Pet Fish Cost
Last Updated on December 22, 2022 | Written by CPA Alec Pow
First Published on December 24, 2016 | Content Reviewed by 
CFA Alexander Popivker
Many people love the idea of keeping fish as pets. They are beautiful to look at, and the common perception is that they do not cost a lot. However, before you purchase a fish or set up an aquarium in your house, you need to be well aware of how much it would cost you so that you can keep up with the monetary commitment required. Keeping a pet is a huge responsibility, and you need to make sure that you are capable of handling it. You wouldn’t want to risk the life or well being of any pet, even a fish, because you are unable to take care of it in a proper manner due to financial constraints.
Cost of purchasing fish
The cost depends on the breed you opt for and the number of fish you purchase. For instance, if you want a simple bowl with a single goldfish, it wouldn’t cost that much. On the other hand, if you want to get your hands on a large aquarium that would contain rare specimens, your cost would increase by many folds. It is also seen that larger fish tend to cost more as compared to the smaller ones and those that are younger.
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When people think about keeping fish as pets for the first time, it is a goldfish that they often opt for. These fish are available at the cost of $1 to $5. Other popular fish among beginners include guppies which can be purchased for $3 to $4, Betta fish which lie in the price range of $4 to $10, Fantails that can be purchased at a price of $5, pearl scales that cost around $49, and angelfish which lie in the price range of $5 to $25.
The costs will differ if you decide to have saltwater specimens. The small clownfish can be purchased for $15 to $25, while the yellow tang would cost you somewhere between $19 and $50. The blue tang can be purchased at the cost of $25 to $80, while dogface puffers are available at a price of around $180. A white tip shark catfish costs around $90, while the damselfish can be purchased at the price of $4 to $6.
Other costs to be thought about
You will also need to buy a fishbowl or an aquarium to keep the fish. The cost of a small fishbowl lies somewhere between $6 and $13. You will also need some gravel, which costs less than $1 per pound. If you purchase Betta fish, you would need to keep them in small vases that are topped with a plant for their supply of oxygen or small acrylic aquariums that can cost around $13.
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The price of the aquarium varies depending on its size and features. A 10-gallon aquarium costs around $10 to $30, while a 50-gallon one will cost you around $350 to $580. You will also need to get your hands on some accessories such as a heater which is available in the price range of $15 to $28, a light that will cost you somewhere between $5 and $28, and filter that can be purchased for $70 to $100.
Food for the fish can cost you somewhere between $10 and $100, depending on the breed you have. The fish will also require health care and medications from time to time. This can cost you around $25 to $100.
The overall cost of keeping a fish can greatly vary depending on the area that you live in, the breed you get, the number of fish, the size of the aquarium, and the place from where you buy your supplies. While making the purchases, you need to ensure that you opt for profound quality since this can have an impact on the health of the fish. Try to find tanks that are equipped with beneficial features for the fish. At the same time, ensure that the stuff you purchase is durable and would not incur damage within a short span. They should also be easy to maintain. Take all the relevant factors into account before making the purchases to ensure that you do not end up making a mistake.
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