Short, tall or grande?

Welcome to the wonderful (and huge) world of fish care! When looking at the world of aquariums and fish, there are hundreds of thousands of options and animals to choose from and understand. Since we don’t want to overwhelm anyone, let’s begin with a common and simple fish tank set up.

All fish have fins to swim around, gills on the sides of their head for breathing, and scales all over their bodies. Most fish you find in a pet store are considered tropical fish: that just means that they come from that part of the planet that is considered “the tropics.” In other words, these fish live in freshwaters that stay warm all year round.

One common tropical freshwater fish that you may see in pet stores are tetras. There are neon tetras, gold tetras, rummy-nose tetras and many other types. Most tetras are fairly small fish and do well in a smaller tank. There are many different colors and shapes of tetras, but all types will school (or group) together and are very fun to watch

How long is that in fish years?

The lifespan of tetras varies, but it averages around 5-10 years. When buying a pet fish, think of what you’ll be doing for the next 5-10 years. In general, smaller fish have a shorter lifespan than larger fish, and fish that lay eggs live longer than those that give birth to live young. A good fish and aquarium store will know their fish and can tell you about their needs and life spans. Always ask questions about the fish you like before purchasing them from the pet store.

To maximize life span, watch for hazards in the area around your fish tank that could be dangerous for your fish. Your tank will need a light and a heater, so be sure that the cords that supply those items with electricity are kept out of the water!

Personalities are not just for people.

Fish generally don’t interact with their owners. In fact, you should NEVER take your fish out of the water to hold—if it’s out of the water, it can’t breathe! However, you may notice that some fish are shyer than others. Some fish like to hide when someone comes up to the glass to take a look at them, while others swim over to see who’s peeking in on them! When shopping for a fish, notice its behavior at the pet store. This will usually be the same behavior as your fish once they get to your home.