Starting and Enjoying a Saltwater Aquarium

Saltwater fish species tend to grow much larger than their freshwater cousins do thus a saltwater aquarium should contain fewer fish. Saltwater fish may be bred in captivity or you may catch your fish in the wild. Fish that are bred in captivity are easier t care for and produce hardier offspring however.

A fish that is caught in the wild will tend to experience a great amount of stress when taken from its native habitat and introduced into an aquarium. One of the things a fish caught in the wild has problems with is figuring out how to eat. This is because it's food is processed and introduced into it's new habitat are certain intervals and isn't abundantly available as before. The food also is not of a kind or type that the fish is used to eating in the wild.

Though fish caught in the wild do adjust to an aquarium environment, it is advisable to purchase your fish from a pet shop that would be able to advise you concerning the breeds you wish to keep. In this way you will be able to get your saltwater aquarium up and running with little problems. Here are five different types of saltwater aquariums for your consideration

Fish Only Aquarium

Typically the home of only one species of fish, it is the easiest aquarium to take care of. This would be a good choice for the beginner. Saltwater fish can be as different as night and day. One is a tropical type and another a coldwater type. Obviously you cannot contain the two in the same aquarium as the water temperature needs vary greatly. When deciding what type of fish you wish to keep also plan for proper water temperature needs and purchase an aquarium that is suitable for your type of fish.

Because tropical fish tend to have brighter colors they are more appealing to most people with home aquariums. You may already be a bit familiar with several of the tropical fish types such as the angelfish or the Clown fish. But have you heard of the Shanny or the Tompot Blemmy which are both cold water fish verities?

Invertebrate Only Aquarium

In this aquarium you will find such exotic creatures as the hermit crabs, starfish, sea cucumbers, prawn and maybe shrimp. The needs of these types of saltwater creatures vary and you will want to discuss the proper balance of these guys with your local pet shop owner before you start an invertebrate only aquarium.

Fish and Invertebrate Aquarium

Whenever you mix fish and invertebrate in the same aquarium it gets more difficult to maintain. It would be wise to investigate the different species of each fish and invertebrate, as they may not be compatible with each other. Some types of fish are the natural predators of certain types of invertebrate and vice-versa. So if you plan to combine the two species please do same research before you create your aquarium environment.

Another one of the problems you will encounter with a mixed saltwater aquarium is that you can have diseases spread more quickly than with a fish only or invertebrate only aquarium. With both species living together it may be difficult to prevent and/or cure any diseases that may invade your aquarium. You may find a disease to be costly and time consuming to try and cure.

Coral Reef Aquarium

It is greatly advised that you do a good amount of research before attempting to create this type of saltwater aquarium. Because this type of aquarium can be more difficult to get started and maintain it may not be fore beginners.

Specialty Aquarium

This type of aquarium would house some of the more delicate types of sea creatures such as sea horses. If you want to start a specialty aquarium you will want to do a through investigation about the different specie types you want to house together.

With Sea Horses you should not keep them with certain types of fish or marine species, because the Sea Horse are timid and tend to be slow eaters. If you house certain type of other sea creatures with them that would eat all of their food the Sea horse will not survive. Sense Sea Horses will swim vertically not horizontally, you will want to put them in a tall tank instead of long flatter tank style. Other types of specialty aquariums may house certain types of shark or other predatory fish. You may also have an aquarium with an octopus in it.

No matter what type of saltwater aquarium you choose to have you'll need to make a commitment to maintain and watch over it. By learning as much as you can about the sea creatures you intend keep you will greatly increase their life spans and your enjoyment of your saltwater aquarium.