Are you looking for a pet that doesn’t take up much space but still adds to your life? Then you’ll want to consider learning how to take care of a fish.
According to estimates, around 15 million households in the United States have a freshwater or saltwater fish, making them a popular choice. And for good reason!
Below, we’ll explore some easy steps you can take to ensure your new pet has a great life! Keep reading to learn more.
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1. Size Matters
While it’s a myth that fish grow to the size of their tanks, you’ll still want to make sure your fishy friends have plenty of space to swim around. Should the space prove too cramped, your fish may become agitated and more aggressive toward their tank mates.
Newcomers should start out with a five to ten-gallon tank. That should provide enough room for a fish or two while still proving manageable when it comes time to clean.
2. Acclimate Your Fish
Imagine you’ve spent your entire life in a cool environment. Your family moves to sunny, humid Florida and now you’re having a tough time adjusting.
Aquariums work in much the same way. Introducing a fish to a new environment too quickly can harm your fish, or even kill them in some cases.
In fact, this is the most important step of the process, particularly if you’re purchasing captive-bred fish. You may even want to keep a separate container for acclimating fish.
3. Add Flora
Decorating your tank with aquarium light can be a blast. But it’s not just for your benefit! Your fish will love some fresh decorations like plants, too
Fortunately, finding fresh flora shouldn’t be hard. You can find all sorts of aquatic plants at your local pet store.
4. Be Careful Before Adding Other Fish
The ocean is full of different species of fish. But that doesn’t mean they all get along. On the contrary, certain types of fish will attack one another, leading to a grisly scene within your aquatic paradise.
Betta fish, for instance, are notoriously violent and must be kept separate. Tetra fish, even the larger tetra species, on the other hand, are sociable and can do well in community tanks.
Research a species before introducing it to your tank to ensure it requires the same ecosystem and gets along with the other species in your tank.
5. Clean the Tank at Least Once per Month
Even if you have a powerful canister filter and an algae eater to clean up your tank, you’ll have to clean out the tank every so often. The good news is that doing so is easy, albeit time-consuming.
Start by removing your fish from the tank/bowl and into a safe container. The container should replicate the tank’s temperature, as well as its ecosystem (i.e., saltwater or freshwater) to avoid disturbing your fish.
Next, empty the tank and change the filter cartridge. You may also want to grab an algae scraper or similar instrument to clear off the sides of your tank as well as any scenery.
Once you’ve replenished the tank’s water supply, allow your filter to run for a few minutes so it can properly cycle. Finally, add any necessary chemicals to the tank and reintroduce the fish.
How to Take Care of a Fish Without Losing Your Mind
Fish ownership may seem easy, but figuring out how to take care of a fish can prove challenging. With that said, as long as you follow this guide, you shouldn’t have an issue!
And don’t forget to check back with our blog for more great content on pets of all shapes and sizes!
