Hello my loves,
It’s been a little while, and I begin school in about two days. But before college officially starts, I decided to take up a new “hobby”: FISH KEEPING! As the title suggests, I adopted a small betta fish from my local pet store, and he now lives in my room! His name is Freddie Michael Jackson. There’s actually a funny story behind that, one I’m sure I’ve told a million times to everyone I know. When I was about six, my mom adopted a tank full of abandoned goldfish we had maybe 20 of them in this big tank. Since I was so small, I didn’t have a very good memory (that hasn’t changed much), so I always named the largest one Michael Jackson, just to keep things simple. Over time, as they passed away, the fattest one left swimming would adopt the name. I thought it would be nice to honor them.
This is Freddie ^
Here are some things I’ve learned in the past month about fish that I think are important to note:
- Keeping fish can be complicated!
I guess I’m making it more difficult than it needs to be, but I just want to ensure my fish is happy and healthy. There are many things to consider, like cycling the water, watching their swim patterns, observing their fins for injuries, and creating an environment that makes them feel safe and happy at home. It goes without saying that every pet and living being you choose to adopt should be treated with care. So my first piece of advice for anyone new to fish keeping is: RESEARCH! (lol)
- Keeping fish can be expensive!
Compared to many other pets, I’m sure that keeping a single fish can be on the cheaper end. But seriously, the costs add up tank, plants, filters, cleaning supplies, liquids, etc.! I didn’t enter fish keeping with much knowledge; in fact, the whole decision was a spur of the moment choice I made in about an hour. As I Googled a list of what bettas need, my shopping cart began to fill up. I started out with a 2.5 GALLON TANK. D: Even that was around $45 at the pet store! (Side note: don’t start with a 2.5-gallon tank!) Like any other hobby, it can become slightly obsessive and quite pricey.
- Check out your local and small fish businesses!
I do my best to support local and smaller businesses when purchasing fish supplies. You’d be surprised at how many curated pet stores there are in your area! I encourage everyone to explore what you can find, which goes for all pets and similar hobbies like plant keeping and gardening. The people at my local pet store are some of the kindest; they are patient and help with all kinds of questions I may have.
- But most importantly: Fish keeping IS so much fun!
I may be biased because my little fish is amazing, but I’ve gained so much appreciation for smaller animals and creatures because of him, and I love this hobby! Learning about different types of fish and their needs is so fun, and I’ve developed a newfound appreciation for the community. I’ve been sucked into FishTok, BettaTok, and the fish keeping sections of YouTube! It’s honestly like a whole new world I had no idea existed!
All in all, I recommend this hobby to anyone who is up for the challenge. It’s a bit controversial to support the commercial sale of fish, especially bettas, as their living conditions in most pet stores can be cruel and inhumane. But if you’re willing to put in the effort, time, and money, it’s a hobby that can benefit fish around the world. Just do your research and be prepared for a small dent in your wallet, and you’re golden!
Disclaimer: I AM NO FISH EXPERT! I’ve had this little guy for just over a week. I’m passionate about the topic and eager to learn more. So if anyone out there has any advice, especially on how to make bettas feel more comfortable in a new tank, that would be SO great! Thank you all!
xoxo
– Miss.SecretGarden