Things To Consider When You Buy Tropical Fish
Before you buy tropical fish, there are several things you are going to want to consider. It may be difficult to choose from the hundreds of different breeds that are available. Then once you have chosen your breeds, how do you know if you are getting quality, healthy fish? This article will give you the information you need to make the right decisions.
What To Look For
When you buy tropical fish, the first thing to consider is the actual appearance of the fish themselves. Obviously, you are looking for bright colored, healthy looking fish. Try to avoid purchasing fish that appear dark or pale in appearance. These fish may be over stressed or diseased. When they go through the experience of being moved to a new tank, they may die shortly after.
Next, you'll want to observe the behavior of the fish as they swim in their existing tank. When you get close to the tank to look, some fish will swim up to the glass, and some will swim away and hide. Buy tropical fish that are comfortable in their surroundings, even when someone is watching them. The other fish might have some problems that will worsen once you get them home.
You also want to try to observe the fish at feeding time. Some of the fish will begin feeding immediately when the food is put in. Others will wait around until the rest of the fish have finished before they begin eating. You want to buy tropical fish that are feeding as soon as the food is put in the tank. These will end up being the biggest and healthiest fish later on. The other fish may be timid or easily intimidated by the others. In the long run, these fish will not be as healthy as the rest, and they will probably not survive as long either.
Some people will buy tropical fish that are pregnant. This is another way to increase your fish population in your tank. You need to be careful that the fish are not near the end of their pregnancy. The stress of taking them home and placing them in a new tank may be enough to kill them. You can tell how far along they are by the size of their belly.
Finally, before you buy tropical fish, make sure you ask plenty of questions. If you are dealing with a reputable fish store, they will be more than willing to help you as much as they can. One of the most important questions to ask is which breeds will live together the best. You don't want to get your fish home only to realize they are trying to kill each other.
