Page 46 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

44 FRESHWATER FISH: SETTING UP THE TANK

Choosing and introducing fish

Once the aquarium is fully prepared and you are certain that everything is functioning
properly, you can start to introduce the fish. Although suppliers can ship stock to you,
it is probably best to visit a local store, especially when starting out, so that you can
see the fish firsthand. Ask experienced aquarists to recommend a store—ideally one
that belongs to a recognized trade association. Such bodies run specialized training
courses for staff, so you are more likely to receive genuine, professional advice.

Elaborate fins No loss of scales A good aquarium store will have
free from fungal on the body helpful staff and clean, clearly
infection labeled, well-stocked tanks (below).
Disease spreads easily between fish in
a tank, so when choosing fish, try not
to focus on just one or two good
specimens that catch your eye but
Clear also look at their tankmates, to make
eyes sure that they are all healthy (right).
Some male fish, such
as this guppy, can be
Bright body color sexed visually by the
gonopodium—the
copulatory organ
Healthy fish, such as this Green Cobra
Delta Guppy (Poecilia reticulata), are easy
to spot; they feed well and swim without
No reddening
of the fins, or difficulty. Avoid fish that are distressed,
fin damage emaciated, or have abnormal body swellings.
Choosing freshwater fish from the vast array available can
be a daunting task; a little advance research can help you to
make the right choices. Select species that share similar water
chemistry requirements, and avoid fish that will quickly Checking for problems
outgrow the tank. Temperament and behavior should also When you have made your choice, ask to inspect the fish to be
be considered; lively, shoaling fish, for example, are not ideal sure that they are healthy. Before visiting the store, familiarize
tankmates for species that prefer calmer, less-populated yourself with the signs of disease in the chart on page 56 so
surroundings. Do not mix that you know what to look for. It is important to view the
active predators with smaller, fish from both sides, which is easiest to do when it has been
SOCIABILITY placid fish that could become caught and is in a plastic bag. It can be difficult to determine
their prey. Aggressive fish may the condition of some catfish and other sedentary species, but
The “traffic light” system is bully less bold companions if they are fairly plump and do not have a hollow-bellied
used in some aquatic stores
to rank sociability. and steal their food. Nervous appearance, the likelihood is that they are healthy.
A red spot against a fish’s fish, such as some dwarf
name indicates that it cichlids, may benefit from the Adding the fish to the tank
must be kept on its own. company of “dither” fish— Before introducing the fish to the tank, check the water
Yellow means that the more confident species whose chemistry (see p.46) to make sure that it is suitable for your
fish may have special calm presence helps the fish to fish. It is advisable not to populate the tank to its maximum
requirements.
feel more secure. Finally, try stocking density at first, in order to avoid putting a strain on
Green indicates fish to obtain a mix of species that the filtration system, which will not yet have a fully established
that can be kept in
a community tank. naturally inhabit different colony of beneficial bacteria. Observe the fish closely in these
levels of the tank. early stages, to make sure that they are settling in peacefully.

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