Whether you’re a first-time owner or a lifelong pet person, this is your happy place. Pick your pet, meet the breed, and pick up care tips, fun facts and the right food to keep them thriving.
- 1Choose your pet
- 2Meet your pet
Fish care guide
Aquarium Fish
A tiny underwater world of your own.
- LifespanGuppies 2 to 3 years, goldfish 10 to 20
- SetupFiltered, cycled tank
- Feeding1 to 2 small meals a day
- EnergyRelaxing to watch
About
Fishkeeping is part science and part art. A healthy tank is a small ecosystem, and beginners do well with hardy species such as guppies, platies, zebra danios and goldfish in properly sized tanks.
Personality and behaviour
Quiet but full of character. Many fish learn feeding routines and come to the surface when they see you.
Care tips
Setup
Cycle the tank before adding fish, which takes several weeks, so helpful bacteria can process waste. Use a filter and treat tap water with a dechlorinator.
Maintenance
Test the water regularly and change roughly 20 to 30 percent weekly, depending on stocking.
Health
Add fish slowly and quarantine newcomers. White spots, clamped fins or gasping at the surface mean it is time to check water quality.
Recommended food
A quality flake or pellet suited to your species, fed once or twice a day, only as much as they finish in about two minutes. Overfeeding is the most common mistake.
Fun facts
- Bettas can breathe air from the surface thanks to a special organ.
- Goldfish can live 10 to 20 years when well cared for.
- Clownfish can change from male to female.
This guide is general information to help you get started. It isn’t a substitute for advice from your vet, who knows your animal best.