Anonymous
Post 07/20/2025 17:31     Subject: 2 goldfishes as first pets
Anonymous wrote:Op here. We spent like $200 as a 20 gallon starter kit with some decors. We were hoping to also get water plants and snails, and we were told that those are for tropical fish tank (need to get water heater regulated).....not fit with goldfish (freshwater). I was disappointed that unless those 2 goldfish die one day, I can't get any ghost shrimp, snail, other fishes and water plants. Anyways, we are told the tank needs to be set up for a week sitting around, so those 2 goldfishes are living in a plastic container now for the time being. And, I need to clean up a spot to put the 20 gallon water tank..omg.It is more work than I thought to be.


Good job OP, you did the right thing for these fish.

When you are picking a spot, remember that 20 gallons of water weighs 160 lbs ... and you will spill a bit when cleaning the tank so avoid priceless antique tables If you can manage a weekly cleaning, you will be happier replacing, say, 10% of the tank water every week vs. removing and replacing a third of the tank water every month which is fine for the fish but harder for you to lift and carry.

Cycling the tank for a week is best practice before you buy the fish. Since you already have the fish sitting in a jar, personally I'd give the tank 24 hours running with de-chlor in it and then ease them in over the course of the next 24 hours. Ease them in by taking a little of the jar water to add to the tank, and a little of the tank water to the jar. Repeat about 3 times over 24 hours and then gently dump them in with the tank lights off (less stressful).
Anonymous
Post 07/20/2025 15:28     Subject: 2 goldfishes as first pets
Anonymous wrote:Op here. We spent like $200 as a 20 gallon starter kit with some decors. We were hoping to also get water plants and snails, and we were told that those are for tropical fish tank (need to get water heater regulated).....not fit with goldfish (freshwater). I was disappointed that unless those 2 goldfish die one day, I can't get any ghost shrimp, snail, other fishes and water plants. Anyways, we are told the tank needs to be set up for a week sitting around, so those 2 goldfishes are living in a plastic container now for the time being. And, I need to clean up a spot to put the 20 gallon water tank..omg.It is more work than I thought to be.
Yes, I was surprised to know how involved the fish rearing process was, too. My relative did this for his kids and they had to balance the water first before the transfer. They were told to get beta fish first because they are hardy. Then transition to other fish. Glad to hear that you got a big home for them, Op. Now for that water chemistry! Giddy up!
Anonymous
Post 07/20/2025 15:17     Subject: 2 goldfishes as first pets
Op here. We spent like $200 as a 20 gallon starter kit with some decors. We were hoping to also get water plants and snails, and we were told that those are for tropical fish tank (need to get water heater regulated).....not fit with goldfish (freshwater). I was disappointed that unless those 2 goldfish die one day, I can't get any ghost shrimp, snail, other fishes and water plants. Anyways, we are told the tank needs to be set up for a week sitting around, so those 2 goldfishes are living in a plastic container now for the time being. And, I need to clean up a spot to put the 20 gallon water tank..omg.It is more work than I thought to be.
Anonymous
Post 07/20/2025 10:31     Subject: Re:2 goldfishes as first pets
Anonymous wrote:Do you actually want fish? Because you are about to spend several hundred dollars on these "free" pets that can live 10+ years if you don't kill them through neglect. If you aren't that into it, give the fish to the pet store (most stores will take them) and buy your kids ice cream as consolation. Everyone will be happier.

If you decide to keep them:
You need a tank of at least 10 gallons, preferably 20 - 30 (the size is not really for the fish, it's for you because more water = easier water chemistry).
The tank needs a filter, which comes with some stuff inside that periodically needs to be replaced.
Buy de-cholor and water conditioner.
Buy a suction tube for cleaning the tank (you will also need a bucket, but not from PetSmart).
Buy a very small amount of food, you don't need a lot.
A tank light is optional but a lid is a good idea.
Gravel for the bottom is nice but optional, same for plastic plants and fun hidey holes. Don't get live plants.

When picking out the fish, look for clean active ones without raggedy fins or any growths or scuffs. Ideally there should not be dead or sick-looking fish in the tank. Consider spending more for a better grade of fish than your coupon probably entitles you to, but don't get the bubble-eyed goldfish as they have a lot of eye problems.
Don't buy snails or sucker fish or whatever you think will clean algae: they don't, they just poop more.

Good luck!


I agree with all of this. My kid won two fish five years ago when she went to the fair with a friend’s family. I was mad initially but we got a big tank and filter and learned what to do with them. They are still here and they are huge.
Mine always died within weeks as a kid and I’m sure it’s because we had no idea what we were doing and just put them in a goldfish bowl.
Anonymous
Post 07/20/2025 10:21     Subject: 2 goldfishes as first pets
Anonymous wrote:I fully agree. If you are not ready to talk about death, these are the wrong pets for your family.

When Did was very young, hers died so I bought two more on the way home from work because I was not ready to discuss death.


I don't understand this at all - toddlers see dead animals all the time. "Yes, that thing on the sidewalk was a worm, but it dried up. It's not alive anymore. Look, here's a wiggling one, let's move it to the grass."

Same with fish: "Bubbles died. I am not completely sure why, but small animals break easily and he could have been bumped too hard at the carnival before we got him. If you still want a pet fish, let's get some books from the library about the best way to care for them."
Anonymous
Post 07/20/2025 10:18     Subject: 2 goldfishes as first pets
https://www.sosofishy.com/post/a-short-and-long-guide-to-aquarium-cycling#:~:text=Simple%20as%20that.,Simple%2C%20right?
Anonymous
Post 07/20/2025 10:17     Subject: 2 goldfishes as first pets
Fishkeeper here.

Please go to an actual fish store. I'm not sure where you are, but they're around.

You need a 10, maybe a 20 gallon tank. It has to be cycled with chemicals and you need substrate and plants. I use live plants because it keeps my water cleaner.

PetsMart, while fine, doesn't have the knowledge you need to start a real tank.
Anonymous
Post 07/20/2025 10:16     Subject: 2 goldfishes as first pets
Goldfish need a lot of space DO NOT GET ANYMORE FISH NO MATTER HOW MUCH THEY BEG you will already need a large tank with a filter for two. I'm assuming their comets right? They can each grow to be 12 inches long.
Anonymous
Post 07/20/2025 10:12     Subject: 2 goldfishes as first pets
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What kind of messed up carnival gives out live fish as pets.

For the love of God, people, stop doing this shit. Fish are not cheap easy starter pets. They need big tanks, proper filters, proper water care. You have to put significant effort in. Heck these fish might already be doomed from being kept in a bag for God knows how long so you might go through all that and they'll be dead anyway.




Agree. These poor fish. They didn’t ask for a crappy life like this. I had a goldfish as a child and it lived for three years. I’d never let my kids have any today


On the other hand, it seems like fish in the wild have a pretty crappy life, too. Not only do they have to find their own food, which might not always be available, they have to worry about something bigger coming along to eat them. Water pollution, global warming, etc., certainly hasn’t helped matters, either. I don’t know whether fish get bored, but I’m pretty sure they get hungry. Life as a pet (of a responsible owner) might be the least crappy alternative for a fish.
Anonymous
Post 07/20/2025 09:34     Subject: 2 goldfishes as first pets
Well my son came home from camp with a fish in a soda bottle crafted terrarium. We put him in a fish bowl we had. No filter. The fish lived for years!
Anonymous
Post 07/20/2025 08:55     Subject: 2 goldfishes as first pets
Anonymous wrote:What kind of messed up carnival gives out live fish as pets.

For the love of God, people, stop doing this shit. Fish are not cheap easy starter pets. They need big tanks, proper filters, proper water care. You have to put significant effort in. Heck these fish might already be doomed from being kept in a bag for God knows how long so you might go through all that and they'll be dead anyway.


Agree. These poor fish. They didn’t ask for a crappy life like this. I had a goldfish as a child and it lived for three years. I’d never let my kids have any today
Anonymous
Post 07/20/2025 08:45     Subject: 2 goldfishes as first pets
What kind of messed up carnival gives out live fish as pets.

For the love of God, people, stop doing this shit. Fish are not cheap easy starter pets. They need big tanks, proper filters, proper water care. You have to put significant effort in. Heck these fish might already be doomed from being kept in a bag for God knows how long so you might go through all that and they'll be dead anyway.
Anonymous
Post 07/20/2025 08:41     Subject: 2 goldfishes as first pets
As another poster noted, please get the fish a 10 gallon aquarium with full setup. This will be fun for your kids to watch, and the fish will grow and live for a while in that. You can even get a few more fish, and some snails and plants.

If you put them in a bowl, they will die soon, as you can see from posts on this thread. I think it is so cruel to give away life fish like this to kids, who are going to stick them in a tiny bowl to die.

Having the 10 gallon tank and allowing your kids to pick out gravel, ornaments, plants, snails, etc, and then to watch the fish, will be something they will enjoy and remember. You can even put it in one of the kids' bedrooms and put on the tank light (that will be in the hood of the 10 gallon tank) at night if one of the kids likes sleeping with a nightlight.

I have such great memories of our fish tank when I was a kid.
Anonymous
Post 07/20/2025 08:33     Subject: 2 goldfishes as first pets
Anonymous wrote:Op here. I am shocked with all comments. Kids already give them names, so they are going to stay at our home. They won them at carnival. We will go to PetSmart once they are opened at 10am. Omg...I don't want them to die before school starts.


This is how my kids started with goldfish. They lasted over a decade. What eventually happened was a power outage in the winter and we couldn’t keep the water warm enough.

They grew much larger than I knew goldfish grew and one’s tail split and grew into a beautiful flowing tail.

It is a pain to clean the tank though. You might want to talk to PetSmart staff about best products to minimize the need for that.
Anonymous
Post 07/20/2025 07:38     Subject: 2 goldfishes as first pets
Anonymous wrote:Op here. I am shocked with all comments. Kids already give them names, so they are going to stay at our home. They won them at carnival. We will go to PetSmart once they are opened at 10am. Omg...I don't want them to die before school starts.


I hope they don't die. But live animals should never be prizes/gifts/surprises. These fish are probably pretty stressed from the last 48 hours and if they die, that's the point I would emphasize with the kids - that even though you meant well, the situation was not kind and not mindful of the fish's health. (That was true whether you took them or not.) Perhaps make a family rule that all future pets will be agreed on and researched first.

When an animal is in a tank, you are responsible for its whole world, even the air it breathes. It's actually a lot easier to have a cat because at least they breathe the same air and can get a drink or food on their own. I like keeping fish but they're not simple. And hermit crabs are impossible.