MAKE FRIENDS WITH A FISH!
Not every kid might be able to have a dog or a cat as a pet. A fish
can be a best friend and a good pet too!
Goldfish, in particular, can make great pets because they are hardy
and are pretty inexpensive. "Feeder" goldfish cost just cents per
fish. Or, you might even win one at the fair!
Learning about goldfish
Even though goldfish are inexpensive, they are not disposable!
These are live animals and deserve the same care and consideration
as other pets.
National Geographic says that goldfish are descendants of carp and
originate in China. There are hundreds of varieties of goldfish found
around the globe. In fact, koi are cousins of the traditional aquarium
goldfish.
Despite their name, goldfish come in a variety of colors. They are
usually yellow, gold and red. Wild goldfish are almost exclusively
olive green or dark gray.
Goldfish are one of the most common aquarium fish and also
have some of the longest lives. The oldest recorded living goldfish
reached the age of 49.
Goldfish come in different sizes, but the average aquarium goldfish
grows to between four and seven inches.
Caring for goldfish
Goldfish may come home in plastic bags or small bowls, but they
are best cared for in traditional aquariums. Goldfish are omnivores
that do well with a healthy diet made up of pellets, vegetables, algae,
and flakes.
These fish tend to produce a lot of ammonia waste, so if they are
kept in a bowl, the water will need to be changed quite frequently
and the bowl should be large.
Many aquarium experts say a tank that's between 10 and 20
gallons is ideal for a goldfish. A big tank will keep your goldfish
healthy and comfortable and allow it to grow.
Goldfish like relatively low water temperatures. (That's different
from tropical fish, who like warmer water).
Goldfish are typically best kept alone or with other goldfish. Also,
some goldfish will try to eat smaller fish.
If you choose a bowl for your goldfish instead of a standard tank,
you should follow the rule that the greater the amount of surface
area, the more oxygen in the water. So you should choose a wide
goldfish bowl over a tall narrow one. In addition, the water will need
to be changed every few days, and 50 to 75 percent of the water in
the bowl should be replaced with fresh water.
A clean tank is really important to the health of goldfish. It's
great to have a filter to keep the water clean, and an air pump to
help get more oxygen into the water. It's also important to use a
dechlorinator product to remove chlorine and other chemicals from
tap water.
A goldfish can be a great pet, but remember that it's a living
animal and needs the care only you can give!
42 • MAY 2020 • Of f icialKidsMag.com
