A Few Pet Store Phrases Translated :-)

• Tropical: they need a heater and water temperature of about 76 to 80 Degrees F. So you must buy a heater with the correct wattage for your aquarium and a thermometer.
• Livebearer: if you buy one male, your need at least two females and they will have babies!
• Community: you must have a school or shoal (i.e. at least 3 or more of the same type or species) to ease fish stress and increase survival chances. Yes, the occasional neon tetra can live alone, but this is the exception, not the rule. Neons do best (and are nicest to watch) in a group of at least six to eight.
• Aggressive: they need a lot of living space. They are territorial, will often feed in a frenzy and will sometimes fight other fish. It also means they grow larger (anywhere from 6 inches to 3 feet!) However, almost any type of fish can exhibit aggressive behavior. Even a red minor tetra. For those fish that grow to at least 6 inches assume you need at least 2 gallons of water for every one inch of adult fish -- so find out how big they get before you buy!
• Requires Aquarium Salt: see my blog entry "Why Aquarium Salt?"
• Algae Eater: there are many species. Some grow to be 2 inches, others 2 feet! For which type to get for your aquarium see my blog Lights! Water! Algae!
• Bottom Feeder: is often confused with an algae eater. These are usually catfish that eat food which falls to the bottom of an aquarium. Except to be really healthy they require food of their own such as sinking shrimp pellets.