Helpful Fish Keeping Tips: What Every Aquarist Should Know

Keeping fish isn’t just a hobby—it’s a journey into creating and maintaining your own little aquatic world. Whether you're setting up your first tank or have a mini freshwater jungle at home, these helpful fish keeping tips can make all the difference between just keeping fish and truly helping them thrive.

1. Start With the Right Tank Size

Bigger is better. Small tanks are harder to keep stable—temperature, pH, and toxins fluctuate faster. A 40 gallon tank is a sweet spot for beginners: forgiving, manageable, and flexible for different fish types.

2. Don’t Skip the Nitrogen Cycle

Before adding fish, let your tank fully cycle. This process establishes beneficial bacteria that break down toxic ammonia and nitrite into less harmful nitrate.

• Add a source of ammonia (like fish food or bottled ammonia)

• Test water regularly

• Only add fish once ammonia and nitrite = 0 ppm

Pro tip: Use bottled bacteria to jumpstart the process like Fritz zyme 7.

3. Choose Fish Wisely

Do your research before buying. A few things to consider:

• Adult size: That cute baby fish might grow into a 12-inch monster.

• Temperament: Don’t mix aggressive species with peaceful ones.

• Water needs: Match fish with similar temperature and ph preferences.

4. Feed Less Than You Think

Overfeeding is the #1 beginner mistake. Uneaten food turns into ammonia, which harms your fish.

• Feed once daily

• Only as much as they can eat in 1–2 minutes

• Skip a day each week to mimic natural fasting

5. Do Regular Water Changes

A clean tank = healthy fish. Water changes dilute toxins and replenish minerals.

• Change 20–30% weekly depending on stocking.

• Use a gravel vacuum to clean the substrate

• Always dechlorinate tap water before adding it in

6. Test Your Water Weekly

You can’t fix what you don’t measure. Use a liquid test kit (more accurate than strips) to track:

• Ammonia

• Nitrite

• Nitrate
  

Logging your results helps you spot trends or problems early

7. Keep It Simple

It’s easy to get carried away with gear, gadgets, and too many species. Start simple:

• Pick hardy fish
  

• Stick to a manageable number

• Focus on mastering the basics first

8. Don’t Clean Everything at Once

Beneficial bacteria live in your filter and substrate. Cleaning it all at once can crash your cycle. Instead:

• Rinse filter media in old tank water (not tap!)

• Clean different parts on alternating weeks

• Avoid replacing all filter media at the same time

9. Be Patient and Observe

Aquarium success takes time. Don’t rush stocking, don’t panic over a little algae, and always take time to watch your fish. They’ll show you when something’s off—clamped fins, strange swimming, or lack of appetite can all be early warning signs.

Final Thought: It's About Balance

Fish keeping is as much art as science. It's about creating a balanced environment where life can flourish. When you slow down, stay curious, and take care of the details, you’ll not only have a beautiful tank—but a truly thriving ecosystem.