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Select fish who are native
to waters having a similar chemical properties (pH and GH) to your
local tap water. If you have hard water, choose hard water fish. If
you have soft water, choose soft water fish. This is especially
important if you water is outside the 6.5-7.5 pH range. Changing
the natural hardness (or pH) of your tap water can be hard work and
often takes the fun out of keeping aquariums. Moreover, bungled
attempts at adjustment are common and often worse for fish than the
original sub-optimal water conditions. A good way to learn which
fish live happily in your local water is to check with a local fish
store (or club).
Select fish that are
compatible with each other and think long-term. That 1 inch fish
sure looks cute at a store. But what will you do when it gets 6
inches long and views its cohabitants as potential meals? Fish have
specific minimal space requirements that are dependent on their
physical size and temperament. Select fish whose needs will be met
in your tank. Be sure your tank has adequate hiding places (e.g.,
rocks, plants, driftwood, etc.) for its inhabitants.
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