Beginner's Guide to Ornamental Fish Keeping

A vibrant home aquarium setup complete with colorful fishes, lush aquatic plants, and essential maintenance tools

• Aquarium Setup

  Essential items needed to set up your aquarium

  • Fish tank

    Select size based on available space and type of fish

  • Aquarium stand

    Ensure it's sturdy and can support the full weight of the aquarium

  • Filter system

    Choose based on tank size; helps keep water clean

  • Aquarium lighting

    Provides essential light, consider LED options for efficiency

  • Heater

    Essential for maintaining appropriate water temperature

  • Thermometer

    To monitor the water temperature regularly

  • Aquarium hood

    Prevents fish from jumping out and reduces evaporation

  • Substrate

    Gravel or sand, affects water chemistry and aesthetics

  • Water conditioner

    Removes harmful chemicals from tap water

  • Aquarium test kits

    For testing water parameters like pH and ammonia levels

  • Decorations

    Rocks, plants, and other ornaments for habitat enrichment

  • Background

    To enhance the appearance and hide wires and filters

  • Algae scraper

    For cleaning algae off the aquarium glass

  • Water siphon

    For water changes and gravel cleaning

  • Fish net

    For safely moving or removing fish

• Fish Selection

  Choose fish that are suitable for beginners

  • Guppies

    Hardy, colorful, and easy to care for, ideal for beginners

  • Tetras

    Small, peaceful fish that do well in groups

  • Betta fish

    Known for their vivid colors and fins, need separate tanks for males

  • Goldfish

    Require larger tanks and cold water, popular for beginners

  • Mollies

    Adaptable and easy to breed, come in various colors

  • Corydoras catfish

    Friendly bottom dwellers, help in keeping the tank clean

  • Zebra danios

    Hardy, active, and tolerant to a range of conditions

• Maintenance Routine

  Regular tasks to maintain a healthy aquarium

  • Weekly water changes

    Change 10-25% of the water weekly to maintain quality

  • Check filter media

    Monthly checks, replace if necessary

  • Monitor fish health

    Observe for signs of stress or disease daily

  • Feed correctly

    Feed small amounts they can consume in a few minutes, 1-2 times per day

  • Aquarium cleaning

    Scrub walls, decorations, and substrate during water changes

  • Test water parameters

    Regular testing for pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels