Fish Myths

[OohFeeshy]

A comet would work fine. 6 inches is how big most bowl recomended fancies get anyways. You can always return it, or ask to borrow it.

 

[wrs]

the store doesnt allow things like that, lol. I would be afraid that it would die though in the bowl.

I may be able to make an above ground pond for it though if I do get it. The teacher said that we do have to bring something in, but not a poster. Something unique, so that definetly is unique, and may get the point across. Though bringing it in would be better, no?

 

[OohFeeshy]

I would be afraid that it would die though in the bowl.

Yes, but it wouldn't be in there for that long would it? And you can do water changes whenever you feel the need They're pretty hardy, and I'm sure it will pursuade a few people who keep goldfish in bowls (i'm sure there will be some) how stunted theirs is. If you can't find a bowl big enough, use a cheap 3 or so gallon tank.

 

[wrs]

I do have some bowls that would be fine for it for a bit, only 1 gallon, but it would be like shipment in a bag or so. It would be in the bowl for about 4 hours, because I leave at 12:07 on days that the fish would be brought in. 7:45-12:07 is a little bit more than 4 hours so it may be okay.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

seed some filter floss and put it in the bottom of the bowl. instant cycle! that'll keep the ammonia down; oxygen shouldn't be too big of an issue. if you still feel uncomfortable about aeration, paul_mts once posted about some oxygen tablets they sell at his store (can't remember the name). you could use one of those if it makes you feel better.

yeah, i think the 6-inch goldfish in the one gallon bowl should be an effective image. especially if its the exact same species as the typical carnival fish. if we could only dispell a single myth about fishkeeping, i would pick "grows to the size of the tank". so many other newbie problems are caused by buying too big of a fish for the tank size available.

 

[wrs]

the grows to the size of the tank is one of my major parts of the presentation. I will definetly be talking about tank busters and the correct way to raise these fish, not the way many people do. Though I doubt that many people will be able to afford the size tanks that the fish need, like the red tailed cat fish, really needs a couple thousand gallon tank, which may even be to small then, and people put them in 125 gallons. I personally dont believe in keeping fish like that, but if you must, a 50000 gallon aquarium should be used so that the fish will think it is in a lake. I did read an artical about some one who did keep his red tailed cat that way.

Also, if I cant trade the fish back to the store, or borrow it, where would be the best place to put it? I know that I can give it to my local garden center as they do have a pond, but I think it is pretty good sticked already. And my coldwater tank is stocked full already.

 

[sylvia]

Oh... do that and then tell us how it goes cause I would just love a very vivid discription of peoples' faces... Don't forget to mention that goldfish can live to be 30 and that realy the 2 year average lifespan people seem to assume of goldfish is the equivalent of a human living to the age of 5. Oh and do disprove the 3 second memory thing and mention goldfish get to 12" and like to be in groups - they are actualy very social fish poor things.

While you're at it, get an adult to sit in a small cardboard box... Make sure they aren't allowed to leave if they decide they'd like to go to the toilet and keep them there for at least a few months to demonstrate the effects of doing this. Or better yet, why not ask who has a goldfish in a bowl and do it to them?

Sorry, I'm just very bitter over goldfish bowls... I hate how people don't think at all when they are misinformed about something and automatically assume everyone is trustworthy and gives sound advice - even if the advice seems ridiculous.

 

[sylvia]

Get a new tank? (you know you want to)

 

[wrs]

I cant. I really dont want one though, just some ruggie hermit crabs, lol.

 

[yvez9]

how can you be mad at people who want a goldfish, go in a petsotre, ask the sales guy if the goldfish can live in a bowl and they guy says yes


if you buy a tv, you're gonna trust the sale's guys knowledge., If the guy tells you to sit 6 feet away from your tv, you'll believe right?

then there are people like me and most of us on the forum that actually try to get a second opinion over pet store's advice...

 

[wrs]

well, they should resurch the fish before they get them. It is partcially their fault as well.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Im not so sure about that, sure they are irresponsable but when most people start out in fish keeping and they go to their lfs, they veiw their lfs as a kind of all-knowing fish place and will trust their information.
With all the terrible small sized tanks available today which will never be suitable for fish whatever you do to them, it doesn't occur to many people that somone would actually sell somthing thats cruel and inhumane in this day and age.

The people i mostly blame are the lfs's that supply the fish and either don't tell the newb correct info/enough info or don't ask any questions to the customer before they sell fish to him/her, even simple questions like what are their current fish.
I also blame lfs's that don't set a good example themselves as new customers to the hobby will go to their lfs and try to aim for their standards.

ps: I GOT AN AVATAR WOO-HOO!!!!!! (can you see it?)

 

[wrs]

I have to make an outline of what I am goint to say, and even though the goldfish are really the main point, i go through the whole selecting fish etc thing.

my first item to say is that you have to resurch the fish that you want even before you buy the tank so that you know everything that you need for it.

I do believe that lfs dont know everything, mine, which is quite a good lfs has never herd of aspitrogramma cichlids, and thought I was talking about a type of gourami. lol.

 

[eudielynn]

I don't have any helpful ideas, but I just wanted to tell you how great I think it is that you are using this topic. Once again, one person can make a difference. You will be educating others about fishkeeping and if one person listens and learns from it you have done a great job. We just have to keep at it.

 

[wrs]

one of my friends friend told me how her she wanted to get a bettas in a vase today because she thought they were pretty, and her aunt had one for 5 years that never died, and she never changed the water, and said they had a selve cleaning mechanism.(sp) I laughed and told her it was people like her that made me want to do my report on this topic. You dont just buy it because it is pretty. Planted tanks are pretty and practical I told her.

Hopefully she will listen and make a 5 gallon plated bett tank, with a small filter. That would be so much better for the fish.