Choose Your Pet

Many aquarium pets are sold as small juveniles. They will grow substantially during their lifetime. It’s important to know how big an animal will get before adding it to your tank. It should fit comfortably in your aquarium as a full-grown adult. Also consider the size and number of other animals in the tank to avoid overcrowding.

Some aquarium animals can thrive on flake or pellet food that is available at your local aquarium store. Others are much pickier, needing food that is live and/or hard to get. Determine the dietary needs of your prospective pet and make sure you can obtain this type of food.Furthermore, knowing if your prospective pet is a carnivore (meat eater), herbivore (plant eater) or omnivore (meat and plant eater) will help you plan a peaceful tank. Carnivorous fish, especially large ones, are more aggressive and may consume smaller tankmates as snacks. Similarly, herbivores, like snails, may prefer to eat the plants you have in your tank instead of the algae on the tank glass. It’s important to research the diet and behavior of potential new additions before adding them in to your system.

It is important everyone gets along in the tank. Aquarium animals have a wide range of behaviors that make them good or bad tankmates. Some fish are territorial or aggressive, starting fights and injuring or killing their neighbors. Other fish prefer to be in groups of their own species and don’t like to be alone. Some fish will eat coral or other invertebrates. There are plenty of resources online that can help you determine whether species are compatible.

Many animals require specific types of habitat or shelter that need to be created in your tank. Some fish like to hide and some need a place of their own. For example, if you have three fish that like to hide when startled, one cave may not be sufficient for all three. Providing plenty of shelter for your animals will help reduce competition for space and promote a peaceful tank.

Aquarium keeping can be a very expensive hobby, so it’s important to decide how much you’re willing to spend before you start. Many things influence aquarium price, but size, type of aquarium and type of animals will be the biggest price determinants. Identifying the costs for your ideal aquarium before you start making purchases will keep you within your desired budget and ensure the aquarium meets your expectations.

Many hobbyists choose animals based on how they look. However, some aquarium pets have certain behaviors that make them difficult to see in a tank. Understanding the natural behavior of animals will help you select pets that meet your aesthetic expectations. If you want colorful and visible animals in your tank, avoid those that bury themselves, hide behind plants and rocks, or only come out at night (nocturnal).

There are lots of compounding factors determining how challenging any particular animal is to keep. It is important to choose pets based on your experience level and ability to care for them. Many online aquarium websites state the difficulty of keeping a given fish and a quick web search can provide additional information. Choosing animals within your range of skills will help set you up for a successful aquarium experience.