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Fish kept as pets come in many different shapes and sizes and with different characteristics. They can be as small as tetras or as big as koi carp. Freshwater fish, like goldfish, can be kept in aquariums or ponds. Tropical and marine fish need tanks with special equipment which must recreate their natural environment.

Life in the wild
Most wild fish are social animals and live in shoals in the rivers, lakes and oceans of the world.Depending on the species they also live at different levels in the water. Some are bottom dwellers; others live closer to the surface. All fish depend on their environment to provide them with food ­ this can include other fish, plant material and creatures like water fleas or plankton. The water in which fish live also provides them with oxygen.

Source of animals
Garden centers, pet shops and breeders offer different types of fish for sale. Your veterinary surgeon may also be able to advise on sources. Fish should never be bought from anywhere where the tanks look overcrowded, the water looks dirty or where there are any dead fish floating in the tanks. Staff selling the fish should be able to answer all your questions on care and equipment. Goldfish sold in the USA are most likely to be captive bred, but some tropical freshwater and especially marine fish are likely to have been caught in the wild and transported to the USA. Thousands of wild-caught fish die during transport before they ever reach the pet trade. Methods used to catch them also can involve great destruction to their natural environments. Fish keepers should always check on the source of the fish and avoid wild-caught species.

Prior knowledge and preparation
Before keeping any sort of fish, it is crucial that any potential keeper finds out about them ­ including how to provide for their needs, how big they get and how long they live. Only then can an informed decision be made about providing the right facilities, time, financial means and long-term commitment to maintain a good standard of care. A suitable tank or pond, food and the necessary accessories, should all be prepared and bought before taking the fish home. A potential fish keeper should also take time to talk to experienced keepers, professionals such as a vet with experience of treating that species, and specialist organizations that keep the relevant species of fish in captivity in the USA.

Vet care/costs/holiday cover
When they are ill fish will need specialist care. A veterinary surgeon or aquarist should be contacted. Holiday cover may be difficult or expensive to arrange, but your fish will need to be looked after every day while you are away on holiday by someone who understands their complex needs.

Unhealthy/healthy animal signs
A healthy fish swims easily through the water. Its scales will be intact and there should be no cuts, growths or parasites on scales or fins. A fish swimming on its side or lying on the bottom of the tank is unwell. Drooping, lifeless fins also mean the fish is ill.

If fish are gulping at the surface of the water they could be suffering from oxygen starvation. White strands or tufts like cotton wool on the body of a fish  could indicate a serious fungal disease. A trailing brown thread from a fish's body shows it may be constipated. White spots on a fish's body means it has a parasite infestation.

 Health issues to find out about:
Fungal infections
Constipation
Overfeeding
Parasites
Oxygen starvation

Why are fish vulnerable in captivity?
Fish are completely dependent on their owners to provide the correct accommodation, water temperature, oxygen and food, all of which must replicate as closely as possible that found in the animal's wild habitat. Goldfish as big as 12 cm should be moved to a pond and many owners are not prepared for this. Some fish keepers still believe that a bowl makes a good home for fish, but bowls let in too much light and not enough oxygen ­ the fish suffer as result. Overfeeding can also be a problem ­ uneaten food contaminates the water and may even kill the fish. Fish are very delicate and sensitive and should not be caught and moved by hand. Vibrations and changes in temperature and light can cause them a great deal of stress too.

Handling/transporting the animal home
Fish should not be moved by hand. For the journey home they should be caught in a large, smooth net and then put in a plastic bag containing water from the tank. The bag should then be put in a polystyrene container so that the temperature loss is kept to a minimum. The bag should contain slightly more air than water and should not be overcrowded. The water of the tank at home should be the same as that as the bag. The best way to equalize the temperature is to put the fish in the bag in the tank for an hour or two, then undo the bag and let the fish swim out. If fish have to be moved out of their tank for cleaning they should be put in a small tank with water from their own tank at the right temperature. If the fish have to be transported in cars they should never be left inside parked cars on warm days ­ even with the windows open ­ as they could overheat and die.

Needs: grouping, diet, accommodation and environment
Fish should be kept in groups. Although it is possible to mix species, care should be taken to ensure that one species is not the natural prey of another. Tank size is crucial in keeping fish healthy and the general rule is 2.5 cm of fish body length per 4.5 litres of water. Fish tanks should be kept out of extremes of temperature ­ away from direct sunlight and drafts. They should include a pump, a filter, lighting and a ventilated cover. Some fish will need a water heater and a thermostat to control the temperature. Washed gravel should be put on the bottom of the tank along with smooth rocks which can make useful hiding places. Water plants are also important as they provide a source of oxygen and hiding places.

 A fish tank should be up and running for week or two before the fish are moved in. This will give the water time to age and any chlorine to escape. Tanks need to be cleaned regularly ­ about one fifth of the tank's water should be changed every two to three weeks and replaced with dechlorinated water. Dirt should also be removed from the gravel. The wool or foam in the filter should also be rinsed out in aquarium water. If the sides of the tank become green with algae this should be scraped off.
Different species of fish need different types of food. An aquarist or vet will provide advice.

Some fish can also be kept in an outdoor pond ­ the pond should be large with some overhanging plants or trees to provide shade. It needs to be cleaned out once a year and the water changed. Fallen leaves must also be cleared from the pond's surface and the plants thinned out.
 
THIS IS BASIC INFORMATION ONLY.
If you still believe that you could care for this animal then you must obtain further specialist information prior to taking on the responsibility.