If you have just decided to set up an aquarium, the number one question on your mind must be what kind of fish should I get? When you look at your choices in the pet store, you realize that it will not be easy to make that decision.

This can be a daunting experience for new fish keepers. Of course, you want fish that appeal to you and have the right 'look,' but when selecting fish for your new aquarium, there are three important questions to keep in mind. First, how large will this fish grow? Second, what are the fish's water quality requirements? Finally, how well will this fish live with the other fish I want?

Community fish are fish that are usually about one inch or less. Fish keepers usually choose to populate their tanks with groups of similar community fish. Some examples of community fish are sword tails, guppies, Dwarf Gourami and Platies. When you have chosen a variety, find fish that are close to the same size. Get some advice on which varieties get along well with each other if you want to mix them. Avoid getting just one community fish because they are used to swimming in schools and will just be lonely in your aquarium. As a rule of thumb, provide one gallon of aquarium water for every inch of these fish.

Other bigger species of fish can grow from 6 inches to several feet in length. They are generally best kept alone for they are known to attack or eat smaller or weaker fish. You will need a larger aquarium to keep them in. A ten gallon tank may suffice while they are still young, but eventually, you will need to transfer them to something bigger.

When buying your fish, it is best to immediately get the aquarium that would accommodate the adult size. Once you have chosen the specific species that you like, find out how big the fish are at adult size and get the correct size aquarium. The one gallon per inch rule of thumb for the much smaller community fish would not apply to these kinds of fish.

There are some varieties of fish that will survive almost any water condition. A popular example of these is the goldfish. They have a reputation for being almost invincible. They will most likely flourish even without lighting or filter, but this is not good aquarium practice.

Tropical fish are a little bit more particular especially with regard to the smaller range of water temperature they need. They also require high quality aquarium water. Testing the water frequently and having an excellent filter are just some of the ways to make sure that the fish are swimming in quality water. To lessen the need for constant maintenance, there are products like, EcoBio-Block, which helps to improve the quality of your aquarium water. Make sure to do some research regarding all the fish you have selected for their specific water quality requirements. There are some fish that require aquarium water to have a specific pH level, for example.

The last category of fish is the saltwater or marine variety. They are much more difficult to take care of, and are not recommended until you have acquired more fish keeping skills and experience with freshwater fish. On top of the light, temperature and water quality requirements of these fish, you also have to monitor the salt content in the aquarium. Never mix the saltwater fish with the freshwater varieties.

Finally, don't forget to choose healthy fish, no matter what species you have settled on. Look for intact fins, bright eyes, and no missing scales, growths, or other injuries. Some pet shops will allow you to feed the fish to check for high levels of activity and a healthy appetite.

Deciding on what fish to have should really be a matter of careful consideration. A well thought out selection will definitely provide you with many years of enjoyment with your pet fish and aquarium.

Leonard Boyler has been keeping fish for more than two decades. His favorite products make aquarium care and maintenance so easy from start up to clarifying cloudy fish tanks. To learn more about how to keep water clear and fish healthy, please visit ONEdersave.com.