Fish are great for people who want exotic pets, but don’t have much space to devote to their new companion. It should be noted, however, that owning an elaborate tank of fish can be both time-consuming and expensive – and in this case, smaller doesn’t necessarily mean cheaper or easier! Some types of saltwater fish may be associated with conservation issues.
Freshwater Fish
Saltwater Fish
Freshwater Fish
Freshwater fish can be great for first-time pet owners. Some, like bettas (Siamese fighting fish) or goldfish may not even need filtration systems, with proper water care. Other fish will need some sort of water filtration and aeration system, which can be expensive. An added bonus is that once a tank is established, yearly costs are relatively low.
Betta (Siamese fighting fish), Goldfish, Guppy, Tropical freshwater fish
Saltwater Fish
Saltwater fish come in many varieties – some of which may be very expensive. Saltwater tanks need close maintenance to ensure the proper level of salinity – too much salt, or too little, can be lethal for the delicate fish that call the ocean their home! Also, be alert to possible conservation issues associated with certain types of coral reef-dwelling fish; some of the methods for collecting these fish from the wild are damaging to their habitat, and causing increasing coral bleaching. Ask for captive bred fish too – the more the demand for these animals, the greater the supply will become!
Tropical saltwater fish