Points To Consider When Buying a New Fish

Points To Consider When Buying a New Fish

An aquarium is a simulated mini water world, created for public or private display. Many things go in to make a lively and delightful tank. However, at the end of it all, an aquarium is all about Fishes. A tank houses different variety of fishes, which are different in their feeding habits, growth rate, looks, and reactions to different stimulus. Owing to this diversity, Tank Water Fish are broadly divided in four categories, Salt Water Fish, Brackish Water Fish, Freshwater Fish, and Tropical Water Fish. As a result, with fish keeping comes the challenging task of stress free fish management.

Buying a compatible lot of fish however, considerably eases out the difficulties of fish keeping. In other words, avoid keeping incompatible fish species in the same tank. In addition, a mating pair of the same species is usually a smooth experience. Keeping more than one male fish of the same species in a tank may lead to their serious aggression towards each other, while their female counterparts have no problems in living together. The ensuing discussion entails some points to consider when buying a new fish for aquarium.

Existing Mix. Always consider the types, behavior, and the requirements, of the fish already present in your aquarium, and then accordingly decide your new picks. Some fishes love to stay alone, some prefer to stay in a group, while some like to hide themselves.

Popular Picks. Some of the most sought out Freshwater Aquarium fish species are, Tiger Fish, Angel Fish, Puffer Fish (compatible in Marine Aquarium as well), and Barracuda Fish. Popular Salt-water pet fish include Jaw Fish, Cardinals, Rays, Boxfish, and Sharks. They are popular owing to their quick acclimatization to the new environment, while being easy to maintain.

Shape & Size of Your Aquarium. If your aquarium is small sized, then you should pick small fish, moderately sized for a medium capacity tank, and you may go for big sized pets for large aquariums. You should definitely refrain from overstocking your tank. The fish, new as well as the existing ones should get ample movement space in your aquarium.

Aquarium Environment. Your tank’s existing environment, including its water quality (pH, salinity, & water hardness) are vital determinants influencing the buying of new fish.

Jumping Habit. It is important to know the jumping potential of each species of fishes before buying them. In case you are purchasing even a single jumping specimen, then install tank cover from the day one of its introduction in the tank.

Physical Fitness of Fish. Make sure you pick physically sound specimen. Check their Eyes, Fins, and Skin for any cloudiness, sore marks, and lesions respectively. In addition, observe the fish for their appetite, behavior, and movement at the seller’s place. Do not buy any specimen picked from the tank containing even a single dead fish as it may be carrying some disease or infection that may affect the healthy fishes in your tank.

The Mode of Shipping. This is another important point you must consider when buying a fish from a particular seller. Make sure that the seller you are dealing with takes the responsibility of safely delivering the specimen to your doorstep. Ideally, the seller should keep the sold specimen in a dark bag with the sufficient amount of oxygen rich water for easy swimming. This way, the new fish may easily acclimatize to the new aquarium, while staying stress free.

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