Most everyone thinks of aquariums as something pretty and relaxing to have in their home. But, a tropical fish aquarium is one of the best ways to teach children many things without making the learning a big deal. As with any pet, tropical fish teach children responsibility and the value of consistent effort. If the aquarium is not cared for on a consistent basis, bad things happen. Bad things can range from an algae build-up to a change in behavior of the tropical fish, to the fish getting sick or in the worst case the death of the fish.
The nice thing about aquarium pets is that the care requirements are fairly minimal. They have to be fed (usually daily but sometimes more or less), partial water changes have to be made regularly and some cleaning has to be done periodically, but you don’t have to walk them of give them a bath and they won’t run away.
Aquariums can also be a vehicle for children to learn about nature. If the aquarium is properly maintained, many species will spawn in the tank. This will provide an opportunity to study the life cycle of the aquarium inhabitants. Children can observe the various strategies employed by the parents to protect and preserve their offspring and what happens as the brood grows, matures and eventually become competitors for their parents.
Another great area for learning is through the research of the tropical fish. Everyone should know the requirements for their fish before they purchase them. While this only requires some basic knowledge, it can become a tool for learning a lot more. Children can be encouraged to not only learn the basic specifications of water parameters, temperature, adult size, food and behavior, but to also study the location where the fish are found. This can lead to knowledge of other countries and cultures and once started on this journey, who knows where it will lead?
I encourage anyone considering an aquarium to think about these opportunities to guide your children through a wonderful learning experience and the chance to explore other worlds. Please feel free to leave your comments below.