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.
Keeping tropical fish can be a fascinating hobby. There are many wonderful and brightly colored fish to choose from, but you need to know the basics to get the most from it, as this is a hobby that could easily turn into a real passion. Your fish need to have the right environment if they are going to survive and thrive. Most important of all is the water quality and that it is well oxygenated. After all, fish have to breathe and if you were living somewhere that didn't have enough oxygen, you would soon be a bit unhappy! Your fish however do not have the option to complain, so it is up to you to make sure that the water is of good quality, contains plenty of oxygen and is cleaned and changed regularly.
Maintaining the right temperature and environment is also very important. Some fish thrive in temperate or cold water, while many species need the water to be much warmer for them to survive. You also need to make sure that different species of fish get on together if you are having a mix of fish.
Before buying your fish it is important to do as much research as possible on which would be the best for you. It is better to start off this way, rather than choosing the fish you would like and then trying to fit them in to your plans. If you only have a small space in one room and do not have too much time to spend looking after them, aside from the basic necessities, then you should find out which fish would thrive in such conditions.
Even if you have kept fish before there is always more to learn. One of the best ways of doing this is also the most sociable and fun. Join your local tropical fish club. It is a very popular hobby and there is bound to be one in your area. There are also a great many specialist clubs for different species such as Koi Carp. These are great fun and you can learn a lot by talking to other enthusiasts and getting advice.
Keeping tropical fish is a fun and rewarding hobby that can not only be fun but interesting and sociable too. There is always something more to learn and always new fish that you would like to own. It really is one of the best hobbies that you can have.
Both Allen Jesson & Johnny Blade are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Allen Jesson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Engagement Rings, Shopping and Gift Ideas. Allen Jesson writes for several sites including and. Allen Jesson's top article generates over 301000 views. to your Favourites.
Johnny Blade has sinced written about articles on various topics from Aquarium Fish, Tropical Fish and Fish Goldfish. Johnny Blade is an online marketer for many sites such as Aquarium Fish Resource at ? J. Johnny Blade's top article generates over 1900 views. to your Favourites.