| Your aquarium must meet appropriate water | | | | safe to add another fish. When stocking an aquarium, |
| conditions before you add any livestock! Always test | | | | start by adding the smallest and least aggressive fish |
| your water before adding new livestock. Selecting | | | | and finish with the largest and most aggressive. This |
| your first fish can be very exciting, but before you | | | | will allow the smaller fish to become comfortable |
| make a purchase be sure to do your homework. | | | | before a larger tank mate is added. If done in |
| Saltwater fish can be broken down into two basic | | | | reverse, the more aggressive fish may become |
| categories: Reef Safe and Fish Only. Reef Safe fish | | | | territorial and harass the smaller fish to death. |
| are generally compatible with one another and will not | | | | Continue to repeat this process, until your aquarium |
| harm corals and invertebrates, although there are | | | | becomes full or you become satisfied. You may |
| always exceptions to the rules. If you've keep | | | | consider Quarantining new fish to prevent the risk of |
| freshwater, this would be a community tank. Fish | | | | disease from entering your aquarium. Most experts |
| Only fish tend to be larger and more aggressive and | | | | will suggest quarantining new fish for up to six |
| will typically eat corals and invertebrates. Some fish | | | | weeks. Although it is difficult to wait, it is important |
| like Seahorses and Mandarin Gobies require special | | | | take your time as success comes with patience. If |
| care and proper accommodations should be made | | | | you do not plan on quarantining you may add a new |
| before bringing one home. These two species are | | | | fish every two to four weeks. This time will allow |
| not good first fish. | | | | your aquarium stabilize and for new bacteria to grow. |
| Unlike freshwater aquariums, there is not a general | | | | When considering larger fish like Tangs and |
| rule of thumb to how many fish can be safely kept | | | | Surgeonfish, your aquarium should have proper |
| in an aquarium. Your aquarium is considered | | | | swimming room. Also remember that corals will grow |
| overstocked when fish become hostile towards one | | | | and will disrupt swimming space. Most Tangs will |
| another, show signs of stress from lack of swimming | | | | quickly outgrow a 55 gallon aquarium, so be prepared |
| room and your filtration can no longer meet the | | | | to trade it in as the fish grows in size. Most of these |
| demands. Hopefully your aquarium never reaches this | | | | fish can grow to 12 inches or more and have spikes |
| point. As your bio-load increases, it puts strain on | | | | on each side of the tail. They will flare these spikes |
| your filter and makes it more difficult to maintain | | | | when scared or threatened, so caution should be |
| water quality. This should be taken into consideration | | | | taken when netting these fish. |
| if you plan on keeping certain species of corals. | | | | Remember to take your time and be patient! Going |
| When and How to Stock a Fish Tank? | | | | slowly will greatly increase your chances for success |
| Start by adding your first fish and then be patient | | | | and compatibility. Remember to research every fish |
| until your aquarium cycles. Once your aquarium has 0 | | | | before you buy it, and try to avoid impulse |
| ammonia and nitrites and less than 20 nitrates it is | | | | purchases. |