An Aquarium - the Perfect First Pet for Your Child

Freshwater fish make he perfect pets for children, especially those who have not had fish before. This is because freshwater tropical fish take little work, once the tank has been set up properly. Children are able to learn responsibility for another creature, without the pressure of an expensive animal that mom or dad will bear the brunt of care for. Not only that, but freshwater fish do not make near as many messes as a puppy or kitten, and they smell far better than a hamster or other rodent!

Teach Your Children About Life Cycles

Keeping fish is a good way to teach children about the cycle of life. Older children are less likely to get as significantly attached to a fish as they would to a dog or a cat. When the fish dies, which they will from time to time, it is a great opportunity to teach children how to deal with loss, on a less emotional scale. Keep in mind that when a fish does die, it will be harder on the child than you might expect. You may have to have a fish funeral, and the child might have a morning period. This is good, as it teaches the child how to deal with grief.

Teach Your Child Responsibility

Having a pet teaches your child responsibility because they will have the responsibility of caring for another life. They control everything in the fish tank environment, so if they drop their responsibility, their pet will suffer. Since fish are relatively hardy, this is a great way to introduce your child to being responsible, without huge consequences when they slip up.

Show Your Child How To Set Up The Tank

Setting up a tank should not be left to the child alone. Make sure your child, depending on his or her age, has a part in the set up process, but adult supervision should take a part in setting up the tank. This is because an improper setup is one of the main reasons that new fish die in a brand new tank. Help your child to properly set up the tank.

Avoid the temptation to buy your child a tiny tank. The smaller the tank, the harder it is to maintain a proper balance of chemicals in the water. If you can afford it, go for around a twenty-gallon tank, even for a child. If not, try not to go smaller than ten gallons. A ten-gallon tank is a good size for a child to clean, but it is also large enough to provide a fairly stable environment for the pets.

Help the child to set up the environment, but encourage the child to choose the decorations. This will help to instill the idea that the tank and the fish are their pet and their responsibility. Once the tank is filled, make sure you de-chlorinate the water.

Choosing Your Child's First Fish

When you go shopping for your child's fish, try to steer them towards hardy fish, such as danios and barbs. The more hardy the fish, the less likely they are to get sick when put in a brand new tank. Carefully teach your child how to put the new fish in the tank. Help them know how much food to feed the fish, and how often. Once they get the hang of feeding the fish, you can step back and allow your child to enjoy their new pet. The great thing about fish as a pet for children is that they do not suffer to terribly if they go a day or two without a meal. If your child forgets to feed the fish, they will be fine, as long as the get fed eventually. Fish really are the perfect first pet for children!