Tip of the Day – 7/2/2012

When wandering the fish store, try to avoid novelty livestock purchases that friends and family try to dupe you into just because the critter is so weird and funny. Too many times, folks without any experience in the hobby try to influence actual aquarium keepers, which leads to poor purchasing. Those outside of the trade are often fascinated by things that aren’t compatible with the fish, corals, and invertebrates you already care for, and they don’t have to deal with the repercussions of a bad decision. A fish that some become enamored with may chew on corals or nip at your precious clams. I’m not saying to ignore your kids when they want to get involved in the hobby by taking ownership of something in your aquarium, but don’t let others negatively influence your decision making.