Choosing a Fish as Your Family's First Pet
By Michele Blandino
At some point, almost every child is going to ask their parent for a pet. And because for most of us, the word "pet" is synonymous with dogs and cats, or even worse - hamsters, this simple child's request is often met with resistance.
The busy lifestyles many families have today make it difficult to properly care for a pet. Dogs, and even cats, need to be fed, walked and played with. As a result, many families wisely decide not to choose one of these as a family pet.
This doesn't mean, however, that your family needs to remain pet-free. There are a number of wonderful, low maintenance options that can bring your family years of enjoyment. Fish are one such option.
For many, their experience with fish is limited to the mass-produced goldfish which are commonly won at carnivals and usually found floating belly-up in the fish bowl a few short days later.
Fortunately, there are a number of heartier fish available. We will take a look at a few of them here.
Betta Fish
Betta fish, also known as Siamese Fighting Fish, are characterized by their brilliant colors and long, flowing fins. Because they originate from tropical areas, they thrive in warm water, which means you can easily keep your Betta fish in a bowl that is placed in a place that receives plenty of natural sunlight. All you need to do is throw in a few flakes of food each day, change the water on a regular basis, and be sure to keep your Betta separated from other Bettas, or they will fight each other (although they generally do well with other species).
Damselfish
If there was ever a fish that was inappropriately named, it's the Damselfish. Growing to an average of 3 inches in length, the hearty Damselfish is a good choice for people just beginning their aquariums. Pretty to look at, the Damselfish can be found in vivid colors of oranges, yellows, reds, and blues. They are also seen in solid colors and in white or black stripes, with the smaller fish being the most brilliant in color. On the downside, Damselfish generally don't do well with other species and are better left to themselves.
Rainbow Fish
Rainbow fish are a schooling fish and therefore do best when kept in groups of six or more. While they are a little bigger than most "beginner" fish - some varieties of Rainbow Fish can grow up to 6 inches in length - and somewhat more expensive, they are easily cared for and quite active. People looking for a less common type of fish may be drawn to this colorful species.
