I became a Goldfish Mum rather unexpectedly. My colleague and friend Sara decided to leave her job and flat in London and return to Spain. She asked me to adopt her two Goldfish Edwardo or Patrick, who suprisingly turned out to be Eduarda and Patrica. For two years both fish lived in a tiny Goldfish Bowl. I soon realised that this was torture for the little guys and wanted to do better. It was a steep learning curve. Within a couple of months I tried to learn everything I could about the hobby. I hope that this blog will make things easier for at least a few of you and will take away some of he growing pains.
If you don’t have a Goldfish, but are considering buying one, you might want to consider the following 10 reasons why you might not be ready for a Goldfish, things before you do:
Bigger Than You Think
Goldfish get BIG! And can grow a lot larger in size then most people expect. When you see that cute tiny thing in the pet store, you probably won’t expect it to grow up to 35 cm / 14 inches. And yes that Goldfish in the Pond of your local Park is the same goldfish you buy at your local Pet Store. Goldfish do not grow as big as their tank, instead they get stunted and live a miserable and very short life. If you’re planning to get a Goldfish bear in mind that you will at least need a 75L / 20 US Gallon Aquarium and the space for it.
Long Lived
Goldfish can live up to 30 years! A common myth spreads the malicious rumour that Goldfish only live 2 or 3 years. Some ignorant souls even believe that it’s a great feat to keep their goldfish alive for that long. A stunted goldfish in a goldfish bowl will probably die prematurely around that age. A healthy goldfish, kept in the right conditions will live a lot longer than that and you will need to make a long term commitment.
Are you ready for yhe Responsibility?
You are responsible for a Life! Like any pet, keeping a goldfish is a big responsibility and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Keeping an aquarium might seem easy at first glance but there is a lot more work in store for you than you might think. You will also need to make plans and arrangements if you leave on holidays for any considerable time.
Messy Fish
Goldfish are Dirty! Goldfish make a lot more mess than other fish. They are part of the carp family, have a specialised digestive system and poop / pee a lot. This will spike your nitrate levels and you will find yourself making water changes on a far more regular schedule than with other fish. You will also need a filter rated for ten times the volume of your tank.
Hungry Fish
Goldfish are Cookie Monsters, they eat a lot! Goldfish like Labradors will eat until they burst. They will eat just about anything they can fit in their mouth and even attempt to eat things that don’t. In the process they leave a path of destruction behind, gobbling up aquarium plants, smaller tank mates and rummage through your decoration on a constant search for food.
Live Plants? Think Again
Goldfish will destroy your live Aquarium Plants! If you dream of a beautiful aquarium filled with an array of exotic plants you might need to reconsider getting Goldfish. While some goldfish will behave, most will gobble up all your plants in an instant. Trust me I speak from experience.
No Other Fish Allowed
Goldfish don’t make Friends! There aren’t a lot of fish that are compatible with Goldfish. A lot of them are too small and will become a tasty snack. Many need to be kept in far warmer temperatures than goldfish. And others are too sensitive to survive the increased levels of nitrates in the Goldfish tank.
Not for the Faint of Heart
Your Goldfish might give you a heart-attack! Goldfish are little clowns with fins and their antics will often get them into serious trouble. They also suffer from a range of diseases. I promise you this: you will grow very attached to your fishy friends and will start doing anything to keep him or her happy and alive. They may just end up costing you your last nerve.Expensive
Goldfish Cost Money! Although keeping goldfish might not be quite as expensive as looking after other pets, there appropriate keep does come at a cost and you should definitely consider whether or not you have a large enough budget for this hobby.Will Break Your Heart
Goldfish will break your Heart! Like any creature of this world Goldfish will pass away. Some of your little friends will stay with you for a long time, but others might die unexpectedly. You will need to brace yourself for the sense of loss that you will inevitably need to endure.
Do your Kids or Partner want a Goldfish? Are you unsure whether to get a Goldfish or Not? Let us know below!
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