Starting a new aquarium can be a fun and entertaining process. However, it can also become a challenge if this is your first time setting up an aquarium. Your best option as a beginner is to learn more about the fish you want to keep before making any equipment purchases. By doing so, you will save time, money and frustration.  In this article I’ll outline what you’ll need to do in order to choose the right fresh water fish. Rather than jumping into the hobby haphazardly by purchasing the aquarium first and taking a stab at what type of fish will go into it as most beginners do I’ll introduce you to a different approach.

Start by doing your research

The first step is to decide on what type of fish you would like to keep. This will boil down to the amount of time, commitment, money and patience you are willing to put into your new hobby. Different types of fish will require different levels of care. Some fish may require special care while others need very little care. The best way to research this information is to buy a book on tropical fish species and learn more about the specific fish you are interested in.

A good example of this is the difference between a Gouarmi and Discus. Discus is a species of Cichlid from the Amazon River which are highly desirable to keep as aquarium fish. However, the only drawback is that Discus fish are very delicate and have a low tolerance to fluctuations in water conditions making the Discus difficult to keep. Discus also carry a high price tag compared to other fresh water fish. On the other hand you have the Gouarmi an inexpensive species of fish that is able to handle new aquarium conditions and is the reason some aquarist use them as starter-fish.

Compatibility is key

The next thing you need to do is to make sure the fish you are interested in are compatible with one another. This is important because some fish are aggressive fin nippers and will likely kill other fish in the tank. A good example of this is the Mbuna Cichlids which are highly territorial. They will establish a pecking order in the tank and the dominant fish will make life difficult for weaker fish. The weakest of the fish often have damaged fins and usually die of stress.

Getting your aquarium

Once you have completed the necessary research on the type of fish you like, you are then ready to get the appropriate aquarium or biOrb fish tank. The main consideration here is to choose the right size tank for your fish. For example, if you purchase a baby biOrb or 4 to 6 gallon aquarium, you don’t want to put fish that are too large or fish that will eventually out grow your tank. You must also keep in mind that certain species of fish will require more space or a larger tank regardless of their size. Again, doing your research on the types of fish you want to keep will help you find the right size aquarium for your needs.

The type of fish you are interested in will ultimately determine the level of difficulty, care and expense you are willing to put into your new hobby. Following this simple guideline will help you avoid any unnecessary setbacks that cause new aquarist to give up.