So, I’ve been thinking about trying to keep fish again. (Er, live ones in an aquarium, not fish to eat. I’m good at those.) When I was a kid, 11 or 12, I had an aquarium and I kept it and changed the water so responsibly and did everything I was supposed to do, and I killed fish in droves. Droves, I tell you. But now I’m a grownup, just moved into my very own house, know more about the nitrogen cycle, and I was thinking of trying it again. (Wouldn’t be my only pet; I do have a dog.) So these are my questions:
I don’t see in the phone book any small fish stores. There used to be a lot when I did this last time, and maybe they’re hidden or something, but I’m not seeing them. (Columbia, SC, if you know anybody.) Is it okay to get fish from PetSmart? How evil are they? I mean, I’d never buy fish from WalMart, I don’t even go down the fish aisle because it makes me sick, but is PetSmart better?
I’ve read that smaller aquariums are actually harder to keep working and that you should do at least 20 gallons. Is that true?
What sort of fish should I get? I was thinking maybe I’d just get one or two bigger ones with “personality” - I was considering goldfish but have read that they’re very dirty and need a lot of space. How about bettas? I know you can’t put the males together, but can you have a male and one or more females together?
Is it true you can use the old water as a fertilizer for your garden? How good is it?
Is there anything else I haven’t thought to wonder about?