Tropical Fish for Your Saltwater Aquarium

You've just finished installing a brand new aquarium. You've got the gravel, the filter and a temperature gauge to ensure the safety of your fish. Now what you need is the most important thing to any aquarium: the perfect fish. There are fish available of all sorts of colors, sizes, shapes, personalities, and styles. And nothing is more depressing than seeing your fish die after bringing them home from the store.

While in the market for tropical fish, you need to know a few things. First, buying from a pet store is generally a good way to guarantee a healthy fish. That being said, there are some better pet stores than others. If you walk into the store and are immediately assaulted with the stench of rotten seafood, stay away from that store. Most will have a bit of a musty odor, but if it is too strong, that means the store employees don't take care of their fish.

Before you start choosing fish, examine the aquariums at the store. Make sure they are clean, and that the water is clear. Sometimes tanks are labeled that the fish inside aren't for sale. This is normal-some stores can't put in a quarantine tank in the back because there just isn't enough room.

The staff at the pet store should be attentive and friendly. If you happen to arrive on a slow day, watch and see what the employees are doing. They ought to be feeding fish or cleaning tanks. Observe how the employees help other customers, also. Fish should be caught with two nets, and should be cornered to help eliminate stress. Ask the staff questions. They should be informative and helpful.

When looking at the tanks, count the number of dead fish. If there are more than three dead fish, you probably should shop elsewhere. Of course, dead fish do happen, so don't think that the store is irresponsible. Sometimes employees don't have enough time to clean the fish regularly. That's why the rule is three.

When shopping for tropical fish, it is vital to study them carefully in the tank. Look at their eyes, mouths, fins, abdomens, and scales to ensure there are no defects. Put your hand close to the glass. Healthy fish will either dart for cover or swim toward your hand on the prowl for food. If the fish is acting unhealthy, don't buy it.

Do your research when shopping for fish. If you want to get more than one type in the same aquarium, make sure they can live together. Find out what food they need. Some predatory fish need live food to catch which will often require their own tank. If you want to add coral in the future, make sure the fish you purchase are able to live with coral. If you have questions, ask the staff. If you are careful about the fish you buy, your aquarium will soon be stocked with prime examples of tropical fish you can use to impress friends and family.