| A freshwater aquarium can be a great idea. Fish are | | | | aquarium is to amuse a child, for example, it might be |
| relatively easy to care for but there are a few things | | | | better to opt for the type of fish who prefer a few |
| to bear in mind before deciding which fish to get. | | | | rocks, else you will not see much of the fish. They |
| Remember, first of all, that your aquarium should be | | | | hide a lot. |
| left running for two weeks before introducing any | | | | Do not overcrowd your tank. Two inches of fish to |
| fish, to let the good bacteria in your filter mature to | | | | every gallon of water is a good rule of thumb to |
| a safe level for the fish. | | | | bear in mind. Fish prefer square or rectangular tanks |
| Fish should be purchased from a reputable dealer or | | | | to spherical ones. Angel fish need a tank larger than |
| pet store. Fish won at fairgrounds rarely last! If the | | | | ten gallons. |
| fish in the dealer's shop tank look happy and there | | | | Do some research on the freshwater fish you prefer. |
| are no dead ones floating on the surface, they should | | | | You should find out about their special needs, |
| be fine. | | | | whether chemical, temperature, compatibility-related |
| Try to get compatible fish. School fish tend to be | | | | or dietary. |
| compatible with one another. Examples include catfish, | | | | You can get cold water aquariums, sub-tropical and |
| loaches, barbs, pearl and zebra danios, cardinal tetras | | | | tropical freshwater aquariums so make sure you |
| or neons. A pair of catfish can control the algae but | | | | know what temperature of water your fish likes and |
| can also grow to be large fish, so ask in the pet | | | | do not mix different species of fish if they like |
| store how big that particular breed can get. Also, | | | | different temperatures. |
| they can be predatory and eat your other fish. Killifish | | | | Before adding a fish to your tank, you will need to |
| can be hard to find but are good in a freshwater | | | | quarantine it for a short period, to make sure it is |
| aquarium, especially for beginners. Oscars eat other | | | | healthy and not going to pass any illness to your |
| fish and make a lot of mess, as do knife fish. Goldfish | | | | other fish. Adding more than four fish at once can |
| can suffer from many health problems and need a | | | | cause a chemical imbalance so add fish gradually, |
| lower water temperature than many other fish so | | | | checking they remain healthy and settle in well, |
| might be best avoided. | | | | before adding more. |
| Some fish like a lot of greenery and plants so if your | | | | |