How to Buy a Fish

Fish are beautiful to watch, and once they're settled into their new home, they require minimum maintenance. They can be an ideal pet if you're away from home a lot or don't have the time for a more high-maintenance animal companion.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Aquarium Air Pumps
• Aquarium Canopies/hoods
• Aquarium Filters
• Aquarium Fish Nets
• Aquarium Gravel
• Aquarium Heaters
• Aquarium Lights
• Aquarium Plants
• Aquarium Thermometers
• Aquarium Water Conditioners
• Aquariums
• Fish

1. Determine whether you want a freshwater or saltwater fish. Saltwater aquariums are for more advanced fish keepers.

2. Talk to your pet store owner about which fish would be right for you. Don't be shy about asking for advice.

3. Remember to ask about all the supplies you'll need, including an aquarium if you don't already have one.

4. Choose fish that hold their fins erect, not tight against their bodies, and avoid those with split fins.

5. Select fish that aren't hiding in corners or hovering near the bottom of the tank. If they aren't moving around in the pet store aquarium, they probably won't be swimming much in their new home, either.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider buying a betta fish - also known as a Siamese fighting fish - if you're a beginner. Betta are colorful, easy fish to own and can be kept in a bowl with a minimum of equipment. (Each betta, however, must be kept in its own bowl.)
• Avoid buying new arrivals at the pet shop. The first few days after the fish are delivered to the pet store are when their mortality rate is highest, so wait a bit before making your purchase.
• Avoid fish that appear bloated, which is a sign of disease.

[Wasion]

on 7/14/2008 The things I've learned since setting up our semi agressive aquarium:
-2 rainbow sharks when small are great tankmates. Once they reach 6 months of age the male has a huge growth spurt and attacks everyone. Back to the pet store and get store credit. This rule applies to any fish that gets too large such as plecos... pet stores are great for trading fish that are too large for your tank but will fit in another persons tank.
-Angelfish should be one of the last fish you add to your tank or they die easily even after everything else lives.
-Bettas survive EVERYTHING but the garbage disposal. And I mean EVERYTHING. And contrary to popular belief, sometimes females attack males.
-Plecos and Catfish get along. Catfish don't get along with anything else.
-Broken flowerpots make great decorations and hiding spots and are completely affordable.
-Check on your ghost knife occasionally

[smacquart]

on 8/9/2007 Can I find out who wrote this? I'd like to buy it.

on 2/25/2006 Please, out of kindness for your fish, read up!

on 11/22/2005 when buyin fish from a pet store ask to put water from the fish tank in which the fish was. this wil avoid the sudden chemical changes in water which might be fatal to some fish. when introducing the fish to ur aquarium, dip the bag in n let it float for few minutes to adjust the temperature n also slowly mix the water n make the water change as gradual as possible..

on 11/22/2005 I bought some fish recently and they told me I had a two week period to return the fish if they died. One died 12 days after we got it and we scooped it into a bag and took it back. They kindly gave us another one, but you must have your receipt.