7 Things to Ask Before You Get New Fish for an Aquarium

The aquarist hobby can be very rewarding in terms of learning new things. When you get into fish keeping, one of the recommendations you’ll invariably hear is related to stocking the tank. Seasoned aquarists will tell you to start out with a tank that isn’t too small nor too large—10—20-gallon tanks are the sweet spot for beginners. They’ll also recommend that you take your time establishing the tank with plants and to start off with just two hardy species to stimulate bacterial bloom and fully establish the tank.

Once your aquarium is established with a healthy ecosystem, chances are you’ll want to return to your aquarium supplier and get more fish. Make sure to do some online research on the species prior to going to the shop. Once there, you may want to get answers to the following questions.

1. How Much Will the Fish Grow?

Never get small fry (babies) for your aquarium unless you can ascertain the species and how large they’ll be as an adult. Many aquarium shops stock juveniles. To this effect, you should ask how big the fish will be as an adult so you can estimate if it will fit in your tank.

2. Is It Friendly?

Not all aquarium species get along, and the last thing you want is to bring home overly aggressive fish. Using your smartphone or tablet, take pictures of your tank and all its occupants so store staff members can tell you if the species you’re interested in will get along with the others.

3. How Many Fish Can I Keep?

The rule of thumb for stocking aquariums is no more than one inch per gallon. It’s generally better to keep the species count below this rule. For example, a school of 10 neon tetras in a 20-gallon tank would be an ideal situation. You can get a better answer when you bring photos of your tank. An exception to this rule is to upgrade your aquarium filter so it has an oversized biological filtration mass, but not too big of a filter where the flow will make a torrent in the tank.

4. Will It Need Tank Mates?

A single neon tetra or a cory won’t be happy swimming by itself in your aquarium. These fish depend on their schooling instincts to survive and thrive. When these species are by themselves, they’ll feel lonely and stressed out, thus making them more vulnerable to diseases.

5. What Are Its Water Chemistry Needs?

For the most part, you should get tropical fish that have been bred and raised in freshwater aquariums or reef tanks. Once you start becoming interested in more exotic species, you’ll have to take into consideration whether they’ll adjust to your current water parameters or temperatures.

6. Does the Fish Have Any Special Nutrition Needs?

Some fish are herbivores while others are carnivores, and some are scavengers while others are picky eaters. You’ll need to ask about the feeding habits of new tank tenants.

7. Is This a Territorial Fish?

All tanks should have at least a few plants, a couple of rocks, and a decoration to accommodate territorial species. If the fish you’re interested in is territorial, get only one and make sure you can set up a hiding spot.

In addition to asking about the fish you’re buying, you’ll probably have question about the equipment you need. At Aquatic Warehouse, our friendly and knowledgeable staff can help you with all the supplies you need for your aquarium or pond, from protein skimmers and LED lighting to pond filters and beneficial bacteria. Check out what we have to offer on our website, come to our store in Kearny Mesa, or give us a call at 858-467-9297.