Tips for taking care of a pet fish

First, decide on the tank size

If you’re about to be a first-time pet fish owner, investing in a large tank seems like one hell of an issue to deal with. But there are actually plenty of good reasons to buy a larger tank instead of a small bowl. One reason has to do with the filter clogging up or the heater breaking. In the event of any of these situations, the water in a bigger tank remains stable for much longer than it would in a small tank.

Plan every move you’re about to make

Freshwater fish are much easier to maintain than saltwater fish. Naturally, this should be the first stage of your planning: deciding on which species. Go ahead and ask the guys from the pet store for some tips for pre-treating the water. If you don’t want to ask random strangers, pick up a fish care book. You’ll need to learn more about setting up a filter and how to create a healthy environment for your finned friend.

Pick winner swimmers

Neon and cardinal tetras, cory cats, gouramis and zebra danios are best. These small and peaceful guys always do well with first-time fish owners. Goldfish need LOADS of attention, so steer clear.

Opt for frugal feeding

Don’t overfeed your fish. Regardless of whether they eat flakes, pellets, or freeze-dried live treats, too much is never a good idea. Any uneaten bits can make the water in the tank dirty. If your kid insists on handling feedings, make sure they measure out the right amounts every time.

Just go with the flow

Every week, you’ll need to change at least one-fifth of the water in the fish tank. If you can change half of it, even better. But stick to half and no more. You don’t want to disturb the ecosystem balance in the tank and flush out the beneficial bacteria that keeps your fish healthy.

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Regardless of whether you have one pet and considering the idea of extending the family, or you’re thinking of adopting multiple pets at once, there are a few things you might want to consider. Here’s how to decide if you’re ready to be the owner of more than one pet:

Ensure you’re financially able to take care of multiple pets

A pet (or multiple pets) is a lifetime obligation that comes with a lot of financial responsibilities. You’re looking at paying the initial adoption fees plus you’ll need to fork out cash for leashes, collars, and food. There will inevitably also be medical bills and other recurring costs like grooming that you need to keep in mind.

Consider bonded pairs if you’re looking to adopt more than one pet

Most rescue organisations prefer to rehome a pair of pets together, especially when it’s young siblings who have a strong emotional bond. If you already know you want to become a multi-pet household, it’s worthwhile inquiring about such an option. This ensures that your new pets already have buddies when they get home and can help keep any aggression issues at bay, especially if you’re adopting cats.

Get the shelter’s opinion

It’s always wise to get the shelter staff’s suggestions regarding a potential new pet. They might also be able to give you specialised advice for taking your new pet home since they already know a little bit about the pet’s behaviour.

Plan ahead

As an existing pet owner looking to adopt a new pet, you really need to set reasonable expectations. Plan controlled meetings between the new and existing pets. When it comes to dogs, you’ll want to introduce your resident dog to the new one in a neutral setting, not your home. Animals are individuals, so they might not love every dog or cat they meet, even if they’re used to other animal friends. Keep in mind that it might also take a few attempts to get things right. You need to ensure that the experience is low-stress for all parties involved, so consider how much time, space and energy you’re able to dedicate to multiple pets.

Consider your own limitations

Although their happiness is important, your pets aren’t the only ones that need to be happy. You also need to take the amount of time you can devote to caring for your pets into consideration. If you rent a home, be sure to check out your lease to ensure you won’t be breaking any rules with regards to owning multiple pets.

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