The main focus when it comes to fish and reptiles is the setting. Maintenance for both is relatively easy because fish just need clean water and reptiles just need a good basking spot. And in the beginning particularly, the most common cause of death for both is due to suboptimal aquarium or terrarium conditions. If everything checks out, then you can feel free to add a new resident to the biome.
What they have in common
Neither can control their environment. A fish can’t leave dirty water. A reptile can’t get warm if there’s no place to be warm. A dog or cat can take care of itself with what’s available. You do the same thing with devices.
This means that the costs are more upfront. The costs associated with setting up the proper habitat for the animal can be even more expensive than the cost of the animal. You must account for the costs of owning the animal, such as electricity for the room, filters, bulbs, water treatment, and animal food.
This means doing research beforehand. Research the adult size of the species, the temps it needs, what it eats, and its lifespan. Some species of pet reptiles can live 20 years or longer. Knowing what you now know, do you really want that pet?
Aquariums
The bacterias present in fish tank filters that eat fish waste are the most important, yet invisible, aspects of fishkeeping. New fish tanks lack these bacteria, and the process of adding fish after a period of time (known as cycling) allows these bacteria to grow to adequate levels. Unfortunately, many fish tank owners are unaware of this process and add fish to the new tank before it is fully cycled. As a result, fish waste builds up in the tank and poison the fish, also known as "new tank syndrome."
Larger tanks are easier to take care of. Big tanks can hold more water and are more stable. Mistakes can take longer to affect the fish, giving you time to make corrections.
Reptiles
Reptiles cannot digest food or fight illness without external heat sources. Vivariums need to have both a warm and cool end. Every heat source in the vivarium needs to be on a thermostat. Many reptiles also require special type of UV lighting in their environments. Failure to provide this type of lighting can cause Metabolic Bone Disease, which is extremely painful and can be fatal or irreversible.
How long they live
Lifespan catches the most people off guard when dealing with these creatures:
- Goldfish: 10 years or more with proper care
- Two to five years for most small tropical fish.
- Leopard gecko: 15 to 20 years
- Bearded dragon: 10 – 15 years
- Corn snake: 15 to 20 years
Consider who will care for a reptile after your teenage child moves out. It could outlive them!
Holidays and power cuts
Fish can go several days without food, and the feeding blocks distributed during the holidays can actually be harmful to fish since the blocks often lead to water quality issues. It’s safer to give your neighbors a measured portion of fish food, or use a tested and trusted automatic feeder.
Reptiles require more maintenance than fish. Make sure the lighting and heating are working. Add food, and you’re done with fish. Power outages happen? Wrap the reptile habitat in blankets and use a battery operated air pump if you reside in a frequent power outage location.
Buying responsibly
For safe and legal sources of purchasing animals, consider breeders and fish and reptile rescues. An animal breeder sells captive bred animals, and fish and reptile rescues accept adoption offers. Wild-captured animals, especially from the wilds, may have diseases and parasites. The capturing of wild animals may lead to the animals’ death and the further depleting of already threatened wild animal populations.
Not all fish and reptiles kept as pets require a license in the UK. License requirements are found under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act. Only a select few reptiles and amphibians require a license. You should check with your local authority if you wish to keep an unusual pet.
Hygiene
Although the symptoms may vary from one individual to another, most reptiles and fish can be salmonella positive. Thereby, people should wash their hands after contact with reptiles, fish, and/or their equipment/ habitats. It is especially important to avoid contact between reptiles, fish, their equipment, habitats and kitchen surfaces and equipment. Children, women that are pregnant and people whose immune system is weakened should be protected from contact with reptiles and fish.
Finding a vet
General practices have limited experience in treating fish or reptiles. It is recommended to find a vet with experience treating exotics before the need arises. Fish vets are even more difficult to find. However, some practices will take appointments to examine fish or amphibians and will perform tank-side visits. Testing water quality is an important first step in determining the health of fish. If your fish are ill, a vet can instruct you to gather a water sample and have it tested. A fish-specialising pet store will probably do a water test for you.