Fish make great therapeutic pets. They are often seen as ‘low-maintenance’ pets. Compared to other animals, they may not need as much attention, however, keeping fish still requires a certain level of responsibility.
Tank or Pond?
Tanks are great for keeping fish indoors. They’re also a great option for keeping saltwater fish. It’s best to avoid ‘starter kits’ (they tend to be fairly low quality) and classic fish bowls (fish ideally need more space). It’s recommended that you buy the tank first so that you can set it up.
Ponds are a great feature for those that have a backyard. Ponds tend to offer a more natural habitat, but you are limited as to what kinds of fish you can keep in a pond. It’s important that the pond is large enough (ideally 2ft deep). This pond building guide at Pondkeeper offers useful information on building a pond.
Another option that would be worth thinking about is getting an aquarium. And while many aquarium service providers can help you get an aquarium set up, you would have to think about the practicalities of having a space with a lot of fish. It’s a delicate balance to get right, but the tranquility you would experience with an aquarium in or outside your home would be worth it.
Choosing Your Fish
There are many different types of fish to choose from. Some of the most popular options include goldfish, guppies, mollies, catfish, swordtails, angelfish, and bettas. More unusual fish are likely to be higher maintenance. It’s worth always researching into the species of fish before buying.
You should always buy from a reputable seller. Check that fish are kept in good condition, that the water is clean and that there are no dead fish floating in the tank (this is a sure sign that they aren’t a good seller).
Top 5 Reasons Fish Die
No fish owner wants dead fish. There are a few common reasons as to why fish die:
The water is too dirty
Tanks and ponds need to be cleaned out regularly, otherwise the water becomes infested with bacteria. Your tank or pond is likely to get dirtier faster if it’s too small or if you’re overfeeding your fish (too much uneaten food or fish poop will create excess bacteria in the water).
The water is too clean
A common mistake that new fish owners make is putting fish into pristine clean water or emptying out all the water while cleaning the tank/pond. The water needs some bacteria in it for fish to be happy.
You’re not keeping the water oxygenated
Water needs to be constantly filtered to keep it oxygenated – most fish cannot live in still water. If you’re buying a tank, make sure that it has a decent filtration system. If you’re keeping fish in a pond, make sure that it contains a good quality pump such as a Tsurumi submersible pump to help cycle water. A fountain is often not enough to keep water oxygenated.
The water is the wrong temperature
If water gets too hot or too cold, fish may die. This is particularly important when keeping tropical fish in a tank. Pond fish tend to be pretty resilient to temperature changes – if your pond is deep enough they can usually go to the bottom when the surface gets too hot or cold.
Your fish don’t get along
Certain breeds of fish cannot be kept together – they will fight! This is something to also look into if you’re thinking of keeping different species.
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