You might ponder this question if you are looking for a relatively low-maintenance pet but you are also concerned about the pet’s well-being, especially if you are considering a small aquarium.
Pet fish can get bored in an aquarium but their well-being has more to do with having appropriate conditions in general, such as ample space, comfortable temperature, and the presence of the right company. Most species of fish have a much longer memory than rumors have it, and they appreciate a stimulating environment in their tank.
Although fish also need stimuli and experiences to grow and thrive, having very specific environmental conditions is most important for them. If you are a novice or prospective fish owner, start by considering the basic needs of fish.
Signs Of Boredom And Stress In Pet Fish
It is challenging to differentiate boredom from general stress when we look at our pet fish in a home aquarium.
Just like with any other pet, your fish could show several signs and symptoms to communicate boredom or stress in general:
- Changes in appetite are a tell-tale sign of distress. If your fish does not eat its usual food, the fish could be stressed.
- Changes in behavior in general. Lethargy, fast frantic swimming, hanging out near the edge of the aquarium, or plunging into the sediment are all common stress behaviors
- Excessive hiding: most kinds of fish like to hide for rest or intermittently but constant hiding could signal distress
- Gasping at the surface is a common way to communicate a lack of oxygen but it could be a way to communicate general discomfort, too
- Common stress behaviors in community tanks include nipping others’ fins and tails. Boredom is a trigger but it is also common for aquarium fish to act aggressively if the conditions in the tank are suboptimal.
- Changes in physical health or appearance, including the quality of fins or fading colors, could also point to illness or boredom
Prevent Your Fish From Getting Bored
Functional Decorations
All fish need some items or plants in the tank, as long as there is still ample space for the tank inhabitants to swim around. Items in the tank are not just there for esthetics:
- Decorations provide hiding spots and areas for rest and sleep
- They can also diffuse excessive movement of water due to bubbling from a filter for example.
- Decorations are stimulating for your fish. They do provide an enriching environment for your pet fish and help prevent what we understand as boredom.
In other words, provide some objects for your fish in the aquarium but keep them functional. The decorations can be fun to look at but they should also be useful for your pet fish.
The Right Company
The right company is essential to keep your fish healthy, happy, and appropriately entertained.
If you are interested in keeping one species of fish, be sure to follow the recommendations to keep the fish either alone or in a small group, depending on the species. Some fish need to live in schools.
Prevent overcrowding in the tank – too many fish and insufficient space is one of the main stressors for aquarium fish.
If you would like to have a community aquarium with several species of fish in your tank, then do prior research to make sure that the fish can coexist peacefully and thrive in similar conditions.
Observe how the fish interact. You might notice bullies and some fin-nipping behaviors. In that case, it is important to separate the bullies and consider any potential stressors. Some species are prone to nipping others’ fins, even if everything is well in their environment.
Appropriate Male-To-Female Ratios
Most female fish of the same species can live together but several males could fight each other. If you want to keep both male and female fish, it is usually best to keep one male with 2-3 females, although there are some variations from species to species.
Some fish, most notably male Bettas, prefer to live alone, as long as the conditions in the tank are good. They do not need a company to entertain them but may respond well to interacting with the owner in some ways.
Interact With Your Fish
Not all fish are particularly interactive but some are thought to recognize the owner and can do behaviors, or tricks. Bettas are definitely among the smartest, most interactive, species.
Some owners figure out a way to make their fish swim through a little hoop, using treats. Others use a mirror for the fish to see themselves and respond by flaring their fins and tails. Avoid doing that often, limit it to once or twice a week, because it could be overstimulating and cause stress.
Many fish respond well when the owner draws doodles on the aquarium glass. Use washable marker, of course. Your fish might enjoy watching you draw patterns in different colors every time. This activity could become a great routine way to interact with your pet fish and entertain them.
Fish do not hear when you talk to them but they do perceive the vibration and may recognize the vibrations associated with your presence over time.
Although it can be difficult to pinpoint the cause of changes, with fish being harder to read than our fluffy pets, a lack of stimulation in the environment is a factor to consider.
Optimal Conditions
Optimal conditions will of course vary depending on the species of fish you opt for but they are at the core of the well-being of your pet fish.
Whether you would like to host only one kind of fish or a couple of compatible kinds of fish, you will need to do a little bit of research to consider the core aspects of the environment in your aquarium:
- Appropriate room for the number of fish specimens
- Temperature – most fish, but not all, do need a tank warmer
- Acidity, more alkaline or more acidic
- Hardness, or mineral composition
- Movement or stillness or water most fish do better with either still or slowly moving water
- Proper filtration and regular partial changes of water ensure that toxins are removed but the bacterial composition is stable
If you are a beginner and prefer easy fish that do not need much space or equipment, read our post about several kinds of fish that could be great to start with.
Related Questions:
Yes, fish need decorations because they like to explore their environment and have hideout spots for rest. Avoid putting too many decorations because they need space, too. The items should be safe for the fish, so without any sharp edges, and made of non-toxic materials. Artificial decorations are generally better than natural ones for novice fish owners because they are easier to maintain.
Usually, fish nip the fins and tails of others due to stress caused by something in their environment, often overcrowing or suboptimal water quality. One of the core factors of this behavior, however, is genetic: some kinds of fish, including popular danios, bettas, and tetras, are more likely to respond to stressors by nipping their tankmates’ fins.
