So you’re deciding whether to get a pet fish. That is great! Those little guys are loads of fun and can be super affectionate, too. But with hundreds of species available at your local pet store, how do you choose the right one? There are many things to consider before running out and buying some fish. Here is a helpful guide on how to choose your first pet fish!
To choose a fishy friend, first you’ll need to decide what kind of environment you have available for your pet. Pet fish come in many varieties, from fancy goldfish to exotic tropical fish. Here are some factors you should consider when deciding what fish to get:
What’s so special about fish and what options do you have?
Fish are very interesting animals. They have a very complex nervous system that allows them to sense their environment and communicate with one another. For example, the way a goldfish swims differs from that of a catfish, which also differs from the way a betta swims. There are over 33,000 species of fish in the world!
So what fish should you get? It depends on your lifestyle and where you live. If you live in an area with lots of water, there are plenty of choices to choose from: freshwater fish, saltwater fish, and reef-safe fish. Here’s a list of some popular types of freshwater fish:
- Goldfish (commonly known as Koi)
- Angelfish
- Catfish (also known as Barramundi)
- Platies and Sailfin Flukes (also known as Molly’s or Molly Mackerel)
- Gouramis and Guppies (commonly known as cichlids, clownfish and Killies)
When you’re looking for freshwater fish, you can choose between popular varieties such as the common goldfish or the fancy goldfish that is more expensive to maintain. There are also some exotic varieties, such as the red-tailed black mollies, which are very attractive to fish keepers. They are a reddish orange color on their backs and black on their bellies.
If you live in an area that has lots of saltwater fish, you can choose from many types of saltwater fish such as the common clownfish or the more expensive blue-black damsel. If you don’t have a lot of space, the best choice for you is probably a reef safe fish. Reef safe fish are smaller than most freshwater fish and usually only grow to about one foot long. Some popular reef safe fish include:
- Catalina Gobies (also known as Bumblebee Gobies)
- Tank Raised Clownfish
- Banggai Cardinalfish
- Orchid Dottyback
- Royal Gramma
- Blue Green Chromis
- Firefish
- Six Line Wrasse
- Watchman Goby
Do fish fit your lifestyle? Avoid impulse purchases
When choosing a pet fish, you should also consider what kind of fish you want. There are many kinds of fish available in the market. Some are easier to take care of than others. Some have very specific requirements that need to be met, while others will thrive no matter where you put them.
You might also be tempted to run out and buy a pet fish without thinking about the type of fish, care requirements, and cost. But it is important to consider your budget, space requirements, and types of fish before making an impulse purchase.
Fishes come in many shapes and sizes, which means there are a lot of different things to consider when looking for the right friend for your home. A good first step is considering what kind of water the fish needs. Fish that need strong current will require a larger tank than those that prefer still water or water with plants. You’ll also want to think about whether you have the space for a large tank or not; if so, you can go bigger!
Size is determined by how big the fish grows when feeding; this will vary depending on the species. If you already know that you’re going to get a specific species because they are beautiful or cool like a clownfish or an angelfish, then think about their size as soon as possible so you can get them at sale time!
If you’re lucky enough to have some room in your budget after choosing your type of pet, it’s time to think about getting fish, food and equipment like filters and lighting. Remember that you’re going to have to replace the filters eventually, but they should last for at least a year before it’s time to replace them. You can use this time to save up for a larger tank if you want to!
If you want your fish friend for the next few years (or more!), remember that you are going to have to invest in the best filter and lighting system that you can afford. It might be tempting to buy a cheaper filter, but remember that your fish deserve clean water!
Remember that with any pet, there is going to be some work involved. Fish cleaning is no exception; however, this is an important job because it’s how you keep your fish healthy! If you’re not prepared for this responsibility, buy a smaller tank or a fish that doesn’t require as much work. (I know, I know, how can you resist a cute little betta fish?)
Like any pet, fish need regular cleaning. They don’t clean themselves, and someone has to do it for them! Remember that you keep your pet healthy and happy by giving them food, water and cleaning out the tank.
If you want to get into fish keeping but don’t have a lot of money to spend on an aquarium or equipment, think about getting some goldfish from your local pet store. They’re cheap and easy to care for!
Fish compatibility
If you have other pets, make sure that your new fish will get along well with them. Fish like tetras and bettas often do well together because they’re both active swimmers. Goldfish and other bottom feeders rarely get along very well with other species because they’re not as active swimmers and like to stay in one place most of the time.
Budget
Budget is one of the major factors before buying a pet fish. When we are talking about budget, we are considering the full set up.
There are many varieties of fish available that make great pets. You can keep fish in a jar or bowl, but the biggest and most common variety is the aquarium.
Key thing to consider is what type of fish you want to buy, as this will determine the size of the fish tank you get and how much it costs. The price of a fish tank varies depending on the size and brand, but as a rough guide, expect to spend between $20-50 for a tank suitable for small fish. If you want to keep bigger species of fish such as sharks or large goldfish, expect to pay upwards of $150 for a tank large enough.
Fish tanks come with their own filter systems that take care of the bacteria that keep your water clean and your fish happy. Filters are an important addition to any home aquarium because they help prevent your water from polluting and being harmful to your fish. A good filter will cost around $15-25, depending on the size of the tank.
The cost of fish tank decorations varies depending on the type of decoration you choose and how much you spend, but expect to spend between $20-50 for some small decor items. You can get some very nice decorations for less than $20, but you’ll find that you can get much nicer looking fish tanks for less.
The cost of lighting varies depending on what type of light you buy and how much you spend. However, expect to spend around $25-30 for a decent light that will provide your fish with the correct wavelengths of light they need to grow and breed.
The cost of filter media varies depending on the type of filter media you buy and how much you spend, but expect to spend around $10-$15 for a bag of filter floss. This is not only cheaper than the alternatives, but it’s also better quality as it holds more water and lasts longer than other types of filter media.
The cost of the fishes themselves depends on which types you buy and will range from less than $20 up to around $30000 for a rarer species such as Peppermint Angelfish. If you’re buying a single fish, expect to pay around $20-$30.
The cost of aquarium plants varies depending on what type you buy and how much you spend. However, expect to spend around $30 for a small selection of plants that will add life and beauty to your tank.
The cost of fish food varies depending on the type of food you buy and how much you spend, but expect to pay less than $10 for a 500g bag or smaller. You can also get a 1000g bag for around $25-40. Most types of fish foods are cheaper than their supermarket counterparts, which is great considering they contain fewer calories and more vitamins and minerals! The nutritional value in home-made foods is also often much better.
How can you select a healthy pet fish?
Here are a few tips on how to select a healthy fish from your local pet store:
Tip 1: The fish should appear active and alert.
Tip 2: The nose or snout should be free of redness or swelling. Healthy fish will often extend their mouths toward the surface of the water to breathe air directly from the surface, which may cause them to look somewhat swollen there. However, a swollen snout is a definite sign of illness in most cases.
Tip 3: The fish should have eyes that are clear, bright, and shiny.
Tip 4: The fins should be free of any redness or swelling.
Tip 5: The scales should be thin and healthy looking. If they are bumpy in appearance, they are probably diseased or old and their health will be affected.
Tip 6: The gills should be bright red with no black spots in the surrounding area (black spots show infection). If there is a black spot near the gill opening, it is likely that the fish has a bacterial infection and you need to take it to your local fish store for treatment (see below). Also, if the fish has a bad breath odor, it can indicate that the fish is unhealthy.
Tip 7: The fish should be active and swimming normally.
Tip 8: The fish should not be breathing heavily or have a raspy or labored breathing sound.
What must you do to prepare for your new fish?
When you bring home your new fish, they will need to go through a quarantine period before you can add them to your aquarium. During this time, the fish should be kept in a separate container so that they are not exposed to any other fish. Quarantine is done for three days and the water should be changed daily. This period is important because it is during this time that the new fish can get sick and die if they have a contagious disease or parasites.
If you do not quarantine your new fish, they will probably infect other tanks when they are moved into them. If there are still other fish in the tank, it is best to remove them before adding the new fish so that no one gets sick.
If you have other fish in your tank, it is best to remove them during the quarantine period. If you do not remove the other fish, they may carry diseases with them when they are transferred to your aquarium and infect your new fish. Also, if you do not remove the other fish, they will probably die during the quarantine period.
During this time, make sure that no one handles or plays with your new fish because they are very fragile. They will be stressed by being removed from their home and brought into a totally different environment, so be very gentle when handling them. If you have children in the house, make sure that they know it is unsafe to play with your new fish because they are fragile.
You also need to research the fish first before setting the tank up. If you do not know how to set up a tank, it is best to purchase a book and read it before setting up the tank. This will make sure that you have the proper materials and that you know how to properly set up the tank.
Where to buy or adopt the pet fish
There are several places from where you can buy or adopt a pet fish. Such as:
Online pet store– The online pet stores are selling some of the unique varieties of fish for sale. From goldfish to tropical fish, you can get pet fish from such stores. Most pet stores will offer free shipping on all orders and discount codes that can save you a lot of money when buying your new pet fish. Even if you are looking for a specific type of fish, most online pet stores will have it.
Local fish breeders– Local breeders are also an option if you want to buy your very own pet fish. Many local breeders will sell you their own bred fish so that they can make more money. This way, they can give away their babies and also keep some to use as their own personal pets.
Fish rescue club– Fish rescue clubs are another great place to look if you want to buy your very own pet fish. Fish rescue clubs are all over the world and are always looking for people who would like to help with the rescuing of lost or abandoned pet fish. Most rescue clubs do not charge a fee at all when someone wishes to adopt a rescued pet fish, and they will even ensure that you know how to take care of and raise the new pet properly so that it will be healthier and happier.
What’s next?
You might be interested in naming your fish. Here is a guide on how to choose a name for your fish. Also you can find 70 unique names for your pet fish.