Currently, there is a trend where people have pet fish in their home, but some are not so sure that they should. I believe that you should get a pet fish because you will learn valuable lessons by interacting with a fish, including the responsibility and time it takes to take care of one, which will make you more patient with others. The purpose of this website is to convince people who aren’t sure if they should get a pet fish to get one.
Pet fish are one of the easiest pets to care for and if you should get one? Well that depends. This article will tell you how to decide whether or not you should get a pet fish and then a step by step guide on how to pick out your new pet fish.
If you’re thinking about getting a pet fish, read on!
Fish are great pets. They can be low maintenance and they don’t require much space. But they do require some maintenance. They need to be fed regularly and cleaned regularly. That means you’ll have to spend some time caring for your fish.
You might also want to consider whether or not it’s a good idea for you to get a pet fish. Some people aren’t comfortable with having live animals around them, so they might not want to get a pet fish.
If you think that having a pet fish is something you’d enjoy, then go ahead and get one! It can be fun!
There are several reasons why you should get a pet fish.
First, fish are a very low-maintenance pet. Unlike cats or dogs, they do not require any specialized attention or training, and they do not need to be walked or fed at specific times of day—they can be left alone for days at a time without anyone noticing. This makes them ideal for people who live in cramped apartments with roommates, or who don’t want to take on the responsibility of caring for an animal that requires constant care.
Second, fish are easy to take care of. They only need to be fed once per day and given fresh water at least once per week; their environment doesn’t need to be cleaned or rearranged regularly (as long as it’s kept clean). You can keep your fish in a tank or bowl as small as five gallons, which means that even if you don’t have much space in your home, you can still have a pet!
Thirdly, fish are relatively inexpensive compared with other pets such as dogs or cats. A 10-gallon aquarium kit will cost about $50-100 depending on the type of tank you buy; this means that if something goes wrong with your tank (such as an accident), it won’t cost much
Should I Get A Pet Fish
In my experience, there are many benefits to having fish as pets. They are enjoyable to keep, and you learn a lot about biology, chemistry, and ecosystems. However, there are downsides too, and you should consider carefully whether they are the right pet for you. Fish are amazing, but they are not for everyone.
This article looks at the negatives—the purpose being to lay out the challenges—so that proper consideration can be given before you or your child obtain your fish and tank. If the downsides don’t put you off, then you should go ahead with your plans. Fish make fascinating and fun pets when they are well cared for.
6 Disadvantages of Fish as Pets
- It costs more than you think.
- They are long-term pets.
- Setting up your tank takes time.
- Aquariums require regular maintenance.
- Vacations require planning.
- They aren’t tactile and interactive.
I examine each downside in more detail below.
1. It Costs More Than You Think
It’s a well-known fact that pets cost money, be it purchasing them, paying for their food, health expenses, toys and other effects, such as collars and beds. Fish are no exception, but the costs are often underestimated.
There is the initial outlay of the setup, buying the fish and aquarium, plus other specialist equipment (a 29-gallon setup can easily cost in excess of $500). Then there is the amount that you spend on an ongoing basis, which is usually proportionate to the size of your tank and the number of fish that you keep.
Food is an obvious expense, but there are other considerations and essential items of equipment that are easy to forget. These include things like:
- Electricity to power the air pumps, filters, heaters, and lights.
- A gravel vacuum for cleaning the bottom of your tank.
- A net for catching fish.
- Water conditioner for water treatment.
2. They are Long-Term Pets
As with all pets, it’s easy to love and care for them when they are a new addition, but the challenges can become more wearing when the fish cease to be a novelty, particularly for children. Depending on the breed, a well-looked-after fish can live for ten years or more. It’s important to acknowledge this and be realistic.
3. Setting Up Your Tank Takes Time
Before fish can be added, there is a process called cycling your aquarium that needs to be performed. It basically involves pushing your tank through the nitrogen cycle. This can take weeks, but it is essential if you don’t want your fish to get sick.
The process can be frustrating. However, it’s necessary, because it builds up the population of beneficial bacteria necessary for breaking down the bad chemicals produced by waste, such as fish poop.
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4. Aquariums Require Regular Maintenance
Fish don’t just need regular feeding. There are numerous tasks that need to be regularly performed if you are going to keep a healthy environment for your fish to live in. The regular chores you will need to perform include:
- Changing the water in the tank
- Cleaning the filter
- Vacuuming the floor of the aquarium
- Cleaning the tank’s walls
You also need to regularly test the water and monitor levels of ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, as well as the pH, KH, and GH. The chemistry of the water is vital to the well-being of your fish.
Note: Smaller tanks can be more problematic than larger ones, that’s because when problems do occur, the negative effects often manifest much quicker in smaller volumes of water. Unfortunately, the fish can die before you have a chance to fix the issue in situations where the water chemistry or temperature changes in a matter of hours or even minutes.
A fairy-wrasse fish.
Public domain image via Pixabay
5. Vacations Require Planning
Many pets can just be dropped off with friends or relatives when you go away, or at a business whose job is to care for them, such as dog boarding kennels. Fish tanks are rarely portable. That means that you need someone to come to your house regularly to care for the fish while you are away.
Few people are fit for this role, as aquarium maintenance requires monitoring by somebody who is experienced. Otherwise, you will return from your vacation to a tank of sick or dead fish.
Note: If you are someone who frequently moves house, that can also be a problem for similar reasons to above. Aquariums and the associated setups just aren’t designed to be moved around.
6. Fish Aren’t Tactile or Interactive
Unlike some other common pets, such as cats and dogs, fish are physically and socially remote. You aren’t advised to touch them, never mind pet, stroke, or cuddle them. Dogs and cats understand certain key words, such as their name. Dogs can be trained to sit, lie down, come to you, and fetch thrown objects.
Although they can be relaxing to watch, fish are not interactive. Unless it’s feeding time, they will completely ignore you. I myself find their biology and behavior fun and fascinating, but I’ve seen others grow bored of them, especially children.