| It's only natural that you would want your pet to | | | | Many aquarium keepers are surprised to learn that |
| grow to its full size. In most cases, this is a sign of a | | | | these pets can actually grow quite big! Some large |
| healthy pet, and great care is taken to nurture pets | | | | tropical ones are more than a foot long, sometimes |
| who are not growing properly. When it comes to | | | | growing as large as eighteen inches! Even in a tank |
| keeping large tropical fish as pets, however, there | | | | that is a few feet in length, large tropical fish may |
| are many factors to be considered if you truly want | | | | have no room to swim. |
| to be a responsible pet owner. | | | | Are you trying to decide if large tropical fish are a |
| It is very important to consider that large tropical fish | | | | good fit for you and your aquarium? Your best bet is |
| require a lot of space. Fish of any size need to swim | | | | to spend some time doing research on the particular |
| freely in order to breathe, and if a fish is kept in a | | | | species you're considering. Make sure your aquarium |
| tank that's too small it won't be able to do that. You | | | | can properly support a fish of that size, and know |
| would never think of locking a person in a tiny cell | | | | whether or not the species you are considering has |
| without enough room to even turn around, and | | | | aggressive tendencies. One you have learned about |
| keeping large tropical fish in a tank that's too small is | | | | the fish you are considering, deciding if it is the right |
| the equivalent of this. If your pet fish can't move | | | | choice for your tank will be much easier. |
| around the way it should, they will not be able to | | | | Also, don't forget to consider the well being of the |
| grow properly and their health will suffer. | | | | smaller ones that will share your aquarium with a |
| Did you know that some varieties of large tropical | | | | larger fish. If a situation is created where the fish are |
| fish are referred to as "bully"? Just like their nickname | | | | competing for food and space, then the smaller fish |
| suggests, they use their size to pick on smaller fish. | | | | will be the ones who suffer. While large tropical fish |
| Often, they will physically attack them and nip at | | | | may seem like a good idea for a pet, they may not |
| their fins. Clearly, this causes great physical and | | | | be the best choice for your tank. Do your homework |
| emotional damage to the smaller fish. Maintaining large | | | | and be picky about which fish you add to your |
| pet fish that are known to be bully fish in a tank with | | | | collection, and you'll maintain a happy and healthy |
| smaller fish will cause problems in your aquarium. | | | | aquarium that you can enjoy for a long time! |