The Goldfish - A Great First Pet!

My four year old niece Molly is constantly asking my sister for a pet. The problem is, my sister has two other children (a two year old and a three month old) and as you can imagine, doesn't have much time to add a pet to the mix! Molly isn't quite old enough to properly care for a dog or cat and though hamsters and gerbils are also an option, they still need more care than a four year old can handle. Enter the goldfish....a great first pet for a young child!

Ok, a goldfish to an older child may seem boring. However, to a four year old, they can be quite fascinating and dare I say, easy to care for!

General Information:

Housing: Ten gallon tank (more or less depending on how many fish you plan on having), filter system (which is optional but good for the fish), gravel and plants
Special Requirements: None (see, I told you goldfish are easy pets!)
Diet: Inexpensive commercial granular or flake goldfish food
Care: Feed once or twice per day, refresh water four to six times per year or as needed, clean filter (if you have one)
Training: You probably won't be able to teach your goldfish to sit or stay, however, you may teach them to eat from your fingers or come for food when signaled
Life Span: Three to four years but can live up to ten years

Types of Goldfish

There are several types of goldfish to choose from and they are all relatively inexpensive! The common goldfish that you see in most pet stores is also known as the Comet. The next, fancier model, is the fantail (which is sometimes called a Veiltail). This type of goldfish has two tails which is the result of mutation. Fantails have a shorter, plumper body than their sibling, the Comet. Both types come in several colors including common gold, rare silver, orange, red, white, black and speckled or spotted. When goldfish are speckled or spotted in orange, white and black they are called calicos.

The Black Moor goldfish is fat, bugged eyed and has a fan like tail. They only come in black but have a tendency to look metallic in certain light. There are still fancier breeds of goldfish; however, the fish previously mentioned would be best for a young child.

Time to Pick Your Pet!

So, you are standing in front of the goldfish tank and there are hundreds of fish staring back at you. Which one is best? Are they all the same? When picking out your child's goldfish you can get a good idea of the overall health of the tank by looking for dead or dying fish. If the tank is dirty and has several dead fish floating in it, you might want to move on to a different tank or a new store. If the tank looks clean and healthy, look for a goldfish that is larger in size. Larger fish tend to be heartier, therefore, probably healthier. Look at the fins for signs of splitting or shredding as this may be a sign of disease. Also check the scales. The scales should be shiny and smooth...no injuries or discolored patches. The fish you should choose should also swim well. When I say well, I mean at a normal speed...not to slow and upward. A fish that swims in a tilted or downward manner has health issues. Once you choose your fish...keep your eye on it so that you can tell the clerk exactly which one you want to take home.

So there you have it...some basic goldfish information. Goldfish are perfect first pets for young children. They will teach your child responsibility but will not turn the household upside-down as a new puppy or kitten might. That’s it for now...I’m off to watch Finding Nemo. I know, I know, Nemo is not a goldfish…but he is still cute!