| Many people are tempted to believe that they | | | | type of aquarium or fish you should be choosing, |
| know everything about how to keep tropical fish | | | | then it's always best to gain as much prior |
| which can cause a few problems when everything | | | | knowledge as possible from relevant books and |
| has been set up. For that reason, it's always | | | | other sources, including asking for guidance at the |
| advisable to at least gain a basic knowledge of | | | | pet store or from wherever else you choose to |
| tropical fish keeping prior to actually going out to | | | | purchase the fish. |
| purchase them and a suitable aquarium. | | | | When you have purchased your aquarium, you |
| Showing a great dedication to keeping and | | | | need to get your tank filled up with water and |
| maintaining your tropical fish will provide you with | | | | left to settle prior to introducing any fish to the |
| the utmost satisfaction and delight in the long run | | | | water. The water needs to be neutralized of any |
| when you have taken the trouble to educate | | | | materials that are harmful to the fish and to let |
| yourself with the basics of your chosen tropical | | | | any gases to escape and for the water to |
| variety. | | | | stabilize for the fish. You are ready to introduce |
| So, what does a beginner need to know? | | | | your fish to the water in a few days after you |
| Probably the most important thing to know is the | | | | have left the water to settle. You can also include |
| variety of fish you want to keep in order to | | | | some important extras such as aquatic plants and |
| determine the size of a suitable aquarium to keep | | | | gravel to settle in the tank. There are plenty of |
| your fish in, since different fish varieties grow to | | | | plant product varieties and other items available |
| different sizes and at different rates. Also, you | | | | that depict the natural environment of the tropical |
| need to try and imitate as closely as possible the | | | | fish you choose. Feeding the fish should only be |
| natural environment of your chosen fish. In that | | | | done once daily. It is better to withhold food for a |
| respect, the fish need to feel completely at home | | | | day or two than to over-feed the fish. |
| in their new aquatic environment. You can achieve | | | | With regard to changing the water of your fish |
| this through purchasing a relatively spacious | | | | tank, it is advisable to keep a regular procedure |
| aquarium that allows for up to 20 gallons of water | | | | of changing part of the water quite frequently, |
| and offers plenty of space for your aquatic pets. | | | | since substances eventually build up in the tank |
| Since you will be the person who will be cleaning | | | | that are not compatible with the fish. In that case, |
| the tank and feeding them on a daily basis it's | | | | it is better to start getting into a routine of |
| therefore in your best interest to choose | | | | cleaning and maintenance of the tank, so as to |
| something that you feel you can cope with fairly | | | | keep your tropical fish as healthy as possible. |
| adequately. If you are in any doubt as to what | | | | |