BIG PET FISH
ADVANTAGES
Many people opt to purchase larger pet fish for ‘personality’ reasons. To have a pet means to become attached to your pet’s behavior, which seems to be much easier to accomplish with larger pet fish. Most large pet fish species can be trained to be relatively personable, and may even eat food directly from your hand after a certain amount of training. Large fish species also are usually much more exotic in appearance, and bring a variable positive element to a fish tank when placed in a highly visible location. Larger species of fish tend to feel more like interactive ‘pets’, and less like simply an addition to the décor.
DISADVANTAGES
One of the most commonly cited disadvantage of large fish species as pets is that they tend to be relatively expensive. Many of the larger species of pet fish can cost over $15, and may sometimes cost as much as $1000 or more! This means that they can become an extremely expensive investment, and are substantially difficult to replace if they become diseased or die from a health condition. In addition to this, larger species of fish also tend to need more space, meaning you may need to invest in a much larger aquarium. Many larger fish also have specialized fish care needs, which may require that you purchase special equipment for your tank. Due to the larger size of a tank for big pet fish, this will also mean that you will need to purchase a water filter that is able to handle a high volume of water. If you also factor in the cost of replacing the filter, large pet fish tend to be fairly expensive to care for and maintain.
SMALL PET FISH
ADVANTAGES
Smaller species of fish make great pets for people looking to begin learning about the care requirements of fish. Small fish usually don’t require an excess of tank space, and will be content in a 10 or 20 gallon tank. There are many species of smaller pet fish that are very hardy, and will be able to easily cope with any changes in their environment. Smaller pet fish are much less expensive than bigger species of pet fish, and it is possible to purchase approximately 10-20 fish for under $10.00. Smaller fish also make great pets for households with children, since they are a low-cost way to help a child to understand the responsibilities associated with proper pet care.
DISADVANTAGES
Though smaller fish are less expensive than larger pet fish, they are also more prone to accidental death by becoming lodged in small spaces. Many smaller species of fish may become stuck in the filtration system of their tank, resulting in their unfortunate demise. Smaller fish are also more prone to be ‘jumpers’, and may occasionally leap from their tank without a protective barrier. In addition to this, it’s often much more difficult to spot signs of disease, infection or injury on smaller fish, which could result in the entire tank becoming contaminated.