Companionship in the form of a pet is something that many people covet. Many places do not allow you to take cats or dogs but are often more open to a fish tank. If you are thinking about getting a fish, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
Keep Your Pet Fish Alive
While the tips below will be able to answer a lot of your questions and ponderings, it is important that you research the specific needs of your individual fish species further. Take a closer look at the fishkeeping advice below.
1 – Fish Food
Fish food comes in various different forms. You can get it in the form of flakes, pellets, and even freeze-dried variables. Be sure to read the packaging to find out how much you need to feed your fish each day as there are serving suggestions so that you meet the nutritional needs of your specific type of fish
You can also get more specialized food and treats like brine shrimp and bloodworms. You can get these in freeze-dried form, too. Many people prefer freeze-dried food as there is less risk of disease. There are plenty of fish-keeping guides where you can get more specific details on your particular type of fish species. It is important that you purchase the right type of food for your fish species.
2 – Feeding Time
When feeding your fish, it is important to know that they don’t have stomachs as we do. It almost goes in one end and out the other, so they almost lack the ability to stop eating. A top tip to remember when feeding your fish is that you should only be feeding them as much as they are able to eat in two or three minutes. Feeding time should typically be once or twice a day. Overfeeding is a very common mistake many fish owners make. In fact, if you have goldfish, should only spend one minute feeding them. If you know that you might be tempted to feed your aquatic beauties more, you can always get your hands on an automatic feeder. Alternatively, you can put a food block inside your tank.
3 – Best Place to Buy Fish
When it comes to buying fish, it really depends on the type of fish you’re looking for. Pet stores stock a large variety of different species, but if you are looking for something more specific you can always find a commercial breeder. This is not to say that one of these two options is better than another. Pet stores with an aquatic section should have well-trained employees, who will let you know all about your new pets. Likewise, a breeder will tell you all about the fish you are getting from them and how to best look after them.
4 – Fish Tank Essentials
Your top four fish tank essentials are food, water, filtration, and temperature control. The exact requirements for each type of fish will differ, so it is important to get this information before you buy an individual or an assortment of fish. Depending on the type of fish you get and the quantity, this will determine how big of a tank you need, what sort of air pump you should invest in, as well as a submersible temperature control. An important rule to follow is that you should have at least one gallon of water per every inch of full-grown fish.
5 – Decorating Your Fish Tank
Once you have the essentials covered, it’s time to decorate. You ideally want to decorate in a way that looks good to you, but that meets the needs and preferences of your fish. Some fish like living plants, while others are impartial to live or plastic. Some like to burrow into the sand, so be sure to include a layer of substrate at the bottom of your tank. Some like to hide in rocks and caves, which is why so many people include things like shipwrecks and rock features in their tanks. A comfy tank makes your fish happier in their environment.
6 – Cleaning Your Fish Tank
You’ll need to regularly clean your tank. You’ll also need to regularly check the pH of the water to ensure that your fish are comfortable. You can watch YouTube tutorials for in-depth advice and instructions on how to best go about cleaning your tank. You’ll want to top up the water every week and do a full water change once a month.
Fish are a great pet. They are relatively low maintenance for the most part but require a responsible owner to keep them happy.