Choose Your Fish Wisely!

[fish_doc]

Adding new fish is part of the thrill of Aquarium keeping. Make sure you select the healthiest, most active individuals who won't spread infection to your thriving tank.

Follow these tips when shopping for new fish:

Avoid fish with folded fins or obvious parasites.

Steer clear of fish that are gasping at the water surface or sulking at the bottom.

Never purchase fish from containers where other unhealthy or dead fish are present, as they may all be diseased.

[Damon]

When purchasing less hardier species of fish like neon tetras or otocinclus, be sure they have been in the store at least a week before purchasing. This will save you the hassle of possibly having to return a dead fish.

Purchase fish suitable to your aquarium size, no matter what size they are when the purchase is made. Don't put a bala shark in a 20 gallon because he was small when you purchased him.

[euRasian32]

Most of the time, LFS's run all or most of their tanks on a centralized filter, so avoid any purchase if one tanks show signs that fish_doc pointed out.

Research, research, and research. Compatibility, water parameters, feeding/foods, temperment, hardiness, etc. You can do this while waiting to see if the fish survives the first week at the LFS.

Don't purchase additional fish during the initial cycle. This can stump your cycle, or make it start all over.

Also, when the cycle is complete, remember that adding fish(s) can sometimes start another mini cycle to adjust to the added bioload.