It’s very important as part of your plan for having successful aquarium to take note of the type of inhabitants. One of the most important elements of you aquarium will naturaly be fish.

Never buy fish before finding out about its requirement first. You really need to take your time to ask questions and be very observant when you are in the aquarium store. There are lots of aquarium stores with unknowledgeable owners, so you don't base your decision on their advice alone... make sure you take a look at the fish yourself.

If you can make friends with some of the staff in the store they will possibly tell you more about the lifestyle of the fish you are intending to pick.

Below are some basic guidelines to consider when buying new fish.

The following points all need to be considered:

• Is your fish tank at the right temperature?
• Are your water conditions correct?
• How big does it get? - It may be small now, but will your other fish be at risk when it grows?
• Is it a territorial - or will it be happier in a group?
• Can you supply the right food for it?