Facts About Fish Pets
Fish make fine pets. An amazing array of different types of fish are kept as pets, and maintaining an aquarium can be a simple pastime or a highly complex challenge, depending on which of these fish you choose. Before you make any decisions, it would be wise to acquaint yourself with some facts about fish as pets. Being able to make an informed choice will let you better keep your fish alive and healthy.
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Types
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A number of things must be taken into consideration when you are deciding what kind or kinds of fish are right for you. Saltwater and freshwater fish may both be kept as pets; freshwater fish are easier to care for while saltwater fish are available in a greater variety (and are often more expensive). You should also consider which fish are compatible with each other, how big they will grow, and how much care and maintenance they require.
Equipment
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The aquarium itself is the first and most important piece of equipment to consider. Your fish tank or bowl should be the right size for the fish you plan to keep in it. Other equipment like filters, aerators and heaters are necessities, while others like habitat items and rocks depend on the types of fish you will keep as pets. Some saltwater fish, for example, require special gravel made from crushed coral.
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Health
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Fish are susceptible to a number of ailments including white spot disease, velvet disease, dropsy, fin rot, fungal infections and parasites. Most fish ailments are treatable, but you should be able to recognize the symptoms in order to treat problems before they become serious. A number of medications, treatment products and methods of prevention are available (see Resources).
Feeding
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Feeding your fish the nutrients they need is key to keeping them alive and healthy. Different fish have different dietary requirements. Some are simple, and can be fulfilled by simple fish food purchased at a supermarket, while others are more specialized and complex. Feeding your fish a variety of different foods can help them get all the nutrients they need rather than just a few. Besides traditional flakes and pellets, frozen foods, vegetables, live worms and insects are all options for some fish. The variety of foods available can be staggering (see Resources). Food is also the biggest continuing cost for fish owners.
Maintenance
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Besides daily feeding, there are a number of things you can and should do to maintain your fish. You should do a "head count" often to make sure you have not lost any fish, and also check to make sure your equipment is running smoothly. Keep an eye on water level as well. About 25 percent of the water in your aquarium should be changed weekly to avoid build-up of toxins, and some algae removal may be required. Aquarium filters should also be cleaned as needed.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Goldfish image by Lucy Cherniak from Fotolia.com
