The information that actually helps
When someone asks us whether a particular fish will suit their tank, the honest answer depends on things only they know. Bring these and we can give you a straight answer rather than a general one.
- Tank dimensions. Length, width and height, or the volume if you know it. Floor area matters as much as litres for some fish.
- What is already in there. A list, or a photograph on your phone. Both work.
- How long it has been running. A few weeks and a few years are different situations.
- Your filtration. The make and model if you have it, or a photo of the unit.
- Recent water test results. If you have been testing, bring the numbers.
- Anything that has gone wrong lately. Losses, cloudiness, algae. It changes the advice.
Questions worth asking us
- Will this fish outgrow my tank?
- Does it need to be in a group, and how big a group?
- Will it get on with what I already keep?
- What does it eat, and will my current food do?
- Is it a fish for an established tank or a new one?
What we will not do
We will not promise that any two species will get along, because individual fish vary and so do tanks. What we can do is tell you where the obvious problems are and what usually works.
If a fish is not right for your setup, we would rather say so.