As many hobbyists already know, saltwater fish and coral can be quite breathtaking. With the proper lighting and setup, live coral and exotic fish can come alive with bright colors and intense movement in a vibrant habitat of rocks and plants that are native to the most tropical locales. There are literally hundreds of fish and other sea creatures to choose from including Lion Fish, Puffer Fish, Clown Fish, Eels, Panther Groups, Trigger Fish, Shrimps, Crabs and Dog Puffers. There are also countless corals that can add movement and color to your underwater environment. In order to ensure a healthy and harmonious environment, however, you must set up and maintain the aquarium very carefully.
Before you can look at any fish or coral for sale, you must first determine what kinds of species you want in your tank and whether they are compatible with each other, as well as a reputable store; I would recommend Reef Hot Spot (http://www.reefhotspot.com/store/index1.php?cPath=51). Some people prefer to keep only live coral, others only want to fill their tanks with saltwater fish and many people would rather have both. It can be a great choice to keep both fish and corals in the same saltwater aquarium, but you must understand that some fish view coral and anemones as food. Some fish are also not compatible with one another, so you will also need to research the type of fish you are interested in to see how they get along with other types of fish before you stick them in the tank together.
There are even certain types of saltwater fish that are poisonous, so don’t go buying anything until you know what individual traits are. Lion Fish are the most notable example of poisonous fish that live in saltwater. Although they are very beautiful, the spines on their fins are highly toxic and anyone who is stung by them will need to seek medical assistance right away. They are definitely not the ideal fish for a beginner – something calm, easy to get along with, nonpoisonous and very hardy will be the best choice for a novice.
Although setting up a salt water fish tank takes some time and planning, if it is done correctly it will provide hours of entertainment for you and your guests. With so many different types of fish and coral for sale there are limitless possibilities.