Mom is Hooked on Fish, Again!

There was a small fish tank when I was growing up, and when our oldest son was about 3 years old we got him a Betta fish. Mom got hooked on fish, Again. We went from community fish such as Guppies, Platies and Mollies with Corydoras catfish and various Plecos to Bala Sharks, Iridescent Sharks, Black Ghost Knifefish, South American Cichlids (Severum, Blood Parrot, Convict) and I am now contemplating an African Cichlid tank.

I have learned many lessons, some the hard way. Test your water quality every week. Feed your fish once a day, no more than they can eat in 3-5 minutes, and turn your filter OFF while feeding them. Rinse the carbon filters until they run clear or kill your fish (dry carbon sucks oxygen out of water). Regular water changes via gravel vacuuming are vital to the ongoing health of an aquarium and the first line of defense against poor water quality.

Using a Python system prevents your spouse from getting annoyed at your spilling water on the new laminate flooring. It also speeds up the process tremendously if you have more than one aquarium.

BTW, my day job is working in a huge pet store, mostly with fish and small animals. So I have a unique perspective in being both a hobbyist and a professional. In my blog I'll share some of what I have learned about different species and aquatic setups, stores I have visited, warning signs before buying fish, etc.

I currently maintain 3 freshwater fish tanks in or near our kitchen, so I can watch the various inhabitants while I drink my coffee.