4 Tips for Buying Freshwater Fish

Purchasing fish can be intimidating for new owners, especially if you have no idea where to start. But here’s the good news: starting your own fish tank doesn’t have to be scary. All it takes to get started is a little research.

Research the Fish Before the Purchase

I’ll say it again: all you need is a little research. Never buy fish on first sight, especially if you are a new owner. Purchasing fish without any knowledge of the breed can lead to illness and death of the fish, wasting not only the life of the fish, but also your valuable time and money.

Before you purchase fish, make sure you are knowledgeable about the diet, size, growth rate and temperament of the fish. Learn about the compatibility of the breed with other breeds, the ideal water quality and temperature, and life expectancy. Knowledge of the fish breed will help you to select the right fish for your needs.

The Best Fish For New Owners

Often, new owners are faced with a large choice of breeds. Choosing hardy and easy-to-maintain fish will help grow your confidence and ensure that your fish stay alive for longer, giving you valuable practice in maintaining an aquatic environment.

Community species, including barbs and tetras, often are ideal for new owners. These types of fish can survive in many different environments, temperatures and water qualities, which will allow you time to correct any problems in time.

Look at All of the Fish

When you make your purchase, make sure to check out all of the fish in the tank – even the ones you are not interested in. If any fish in the tank looks or acts like it is sick, move on and purchase a different breed or from a different store. Even if the fish you want looks to be healthy, there is a good chance that it is carrying the same disease or illness as the sick fish in the tank.

You certainly will not want to bring a fish from a sick tank home, even if it appears to be healthy, because you run the risk of endangering the other fish in your home tank.

Also, sick fish can be indicative of the quality of care at the pet store. If the fish in the store frequently appear to be sick, you should move on to another store or dealer.

Purchase Your Aquarium Fish Locally

Purchasing your fish close to home can also help to improve the quality of life for your fish for one simple reason: if you buy your fish close to home, your dealer is more likely to have a similar water quality to that of your home. The closer you purchase, the more likely your water is to be the same.

For example, if your city has hard water, and the fish store is in your city, then your fish will already be prepared to live in hard water. Talk to the associate at the fish store to determine how the water in the store was conditioned so that you can replicate the same environment at home.

No matter where you shop or which type of breed you choose, a new fish can bring joy to everyone in your home.


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