Ecologist School logo

Choose Learning Type ▼

Tank Ecology

Activity

Investigating Fish Species and Their Needs

Study the animal care room fish tanks. Do they have different species? Do the species have different living requirements? Temperatures? Vegetation? Filtration?
a picture of a coral reef saltwater fish tank with brightly colored fish and coral inside
a child looking a large aquarium with green plants and brightly colored fish
tropical fresh water aquarium with live plants, fish and a blue background

Science Seed

Different types of fish need different setups in their tanks because their natural habitats vary. To make an aquarium suitable for fish, you need to consider several things! Water Temperature: Tropical fish need warmer water, so you’d use a heater to keep it at the right temperature. Coldwater fish, like goldfish, need cooler water, so no heater is needed. pH Levels: The pH level measures how acidic or basic the water is. Some fish need slightly acidic water, while others need more alkaline water. You can test and adjust the pH with special equipment. Vegetation: Tropical fish often thrive with live plants, which help replicate their natural environment and provide hiding spots. Coldwater fish might need less plant cover. Filtration: A filter keeps the water clean by removing waste and debris. Different fish require different types of filtration to maintain the right water quality. By setting up the tank with the right equipment and conditions, you can create a mini version of the fish’s wild habitat. This helps them stay healthy and feel more at home, even though they are in an aquarium.
botany jar illustration

move to the next activity

earn Badges

Badges can be earned through hands-on experiences within each of the 16 branches of science, or “Science Slices.” You can earn a badge in each branch of science by doing four activities in these categories. We also encourage participants to keep a Nature Journal to record their memories, and to express themselves creatively through writing or drawing after each activity. We recommend that each child (and parent if they’d like) write or draw in a journal after each activity, with expectations of your children that match their age (the goal is self-expression, not perfection).

Explore the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

The Ecologist School Pocket Guide: TSBVI edition is a collaboration between Families in Nature and the Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired as an effort to help our community learn more about the TSBVI campus, while getting outside into nature together! This booklet has 80 lessons across 16 different branches of science to help you play, learn, and volunteer on campus!

join Families in Nature

It is our vision to inspire all families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists. Becoming a member of Families in Nature will give your family the opportunity to have adventures in nature, experience field science, develop as youth conservation leaders, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Memberships are free for everyone.

Who are we?

Families in Nature works to create opportunities for nature connection with the purpose of sparking a deep love and desire to protect, conserve and restore the environment. Our mission is to connect children and their families to nature and to each other through time spent learning, playing, and volunteering outdoors. It is our vision to inspire ALL families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists.
Skip to content