by David Clemen

Created on: February 11, 2010

When purchasing fish for your aquarium you need to think about a five major factors before buying.

Water Chemistry and Temperature: Most aquarium fish are pretty adaptable in terms of the chemistry and temperature of the water you put them in. With that being said if you live in an area with hard water you want to think about keeping fish that thrive in that water condition naturally like cichlids. On the other side of the coin if you live in an area with soft water you may want to think about keeping a fish like the discus. You are able to adjust the water chemistry and temperature of your tank allowing you to keep a wider range of fish.

Compatibility of the Fish: Many fish are docile and can live with other non aggressive fish that enjoy the same water conditions that creates what is called a community tank. You also want to keep in mind that aggressive behavior can occur within the same species of fish. A classic example would be males if the Siamese fighting fish or otherwise known as Bettas. They will attack not just other males of their species but fish with similar colors because they believe them to be territorial rivals.

Adult Size of Fish: For the most part when you see fish at the pet store they are small because they are young. Keep in mind that they do grow. I have personally had goldfish that I purchased for 33 cents grow up to 7 inches in length. You want to make sure that a fish will not out grow your tank.

Ease of Care and Breeding: You should consider how much work and what level of expertise you are at. A freshwater aquarium is much easier to tend to, making it best for someone starting an aquarium for the first time. You also want to think about how easily the fish you are going to purchase breeds. Fish like guppies are great for beginners because of how easily they are to care for. The down side is that they breed a lot and easily. In a few months you can easily have an overstocked tank.

Dietary Needs: Many fish need more then just flakes. Some fish need live food and others need plants. Other fish have even more specialized requirements to fulfill their dietary needs.

Considering these five factors before purchasing a fish can help lead to a happy and healthy aquarium.

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