We all love to talk about pets and how cats and dogs are the ideal pet. Sure, they are. But they are also high maintenance and require constant attention. Meanwhile, fish are small, beautiful to look at, and are mostly low-maintenance. Even small things like petting them and making sure they don’t choke on the food make a fish happy and content.
Many people prefer keeping a fish pet for these reasons. If you are one of them and are looking for tips to take care of your pet fish, you are at the right place. Read along to find some simple tips to make your pet fish happy.
1) A Natural Habitat
A beautiful cozy home is all we need to live a comfortable and content life. This is also true for pet fish. Like humans, fish prefer their natural habitat over all the extravagance of an aquarium. You can decorate a fish tank with plants and rocks of all kinds, but if it’s not suited to your pet fish’s natural habitat, the fish won’t be happy with its home.
The best way to mimic a fish’s natural habitat is to understand where your fish comes from. Is it a saltwater fish or a freshwater fish?
Knowing their background helps create an environment the fish will be familiar with. Saltwater fish prefers an aquarium with a carpet of sand because it mimics the ocean. On the other hand, freshwater fish prefers moving waters, small rocks, and pebbles. Replicate their natural habitat in the fish tank with rocks, plants, and optimal water conditions to make them feel welcomed and comfortable.
2) Enough Space For The Fish
Often, aquarium enthusiasts fill their tanks with multiple fish for aesthetics and beauty. You must understand, that for you, it may be just something beautiful to make your home livelier, but for the fish, it is their home.
To make sure your fish are not suffocating in the tank, you should know all about their growth spurt. It is important to have enough space for your pet fish so that they can swim around freely. Moreover, overcrowding also causes oxygen depletion, toxin buildup, and excess algae. This can be harmful to the fish’s health and safety.
You must also ensure that the tank isn’t too over-decorated. After all, your fish needs their own space without having to navigate through a cluster of hiding blocks, giant rocks, and plants.
3) Help Your Fish Adapt
Now that you know how important fish’s natural habitat is for them, you must also understand that not every fish adapts to the tank well. If you want to keep a fish as a pet, it is better to conduct complete research on the fish, its habitat, and its likes and dislikes before bringing it home. Or, if it’s your first time, you can start with low-maintenance fish like goldfish. Just look up where to find cheap live goldfish for sale on the internet, and you will find many sellers in your area.
Knowing all about your pet fish helps you understand how you can make them feel comfortable and ease their transition from ocean or rivers to a simple fish tank or pond. You must also know the ideal conditions for your fish so that they can adapt easily.
You can use different techniques to help them adapt to the new lifestyle. One of the sure-fire ways to help your fish adapt to the environment is to immerse the delivery bag of fish in the tank. Let the fish float in the tank for 30 to 40 minutes, and then release it into the water.
4) Balanced Water, Temperature, and pH
As we mentioned above, an optimal environment is the key to making sure your fish is living its best life. The perfect conditions for every fish are different. Some fish prefers cold temperature while other prefer high temperature. Many fish can survive even under frozen ice. Some can’t even swim properly if the water temperature isn’t optimized.
Apart from that, a balanced pH is also important to create healthy living conditions for your pet fish. You must regularly add a dechlorinating agent to the water. You can maintain a balanced pH through regular checks and cleaning.
Remember, fish are vulnerable creatures, and even a slight change in temperature and pH can cause high-stress levels in fish and might even cause illnesses.
5) Know What To Feed It
You can’t take care of your fish if you don’t know what it likes – or dislikes – to eat. And no, not every fish can eat the same food. Just like humans, fish are picky eaters. You will realize this when your pet fish rejects all the food you bought for it.
With time, you will manage to understand all the needs of your fish. Until then, keep all the necessary fish food at hand and make sure your fish is eating enough. But that does not mean you over-feed it like a grandma on holidays.
6) Clean The Tank Regularly
How many times have you found your mood was lifted after a thorough cleaning spree? After all, no one likes a dirty or messed-up home. That’s also true for most fish. A dirty tank or pond isn’t just harmful to your fish’s health. It also contributes to their stress and depression.
To keep your fish healthy and happy, you must regularly clean the pond or fish tank. You can start by replacing almost half the water once a month. You must also regularly check and clean the filters so they can properly get rid of the toxins.
To create pleasant living conditions, regularly wash the sides of the tank. You must also remove excess algae, or it may contribute to oxygen depletion and toxin buildup.
7) Help your fish in Making Friends
Fish are shy creatures that need alone time, just like human beings. However, that doesn’t mean a fish should be isolated from the rest of the aquatic life. Despite popular beliefs, fish are actually friendly and fun. They love to hang around in groups or “shoal” and “school”, to use the right word.
You can introduce multiple fish to each other. But you must research beforehand. Some fish aren’t all that comfortable with other particular species of fish. Find out what kind of species your pet fish loves to socialize with and introduce those fish to the habitat.
It’s also better for you to become friends with your pet fish. Talk to them and feed them from your hands. Some fish love getting pats and even hugs. Just make sure that your fish isn’t lonely.
Final Words
These simple tips will make your fish’s life healthier and happier. You just need a bit of planning and research before you jump into this hobby. But trust us, it’s all worth it. So now no more hesitating about getting your favorite fish. With these tips, you will surely be a good keeper and enjoy every moment with your lovely pet.
