Aquarium Freshwater Fish
Now you’ve got your aquarium setup it’s time to think about buying some aquarium freshwater fish. So what are you looking for? Do you want a community tank with lots of different brightly coloured specimens or are you looking for just one species that to show it off to best effect.
Whatever you are looking for check the requirements and compatibility of the aquarium freshwater fish you intend to buy in advance, and ask the staff of the aquarium store questions where necessary. Add only a few fish initially – otherwise they will suffer serious effects of “New Tank Syndrome” due to cycling.
Your best bet is to go to your ‘fish man’ and browse the aquarium freshwater fish they have. Identify the ones you like and find out what their needs are and whether they will coexist with other fish. Talk to the resident experts and make some notes that you can refer to later at home and then cross reference the information.
There are many different questions to ask including:
- Does this aquarium freshwater fish like open areas or plenty of plants?
- Does this aquarium freshwater fish prefer alkaline or acid water?
- Does this aquarium freshwater fish get along with others?
- Does this aquarium freshwater fish feed at the top or bottom of the tank?
- Does this freshwater aquarium fish need a lot of space?
- What temperature most suits this freshwater aquarium fish?
We All Love Food
There’s one thing that some people just don’t consider when purchasing multiple fish, and this is food needs. Not all fish eat at the same level – some are bottom dwellers, and others are surface eaters.
Mixing these are just fine, but try to avoid aggressive top feeders – pellets that go to the bottom might not get to the bottom feeders!
Try to choose fish with similar dietary needs, and a group that doesn’t steal together will live happily together, and happy fish tend to live longer and be brighter.
You also want to try and ensure that your fish aren’t going to eat each other while you’re away – and no, we’re not joking. This is completely serious, and there is a risk.
Other serious risks include aggressive fish biting other, smaller fish who simply can’t fend for themselves – fish who have long, flowing fins are almost always a target.
Match aggression levels and you’ll get a good match. Bullies know when to back off, so serious issues are mostly avoided.
When you are finally ready to buy, never buy fish from a tank where any dead or dying fish are visible. Observe fish carefully before buying. Avoid any with damaged fins or gills.
Aggression Issues
Many fish – especially males – are going to be aggressive in general, so you really do need to try and avoid pairing more then one male in the tank, with the exception of less aggressive species.
Even fish with similar colors can sometimes set it off, so be careful who you pair with who. Several females to one male usually works best (Read our Breeding guide for more information), but it does really depend.
The Worst Thing You Can Do
The absolute worst thing that you can do is to just stock your tank with exotic looking fish and hope for the best. This is sadly something that many owners do. You’re almost surely going to end up in disaster, so don’t just be hopeful – do your research, and you’ll end up with a great set of fish for a long, long time.
Adding Fish to your Tank
Your fish supplier should give you your fish in oxygenated plastic bags for transport home. Follow the following procedure when you add the fish to your tank:
- Allow the bag to float unopened in the tank for at least 15 minutes to equalise temperature
- Open the bag and add a little of the aquarium water. Leave the bag floating for another 15 minutes
- Finally, immerse the bag in the tank and tip out the fish so that they have a quiet arrival
- Don’t worry that the new arrivals hide for the firat day this is quite normal
During the first 6 weeks feed lightly, this will help to minimise pollution during the unstable period as the tank ‘matures’. Overfeeding is one of the most common mistakes made by beginners to the hobby. Add food in small amounts and watch while the fish eat it. Then add a little more and so on, stopping as soon as the fish lose interest or have consumed a reasonable amount.
