Exotic pets being abandoned in the wild – how often does that happen? Who would do a thing like that?

When you realize that most fish sold in pet stores are considered “exotics” – it just means they’re not native to the country – you can see it’s really not an unusual event.

At least 185 exotic fish species have been found in U.S. waters, says the U.S. Geological Survey, and over half of those species got there through “release or escape of aquarium fishes”. Lots of people, apparently, have been slipping their unwanted pet fish into the nearest river or lake.

Most of them probably would never dream of dumping a cat or dog in the wilderness. It seems less cruel, somehow, with fish – but that’s an illusion. Releasing a pet fish is always harmful to it or some other creature.

First, 90% of exotic fish don’t survive after being released, as scientist Paul L. Shafland told the U.S.G.S. They’re stressed and an easy target for predators.

The ones that survive may compete with native fish for food, or even prey on the native fish. They may spread exotic diseases or parasites. They also can contribute to overcrowding, especially if they start breeding (75 exotic species have).

If you need to re-home your fish, search online for “fish rescue”. If there’s no fish rescue society in your area, try these U.S.G.S. suggestions:

· Pet stores
· The local zoo or aquarium
· Schools, nursing homes – even prisons might want the fish.

If your fish is sick, a vet can euthanize it if necessary. You can do this yourself simply by putting it in a container of water in the freezer. The U.S.G.S. says, “Because cold temperature is a natural anesthetic to tropical fishes, this is considered a very humane method of euthanasia.” Still, let’s hope you don’t have to do this!

There’s always a better way than abandonment.

There are many types of goldfish, but most people conjure up thoughts of carnival midways, ping pong balls, and small plastics bags filled with water when they hear the word “goldfish”. In actuality goldfish come in every shape, size, and color that you possibly could imagine.  Fish with fancy, huge pectoral fins or large tail fins are part of the the goldfish family.  There are also fish with tiny eyes and others with big eyes that look like something from a science fiction author’s worst dream. As a matter of fact, goldfish actually began their existence as a genetic mutation in China during the Tang dynasty.  Pond carps began displaying gold, or yellowish orange, rather than the standard silver coloration.  This new color of carp was found to be a more prolific breeder, so the road to the goldfish breeds we have today began.

There are over fifty known types of goldfish, but some of the better known breeds include the black moor, fantail, and the comet.  However, the common goldfish is the species that many people think of when they are looking into the fish tanks of a pet store.

The next time you are eating cotton candy, thinking about the Ferris wheel, and waiting for your chance to win a new pet in a plastic bag, remember that your common little goldfish is just one of many offshoots of a fish that got its start 600 years ago.

One of the most intriguing classes of animals is fish, which counts over 25,000 different types and subtypes of the species.  This group of animals consists of a wide range that is diverse enough to include  both large fish like sharks to much smaller types like the average gold fish. If you’ve ever wondered about the abundant group of life that lives in the sea, then this article is for you. Here are the most fascinating facts about fish!

• The world smallest fish is actually the goby, which lives near the Philippines.

• The great white shark is the largest fish at about 50 feet, length-wise.

• The most common pet fish are any of the tropical varieties.

• Unfortunately most people don’t know that much about the adequate care of delicate tropical fish, which results in over 90% of their deaths.

• Most fish are subtyped in three different groups: cartilaginous, jawless, and  bony fish.  All of which were given obvious names. Jawless fish don’t have jaws or scales; the cartilaginous types have bones made of cartilage, and the bony fish have bony skeletons.

• Every fish breathes in its habitat of water. The fish’s gills (located on either side) enable the fish the breathe in the water.

• Flat fish have both eyes located on one side of their body. Flounders have their eyes on the right, and turbots have eyes on their left side.

• While most fish don’t usually sleep, they do have rest periods where they go off to the side to relax. And most types of fish don’t have eyelids, so they cannot close their eyes.

• A group of fish is called a school.

• Fish have been around for a long time, over 450 million years.

• Fish are in tune with their senses (sight, touch, smell, etc.), and, yes, they can feel pain.

Every morning, when my mom comes downstairs and feeds her Beta fish (Bellini), Bellini gets very excited.  And not just because of food.  If my mom talks to her, the fish wriggles and swims excitedly.  Also, the fish looks at her!  She seems to recognize my mom’s voice.  So, this has made me wonder: Do fish recognize people?

Personally, I think she recognizes my mom because my mom brings her food.  The fish only recognizes her, as mom is the primary feeder, suggesting the Pavlovian theory.  The Pavlovian theory is that animals react to the feeder, not the food.

“During his research on the physiology of digestion in dogs, Pavlov noticed that, rather than simply salivating in the presence of meat powder (an innate response to food that he called the unconditioned response), the dogs began to salivate in the presence of the lab technician who normally fed them. (Source- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_conditioning)

Also, evidence on other sites support my hypothesis:

“(A)t work we have a fish tank in the back office. The fish respond to the woman that feeds them and only her. They respond by following her back and forth as she walks around the work place especially in the morning when it’s feeding time.”  (Source- http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Do_goldfish_recognize_their_owners)

One study has found some evidence of recognition:

“The study by Dr. Paul Hart and Dr. Ashley Ward, of the Department of Biology at the University of Leicester, suggests:

• fish are attentive to who they interact with
• they use senses other than vision to find ‘friends’
• fish stick around with those who are most like them
• fish like others from the same ’neighbourhood’

The University of Leicester study, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council, has important implications for understanding the dynamics of fish reproduction as well as environmental and habitat protection.” (Source- http://www.innovations-report.com/html/reports/environment_sciences/report-37023.html)

So, it seems goldfish (and betas) are a little smarter than you think. Hmm…they may even know you, if you feed them, of course.

Recently, my four year old cousin’s betta fish died.  He was very sad and insisted on calling me.  Well, that set me thinking: aren’t fish the perfect pet for younger kids?

Fish hold many advantages over other pets:

1. First of all, fish can be very low maintenance pets.  If you get a tank with a filtration system, the fish will need only occasional water changes.  Other pets will need to have cages, litterboxes, or yards scooped.  Also, fish only need a few food flakes thrown in for food.  Many pets need water and food bowls filled many times a day.
2. Fish can be far, far more cost effective. I found live, freshwater fish online for as little as $1.29.  See if you can find dogs or cats that cheap!
3. Fish are also hypo-allergenic, meaning you can’t be allergic to them, like reptiles.    Almost all other pets can set off alergies!
4. Fish take very little time to care for, so if you’re a parent with a busy lifestyle, your younger child can still have a pet.

Fish do have some downsides, though, they aren’t perfect pets.  These include:

1. Fish can’t cuddled, hugged, walked, or played with.  They will die if any of this is attempted.  That is why many kids want a dog or some small, furry animal like a hamster.
2. Fish can have very, very short life spans.

I have known many kids with fish, such as siblings, friend, and my cousin.  Fish have  worked well for them, being low maintenance and cheap.  The only problem for them was  life span.  My siblings’ fish passed away in a four day long power outage due to cold water, my cousins due to natural causes, and my friend’s due to a variety of reasons.

Although your time with your pet fish could be short, if you have a young child wanting a pet, I would suggest you get a fish.

After only a couple of days in central Florida, we’ve seen a couple of kinds of exotic animals — and I mean exotic, even for here.

Tilapia, for example, which are restricted by the government, have been brought in to control the algae in a pond near where we’re staying. We saw two large males hovering over round nests hollowed out of the sand in the shallows. Well, we didn’t know at the time that they were males, but after looking at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission site, I realized they must have been.

Also it must be breeding season, the only time of year that you can tell males from females (at a glance, anyway). Most of the year, both are silver blue, but now the males are blue-green with “reddish edges to fins”. The nests contain fertilized eggs, which the male guards until the female comes to pick them up in her mouth. Even after the eggs hatch, she’ll let the small fish into her mouth for protection. And I always thought fish were the kind of parents scout leaders call “drop and run”. . .

We’ve also seen Muscovy ducks, another non-native animal brought here as pets and “ornamentals”. Well, they are decorative, with their black, white, and red coloration, but they tend to escape and multiply quickly. From what I’ve seen they’ll follow humans around looking for a handout.

Neither the tilapia nor the ducks fit into the ecosystem – but the tilapia fit into the plans of humans. So, they’re valued – a live fish costs $15 – while the ducks are considered a nuisance. (To be fair, the tilapia don’t come out on land and follow people.)

But they’re both out of place, through no fault of their own, and just following their instincts.

I’m a straightforward kind of guy. My tastes are simple. I like things that are cheap and easy. [Insert your own misogynist joke here.] That’s why, of all the pets that my family members have brought home, Lily the beta fish is my favorite.

Beta fish are cheap, both to acquire and to care for. My eight year old son “won” Lily at a carnival by throwing a ping pong ball into a glass bowl. Even with the requisite bowl, starter kit, fish food, and “Beware of Jaws” sign, we got her home for a very small investment. The $30 or so we spent on her accoutrement wouldn’t even cover the first round of shots for a dog or a cat. And the little container of food that we bought for four dollars several months ago is still half full.

Like all pets that have found their way into my home, I take care of Lily. But caring for a beta fish is not much of a commitment. She eats two to three times a day. Feeding her takes less than one minute. Unlike most underwater pets, beta fish don’t need an aerator. Her tank is completely self-contained and doesn’t require electricity. Unlike the cat, her container needs cleaning only every two weeks or so. Unlike the dog, Lilly can go for days with little to no attention (other than the aforementioned feeding) without a complaint. She has never once made a mess on the floor or awoken me in the middle of the night.

Beta fish make great pets for those who don’t think they want a pet or for children who are still learning to be responsible enough to care for a pet of their own. Betas combine practicality and aesthetics in one gilled package. In addition to the highly coveted cheap and easy factor, betas are also absolutely beautiful creatures that are a delight to watch.

Koi fish (also know as Japanese Carp) are a breed of fish commonly kept as pets. The word Koi actually derives from the word nisikigoi, which means brocaded carp. It is a very suitable name considering that many of these fish of the Koi species are colorful (some types of Koi come in a grey color). Prime examples of these include Ochiba (which are light blue with yellow patches); Ogon (solid color with metallic scales); Kohaku (white with red markings on top). Koi fish are a lot like goldfish, except they are often larger in size, and they can live for long periods of time.

You can keep your pet Koi fish either in a large aquarium or tank or an even better option would be a pond. First you’ll want to do some research about the type of Koi fish you want, the proper care they need, and how to feed them. You also need to research your options for housing the fish. If you live in a small house, apartment, or rent your property, you would have to get an aquarium. If you live on a large property with a good sized backyard, then a pond would be a wonderful option. Remember that if you chose the latter, you’ll want to find a good way to keep your fish safe in the pond from natural predators, such as cats and herons.

These fish are cold water species, yet they do not thrive in chillingly cold waters. It’s best to keep the pond or aquarium 55 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. And as with all fish, you’ll want to have a pump and filtration system in the pond to keep the water that they thrive in clear and healthy. Koi fish can eat a wide variety of foods, including lettuce and watermelon, but its best to feed them food especially made for them, as it is much more nutritionally balanced and even helps them float in the water.

Koi fish make great pets as they’re generally easy to take care of, and fun to watch.

One of the basic rules of keeping fish is not to over-feed the fish. This is because not only is it unhealthy, it also can produce pollution in the aquarium. It is unwise to feed fish with too much food. In fact, certain fish species even die because of it. The basic guideline an owner needs to follow is to give only enough food at every mealtime that the fish can finish within five minutes.

Most aquarium fish can do well if they are fed a consistent diet of dry flake food. But take note that it is recommended that you provide high-quality food to ensure that your fish is getting all the nutrients it needs. Some fish owners buy several types of food, and they vary this to ensure a balanced diet for the fish.

Catfish and larger fish species do better if they are fed pellet food due to its bulk. Try to offer fresh food or live food from time to time so that the fish will get a nutritionally-complete meal. But remember that the bulk of the diet should consist of freeze-dried food as it contains a lot of protein.

Some fish are classified as “vegetarian”. If this is the case for your fish, you need to purchase food with more vegetable content and minimal protein. The flake foods can be added with frozen and dried food which are all available at most aquarium stores.

If you do decide to go for commercial fish food, take note of the shelf life. If the container looks dusty, it is advised that you look somewhere else. It is better to be safe than feed your fish spoiled food. Within six months, the nutritional value of most commercial will lessen by half.

Individuals who want to have a pet at home but have no time to take care of a dog or cat inevitably decide to take care of fish, but they are challenged by the thought of starting a saltwater aquarium. This task need not be difficult, though. A little effort on your part can help a lot in the saltwater set-up. You will need the following materials:

•    Aquarium
•    Rocks
•    Saltwater Mix
•    Aquarium Substance such as Sand or Crushed Coral
•    Aquarium Filter
•    Replacement Filter
•    Multiple Powerheads
•    Heater
•    Protein Skimmer
•    Aquarium Vacuum
•    Saltwater Fish Food
•    Aquarium Glass Scrubber
•    Aquarium Thermometer
•    Fish Net

The Responsibility of Taking Care of Saltwater Fish

Before starting on the set-up, it is important to realize the responsibility of taking care of fish, as well as the cost involved. Fish may not be as high maintenance as a dog or a cat, but the aquarium also needs to be cleaned regularly. In addition, you need to feed fish on a daily basis and monitor the water temperature.

Cost is another factor you need to consider. Using the list above research the market prices of this equipment. Though some items are quite affordable, certain things can be expensive. The cost can add up significantly. It is more expensive to set up a saltwater aquarium compared to a freshwater aquarium.

Size and Location Consideration

It is recommended that you know which type of saltwater fish you want to have before you buy the aquarium. Some marine fish are small while others can grow to as much as 16-18 inches. Knowing the characteristics of the fish will help you decide on the size of your aquarium. Also, you need to place the saltwater aquarium in an area where the temperature and light of the tank is safe from external factors such as heater vents.