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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Goldfish for a 3 year old ???

21 replies

mummyloveslucy · 07/08/2008 20:01

I am thinking of buying a goldfish for my 3.5 year old daughters play room.
I'll let her feed it (supervised of corse). I think she'd like that, it'll give her a sense of responsibility.
If anyone has any advice or tips I'd be very greatful. Thanks.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Overmydeadbody · 07/08/2008 20:01

It's an extra thing you'll have to clean.

lulumama · 07/08/2008 20:02

yes, she will lose interest within the week...

AvenaLife · 07/08/2008 20:03

I like goldfish, ds had 2 but I ended up doing all the looking after. They are not very ineractive for children, they get bored easily as the fish don't do anything. They make a good start though.

Original poster

mummyloveslucy · 07/08/2008 20:04

I had a golfish and I really liked it. I was very upset when it died apparently.
When hers dies, I'll just replace it so she dosn't know.

OP posts:

FabioFridgeFluffFrenzy · 07/08/2008 20:04

Be prepared to explain why fishy is floating sideways and lifeless at somepoint, which is why I don't think you should push the responsibility bit.

lulumama · 07/08/2008 20:09

we bought some for DS when he was 3. he is almost 9 and they are still going, and he pays them no attention and hs not doen for years.. DD does not bother either

get a cyber pet

Original poster

mummyloveslucy · 07/08/2008 20:10

I'll tell her it's asleep. I'll then rush out to buy a replacement.

OP posts:

Original poster

mummyloveslucy · 07/08/2008 20:12

I don't mind if she's not that bothered with them. I would like to have some. I find them really relaxing.

OP posts:

lilymolly · 07/08/2008 20:15

we got 2 a few weeks ago on a bit of a whim
dd (2.7)loved them for about 24 hours

One died - the other stunk so much it was liberated into friends pond at the weekend.

Seriously if you dont clean the tank every other day it honks and when you have hyperemeis and are literally gagging at any smell it is vile

DONT DO IT........

Original poster

mummyloveslucy · 07/08/2008 20:27

I too had hyperemesis with my daughter. I was in hospital for 4 days.
This is why I will NEVER put myself throught that EVER again.
You have my sympathy. I hope all goes well.

OP posts:

SazzyMCH · 08/08/2008 21:02

Why is everyone so against the idea???? I think it's a great idea - and being slightly harsh, it's a very gentle (if that's the right word!) way of introducing them to death.

EustaciaVye · 08/08/2008 21:29

I got my DD1 2 gold fish for her 2nd birthday. She loved them. I cleaned them weekly. They lasted over 2 years. One died and the other last about 6 more months. It all went wrong when I added new fish to the tank so now we dont keep any

As long as you are prepared to clean the tank regularly then go for it

lisa34 · 08/08/2008 22:13

I got a fish (Nemo) for my DS for his 2nd birthday - he's now 8 and it's still going strong. I have the tank on the kitchen side and find it relaxing watching him swimming around whilst i'm cooking. If you get a tank with a filter and pump you'll only have to clean it out once a month. Just make sure the tank if not in direct sunlight as that encourages the algae to grow

Troutpout · 08/08/2008 22:37

We've got 2 which we've had for about 2 years
Everyone likes them..they come and swim up to the glass when they think they are going to be fed. Both kids still fight to feed them.
They are rather beautiful actually.. big and floaty .I like them much more than i thought i would.They are just so easy
I hardly ever clean them out (do a big clean about twice a year and small ones about once every 6 weeks)
They don't really get very dirty tbh and have never noticed a smell.
We have a tank with a filter and pump

jammydodger · 08/08/2008 22:42

We got four fish for our boys a couple of months ago. One died after a week, and we told ds1 that it had gone for a sleep in the pirateship (ornament in tank),,I then replaced that one with an identical one, which again died after a week , so now we have three. Once you get the gravel syphon filter, pump, electric filter, sponge algae remover and various bottles of chemicals to add to the water, that tends to keep them alive, as we've now worked out - (sadly a bit too late for Freddie 1 and Freddie 2.).

bookswapper · 08/08/2008 22:46

we got three
one died last week
ds (2.5) hasnt noticed yet

if they hadnt been liberated from being decorations (in goldfish bowls on tables at a wedding) we wouldnt have bothered

SazzyMCH · 09/08/2008 07:17

What a weird (and somewhat daft?) thing to have as a wedding table decoration!

bookswapper · 09/08/2008 08:00

apparently its the latest thing
father of the bride ended up with 16 fish!

Original poster

mummyloveslucy · 09/08/2008 15:39

I asked her "if you had a little fish, what would you call him?" she had a little think and then said "Piglet".
I laughed and said "that's a funny name for a fish", she laughed too and said "I know".
I would like to have two and call them Charlie and Lola. She loves Charlie and Lola, so she might go for that.

OP posts:

SazzyMCH · 09/08/2008 16:46

I would call mine Bombay and Sapphire!

Original poster

mummyloveslucy · 09/08/2008 16:48

I'd like to call mine Birdseye.

OP posts:

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