Few things rival the majestic beauty of what Jacques Cousteau famously termed "The Silent World:" the mysterious world underneath the surface of the waves. Fish have a graceful poetry to their movements, and there is a certain pageantry to the Clownfish, the Angelfish, and the puffer. Many people find a tank full of swimming exotic fish to be a soothing, erudite addition to the house, and the collecting of such fish can be a great hobby.
However, keeping a plethora of fish living together in harmony can be a challenge. Many of the most attractively appointed fish tanks feature animals that aren't native to one another, and fish, unlike dogs, are never going to be truly domesticated. Fish tanks are always going to be a matter of Survival of the Fittest, and if you're not prepared for the eventuality of fish eating one another, an aquarium probably isn't right for you.
However, if you are interested in caring for the beauty of underwater life, there are a few questions you'll have to answer before you can (apologies for the pun) dive in:
* Will your aquarium be freshwater or saltwater? Ocean-dwelling fish require sea water to live, whereas freshwater fish will die in such an environment. You'll have to decide what kind of aquarium you'll have, and what kind of fish you'll be able to keep there. This is perhaps the most important question you'll have to answer before you begin purchasing fish. You should talk to an expert or vet before you commit to a water type, as they will be able to give you more practical information about what this will require.
* Understand the nitrogen cycle and how it affects your fish. Because many fish and other underwater organisms produce nitrogen waste (which can be dangerous to their health if the tank becomes too full of nitrogen), you will need to provide plants and nitrifiers (a type of bacteria) to reduce the presence of nitrogen in the water.
* Know how many fish can be supported by your aquarium. The general rule of thumb is that a tank can support 3 cm of adult fish per every 4 litres of water (1 inch of adult fish per gallon), or 1 cm of adult fish per 30 square cm of surface area (1 inch of adult fish per 12 square inches of surface area).
However, keeping a plethora of fish living together in harmony can be a challenge. Many of the most attractively appointed fish tanks feature animals that aren't native to one another, and fish, unlike dogs, are never going to be truly domesticated. Fish tanks are always going to be a matter of Survival of the Fittest, and if you're not prepared for the eventuality of fish eating one another, an aquarium probably isn't right for you.
However, if you are interested in caring for the beauty of underwater life, there are a few questions you'll have to answer before you can (apologies for the pun) dive in:
* Will your aquarium be freshwater or saltwater? Ocean-dwelling fish require sea water to live, whereas freshwater fish will die in such an environment. You'll have to decide what kind of aquarium you'll have, and what kind of fish you'll be able to keep there. This is perhaps the most important question you'll have to answer before you begin purchasing fish. You should talk to an expert or vet before you commit to a water type, as they will be able to give you more practical information about what this will require.
* Understand the nitrogen cycle and how it affects your fish. Because many fish and other underwater organisms produce nitrogen waste (which can be dangerous to their health if the tank becomes too full of nitrogen), you will need to provide plants and nitrifiers (a type of bacteria) to reduce the presence of nitrogen in the water.
* Know how many fish can be supported by your aquarium. The general rule of thumb is that a tank can support 3 cm of adult fish per every 4 litres of water (1 inch of adult fish per gallon), or 1 cm of adult fish per 30 square cm of surface area (1 inch of adult fish per 12 square inches of surface area).
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