Whatever our age or however busy our life style we all like to look at a tank full of beautiful fish, peacefully swimming around with just the soothing bubbling of the filter. Depending on your age it will also bring back memories of Nemo, Leonardo di Caprio or Dustin Hoffman but that’s a whole other issue.

Keeping fish or being an aquarist can be very rewarding but it is important to start off correctly. As with all other pets it is important to read a book, browse the internet or ask an expert so that you make sure you get the right ones for you. Unfortunately a lot of beginners lovingly prepare their aquarium with plants, sand and stones, allow it all to settle and then go out and buy a selection of pretty fish that are the right size for the tank. Sometimes they are lucky and everyone survives in harmony but frequently disaster strikes within weeks. Some of the fish that appeared the right size were only young ones and as they grow they start to eat the other smaller fish; some of the fish get all territorial about a part of the tank and attack any fish that comes near; some will eat the plants; some aren’t happy with the layout of the tank and lights and spend their entire time at the back behind a rock. It can get a bit disheartening but the main thing is to start the other way round.

Go to your local fish store and decide which fish you would like to keep. Check that your water supply is suitable. Find out which size of tank you should have for the fish that you have chosen. Decide where you will put and how you will support the tank. Find out what other equipment you need such as heating, lighting and filters. How will you decorate the tank? Choose your plants, rocks, backdrop and little castles and divers for the fish to swim round. Get lots of advice, talk to mates who own fish and before you know it you’ll have the most wonderful tank to watch and dream in front of. Then all you need to do is wait for Mrs Robinson – but that probably gives away too much about my age!

By Karen Berry of Danetree Vets