ThePet.net Blog

It’s hard to believe it’s Bank Holiday season already; and as expected travelling fairgrounds once more make their colourful cross-country pilgrimage, pitching-up on waste grounds and parks all over the UK.

But remember when it was commonplace to win a lonely goldfish in a bag waiting for its new home?

Sure some fish would have been cherished by their new owner and lived for 20 years or more, but the majority would’ve most likely perished before they even made it to their tiny underwater castle in their new round bowl on the mantlepiece.

Luckily the concept of winning an animal as a prize is now, thank Cod, not thought to be consistent with a responsible approach to becoming an owner – one that’s clearly good at darts or hoop-la or just plain luck.

But if you have just recently, or are considering purchasing a new shiny little friend from a proper pet-shop or aquatic store, then please respect him or her by buying a proper basic aquarium complete with filter in which to live in.

When introducing your fish to the tank, please follow these simple instructions:

Firstly, when you fill your tank with water (tap water is perfectly alright – and ideally should be left to stand for a couple of days); put your fish, still in its closed bag into your aquarium for around thirty minutes. When both temperatures are the same you are now readyto free your new little golden buddy and allow it to stretch its fins.

Secondly, find an attractive poster of the sea or any other water subject and attach it to the outside back of the aquarium allowing the whole scene to come to life even more. Addition of greenery is also a great idea but beware, goldfish are nibblers, so choose ferns, grass-like plants (the wider the leaves the better) or even fake ones?

Goldfish rarely need heaters but will always require a light source – especially with live vegetation.

Feeding your new fish is easy – and we don’t mean to the cat! Once daily is fine, and always use a well-balanced food with all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Please ask your local pet-shop which brand is best, and most importantly please be careful especially when measuring out the amount you feed; over-feeding is one of the main causes of early death.

Always maintain your filter and clean your tank with regular water-cycling. Goldfish are susceptible to a number of common diseases and are notoriously hard to treat, the final ‘flush’ being the preferred treatment historically used by most fish-owners.

The “common” goldfish is however pretty hardy and they also enjoy company – so if you have the space why not even add some more colourful friends into your tank?

Always respect your goldfish and be glad that the age of winning that ol’ fashioned, out-dated über-cliché – the ‘goldfish in a bag’ – has finally had its chips.

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