Ask an aquarist
Tell us what’s bothering you.
Cloudy water, a fish that won’t eat, a tank you are just setting up — write as much as you can; a photo (or a description of one) helps a lot.
Your question
Questions that come up most
- How many fish can I put in my tank?
- There is no single formula. The “1 cm of fish per litre” rule is a rough guess that breaks easily, because fish differ in mass and needs. Start with fewer than you think and watch how the system reacts before adding more.
- I bought fish today. Can they go straight in?
- Not straight away: balance temperature and water gradually (acclimation). The guide on the first day explains how, step by step.
- Do I have to cycle the tank before the fish?
- Most aquarists recommend it, because fish produce ammonia and the bacteria that break it down need time to establish. There are also planted-tank and bacteria-starter approaches. See the cycling guide.
- Why is my water cloudy?
- Often a bacterial bloom in a new tank, dust from the substrate, or too much food. Take a photo, tell us how old the tank is and what you added, then ask.
- Can goldfish live with tropical fish?
- We recommend against it. Goldfish prefer cooler water than tropical fish and produce a lot of waste. More in the compatibility guide.
- Do you buy fish?
- Yes, we buy fish in larger quantities. Tell us what you have and how many, and we take it from there.