learn as much as possible about the breeds that you are considering.
A tank filter is still required for cold water fish, since it helps maintain the quality of water and cleanliness in their habitat. The tank water can become dirty very easily without a filter. This causes stress to your fish. This will require you to change the tank water every 2 to 3 days, and it will be difficult to maintain over time.
Cold water fish includes:
- Goldfish
- Danios
- Catfish
- White Clouds
TROPICAL FISH
Tropical fish, like their freshwater counterparts are popular because of the variety of colors, patterns, sizes and shapes available. These eclectic choices add an exotic feel in any aquarium.
You should be aware that tropical fish require more care and specialist equipment, such as a thermometer, heater, air pump, etc. Tropical fish are used warm water, so the tank water should be maintained at 26 degrees Celsius. The water also needs to be oxygenated (hence, the air pump).
Tropical fish are generally peaceful, but there are breeds which are territorial or aggressive and should be kept alone. You should always check with the specialist at your local store before buying, since you don’t want any fish to be stressed.
Examples of tropical fish include the following:
- Guppies
- Molly
- Loach
- Betta
- Tetra
- Barb
PURCHASING SEAFOOD
Always buy your fish from reputable stores or sellers to ensure that you are getting healthy fish.
You will receive your fish in an oxygen-filled plastic bag once you have purchased it. The bag is designed to make it easy for you to travel with your fish. However, the fish can only survive inside the bag for an hour.
Addition of fish to the Fish Tank
The following steps are useful when introducing new fish into your aquarium:
- Open the lid to your tank, and place the new fish into the plastic bag. Let them float in it for 10 to 15 minutes to help acclimatise them to the water temperature.
- You can then add the fish to the tank. Make sure that no water from the bag enters the tank. You don’t want any ammonia-contaminated water to enter the tank that you have so carefully maintained.
- When moving fish, the best thing to do is buy a net that fits your fish. Use it to scoop them out of their bag and place them in the tank. Keep your travels and movements to a minimum to avoid stressing out your fish.
- Remember to turn off the lights and do not feed your new fish for at least 24 hours. This will help them adjust to their new home and prevent any unnecessary stress.
