With so much to set them apart from more traditional household pets, fish require a significant amount of preparation and research to ensure they’re physical and cognitive health are being adequately maintained.Â
If you feel that you’re ready to adopt a fish of your own, consider adopting a finned forever friend from RSPCA NSW.
The most common problem with all fish is overfeeding, leading to obesity and other health issues. Uneaten food also breaks down and contaminates your aquarium. Feed your fish once a day and only what can be eaten in under two minutes.
If you have more than one fish, distribute their food in two or more separate areas to ensure your fish aren’t fighting over food. The required food will greatly depend on the variety of fish you have, but you’ll likely need to ensure that their food is stored in a cool place.Â
Healthy fish usually display clear and bright body colouration while also holding their fins erect. Healthy fish are also alert and swim without undue effort. Indicators of poor health in fish include sinking or bobbing to the surface; the presence of lumps, bumps, wounds, clamped fins, or a trail of excreta (faeces); and fish that stay in a corner of the aquarium for a prolonged period. Ensure you’re prepared to provide your fish with care (emergency or otherwise) by locating an experienced aquarist or a veterinarian who can treat your fish.
When creating a living space for your fish, remember to research the specific needs of the kinds of fish you intend to keep. Although we’ve included some information and essential recommendations below, be sure to prepare the necessary equipment and configure your aquarium or bowl to suit the requirements and needs of your precious forever friends.Â
When picking out an aquarium for your fish, consider how large your fish will be as an adult, as well as the total number of fish you intend to keep.
The larger the tank and filter, the better it will be for your fish.
Naturally, the more fish you have, the larger your bowl, tank, or aquarium will need to be.
For fish who are accustomed to warmer or tropical climates, heating their living space is essential to their health.
Research the habitat and needs of the kind of fish you intend to keep.
Tanks should only ever be heated using a submersible aquarium heater.
Remember that small fish bowls are too small to fit an adequate heater and therefore cannot be trusted to regulate the temperature within.Â
It is important to have efficient filtration of a suitable size to maintain water quality. Good filtration will ensure that any toxic ammonia released by decaying fish waste is converted into less harmful nitrates. If the filter does not create bubbles or stir the surface water, you’ll need to facilitate aeration with an air stone to ensure that the water is well oxygenated. We recommend weekly partial water changes (replacing 10–25% of the tank water) and frequent cleans with a gravel siphon to remove waste and help your fish and their habitat healthy.Â
Always make sure you have treats when exercising your dog, so you can continue positive training. Taking poo bags with you is also an important part of being a responsible dog owner. Please remember that while some dogs require two hour-long walks a day, others may not enjoy outdoor walks at all.
If your dog is showing signs that he fearful on your walks, do not persist. Instead, contact RSPCA NSW or your veterinarian for advice.
Some fish are naturally prey animals and thus require adequate plant cover to prevent stress and facilitate enrichment activity.
You may need to cover one side of your aquarium with plants, driftwood, and other decorations to provide your fish with shelter and environmental enrichment. To minimise algae outbreaks, aquariums should be kept away from direct sunlight or windows.
Aquarium lights should be left on for a maximum of 10 hours a day and should not be relied upon to heat your fish’s home.Â
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RSPCA NSW rehomes a range of adorable animals, including dogs, cats, birds, horses, pocket pets, and more! We can help you find the perfect fish at one of our shelters and adoption centres. Thanks to our ongoing partnership with Petbarn, you can also adopt RSPCA NSW animals from select Petbarn Adoption Centres. Â
Please note that although we update our online lists of available animals every day, there is a chance that an animal you are interested in will have found a home prior to your arrival at our facilities. 
When deciding whether to adopt an animal companion of your own, remember to first consider the potential cost of caring for a pet. While there are no universal requirements when adopting a forever friend, different animals will require suitable homes to meet their behavioural or breed-dependent needs. As such, it’s important to ensure your lifestyle and living situation can accommodate for an animal companion. Â
When you’ve finally decided to adopt, don’t forget to arrive at our facilities with a photographic identity document, complete with your name and current address. If you already have a dog, you may need bring them in for a meet and greet to ensure they’ll get along with the newest member of the family.
After every canine or feline adoption, we promptly reach out to new pet parents to offer support via phone or email, offering advice, referrals to our teams, or access to additional helpful resources. Whether we continue to follow up is entirely up to you, and whether you’d like us to keep checking in to provide advice to help you and your new pet. Â
Though we strive to ensure that new adopters feel supported when adjusting to life with their animal companions, our support channels are always open to any animal lovers in need of assistance. From general over-the-phone advice to referrals to our behaviour or veterinary teams, we have plenty of options available to animal guardians looking for support. Â
If you’d like some help with your animal companion and need to reach out to our teams, feel free to contact us at (02) 9770 7555. Â
To ensure your animals are ready to be transported in emergency situations, make sure that you’ve adequately prepared both your animal companions and travelling equipment. Fish are highly susceptible to stress, so it’s important to minimise it as much as possible.  Â
Preparing a transport plan and kit for your fish is essential. It will ensure that you have everything you need to be able to evacuate quickly. Your kit should include:Â Â
If your fish must be kept in a container for over 36 hours, you’ll need to regularly replace the water in the container. Only 25% of all water carried in your container should be replaced during each water change (unless it is an emergency). For additional information about preparing your fish for an emergency, consult an experienced aquarist or a veterinarian.Â
Good water quality is essential for any aquarium and is the key to keeping your fish healthy. Without proper filtration and aeration, the water in which your fish lives can become toxic or deoxygenated. A good quality filter is required to break down toxic fish waste to keep your aquatic forever friends happy, healthy, and safe. This process is referred to as the Nitrogen Cycle or Nitrification Cycle. You can visit the RSPCA Knowledgebase for further information on the Nitrogen Cycle. Be sure to regularly test your water for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels to ensure your filtration system is eliminating harmful toxins and bacteria.Â
We promise to uphold the highest ethical standards. Your personal information has never been, and never will be sold or traded to other charities. This is our promise to you.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we live and work. We recognise and respect the enduring relationship they have with their lands and waterways, and particularly acknowledge the vital role animals have played in Indigenous life, stories and culture for tens of thousands of years.
The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
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The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
