Fish make wonderful pets, but they require long-term commitment as they can live for about twenty years.
Sadly, some people only see them as mere home ornaments and afterwards neglect to provide proper care. In 2021, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) reported that 1,455 fish were abandoned by their caretakers.
Much like any pet, these aquatic animals are deserving of love and care. So if you are planning to rear a pet fish, you need to acquaint yourself with fish tank care and maintenance.
What Are the Different Types of Fish Habitats?
Recreating the natural habitat of your chosen pet fish is essential to ensure his survival. Thus, knowing the differences between different aquatic habitats is an important part of fish care.
Here are the three common types of habitats for pet fish:
1. Cold-Water Habitat
Cold-water aquariums and tanks are kept with cooler water temperatures. It can be left safely without a 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 in this temperature, such as the Koi and Goldfish. In addition, cold-water fish thrive best in an outer pond that will give them a bigger space to move.
2. Freshwater Tropical Habitat
Tropical aquariums can accommodate a variety of fish colours, and because of that, they are favoured by fish keepers. Tropical fish include the American Cichlids, Barbs, and Neon Tetras.
However, the temperature of the water in the tank should be monitored, therefore requiring a heater to keep the aquarium consistently warm.
Marine Habitat
Though most fish can survive well in the aforementioned habitats, there is no greater beauty than letting them live in a saltwater environment. Moreover, there are fish species that strictly require saltwater to survive.
Saltwater tanks have 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.
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.
Here are some tips when keeping pet fish in a water bowl:
- Avoid using soap, bleach, or other chemical cleaners when washing because they may leave residues. Instead, wash the fish bowl with warm water and non-iodised salt.
- Set the water temperature to at least for an hour before putting in the fish.
- Avoid placing the fish bowl in areas with direct sunlight. Considering that there is no heater in the fishbowl, its temperature will depend on the temperature of the room. Bear in mind that monitoring the temperature is also vital depending on which type of fish you have.
- The water in the fish bowl 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 fish food for about 3–5 minutes and avoid giving an excess of food as it could foul the water.
Here are the common fish types that are well-suited for 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 to Make the Fish Bowl a Livable Home for Your Pet Fish?
Turn the limited space of a fish bowl into a comfortable environment for your fish by following these pointers:
- Enhance its environment by providing diverse aquatic ornaments, such as plastic plants, artificial driftwood, or terracotta pots.
- Do not overfeed it as the extra food could spoil the water.
- Increase oxygenation level by putting in aquatic live plants like Amazon sword, betta bulb, hornwort, anacharis, and marimo moss ball.
- Monitor the quality of the water.
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How Do You Take Care of a Fish Tank?
Here are some of the most valuable steps to take if you are housing your pet fish in a tank:
Cycle the New Aquarium
It refers to making adjustments and setting the right atmosphere of the aquarium before adding the fish to it. Cycling will enable healthy microorganisms to settle inside the tank. These microorganisms will soon eat fish waste.
Some newly purchased tanks already have a packet of essentials used for cycling. If there is none, you may need to look for one in pet stores.
Test and Monitor the Water
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. It should be kept in a dark or dim place.
However, if the tank 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.
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FAQs About How to Look After Fish
1. Where Do You Put the Fish When Cleaning the Tank?
You can put the fish in a different tank when you are cleaning the main tank. However, sparingly do this as it can put undue stress on your pet.
As much as possible, temporarily remove them from the main tank only when you are extensively cleaning it.
2. Why Is My Fish Gasping for Air After a Water Change?
There are many possible causes why your fish is gasping for air after a water change. Water fish tank filtration issues may result in the build-up of harmful chemicals in the tank, leading to poor aeration.
Keeping a large number of fish in a small tank lowers oxygen levels, thus leaving your pet fish to gasp for air.
Health issues like brown blood disease and gill damage may cause this problem as well. We advise testing the water chemistry of the tank for abnormalities. If the results are within normal range, get your pet fish checked by the vet as its condition might be caused by an illness.
3. Can Well Water Be Used in a Fish Tank? How About Tap Water?
Well water can be used in a fish tank, but beware that its quality may differ from location to location. Well water from certain places can have low oxygen and high mineral content, which can be harmful to your pet fish. So testing the water chemistry is important.
When it comes to tap water, fish owners need to be careful as well since it may contain small amounts of chlorine and chloramine. Whilst these chemicals help remove bacteria in the water, they are toxic to fish.
Fortunately, products that can neutralise chlorine-treated water are available in the market.
4. How to Know If My Fish Tank Water Is Too Hot or Too Cold?
Using an aquarium thermometer can help you know if your fish tank water is too hot or too cold. Make sure to take daily readings so you can quickly catch any sudden changes in the tank’s water temperature.
Conclusion
Keeping a pet fish requires long-term commitment and effort. Tank care and maintenance make up a large part in ensuring your fish stays safe and healthy for most of its life. Hence, be sure to heed the tips and pointers we have shared to make the fish tank the ideal home for your aquatic companion.
