Are tropical/salt water fish difficult to keep alive?

Freshwater tropical fish are fairly easy. Give them the right water temps, pH, and a little salt and food and they'll do fine. Saltwater is a whole other ball game. You have pH, water hardness and gravity, salinity, etc., etc. Most need chillers, which are a fortune, too.

If you're looking into getting fish and all you've had are goldfish, I suggest you start with the freshwater variety. Much easier and much cheaper.

They are not really difficult to keep, although if you haven't been able to keep a goldfish alive you are not ready for tropical marine. There is a lot more you need to know about water parameters (salt levels, pH, nitrogen cycle etc) It's certainly possible for you to keep a marine tank, but do some more study, and save up some cash, before you jump in. Getting into a tropical freshwater tank will be cheaper and easier, and there are some very pretty and interesting fish you can keep in fresh water. Ian

They are not really difficult to keep, although if you haven't been able to keep a goldfish alive you are not ready for tropical marine. There is a lot more you need to know about water parameters (salt levels, pH, nitrogen cycle etc)

It's certainly possible for you to keep a marine tank, but do some more study, and save up some cash, before you jump in.

Getting into a tropical freshwater tank will be cheaper and easier, and there are some very pretty and interesting fish you can keep in fresh water.

Ian

Its a bit confusing at first, but if you read up on it properly its pretty easy once you get going. You might be better getting a heated freshwater tank first? That way you will have a bit more experience and know about cleaning and the nitrogen cycle an everything. Plus there are a lot of really nice freshwater fish, and theyre a bit easier to keep alive than saltwater if youre a novice (usually!)

you seem to be confused as to what tropical means..

tropical simply means the water is over 76 degrees Farenheit... saltwater or fresh...

if you research it enough you'll do fine.. but from the sounds of it you'd might need to research alot...

keeping goldfish as a kid is a far shot from keeping freshwater fish properly.. much less saltwater fish

Yes. It takes more knowledge and skill and money.

yup.. .as long as you can give them food and right water....