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Buying a fish

10 replies

Pearsapiece · 11/09/2020 15:41

Has anyone attempted to buy a fish recently?! When I was a kid (and I'm only 25) you just walked into oets at home, bought a tank, bought a fish, done.
We've just gone to buy ds a fish for his second birthday which thankfully isn't for a few weeks. We picked up a tank and were asked what fish we wanted for it. I sort of quietly said "a goldfish" because I thought it was fairly obvious but I suppose it probably isn't given all the fish they have there. Anyway, this tank was an 18L tank, about 40cm by 30cm and we were told it wasn't big enough for a standard goldfish!!! I was shocked but understood! Then the shop assistant started to talk me through their fish points system where they rank the tank space and the fish and you must match the fish to the tank ranking.we also had to buy a filter, gravel and plants and a boat for it (which we wanted to do).
Now, I'm quite pleased you need to do this really, but it made me think of how crap we were as fish owners years ago.
We kept one set in a large vase my mum had, no plants, no entertainment for them, just fed them. The second lot we kept in a fish bowl that was won at the fair. I feel like the worst pet owner in the world! Especially as my mum out the fish on the top of the tumble dryer and one jumped out with the vibrations.
Had anyone else found this when buying their kids fish?! I feel like I've committed to years of fish ownership as there is no way it will mysteriously die like mine did every 6 months. I am quite pleased about this though, and I'm excited to teach ds some responsibility in feeding his fish and helping me clean the tank (which I now need a flipping gravel vacuum for!)

OP posts:
PonDeReplay · 11/09/2020 16:02

Funny! Fish ownership does seem to require more in depth knowledge these days. I too remember having a fish from a fair in a little bowl as a kid. Sounds as though things are much improved from a fish welfare perspective!

BlueChampagne · 11/09/2020 16:08

Me too! You have to get the chemistry and microbial load right before you add fish. We have 2 tanks that size and between them they havea combo of mountain minnows, danio and catfish (cory).

AlwaysLatte · 11/09/2020 16:08

Yep, we had this when we wanted a goldfish. And they wanted a sample of the water before we could have the fish as it can't be new water, it had to be set up two weeks before we were allowed the fish. First time I was refused it as the ph was wrong. Second time we were awarded with our precious fish. Bloody ungrateful thing died soon after despite that and we'd spent nearly £70 on it...

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Pearsapiece · 11/09/2020 16:38

Hahaha I'm glad it's not just me that experienced this. I just want the flipping fish!! I'm hoping they don't ask for a water sample when we go back tomorrow to buy our fish. I just want 2 fish for goodness sake! The set up was about 50 quid!

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Dawnlassie · 11/09/2020 16:42

Yea it was difficult because we have to queue outside. Bit it was lovely with chips and a pickled onion.

Somanysocks · 11/09/2020 17:53

Get more than one, they need company, they are living breathing creatures.

EvilPea · 11/09/2020 17:56

If you’ve not bought the goldfish already. Please consider tropical. A lot less messy than goldfish and the Cory’s mentioned up thread are amazing little fishies that like to watch you and interact a little more.

Aquamarine1029 · 11/09/2020 17:58

We have a goldfish and he's plugged along for 8 YEARS. I'm amazed every day over how long he's lived.

LizzyELane · 11/09/2020 18:34

The goldfish my dad used to win for me at the fair that just went in a tank with tap water used to live a lot longer than ones I've had an expensive set up for, filter, testing strips, water conditioners, etc!!

Pearsapiece · 11/09/2020 19:45

Don't worry, we will be buying 2. But I think they will be goldfish as dh is concerned with the heating element of tropical fish. We are thinking a few snails as well

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