If your New Year’s resolutions include caring for a pet in 2022, you might find it hard to go past the humble goldfish. And you wouldn’t be alone.
According to the latest report from Animal Medicines Australia, fish ownership is on the rise with 11 per cent of Australian households having a combined total of 11.3 million fish,
With 39 per cent of owners sighting the top reason for getting fish is for relaxation, PETstock’s aquatic specialist Kyri Pantelidis says Aussies have a renewed interest in low-maintenance pets such as Siamese fighting fish and goldfish.
“Fish make fantastic pets as they are relatively easy pets to keep and are increasingly popular choices for would-be pet owners looking for companionship.
“They come in so many shapes, sizes and colours. Some have beautiful colours like African Cichlids and Discus, and others have great personalities like Oscars.
“Fish make a striking feature for any home and are a great first pet, particularly for kids learning about pet care,” he says.
The company has seen a 30 per cent increase in fish sales, with aquatic tanks, fish food and accessories also on the rise.
Other low-maintenance pets that are growing in popularity include reptiles and chickens.
Fun fish facts:
• Those who keep pet fish are more likely than others to be living in NSW (13% of households vs. 11% nationally), living in a
suburban area (13%), or Gen X – i.e. aged 40-54 years (15%)
• The majority of pet fish are kept in tanks indoors (69%)
• For the first time, fish owners were asked about the types of fish they kept, with fishbowl /cold water tank breeds the most
popular (46%) – followed by tropical freshwater breeds (34%), pond fish (26%), and marine species (6%)
• On average, pet owners have been keeping fish for over five years, with longer-term owners balanced out by the 16% of households who have only had fish for less than a year
• Across Australia, 22% of households have kept pet fish at some point, including 27% of those who don’t currently have any
pets
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