montereybayaquarium:

We totally get it—you’re so inspired by movies like Finding Dory or a visit to an aquarium that now you want your own Dory or Nemo.

Keeping a fish can help you learn about caring for live animals and gain respect for aquatic life, but there’s a lot more to it than just fish + water + plants + food = aquarium.

Because we love fishes just like you do, here are some important things to think about first:

Fishes are live animals, and caring for an animal’s life and habitat is a serious responsibility and time commitment. Hey, we need a college degree to work at the Aquarium with saltwater fishes, invertebrates and complicated aquarium life support systems!

Do your homework! Fishes can live for several years, and will need care all during that time. Do your homework first. Take time to learn the needs of a particular species of fish or fishes, and what’s involved in maintaining a living aquatic ecosystem at home.

Bigger is not always better. Different species of fishes need different sizes of tanks. Food, water quality, size of tank, water volume and lighting are all requirements you need to consider when choosing a fish. Time for more homework!

Start simple. Saltwater fishes and aquariums can sometimes be more complicated than freshwater, but both require daily care and maintenance. A blue tang like Dory can be very difficult to keep, but there are other marine fishes that are easier. Many freshwater fishes, like some goldfish species, can be great for the beginner. Yep, more homework!

Buddy up! Ask a parent, sibling or friend to help you with your project. (Caring for animals is a good way to spend time with people, too.) Never capture a fish in the wild and bring it home. Instead, work with a reputable aquarium dealer who can help you set up a relatively easy-to-maintain system, and recommend a fish that best suits your interest—and skills.

Take the time to learn the ropes. See if this is something you want to stick with before you advance to more complex systems and fishes. If you get stuck, be kind and find a good home for your fishy pet. Don’t “release” it into a river or the ocean! It probably won’t survive, and if it does, can spread parasites and diseases to native fishes.

Remember, visiting your local aquarium is a great way to see and learn more about your favorite furry, feathered and finned friends!

(Note: Thank you for all of the thoughtful feedback on the subject of home aquariums. This is a complex topic so we wanted to share more of our thoughts.)