General Basics
1. Q: What is fishkeeping?
A: Fishkeeping is the hobby of keeping fish in aquariums or ponds for enjoyment, breeding, or research.
2. Q: What are the main types of aquariums?
A: Freshwater, brackish, and saltwater.
3. Q: How big should my first tank be?
A: 75–100 liters (20–30 gallons) is ideal for beginners.
4. Q: Can I keep fish in a bowl?
A: It’s not recommended due to poor filtration, limited space, and unstable water parameters.
5. Q: What is the nitrogen cycle?
A: It’s the process where beneficial bacteria convert fish waste into less harmful substances.
6. Q: How long does it take to cycle a tank?
A: Typically 4 to 6 weeks.
7. Q: What’s the ideal temperature for most tropical fish?
A: Around 24–26°C (75–79°F).
8. Q: Can I use tap water in my aquarium?
A: Yes, but it must be dechlorinated first.
9. Q: What’s the difference between hard and soft water?
A: Hard water has more minerals (like calcium), soft water has fewer.
10. Q: How often should I feed my fish?
A: Once or twice daily, as much as they can eat in 1–2 minutes.
⸻
Equipment
11. Q: Do I need a filter?
A: Yes, it helps keep the water clean and supports the nitrogen cycle.
12. Q: What types of filters are there?
A: Sponge, internal, hang-on-back, and canister filters.
13. Q: Do I need a heater?
A: Yes, for tropical fish to maintain stable temperature.
14. Q: How do I measure water parameters?
A: Use liquid test kits or test strips.
15. Q: What lighting is best for fish?
A: LED lighting is efficient and doesn’t overheat the water.
16. Q: How long should aquarium lights be on daily?
A: 8–10 hours.
17. Q: What’s a good substrate for beginners?
A: Gravel or sand depending on the fish and plants.
18. Q: Do I need an air pump?
A: Only if your filter doesn’t agitate the water surface enough.
19. Q: How do I clean my filter?
A: Rinse media in tank water monthly to preserve bacteria.
20. Q: Can I use a power strip for my aquarium equipment?
A: Yes, but use one with surge protection and drip loops.
⸻
Fish Compatibility
21. Q: Can I mix freshwater and saltwater fish?
A: No, they require very different water conditions.
22. Q: Can I keep multiple male Betta fish together?
A: No, they will fight.
23. Q: What fish do well in community tanks?
A: Tetras, Corydoras, Guppies, and Mollies.
24. Q: Can I keep goldfish with tropical fish?
A: Not recommended—they need different temperatures.
25. Q: What are schooling fish?
A: Fish that prefer to be in groups of six or more.
26. Q: Are snails and shrimp good tank mates?
A: Yes, for peaceful freshwater tanks.
27. Q: What should I avoid mixing?
A: Aggressive with peaceful species, or large with very small fish.
28. Q: Can I keep different species of Cichlids together?
A: Depends—African and South American Cichlids should not be mixed.
29. Q: Do fish get lonely?
A: Some species are social and do better in groups.
30. Q: What fish are best for a nano tank?
A: Endler’s livebearers, small rasboras, or dwarf shrimp.
⸻
Feeding & Nutrition
31. Q: What should I feed my fish?
A: A varied diet of flakes, pellets, frozen, and live foods.
32. Q: Can I feed my fish vegetables?
A: Yes, blanched peas, zucchini, and spinach are good.
33. Q: How do I feed fry (baby fish)?
A: Infusoria, baby brine shrimp, or powdered food.
34. Q: Do fish overeat?
A: Yes, overfeeding can cause health and water issues.
35. Q: Should I fast my fish?
A: A fasting day once a week is often recommended.
Health & Disease
36. Q: How do I know if my fish is sick?
A: Look for signs like clamped fins, white spots, erratic swimming, loss of appetite, or color changes.
37. Q: What is Ich?
A: A common parasite that causes white spots on fish and is treated with heat and medication.
38. Q: Why is my fish gasping at the surface?
A: Possible low oxygen levels or poor water quality.
39. Q: What causes fin rot?
A: Bacterial infection, usually from poor water conditions.
40. Q: How do I treat sick fish?
A: Isolate in a hospital tank and treat with appropriate medication after diagnosis.
41. Q: Can fish get stressed?
A: Yes, from poor water quality, aggressive tank mates, or sudden changes.
42. Q: What is quarantine?
A: Isolating new fish for 2–4 weeks before adding them to the main tank.
43. Q: What is dropsy?
A: A symptom of internal infection where the fish’s belly swells and scales protrude.
44. Q: Are there fish-safe antibiotics?
A: Yes, like Maracyn or Kanaplex, but they should be used with care.
45. Q: What’s the best way to avoid disease?
A: Maintain clean water, avoid overstocking, and quarantine new arrivals.
⸻
Breeding
46. Q: Can fish breed in home aquariums?
A: Yes, many species breed readily under the right conditions.
47. Q: Do I need a separate tank for breeding?
A: Usually yes, to protect the eggs or fry.
48. Q: What is a breeding trap?
A: A small container placed in the tank to protect fry from adult fish.
49. Q: How do I trigger breeding?
A: Simulate seasonal changes with temperature, diet, and water conditions.
50. Q: What fish are easy to breed?
A: Guppies, platies, mollies, bettas, and zebra danios.
51. Q: What are mouthbrooders?
A: Fish (like some cichlids) that protect eggs or fry in their mouths.
52. Q: Do all fish lay eggs?
A: No, some (like livebearers) give birth to live young.
53. Q: What do I feed newly hatched fry?
A: Infusoria, liquid fry food, or baby brine shrimp.
54. Q: How do I stop overbreeding in livebearers?
A: Keep only one sex or separate males and females.
55. Q: Can fish eat their own babies?
A: Yes, many do unless the fry are separated.
⸻
Water Maintenance
56. Q: How often should I change the water?
A: Weekly, 20–30% is standard.
57. Q: What’s the best way to do a water change?
A: Use a gravel vacuum and replace with dechlorinated water of similar temperature.
58. Q: Do I need to clean the whole tank at once?
A: No, spot cleaning and regular partial water changes are best.
59. Q: What is TDS in aquarium water?
A: Total Dissolved Solids—measures overall water purity and mineral content.
60. Q: What is pH?
A: A measure of acidity or alkalinity; most fish prefer pH 6.5–7.5.
61. Q: How do I raise or lower pH safely?
A: Use natural methods (like driftwood or crushed coral) or pH-adjusting products gradually.
62. Q: What happens if ammonia levels are high?
A: Fish can die quickly—immediate water change is required.
63. Q: How do I test for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate?
A: Use a liquid test kit for accurate readings.
64. Q: What causes cloudy water?
A: Bacterial bloom, dirty substrate, or overfeeding.
65. Q: Should I use carbon in my filter?
A: It’s optional—it removes odors and chemicals but not essential.
⸻
Aquascaping & Plants
66. Q: Can I use live plants in my aquarium?
A: Yes, they help with water quality and look great.
67. Q: What’s a good beginner plant?
A: Java fern, Anubias, or hornwort.
68. Q: Do plants need special lighting?
A: Yes, full-spectrum lighting helps plant growth.
69. Q: Do I need CO2 for plants?
A: Only for advanced or demanding plant setups.
70. Q: Can I use soil in my planted tank?
A: Yes, but it must be aquarium-safe and capped with sand or gravel.
71. Q: Do fish eat plants?
A: Some do—research compatibility before planting.
72. Q: What are epiphyte plants?
A: Plants like Anubias and Java fern that grow on wood or rocks, not in soil.
73. Q: How do I prune aquarium plants?
A: Use scissors to cut dead or overgrown parts.
74. Q: What’s aquascaping?
A: The art of arranging plants, rocks, and wood in an aquarium.
75. Q: What’s the “low tech” planted tank method?
A: A setup using minimal fertilizers, no CO2, and hardy plants.
⸻
Advanced & Miscellaneous
76. Q: What is bio-load?
A: The amount of waste your fish produce, affecting filter and tank capacity.
77. Q: How many fish can I keep in my tank?
A: A rough guide is 1 inch of fish per gallon (considering adult size and species needs).
78. Q: What’s the difference between male and female fish?
A: Size, color, and fin shape often differ; varies by species.
79. Q: Can I keep fish without a filter?
A: Only with very low stocking and frequent water changes (not recommended for beginners).
80. Q: What are brackish water fish?
A: Species that live in slightly salty water, like mollies and puffers.
81. Q: What’s the best way to catch fish without stressing them?
A: Use a soft net and move slowly; dim lighting helps.
82. Q: Do I need to acclimate new fish?
A: Yes, over 15–30 minutes to match temperature and water chemistry.
83. Q: What is reverse osmosis (RO) water?
A: Highly purified water often used in marine or sensitive freshwater setups.
84. Q: Can I breed fish for profit?
A: Yes, but it takes planning, knowledge, and market demand.
85. Q: What is “old tank syndrome”?
A: When long-term buildup of waste causes unstable water despite no recent changes.
⸻
Fun & Interesting
86. Q: Do fish sleep?
A: Yes, they enter a restful state, usually at night.
87. Q: Can fish recognize their owners?
A: Many can, especially if you feed them regularly.
88. Q: Do fish have personalities?
A: Yes, individual behavior varies even within species.
89. Q: Can I train my fish?
A: Yes, some fish can be trained to eat from your hand or swim through hoops.
90. Q: Are aquarium fish wild-caught or bred?
A: Most freshwater fish are captive-bred; some marine fish are wild-caught.
91. Q: What’s a biotope aquarium?
A: A setup replicating a specific natural habitat with native species.
92. Q: What is a fishroom?
A: A space dedicated to multiple aquariums, often for breeding or business.
93. Q: Are fishkeeping and aquascaping competitions a thing?
A: Yes, there are contests worldwide for both.
94. Q: What is a nano tank?
A: A small aquarium, usually under 40 liters (10 gallons).
95. Q: What is a sump filter?
A: A separate tank used for advanced filtration, usually in marine setups.
⸻
Troubleshooting
96. Q: Why are my fish hiding all the time?
A: Stress, poor water quality, or not enough cover.
97. Q: Why are my fish fighting?
A: Overcrowding, incompatible species, or mating behavior.
98. Q: Why do my fish keep dying?
A: Likely poor water conditions, disease, or improper acclimation.
99. Q: Why do I have algae problems?
A: Too much light, excess nutrients, or overfeeding.
100. Q: Why do my plants melt after planting?
A: Adjustment shock—many bounce back in 1–2 weeks.
101. Q: I did everything right—why is my tank still not stable?
A: Patience—tanks take time to mature; continue testing and routine care.