Four Basic Needs

Written By Bill Wymard, Marine Biologist

Environment

Recreating the environment is a crucial aspect of fish keeping.  If we can reproduce the conditions fish naturally live in, the fish we keep will respond by showing intense coloration, natural behavior, and increased longevity.  Water conditions are a large part of this formula, from reduction of fish wastes to maintaining a consistent temperature.  Providing structure and ample space are another factor that can make or break a successful aquarium.

Behavior

Understanding behavior is a vital part of keeping fish alive and healthy.  From breeding behavior to behavior that indicates a problem, like scratching, how a fish acts tells us a great deal about what is going on in the tank.  Monitoring the behavior of the tank’s inhabitants can clue us in to details about water quality, feeding, the environment, and more, as long as we can interpret the signs.

Nutrition

Proper feeding is important throughout a fish’s life to maintaining health, color, and behavior.  Replicating the diet of a fish in the wild is extremely difficult, and is mirrored by the huge variety of fish food available.  For most, feeding a wide variety of these foods, from freeze-dried to frozen to live foods will ensure that the fish has access to all of the nutrients necessary for a quality life.

Maintenance

Correctly maintaining an aquarium is very important to successful fish keeping.  Without our intervention, an aquarium inhabited with livestock will eventually run into the ground with poor water quality and wide variety of other problems, from disease to physical problems like flooding or leaking.  Keeping a regular schedule for maintaining the tank is critical to keeping the fish in good health.  Regular observation can also go a long way in troubleshooting and preventing problems.

Bill Wymard, Marine Biologist

Owner Bill Wymard set up his first aquarium at the age of 10. He had no idea that, several decades later, he would be keeping over 500 aquariums, and still possess the same passion and enthusiasm for aquariums and fish that he did when he was young.

As Wymard grew, and earned his degree in Marine Biology, that excitement and passion became something more. It just seemed natural to him to blend his life-long dream with his marine knowledge and skills to build the biggest (and best) aquatic superstore in the country. In the late 1990's, with the help of many talented, business colleagues from Petland, Bill, his wife Sandy and Petland owner and mentor Ed Kunzelman did just that!

In June of 1997, a new Aquarium Adventure franchise opened to rave reviews from local and visiting customers alike. Designed to hold and showcase the largest selection of freshwater and marine fish in the nation, our 12,000 sq.ft. showroom quickly earned a sterling reputation for the best selection of aquatic life and custom tank design in the area, as well as a knowledgeable staff.

http://www.aquariumadventurecolumbus.com
Previous

South American Backwater Pool Biotope
Next

Aquarium Environments Overview