So you bought a new fish tank as a present for your loved one’s birthday, or you’re planning on treating yourself to a new set of tankmates to enjoy with in your own home. Congrats!
If you’ve ever kept fish, you’ll know how important proper care is, particularly when it comes to creating happy, healthy pets. Your new pet may require additional tank cleaning or water changing, depending on how many times they’ve been swapped out already. It’s best to take the time to teach yourself these things so you can properly take care of your precious finned friends.
What happens when the cat is away? Will your fishies enjoy a mealworm-free diet during the week when you’re at work? Or will they gorge themselves on unhealthily dyed worms and die slowly, like the example pictured below?
The answer is simple. If you want your fish to live a happy and healthy life, make sure they get proper nutrition. You can’t expect your pet fish to thrive if you don’t feed them properly. It’s sad to see so many pet fish suffer due to poor care. Most fish are not meant to be kept in small containers for any length of time, so make sure you give each one of them a bigger tank to live in. They’ll enjoy it more, and you’ll enjoy knowing they’ll be healthier.
Small tanks are great for breeding, but to take proper care of your pets, bigger tanks are required. There are many tropical fish species that can tolerate a slightly higher room temperature and live in much greener waters than your average freshwater tank provides. The trade off is they’ll grow much bigger and require more food. A couple of very happy, healthy fish with bright colors will make anyone happy!
What Type Of Fish Should I Get?
There are many considerations that go into choosing the right type of fish for your tank. Aside from the obvious size issue, you want to ensure that the fish you purchase fit well in your tank setting. This will depend on the type of lighting you have available, as well as the current climate in your area. For instance, tropical fish do best in bright, well-lit areas with gentle, flowing currents. If you’re located in a cold area, you may want to consider either keeping an indoor/outdoor cat to provide some body heat for your finned friends or looking into anther expensive option such as keeping albino fish in cool, dark conditions.
How Often Should I Clean My Tank?
Cleaning your tank will depend on a number of factors. For instance, what type of tank cleaning solution are you using? What type of equipment do you have available? Are you using the right solution for the tank size you have?
When it comes to tank cleaning, there are many different methods that experts say work well. Some people suggest scrubbing the tank with a toothbrush while others suggest taking a sponge and dipping it in a bucket of soapy water and then wiping down the tank’s interior surfaces. Still others suggest using a water jet that you aim at the tank’s surface to clear out the gunk at the top of the tank.
Regardless of which method you choose, make sure that you do so regularly so the water remains clean and healthy for your pet fish. Most freshwater tanks require cleaning every three months or so. Some saltwater tanks need to be cleaned more often as dirty water builds up quickly due to the tank’s salt content. If you’re not sure how to properly clean your tank, take a look at our blog article on How to Clean a Saltwater Tank which provides tips on how to ensure your saltwater pet’s water remains clear of debris.
Is A Heat Lamp Necessary?
Many pet owners find that a heat lamp is necessary for providing their fish with the environment they need to survive. However, not all fish require heat lamps to live, so make sure you seek advice from a reputable pet store or aquarium if you’re unsure about whether or not a heat lamp is right for your tank.
An important factor to consider is how bright the spot you have chosen for the lamp is. As previously mentioned, many freshwater tanks are best illuminated by natural light coming in from outside through a window or skylight. For some reason, fish don’t seem to do well in very bright places with direct sunlight so ensure you’re careful not to overexpose your pets to harmful UV rays. If you’re not certain how bright the spot is where you’ve placed your lamp, take a look at our blog article on How Bright Is The Light In Your Tank? which provides information on how to check the lighting level in your tank.
How Many Fish Should I Get?
This is a question that has been asked by many a busy pet parent who has just bought a new fish tank, or is just about to make the purchase. Unfortunately, the answer to this question will depend on a number of factors. First, how large of a tank do you have? Second, what type of fish do you want to keep? Third, how often do you plan on cleaning your tank?
As mentioned by the previous question, the answer to this one will depend on your tank’s size. A small tank will generally only hold a couple of fish, while a large tank can comfortably house multiple fish and a handful of invertebrates. If you have a very small tank then having just a couple of fish will be the extent of your tank’s biodiversity. Experts suggest starting out with a smaller number of fish until you learn how to properly look after them and ensure their water remains clean and healthy. Many fish will only eat live food, so don’t expect your pet fish to turn into frogs just because you’re feeding them meat occasionally!
The amount of fish you have will depend on the size of your tank. For example, a 6-quart tank will hold around 6-8 small fish, while a 10-quart tank will hold around 10-12. Getting more than 12 will require another tank! So, if your wallet allows, go for the larger sizes.
Once you’ve established a pattern of regular cleaning, many experts say you can add more fish to your tank without risking the health of your pet. However, keep in mind that bigger is not always better when it comes to fish. Many smaller tanks tend to have a lot of movement, which provides for more interesting biology and can even sometimes provide for a healthier environment. Just ensure you do your research before purchasing a larger tank, as you’ll likely have to invest in extra equipment and learn a few new tricks to ensure proper care and size!
What Should I Do With My Tank When I’m Not There?
When you’re not there to watch your fish, how will you ensure they stay healthy? This is a question that many pet owners ask themselves after the initial excitement of adding fresh water and some fresh blood to their tanks dies down. You see, when you’re finally free from your day’s work obligations and head to your home, you’ll discover that your fish are no longer living in a contained environment. This raises a number of concerns for many pet owners.
The first thing you should do is check for signs of illness in your pet. Are they acting normally or are they behaving strangely? Are their fins looking healthy? Are their scales showing up clearly? Are they acting aggressively towards other fish or animals?
Make sure to check the answer to all of these questions before you make any assumptions about what may be wrong with your pet. Only then can you begin to figure out where to begin fixing whatever it is that’s causing their issues.
Your second priority should be to make sure they have enough space to swim around in. For most fish, proper space will depend on the size of your tank. A 10-quart tank will hold around 10-12 inches of water and provide your finned friends with a fairly spacious environment in which to swim around. Make sure you have more than enough space for your pets, as cramped living conditions will likely lead to health problems for your finned friends. If possible, get a larger tank so you can house multiple species of fish and give them some companionship!
Properly caring for your pets takes some time and patience, but it’s all worth it in the end. Keep in mind that proper nutrition is crucial, as well as regular cleaning and enough space to swim around in. You’ll have to make adjustments as you go along but, with a little bit of research and understanding of how different fish and invertebrates interact, you’ll be able to keep your pets healthy and content for many years to come!