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The biggest consideration when setting up your aquarium is to decide whether you want to house tropical fish or cold water fish. Both Fresh water and Marine species can be either Tropical or cold water i.e they may need either warm or cold temperatures to live. Some fish are very hardy and relatively easy to keep, while others are so fragile that a temperature drop of a few degrees will kill them. Choose fish for your tank that are fairly hardy and that require the same environmental conditions. Some fish may not be compatible when put together. So you must make sure the fish that you choose for your tank are all compatible with each other.
Once you have your aquarium completely set up with or without a heater, you can decide on the fish to put in it. There are many different tropical fish available in the market. Although they need a heater, they are often more colorful than cold water fish.
A fresh water tank is easier for beginners than a salt water or marine tank. Fresh water fish are easier to manage than the marine species. For the beginner, any of the popular fresh water live-bearing fish, especially guppies, mollies, and so on or gold fish, angel fish etc will be the best. If one needs some fish more colourful, white cloud mountain fish is another option. All of these fish are fairly hardy, and can live at room temperatures. But most of the ornamental variety of freshwater fish are tropical, which require a heater.
Most of the marine fish species are tropical. Among the Marine aquarium fish species, damsel fish, clown fish (anemone fish) etc are best for beginners where as dragonets and lionfish should be kept only by experienced breeders with large tanks. Sharks, rays, batfishes etc should be avoided. Many marine species will be completely incompatible and necessitate careful selection of species when choosing which fish to keep in ones aquarium.
Things to remember before buying fish for your Aquarium
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