![]() ![]() Be prepared to spend at least 20 minutes per week maintaining your marine aquarium.Budget for the set-up costs and regular maintenance costs.To properly care for clownfish and other saltwater fish, Petco recommends that new fish hobbyists: We want families to have this vital information before they make decisions about what kind of fish they take home, so they can help any new aquatic pet live a long and healthy life." "There are some important differences between how freshwater and saltwater fish are cared for, the type of equipment they need and the time involved in making sure they thrive. "The release of 'Finding Nemo' 3D is going to get a lot of kids and families excited about the joys of fish ownership, and as a leader in helping fish lovers care for their aquatic companions, we think this is a great opportunity to educate first-time fish owners about the responsibilities of caring for all kinds of fish," said Rich Williams, VP of Companion Animal Merchandising for Petco. In fact, according to United Pet Group, one in four, or more than 220,000 first-time fish owners (in the 5- to 55-gallon tank size range) abandon the hobby within the first 12 months. Clownfish typically require at least a 29-gallon saltwater tank and a higher average set-up cost than freshwater fish.įirst-time fish hobbyists may not know how to properly care for a fish like Nemo – or any other fish. Clownfish are saltwater fish, which require a larger investment of time and money to properly care for them in order to live long and healthy lives. When "Finding Nemo" was first released in 2003, interest in clownfish surged – something that is likely to recur when "Finding Nemo" 3D debuts this week. That's why Petco aims to help families understand the needs of clownfish before taking one home. The kits are designed for freshwater fish, but have unique decor and plants that mimic Nemo's surroundings from the movie. "If they're released into the wild, they're going to be dead," Toel said.Maybe good for Bruce, the great white shark, but not so for Nemo.Tips for caring for freshwater and saltwater fish, and videos on the proper care of clownfish are among a variety of tools designed to educate new pet owners. The education campaign coincides with the availability of official "Finding Nemo" aquarium kits in more than 800 Petco stores nationwide. ![]() But experts warn that it would be a big mistake to set Nemo free. ![]() The blue tang, caught in the South Pacific and shipped to the USA, can run upward of $60.Some see irony in the demand for Nemo, who in the film longs to return to the ocean. Though goldfish can be as cheap as $2, clown fish, which are bred in captivity, average $15. "It's really almost like having a science project in the house." Add to that the cost of the fish themselves. And tropical fish need closer monitoring than your average goldfish, Petco's Shawn Underwood says. Unlike most pet fish, clown fish swim in salt water, a fact that many young fish-lovers aren't hip to.The proper habitat for a fish like Nemo - with a filtration system, salt mix and water conditioner - can cost as much as $300. "They literally will stand there and go, 'OK, I want to be Nemo now.' "Not every customer, however, is prepared for owning Nemo. "They'll go to the side where one fish is and they pretend. The kids used to ignore the family's fish tank, she says, but now they can't seem to get enough of it. Jay Toel, who works in the aquatics department at a Petco in Sioux City, Iowa, says he is asked about Nemo daily.In Marshfield, Mass., Pam Dwyer says that after two trips to see the film, her kids, Avery, 5, and Emerson, 7, just had to have Nemo and almost every other character in the movie. ![]() Segrest has maxed out its stock of regal blue tangs, represented by Nemo pal Dory.Pet stores from the national chain Petco to Precious Pets in Hightstown, N.J., say customers keep coming in with questions. Through Sunday, Finding Nemo, which follows the young fish's trek from his fish-tank prison to his old ocean home, had raked in $228.5 million.That success is stirring a new interest in raising tropical fish, and, naturally, clown fish rule the school."It's really pepped up the pet business," says Elwyn Segrest, president of Segrest Farms, a Florida-based fish distributor.Last week, the company doubled its order, from 400 to 800, of percula clown fish, the striped orange fish that resembles Nemo. (USA TODAY) Before Finding Nemo, the average fish tank was a lot less glamorous.Now, pet stores across the USA say children are scouting out aquariums in hopes of taking home a movie star.The star is Nemo, an orange and white clown fish, and right now, he's on top of the world. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |