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HOW TO CARE FOR A PET FISH
Taking care of a pet is a big responsibility, so you want to make sure you learn all about
your pet before bringing it home! Many kids have fish as their first pet, and fish can give you a
good idea of whether or not you’ll be able to take care of a more complicated pet later on. First,
choose what types of fish and how many fish you will be getting. Freshwater fish are the best
fish to start with, until you get really good at taking care of fish and their tanks. Some types of
fish do not get along with other types, so you’ll need to research types of fish before you choose
what types and how many to buy.
Next, you need to make sure you have all of the necessary supplies that your fish will
need. They need a place to live, such as a fish tank with a lid on it. Make sure it is big enough
for how many fish you are planning to get! You can put the fish tank on a dresser or other piece
of furniture, or you might need to get a fish tank stand. Fish tanks also need a light, so that they
can tell the difference between night and day, and an air pump and filter, to keep the water from
getting dirty too quickly. The water needs to be kept at a comfortable temperature for your type
of fish, so you’ll need a heater and a thermometer, as well. A water testing kit for aquariums is
needed, too, to make sure the water quality is good for your fish. Be sure to also get food for
your fish! The last thing you need is a fish net and cleaning products for your fish tank. Many
people like to get decorations for their fish tank, so save up your money if you’d like decora-
tions!
Now that you have your supplies, you’ll need to set up your aquarium. Put the tank on
the stand, close enough to an outlet so that you can plug in the equipment. Wash any gravel and
decorations you’re planning to put in the tank. Fill the bottom of the tank with the clean gravel
and you then fill the tank with water. Test the water with a test kit to make sure it will be safe
for your fish. Follow the instructions on the heater to heat up the water to the temperature your
fish will need. Clean and follow the instructions on the filter and air pump to get those in your
fish tank. Make sure your light is ready to go, too! Some people put their lights on a timer so
they don’t have to remember to turn the light on and off every morning and evening.
You are ready to pick up your fish! The employees at the pet store should be able to
teach you how to make sure your fish get comfortable before you release them into your aquar-
ium. Once the fish are in the tank, you’ll want to watch them closely to make sure they don’t
get sick. Feed them in small amounts a few times a day. Too much extra food will make the
quality of the water bad, and is not good for your fish! You will have to change some of the wa-
ter at least once a week. You might need to change the water a little more often for the first few
weeks. Be sure to test the water to make sure it is a healthy place for your fish to live. Enjoy
your new pets!
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