8 Ways to Care for Your Fish Humanely

Fish are the third most popular type of pet after dogs and cats. Although it is difficult to provide an exact number of people who have pet fish as there is no comprehensive data on this, an American Pet Products Association (APPA) National Pet Owners Survey conducted in 2019-2020 found that approximately 11 percent of American households (or 13.1 million households) own pet fish.

Animal lovers believe that many factors make it difficult to provide an adequate level of care for pet fish in captivity. As a result, we encourage people to consider alternative forms of pet ownership that do not involve keeping animals in captivity, such as adopting a companion animal from a shelter or volunteering with animal welfare organizations.

That is why it is so important to understand how to care for fish before you ever buy them. Do the research and understand what you are getting into. Remember, these are living creatures like anything else and cannot just be discarded if they require too much work.

How to Care for Fish the Right Way

Fish are delicate creatures and are at their owners’ complete mercy once they have been purchased. It can be hard to see the signs of discomfort or neglect, which is why it is important to understand your fish. Remember not just to buy the ‘prettiest’ fish that you see. Make sure you do the research and make an educated decision.

After all, this creature will depend on you for everything for the rest of its life, so you don’t want to make a hasty decision.

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association/Youtube

1. Get Them from the Right Place

Be careful when you are buying fish, as some may not have come from a reputable seller. In general, the most humane way to buy fish is to buy them from places that have bred them or bought bred fish. This would include popular pet stores like Petco and Petsmart. Avoid online or small sellers unless you know exactly where the fish have come from. You do not want to buy fish that were stolen from the wild.

2. Pick the Right Environment

One of the most common mistakes people make when it comes to how to care for fish is not choosing the right home for them. Make sure you understand how big your fish is going to get and get the right size of aquarium. If you have more than one fish, that size should be doubled or tripled to give them plenty of room.

Avoid circular aquariums and fishbowls as this is considered to be cruel for the health of the fish since it will cause them to swim in circles. Make sure your aquarium comes with all of the dressing, such as pebbles for the bottom, plants, filters, and an aerator. Do research about the fish that you have chosen to help you create the most pleasing environment for them. Also, pay close attention to the water temperature for your fish to ensure that they don’t get too cold or too warm.

3. Using Lighting

There are some species of underwater plants that require lighting to stay alive. If you have any of those plants in your aquarium, you will need to add an aquarium light. Just make sure that you do not turn the light off and on. Try to keep the light on at all times since turning it off can upset the fish from the dramatic change.

4. Add an Aquarium Covering

A glass or mesh aquarium covering is a good item to have if the water level of the aquarium is close to the top. This can give the fish room to jump out of the aquarium. A protective covering will help to keep the fish in and other things out. If you have children, cats, or birds, it is a good idea to have a covering to keep your fish safe and secure.

5. Provide a Home and Shelter

Fish, like any animal, want to have security and a place to go and rest. This is why it is important to include plenty of little spaces for your fish to go into to be by themselves. These can be rocks and plants to hide behind or little caves and aquarium decorations that they can go into. This is important for their emotional well-being and happiness, especially if you have more than one fish since they may occasionally want to get away from one another.

6. Clean Regularly

You will need to clean your fish tank very regularly, especially for dirtier fish like goldfish. You will also need to clean the aquarium if you notice the water becoming colored or things are floating in it. Use conditioned water to refill your tank. Conditioned water is water left out so that the chlorine can evaporate. If you have salt fish, they will need very special water.

When you remove your fish to clean, only use a soft fishnet and a covered container to keep them in while cleaning. Fill the container with 25 percent of their tank’s water and 75 percent new conditioned water. Remember to cover the container to keep them from jumping out. Clean and rinse their aquarium thoroughly before refiling and placing the fish back inside.

Source: Natalie Lauren/Youtube

7. Feed Them Just Enough

Feeding your fish comes with a set number of rules if you want to keep them healthy and happy. When it comes to how to care for fish, you have to avoid overfeeding them. It’s tempting, but food that isn’t eaten will simply float in their water and dirty it up, making their living conditions unhygienic for their health. Some fish require store-bought fish flakes, while others need specialty frozen fish food. Make sure you do your research to understand what foods your fish should be eating.

8. Always Handle with Care

As a rule, fish should never be handled with your literal hands. This is harmful to them and can even be painful to their delicate and moist tissue. Bacteria can also be spread to them this way, and they can be injured in the process of holding.

Always use a soft fishnet to remove your fish from their aquarium during cleaning. Make the period of time out of the water as short as possible by having another source of water close by to keep them in while cleaning their aquarium.

Fish are intelligent creatures that require mental stimulation to prevent boredom and improve their overall health. Without enrichment, such as hiding spots, plants, or toys, fish can become stressed, lethargic, and prone to disease. Fish are often transported long distances before they reach pet stores, which can cause stress and harm to their health. In addition, many fish sold in pet stores are bred in captivity, which can result in genetic defects, poor health, and reduced lifespans.

Once again, we encourage people to consider alternative forms of pet ownership that do not involve keeping animals in captivity, such as adopting a companion animal from a shelter or volunteering with animal welfare organizations.

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• Global Fish Stocks Could Collapse in 25 Years – Sign This Petition to Prevent Further Damage
• The Environmental and Public Health Impact of Commercial Fish Farming
• GMO Fish are Not the Answer to Overfishing
• 5 Reasons Sport Fishing is Cruel and Unnecessary

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