Dogs and cats often spring to mind first when we talk about pets, but did you know that freshwater fish, at over 142 million, are by far the most numerous pet owned? In fact, we have domesticated fish for more than 4000 years! Keeping fish and other aquatic animals as pets requires a specific skillset and ability to follow routine – you are literally providing your pets with their own ecosystem! – but a well-kept aquarium is not only beautiful to look at, it provides well-documented mental and physical health benefits!
African Dwarf Frog
Angelfish
Angelfish (freshwater)
Comet Goldfish
Common Pleco
Corydoras Catfish
Fancy Guppy
GloFish
Molly
Neon Tetra
Siamese Fighting Fish
Southern PlatyfishAquariums house beautiful animals and plants, are entertaining and proven stress relievers, and can be educational, as well! Of course, as is the case with caring for any living being, they require regular attention – but with a properly designed setup your investment can go a long way. Learn More >>
An aquarium is not back-breaking work, but keeping your aquatic pets healthy requires regular care. It is essential to feed proper amounts, replenish water, monitor and control the environment (ammonia, chlorine, pH levels, etc.), keep algae under control, vacuum substrate, change out water regularly, and more! This may sound like a long list of work, but in reality, most of the tasks only take a minute or two. However, it is vital that they are not neglected. An aquarium is literally your pet's world, and they will have much longer -- and better! -- lives if it is treated as such!
Discover Animals is a web-based educational resource offered by the NAIA
