| Keeping pets can help your children to have respect | | | | important element of an aquarium. It is important to |
| for other living creatures, as well as teach children | | | | prepare your water before adding any fishes, as |
| responsibility and the importance of taking care of | | | | most tap water contains chemicals like chlorine and |
| what belongs to them. However, it is not always a | | | | chloramine, which are harmful to fishes. So be sure to |
| good idea to simply run out and purchase a dog or a | | | | get a bottle of water conditioner from your favourite |
| cat.A fish, on the other hand, is an excellent choice | | | | pet shop that neutralizes both chlorine and chloramine. |
| for a first pet, as its specific qualities make it ideal for | | | | *Setting up your filter - Your filter provides water |
| helping kids learn about taking care of a pet. | | | | circulation, and also oxygenates the water, if your |
| Shopping for the fish can actually be a fun | | | | type of filter causes water surface disturbance. If |
| experience. The kids get to look at different kinds of | | | | your aquarium is heavily loaded with fishes, and your |
| fish, and they get to look at aquariums. Picking out | | | | filter fails for even a few hours, it could be fatal. |
| what goes in the aquarium, to "decorate" the fish's | | | | *Observing your fishes - If your fishes refuse to eat, |
| "home" is also part of the fun. Starting out with a | | | | do not put in more food. Try feeding again the next |
| simple aquarium, or an even simpler fish bowl, is a | | | | day. This is normal and you do not need to worry, as |
| good bet. Let the child choose out colorful rocks for | | | | the fishes most likely already eaten when in the pet |
| the bottom of the fish tank or bowl, and let him or | | | | shop, and they can survive for as long as a week |
| her choose a plant or some ceramic decoration. It | | | | without food. |
| need not be fancy. | | | | Soon, your fishes will get used to their environment. |
| Points that are important while having fishes as your | | | | They will start becoming more active. Their vibrant |
| pet : | | | | colors will start showing. And they may even |
| * Location of your aquarium - It is advisable to keep | | | | recognize you whenever you come close to feed |
| your fish tank away from direct, or even indirect, | | | | them. That is the reward of fish-keeping! But of |
| sunlight. Long hours of sunlight will induce algae, | | | | course, you have to be a responsible owner. |
| something you do not want if you wish to keep your | | | | Performing the regular water changes, medicating |
| aquarium beautiful. | | | | them when they get sick, and feeding them quality |
| *Preparing your water - Water is the single most | | | | food everyday. |