#we have been brainwashed by goldfish being prizes at fairs

[caffeine-n-words]

On Goldfish

Let's talk about goldfish. It's a popular first-time pet for people with toddlers--they think they can get a couple, put them in a tiny tank, drop in some flakes, so it's considered easy to care for. The toddler can look at it without worrying about the kid chasing around a cat or dog, which might hurt them if said-child does something foolish, like pull on a cat's tail. If it dies after a few months, oh well! It's just a goldfish. And if it gets too big and the owners don't want it anymore, it's often illegally released into a local stream or lake.

There are many, many problems with this entire mentality.

This is going to be an extremely brief overview of goldfish care. If you're considering getting one, please do your research before buying, because I guarantee it's more complicated than you think it is. Do not rely on pet store employees to know everything--they may be new, they may be filling in from another section, they may have zero interest in fish and only spit out the company line, they may still be learning and make mistakes.

Goldfish are a species of carp from China. If you get tired of your fish, please rehome it or donate it to an aquatic life rescue. Do not release it; it's invasive and will destroy the local ecosystem. We already have too many to deal with as it is.

Likewise, this fish shouldn't die after after a few months. With proper care, they can live 10+ years.

So then, what constitutes "proper care"?

Let's start with the tank. Do not place your goldfish in a dinky, 1-gallon bowl. Those things are incapable of supporting a filter or air pump, and getting the water balance correct is extremely difficult. Most people do this, and their fish dies within months. An experienced hobbyist could probably keep it alive for a few years--5 max.

For smaller species meant to live in a tank, they should be provided 10-20 gallons per fish.

Read that again.

PER

FISH.

They are not necessarily schooling fish. They're fine either alone or in a group. That's a big tank to deal with, so if you're just starting out and are determined to get a goldfish, get a smaller species and a 10 gallon tank. They even sell kits. If properly kept, these guys can live up to 10 years.

Then there are larger species. These ones can get up to 18 inches and should live in ponds. The goldfish you see at fairs? The feeder fish you see in pet stores? These are the ones that get enormous. If they're kept in a properly maintenanced pond, they can live 15-20 years, and there have been reports of longer--the oldest recorded was 43, according to Guinness.

Whichever method you decide to use, make sure to regularly test your water so you can keep on top of any problems that might develop. Keep an eye on the temperature, because they're cool water fish--you don't want it getting too much higher than maybe 70F. And they prefer slower currents.

So what do goldfish eat?

Goldfish are omnivores. If you're keeping a tank variety and want something shelf-stable, then goldfish pellets are often preferable to flakes; flakes don't sink, and a goldfish that takes in too much air can develop a swim bladder disorder.

You can supplement the fish food with other things, like live or frozen brine shrimp, or vegetables. An adult fish can be fed once per day, but the fish you see in pet shops or have delivered from a private breeder are not adults--they're babies, and they need to be fed several times a day so they can grow properly. The feeding instructions given on fish food often assume you're feeding an adult.

Is your head spinning yet?

I'm not one of those people who insist there are "good" and "bad" starter pets. You should start with whatever fascinates you the most. That fascination will get you through all the research and care requirements.

But goldfish are definitely a challenging starter pet. Again, I urge potential owners to do their research. Make sure you're willing to do everything that's required. Familiarize yourself with potential problems.

And if you decide to do it anyway? I wish you the best of luck and many happy years with your new fish!

#goldfish #fish tank #new fish owner #fish care #they need more than you think #we have been brainwashed by goldfish being prizes at fairs #brief overview #not in-depth #written to help me learn about goldfish #and also warn potential goldfish owners #caffy short essay #pet owners