How to Buy Tropical Fish Online

The aptly named Bluefish

Many people are delighted by the living display of color and vivacity that is the typical aquarium. Countless species of elegant fish are kept as pets throughout the world. With the advent of the internet, obtaining rare and exotic species from the tropics is as easy as point-and-click. This guide will explain how to find and buy tropical fish online.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Credit dard
• Internet connection
• Web browser

How To Buy Tropical Fish Online

1. Use your computer to access the internet and pull up a search engine.

2. Type "Buy Tropical Fish" into your search engine and scroll through the results it provides you. Keep in mind what kind of fish you're looking for. What size fish tank do you have? Is the tank for freshwater fish or saltwater fish? What kind of fish do you already have, if any? http://www.aquariumfish.net/ is a huge site with a well developed catalog that allows you to narrow your search to your individual specifications.

3. Once you've found the fish or fishes you want, pull up a second web browser and use your search engine to look for information about any fish you already have and those fish you want. Enter the word "compatibility" in the search engine. Some fish are aggressive or territorial and will kill other fish if introduced into a mixed tank. Some fish don't survive long if taken out of their school, while others are loners that will fight if placed in contact with others of their own species.

4. Having ensured your fish are compatible, click on the fish you want to add them to your online shopping cart.

5. Once you've chosen all the fish you want, click on the button that says "check out." You will be taken to a secure page that will require you to enter your shipping information and credit card number. Shipping live animals will cost more in handling fees. Just make sure that the site will either refund your money or send new fish should the fish arrive sick, injured or dead. You should be provided with an online receipt. Make sure to print it out and keep it safe until your fish arrive.

6. When your fish arrive safely, they should be in sealed, water-filled plastic bags. Leave each bag (with the new fish still inside) mostly submerged in the water of your aquarium for a half-hour. This will allow the temperature of the water in the bag and the water in the tank to equalize, preventing the fish from suffering a potentially fatal shock when introduced to their new home. Some people believe it also allows the fish currently in the tank to get accustomed to the presence of the new fish, but this may imply a greater intelligence than most fish have.

7. Gently pour each bag, fish and all, into the tank. The fish will probably be hungry after their trip, so make sure to give them a little fish feed immediately afterward.

Tips & Warnings

• The biggest problem people have with keeping fish is ensuring that all the fish in their tank are compatible. Some will attack and kill others indiscriminately, and should be kept in separate, smaller bowls. Make sure to do the proper research so you don't make this mistake.

• To reduce the chances of identity theft, make sure to use a credit card and not a debit card when making your purchase. Should someone get ahold of your credit card number, he will still be unable to access your bank account. But if he gets ahold of your debit card number, your entire bank account could be drained. This is not common on safe sites, but it still can happen.

Resources

• Site that indicates fish compatibility