Responsible fish keeping starts with your aquarium setup. Make sure that the aquarium you choose is large enough for the fish that you want. Many people believe that fish will grow to the size of their tank, but stunting their growth by keeping them in a small tank will reduce the lifespan of the fish. Eventually, you will need to upgrade the aquarium if you started with a too-small tank.
Research the kind of fish you want to have so you will know the size of aquarium you should buy. Pick an aquarium that can accommodate your fish in their adult size. If your fish becomes bigger than your tank, putting them in a bigger aquarium is the sensible thing to do.
Before buying different species of fish, find out first if they will co-exist peacefully in your aquarium. Responsible fish keeping dictates that you ensure the safety of your fish from other fish in the aquarium and that your aquarium provides the right water temperature and pH levels to sustain all the fish in the tank. Refrain also from buying too many fish because even if your aquarium might accommodate their numbers and sizes, the oxygen in the water might not be enough for all of them.
When you want to dispose of some of your fish or aquatic plants, be sure not to release them in a pond, stream or other water bodies anywhere. This is because fish that have grown too big for your aquarium may not fare well in other environment or, even if they survive, they may cause an imbalance in the local ecosystem when they breed or feed on other creatures in the water.
A lot of tropical fish found in the aquarium cannot continue to live outside the aquarium especially in frigid waters. Releasing them in this environment is like giving them a death sentence. If you cannot afford an upgrade of your tank, returning your fish to the pet store is a better alternative.
Aside from getting the right aquarium, you also need other aquarium equipment like a water filter and a heater. These are important for the good health and comfort of your fish. The type and specifications will again depend on the needs of your fish. Be sure that they are working properly before putting in your fish.
Responsible fish keeping dictates that you regularly change the water in your tank even if you already have a water filter installed. A weekly test of your tank’s water condition is also a must. Check that only acceptable levels of pH, nitrite and ammonia are present.
Even though your fish may be small, that doesn’t mean that you can ignore them, or that they require less care than other pets. Never forget to feed your fish, and make sure they receive a proper diet. Regular fish food flakes may not be the responsible choice, depending on what type of fish you keep. Research their requirements to determine the best kind of food for them.
Responsible fish keeping means a dedicated effort to take very good care of all the needs of your fish.
Leonard Boyler has been keeping fish for more than 20 years. His favorite products make aquarium care and maintenance very easy from start up to clarifying cloudy fish tanks. To learn more about how to keep your water clear and your fish healthy, please visit ONEdersave.com.
If you would like to make a comment, please fill out the form below.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
