How to Practice Responsible Fish Keeping
Responsible fish keeping starts with your aquarium setup. Make sure that the aquarium you choose is large enough for the fish that you want. Many people believe that fish will grow to the size of their tank, but stunting their growth by keeping them in a small tank will reduce the lifespan of the fish. Eventually, you will need to upgrade the aquarium if you started with a too-small tank.
Find out as much as you can about the fish that you plan to keep, to know what size of aquarium you need to get for them. It is best to factor in the adult size of the fish when choosing the size of the aquarium. But if you got a small aquarium and later it became too small for your fish, then upgrade as soon as possible to the appropriate size.
Before buying different species of fish, find out first if they will co-exist peacefully in your aquarium. Responsible fish keeping dictates that you ensure the safety of your fish from other fish in the aquarium and that your aquarium provides the right water temperature and pH levels to sustain all the fish in the tank. Refrain also from buying too many fish because even if your aquarium might accommodate their numbers and sizes, the oxygen in the water might not be enough for all of them.
If your fish or aquatic plants become too big for their aquarium, never release them in a pond, stream, or other wild environment. Unfortunately, many people do this when their fish grow much larger than they originally thought they would, and it can wreak havoc on the local ecosystem. If your fish survive, they may begin breeding and eventually kill off native species.
A lot of tropical fish found in the aquarium cannot continue to live outside the aquarium especially in frigid waters. Releasing them in this environment is like giving them a death sentence. If you cannot afford an upgrade of your tank, returning your fish to the pet store is a better alternative.
Aside from the fish tank, you will also need a heater and water filter. These are essentials in your aquarium. The type of your water filter will be determined by the size of your tank. The type of the fish you plan to have will determine the type of heater you need.
Even with a filter, responsible fish keeping also includes regular water changes. Test the water weekly to track pH, nitrates, ammonia, and other water quality indicators. You can reduce water changes with beneficial bacteria. The EcoBio-Block Family Products do a great job with this. Their unique system of delivering beneficial bacteria on a regular basis insures that your water will stay clear and healthy even while reducing water changes.
Even though your fish may be small, that doesn’t mean that you can ignore them, or that they require less care than other pets. Never forget to feed your fish, and make sure they receive a proper diet. Regular fish food flakes may not be the responsible choice, depending on what type of fish you keep. Research their requirements to determine the best kind of food for them.
Responsible fish keeping means taking the responsibility of caring for your fish seriously. This involves keeping them in a healthy environment, feeding them and providing for their every need.
Leonard Boyler has been keeping fish for more than two decades. His favorite products make aquarium care and maintenance so easy from start up to clarifying cloudy aquarium water. To learn more about how to keep your fish tank water clear and your fish healthy, please visit ONEdersave.com.
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