New Fish in Your New Aquarium

A common mistake with your first aquarium is starting out with an incompatible group of fish. When you do this, you will have a bunch of unhappy fish for awhile, and then you will have a bunch of dead fish - and perhaps one, gloating victor! To be sure you don't start out with a bad mix, it is important to research the types of fish you want in advance and be sure they will get along. When you are just starting out, it is a good idea to start with peaceful fish. Leave the aggressive, temperamental fish for the more experienced aquarist, or just get that one cranky fish and don't subject any other fish to it's tirades. An individual temperamental fish can make a very interesting pet as they usually have quite a bit of personality, but most new aquarists like to have a variety of fish.

When you have decided on the type or types of fish you want, visit your local fish store. When you buy your fish, also buy a bottle of Melafix. This is a great, natural tonic that cures a lot of ills and also helps to calm fish when they are excited. It is made from tea tree oil, and it has a strong, fresh smell. It is good to add to your tank when you introduce new fish because it helps the fish develop their slime coat and manage stress. I also believe that the scent prevents them from recognizing that there are new fish in the tank.

When you are just starting out, it is good not to start out with too many fish. A good rule of thumb is one inch of fish per gallon of water. I would go with even less than that with a new tank. You want to be sure all your conditions are suitable before you invest a lot of money in fish. Start with some inexpensive, peaceful sorts that are likely to get along with anything you may introduce later. For example, a few guppies and platys, a couple of corydora catfish, and a plecostomus make a nice, colorful, peaceful mix. They are all fairly hardy, and they get along well with each other.

Before you go to the fish store, do a partial water change on your new tank. Replace 25% of the water with new, treated water. Take a sample of your water with you and have it tested to be sure everything is alright before you add fish to your tank.

When you get home with your fish, float them in their bag(s) in the water for about ten or fifteen minutes. While they are floating, add Melafix to the water. Follow the instructions on the bottle for the right amount. You will use a little less for introducing new fish than you would for treating a wound or illness. When the ten or fifteen minutes is up, cut the tops off the bags and gently introduce your fish to the tank. Don't pour them in or they are likely to get stuck in the plastic bags. Just let the bag sink into the water a bit until the fish can swim out.

Since all your fish will be new, they will need to establish their own territory for themselves. If you have gotten non-aggressive sorts and you have not gotten too many, you shouldn't have a lot of fighting. However, to help them transition peacefully, you may want to cover the tank with a blanket for the first eight hours or so. In this way, all your fish will just go to sleep as soon as you get them home. They will wake up the next day refreshed and should feel that they are all established with no reason to fight over territory.

If you have good success with your first fish, after a few months, you may want to add more. Always research types of fish and only add fish that will get along with what you already have. If you have a desire to have a more aggressive sort, then part with your gentle fish by trading them at your local fish store or finding them a new home. Don't subject them to dealing with an aggressive fish. They will get hurt and probably die.

Of course, if you are like most people who embark on the interesting hobby of aquarium keeping, you will be highly likely to just keep your initial tank and fish and start a whole new aquarium for your aggressive fish! Aquarium keeping can be very addictive, and many hobbyists keep multiple tanks.

For more on aquarium care, you may enjoy:

THE COMMON COMET GOLDFISH AS A PET
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1173858/the_common_comet_goldfish_as_a_pet.html?cat=53

THE SIAMESE FIGHTING FISH AS A DESKTOP PET
http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Siamese-Fighting-Fish-As-A-Desktop-Pet