Fish make a great pet. They are small creatures that are comparatively easy to care for, are very beautiful and on top of everything are peaceful and calming to observe. However, they do require some care and attention. Otherwise, the aesthetic tank that you plan to setup may end up looking like an unkept glass container.
This article is the perfect guide for beginner level tank keepers. We will be discussing the basics of aquarium fish keeping. By the end of this article, you will acquire ample information on buying fish, feeding and caring for them. Let’s dive straight in:
Things To Consider When Buying Fish For An Aquarium:
Most people classify aquarium fish based on their species. However, fish can be classified on a number of basis the first of which is the environment they come from. The fish can be mainly classified as freshwater and saltwater fish.
Freshwater fish are mostly recommended for beginners because they are easy to care for. They are not that demanding and can easily adapt to different conditions. Moreover, one has to consider whether he wants to setup a tank with a single fish or is looking for a community tank. In case of a community tank, other than the category of the fish, their temperament and nature should also be taken into account. This will make sure that the fish you choose for your tank are compatible with one another and can live with each other.
Last but absolutely not the least, the color and aesthetics of the fish also matter a lot. After all, the fish are the center of attention in any aquarium tank, they should look good. There are plenty of fish that are not only colorful but have intricate patterns and different sizes. Hence, you will have plenty of options to choose from.
What To Feed Aquarium Fish?
Visiting the fish food section of any pet store can be highly intimidating and overwhelming for any new aquarium tank owner. There are so many different options and varieties to choose from. Which one of them is the one that’s right???
Fish food can be commonly divided into five classes namely dry food, frozen food, freeze dried food, live food and greens. Which one would be the right choice for your fish depends on their type and specie. Therefore, it is impossible to have a universal answer to the query of which fish food is the best. Some people also choose different types of fish food and mix them so the benefits of each one of them can be imparted in the fish.
As a fish tank owner, it is very important that you ensure the fish are not being overfed. Overfeeding the fish can lead to a lot of waste inside the tank. Adult fish require to be fed only once per day whereas the smaller fish can be fed three to four times a day. Make sure that the amount of food you put into the tank can be consumed by the fish within a few minutes. If you see leftover food in the tank, it indicates that you are overfeeding the fish and need to control the amount of feed.
Maintaining And Caring Guide For Aquarium Fish:
Aquarium fish will sick and even die if they are not cared for properly. Therefore, it is extremely important to take care of the fish in your tank. Make sure that the conditions in the tank are maintained in a way that the fish remain happy and healthy. These conditions include the temperature of the water, pH level of the water and the amount of nutrients in the water.
There are plenty of kits in the market that can be used to check the pH level and the level of nutrients inside the tank. Based on the results of these kits, you can either control the excessive amount of nutrients in the tank or add more supplements if the results show a deficiency of any integral minerals. Cleaning the tank and regularly changing the water of the tank is also an important aspect to ensure that the fish remain healthy and content. Make sure that the aquarium filter is doing its job well and is removing the toxins and the wastes from the tank in a comprehensive manner. The presence of toxins and waste material in the tank can cause severe health problems for fish.
Tips For Setting Up A New Aquarium Tank:
Now that we have discussed the fish and their needs in a tank, it is time to share some tips that will help you set up your aquarium tank and introduce fish in a new tank with ease:
- Make sure that you have chosen the right size of the tank. A bigger than needed tank does not cause much trouble but a smaller tank can surely disturb the fish. Be certain that the fish has plenty of room to swim around freely and in case of a community tank, the fish don’t feel congested.
- When setting up an aquarium, give time to the different aspects. Take your time installing the aquarium equipment and allow the water and nutrients to settle in. Installing everything and simply throwing the fish in the tank is not the right way to go about setting up an aquarium.
- Keeping a close eye on the aquarium tank is very important. If you observe your tank closely, you will be able to monitor you fish and make sure that they are doing well. The tank owners who don’t observe their tanks have difficulty distinguishing normal behavior of the fish from signs of illness or distress.
Conclusion:
After going through this guide, you will be aware of the fact that setting up an aquarium tank with fish is an easy yet not so simple task. But there is no need to be intimidated at all. Take some time, do proper research and follow the steps properly. It will only be a matter of time before your tank would be all set up.
