I want to get two fish for my birthday, What should I do to insure I do everything correctly? Tips appreciated

Answer 1

Depending on how far away your birthday is, I'd say to find out what types of fish you'd be interested in keeping and find out as much as you can about them. Doing the proper research on what you need (and this includes asking questions, so you're already off to a good start!) will keep you from having as many problems in the future.

Once you know what kinds of fish you want, find out what size they're going to be, so you can get a tank that will be big enough for them as adults. Maybe go even bigger if you're got the space - you might want to add a few more later. Figure out what you'll need for a filter (should move 5-10 times the tank volume per hour, so you can figure out how many gallons per hour you'll need). Decide if your fish will need a heater, too. You'll also need gravel, a light, some decorations, something to take chlorine out of the water, and food for the fish. You'll also need some less fun things like a gravel vacuum and algae scrape for cleaning. A general aquarium book and one on any specific fish your keeping are always good for reference, and a water test kit will help you keep the water in good shape for the fish. You'll also want a net if you need to move the fish.

You'll want to get your tank set up so the fish will have everything ready when you bring them home. You'll have to decide if you want to cycle your tank with or without fish, too. This is a way of prepearing your tank by getting a good population of the bacteria that convert the toxic ammonia that fish produce to nitrite (also toxic), then to nitrate. If you do the fishless method, you don't stress the first fish in the tank, but you have to wait a few weeks till the tank is ready.

When you do get the fish, acclimate them to the tank correctly. Float them in their bag in the tank for 15-20 minutes. Then open the bag and pour about 1/4 of the water in a bucket or fown the drain - you don't want to add this to your tank because you can introduce snails, parasites, and disease to your tank! Replace the water with water from your tank and wait a few minutes. Do this 3-4 times. This lets the fish get used to any differences in the water chemistry from the store to your house slowly. After the last waiting period, net the fish and put it into your tank. Don't be surprised if the fish goes to a corner and hides for a few hours or days - it needs time to adjust to the new home.

And most of all - enjoy the tank. Welcome to the hobby!

I'll post some websites below where you can get more info on fish and aquariums.

Answer 2

It depends on what size tank you have or are thinking of getting and the amount of time you want to spend taking care of your fish.
Fancy goldfish are cute but need an some kind of air pump and filter and the best size tank minimum would be about 5 gallons.
Betta's(Siamese fighting fish) are beautiful and don't need an air pump or filter and can live in a minimum of 1 gallon tank, but with a smaller tank you need to change the water once a week.

Answer 3

Once you do get him a bigger tank, youcan give him some tankmates. Live hatchet fish or any reasonable sized non-colorfull fish.Good jopb so far with Tim!=) Edit-Bettas do not NEED 5 gallons of water, and I thihng a male betta needs at least a gallon, so you might wate to upgrade tim, but females can live fine in a half gallon. Some of the best betta breeders in the WORLD use half gallon contaiers to keep there bettas in when not spawing. And they produce BEAUTIFUL betta fish. I am just starting breeding betta fish, and I find that bettas can do just as well in a small container as a large 5+ gallon one.

Answer 4

I suggest you take good care of it keep the water clean, be sure the water is cleaned no less than twice a week, you want to keep them in good water, they need t be healthy. I advise you to feed your fish at least one time every day i recommend twice a day! Give the fish a good environment to live in make it homey, the way you would like your home to feel. Just take good care of your fish and take full responsibility.

Answer 5

make sure you dont get one of those goldfish thats like so tiny that it only costs like 10 cents, because there's a reason why they dont cost too much money...its because they dont live very long...if you wanna goldfish, get a real one...like a medium sized one...make sure u clean the tank or the aquarium or whatever ur gonna use and change the water clean the filters and all that stuff at least once a week...too much cleaning is not good also...and of course, dont forget to feed them...keep them away from different kind of fish, because sometimes fishes are like dogs...they sometimes can not get along...