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Original poster

Not fit to own a gold fish

57 replies

handlemecarefully · 14/02/2005 13:44

Recently on a whim I bought a gold fish starter kit for £9.99 (it consisted of a goldfish bowl, plastic plant, small book on keeping goldfish, a container of fish food, and water conditioner). I was told I couldn't buy the fish at the same time, but needed to fill the goldfish bowl with water and use the water conditioner, and then take a sample of the water back to the pet shop 48 hours later to be tested.

Well we went back to the pet shop on Saturday en famille, and the 4 of us waited with bated breath whilst the water was tested.

I knew it was bad news when the girl who had disappeared with my water came back mob handed flanked by a colleague. I think she was expecting trouble...

They were brandishing 4 colourful test tubes, and told me that they couldn't release a gold fish to my care because my water was high in nitrite and nitrates.

I have to add still more water conditioner and return in another couple of days with a fresh sample.

What am I doing wrong????

OP posts:
Original poster
handlemecarefully · 14/02/2005 13:45

P.S

Despite being unfit to keep goldfish, I allowed to keep my two pre-school children.....

OP posts:
Twiglett · 14/02/2005 13:47

you appear to be shopping at 'fishmafia-are-us'

are there no other shops?

FGS its a fish

gingerbear · 14/02/2005 13:49

HMC.
Oh, there was a thread about the merits and demerits of different types of fish as pets a while ago.
Goldfish are big poo-ers apparently. Will search...

charleypops · 14/02/2005 13:50
Grin
gingerbear · 14/02/2005 13:53

first fish

Original poster
handlemecarefully · 14/02/2005 13:54

Lol Twiglett
Those were my first thoughts...but then I begrudgingly acknowledged that a dead goldfish would be a bit of a downer!(and apparently my water would kill them off in time)

Thanks gingerbear - I don't know why but I never seem to be able to find what I want when I do a search...

OP posts:
gingerbear · 14/02/2005 13:59

Couldn't you go out and find some frogspawn / tadpoles instead? I am sure they could handle the nitrates.

Original poster
handlemecarefully · 14/02/2005 14:02

Have you done this gingerbear?

What's the plan of action. Do you watch them develop and then release them into the 'wild' when they are jumpy frogs?

I haven't quite given up on the fish though...I might get some distilled water (as per that thread you attached for me)

OP posts:
gingerbear · 14/02/2005 14:14

I have - years ago. I think I kept them in a round goldfish bowl - mainly pond water and weed from the pond for them to eat. Changed half the water with fresh tap water (allowed to sit for 24 hrs) every week. About 50% of them died or were eaten by other tadpoles. Took them back to the pond when they got their legs.

guess what - have found a /link{http://web.ukonline.co.uk/conker/pond-dip/tadpoles.htm\tadpole link} !

gingerbear · 14/02/2005 14:15

am crap at links today

Original poster
handlemecarefully · 14/02/2005 14:17

Thanks gingerbear. I am tempted to try this! It sounds fun.

OP posts:
SeaShells · 14/02/2005 14:22

I've never heard of this, I thought you just go in and buy a fish! That's what we've always done, why not just go to another shop?

hercules · 14/02/2005 14:23

Cant you "borrow" some water from responsible fish owners and pass it off as your own?

Original poster
handlemecarefully · 14/02/2005 14:38

Seashells - because if my water is dodgy I don't want to kill off the fish....

OP posts:
SeaShells · 14/02/2005 14:47

The shop is probably being over cautious, but I can see what you mean, it'd be upsetting for your children if they were to die straight away. Seems such a carry on just for a goldfish, I won one at a fair when I was younger and it lived for years. The tadpoles sound like a great idea, it'd be very interesting watching them change.

misdee · 14/02/2005 14:48

get a filter.

gingerbear · 14/02/2005 15:12

Misdee is the FishMaiden

misdee · 14/02/2005 15:14

haha. maybe i should change my name.

goldfish are dirty fish tho, would invest in a cheap filter, less water changes and means u can keeop the water at the right level easier.

Original poster
handlemecarefully · 14/02/2005 15:36

Okay - will look for a filter. Will they do one small enough for a goldfish bowl (estimated capacity circa 2.5 - 3 litres)?

OP posts:
misdee · 14/02/2005 15:37

should do. just a basic one will do.

marthamoo · 14/02/2005 15:37

Can't believe they do this!

What happened to winning a fish at the fair and carrying it home in a plastic bag?

I was bought a goldfish for my 5th birthday and it finally carked it when I was 26. And no, it wasn't a case of it dying and being secretly replaced! For a long time it lived in a little circular bowl that only got cleaned out when I couldn't see the fish any more.

gingerbear · 14/02/2005 15:38

Think fish at fairs have been banned now moo. Health and Safety regs no doubt.

misdee · 14/02/2005 15:39

apparently fish have rights too

it is a living animal like a cat or dog, and deserves a clean enviroment.

snafu · 14/02/2005 15:39

Marthamoo, I was just wondering if I should admit to only cleaning my goldfish tank when they can write their own names in the crud... Had 'em for 4 years though - they seem quite happy.

God, am I going to get the RSPCA on my doorstep now?

marthamoo · 14/02/2005 15:44

I think they like it mucky. The vet said that our fish would be fine when we went on holiday so long as we hadn't cleaned the tank out for a while. They suck the gunk off the little stones at the bottom. Yes, fish eat their own poo.