Five ways to keep your family's pet fish alive

So, you just bought your child a pet fish. Great, now try not to kill it!

The survival rates for household fish are so bleak, you might as well prepare its toilet funeral on day one. 

The average pet fish only last three weeks - some have even died on the first day.  

These sad figures are enough to put anyone off buying a cute little fish. They belong in their natural habitat, and not in a tiny bowl, right?

But if you insist on getting one for your children, here's how to keep it alive! 

With proper care your fish can live for years. 

Betta, Bloodfin Tetras, clownfish (thanks to Nemo) and goldfish are some of the more common household pet fish.

Be sure to do thorough research before buying any pet fish as these tips are just the basics.  Don't be afraid to ask pet shop owners as many questions as possible. 

Speaking of buying....

Don't buy fish at traffic lights!

South African traffic lights are not just for directing traffic. You will often find people selling all sorts of (useful) things including puppies and fish. But this is not the best place to buy a pet fish. Some of the sellers have no idea what proper care is needed, and are often selling fish that are not ideal pets. Chances of the fish dying within hours: 10/10.

ALSO READ: Ten suspects arrested for illegal fishing, fish worth R4-million

Buy the proper tank/aquarium 

Many people think they can just put fish in a tiny glass bowl or tank. But the bigger the tank the better. Not only does your fish need to have enough room for its "Finding Dory" missions, but the ideal amount of water needed for a happy fish home is said to be around 75-litres. Some fish can survive in less, but do you really want to take that chance with the odds already stacked against your little fishy? The tank's size (particularly the width) also plays an important role when it comes to oxygen. 

Tank equipment

Before bringing your fish home, it is wise to set up its tank first. You do not want your fish swimming in its temporary plastic home any longer than it needs to be. There are several things your tank needs before you even put your fish in it, including gravel or sand substrate, and an air pump (increases oxygen diffusion).  Tropical fish need a heater, and just about every tank needs a thermometer. It also needs a proper  filter, which will help prevent ammonia build-up, which leads to poisoning, and ultimately death. Which brings us to point four. 

Fish-less nitrogen test

Experts suggest setting up your tank four to six weeks before your fish arrives. This will allow enough good bacteria to build up in your tank, which will then feed on ammonia, which is a natural waste produced by fish. You will need to do a fish-less cycle test to observe your water's nitrite, nitrate, PH and ammonia chemistry. You can use a liquid test kit to do this. This way definitely help ensure your fish's chances of survival from the moment you put it in the tank.

Check your water 

A change in water temperature can lead to shock in most fish. Do not pour your fish out of its plastic bag straight into the tank. The water in the plastic bag not only has a different temperature to your tank water but a different chemistry makeup as well. Experts suggest placing the bag in the tank - with the fish still inside - for about 20-minutes to allow the water inside the bag to become the same temperature as the tank. To prepare your fish for the the new PH levels, experts suggest you then remove the plastic bag from the tank and then pour the fish and water into a plastic container. Slowly and carefully remove some of the water, and then refill the container with water from the tank. Repeat the process after 15 minutes (for at least an hour), making sure to only remove about 30% of the water from the plastic container at a time. Make sure you know what temperatures your fish needs to survive, and how to adjust them during different seasons.