How to Take Care of Fish

Some parents favor fish as a suitable first pet for their children because they are viewed as low-maintenance animals that are easy to take care of and clean up after. While this is generally true, fish still require regular feeding and cleaning of their environment in order to stay healthy and happy. Consider what's involved in caring for a simple freshwater aquarium before buying a goldfish at your local pet store and taking it home as the newest member of your family. Start with a freshwater tank as this type of tank is easier to care for than a salt water tank.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium
  • Water filter
  • Water pump
  • Thermometer
  • Water heater
  • Water conditioner
  • Water testing kits
  • Aquarium plants, gravel and rocks/coral
  • Fish
  • Food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select a spot in your house where you have a large, open area and decide how large of an aquarium you can place there. Consider your budget and space limitations when selecting an aquarium and choose the biggest size you can afford and which you have space for. Choose a place where direct sunlight will not hit the tank; sunlight will cause an overabundance of algae to grow.

    • 2

      Purchase the aquarium along with a filter, heater, thermometer, water pump and conditioner for the tank. Buy test kits that you can use to test the nitrite and pH levels of the water regularly to ensure a good living environment for your fish.

    • 3

      Line the tank with gravel, aquarium plants and fake coral or rocks and other interesting structures that make your tank enjoyable to observe and which offer fish hiding or dwelling places within the tank.

    • 4

      Fill your aquarium with de-chlorinated water. Turn on your water heater, filter and pump. Let the aquarium run for one 24-hour period before introducing fish into it to allow the pH level, ammonia and nitrite levels in the water to balance out.

    • 5

      Decide which fish you want to put in your aquarium. Select a few freshwater fish that are easy to care for and which do well together. Talk to a fish store or pet store owner for suggestions about one to three types of fish that you can safely combine in your tank. Consider fish like goldfish, rosy barbs, upside-down catfish and danio. Purchase the food required for the fish you choose.

    • 6

      Put the fish in your tank. Feed them daily. Clean out 10-15 percent of the tank's water and fill it with treated new water weekly. Wait at least six weeks before introducing additional fish into the tank after the first fish you place in there. Monitor the temperature and pH levels of your tank daily.