| If you are a beginner and you love animals and | | | | of the ornaments is important not only for |
| other living things, tropical fish is a rewarding, | | | | aesthetic purposes, but also the fish need a place |
| challenging, but sometimes pricey hobby. If you | | | | to hide. Sometimes fish are shy at first or they |
| don't like a challenge and just want something | | | | become stressed by being chased by aggressive |
| easy to care for, I imagine a goldfish is a good | | | | fish. The same is true when you introduce new |
| bet. A Beta is a nice choice also. They are pretty, | | | | fish. Also, I find they like to hide for a few hours |
| colorful fish and easy to care for. They're also fun | | | | after a water change which must seem very |
| to watch when they see they're reflection in the | | | | invasive to their world. I have three aquariums |
| aquarium or bowl. They puff up and try to charge | | | | and I always place the ornaments in a corner with |
| and attack their own image. Sometimes it looks | | | | the plants behind it. You can still see the fish |
| like they're marching back and forth like sentry. | | | | weaving in and around the plants and peaking |
| You can only keep one in an aquarium or bowl, | | | | through any opening in the ornament(s). |
| however, or they will try to kill each other. | | | | To avoid killing your new freshwater tropical fish, |
| Another name for the Beta is Siamese fighting | | | | it is essential that you set up your aquarium days |
| fish. Putting other tropical fish in with the Beta isn't | | | | beforehand. Creating and maintaining a virtual |
| a good idea either. The Beta will bite off chunks | | | | natural environment within the aquarium should |
| of the other fishes fins and otherwise terrorize | | | | not be a problem as long as a balance is being |
| them. | | | | maintained. Most of the aquariums you find in pet |
| I have had aquariums on and off through my life | | | | stores have everything you need. Just follow the |
| since 1977 and now have three. Tropical Fish are | | | | directions. The directions don't, however, tell you |
| found in tropical surroundings around the world, | | | | what you need to do with the water. You will |
| including both freshwater tropical fish and salt | | | | always need a water conditioner. After you have |
| water species. Freshwater tropical fish are the | | | | given your aquarium a few days to set up, some |
| more popular of the two and the freshwater | | | | pet stores will test your water for free and |
| tropical fish themselves are very inexpensive. Due | | | | advise you on what you need to do to correct |
| to their often bright coloration, salt water fish are | | | | any problems. The aquariums in this website are |
| admired by hobbyists because of their exotic | | | | also worth considering. These aquariums are quite |
| appearance. However they are more expensive | | | | unique and aesthetically pleasing. |
| and a great deal more difficult to care for. | | | | Once your simulated environment has been |
| It can be extremely enjoyable building and | | | | achieved, the fascination of watching your fish |
| sustaining a cozy environment for your fish. It can | | | | develop and interact is a reward in itself and well |
| give you much satisfaction making sure, for | | | | worth the time and effort taken. |
| instance, that the water hardness, ammonia, ph, | | | | I clearly state here that I am not an aquatics |
| and nitrate levels are all normal. Sometimes I feel | | | | expert; I am a hobbyist and love animals. The |
| like a scientist using the test kits and test strips | | | | subject of this article is not exhaustive. The |
| to monitor the water. If you find a good water | | | | documents herein are based on my experience |
| siphon to do your water changes, it can be a | | | | and research. Therefore I am not liable in any |
| piece of cake. An inferior water siphon can make | | | | way for how this information is used. There are |
| a mess. | | | | lots of articles on the web or talking with your |
| Another significant part of the aquarium | | | | local pet store might be a good idea if you have |
| environment would be the ornaments. Placement | | | | any questions. |