Why Goldfish Aren't Good Pets for Beginning Fish Keepers

Goldfish have a long-standing reputation as being one of the most popular pets for children. If you saw statistics on how few of these cute little fish actually survive in their new homes, you might be surprised.

I love goldfish. It makes me sad to see so many of them killed by well-meaning people who don't understand what these pets need to thrive.

Why are they recommended?

So why are goldfish so often recommended to the beginning fish keeper?

-they're colorful
-they're inexpensive
-they don't need a heater
-they're peaceful
-people are familiar with them
-they have a reputation for being tough

The rest of the story

These things are true, but they don't tell the whole story. Especially the part about being tough.

They produce a lot of waste

Goldfish are generally tough, but they also produce more waste than other fish their size, which means they can pollute their water much faster. If a fish keeper is not set up to deal with this pet's waste appropriately, the goldfish will die due to its own water pollution.

Some types are prone to health problems

Another complication has to do with "fancy" goldfish. These are the ones with the round bodies that have been specially bred for that shape. A side effect is that they often have health complications due to the severe distortion of their internal organs to fit inside that unnatural body. In addition fish, or any other pet that's been bred for a particular look, have a tendency to be less robust. This is because the genes for robustness are not necessarily linked to the genes for the trait being bred.

They need a lot of oxygen

Another fact about goldfish is that they need a lot of oxygen. A beginner often puts the pet goldfish in a bowl with no filtration. It's common to see the fish gasping at the surface in an attempt to keep from suffocating. This is distressing to the finny pet and will definitely shorten its life.

The myth of how big they'll get

A healthy goldfish can live 15 years and reach 14 inches in length. This is not a fish suited for a bowl or small tank.

You may have heard the myth that a fish will only grow to the size of its container. What this really means is that if you can keep from killing your pet through water pollution, you can stunt its growth and keep it small. This is a rather cruel balancing act. The truth is that if you keep the water quality high, a fish will outgrow a too-small container. I've seen fish that literally could barely turn around in their quarters.

They prefer to live in groups

One last reason goldfish aren't good pets for beginners: Goldfish are what's called a "schooling" fish. This means they are designed to live in groups. Keeping them alone causes them great stress and is another reason why they don't live as long as they should. They need to be with other goldfish, preferably at least a few others. Since they're "messy" fish, you can imagine the challenges of housing several of them.

Some better fish for beginners

There are some better choices for a first fish. Both guppies and white cloud mountain fish are good choices. They are hardy and peaceful. They're inexpensive and don't need heaters. And they're small enough that you don't have to break the bank buying a large aquarium. You will still need an appropriate filter. That's just part of keeping fish. One note on guppies: try to stick to the common guppies and avoid the fancy ones until you've gained some experience. The fancy ones are not as hardy and may need a heater. Plus they cost quite a bit more than the common ones.

I love goldfish and I think they make great pets. They're just not for the beginner.