by: Jason S Williams
Tropical fish are beautiful creatures.Such a wide variety of species available; colors, shapes and sizes from which to choose from are also abound. It is, however, also important to realize that just as there exists great variety in appearance, so too does there exist great differences in temperament and compatibility amongst different species of fish. Therefore, before embarking on your first foray to buy tropical fish there are a few factors to keep in mind.
Where To Buy?
When buying fish, you are no longer limited to the selection available at your local pet store. In the present day, there are many reputable online tropical fish stores from which you can buy tropical fish and have them shipped to your home.
Brick-and-mortar pet shops provide you the advantage of being able to see the actual fish that you are about to purchase. They also allow you to browse and study different fish behaviors over time prior to purchasing. In most cases, these pet shops will also have qualified and knowledgeable staff ready to answer any question that you may have when you buy tropical fish.
Relying on internet based tropical fish stores will usually provide you with a greater diversity of available species. Although the personal contact is lost, most do provide great customer support and also provide valuable reference sections on their websites. These reference sections can be used to gain further knowledge on the behavior of different species prior to buying.
Temperament
Imagine placing together a fierce pit bull and a fluffy kitten in a small backyard. In this extreme example the disparity in temperament is quite obvious. Incredibly, many novice aquarium enthusiasts do not take temperament compatibility into consideration when selecting tropical fish. Being aware of the individual aggressiveness and compatibility of different species before you buy tropical fish is paramount. Traditionally, amongst the most mild-mannered tropical fish are the mollies, tetras and rainbow fish.
There are many sources for obtaining this type of comparative information. A good place to start is the internet, followed by your local public library. Your local aquarium or pet shop is also a good source for this type of information.
Behavior
Different species of fish will also have different behavior patterns in terms of their social interaction with other fish, eating habits and habitat preferences. This should also be taken into consideration when you buy tropical fish. Species, such as high fins, display schooling behavior. In large tanks this can provide for impressive scenes of multiple fish moving in unison. Placing such fish in small numbers or in smaller aquariums could actually be detrimental to them. Behavior can also be used to assist in keeping your tank clean. Being aware of the eating habits of catfish species would alert you to the fact that they make for effective bottom dwelling scavengers that help in keeping the tank substrate clean. Knowing the different fish species behaviors will help you obtain an aquarium that displays a rich and vibrant tapestry of behaviors. This will ensure that there is always something interesting to look at in all areas of the tank. Complementing, yet contrasting behaviors is what provides the depth of beauty to any aquarium
As long as you are aware that you must research the temperament and behavior of each species before you buy tropical fish, you will end up with an aquarium that displays the diversity that you want and that is also healthy for the fish themselves.
