Tropical Fish as a Pet

Tropical fish can be an interesting and challenging pet for children, but parents need to first consider the child’s age and maturity, before allowing them to acquire the aquarium they have their heart set on.

Kids & Tropical Fish

Younger children with limited attention spans or ability to handle the more arduous chores such as cleaning a tank, should start out with something simple and easy to work with. Too many tasks before a child is ready to handle them, and the parent ends up doing the work and resenting the pet.

Something as basic as a good-sized goldfish bowl, with gravel, an underwater castle, and perhaps a couple of plants, as well as a goldfish or two, is enough to test their dedication to having a pet, and their willingness to look after it properly. Parents can help them select the right food, and an air pump and stone for the bowl, then show them how to keep the fish bowl clean and healthy.

If your child would like something a little more exotic, you can get a one or two gallon aquarium, perhaps in one of the “fun” set ups where the actual container appears to be the belly of a figure like Garfield. These sometimes come with a “package” that includes gravel, a plastic plant and an air pump and stone.

If a child’s interest goes beyond goldfish, you might try a betta, also known as the Siamese fighting fish. They come in a variety of colors, and the males have impressive fins, that they display, especially when catching sight of their own reflection. While these fish can be kept in unheated bowls if the household environment stays at a steady, and relatively warm temperature, they actually are a tropical fish and do better in an aquarium with a stable temperature range. That’s when it’s time to assess how your child has done with pets in the past, and perhaps give them the opportunity to take on a little more responsibility.

Setting up a small aquarium as a child’s interest in the hobby grows, is relatively easy with the help of your local pet store’s staff, and a good tropical fish reference book to make sure you have all the right equipment for the kind of fish they would like to have.

Your Comprehensive Resource on Creating the Best Tropical Fish Tank Possible

The Encyclopedia of Exotic Tropical Fishes for Freshwater Aquariums is an inspiring resource. The book is separated into two sections, with the first part encompassing six chapters of both general and specific fishkeeping information and the second part offering detailed profiles of 1000 freshwater species. All fish enthusiasts will appreciate the down-to-earth writing style and superb images by some of the world’s top photographers. This practical reference also features anatomical drawings, multiple tip boxes, and over 2800 full-color photographs.

Click here to find out more and get your copy.

Savings! Get special savings on premium fish food, filters, aquariums, medications and more supplies at Petco. Click here for savings.