First time fish?

Question

My six year old sister is looking into getting a fish. She's very responsible, and she already owns a hamster, dog, and mouse. She loves and cares for them all, feeding and changing thier cages on a regular basis. She really wants goldfish, but I'm not sure if they will live too long. What's a good first time, not so expensive fish that can live in a slightly small tank that lacks a heater and air pump? I had a betta in the tank and it did very well.

Answer 1

A betta would be good, but they are pretty sensitive and require a lot of care. Goldfish are great starter fish so long as you do not get the overly fancy ones. I would start with what are called "feeder" goldfish, but not from the feeder tank. Feeders are notorious for disease, but some pet stores will carry larger "feeder" goldfish that are in a better water and have been in the store for more than a couple of days.

Pet stores usually get an order of "feeders" once a week so the water and tank they come from is a complete mess.

Answer 2

none if there is no heater. all fish that can fit in small tanks need heaters, and fish that don't need heaters need lots of space.

keeping a betta in a tank without a filter and heater is like being kept in room that is kept at around 45F with no bathroom so you can only go on the floor. even if someone cleans out your week the recommended 3 times a week that's still not very nice living conditions.

instead help teach your sister to PROPERLY care for fish, even the smallest seemingly unimportant animals like fish. from what you say she seems to be very responsible and caring, so teach her that even "throw away pets" deserve proper care. get him a tank that can have a filter and heater.

if you provide these things I'd suggest a betta, with optimal care they can live 10 years, but the average is about 2-5. if you have a 5+tank with the filter and heater you can add a mystery snail or fan shrimp.

Answer 3

if you don't want the big tank and filter and stuff, then i'd go with the betta as well. and remember, just one. and since you've already had one, you can teach her how to take care of it.

goldfish need a minimum of 10 gallons PER fish, until they're 5-7 years old, then around 15-20 per fish after that. they can live up to 20 years. the longest recorded domesticated goldfish lived under perfect conditions for 38 YEARS........ lol i have a veil tail (long fantail) that's almost 7 years old.

most ppl think goldfish don't live long because they dont have them in enough water and they die because they've been stunted.

hope that helps!!!

good luck!

Answer 4

Goldfish are a great first timer! Keeping the tank clean is the key to long life in goldfish, as well as proper feeding. Goldfish are very hardy and they grow fast, making the experience for a child rewarding.

Answer 5

Goldfish are great pets for smaller kids. It will be hard to see them die though. I had two goldfish that lived for two years with only a filter in their tank. They were great pets but don't add other fish too soon or they may get sick like mine did. Goldfish are the best fish to have so good luck to your sis!

Answer 6

The Betta sounds like a good bet if the room it's in is warm and not drafty. A goldfish needs a lot more water than a Betta bowl holds. Good luck.------PeeTee------ By the way,the lifespan of a properly cared for goldfish is around 25 years.

Answer 7

go to petsmart they have starter tanks that come with everything you will need to set up the tank. Also it comes with a video to explain about your fish and the new tank.

We have two plecos that are almost 2 years old,that are in a petsmart tank kit.

Answer 8

I like neon tetras but you have no heater or filter

Plus gold fish are way too dirty and need alot of water changes

Answer 9

CHOOSE FISH LIKE NEONS THAT ARE SMALL, PRETTY AND ACTIVE, PLUS OTHERS THAT CO-EXIST TOGETHER WITHOUT PESTERING AND BITING EACH OTHER. YOUR LITTLE SISTER MIGHT EVENTUALLY WANT TO BREED SOME LITTLE FISH. MAKE SEVERAL CALLS TO PET STORES AND GET SUGGESTIONS ON WHICH TYPES DO BEST IN THE SAME BOWL,. I THINK ITS NICE TO HAVE AN ALGAE EATER IN THE BOWL TO KEEP THE SIDES OF THE FISH-BOWL CLEAN. THE ALGAE EATER LIKES SOME TYPE OF SMALL OBJECT IN THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK TO HIDE UNDER WHEN NOT BUSY CLEANING THE SIDES OF THE BOWL.

Answer 10

I have a few of the chubby goldfish. They are only about $3 and they live 4 awhile. Get ur lil sis a few goldfish. Trust me! They live for a while and they r SO easy 2 take care of!!!