Diet
Species-appropriate food with careful portion control
Fish
Fish care
Fishkeeping starts with water quality, cycled tanks, stocking choices and calm maintenance routines.
Change pet
Fish selected. Switch group or choose a specific pet.
Lifespan
1-20+ years depending on species
Typical costs
GBP 20-GBP 100 per month after setup
Space
Tank volume and shape must suit the species and stocking level
Care basics
What to get right first.
Housing
Filtered, heated or unheated aquarium with tested water parameters
Social needs
Depends on species; some need groups, others are territorial
Exercise
Swimming space, cover and stable water quality
Cleaning
Partial water changes and filter maintenance
Handling
Avoid handling fish unless necessary; use careful transfer methods.
Common health concerns
- Poor water quality
- Fin rot
- Ich
- Stress from overstocking
Often misunderstood
- Adding fish before cycling
- Overstocking
- Replacing all filter media
- Overfeeding
Related information
Care guides
Expert reviewed
Aquarium cycling basics before buying fish
A beginner-friendly guide to filter bacteria, testing and stocking patience.
7 min readReviewed 1 July 2026
Read guide