Your Child's Goldfish ~ easy, inexpensive care ~
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"!