which aren't too much money!
2007-06-14 04:55:49 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
Please not a goldfish. Gold fish get pretty large and need quite a bit of space. They are also not as easy to care for as most people think, or at least shall we say not as easy to care for properly as people think.
I would suggest a 10-20 gallon tank and some nice colorful and hardy tetras with maybe a few cory catfish. These are generally inexpensive fish, are active and colorful and are hardy and forgiving of errors new aquarium keepers may make. In addition, they will not outgrow the tank like a goldfish would.
I would also suggest you add a basic aquarium keeping book to your shopping list, it will pay for itself in very short order when it saves you so many fish.
Welcome to the hobby and have fun!
MM
2007-06-14 05:36:19 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The best thing for you to do is do a search on fish and let the child pick out what he/she likes. Get them interested in purchasing the fish and learning how to care for the fish.
Many people said goldfish, which need at least 15-20 gallons of water each. Also some have mentioned Bettas. Betta's are tropical fish and can live up to 7 years with excellent care. Betta's need at least 2.5 gallons to thrive in along with a filter and a micro heater set at 80 F. Some people keep them in smaller bowls but that requires more water changes.
Here are a few links that you two can look at to see what the child would want..
http://www.centralpets.com/pages/fish/freshwater_fish.html
http://www.petsolutions.com/Freshwater+Fish-C-79-C-.aspx
2007-06-14 05:38:57 · answer #2 · answered by LuvinLife 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Even though most people will recommend a goldfish, they are really not recommended for a first fish in part because they tend to be a messy fish and in part because if they are kept in too small of an environment they can either out grow it or get stressed and die due to not being able to swim around enough.
As such I would personally recommend getting a betta fish. Most pet stores sell kits for them that include a small one to two gallon tank, food, and other supplies for under $25. Coupled with the cost of the fish, which ranges between $2.50 and $5 depending upon size and color, and you can have a hardy, enjoyable fish that can easily live for several years in the tank.
2007-06-14 05:08:37 · answer #3 · answered by Rob 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Even though a goldfish may sound like a good idea, They are, in my opinion, harder to keep. Goldfish require ample amounts of space, even though you see them in a fish bowl, or small aquarium, they are not comfortable. Another reason a gold fish is a bad idea, is because they use the bathroom an awful lot, and those little goldfish you see, can grow huge. You are better off to go with a school of neon tetras. They are small yet beautiful. They are easy to take care of, and are very cheap.
2007-06-14 05:59:02 · answer #4 · answered by thebeatles0973 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think goldfish, or some small zebra danios which you usually keep in a group of 5 or more, and they aren't very expensive at all maybe 89 cents a piece.They a joy to watch swimming in a school together.Cute !
2007-06-17 09:19:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always recommend a small school 5-7 of white clouds. They do best without a heater and are good strong inexpensive attractive fish.
2007-06-14 05:35:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would recommend Tetra's. Their are many colors to choose from. Tetra's are relatively cheap and are very low maintenance. The types Ii have had very good luck with are Serpa Tetra's( Red in color) Lemon Tetra's ( Slight yellow ), Blood fin Tetra's (Light pink with black). If you choose to go this way buy at least 3 of each. They do much better in groups. Hope this helps!
2007-06-14 05:23:25 · answer #7 · answered by mustang 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have a jack dempsey. I think I paid $5-6. He still swimming today after 6 years that I've had him. Just need to take care of the tank and feed him (or her) once a day.
2007-06-14 05:06:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think Bettas are great fish for a little older kids, they've got colorful markings and tend to live a little longer then most goldfish. When I was younger I had a Betta that lived for almost 4 years!
2007-06-14 05:00:55 · answer #9 · answered by axocutie143 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Goldfish im 13 had fish since 11 and its just sick if u aint got your own cleaning thing and have to clean it by hand dont get any get a hamster like i did its gross i know i have to do it everyweek :(mum bought me for ma b-day i liked em at the start then it turned hard im saving u before u go into a nightmare unless u have a self cleaning tank thing
2007-06-14 05:00:26 · answer #10 · answered by lilmizzposh 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋