Health & Fitness
Exotic Pets Perfect for City Life, Part 1: Fish
In part one of our three part series about great exotic pets for city dwellers we talk about various types of fish. Learn some of the best varieties for your busy urban life!
Technically, anything that is not a domesticated dog or cat is an “exotic” pet. In general opinion there are, of course, varying degrees of exotic. A tiger is certainly an exotic pet, but a goldfish, while exotic because it's neither a dog nor a cat, probably doesn't seem very exotic or unusual! But there are a lot of exotics that make fabulous pets for city dwellers, especially the many DC area residents living in apartments or other small homes. With some exotics, you can have the satisfaction of owning a pet without the need for a lot of space or conflicts with a busy urban lifestyle. In the first part of this three part series, we'll talk about fish.
The varieties of fish available at the average pet store are as vast as the ocean itself. For the most part, all fish make excellent city pets – but the type of fish you buy should depend on how much time you have to commit to caring for your fish and their environment, and how much space you have in your home. Some fish require very large aquariums to thrive, and a very large aquarium takes up a lot of room (and weighs a great deal). Some fish do perfectly well in a tank as small as 10 gallons. Some fish require saltwater – which means lots of upkeep. Some fish are freshwater only, which is much easier. Some fish are loners, so you can get away with owning just one. Some fish do better in schools, so you have to consider that when budgeting your initial purchase.
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Common types of fish include:
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Goldfish: These freshwater beauties do well in moderately cold water and can handle being alone or in groups. However, you need at least 10 gallons of water per goldfish for them to thrive. There are dozens of types of goldfish, from cheap feeder fish to very expensive show-quality fish. If kept healthy, goldfish have significant lifespans. Find out more about selecting the perfect goldfish and a proper aquarium setup at Complete Goldfish Care.
Guppy: Guppies, and their live-bearing relatives Mollies, Swordtails and Platies, are colorful, freshwater fish that stay small and live happily in communities. The only drawback to keeping multiples of this type of fish is that they breed prolifically. These fish give birth to live fry – they do not lay eggs. That makes them absolutely fascinating, and the newborn fry are adorable. Just be prepared for the eventuality of a pregnant guppy with a smaller nursery tank. (Find out more about pregnant and newborn guppy care at WikiHow.) It's often said that guppies can survive anything, and they certainly seem to have a certain hardiness. Basic tank maintenance will help keep them healthy. Learn more about guppy care at Guppies.com.
Cichlid: Cichlids are some of the most interactive fish, and their owners cherish them. They are freshwater and tropical – so warmer water – and they are very territorial. You would think this means that you should only have a small number, but in fact, the more the merrier. You need to pack your tank full to prevent them from having enough space to develop a sense of territory. Because of this, you can easily create a cichlid school in your aquarium. They come in a variety of beautiful colors, so your cichlid aquarium will look striking. Find out more about cichlids at CichlidAdvice.com.
Clowfish: aka Nemo from Finding Nemo, the Ocellaris clownfish is a saltwater fish that's considered the perfect fish for saltwater aquarium beginners. As a species, the clownfish is easy to care for and quite hardy. While in the wild these fish pair with sea anemone, and some more advanced hobbyists recreate this pairing in their tanks, those who are new to keeping clownfish may be better off just raising the fish alone. They do require a larger tank – at least 30 gallons – and all the maintenance that comes with saltwater tanks. However, this fish is bright and cheery, and generally makes a great pet, so you may find it worth the work! Learn more at Aquatic Community.
As a general note for all fish in a city environment, if you have city water you need to dechlorinate and treat the water before exposing your fish to it. There are treatments you can buy in pet stores to make city water safe, or you can opt for bottled waters that are safer. When in doubt, research your options and ask a knowledgeable pet store employee for advice.
Stay tuned as next we'll discuss another popular city pet, birds!