Pets are fun and exciting to have around your home. But the noisy nature of many types of pets could work you up, especially if you are the type that likes peace, serenity and tranquility. That is why many people are turning to fish as their ideal pets. There are many varieties of fish for sale that you could use as pets, depending on your preferences. It is a relaxing and enjoyable activity watching the fish swim around. Just like dog owners like to take the pets out for a walk, you also get peace of mind when feeding fish. It is relatively easy to take care of these pets. Additionally, they live for a long period of time and so you don’t have to feel the detachment felt when a pet fails to be part of your family.
Before taking up the practice of keeping fish as pets, you must be psychologically, emotionally and physically prepared to make some adjustments because there are some responsibilities that come with it. Here is a glimpse at these easy and fun to fulfil tasks.
Getting the Right Home
You have to provide appropriate shelter for your fish. The most recommended is the fish aquarium. Though having a fish bowl is not entirely wrong, it reduces the lifespan of the fish. It is also possible to keep the fish in a pond. But this will mostly apply when one is interested in keeping a large number of fish. It would not make much economic sense to keep say five fish in a pond. The expenses that come with are just not worth it. Whichever home you choose, there are various components that must exist for it to be highly functional. These include a water conditioner, cleaning equipment, filters, water heater and bacteria supplements.
Feeding and Caring Process
You definitely know that fish is a living organism that it must feed for it to live. Talking of eating, it should not be anything but the appropriate diet. The feeding requirements will vary as per the type kept. Ideally, the pets have to be fed at least twice a day. For equal distribution of the hours, it should be in the mornings and evenings.
While at it, you must ensure that the pets only feed on what they can actually utilize. The approximate time is 3-4 minutes after which no more food should be released into the shelter. Excess feeding is discouraged at it leads to the pollution of the water which then interferes with the chemistry of the fish over time.
If you realize that there is a sick fish in the tank, make prompt efforts to separate and put it in a different tank just in case the disease is contagious. You should then find an expert to establish the exact problem with the fish and how it can be handled.
Cleaning of the Shelter
It’s important that the fish stay in a clean and conducive environment. Aquarium filters are used in the cleaning process that aims at removing anything that is considered as not necessary for the survival and well-being of the pets. It is advisable that thorough cleaning of the tank takes place at least once every month to ensure the water is clean and fresh thus the health of the fish will not easily deteriorate.
Snails are also kept by many people who keep fish for pets. The invertebrates help in cleaning the tank by feeding on some of the unwanted materials in the tank. Snails should not be used as the main cleaning alternative but as a support mechanism that doesn’t yield 100 percent results on its own.
Choosing the Right Fish
This is the beginning of either a successful or frustrated fish keeping experience. When you are at that local breeder or local pet shop, it is very important to pay attention to particular details so that you don’t take home the wrong pet. Your fish of choice must be healthy so that it doesn’t die soon after you take it up.
The following are signs will determine whether or not everything is right with your fish.
• Fish that has no interest in food
• Stagnant fish; avoid ones are most of the time lying at the bottom of the tank and instead get active ones.
• Red and white spots on the fish indicate that it is sick. If the skin is raw and some parts like fins are missing, then all is not well
• Some sick fish can be identified by their tendency to move sideways.
Types of Fish Kept as Pets
Keeping of fish as pets began a long time ago when fish was kept in ponds and pools. To the present day, there have emerged many varieties of fish kept at home. The following are the distinct categories.
Fresh Water Fish
Fresh water fish are very popular among pet lovers. Examples are the platies, goldfish, mollies and agel fish. These types can do well in a community tank without developing any strange complications. Guppies, catfish and cichlids can comfortably be raised in a pond but with a special consideration of the climate of the place.
Saltwater or Marine Fish
This variety calls for additional equipment that will be instrumental in their upbringing. Experienced breeders are fond of them for their color and glamour, as well as the attractive corals that come with them.
Brackish Fish
Brackish fish are kept in estuaries where the salinity of the water lies between salty and fresh water. Mollies, puffers and gobies also do very well in the same conditions.
When keeping fish as pets, it is important to maintain a large volume of water so as to keep the fish at equilibrium. Adding a filtration system helps in oxygenating the water and eventually cuts down on the bio load inside the water. Other factors that will boost the survival of the pets are optimum temperatures, the nitrogen cycle and the necessary nutrients.
10 Reasons Why Fish Are Preferred As Pets
• They have a tranquil and calming effect.
• They are easy and inexpensive to maintain and feed.
• Some types are very interactive and can be trained to do tricks.
• The fish aquarium adds beauty to your home.
• They are the cleanest pets around.
• They come in a variety of species and colors.
• There are no chaos and anxiety when you leave them at home.
• They are very peaceful as they don’t bark and squawk. There is simply no room for destructive behaviors as seen in other pets like dogs.
• They are fun and motivating to care for as one develops a sense of devotion towards them
• They don’t require to be walked around hence very convenient if you have time constraints.
Now that you have the facts straight, you can go ahead and look for your best fish pet. These creatures are so energizing and charming to have around the home as pets. They also add on to the aesthetic beauty of a home, thus making it unique in its own respect. If you had any doubts as per the suitability of this idea, now you have had them cleared. You will not find them boring even for a single second.
