The Most Common Questions For A Novice Aquarist

How many fish can I put in an aquarium?

Approximately in a 45-liter aquarium, you can contain: 1 medium-sized fish (medium-sized fish include fish 5-8 cm long, such as swordtails, barbs, etc.) + 10 small fish (such as guppies, neons, etc.)) and 1 large fish (cichlid type). Of course, you can populate the aquarium with a large number of fish, but in this case, you will have to spend more time cleaning and maintaining the necessary parameters, in addition, the risk of diseases increases.

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Why are there so many fish in aquariums in pet stores?

Pet shops have special workers who change the water in the aquariums and clean them daily.

How much should you feed your fish?

The average 45 gallon aquarium requires little food. If you notice that food is not being eaten, reduce the portion. Usually, the food is given in such an amount that the fish can eat in 5 minutes. It is advisable to remove the remaining feed, as it settles to the bottom and spoils the water. Aquarium fish rarely die of hunger, except for those that feed on algae. Overfeeding does much more harm than underfeeding, so once a week the fish are given a fasting day (they are not fed at all). You must remember that fish are cold blooded and do not require the same portions that we consume ourselves. If you are away for a few days, pet stores sell automatic fish feeders that will feed the fish while you are away.

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My fish always seem very hungry

This is good because it means they are healthy. If they do not want to eat, it means that something is wrong in the aquarium.

Black-striped surgeon (Acanthurus nigricauda)

Which filter should I use?

External filters or internal filters that are installed in gravel are very good. It must be remembered that filters, regardless of type, are designed for a certain volume of water. If you put a powerful filter in a small aquarium, the fish will have a hard time, as the current will be too strong in the aquarium.

What kind of lighting is needed?

Aquarium lighting depends on the type of aquarium. If you are trying to grow live plants, then of course you need bright lighting that is on for at least 8 hours a day. But if only fish live in the aquarium, and the plants are artificial, then it is recommended to turn on the lighting only 4-5 hours a day during the daytime, when you usually observe the fish and during feeding. Turning off the lights for a long time will reduce algae growth and thus reduce the time you will have to spend cleaning glass and decorative items.

Aulonocara baenschi

What about disease?

Change part of the water regularly, do not overfeed fish and do not introduce sick fish into the aquarium, and the risk of catching the disease will be minimized. If you spot a sick fish in the tank, move it to a quarantine tank immediately to protect other fish and start treatment. The most common medicine is ordinary salt at the rate of 1 tbsp. for 5 liters of water for prevention and 2 tsp. 5 liters in case of illness. As a rule, this remedy is quite effective. In a quarantine aquarium, special medications should be used, which can be purchased at the pet store.

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What is the best fish for a beginner to start?

There is a lot of debate on this issue. It is believed that for beginners, the best choice is viviparous fish such as mollies, swordtails, guppies, etc. But this is not entirely true, since these fish usually do not live long, they are often caught in natural reservoirs, which is why diseases and parasites are often introduced into the aquarium along with these fish. Therefore, it is better for beginners to start such fish that are hardy, easy to care for, active, distinguished by longevity and do not require ideal conditions.