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 |  | Medium: $1-25 |  | High: $25-$180 |
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A simple bowl of freshwater with a goldfish costs very little, however large freshwater or saltwater aquariums holding rare and exotic specimens can become pricey. Also, larger fish generally cost more than younger and smaller ones.
Typical costs: |
- Freshwater fish common to beginners include Goldfish[1] for $1-$5, Guppies for $3-$4 or Betta fish[2] for $4-$10. Other favorites are Fantails, for about $5; Pearscale, for around $9; and Angel Fish, for $5-$25.
- Popular saltwater specimens include small Clown Fish for $15-$25, Yellow Tang for $29-$50, Blue Tang for $25-$80, Dog Face Puffers for around $180, Striped Dogface Puffers for $23-$35, White Tip Shark for around $90, and Damsels for $4-$6.
Related articles: Pet Bird, Turtle
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Additional costs: |
- A goldfish bowl runs $6-$13. A small amount of gravel, which costs less than $1 a pound, is needed for the bowl's bottom. Lawrence Hall of Science.org gives tips on how to set up a goldfish or guppy bowl[3] . Betta live in either small vases topped with a plant for oxygen or small acrylic aquariums for about $13,.
- Aquariums may be used for fresh or salt water. A 10-gallon aquarium will cost $10-$30 while a 50-gallon unit may cost $350-$580. Wynia.org offers a guide on setting up an aquarium[4] . A tank will need a heater ($15-$28), light ($5-$30) and filter ($70-$100).
- A ten-gallon aquarium will hold 8-12 fish, if they stay small.
- Food for Betta fish runs about $1.50 for a 3-ounce container; goldfish flakes cost $2-$3.
Shopping for fish: |
- Fish may be purchased online at several locations including Aquarium Fish.net[5] and Live Aquaria.com[6] .
- Petco[7] and Petsmart[8] also sell fish, aquariums and supplies.
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
| Posted by: sterling kemp in baldwin, NY. | Posted: September 12th, 2019 07:09AM |
| Type: male betta | Store: petco |
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| Posted by: chi-chi in yuma, AZ. | Posted: March 5th, 2018 07:03PM |
| Type: fantail,black moor | Store: petsmart |
they are cute and very lovable |
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| Posted by: Pebbles in Selma, AL. | Posted: July 8th, 2016 01:07AM |
| Type: Anykind | Store: Anywere |
I need a fish and fish bowl |
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| Posted by: Daniel in Mesa, AZ. | Posted: January 19th, 2008 07:01PM |
| Type: All kinds | Store: local mom and pop shops |
Fish tanks do not need lights or a heater. They need to be kept at the appropriate temperature for the species being kept, whether thats 80 degrees or 70 depends upon the fish's requirements. Many people can get away without using a heater at all if their home stays above 74 degrees. Lights are only for your enjoyment and the fish is happy enough with ambient lighting from the room, but a dark tank is pretty dreary to look at.
A ten gallon tank should be no more than $10 for just the glass tank. Save some money and get your own glass tops instead of the plastic ones they sell. It will cost you 1/4 to get the tops yourself from a glass contractor (side work usually) compared to buying them in a fish store. Filters are also much cheaper online. Shop online for your equipment and you're money will go almost twice as far because you're not paying to help them maintain a store front.
Don't rush to get your tank started. The number one reason that people fail in this hobby is that they put too many fish in too fast. Ideally you wouldn't put any fish into your tank until you have established a nitrogen cycle but its somewhat difficult to do that if you don't have filter media already.
I've referred to several things like 'filter media' and 'cycling' which are some key words you should be very familiar with if you're starting a fish tank. Search for some online forums to find many people in the hobby willing to help you with your questions and problems.
Some great online forums to get information are:
www.cichlid-forum.com
www.cyphos.com
www.cichlidforums.com
If you search through these websites you'll find out as much information about fish as you'd ever want to know.
Some days we have a hobby and other days it has you... |
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External Resources: |
- www.edutopia.org/retired-resources
- thegab.org/Articles/NPBettaBowl.html
- lhsfoss.org/fossweb/teachers/materials/plantanimal/goldfish.html
- www.wynia.org/wordpress/2006/01/12/your-first-aquarium-tank-fish-and-relaxation/
- www.aquariumfish.net/catalog_pages/goldfish_and_koi/goldfish_fancy.htm
- www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/CatDisplay.cfm?sku=0089698000000&siteid=20
- www.petco.com/Fish-Home.aspx
- stores.petsmart.com/
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