Finding Nemo, or any other type of fish, is not as difficult as you think.
“Anyone can have an aquarium. It’s not hard to do,” said Ali Lopez, fish manager at Aquarium Center in Randallstown. “It’s a little window of nature you can have in your house. There’s something wonderful about watching fish swim back and forth.”
As with any pet, there are certain responsibilities that go along with keeping fish, such as constant tank cleaning and water temperature regulation. But Phil Concepcion, the owner of Exotic Aquatics in Parkville, said that after getting used to the tank, having fish is usually hassle-free.
Water quality is a big part of keeping your fish healthy.
“A good source of water creates the basis for keeping your fish healthy,” Concepcion said. Keep in mind, whatever type of water you use should be filtered through an aquarium filter.
Even if the tank is maintained, fish can still become ill. Signs to look for include erratic swimming, closed fins and, in some cases, spots on the fish. Lopez said that many specialty stores have medical staff on hand to speak with owners about fish care, and some general veterinarians will make house calls for ill fish.
“It has been studied that [aquarium’s] can lower blood pressure because they are tranquil,” Concepcion said. “They are soothing to the heart because they look graceful as they are floating around.”
