Fishkeeping or keeping an aquarium is a hobby that all of us have long been in awe of. However, there are an equal number of myths associated with the task of keeping fish. Of course, fishkeeping is not a cakewalk, but it does need to be a tough task as it has been made out to be. As a nwbie aquarist who has been active in keeping fish as pets for just over an year, I have found many of the myths with respect to fishkeeping just as that – MYTHS. And to help my fellow aquarists wholove aquariums, but staying back due to the miconceptions, here we go with debunked some of the myths about keeping fish.
12 Top Fishkeeping Myths Debunked!
without much ado and beating around the bush, let me straightaway head on to expaln a few common myths, and of course, debunk them.
Myth 1 – Fish are low maintenance pets
No exactly. When you compare fish keeping to other pets such cats and dogs, it is one of the high maintenance hobbies. You will have to keep the tank clean, take an absolute care about feeding the fish, and change the water at regular intervals. The myth that fish are low maintenance is actually perpetuated by the pet store owners and other sellers dealing pet fish products. Of course, they do not need special care as the special dog and cat breeds, but still, they are in need of maintenance. Being a fish keeper myself, I definitely do not consider them low maintenance. Frequeent water changes may be the most tough among the maintenance tasks.
Myth 2 – Fish do not live for long
No. Fish do live longer if you take a proper care. Of course, the maintenance lapses such as not changing the water, improper feeding and overcrowded tanks can be a few reasons for the shorter lifespan of the fish. Some species of goldfish have been known to live for 15 to 20 years.
The key to ensure a better lifespan for your fish is to source them from the reputable pet stores. Also, if you are new to fish care, buy only those fish that do not need much care. You can search online resources to find how to care for a specific species of fish. It is quite important to learn that different fish need to be cared differently. Understanding the needs of each of the fish would be much important.
Myth 3 – You can flush unwanted fish down the toilet
This myth is perpetuated by the people who do not known how to dispose off the unwanted fish. If you have a fish that you no longer want, never flush them into the toilet. It is one of the most cruel things to do. It can also cause the blockage to the pipes which would further invite repair costs.
Myth 4 – Fish has only Three second memory
This is another myth that believes that fish has only to to three second memory. It is proved by scientists that fish can remember things for at least five months. Of course, there are some fish varieties that have a memory span lasting just around three seconds. But, this is not applicable to fish species. goldfish, for instance, are known to have a memory of around past six months.
Myth 5 – Fish are not intelligent animals
Fish are intelligent enough. They are known to remember their feeding time by associating food and people. When you approach them, they know it is their feeding time. Some research in this realm has also indicated that fish can even recognise the face of their owners.
Myth 6 – Fish do not need filters
That’s an utterly false belief. A filter media is what keeps an aquarium clean. If you do not use a filter in an aquarium, you are likely to find your fish dying. Filters will remove the waste, particles, leftover foods, and other harmful chemicals. If left, the elements can leave the toxins like nitrites leading to ammonia build up. This can ultimately lead to ammonia levels and poisoning that can kill your fish. Ammonia and nitrate can be dangerous for fish life and need to be taken care of.
Note – Biofiltration is one of the best options if you do not like regular filters.
Myth 7 – Fish will grow to fill the tank
No, get that thought out of your mind. Every fish species has is own shape and size. A fish will never outgrow its tank. Yes, it is true that when the tank is too small, the fish may not grow to its full potential and size. It is known to cause what is called “stunted growth”.
Myth 8 – The fish can live in a bowl
This is a myth perpetuated by movies, and TV shows. While you will find even the pet stores promoting the fish bowls, they are not the suitable palcee for your fish to grow and live. It has been observed that keeping fish in a bowl can make it die or develop health issues. Fish kept in a bowl may develop health issues and may even die prematurely.
A Few Myths about goldfish you should not believe
If you have kept goldfish, there are a few myths that are specifically associated with goldfish.
Myth 1 – Goldfish are tropical fish
goldfish are NOT tropical fish. They belong to the genre of cold water fish. They would ideally prefer the temperatures in the range of 65 to 70 degree F. Normal goldfish can live comfortably in cold weather, but fancy goldfish may not be able to live comfortably in the cold water.
Myth 2 – Goldfish and Koi belong to the different species
Just like you will find different varieties of cats and dogs, but they belong to the same species, goldfish and Koi do belong to the same species. Different varieties fish that you find in a pet shop viz fantails, lionheads, ryukins, comets, comet goldfish, orandas, bubble eyes – all of them belong to the same species. The different types of goldfish that we see today are the result of years of hard work in breeding them.
Myth 3 – Goldfish are herbivores
We have all always seen goldfish feasing on aquarium plants. I have a couple of goldfish, and each of them would never let me grow a single plant in my aquarium. Howeveer, that should not mean that they do not eat animals. goldfish have been known to be feasting on fish eggs. Larger goldfish have been observed eating small tank mates. If they are left hungry, they may find it convenient to eat invertebrates, and smaller fish species.
Myth 4 – Goldfish cannot be kept with tropical fish
This is not entirely true. While a majority of the tropical fish do not gel well with goldfish, you can keep a few specific varieties of tropical fish with the gold fish. You can keep a goldfish with the other tropical fish that thrive in a similar environment.
The Closing Thoughts
Well, if you are planning to begin your journey as a fish keeper, there are many people or beliefs that may make you discard the idea. You need not fear as fish keeping has been the most easy to handle task and hobby. Even when each of these myths surrounding fishkeeping can be pervasive in nature, most of them are not true. In fact, there is much more than that meets the eye and you can be sure that fish keeping is a rewarding hobby.
The above fishkeeping myths debunked should help you undertake the hobby without the need to worry.
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