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Raising pet fish is very enjoyable, fun to watch and entertaining while also being very educational too.
Pet Fish & Aquariums
Heres a few questions you should consider before you buy any fish.
 What kind and size tank should you buy? Buy a tank
as big as you can afford and for which you have the space. If you have smaller children around
you might want to consider plastic just in case it gets knocked over. That way at least you
won't have to worry about sharp glass anyway. The water alone would be enough of a mess
to deal with. If you purchase a larger tank make sure it's set up on a sturdy stand or
structure so there is NO chance of anything happening to it. There would be nothing worse
than taking all the time and of course the expense you put in setting up your tank only to
see it disapear in a brief second. 
What is your local water like? Bring a cup full
of your tap water to your local pet store and ask to have the water tested for pH and
hardness. If you are short on free time you will probably prefer to buy fish that thrive
in your water type, rather than spending your evenings trying to adjust the water to the
fish. It's always nice to run a filter for your bowl or tank but it all depends on the type
of fish you purchase as to if you really need to use one or not.
 What kind of fish do you like? Fresh water or salt?
Warm water or cold? Salt water fish tend to be much more brilliant in color but are also
more expensive and the tanks require more care. Fresh water fish are easy to find and come
in a huge variety of shapes and colors. Tropical, or warm water fish are abundant in the
stores, but do require a heater and some attention to the water temperature. Cold water
fish, like goldfish or koi, don't require a heater, but have other needs that tropical
fish may not. Each has its advantages and disadvantages just depending on each ones personal
likes and wants.
What sort of support is available to you? Is there
a good, reputable pet store nearby with knowledgeable staff? Wal-Mart may carry fish, but
does the sales staff there know anything about them? You can also find many audio/video tapes
and books that can help you out with your particular situation too.
Great! Now you are ready to go buy your fish! Of course, buying
the fish is just the first step. | 