Looking to buy a pet fish but don’t know where to start? Well, then you’ve come to the right place.
Before you head off to the pet store and pick your new best friend, there are several things to consider. You should know the benefits of owning a fish, the type of fish you want, the aquarium you’ll need, and the care your fish requires. Hint: different types of fish need different things!
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about buying fish as pets.
The Benefits
While fish may not be as exciting as other options for pets, they’re still wonderful animals to have in your home. Here are a few benefits of owning a fish you should know:
- Low maintenance
- Quiet
- Interesting to look at
- Relatively inexpensive
- Stress-reducing
- Mood improving
- Fun for children
Selecting a Fish
You’ll want to purchase your fish from a reputable store that appears to have a selection of healthy fish. From there, ask questions to determine which fish is the right fit for you and your lifestyle.
Here are some popular freshwater fish:
- Betta fish
- Neon tetra
- Zebrafish
- Goldfish
- Molly fish
Here are some popular saltwater fish:
- Clownfish
- Damselfish
- Firefish
- Dottyback
- Angelfish
- Tangs
The Aquarium
When buying an aquarium for your fish, you have to account for the size of your fish and the water they require. For tank size, the rule of thumb is that there should be one gallon of water in the tank for every inch of the fish. For water type, research if your fish needs fresh or salt.
After you buy the tank, here is what you’ll need for it:
- Clean water
- A filtration system
- Gravel
- Plants
- An air pump
- A water testing kit
- Tank accessories
- Heater (only for tropical fish)
And if you want to add some biodiversity to your aquarium, take some time to learn about copepods.
Fish Care
Once you’ve brought your fish home and it’s all settled in the aquarium, you should think about the care it will require going forward.
Even if you have a filtration system, you will want to clean out the fish tank every month. You should test the water, clean the algae, wipe off accessories, wash the filter, and refill it with clean water. The water should be pH balanced so that your fish doesn’t go into shock.
You’ll also have to feed your fish the appropriate food once or twice a day, usually flakes or live food. And don’t forget to consider any medications they need and their preferred light exposure.
Now You Know Everything About Buying Fish
Owning a pet fish can be incredibly rewarding. And whether you get a beautiful betta or a cute clownfish, be sure to give it the care and love it deserves. Just don’t forget to have someone else feed it if you go on vacation!
If you enjoyed this article on buying fish as pets, check out more of our Pets & Animals content.
