Taking Care of a Fish: The Basics Explained

Are you interested in pet ownership, but don’t have the time necessary to devote to a cat or dog? Those pets bring big responsibility, and if you’re often on the go, they’re probably not right for you.

Though your lifestyle might keep you from sharing your home with a furry friend, it shouldn’t deter you from pet ownership.

Fish are a wonderful, mostly hassle-free alternative. However, there are some things you need to know about taking care of a fish before you go out and buy a tank.

Check out these excellent fish care tips.

Find the Right Aquarium Set Up

The bright colors and constant movement make fish a calming, almost hypnotic presence in your home. The best part is, aquarium fish are easy to care for.

They’re especially easy if you find the best aquarium setup. You can shop aquariums online, too.

Make Sure it’s Big Enough

Fish need lots of room to swim. If you’re interested in multiple fish, the bigger the aquarium the better. Too many fish in a confined space lower the oxygen levels in the water.

Filter and Air Pump

These are very important for your fish. You want to make sure your water stays clean and oxygenated.

Think about it. Fish don’t live in stagnant water, they need the oxygen found in lakes and ponds from moving water.

Know What Type of Fish You Buy

Freshwater fish are easy to care for, but different fish need different water temperatures. Tropical fish will, of course, need warmer water.

It’s best to do a little planning when you’re setting up an aquarium. Know what fish you want to keep and set the water’s thermostat accordingly.

Care Tips

Caring for fish is easy, but you want to make sure you’re doing it right to keep your fish happy and healthy. The last thing you want is to find them belly-up.

Aquarium Location

When you’re setting up an aquarium, you need to find a good location. Your tank should be away from windows and direct sunlight. Direct sunlight will heat your tank to a potentially deadly temperature.

Maintain Habitat

This means plenty of live plants and a gravel base. Both the plants and the gravel help keep the water oxygenated.

There are other benefits to live aquarium plants; they give your fish places to hide and frolic. They also keep the water’s nutrients regulated.

Quality Food

We’ve learned so much about the human diet in recent years, and the damage processed foods cause. Our pets are the same. Whether you’re caring for a dog or a fish, an investment in good food will keep them healthy.

One of the most common issues is overfeeding. When you feed your fish poor quality food, they’ll eat too much. This makes you think they’re still hungry, so you might end up overfeeding them.

Clean Your Tank

Dirty aquarium water makes great plant fertilizer, but it’s not good for your fish. Test the pH levels twice a week, and plan to do a partial or whole tank clean once a month.