Tropical Fish & Aquarium Information

Selecting Fish

• When selecting tropical fish, numerous factors must be taken into consideration. Choosing the fish before you set up an aquarium provides the ability to design, or aquascape, the aquarium to fit the fish. This is much easier than fitting the fish you want to the aquarium environment already in place.

  Start by looking at the type of fish. There are many different types of tropical fish. Some don't get along well with others. Many subcategories of tropical fish exist, including freshwater tropical, saltwater tropical, community tropical and aggressive tropical. You will want to choose fish that will get along with each other. For example, My-Tropical-Fish.com points out that an aggressive Firemouth Cichlid would never live peacefully with a passive Neon Tetra.

  Consider the breeding habits of the fish you are interested in. If the fish is a prolific breeder, you will need to know where you can take the babies if you don't have room in the aquarium. A variety of fish do not breed easily in captive situations.

  Once you have a list of the types of fish you like, look at the common aquarium water parameters. All of the fish in an aquarium need to have the same needs in regards to temperature, pH range and food preferences.

Aquascaping

• All aquariums must be set up properly to maintain a safe environment for fish. The first consideration should be the size of the aquarium. The larger the aquarium, the better. According to FishLore.com, a bigger tank allows for more error on the part of the owner. Choose a large enough tank to grow with your needs. Keep in mind what the mature size of the fish will be, not the current size. Many tropical fish will require 2 to 3 gallons of water per inch of size. Overcrowding a tank results in higher fish mortality and frequent fish tank maintenance.

  In addition to a quality, well sized aquarium, tropical fish require several other supplies. Filters provide oxygen and help in the cleaning of the tank. Heaters and thermostats keep the water at the recommended setting for tropical fish. Lighting provides aesthetic enjoyment for you, but also provides functional light for photosynthetic life. Sand, gravel, plants and water conditioners provide extra filtration creating a proper environment for fish.

Adding Fish to a New Environment

• New fish should be gently introduced to a new tank setting. When you first set up your tank, you must first wait for the tank to complete the nitrogen cycle before adding tropical fish. Most fish cannot survive in a tank that has not been properly cycled. Once the cycling is complete, the fish may be gradually added.

  Fish should be added one at a time in order to allow for the biological balance of the tank to remain stable. Begin the process by placing the fish and its water in a clean 5-gallon bucket. Add 1 cup of aquarium water every 10 minutes. After an hour, the fish should be prepared for addition to the aquarium.

The Nitrogen Cycle

• New aquariums must grow mature through a process called the nitrogen cycle. The cycle establishes beneficial bacteria in the aquarium that will help in converting ammonia into nitrates. The process can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months. Using a test kit, monitor the tank for the elevation of ammonia levels. Over the next few days to weeks, nitrite levels will increase. After an additional few weeks, the nitrite levels will drop. Nitrate levels will increase. Once there is no detectable ammonia or nitrite levels, safely add the tropical fish to the tank.

Tropical Fish Fundamentals

• Fish enjoy having places to hide inside a tank. Provide plenty of plants and decorations that offer refuge for the tropical fish. Install the tank on a stable stand or piece of furniture. Locate the tank away from direct sunlight, which encourages the growth of green algae.

  Water should never be added to a tank without being de-chlorinated first. Chlorine can destroy the healthy bacteria in the aquarium and cause damage to the fish. Avoid rinsing the filter media with water straight from the tap. Instead, siphon out tank water to rinse the filter.

  Resist the urge to overfeed tropical fish. Two small feedings per day is better than one large feeding. Overfeeding increases stress levels and results in poor water quality. Adding additional types of food on occasion with the regular tropical fish flakes can help improve fish color and vitality.