Are Fish Actually Low Maintenance for Students? Or Is That a Myth?

During my nine years volunteering at a student union advice centre, I heard it all. From frantic calls about mould-infested ceilings to students trying to find a landlord who wouldn't evict them for hiding a hamster in a desk drawer. But the one thing I heard more than almost anything else was: "I want a pet, but I’m broke and busy, so I’ll just get a fish."

Stop right there. As someone who has balanced student loans, shared house dynamics, and the chaotic reality of living with pets (both my own cat and a housemate’s dog), I am here to tell you that the "low maintenance" fish myth is a dangerous financial trap. If you think a tank is just a decorative ornament that costs a fiver a month, you are setting yourself up for an academic and financial disaster.

University pet ownership is estimated to cost anywhere from £500 to £3,000 per year. Yes, you read that right. Let’s dive into the numbers so you don't end up choosing between buying textbooks and saving your fish.

The Setup: More Than Just a Bowl

The biggest myth in pet ownership is that fish don't need equipment. They absolutely do. If you think a small glass bowl is suitable, you are already behind the curve. A proper tropical tank costing £100-£200 is the bare minimum for a healthy environment. And that’s just the tank. You need heaters, gravel, plants, and a reliable filter.

Initial Setup Costs (Estimated)

Item Estimated Cost Tank (Tropical setup) £100 – £200 Filter, Heater, and Lighting £60 – £120 Substrate, Decor, and Plants £40 – £80 Water Conditioner & Test Kits £20 – £40 Total Initial Investment £220 – £440

Before you commit, ask yourself my favourite question: Could you pay £500 today if your tank glass cracked or your filter died? If the answer is no, you are not ready for this responsibility.

The Hidden Ongoing Costs: Converting Yearly to Monthly

Students love vague phrases like "it doesn't cost much." That phrase is a nightmare for a budget. You need to look at your outgoings in monthly figures. If you spend £120 a year on fish food and treatments, that’s £10 a month. But wait—what about electricity? A heater and pump running 24/7 will impact your bills. In a shared house, that’s a conversation you need to have with housemates early.

Monthly Breakdown

Fish food and treatments: £8 – £15 Filter maintenance (replacement cartridges/media): £5 – £10 Electricity usage (estimated): £3 – £7 Water chemistry supplies (pH buffers, etc.): £2 – £5 Total Monthly Cost: £18 – £37

That might seem low, but remember that this is a recurring cost on top of your rent, groceries, and social life. Use budgeting tools and spreadsheets to track this. If you don't have a dedicated "pet pot" in your budget, a sudden spike in utility bills will hit you harder than you expect.

The "What Could Go Wrong" List

My role as an advisor was to anticipate the disaster before it happened. When it comes to fish, here is what your "What Could Go Wrong" list should look like:

The Moving-Out Crisis: Landlords love to ban pets. If you get evicted or have to move to a non-pet-friendly flat, what happens to the tank? Moving a full aquarium is impossible, and moving an empty one is a logistical nightmare. The Holiday Gap: Who feeds the fish when you go home for Christmas or summer? You can't just leave them for four weeks. Finding a reliable "fish-sitter" who understands water chemistry is harder than finding a roommate who actually cleans the bathroom. Equipment Failure: Filters stop working. Heaters can malfunction and cook your fish. This is where an emergency fund is non-negotiable. The Rental Agreement: Check your contract. If your contract says "no pets," an aquarium is technically a pet. I’ve seen students lose their entire security deposit because a leaking tank warped the floorboards of a rented property.

Pet Insurance: Is It Necessary for Fish?

When I talk about Perfect Pet Insurance or similar providers, people often laugh: "You want me to insure a goldfish?" Yes, I do. While fish don't usually require standard vet policies like a cat or dog, there are specialized pet insurance policy types that cover exotic pets or high-value aquatic setups.

You need to pay attention to renewal benefit limits. If your fish gets sick, the cost of an exotic vet consultation can be astronomical. Most people don't realise that fish get stressed, develop fungal infections, and suffer from parasites. These aren't "low maintenance" issues; they are "medical" issues. Without insurance or a significant emergency fund, you are one bad water quality day away from a £150 emergency vet bill that you haven't budgeted for.

Balancing the Budget as a Student

If you are serious about keeping fish, you need to work. Use platforms like StudentJob UK to find part-time work that covers these extra costs. Never, ever use your student loan to cover the "surprise" costs of a pet. Your student loan is for rent, food, and course materials—not for buying a replacement LED light for your tropical tank.

Keep your budgeting spreadsheet updated. If you can’t afford to set aside £25 a month into a dedicated account for the fish, you are simply not in a financial position to provide the care they need. Emergencies happen—leaks, equipment failure, and sick fish—and they don't care that you're an undergraduate with a tight budget.

The Verdict: Myth or Reality?

Calling fish "low maintenance" is a myth that prioritises the owner's convenience over the animal's life. Fish are complex, delicate creatures that require constant attention to water chemistry, rigorous filter maintenance, and a stable environment. They are not a "set it and forget it" solution for a lonely student.

If you can prove you have the budget, the landlord’s permission, and a plan for the holidays, then maybe—just maybe—it’s a viable option. But if you're looking for a "cheap pet," my professional advice after nine years in the trenches is simple: buy a houseplant. They’re easier to look after when you go home for the summer, they don't need health insurance, and they definitely won't cause a flood in your rental flat.

Summary Checklist for Student Fish Keepers

Check your tenancy agreement: Is there a written clause allowing aquatic pets? If not, get it in writing. The £500 Test: Do you have £500 liquid cash today for an emergency? If not, do not buy a tank. Create a Spreadsheet: Factor in monthly electricity, filter media, and food costs. Plan the Holidays: Who is looking after them during the break? Budget for Failure: Assume the filter will break within 12 months. Do you have the money to replace it immediately?

Take care of your finances first, and your pet second. Because when the money runs out, it’s the animal that suffers the most. Don't be the student budget pet student who had to give their fish away during exam week because they hadn't planned for the cost of water conditioners.

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Pub: 10 May 2026 09:39 UTC

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