About Rick Sr.
Welcome! to about Rick Sr., I’m a lifelong tropical fish keeper, breeder, former aquarium-store owner, and the person behind BeginnersFishKeepers.com.
I began keeping and breeding tropical fish in the 1970s. During more than 50 years in the aquarium hobby, I have raised many freshwater species, helped countless fish keepers solve aquarium problems, and learned that successful fishkeeping begins with clean water, patience, and understanding the needs of each fish.
My goal is to share practical, beginner-friendly aquarium advice without making fishkeeping feel confusing or overwhelming.
More Than 50 Years of Fishkeeping Experience
My hands-on fishkeeping experience began in the 1970s and has continued through decades of keeping, breeding, raising, and caring for tropical fish.
Some of the fish and aquarium animals I have worked with include:
- Angelfish
- Discus
- German Blue Rams
- Bolivian Rams
- Guppies
- Mollies
- Platies
- Swordtails
- Corydoras catfish
- Plecos
- Gouramis
- Oscars
- Tetras
- Shrimp
- Snails
- Other freshwater community fish
I have experienced many of the same problems beginners face, including cloudy water, ammonia and nitrite problems, fish diseases, breeding challenges, feeding concerns, aggressive tank mates, and unexpected fish losses.
Those experiences taught me that there is rarely one perfect answer for every aquarium. Tank size, water quality, fish species, temperature, diet, filtration, and the aquarium keeper’s routine all matter.
Owning FinTastik Tropical Fish Store
I owned and operated FinTastik Tropical Fish store for 13 years.
During that time, I bred, raised, cared for, and sold many species of freshwater tropical fish. I also helped customers choose suitable fish, understand aquarium cycling, improve water quality, select equipment, and solve common fishkeeping problems.
Running an aquarium store gave me the opportunity to work with beginners, experienced hobbyists, breeders, families, and people setting up their very first fish tank.
It also reinforced something I have always believed: good advice should be practical, honest, and easy to understand.
Why I Created BeginnersFishKeepers.com
I created BeginnersFishKeepers.com to give new aquarium owners a dependable place to find straightforward fishkeeping information.
The website covers topics such as:
- Choosing the right aquarium
- Cycling a new fish tank
- Understanding ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate
- Selecting beginner-friendly fish
- Feeding aquarium fish properly
- Performing water changes
- Cleaning filters safely
- Preventing common fish diseases
- Choosing compatible tank mates
- Finding useful aquarium supplies
Many beginners become discouraged because they receive conflicting advice or are told that fishkeeping is more complicated than it needs to be.
My goal is to explain the important parts clearly, help people avoid preventable mistakes, and make the aquarium hobby more enjoyable.
Helping Beginner Fish Keepers
Beginners should feel comfortable asking questions.
No question is too simple. Every experienced fish keeper started as a beginner and learned through practice, observation, mistakes, and advice from others.
Whether you are setting up your first aquarium or trying to solve a problem in an established tank, the first things to check are usually:
- Water quality
- Temperature
- Filtration
- Feeding
- Tank size
- Stocking level
- Fish compatibility
- Recent changes to the aquarium
Looking at the whole aquarium often gives a better answer than treating only one visible symptom.
Why Beginners Can Trust This Advice
My fishkeeping advice comes from decades of hands-on experience, not simply from repeating information found online.
I have kept, bred, raised, and cared for many freshwater fish in home aquariums, breeding tanks, grow-out tanks, and a working tropical-fish store.
I understand the problems beginners face because I have helped aquarium owners work through them for many years. My goal is to explain fishkeeping in a friendly, practical way so new aquarium keepers can make better decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and enjoy healthier fish.
I will also tell readers when a problem may require more testing, an aquatic veterinarian, or advice beyond what can safely be diagnosed from a photograph.
Join Our Fishkeeping Community
Our Beginners Fish Keepers Facebook group gives aquarium keepers a friendly place to ask questions, share pictures, discuss fish health, and learn from other members.
The group covers freshwater aquarium topics including:
- Tank setup
- Water quality
- Fish compatibility
- Feeding
- Fish diseases
- Filtration
- Aquarium maintenance
- Live plants
- Breeding
- Beginner mistakes
Join the Beginners Fish Keepers Facebook Group
Explore the Website
Use these sections to continue learning:
Let’s Build Your Best Aquarium
Thank you for visiting BeginnersFishKeepers.com.
I hope this website saves you time, money, and frustration while helping you enjoy one of the most rewarding hobbies in the world.
Fishkeeping should be educational, relaxing, and enjoyable. Start with the basics, keep the water stable, learn about the fish before buying them, and never be afraid to ask questions.
Happy Fishkeeping!
Rick Sr.