An article cited that in most cases, fish ends up as an ornament and is often forgotten. However, this aquatic animal is capable of feeling and deserves to be treated with veterinary care. Are you thinking of rearing a fish as a pet? Be sure to acquaint yourself with fish care tips and advice in this article. Start with the fish’s habitat. Know the differences between the cold-water, tropical, and marine aquarium and see where your desired fish belongs.
- Cold-water habitat
Cold-water aquariums and tanks are kept with cooler water temperatures. It can be left safely without special tank heater. With that, most cold-water fish require less maintenance and can easily be found in pet stores. Choose fish species that can live well with this temperature, such as the koi and goldfish. In addition, cold-water fish thrives best in an outer pond that will give them a bigger space to move. - Freshwater tropical habitat
Tropical aquariums can accommodate a variety of fish colours, and because of that, they are favoured by fish keepers. Tropical fish includes the American cichlids, barbs, and tetra. However, the temperature should be monitored, therefore requiring a heater to keep the aquarium consistently warm.
- Marine habitat
Though most fish can survive well from the aforementioned habitats, there is no greater beauty than letting them live in a saltwater environment. Moreover, there are also rare species or other fish that strictly require saltwater to survive. This type of habitat has special needs, namely, filtration systems, specific lighting, and aeration that would attempt to mimic the ambience of the ocean.
How do you take care of a fish in a bowl?
One misconception about keeping your fish in a bowl is that people think they are low-maintenance. However, in reality, it requires more maintenance than the larger ones. In fact, small tanks require changing water almost every day to prevent water from becoming toxic. This is the best option for those people living in an apartment that does not have space for a larger aquarium.
- Avoid using soap, bleach, or other chemical cleaners when washing because it may leave residues. Instead, wash it with warm water and non-iodised salt.
- Set the water temperature to at least for an hour before putting in the fish.
- Avoid placing it in areas where it can be directly exposed to sunlight. Considering that there is no heater in the fishbowl, it will depend on the temperature of the room. Bear in mind that monitoring of the temperature is also vital depending on which type of fish you have, cold-water or tropical.
- The water should be regularly changed in a day or two. Prevent it from becoming toxic by changing 50 to 100 per cent of the water.
- Feed the right amount of food for about 3–5 minutes and avoid giving an excess of food as it could foul the water.
Here are some types of fish that are suited well in a large bowl or a small tank.
- Betta
- Goldfish
- Wild-type Guppies
- Regal White Cloud Minnows
- Blind cave tetras
- Salt and pepper corydoras
- Zebra danios
How do you take care of a fish without a filter?
For fish living in a bowl, try to recreate the limited space into a comfortable environment.
- Enhance its environment by providing diverse aquatic ornaments.
- Do not overfeed it as the extra food could spoil the water, but do not underfeed as well.
- Increase oxygenation level by putting in essential aquatic plants.
- Monitor the quality of the water.
How do you take care of a fish tank?
It is said that the bigger the space your fish have, the happier they will be.
- Cycle the new aquarium
This refers to making adjustments and setting the right atmosphere of the aquarium before adding the fish in it. Cycling will enable healthy microorganisms to settle inside the tank. These microorganisms will soon eat fish waste. For some newly purchased tank, it already has a packet of essentials used for cycling. If there is none, you may buy one in a pet store.Tip: Never cycle your tank when the fish is already in it. It could be very unhealthy and risky for the fish. - Test and monitor the water
For safety purposes, it is best to purchase a water testing kit to monitor the level of microorganisms in your water such as ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites. Such microbes can never be avoided because they are naturally acquired in your tank. The best way to manoeuvre the situation is to keep it monitored at low levels.
How do you maintain a fish tank?
- Water maintenance
Replace one-third of the water every week with fresh and clean water. This will keep the chemicals in the water under control and will make it healthier for your fish. - Feeding
Similar to the fish kept in a bowl, fish in a tank should not be overfed. One feeding a day should be enough. Excess food is not good for your fish as well as the tank as it can encourage the growth of algae. - Place it in an area with low light.
The aquarium should not be placed where it can be exposed to direct sunlight. Algae may flourish due to too much sunlight or any form of light. As such, it should be kept in a dark or dim place. However, if it contains aquatic plants, it requires enough lighting for at least twelve hours a day. These plants will eat up all the nutrients, preventing the survival of the algae.
Are you ready to welcome fish in your family? Take your pick amongst the fish availablein in the classifieds section. Click here for more interesting articles.
