Fish are truly fascinating creatures, and are actually more interactive than you might think. They are not only entertaining to watch as they navigate around a tank, but many species will also rush to greet you at feeding time, and come to the surface for the tasty treats that you are about drop in.

Particularly for younger children fish can be the perfect solution. They are not only easy to keep, but will teach children about being their responsible for an animal’s life.

From the acts of remembering to feed them and cleaning the tank, they will learn the importance of caring for something in order to keep it alive.  

So here are some key things to think about if you and your family are thinking about keeping fish:-

1 - If you are thinking about keeping fish in an aquarium or pond, then the golden rule is “The Bigger The Better”.

Although fish may be small in size, they still need plenty of room to swim, especially if you have decided to get more than one.

2 - If you are thinking about buying a fish tank or building a pond “Think About Where To Place It.
You’ll need to keep it out of strong direct sunlight, away from windows and heating if it’s a tank, or in partial shade if you are building a pond. This is so, the water temperature doesn’t rise and fall uncontrollably. Just like human’s, fish prefer gradual shifts in temperature rather than violent fluctuations.

3 - “Invest In A Decent Filter”. Critical for an aquarium, but just as important for a pond. A filter will keep the water cleaner for longer, and remove any debris, pollutants and fish waste, so the water doesn’t become toxic.
In ponds it will allow you to see your fish because they are swimming in clear clean water rather than a debris soup.

4 - “Add An Air pump”. It’s important to keep the water in which the fish live oxygenated, so an area of fast moving water in a pond like a waterfall or fountain, or an Air stone in a tank is great for your fish.
Pumps come in different sizes depending on the amount of the volume of water in your tank or pond, so enquire on the right size of pump for your proposed fish friendly environment.

5 - “Your Fish May Need Heat And Light”. Depending on the breed of fish, heating can be crucial.
If your fish are tropical there will be certain temperatures that you to need to ensure the water is kept to.
But fish like Goldfish and other cold water fish are an exception and will not require extra heating.
Lighting is important because it will help any plant life in the tank or pond to grow and will also show off the colours of your fish for you to enjoy.

6 - “Add some gravel”. Important for a tank, less so for a pond.
Some bacteria is beneficial to fish, and gravel gives it somewhere to live. The bacteria helps to break down any waste that your fish creates, as well as adding an attractive look to their surroundings. You can also buy it in many colours, so you can really go to town on how your tank base looks.

7 - “Include Some Plants and Greenery”. Using different varieties of plants will give your fish somewhere to hide and play, and help them to feel safe. Real plants will help to maintain the nutrient balance in the tank or pond. Although there are also artificial plants, keeping their environment as natural as possible will help ensure you have happy fish.

8 - “Keep An Eye Out For Problems” Just like humans, fish can get sick, and like us in most cases it’s because of environmental issues, so act quickly at the first sign of any problems. You simply need to allocate some time to keep the tank and water in good condition. If the water looks cloudy or smells, take action and deal with it, rather than wait for your fish to get ill.
You can calls us or you local vet for advice, but the usual rule is to isolate the individual with the problem, but avoid the shock of moving them too quickly as this will add to their stress.

If you follow these simple guidelines, you’ll find that fish are actually quite fairly low maintenance.

Fish are also a great stress reliever, research shows that the relaxing act of watching them swim silently and without conflict will lower your blood pressure.

Ultimately, fish are beautiful breeds that come in all shapes, sizes and colours, making them wonderful to watch.
As you get to know your fish, you may discover that they have their own personalities, which will help them to become a member of the family, which will help you to love them even more.