My first pet: Goldie the Goldfish

You can get a goldfish from a friend or you can purchase them from the store. If you go the store route be sure that it's a pet or fish store and not your local general one-in-all store. Be sure to ask questions. If the personnel can't answer the questions then it's best to look for another pet or fish store. Following are some good tips when you go to purchase your goldfish.

Make sure the fish look healthy in the fish tank. You don't want to buy any deformed or unhealthy looking fish.

Smell the water in the fish tank. If it smells stay away from the fish in that tank. Something is wrong either the water isn't changed enough or the fish aren't getting the proper care they need.

How clean is the pet or fish store. If the store is clean then you can pretty much be assured that the animals/fish are well cared for.

If the tank has dead fish stay away from buying any fish from that tank. This is sure way of telling if the fish are getting the right care.

Don't be in a hurry when it comes to buying a goldfish. You want them to live to their full life span. A little homework and patience will help in the process of buying that perfect goldfish pet.

Goldfish requires space. Baby goldfish can live temporarily in a fish bowl or a small tank. For a goldfish to be healthy they must have room to swim freely. They will grow according to their surroundings. So you want the tank to be large enough so cleaning the tank is not a daily chore. The average size for one goldfish is about 10 gallons. Like humans a goldfish needs friends. So if you have more than one goldfish make sure the tank is adequate.

Other things a goldfish and his/her pal likes (requires).

Fresh water. A good water filter will keep the water from becoming polluted.


Thermometer and heater if needed tank should be between 20 °C (68 °F) and 22 °C (72 °F).

Toys. Plants, castles, ships you get the idea


Variety in the fish food. Only buy goldfish food.


Handle your pet goldfish carefully. On the way home be sure the sun (bright light) is not shining in the fishes eyes. Light can hurt and possibly damage their eyes. Once home place the bag (that the fish is in) in the tank for 10 minutes. This allows the fish/fishes to acculimate to the temperature of the tank. Then open the bag and let the fish swim into their new home.