Fish species
There are many different species of fish kept as pets, and each has different needs.
Goldfish
Goldfish were first bred in China over 1,000 years ago. Brought to England in the 18th century, goldfish have remained the most popular cold-water pet fish. Lots of people think goldfish live for about five years and generally grow to about 12cm in length. In fact, they're known to live for up to 25 years and some can reach over 30cm!
Common goldfish are the hardiest as they haven’t been weakened by selective breeding. Many ‘fancy’ varieties of goldfish are more delicate because selective breeding has made them prone to inherited health problems. Breeding for exaggerated physical features has a negative impact on welfare, so we discourage the keeping of such fish.
Freshwater tropical fish
Freshwater tropical fish come from the warm climates of the world. Tropical fish come in a variety of colours and shapes. As with other fish, different species have different behaviours. For example, some are 'shoaling fish' who feel more secure when kept as a group. Others aren't very social and will fight with either their own kind or other species.
Just like with goldfish, selective breeding can have negative effects on their welfare. For example, the ‘rose-tailed’ betta fish have very heavy tails that can cause health problems.
Buying pet fish
If you want pet fish that will reward you for years to come, we recommend going to a rehoming centre or reputable aquatics retailer who’ll advise you on how to keep your fish happy and healthy.
Ask your retailer about where their fish come from. As with other exotic pets, we’re opposed to the transport of wild caught fish or farmed fish over long distances due to the welfare issues involved.
Sadly, it’s not illegal for anyone to give animals away as prizes, for example at a funfair. The fish can die due to suffocation or temperature changes, and winners don’t normally have an aquarium set up so may keep them in unsuitable environments. Some fish even get illegally abandoned in local waterways. We suggest you boycott any events where fish are given away as prizes.
Fish by post
When fish aren’t transported properly, they can often suffer from shock or oxygen starvation. Fish produce waste and use oxygen quickly, so they can’t survive in transport containers for long. Fish should never be sent in the post, as it's not possible to meet their needs properly and they will suffer.
Choosing fish in a shop
Only purchase your fish from shops with healthy animals. Remember the following:
- tanks should be clean and well maintained, without any dead fish
- tanks should not have cloudy water
- fish should be swimming effortlessly
- watch out for split fins, white spot disease, open sores or underweight fish (concave bellies)
We recommend using 'fishless cycling' when you first set up your new tank. Only add fish once your aquarium has been set up and running for at least two weeks. This helps populate the tank with healthy bacteria, which is essential for healthy fish. It’s important to make sure you set up the tank for the specific type of fish you want to keep.
Understanding the needs of pet fish
Fish can be challenging to keep. They can't show their feelings as clearly as other animals do and meeting their complex needs takes a great deal of preparation, investment, time and care.
Find out more about caring for fish in their environment, diet, company, health and welfare and behaviour.
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