Ideal AquaWorld

Common Mistakes When Starting a New Aquarium Beginning hobbyist fish keepers new to establishing an aquarium should read up on the mistakes of people who came before them and avoid some common pitfalls. Starting Too Small With the availability of mini-aquarium packages, it may be appealing to go small. However, for beginners, choosing a small aquarium is courting failure. When the water volume is small, key water parameters change very quickly and leave no room for error. Even experienced aquarists are challenged by a small aquarium. Newcomers to the hobby should stay away from tanks under 20 gallons until you become experienced. The bigger the tank, the less impact a mistake will have on the fish. Adding Fish Too Soon New aquarium owners are eager to add fish, often the same day they set up the tank. Some are lucky but many will quickly lose some, or all, of their fish. The water in a new tank needs to stabilize. Gases are dissolved in the water as well as minerals, heavy metals, and

9 Critters to Make Your Aquarium Cuter . Puppies. Kittens. Human babies. Some creatures get all the cute credit. When you think of sea life, you probably think of slimy, scaly creatures lurking at the bottom of a lake or the ocean. And you’re right—they are slimy and scaly! But they can be pretty darn cute, too. Don’t believe us? Check out these nine critters that will instantly make your aquarium cuter. 01 of 09 Axolotl Oh, you’ve never heard of Axolotl, a type of salamander that looks like an adorable anime character who can regenerate entire limbs and enjoys eating beef? Axolotls are native to Xochimilcho Lake in Mexico, where they’re considered endangered species. Because they can regenerate limbs, however, they’re bred extensively in captivity and used for research. If you add Axolotls to your aquarium, you’ll need a lot of space—and a couple of years. They can grow anywhere from six to 18 inches long, and can live for a whopping 20 years. 02 of 09 Telescope Goldfish It lo

10 Best Aquarium Fish for Beginners If you’re getting into freshwater aquariums for the first time, it can be intimidating to know which fish to pick. Ideally, you want something hardy, budget-friendly, and colorful with an interesting personality. Check out our list of top 10 beginner fish (in no particular order) that are easy to care for and would make a great addition to your aquarium! 1.    Rasboras There are many types of rasboras, but our favorite ones are the harlequin rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha) and lambchop rasbora (Trigonostigma espei). Known for their bright orange color and distinctive black triangular patch, these peaceful nano fish only grow to about two inches long and are readily available in most pet stores. Other rasboras include the miniscule neon green rasbora (Microdevario kubotai) and larger scissortail rasbora (Rasbora trilineata). Get a school or six or more of the same rasbora species, and they’ll make a striking display in your community tank.