Aquarium Genius

Tropical fish are beautiful, and that's a fact! They are ideal pets if you don't have a lot of spare time as they don't need walking and don't scratch the furniture. But there are some tropical fish facts and tips you should know before buying your first aquarium.

Tropical Fish Fact One

The majority of people of start off with a very small aquarium not realizing they will soon become hooked. Before too long they are back to the pet shop buying another one the next size up.

Tip: Don't buy the smallest aquarium you can find - you may well be wasting your time and money although the pet shop owner will love you.

Tropical Fish Fact Two

Tropical fish are categorized by their nature. Like humans, some are loners and will bite the head off anyone that comes too close, some like only their own species and don't mix too well with others, and some are friendly, outgoing, and love spending time with anyone who comes their way.

Tip: Check if the tropical fish you are buying are non-community fish, semi-aggressive or community fish.

Tropical Fish Fact Three

There are certain types of tropical fish you should buy when introducing them to a new tank. You must be sure to buy hardy fish as the levels of ammonia and nitrate in your tank will fluctuate before evening out over time, and not all tropicals can survive these changes.

Tip: Make sure you know your stuff before buying your first fish. If the shop owner is not an expert, search reference books and Internet forums for the best types of hardy tropical starter fish.

Tropical Fish Fact Four

Some dainty, delicate and fragile looking tropical fish can grow extremely large very fast! This will mean a further trip back to the pet shop where the owner will greet you rubbing his hands in glee.

Tip: Find out exactly how large your potential purchase will grow before you purchase it.

Tropical Fish Fact Five

Aquariums need equipment such as filters, pumps and heaters. Filtration systems help to keep the fine ecological balance necessary in your aquarium for the fish to thrive. They are readily available in three different types.

Tip: Don't purchase your filtration system before you know which fish are going into your aquarium. Choose from either a chemical, mechanical or biological filter after discussing with an expert which would be the best for your particular tank.

There is nothing more soothing after a stressful day than relaxing and losing yourself in the graceful, colorful and calming world of beautiful tropical fish, and armed with these few tropical fish facts and tips this colorful world could soon be a part of your life.

So, you want to know some secrets about caring for your tropical fish? Then you are viewing the right guide. You see, tropical fish aren't just like any ordinary fish, they're temperament, meaning that they're used to warmer climates, be it within saltwater or freshwater rivers and oceans.

The thing with tropical fish is that they have a little more character, a little more personality, and most importantly, a little more vibrance and color than their usual aquarium counterparts. Because of this, tropical fish can be an absolute delight to watch within the fish tank, however on the same token, they also require more care and nurturing in order to ensure they live happy and healthy lives, which will ultimately lead to your enjoyment.

So if you want to care for your tropical fish the correct way, then it's important you're aware of some tropical fish secrets that you must adopt. For starters, tropical fish enjoy certain types of lighting as opposed to ordinary fish. To make makes slightly more complex, some species of tropical fish prefer a dimmer environment whilst other species before a much more colorful and bright environment.

Knowing when to feed your tropical fish is another trick of the trade. Beginner and rather new amateur tropical fish pet owners will typically feed their tropical fish whenever they remember, at any time of the day, just when they thing it 'suits'. The best strategy however is to feed your tropical fish at the same consistent times, varying them slightly depending upon the time of day and even the outdoor weather and lighting.

Some tropical fish secrets are also not readily revealed by the pet shop owners. These include certain types of tropical fish that just don't get on with other types. For example, some fish may be more prone to disease than others depending upon their environment. Some species and breeds of fish may even go so far as to eat their smaller counterparts. The last thing you want is to set up a fish tank and watch your fish slowly disappear due to either of these terrible things!

So at the end of the day, be mindful of these tropical fish secrets, and use them to your advantage when caring for your fish and your fish tank. All it takes is one mistake to break the natural aqua cycle of your tropical fish environment, causing all your hard work to come to a complete halt.

Owning tropical fish can provide you with immense enjoyment and can become a wonderful hobby that not only you but other will benefit from also.

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.

So many elements effect the raising of tropical fish. Choosing the right ones and making the right decisions is crucial for success. Setting up an aquarium, selecting the fish, plants and algae, feeding the fish and breeding the fish are the major aspects of this hobby.

Aquarium

The aquarium elements depend on the fish one intends to have. Many parts form an aquarium and they all need to be considered seriously before they are selected:

Glass – Gravel – Hood – Heater – Thermometer – Bulbs – Filters – Cleaning Equipment – Nets – Water Test Kit – Small Container

Selecting the Fish

You can opt to have only one type of tropical fish. Problems are limited if you choose to go that way. But with tropical fish, many believe, variety is an essential element in raising fish in an aquarium.

One needs to be very careful when deciding which fish to raise in one's own aquarium. It is obvious that not all fish get along with each other well, and selecting the right fish is a crucial decision one needs to make. Research on various tropical fish in respect of habits and behaviour is a must before hurrying to the store.

Buying the fish

Once at the store, there are many things to look for. Here is a list of guidelines:

1. Don't buy fish which reside in dirty tanks

2. Watch out for white spots and eaten fins

3. Fish eyes should be clear

4. Movement should be linear with their fins in an upright position

5. No dead fish in the tank

Plants and Algae

By many ignored, but a very important aspect for tropical fish is to have the right plants and algae in the fish habitat. The ideal is to get rooted plants with roots already in place. This way, fish are provided with plants straight away and their survival rate is much higher. Ideally, tall plants are placed at the rear corners of the aquarium and the smaller and shorter ones at the front.

Several types of plants and algae exist, and choosing will always depend on your likings and on the character of the fish one intends to have.

Feeding the fish

Feeding tropical fish is an art in itself. Many fish don't die because of lack of food, but as a result of food abundance. Giving the right amount of food is important as selecting the food. The market for tropical fish food is quite large and there are foods for several types of fish.

Breeding

There is only one way fish can breed in your aquarium, that is, giving them the right environment to do so. There isn't better proof that the aquarium is in good shape than having fish breed in it. You can see when one has done a good job by the results the fish themselves will give to the owner.

There are so many tropical fish that one can never feel completely fulfilled as there is always some species one would like to have as part of his/her collection. The other items that form part pf having tropical fish, like the aquarium itself, the plants involved, and the various accessories, make this hobby a vast and interesting one without ever getting bored.

There is a lot of controversy these days over rare and exotic pets, and included in that controversy is question of whether or not you should keep rare tropical fish. Some may argue that rare animals of any variety should not be taken from their natural habitat so that they can breed and be as healthy as possible, while others argue that keeping any animal in captivity can actually be safer than letting it loose in the wild. And since keeping rare tropical fish means that they won't be in the ocean near predators and other harmful elements, and they'll be kept in a closed and controlled environment, is there really any harm to this? Let's take a look at some of the pros and cons of keeping rare tropical fish and then of course you can make up your own mind regarding this subject.

The first thing to consider about rare tropical fish is where they've come from. Obviously if you're buying them from a private seller you want to make sure that he or she is obtaining these fish legally. Some people are not against smuggling exotic pets out of countries without proper paperwork. On the other hand some breeders of rare tropical fish are licensed to breed them on their own and may have their own fish farms and aquariums where they raise them. It's up to you to find these things out for sure.

You also need to keep in mind the expense and care that may be needed with some breeds of rare tropical fish, which might need more exacting water conditions and may have special dietary needs. Many fish are very sturdy and can withstand changes in their tank water whereas some rare tropical fish are more delicate and need constant checking when it comes to the water's pH, chemical, bacteria, and so on. If you want your fish to live you're going to need to be sure you're taking care of it properly. You also need to be aware of their dietary needs, as some cannot do so well with plain flake fish food. They may need special live feed or may also need supplements added to their diet. These things can be costly, so do your research and comparison shopping beforehand and make sure you can fit these things into your budget. And of course there is the cost of the rare tropical fish itself! Some can run hundreds and even thousands of dollars, and yet you should also keep in mind their life spans. How do you feel about spending that much money on a fish that lives only a few years, if even that? Weigh this carefully and be sure you can afford this type of temporary investment.

Only you can decide if any rare tropical fish are right for you and your aquarium. Keep in mind if you're doing the right thing for the fish as well, and in the end you're sure to make the right decision.

Are you thinking about owning tropical fish? Then you're in for a treat - there are many reasons why these little beauties make great pets, and some of those reasons may actually surprise you! So if you're still on the fence about whether or not you want to spend your money at the fish store, let's take a closer look at some reasons and benefits - that's right, we said benefits - that you may want to consider when it comes to choosing tropical fish as your new pets.

For one thing, there are many apartment dwellers today or those who live in limited space. Even the smallest cat may take up some room because of his or her litter box and may not even be allowed in an apartment because of potential damage. But most apartment managers allow tropical fish because they don't scratch the carpet, make messes on anything, or disturb the neighbors. And for those who aren't even limited by an apartment's rules, consider that tropical fish don't need to be walked, groomed, scooped up after, and won't tear up the rosebushes or leave you a dead mouse as a gift. They don't get fleas and won't get into fights with other neighborhood fish and won't give you a litter of six or seven babies that you somehow need to give away.

While there is still some work involved in keeping tropical fish, they are usually some of the lowest maintenance pets you can own which is good for anyone that doesn't want to put a lot of work into keeping a pet, someone that travels often and will need someone else to care for their pet, or someone that doesn't have all the time in the world to devote to an animal. They can also be great pets for families with young children as dogs and cats sometimes don't interact well with children while tropical fish usually get along with everyone.

It's believed by some that keeping tropical fish can actually be very relaxing. Some doctors believe that looking at fish has a calming effect on anyone, as being over-stimulated by television shows and even the news can be agitating to a person even if they don't realize it. But just sitting quietly and watching tropical fish can be very calming and soothing.

They also make for great educational pets as well. If you introduce your children to the world of tropical fish they can get a firsthand feel for how the oceans and lakes really work and what it looks like underwater. They can also better understand how pollution really affects the environment as they see the water get dirty or cloudy when it needs to be cleaned. By having them feed the fish and help as much as they can with cleaning the tank, young children too are taught responsibility and can really enjoy having tropical fish as they bond with each one and see how they interact together.

Keeping tropical fish is a great pastime that can bring immense happiness. Before doing so, however, there are several key points that you need to be aware of or the whole exercise could end up in great disappointment.

Before you set up a tropical fish tank, there are several guidelines that you should adhere to. If not, you may be endangering your tropical fish without even knowing it.

If you truly care for your fish you must act in their best interests, and no doubt you want to do exactly this. One common error that many people don't really understand is that there are some bacteria that you actually want in your aquarium (as they help balance the delicate biological life cycle). Do you know which bacteria I am talking about? I certainly didn't when I started out.

Katy's Tropical Fish Guide gave me a very good understanding into how to:

1. Set up my new tropical fish tank

2. How to introduce tropical fish to the tank

3. Caring for the fish tank

4. Feeding the tropical fish

5. Maintaining the health of the fish

Before reading it, I really had no idea on what was involved. Sure, the people at the store gave me some advice, but it was never pleasant finding my fish looking unhealthy, let alone, dead!

I wasn't overly impressed with the quality of other tropical fish books that are available on the market. I thought a lot of them were overpriced especially for the information they offered; and they generally didn't focus on telling you how to get the best results using methods that don't require a lot of effort and products that don't cost the earth.

Both of these things I believe take the fun and enjoyment out of keeping fish. After all, something that costs a significant amount of money and requires a lot of work on your behalf can't really be deemed as enjoyable.

Don't waste your time with other expensive books or videos that promise the earth. Katy's Tropical Fish Guide costs a fraction of inferior products on the market, but the advice I received was far, far superior. Without it, I would have spent a lot more money, lost a lot more fish and probably would have given away the idea of looking after a tropical fish tank. Instead, I'm now extremely happy and gain great enjoyment from my tropical fish tank.