| OKAY - it is time to set up your decorative tank. Put | | | | reproducing every 6 to 8 weeks with dozens of |
| your floor surface down, add your decoration | | | | offspring each time. If you don't remove the babies |
| (remember to wash or soak) and plant and fill the | | | | right away, mom and dad have them for dinner. It is |
| container 3/4 full with cool water. Let it stand a | | | | a bit challenging but fun if you have the patience. The |
| couple of hours to adjust to room temperature and | | | | babies aren't a problem for me as my husband takes |
| you are ready to add your fish. Is that simple | | | | them to his showroom to grow out and eventually |
| enough? | | | | put in tanks as 'fillers' as they are very colorful. |
| As far as selecting fish, remember you don't have a | | | | So, now you have selected your fish and a couple of |
| lot of water to work with. You don't want to | | | | appropriate choices of food. Take them home and |
| overload the tank. I would start with two small | | | | add some of the water that has been sitting in the |
| compatible fish. I know some people laugh at the | | | | tank into the receptacle the fish came in, let it sit for |
| standard goldfish but they are beautiful and easy to | | | | an hour and into the tank they go. If you purchased |
| keep. I started with a couple of betas. The males are | | | | healthy fish, you are done. Feed the fish small |
| outstanding and come in an unbelievable choice of | | | | amounts twice a day. Don't let old food sit in the |
| colors. The drawback is you can't put two males | | | | tank (I use the baster a couple of times a day but |
| together or they will fight to the death. One male | | | | once will do), do a partial water change every couple |
| and one female is a good start. I also started with | | | | of days and a full cleaning (take everything out and |
| paradise fish. While not as beautiful as the betas, | | | | scrub) once every 7 to 10 days. Turn the light off at |
| they are very hardy and can live in just about any | | | | night to prevent algae from growing and to give the |
| type of environment. They may be good for the | | | | fish a rest. |
| person who might not be as dedicated as they | | | | There are a lot of variables that you will just learn as |
| should be to cleaning the tank. Right now I have | | | | you go. Don't get discouraged if you lose some fish. |
| fancy guppies. They are small, colorful and cohabit | | | | It may not be your fault as some fish might not be |
| nicely with each other. I have 4 (2 male, 2 female) in | | | | healthy when purchased. Don't be afraid to ask |
| a rather small tank and they seem happy. They are, | | | | questions at your local aquarium store. If they know |
| however, constantly having babies which isn't a | | | | you are a beginner they will help make your decisions |
| problem if you have someone to take them off your | | | | easier. One note of caution: If you have cats as I do, |
| hands if you don't want to grow them out. I don't | | | | be careful where you put your decorative tank. Need |
| mean a couple of babies...they seem to be | | | | I say more? Good luck and have fun! |