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Keeping Goldfish -- continued from page one

Now let's get to the realities of Goldfish care. Out with the bowl and in with a ten gallon tank (I'll get a bigger one as they grow.). A comet goldfish can live to be as old as 25 years, so I want to build a good home for these possible long term family members. They need good, healthy water which, in Calgary means getting the chlorine out, use "Chlor Out" or bottled spring water.
The water has to contain enough oxygen, goldfish need more oxygen in their water than most fish so you must choose a way to aerate the water (pumps, air rocks, etc.) The water also needs to be filtered preferably with a good power filter and/or undergravel filter and a steady temperature of between 20 and 25 C must be maintained. And that is just the beginning. There is much to learn about proper fish care, so before you go out there and buy a few fish for the kids to take care of, be prepared for the realities and steer clear of the pet store gurus that talk like they know more than they really do.

Now I have my two goldfish and the more recent clown pleco (compatible algae eater) in the ten gallon tank with a few good hiding spots and lots of room to play. They are noticeably happier in the larger environment and are a joy to watch as they chase each other through the plastic plants. The difference in their behavior is remarkable and it's obvious that fish bowls and other small containers are torture to our water dwelling friends.

A note of caution for the new fish owner: Algae eaters aren't going to get much to eat in a new tank so they will need a special type of algae pellet or wafers to keep them going. They should be fed at least one pellet per day for a one inch clown pleco.

As this article is designed to provide you with very basic information, please research topics of interest by going to http://members.home.net/sacro/index.html , also do an Internet search and you'll find many great pages on fish care (and other animals), if you don't have a computer at home, go to your local library and use theirs or seek out books on the subject. Village Square Library has a variety of good animal care books and a number of computers you can use. There is no reason to rely on pet store salesclerks for information since, unfortunately they are the least likely to provide you with quality knowledge about animals.

Finally, use your own instincts and experiences. You know what it feels like to be alive, put yourself in the animals place and imagine what your needs might be. We all have unique needs but it's pretty obvious that a fish that can grow to be sixteen inches long isn't going to make it in a two gallon bowl. Imagine trying to live your entire life in a Volkswagen Beetle! Not an attractive thought.

Take Care of yourself and your pets!

Jen MacDonald.

Keeping Goldfish
by Jennifer MacDonald

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