So now you are ready to start getting your fish. This has to be one of the most fun / frustrating things for a new hobbyist. You will get advice from everyone. Some accurate some not. I have no intentions to tell you what to keep but to give some advice to help keep the frustration to a minimum.
As I said at the start of this beginners page the first thing to do was read. As far as fish are concerned this is extremely true. You have to decide what fish you want to keep and not what someone tells you to keep. You are the sole keeper of your tanks and all if its inhabitants. It's up to you to make sure they survive and preferably thrive. So make sure the info your getting is from a reliable source. I can think of no better place than the written word with the author's name in bold print. As opposed to that of someone's screen name in a chat room or the employee at the local fish shop. (Although some shops do pride themselves on their knowledge I say make them earn your trust.) Reading will help you to decide whether you like or have the tank or the skills to keep a certain fish. I want the beginner to know that buying a fish on impulse most often ends in the fish's demise.
Here are somethings you need to know before purchasing a fish. First and foremost is the adult size of the fish. This may seem obvious but I have seen fish that reach extreme size kept in small aquariums. These owners had no idea how large their fish got and the person that sold the fish to them did not tell them anything about the fish. So I say again it is your responsibility to know before you buy. As an example the common gold fish that reaches over a foot in length is commonly kept in one gallon bowls by unsuspecting and uneducated hobbyist.
The second thing is the fish's normal water perimeters. Knowing a fish's normal temp., pH, and water hardness will really help in choosing a fish. I will say before adding fish have your tanks water tested after its been running a few days. Learn your tanks water perimeters, you will find it a lot easier keeping fish that fit your tanks conditions, than changing your tank to satisfy a certain fish. Knowing a fish's location will help. If you decide you like fish from the Amazon basin makes your choices easier by choosing other fish that come from that same region.
Last but not least. Knowing a fish's temperament will help you immensely. However, you will find this to be up to debate to everyone you talk to so beware and remember fish aggression varies from fish to fish even with the same species. The last thing which I almost forgot. (I make mistakes too.) Is find out what the fish you have chosen eats. That pleco you just bought may not be satisfied with the spiralina flakes that everyone will tell you that's what plecos eat. That cichlid you just bought may want those flakes and not the feeder goldfish that your friend said all cichlids eat.
In closing just remember when you purchase your next fish. He is completely dependent upon you.
DON'T LET HIM DOWN
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