There are so many types of saltwater fish available in pet stores as well as other resources that the mere task of actually choosing can become a pretty daunting task. Perhaps the easiest to get this done is to educate yourself a bit about the different types of saltwater fish and their preferred habitats so that you can begin narrowing down your choices. First, you would have to learn about the species which are recommended for beginners like yourself. From there, you can narrow your options down even further through learning about the requirements of the fish. By requirements, I’m talking about the food they eat, the attention as well as how sensitive they might be to sudden changes in the water quality. After finding out which ones are the most suited to your aquarium, you can begin choosing.

We have talked about the variety of the types of saltwater fish available in the pet market and we have also talked about that no matter the variety, there are some species that are not suitable for beginning hobbyists, such as yourself. In fact, many are not even suitable to be kept in a tank at all. But of course, many people tend to choose a fish for decorative purposes and many choose the biggest, most colorful ones. But doing it that way is very dangerous as many of these beautiful fishes are in fact not safe to be kept in a tank at all. Here are a few examples of the types of saltwater fish that you should keep away from if you are just a novice.

You should most definitely keep away from the venomous types of saltwater fish for obvious reasons. There are actually quite a few species of the saltwater fish that are considerably dangerous due to them being venomous and these types are often commonly sold. These venomous species can actually inflict a person with a very painful, stinging toxic spine that comes from their bodies. As with most animals that are venomous, it is often the most stunningly beautiful of these fishes that are in fact venomous. One of the most common is the infamous Lionfish. Famous for both its beauty and deadly sting, the Lionfish are actually not very aggressive creatures and are quite to be just by themselves. But for a beginner handling a Lionfish should not be in your agenda any time soon. It is dangerous and can cause paralysis or even death if you get stung by one of the Lionfish’s spikes.

So if you are indeed a beginner and isn’t interested in handling the deadly Lionfish anytime soon, which types of saltwater fish could be perfect for you? You could try your hand at caring for the rainbow colored Damsel fish. These small fish come in a wide variety of colors and are the most appropriate selection for a beginning aquarist. They adapt very well to all sorts of tank environments and can handle or tolerate the changes that come with being in a new tank. They are also very hearty eaters and would readily consume prepared food such s flakes or a mix of frozen, freeze dried or live foods.

So there you have it, newbie aquarist, a short list of the recommended and not recommended types of saltwater fish such as yourself so remember to choose wisely and stay away from the Lionfishes.

Apparently, fish just like human beings require their own space too and as such a larger space is required. A larger tank would be the best option in this scenario for not only will it give your pet saltwater fishes more space, it would also help prevent the temperature fluctuations in the aquarium.

This is true in the event that your aquarium heater fails to work all of a sudden. In a smaller aquarium, the temperature would decrease quicker than in a larger aquarium. These larger aquariums would also help in maintaining the proper PH levels as well as nutrient levels in the water. Remember that saltwater fish are very sensitive creatures and even the smallest change in the water’s components can cause them to become very ill. So when you are setting up a saltwater fish habitat, the first things you should monitor are the water’s temperature, its nitrites its alkalinity , nitrates and the PH level. The alkalinity in the water should be at 3.0 and the water’s nitrate levels should be no more than 20ppm it is best if it is at 0ppm as this is the most conducive to a saltwater fish’s needs. As for the temperature, this is the most important out of all. Most of the fish you will buy should be kept a constant of 77°F. But there are some that need it cooler and some like it warmer so make sure when you are planning your tank that you check into the temp you will need for your fish.

Obviously, a saltwater fish habitat is a bit trickier to set-up when compared to a freshwater fish’s. But after you’ve properly set them up, with all the right components in place it is actually a very good ecosystem and can maintain itself. You should also remember that a saltwater fish needs extra attention when compared to a fresh water one. The latter can quickly adjust to any changes in the water salinity and temperature whereas the former cannot. Of course, when you are just starting out as a first time aquarium keeper, besides having the right components and knowing the basic rules as well as maintenance, you should also know how to choose the proper fish for the kind of aquarium you want. This is a rather simple process actually. Don’t choose a big fish for a small aquarium, don’t put together fishes that tend to prey on each other and lastly, freshwater fish cannot survive in saltwater and vice versa. So just remember all that and research more about which kinds of saltwater fish would be in harmony together inside an aquarium and you’re good to go.

Q: How to select a saltwater fish tank?
A: In selecting the saltwater fish tank you primarily need to decide the number and the classification of the fishes you wish to buy for your fish tank. The main rule in selecting the fish tank is to allow for every four gallons of water an inch of fish but make sure you are going by the size the fish will be in a year. That way you are not having to buy a new tank in a year because the have out grown your tank.

Q: What are the steps to follow in setting-up your saltwater fish tanks?
A: The first step that you need to do is to get yourself a guide book about saltwater fish tanks. You can find one at bookstores your local fish store or you can download one online. Asking for help in your local pet store can also aid you in building one. But not every fish store is the same so if you can go to a couple of different ones and see for yourself if the advice is true or are they just trying to sell you some stuff they need to get rid of.  Once you have your guide book and the advice from people who are already in the hobby you will see everything will be just that much easier for you.

Step number two is to purchase the things and accessories needed for your tank. For lightning, it really depends on whether you are going to have any corals or just fish in the tank. If it is fish only the regular fluorescent lights that comes with most tanks will be your best bet. The filter will depend on the number of fish and or corals you will be putting in your tank. The gravel or sand will be the base of your tank. This will also depend on the type of fish you are going to have on the tank. Some fish burrow in the sand so you would need sand and not gravel. You also need to buy a heater, thermometer, salinity tester and cleaning supplies. A water treatment kit should also be in your list. Another important factor is setting up saltwater fish tanks are their stand. You need to find a stand that is sturdy because it will hold at least 20 pounds of water. This is for one that is very small. If you get some of the bigger tanks you need to make sure the spot you want to put it in your home can hold the weight. Weight of 1 US Gallon of water = approx. 8.35 lbs so make sure you have a good stand and flooring to hold up to the wieght. Also you have to allow for the rocks and other things you will put in the tank.You also need to check if the stand wobbles to avoid accidents like a crack in the tank because it is not level. Think of a sturdy stand as an investment so if the one you choose is a little bit pricey just shrugged it off.

Step number three is to keep your cleaning routine simple. Basic water, sponge and scrapers are the only cleaning necessity you should need. Never use cleaning liquid bottles that has ammonia in it or the anti-bacterial in them. Also make sure that the stuff and accessories you put on the tank are clean and are installed properly.
Last step is to ask for help. Ask the personnel at your local pet shop advice on the kind of fish that is suitable for your tank. Make sure that you start small. you will have to allow your tank to cycle before you put fish in the tank. If you do not wait tell the cycle ends you can kill your fish by over stressing them while the tank is doing its cycle. Ultimately, researching everything and anything to do with saltwater fish tanks can make all the tasks easier for you. Do your assignment well and you’ll be rewarded with the colors of the sea.