From what age are aquariums suitable for children?
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At what age children can own aquariums cannot be generally stated.
Things to consider:
- Can and does the child want to take on responsibility?
- Does the child only want an aquarium because acquaintances also have an aquarium?
- How long has the child shown interest in other things (toys, etc.)?
An aquarium should only be purchased if the parents are willing to support the child in caring for it. The more parents are willing to help the child with aquarium care, the earlier an aquarium can be purchased.
Basically, an aquarium for children should be operated with the simplest possible means. A complete set usually contains the necessary technology such as aquarium, cover, lighting, heating and filter.
Only two or three species of fish should be kept that can be kept in the available tap water, are not difficult to keep and are not shy. Livebearers are of interest to children because of their colors and the frequency with which they give birth. The plants should be robust. The substrate should consist of fine gravel or sand so that no organic substances can penetrate and rot.
The necessary care must be explained in a child-friendly manner. It is difficult for children to understand that water changes are necessary because the nitrite content would otherwise lead to diseases or fish deaths.
It is immediately understandable that even fish do not want to swim in their own dirty bathing water. Regular maintenance of the aquarium can be taught to children by having the parents mark the days for the water change on the calendar together with the children, or making a calendar on which the children paint symbols for the respective activity. Even the possible death of a fish is not a problem for children if the explanation is correct.
Smaller children of 2 and 3 years are fascinated by aquariums and especially by baby fish. They also like to hold the hose when changing water. However, there is a risk that children of this age will throw toys or other objects into or at the aquarium. It is also to be expected that they will reach into the aquarium to pet the fish, or that they will try to save the fish from starvation by feeding them a whole can of flake food. An aquarium in a room in which unsupervised small children are is therefore a risk, despite all the explanations.
Under supervision and control, children can carry out daily tasks from kindergarten age, such as feeding, checking the temperature, checking whether the filter is running, etc.
At around 6 years old, children are interested in the different types of fish, what the fish species are called, what they eat, why some fish swim up or down in the aquarium, etc.
At this age, children can also help with caregiving. However, sometimes there is a lack of desire to help. First and foremost, children of this age should be instructed to observe the fish and to alert their parents if they notice anything unusual. Nevertheless, the parents have to watch the fish themselves. Children should only feed the fish under supervision. Under supervision, they can also help with water changes, water tests, etc. Shaking the tests and watching the color change is fun and interesting.
From about 8 years children can take care of their aquarium independently, ie feeding, changing the water, etc., after the parents have explained what needs to be done and at what intervals. The initial enthusiasm often flags after a while and the necessary activities are no longer carried out at all or only to an insufficient extent. For example, water is no longer changed, only water that has evaporated is refilled. Disease and death of the fish are the result.
From about 10 to 12 years children are able to look after an aquarium independently. Nevertheless, even at this age, the parents must monitor whether the interest in the aquarium is still there or whether the aquarium is being neglected due to other interests.