Freshwater Fish Purchase - Questions To Ask When Buying Freshwater Fish

Introduction
When purchasing freshwater fish for your aquarium, especially if it is your first time, you need to be ready to ask the right questions. Asking the right questions will prevent future problems.





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Questions To Ask
The personnel at a pet or fish supply store should be able to answer any question you have about stocking your aquarium. Here are some questions you should ask:

What type of pH does this fish prefer, alkaline or acidic water? Most freshwater fish prefer water with a pH in a range of 6.0 to 7.5. But some fish prefer their water at 7.8 to 9.0, so you want to be sure your fish can tolerate the same pH.

Is this fish compatible with other fish? Freshwater fish are divided into three different types of personalities. These personalities are community, semi-aggressive and aggressive fish. Each personality is compatible with each other, but different personalities should not be mixed together or you will have trouble in your aquarium.
What are the feeding requirements for this fish? Some fish prefer such foods as algae but most require a mixture of fish flakes and algae.
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Where does this fish eat? Some fish eat at the top of the tank and others eat at the bottom. This is important because each type will require different types of food. My top feeders eat fish flakes while my bottom feeders eat algae tablets I drop to them.

What water temperatures do these fish prefer? Most freshwater fish like their water temperature at about 77 degrees. But some may like it cooler or even warmer. Ensure the fish you get enjoy the same temperature.
Does this fish like open areas or places to hide? My seven Tiger Barbs are schooling fish so they like open areas to swim in. But my African Featherfin Catfish are very shy and like to hide in the rocks I provide and the various ornaments. So design your tank to be compatible with the type fish you buy.
What country does this fish come from? Not necessarily important before purchasing your fish, but it is an interesting tidbit of information you can share with your friends. My Tiger Barbs come from Southeast Asia while my African Featherfin Catfish come from Africa.

Conclusion
If you are just establishing an aquarium or all ready have one established, you need to be able to ask the right questions before purchasing your fish. By asking the right questions you will ensure your fish are all compatible together and they will fit into your aquariums environment.
J.W. Chase has been keeping a 75-gallon aquarium with several different fish species for many years. He has extensive knowledge of how to manage an aquarium keeping all his fish healthy and smiling. His web site has information on keeping aquariums and your fish happy.