Fish

There are many different kinds of fish. The best pets are freshwater or saltwater fish that live in cold or warm water. Cold water fish are easier to care for so if you are just getting your first fish this is the way to go.

Life span

Depends on the type of fish you have.

Food

Pet stores carry fish food for different kinds of fish. It is important to feed your fish the right food for his kind (ex. don't feed goldfish food to angelfish). Overfeeding fish is a common mistake many first time fish guardians make. The food that the fish does not eat will decompose and make the aquarium water cloudy and smelly and the fish could die. Feed your fish once a day and only what they can consume in a three- to five-minute period.

Water

The water in the aquarium must be kept at constant temperature. Goldfish live in room temperature water so when you are adding new water to the tank, let the water sit for 24 hours so it is room temperature and so chemicals in the water evaporate. For warm water fish you will need a heater and a thermometer for the tank. When adding new water to the tank make sure it is the same temperature as the water in the tank. Sudden changes in temperature can be harmful or even deadly to the fish.

Shelter

Fish bowls do not provide enough space for fish. A 10 gallon tank is the smallest tank recommended for any fish. Fish like the company of their own kind, so plan to have more than one or two fish. The size and number of fish will determine what size of tank you need. Also include rocks and plants so they have places to hide.

Health care

Keeping the water clean and at a constant temperature is necessary to keep most fish healthy. When purchasing fish make sure the fish you buy get along with each other. Some may fight and some may eat other fish.  

If you see your fish doing any of the following, talk to a fish expert at your pet store for help:

• gulping at the surface for air

• white spots or tufts on body

• brown thread trailing from its body

Friendship

Watching your fish can be fun and you will learn lots about them. Learning how to care for an animal is a great way to appreciate the importance of all animals in our world.