| Being part of an underwater world is very | | | | catfish! I love the bristle noses! They never stop |
| appealing, but beware; it can be very addictive! | | | | moving! They busily clean everything in the tank, |
| There are so many fish tank designs, and so | | | | the bottom, sides, plants, rocks and wood. They |
| many very beautiful fish to choose from that it | | | | will lay eggs if conditions are right, and look after |
| can be very confusing to people starting out. | | | | them, fanning them so they don't go moldy until |
| I have enjoyed tropical fish with my family over | | | | they hatch. If you want a tank that is very |
| the last 20 years, and I have a few things to | | | | peaceful and doesn't change much, go for some |
| share that may help. Firstly, where you keep the | | | | cold water fish, and plant your selection of water |
| tank is important as the temperature needs to be | | | | plants, have a bubble stone somewhere, and you |
| constant, and the tank needs to be out of direct | | | | will enjoy hours just watching them. |
| sunlight to reduce algae growth. Vibrations may | | | | If you want a peaceful tropical tank, have some |
| also irritate or frighten the fish, for example the | | | | male and female guppies, they have live babies |
| sound system or washing machine. Access is vital, | | | | with very little trouble, some Mollies or Sword |
| as you need to clean and change the water | | | | tales for the middle of the tank, and some Bristle |
| frequently, so with the mix of electricity and | | | | noses, or Plecostomus catfish for the bottom. |
| water, care needs to be taken. | | | | You could also have a couple of golden snails to |
| What do you want to achieve with your tank? A | | | | help clean the sides. They also breed! If you want |
| peaceful pleasant seascape that does not change | | | | to have an active tank and involved in the whole |
| much, or an active ever-changing environment | | | | breeding process, go for some African Cichlids, |
| where your fish display their personality and | | | | they will keep you hopping! If you have some |
| lifestyle by digging up their gravel bed to mate, | | | | dollars, have a look at the Discus, there are some |
| and having the challenge of raising the fry? This is | | | | beautiful blues, from a pale blue, through to a dark |
| the addictive part for me, as your tanks have to | | | | iridescent blue, or red and white, and golden, and |
| grow to suit the needs of the young! Fish tend to | | | | so many others! Water temperature, pH water |
| have a preference as to where they live in the | | | | conditioner and foods are all things to discuss with |
| tank. | | | | the person selling you the fish, and please ask all |
| Some like to swim mainly in the top [guppies] | | | | the questions you can, one can never know too |
| some like the middle of the tank, [silver sharks, | | | | much. Happy fishing, and I hope you enjoy your |
| mollies, young cichlids], and then there are the | | | | tank as much as I enjoy mine! |