Andrew Bicknell asked: Once you pick out your new fish tank and get it all set up your biggest decision is going to be what type of fish to put in it. One of the biggest factors that will determine the type of fish to buy is the size of the tank. If you have a small 5 or 10 gallon tank then it just doesn’t make sense to buy fish that may grow to be 6 to 12 inches long.
One of your best resources when it comes to purchasing fish is the people who work at the local pet store. They can point you in the right direction, making the learning curve much easier. There is also a wealth of information across the internet about fish and fish tanks, so much so that it may take a little time to research the type of fish you think may work in your new aquarium.
If you are looking for a more decorative tank with lots of color then smaller more brightly colored fish such as tetras, neons, and even angel fish are a good choice. There are hundreds of small fish varieties to choose from and most of them will school, making for a constant display of flashing colors in your tank. Smaller fish are easier to care for as well, eating simple flake food and keeping aquarium maintenance to a minimum.
If you bought a large tank then your choices increase. For the truly adventurous large fish such as cichlids can be a fun choice. They are much hardier then smaller fish so there is less chance of them dying after you get them home, which is good considering they will cost more. Cichlids do have something of a mean streak though, so you have to be careful with the other fish you wish to have in the tank. They will attack and kill other fish and even those of their own species.
Cichlids will also grow to a rather large size, some large enough that they can eat feeder goldfish. Once you get them to this size there is little else you can put in a tank with them. They can also be quite messy, creating large amounts of waste material and they will push the gravel and any other decorative rock or items you may have in the tank around, creating piles of gravel and other debris wherever they see fit.
In the end choosing new fish for your aquarium will come down to the type and size of tank you have and your own personal preferences. Obviously the larger the tank to more choices you will have but even the smallest of tanks can add decorative warmth to any room.
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