Here are some fish facts from Jen Reynolds, a tropical freshwater aquarist at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre. They'll get you started and prevent little Nemo from getting stressed.
• Use a tank that allows as much surface area as possible. Reynolds recommends a 30-gallon tank with a good filtration system.
• Pay close attention to water temperature. For tropical freshwater fish, 26.5 C to 28.5 C is appropriate. For cold-water fish, the temperature is a little different for each. For example, 14 C to 22 C for a goldfish.
• Create a habitat that suits your fishes' natural behaviours.
• Choose compatible fish (it's a fish-eat-fish world out there).
• Change 30 per cent of the tank water every two weeks.
Tropical freshwater
Platy, $3 to $5
Baby making: Live-bearer (has live babies
Swims: Near surface
Social habits: Prefers to be with others of its own kind
Food: Tropical-fish community flakes and bloodworms
Special feature: Easy to tell males from females
Guppy, $3 to $6
Baby making:Live-bearer
Swims: Near surface
Social habits: Prefers to be with other
Food: Tropical-fish community flakes and bloodworms
Special feature: Easy to tell males from females
Zebra danio, $2 to $5
Baby making: Egg layer
Swims: At mid-level
Social habits: Schooling fish
Food: Tropical-fish community flakes and bloodworms
Special feature: Fast moving
