FISHES make great companions for those who do not have the time or physical space to devote to a higher-maintenance animal companion. They are far easier and less expensive to feed and care for (unlike many dogs and other furry and feathered pets); fish do not require your constant attention and certainly would not develop separation anxiety or destructive behaviors when you leave them alone at home from time to time!
Once any aquarium is set up, decorated with rocks and plants, and well-maintained, it can be a beautiful addition to your home. Studies have shown that fish have a tranquil, calming effect on us; it can be stress and anxiety reducing for anyone who watches them glide serenely through the water. Coupled with the fact that the gurgling sound of the bubbles and colours in the tank would have a therapeutic effect on us, overall capable of reducing our blood pressure.
Fish come in a variety of sizes, shapes and stunning, vibrant colours. They can be tropical freshwater fish, coldwater fish, or saltwater fish and have a lifespan ranging anywhere from 2 to 20 years. They can make very economical pets or become one’s expensive hobby of keeping exotic fishes.
And sometimes, by buying a tropical fish, you may be contributing to the extinction of a species. The Banggai cardinalfish, for example, is endangered because of overfishing to support the aquarium industry. And by buying a freshwater fish, you could very well be supporting an industry of fish raised on farms. Goldfish are usually bred in giant tubs in facilities that produce as many as 250 million fish per year.
Having misconceptions about fish can create an unfair and poor conditions for them. Did you know that many people thought the betta fish can survive without being fed regularly or having a “complete ecosystem”? As a result, they are only given an aquarium which has nothing more than a vase and a plant. These fishes are doomed to suffer dull, lonely lives and slow deaths by starvation.
Before getting a pet fish, make sure to do plenty of research to become knowledgeable caretakers to provide the proper environment and the correct diet for each of the different species!
Read more: Fish Species