| The easiest thing to do when you first start | | | | occasionally make a mistake in picking the right |
| setting up your freshwater aquarium is to stock it | | | | fish. |
| full of beautiful, exotic, colorful fish. This can lead | | | | But in the long run you'll have fish that live well |
| to loads of trouble in the long run. | | | | together in peace and harmony. |
| Don't do it! Yes, your tank will look great for | | | | The internet is another great place to do your |
| about a week, then slowly fish will start | | | | research. Make lists and compare notes about |
| disappearing, or perhaps fins or tails will start to | | | | which types of fish live well together. |
| disappear or looking scraggly. | | | | Look at their pictures and see which fish appeal |
| Guess what? Your favorite fish may be getting | | | | to you. You'll probably want a couple of colorful |
| eaten or at least attacked by the more | | | | species, and then add some striped ones or some |
| aggressive fish in your aquarium. | | | | with fancy fins and tails to spruce things up a little. |
| This can all be avoided by doing a little research. | | | | Here's a partial list of things you'll want to consider |
| Groundwork will save the lives of your fish in the | | | | when choosing freshwater fish for your aquarium. |
| long run. You'll fall in love with them, even name | | | | - Does this fish like open spaces? |
| them, and you don't want to risk losing them to | | | | - Does it like to hide in lots of plants or rocks? |
| other aggressive fish. | | | | - Does it need a special pH level (more acid or |
| How to Choose Freshwater Fish for Your | | | | more alkaline)? |
| Aquarium | | | | - Is it more aggressive or does it get along well |
| Here's how I start picking fish out. First, I go to | | | | with others? |
| the fish store and pick one that I really, really like. | | | | - Is it a top feeder or a bottom dweller? |
| It may be the most colorful. It may be the most | | | | - Does it need lots of space/does it get big? |
| beautiful. All I know is that I like it the most. | | | | - What is the temperature that it will thrive in? |
| THEN I talk to the fish store owner or sales | | | | - Is this fish more active or more docile? Take all |
| people. What type of personality does this fish | | | | these things into consideration and also what you |
| have? Is it aggressive? Is it calm? Does it get | | | | would like for your freshwater aquarium. Perhaps |
| along well with other fish? | | | | you want it to be calm and zen-like. Or more |
| THEN I identify other types of fish that have | | | | active and colorful. Maybe you want to stare at it |
| behaviors that would get along with the fish I've | | | | for hours. |
| just chosen. You can mix some top feeders with | | | | The moral of the story is--take your time! In the |
| some bottom dwellers (like sharks and catfish). | | | | long run you'll be happy you did because your fish |
| There will be lots of varieties that will be less | | | | family will be living in harmony and making you |
| aggressive that will live well together. Sometimes | | | | happy. |
| you'll even have to experiment a little and | | | | |