Freshwater

In This Chapter
Finding a reputable merchant
Chapter 9
Purchasing Your Fish
Understanding what makes a dealer good or not so good
Choosing healthy, appropriate fish
One of the best ways to start out as a beginning hobbyist is to develop a
good relationship with a local tropical fish dealer. A quality vendor can
help you make informed decisions on the type of aquarium best suited for
you, the proper equipment for your new tank, and the best aquatic species
for your system. A good vendor can also locate hard-to-find products (such
as a filter or lid for an irregularly shaped tank) and can help you with water
testing on a regular basis.
Of course, you can do many things as an informed hobbyist to help you start
off your fishkeeping adventure with success. Choosing healthy pets from a
good local vendor is the best way to start off right, and this chapter can help.
Choosing a Quality Dealer
The aquarium hobby is generally a lifelong addiction. (We ourselves are candidates
for Aquariums Anonymous.) It is really difficult to lay this fascinating
hobby aside once you take the plunge. In the years to come, you will need to
purchase fish, replace worn equipment, and keep stocked up on chemicals
and proper food.
During the course of your hobby, you also need expert advice on fishkeeping
skills once in a while, and someone to keep you informed on the newest
trends in equipment and other aquarium-related paraphernalia. No matter
what your skill level in fishkeeping, there is always something new to learn.
This is why you need to find a good retailer who specializes in the aquarium
aspect of the pet industry.