Look for attentive fish that aggressively go after food.

An aquarium filled with brightly colored fish can be a great addition to a home or office, and provide endless enjoyment for children and adults alike. But upon walking into a pet store or specialty fish shop, how can a buyer know which fish will lead long and healthy lives, and which will soon be floating to the top? To save money and guarantee you’ll be getting healthy fish, just follow a few simple guidelines.

John Holcomb has been taking care of fish since he was a young child, when he would save his allowance money to buy new fish and aquarium equipment. Now the president of Dallas North Aquariums, he still has the same awe and excitement for the hobby that he had as a kid, and he offers this basic guide to buying fish for a home aquarium:

• A good store. Holcomb recommends that you evaluate your local pet or aquarium store, making sure that the place is clean and well managed. Try to establish a relationship with one or two of the salespeople and rely on their knowledge and opinions when choosing your fish.

• Consumer aquariums. According to Holcomb, a good store is one that displays fish in the same aquariums that they sell to customers. The fish inside them should look healthy and well cared for.

• Attentive fish. Lethargy is one sign of a sick fish, while energy is a sign of health. You’ll want to look for fish that are attentive, that have a clear eye, and that are aggressively coming to the surface for food. These will be the healthier specimens, and the ones more likely to survive in your home tank.

• Price. It may sound like a twist of logic, but Holcomb claims that the less expensive a fish is, be it freshwater or saltwater, the heartier it will be. Don’t go wasting money on pricey exotic fish just to have them expire after a few weeks.

• In case of a problem. If you do have a problem in your aquarium, you should test the water right away. You’ll want to know what’s going on and address the problem so you don’t put another fish in harm’s way. If you’re caring and attentive and you choose healthy fish, your aquarium will provide you with happiness for a long time to come.

The Age of Aquariums
www.aquahobby.com

A World of Fish
www.aworldoffish.com

Fish Information Service
fins.actwin.com

Yahoo Fish Links
dir.yahoo.com/Science/Biology/Zoology/Animals__Insects__and_Pets/Fish/

Aquarium Station
www.petstation.com/fish.html

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