Pet Fish

Pet Fish - Fancy Goldfish
Fancy Goldfish are a popular choice and make a beautiful and unusual addition to the Pet Fish Tank. Species such as Oranda, Comet, Pearlscale, Ryukin, Lionhead, Black Moor are all selective bred varieties of the common Gold fish.

Pet Fish - Siamese Fighting Fish
The Siamese Fighting Fish is also commonly known as the Thai Fighting Fish and is referred to as "The Jewel of the Orient" because of its flowing fins and beautiful coloring. As it name suggests, it is aggressive and only a single species should be kept.

Pet Fish Species - Information about Fins - Did you know that each fin has a specific function?

Interesting Information and Facts - Why do most Pet Fish Species have gills?
Gills enable most Pet Fish Species to breathe. Gills consist of thin sheets of tissue containing blood vessels. As water passes over the gills oxygen is absorbed into the blood stream Carbon dioxide passes out into the water. The gills are protected by a large bony plate called an operculum. Some species, however have lungs and breathe air.

Interesting Information and Facts - Why do different species have fins?
Pet fish usually have seven fins. Each of the fins on a pet fish are designed to perform a specific function:

Dorsal fins - The dorsal fin is located on the backs of pet fishes. Dorsal fins lend stability in swimming
Ventral fins - The ventral fin is located on the pelvic area of pet fishes. Ventral fins lend stability in swimming
Caudal fins - The Caudal fin is located on the tail area of fishes. Caudal fins propel through the water
Anal fins - The Anal fin is located on the anus area of pet fishes. Anal fins lend stability in swimming.
Pectoral fins - The Pectoral fin is located on the breast area of fishes. Pectoral fins are for locomotion and side to side movement
Adipose fins - The Adipose fin is an extra fleshy fin on the back behind the dorsal fin as in salmons, smelts, and lanterns to lend stability in swimming
Cephalic fins - The cephalic fin are the "horns" of manta rays and close relations

Pet Fish - Types
So, what type of aquatic pet do you choose? Goldfish are the ideal pet as they are very easy to look after and also extremely hardy and can be kept in a pond outside or indoors in a simple coldwater tank. Tropical and Marine fish are also fantastic pets but they do need quite a lot more care. Filters, Water Temperature and Food need to be considered. You also need to ensure you select fish that will live together in harmony! Some species are not good community fish while others such as Rainbow fish for example are beautiful, lively and are ideal for most aquariums.

Did you know that....

	Goldfish are the most popular pet fish
	A pet goldfish can live for up to ten years!
	Pet Goldfish can recognize different human faces and voices
	A Pet Goldfish will turn grey if left in the dark as they require sunlight to produce pigment

Pet Fish Species - Facts
Did you know...

	A Pet Goldfish will learn to recognise its owner and even take food from their hands
	Over 32,000 different species of fish have been identified and more Pet Fish Species are being discovered and identified every day!
	The plural of the word fish is fishes, however when describing more than one fish of the same species, the word fish is still used instead of the plural! An example would be 20 Puffer Fish, not 20 Puffer Fishes!
	The Female seahorse lays her eggs in a special pouch on the male seahorse's stomach, he then takes care of the eggs until the baby seahorses hatch

Facts About Different Fish Species

Pet Species Fact 1: A goldfish can live for up to ten years

Fish Species Fact 2: The Piranhas teeth are sharp enough to cut through a steel fishing hook!

Pet Species Fact 3: The rainbow fish is considered an ideal species for the beginner, they are hardy and integrate well with most aquarium fish Species

Species Fact 5: The Red Bellied Piranha has the most fearsome reputation

Species Fact 6: A lobsters teeth are in its stomach, an area called the ‘gastric mill’

Species Fact 7: When threatened, the puffer fish can inflate itself up to three times its normal size!