| So many elements effect the raising of tropical | | | | Plants and Algae |
| fish. Choosing the right ones and making the right | | | | By many ignored, but a very important aspect |
| decisions is crucial for success. Setting up an | | | | for tropical fish is to have the right plants and |
| aquarium, selecting the fish, plants and algae, | | | | algae in the fish habitat. The ideal is to get rooted |
| feeding the fish and breeding the fish are the | | | | plants with roots already in place. This way, fish |
| major aspects of this hobby. | | | | are provided with plants straight away and their |
| Aquarium | | | | survival rate is much higher. Ideally, tall plants are |
| The aquarium elements depend on the fish one | | | | placed at the rear corners of the aquarium and |
| intends to have. Many parts form an aquarium | | | | the smaller and shorter ones at the front. |
| and they all need to be considered seriously | | | | Several types of plants and algae exist, and |
| before they are selected: | | | | choosing will always depend on your likings and on |
| Glass - Gravel - Hood - Heater - Thermometer - | | | | the character of the fish one intends to have. |
| Bulbs - Filters - Cleaning Equipment - Nets - Water | | | | Feeding the fish |
| Test Kit - Small Container | | | | Feeding tropical fish is an art in itself. Many fish |
| Selecting the Fish | | | | don't die because of lack of food, but as a result |
| You can opt to have only one type of tropical | | | | of food abundance. Giving the right amount of |
| fish. Problems are limited if you choose to go that | | | | food is important as selecting the food. The |
| way. But with tropical fish, many believe, variety | | | | market for tropical fish food is quite large and |
| is an essential element in raising fish in an | | | | there are foods for several types of fish. |
| aquarium. | | | | Breeding |
| One needs to be very careful when deciding | | | | There is only one way fish can breed in your |
| which fish to raise in one's own aquarium. It is | | | | aquarium, that is, giving them the right |
| obvious that not all fish get along with each other | | | | environment to do so. There isn't better proof |
| well, and selecting the right fish is a crucial decision | | | | that the aquarium is in good shape than having |
| one needs to make. Research on various tropical | | | | fish breed in it. You can see when one has done a |
| fish in respect of habits and behaviour is a must | | | | good job by the results the fish themselves will |
| before hurrying to the store. | | | | give to the owner. |
| Buying the fish | | | | There are so many tropical fish that one can |
| Once at the store, there are many things to look | | | | never feel completely fulfilled as there is always |
| for. Here is a list of guidelines: | | | | some species one would like to have as part of |
| 1. Don't buy fish which reside in dirty tanks | | | | his/her collection. The other items that form part |
| 2. Watch out for white spots and eaten fins | | | | pf having tropical fish, like the aquarium itself, the |
| 3. Fish eyes should be clear | | | | plants involved, and the various accessories, make |
| 4. Movement should be linear with their fins in an | | | | this hobby a vast and interesting one without |
| upright position | | | | ever getting bored. |
| 5. No dead fish in the tank | | | | |