Tropical Fish - A Beginners Guide
Although most tropical fish can be relatively easy to care for it is important to educate yourself before buying tropical fish because without proper understanding of their needs your new hobby could become extremely expensive.
You will need to know and research how to set up an aquarium, understand the size you will need for the amount of fish you are hoping to keep. Also be aware of the sizes your fish will grow to as most tropical fish are not purchased at adult size.
By reading books and looking on the internet you will be able to find out what temperature the water in your aquarium needs to be and will know how to test the ph levels, water hardness and for any toxins.
Be aware of diseases, one of the most common tropical fish diseases is white spot, this is caused by a parasite called 'ick' or 'ich' you will know if this has affected you tropical fish as you will notice white spots on the fishes scales. White spot is a very irritating disease for tropical fish, if you notice your fish rubbing themselves against objects or plants this could be a sign of infection.
It is important to treat white spot immediately. It can kill tropical fish within a few days and will be spread to others in the tank. If one of your fish has been affected you will need to treat the entire tank.
It is important to clean your fish tank and all the stones and plants that are in it, you will need to change the water checking the ph levels as you do so.
To prevent white spot from affecting your fish you should always quarantine new fish for approximately 2 days. Maintain a high water quality and always provide your fish with a balanced diet.
You should never over feed your tropical fish, this can pollute the water and also harm you fish. Provide enough food for them to survive and grow healthily. You may find that different fish will eat different food so it is worth researching this aspect. Some fish are scavengers and are happy to feed off scraps and debris from the tank others will need a specific type of food.
If you are beginner it may be tempting to rush out and buy the best tank you can see and add all the colourful fish you can find however, without being armed with the right information and the correct knowledge about owning tropical fish your efforts could result in disaster.
Your local pet shop owner or aquarium shops will be happy to talk to you about any information or concerns you have about setting up and keeping an aquarium. By knowing all the facts you will be able to purchase an aquarium and tropical fish that will be an enjoyment and pleasure to keep.
Related Tags: fish, fish tank, aquarium, tropical fish, tropical fish tank, fishes, saltwater fish, fish keeping
Allen Jesson writes for several sites including Pets,
the aquarium site and
salt water and fresh water aquariums
Recent articles in this category:
- What Aquarium Light To Use For African Cichlids
African Cichlids originate from the East African rift valley lakes, notably Lake Tanganyika, Lake Ma - All The Secrets About Goldfish Care
One of the most important aspects of keeping <a href="http://secretsofgoldfish.com" tar - Do You Have A Problem with Cloudy, Foamy, Or Foul Aquarium Water
If you every notice that the aquarium water in your tank starts to turn gloomy, foamy or foul, it is - Hexagon Fish Tank Light Puts Your Aquarium On Display
When you have found the perfect spot for your aquarium and you have decided how big you want it to b - What to Consider with Owning Aquarium Fish and Discount Aquarium Tanks
Owning an aquarium is one of the most wonderful things that you can do. When you watch the glint of - How To Look After Your Fish Aquarium
Purchasing a fish aquarium may seem like an easy task however tropical and saltwater fish need speci - Tropical Fish Disease
One of the very distressing times in tropical fish keeping hobby is disease.Here are few tropical fi - Tropical Fish Tips
Here are few tropical fish keeping tipsTip 1 - Tropical fish is easy to care and most of the people - Choosing the Right Fish for a New Fish Tank
Once you pick out your new fish tank and get it all set up your biggest decision is going to be what - Blue Green Algae (Cyanobacteria) in Aquariums
Question: What can be done about Blue- green algae blooms in aquariums?Answer: We have a lot of Blue
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Do You Have A Problem with Cloudy, Foamy, Or Foul Aquarium Water
If you every notice that the aquarium water in your tank starts to turn gloomy, foamy or foul, it is - Guide to Betta Fish Food
Bettas are carnivorous. In the wild, they live off of insects and their larvae. Their mouth is des - 10 Essential Betta Tank Setup Tips
Just like any other pet, you are going to have to do a bit of work to make sure that your new betta - Home Aquarium Introduction
Keeping fish offers a low maintenance pet and a decorative living feature. Unlike many animals that - The Essentials of Proper Betta Fish Care
Betta Fish, also known as Betta Splendens, Beta Fish and Siamese Fighting Fish, are inexpensive pets - What to Consider with Owning Aquarium Fish and Discount Aquarium Tanks
Owning an aquarium is one of the most wonderful things that you can do. When you watch the glint of - Aquarium Good and Bad Algae
Aquarium Good and Bad AlgaeFrom the desk of Laurence Magne, author of www.first-aquarium-secrets.com - Aquarium Water Conditioners - Their Ingredients And Functions
AQUARIUM WATER CONDITIONERS; their ingredients (where available), what chemical functions they perfo - Converting An Aquarium to Saltwater
Most equipment used in freshwater can be used in a saltwater system, with a few exceptions. You shou - Blue Green Algae (Cyanobacteria) in Aquariums
Question: What can be done about Blue- green algae blooms in aquariums?Answer: We have a lot of Blue
