Most parents will consider getting their children a pet at some point - pets can help teach responsibility and have been proven to help children develop essential life skills such as social skills. Still, there are a lot of choices out there when it comes to picking the perfect pet for your family. Every animal has varying degrees of needs and demands, and this can leave you wondering what the best first pet for your children is.
You don’t want to overwhelm them with too much responsibility or get them a pet they don’t get along with. You also don’t want to get them an animal that requires lots of attention if you’re not able to provide it whilst your child is at school. That’s why fish can make a perfect first pet. In this blog, we’re going to highlight all the reasons fish make a great pet for children as well as how they can help your children develop, learn and grow.
Are fish a good pet for children?
A lot of people might brush off the idea of having a pet fish, especially when the care responsibilities are passed onto children. Many assume children will find it boring to have an animal they can’t walk or pet, resulting in parents having to care for said animal or children being disappointed, but we’re here to urge you to reconsider.
Fish have many benefits, especially for young children. For example, unlike other animals you might consider as a first pet such as snakes and guinea pigs, fish can’t escape as easily as other pets can. They can jump, but unless your children happen to leave the lid slightly askew, they won’t scurry out as easily as other pets can. They’re also not loud or destructive and there are many species that are easy to care for - making them a great starter pet for children.
Fish are also relatively affordable and require little space, and you won’t have to worry about your children getting bitten or accidentally hurt which might be areas of concern you have with other pets. These are just a few quick examples of how fish can make great pets for children, but there are many other benefits that go much deeper than just being non-destructive. Keep reading as we’re about to go through some other bigger benefits that fish can have on your children and their development.
What are the benefits of fishkeeping for children?
Despite what a lot of people may assume, pet fish come with many learning benefits for growing children. They can promote everything from patience to creativity and teach your little ones valuable life lessons in a controlled and safe environment. Below you can find some of the biggest benefits fishkeeping can have on your children.
It teaches responsibility
Fish aren’t as hard to care for as cats and dogs, which is great if your children are just learning about responsibility for the first time. Fish can help children to learn about how to look after their pets in a controlled way, such as learning when to feed them, how much food they need and what kinds of food are the best for the species.
You can also have your child help with the cleaning of the tank as well, from how to conduct water changes to how to clean the tank with aquarium-safe cleaners, depending on their age you may want them to help out with the more technical tasks like water treatments or just hand you the stuff you need during the cleaning as you explain to them what it is for. This again will teach them the importance of responsibility and how the fish rely on them for a happy and safe home. If you want to learn more about how to clean a fish tank you can read our blog for more information.
It can be therapeutic
It’s a well-known fact that having pets can have a positive impact on your lifestyle and mindset, and this is no different for our aquatic friends! Fish are very peaceful creatures and in a world with iPads and TV screens, it’s good for kids to have a little natural “green space” (or in this case “blue space”) in their homes to give their minds a rest as they observe their little fishy friends swimming and playing in their aquarium.
It can teach them about science
Having a fish tank for your children can also help them discover the wonders of science and marine biology. From chemistry to water filtration and genetics, fishkeeping has a lot to teach children and is a great way to get their curious minds going. If they’re on the younger side then you might just want to start with teaching them how fish breathe underwater, how they sleep and how their bodies work overall.
You can also teach them about issues that occur from how to fix cloudy water to treating ich disease to help them with their problem-solving skills. They may even want to learn more about the particular fish they have and how to create their natural habitats and how different fish will have different needs. Overall, there’s a lot to learn when it comes to fishkeeping and it’s a great way to engage your little ones in the world of science.
Creating a tank that inspires creativity
Fish tanks can be decorated in a lot of fun and creative ways, from pirate-themed coves to Spongebob Squarepants-inspired accessories. A fish tank is a great way to bring out your kids' creative mindsets and decorate their aquarium however they want, including selecting their own colourful fish to picking vibrant gravel rocks and cool plants, let them make the aquarium their own project. You can even redecorate it seasonally to fit in with holidays such as Halloween and Christmas, giving them something to look forward to every few months.
If you’re looking for some cool decorations for your children to decorate their tanks with then we would recommend starting with this cool Aqua One Divers helmet tank accessory, we also have these brightly coloured Marina iGlo Plants to help your children add a pop of colour to their aquariums.
If you’re still looking for more decorations to help inspire your child's creativity when it comes to decorating their first tank then you can browse through our full aquarium decorations collection.
Can help teach them about loss in a safe way
Unfortunately, at some point in their life, they will have to deal with and come to understand loss. While some fish can last for a long time, their eventual passing is a good opportunity to help your children understand how to deal with loss in a safe way and on a smaller scale. It will help them in the future when it comes to dealing with bigger losses and can teach them how to control and deal with their emotions in a healthy way.
What's the best pet fish for a child?
Fish come in many different shapes, sizes and - difficulties. Some fish are easier to care for than others and if you’ve decided on getting your child a fish for their first pet then you’ll want a fish breed that's easy to look after. To help you with this, below we have included some of our recommendations for the best pet fish for children:
Goldfish - Goldfish are a classic choice that most children will have at one point or another. They come in many colourful variants and can be kept in outside ponds or inside tanks (of at least 20 gallons). Additionally, goldfish do not need a heater like the rest of the tropical fish on this list, so children may find the task of caring for them easier.
Angelfish - Angelfish often catch the attention of curious children and will have them asking all sorts of questions about why they look the way they do and how they swim - perfect if you’re looking to get your children learning more about aquatic life. Angelfish are also one of the easiest tropical fish to look after, you’ll need at least a 20-gallon tank for a pair of them however
as they need plenty of space.
Tetras - These bold patterned fish love to dart back and forth and are sure to keep any child entertained for hours. Tetras are easy to keep, love a variety of decorations in their tank, can tolerate a wide range of water quality and are easy to add in with other community fish.
Betta fish - Another common choice for kids, Betta fish are a great choice for children with their bright colours and flowy fins, they’re a beautiful fish for your children to watch swimming around in their tank. However, male betta fish especially can get aggressive so it’s best to just have one of them - with that being said these fish will love one on one time with you and your family. Their natural habitat is shallow waters so they’re great for having in a smaller tank on your children's desk or tables.
Guppies - The average lifespan of a guppy is two years, so if you’re not looking for a fish that will require a decade of commitment then these are the perfect options. Guppies are easy to care for and usually need a school of at least 5, so they’re perfect for adding lots of interesting and colours fish to your aquarium to keep your little ones entertained. It is worth noting though, that if you have a mixed tank, your guppies will multiply because the females don’t lay eggs but rather they give birth to live fish after pregnancy. You’ll need to consider whether this is a positive or negative depending on the size of your tank and the species within it.
No matter what fish you decide to go for, it’s essential to their health and happiness that you do plenty of research into what the requirements are for the fish, from the tank size to school size. This will ensure they live a long and healthy life so your children can enjoy caring for them for years to come.
Getting your child set up with their first Aquarium
Now you’ve probably decided on what fish to get your little ones, you’re going to want to ensure you have all the right equipment for the job. All aquatic life will require different circumstances, tank sizes, water temperatures and more.
For all beginner aquarists, it’s good practice to start with a smaller tank for easy cleaning and maintenance. We would recommend starting with a freshwater tropical 75-100 litre tank as it will provide your kids with a forgiving environment as they learn and grow.
This Superfish Start 70 Tropical Aquarium Kit comes with everything a child will need to create the grounds for a perfect home for their little fishy friends. With a complete set-up including LED lighting, an internal filter, a heater and a range of accessories, it’s the perfect tropical aquarium starter kit.
Superfish Start 70 Tropical Aquarium Kit £124
In order to make sure that the water in your tank is ready to house your new fish you’ll also need some water quality checkers such as these NT Labs Test Kits to ensure that the water is in the perfect condition to meet your fish requirements for a happy and safe tank for your new pets.
Get all the beginner and child-friendly kit you need for fishkeeping with Aquacadabra
While a lot of people may brush past the idea of having fish as their children's first pet, fish can bring a lot of benefits from positive mental wellbeing to learning responsibilities and developing social skills.
If you’re looking to dive into the world of aquatics with your little ones then browse our collection of aquarium essentials from water quality test kits to aquarium accessories and decorations to help you get started. If you need more help when it comes to building your first aquarium with your little ones then you can read through our helpful blogs for more advice and guidance to help your little ones become professional fishkeepers.