Important Rules For New Fish Parents
Start writing a post
Health Wellness

Fin-tastic Rules To Follow When Becoming Fish Parents

Making sure your fish friends have a happy and healthy environment to live and grow in is the most important part of being a fish parent.

140
Fin-tastic Rules To Follow When Becoming Fish Parents
Kimberly Lawton

Being a fish parent can be time-consuming but is totally worth it in the end. Although some kinds of fish are harder to keep than others knowing your space and time limitations as well as the basic requirements when picking out your new fish can make everything easier for you in the long run. For instance, if you don't have a lot of time to invest in cleaning and caring for your fish buddies a saltwater tank is probably not the right choice for you. Along with that same vein of thought, neither are angelfish because of their heating and tank size requirements.

By far the most important rule to follow when making the decision to become fish parents is "1 inch of fish per gallon of water in your tank." The 1 inch of fish refers to its estimated length at full maturity. Buying goldfish that are one inch now and putting them in a ten-gallon tank is not going to turn out well later as most goldfish continue to grow throughout their whole life. A standard 10-gallon tank is not recommended for goldfish according to this handy goldfish to tank size calculator. Although it is still possible to raise goldfish in this environment it will take a lot more effort regarding cleaning the tank and maintaining balanced ph to keep your fish happy and healthy.

Kimberly Lawton

Another important rule to follow when setting up your new fish-friendly environment is "set up the tank at least 3 to 4 days in advance to buying your fish." By setting up the tank in advance to getting your fish buddies it allows for an aquatic ecosystem to begin developing as well as a test period for all tank accessories such as the heater, filter, and thermometer. According to the sales associates at Petco, I have spoken to recently the time period is a minimum and the closer you get to about a week to eight days the better it is for introducing fish.

A related rule to allowing the aquatic ecosystem to develop is to introduce fish in pairs. Introducing smaller quantities of fish over an extended period of time is supposed to drastically increase the likely hood of the fish adjusting easily into their new home. When introducing new fish in general it is good to keep them in pairs as a fish being introduced on its own is more likely to be bullied by established fish. The other perk to introducing your new fish buddies in pairs over an extended period of time is that it allows for the aquatic ecosystem to stabilize and develop further which will increase the likelihood of your new fish friends thriving in their new home.

For more information on the fish species mentioned or tank sizing please follow the links.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

19237
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

947327
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

123842
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments