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Your child's goldfish ~ easy, inexpensive care ~ |
| By Stephanie Olsen |
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Goldfish are popular starter pets for children and a good parental choice when it comes to budget and time considerations, although you should take note that goldfish can grow to be anywhere from 6 to 12 inches and may live for as long as 10 years.
Getting Ready
The day before you take your child to the pet shop, fill clean buckets with 10 gallons (that's 16 quarts or nearly 40 liters) of water so that it has 24 to 48 hours in which to allow chlorine, lead and any other toxins to evaporate and in order that the water is room temperature. Goldfish can survive in a wide range of temperatures, from above 50 to below 80 degrees Fahrenheit (that's 10 and 27 degrees Celsius respectively). It's the sudden change in temperature that kills them. Add about 2 teaspoons per gallon of uniodized table salt (the big crystals, not the fine stuff from your saltshaker).
What to look for
Remember to look for a lively fish when choosing, and to stay away from tanks with any obviously sick fish in them. If the owner catches the fish without a net, either by scooping or using his hand, that's a sign that you're dealing with a professional. Fish have a slimy protective coat (that's why they feel so slippery in your grasp) and using a net can cause damage to this surface.
The Aquarium
If you've got a spare 10 - 20 gallon size aquarium at home, that's great. If not, any similar size waterproof container will do as long as it's got enough surface room for the fish to breathe. Standard glass fishbowls are inappropriate as they are obviously too small; furthermore, they do not provide enough oxygen: every inch of fish (head and body measure) needs 20 square inches of surface (multiplying the length and width of your container will give you the area, so a 12" x 8" rectangular tank has a total surface area of 96 sq in., enough for a fish four inches in head/body length).
Put the tank near a window so it gets plenty of indirect sunlight. A cover (which can be foil loosely placed over top) helps keep out dust and also keeps an active fish in! Sand or gravel bottoms look nice, but make work in that they must be cleaned. If you have a clear aquarium, just put a placemat under it and you'll have an instant sea floor or sandy base. A little mirror propped up on the outside of the tank will give your fish "company".
Clean Water means a Healthy Goldfish
Change the water every second day, replacing the old with water that's been aged and salted. It just takes a minute and means that you don't have to buy a filter or air pump - a substantial savings. Scoop your fish out of the aquarium in a holding pail, dump the dirty water from the aquarium, rinse a few times, re-fill and return the goldfish.
Feed Sparingly and Wisely
Soak the food you buy from the pet shop so that it sinks to the bottom of the tank when you feed your goldfish. Feed a tiny amount every time you change the water and, if you like, supplement that with some plants you find growing wild in fresh water rivers and ponds such as anacharis (which is probably the most common aquarium plant and readily available in any pet store).
Have Fun
You and your child will not only have fun but will learn together while caring for your little golden water creature. And I'll bet you'll name her "Goldie"!
About The Author: Stephanie Olsen, published writer, homeschooling mother of two and ESL teacher currently residing in Europe, is also owner of the expatriate site, Family Life Abroad FamilyLifeAbroad where you'll find humorous and informative articles by experienced expatriates on all aspects of living abroad, with lots of links and travel tips.
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RE: Your child's goldfish ~ easy, inexpensive care ~
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Post By GoldfishFan (Guest Post)
(04/11/2008)
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I think you have a good selection. I have been having problems with goldfish for a long time. I got some from Myer, and once they got them in the bag I noticed some dead fish stuck on the filter. I thought, yuck. We put them in the tank. We tested the water for Ammonia often. I feed them twice a day- once in the morning, and once just before bed. They lasted only a week. I am ready for more goldfish- I just got a brand new tank. 10 gallons. I want some advice- a really want a black moor. Are they easy to care for?
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RE: Your child's goldfish ~ easy, inexpensive care ~
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Post By baenshe (Amory, MS, USA) (Guest Post)
(08/04/2005)
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I think goldfish are great pets for kids; but, as with everything, it depends on the child. I got my first goldfish when I was around 7yrs old. It lived for almost 4 yrs--in a regular glass fish bowl with no filters, lids, salt, or plants. All I did was clean the bowl once a week, add something to take out chlorine, fed my fish a pinch or two of flakes 2 to 3 times a day, AND stroked his back while talking to him everychance I got. Each of my fish after that lived for an average of 2 to 5 yrs without any specialized care aside from a clean bowl and water(spring or sterilized water from wal-mart now). I didn't age it or anything, just let it get to aprroximately room temp. I only had to treat one for ICK and never had one die from being "overfed". The only problem I've had is when I tried to put fish in a tank with filters, lids, etc. We went thru 4 fish in one week. I said forget it and went back to the bowl. We're talking about regular little goldfish here....not the kind you see swimming in ornamental fish ponds and 20ft tanks. Come on! They are simple fresh water pets. Don't make things seem so hard. All most kids would need is some adult supervision keeping things clean. By the way, why add coarse salt to the water?
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RE: Your child's goldfish ~ easy, inexpensive care ~
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Post By (Guest Post)
(05/31/2005)
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Actually, 10 years isn't long for a goldfish. And they make bad children's pets- they require specialised care.
The information above has good parts, but is otherwise bad. Look on the internet for good info- use google to search for goldfish care.
If your fish only lives a week, you've got to seriously consider what you're doing.
Good choice for budget? Goldfish require EXPENSIVE tanks, filters, plants, substrates, conditioners, medications, etc. And don't argue that you're doing them a favour by 'rescuing' them from the feeder tank- death by predatation is quick and natural.
That said, aquariums are good for children, as long as a responsible adult looks after the fish. But giving kiddie care of the goldfish is not a good idea.
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RE: Your child's goldfish ~ easy, inexpensive care ~
It seems easier to have a cat to me ... we have had goldfish none of them made it a month ...we have a lot of cats though and it is relatively easy just put down food and water and dump the litter lol
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RE: Your child's goldfish ~ easy, inexpensive care ~
I seem to be acquiring longer and longer lived animals. As unbelievable as a 10 year lifespan for a goldfish seems, it's ONE HUNDRED years for a red-ear slider (water) turtle! I nearly fainted when I read that (after a well-meaning relation bought 2 quarter-sized turtles)...
Stephanie Olsen
http://www.familylifeabroad.com
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RE: Your child's goldfish ~ easy, inexpensive care ~
While you state a goldfish "may live for as long as 10 years," I wonder if any child's goldfish ever has. We were lucky if our fish lasted a week - lol! Although we got excited when we got a new fish and enjoyed watching them, they usually ended up jumping out of the aquarium or one of our cats ate them. I do agree, Stephanie, that goldfish make good starter pets for children and are a good parental choice when it comes to budget and time.
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