Fishy Question!!! :)?

Question

I'm planning on getting a fish (one or couple of breeds) for an aquarium (either a salt or fresh water wish): any time of fish... Money or equipment (size and complexity) is not an option -- no matter how expensive it'll be...

What do I have to know about Salt and Fresh water fishes before I'll get one? How big can some get? For example: Lionfish, Pufferfish, Tetras and Goldfishes. Are there specific stores and/or locations where I can go for the "How to Care for Your Fish" Class? Which breeds can live in harmony with each other, without eating one another alive? How do I keep the fish healty and in perfect condition for months to come? What kind of aquarium do I get? Where is it supposed to be located in the house / appartment? What do the fish eat? If I'll give a fish a name will it like it? How can I make sure that the fish is alright? Is there a Fish Vet I can take it to? :)

Thank you so much for your help and assistance :)


P.S.: Can you teach a fish to do any tricks? :)

Answer 1

You need to research. Go here http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?act=idx

Money and equiptment is not an option? Does that mean no or anything. If you have unlimited cash, aquarium keeping may be somewhat easier. If not, a bit hard but you can make a fair quality small tank

You need to cycle the tank for beneficial bacteria to grow, make 25% or more water changes weekly, not go over 1 in per gallon of adult slimbodied under 4" fish, start with as big a tank as possible, overfilter as much as possible, goldfish and tropicals don't go together

And no offense but you are completly clueless. I would recommend a nice begginers book for you.
The Simple Guide to Freshwater Aquariums is good. After wards, use the forum I showed, and here if you really must to ask questions about thing you don't understand

Also, unless you're filthy rich, and have TONS of experience, go freshwater. Salt takes a lot more comlicated (and expensive) equiptment, a much smaller stocking density, and a much longer maintancence time

Answer 2

SLOW DOWN that's a lot of questions to answer at once. If this is your first aquarium start with fresh water since they are a liitle less complicated and have a higher success rate. The adult sizes of fish commonly sold at aquarium stores can range from 2 inches for some tetras to over 5 feet for some catfish. I would do some research on each type before you buy. Some better aquarium stores occasionally offer classes but these can be hard to find. For basic and rather detailed info i suggest getting one of the many books out there on the subject. also try the website www.aquariumfish.com I think you will find it very helpful.


ps Some of the more intelligent fish can be taught tricks. I once had bluegills that had been taught to touch my finger in order to be hand fed a worm. I also once saw an oscar that had been trained to pick up a white plastic ball off the tank bottom and push it through a ring in his tank in order to get a treat, I have no idea how that trick was trained.

Answer 3

There is soooooooooooooooooooo much to learn before you set up an aquarium. Search for online forums for salt water aquarists, or fresh. You'll find tons of info there. Also, check your local library for books on the subject. We set up our saltwater aquarium to run for several weeks before we even considered buying a fish. Everything has to be just right before you get fish, or they will just die. The people that work in fish stores are great sources of info, they usually really know their stuff.

Answer 4

well firstly have u decided on fresh or salt water fish?
fresh waters like the breeds mentioned dont get very big.U need to be careful on the ones u keep together definately.U get a big aquarium for few fish and a big aquarium for lotsa fish(lol nah, u have to have a certain amount of room per fish)
fish can eat the usual fishy food or can have things like bloodworm as treats.
I dont think they really care if they are named and yes u can take to vet.

Answer 5

if this is your first aquarium you should get a fresh water tank. salt water tanks need alot of care and knowledge of fish. gold fish are probably some of the easier fish to take care of. or you could start small and get a small betta tank and get a chinese fighter fish, they are pretty and easy to care for. your best bet would probably be to ask someone at a pet store or there are multiple books that you can read on basic fish care.

Answer 6

First, your 'PS'. Yes, you can teach them to do minor tricks. Coming up to the glass to 'touch' your finger, or to the surface. Very simple things, but still 'tricks'.

Salt and Fresh water fish differ.. enormously in care. If this is your first aquarium, I sincerely suggest freshwater. It's far easier to take care of, the fish are hardier, and the plants aren't as sensitive.

There are dozens of wonderful books, though personally I suggest 'Simon & Schuster's Guide to Freshwater and Marine Aquarium Fishes'.

Answer 7

If you've never had fish before, get a fresh water aquarium. Salt water is very expensive and very difficult to care for.

Answer 8

DO NOT get a salt water tank without putting a lot of time in research in beforehand. You sound very inexperienced and you'd probably just end up spending a lot of money and killing a lot of fish. It is not a simple hobby.

Buy a couple of books on the subject and start up a freshwater tank.

Answer 9

It's a good idea to start with a freshwater aquarium - get a tank that is big enough to be converted to a saltwater tank later. Saltwater is expensive and difficult to start with.

check out http://www.aquarticles.com for lots of info on starting an aquarium.

Answer 10

fish like to get out and run around the house and the easiest trick is to teach it how to float upside down