| Goldfish in a home aquarium can be great pets | | | | you have properly conditioned the water and |
| for kids, particularly for those who have not had | | | | readied the environment. Encourage your child to |
| the opportunity to care for a living creature | | | | help choose the plants and decorations for the |
| before. Why are goldfish such good first pets? | | | | tank. This will reinforce the ownership and |
| First, fish (in general) help children learn | | | | responsibility attached to maintaining their fish and |
| responsibility for caring for other creatures but | | | | the aquarium environment. It is enjoyable to plan |
| don't impose the pressure on parents of high | | | | and to choose the scenery for your new aquatic |
| maintenance or high cost. Also, fish tend to be | | | | neighbors, so don't rush too quickly to just get |
| quiet, clean and odor-free. Puppies and kittens (for | | | | some plants and gravel quickly. Enjoy this time |
| example) are lots of fun, but require much more | | | | with your child. They will likely be eager to buy |
| specialized and individual attention. Until you know | | | | fish on this visit to the store, so prepare them |
| how your child will react to owning a pet, fish are | | | | ahead of time that the first shopping trip is to |
| a wonderful and affordable first start. | | | | make a home for the fish, and that then the fish |
| Goldfish are colorful and easy to care for, and | | | | get to come home later when their tank is ready. |
| take a minimum of work to maintain once your | | | | Once you are ready to purchase your new |
| tank is set up correctly. A bonus is that they | | | | goldfish, look carefully to choose goldfish that are |
| don't require a heater in their environment either, | | | | healthy and vibrant looking. Avoid fish that are |
| as goldfish are a cold water species. Be sure | | | | swimming irregularly, have tattered fins, or who |
| though not to buy a tank that is too small for | | | | have clouded eyes. Once you get the fish home, |
| your goldfish. Goldfish can grow up to twelve | | | | carefully show your child how to add the new fish |
| inches in length. It is easy to make the mistake of | | | | to the tank. Teach your kids how much food to |
| buying a small bowl and then adding too many | | | | feed and how often the fish need to eat. Kids will |
| goldfish. This will only lead to disappointment for | | | | always tend to overfeed, so it is important to |
| your child as they will sicken and die with great | | | | monitor how much food is actually being |
| frequency. Be sure to ask the consultants at the | | | | dispensed, especially at first. Once your children |
| pet store what size tank will work best for the | | | | consistently follow the proper feeding pattern, |
| number of goldfish you wish to care for at one | | | | you can then step back a bit and let them thrive |
| time. | | | | in their new responsibility. It is important, though, |
| Your first trip to the pet store should be to | | | | to regularly provide guidance for other tank |
| purchase the tank, and any additional supplies to | | | | maintenance chores, such as cleaning and water |
| get your tank set up. It is best to set the tank | | | | levels. Keeping an aquarium is a task the whole |
| up at least a few days ahead of time, so that | | | | family can enjoy! |