Most people think: “Oh, it would be nice to have an aquarium in the sitting room. It’s so calming, and fish are so beautiful!”
Correct. But do you know if you’ve stocked the aquarium evenly? Do you even know this is what you’re meant to do?
Most people don’t know anything about fish at all, besides the hake they buy from the corner deli. It will really pay you to do your homework about having an aquarium and what fish, and how many, will be needed.
It’s best to speak to the guys where you bought the aquarium and fish just how many fish are needed for your tank. Tanks vary a lot and there are many sizes available.
The rule of thumb is don’t stock the aquarium all at once. Introduce the fish gradually. Ensure that the temperament of the fishes is the same, and this is where you need double the help from your expert.
You must learn what fish swim at what level in the tank. Top-level fishes include Marble and Silver Hatchetfish and Half Beaks. These are the fish that are waiting for the next meal and their little mouths are at the ready.
Leaping fish
Be careful with your Hatchetfish as they can leap several feet out of the water! Bet you didn’t know that. Make sure that the top of your aquarium is secure, otherwise, your cat will have a lovely meal waiting for it on the carpet!
Top-to-middle level swimmers include, Blue Gourami, Congo Tetra, Dwarf Gourami. Guppy, Kissing Gourami, Neon Rainbowfish, Pearl Gourami, Pencilfish and Swordtails.
Mid-level fish include Black Widow Tetra, Emperor Tetra, Glassfish, Head and Tail Light Tetra, Mollies, Rummy Nose Tetra, Silver Dollar, Silver-tipped Tetra and Tiger Barb.
Did you know there were so many species of fish in your tank? Your fish expert will spot each one and tell you their names and what their temperaments are. And all the time, when you started off, you thought they were all the same!
Some of the bottom-level swimmers are Adolfo’s Cory, Bandit Cory, Pictus Catfish, Kuhli Loach, Kribensis, Panda Cory and Weather Loach.
When you are feeding your fish, also use sinking foods (Google this) which quickly sink to the bottom and feed the low-level swimmers. If you only use the normal fish food that is sprinkled on the top, the top and middle swimmers will have made a meal out of this quickly.
Many people have not been instructed in the correct ways of feeding fish. Some have automatic feeders installed which let out food at certain times. However, these feeders have not considered the bottom-level swimmers. Don’t leave them hungry! They play a vital role in the eco-system of your tank, keeping the bottom of the tank clean.
Eliminate toxins
As mentioned, introduce the fish gradually as this will give time for the bacterial colonies to grow and eliminate the toxins produced by fish waste.
This should have been part of your fish education when buying the tank. Did you know there are aquarium experts on call that will come to your home and give you all the advice you will need when setting up your tank? Well, there are. Use them, even if they cost a bit. If you want to preserve your fish and have a great aquarium, the more you know, the better.
Do you know all about the filtration of the tank? Do you know about the correct lighting you should be using above and around the tank? Of course, you don’t, but you should.
A big mistake many make is rushing out and buying a tank, getting any old fish, and plonking them in. Wrong! You’ll have dead fish floating on top in no time.
Your source is very important, as you will have gathered. Chose wisely and educate yourself thoroughly.
