How Can I Be Diplomatic?

[mossonthemoon]

My son's preschool has a pair of goldfish in a small tank with a HOB filter. They look fine, but I know they won't be forever. I think the tank has been their ages, but it is just so unsuitable. I will try to sneak a picture today. The school will be moving soon. If the fish are relocated too, I want to find a way to get them to change to something more suitable. The budget won't be good, so depending on whether I get the courage to speak up about it, and whether they okay it, I was thinking something like neons, shrimp, and a snail. I don't know the measurement of the tank yet, but does this seem like an easy set-up to maintain? Do you think the kids would be happy with that if they lose their big, fancy-tailed goldfish? (I haven't a clue about goldfish so couldn't say what they are.) I don't know who takes care of the tank now and will have to figure that out.

My other concern is what will happen to the fish if they do leave the school. I can't see them going somewhere with a huge tank or a pond. What if they end up in worse conditions than now? This isn't exactly a thriving city. Should I perhaps just offer to help maintain their tank and make it more humane?

 

[bmonki]

there must be a lfs that could rehome them?

would imagine it would be the caretaker that would be responsible for the tank

 

[Flute]

You could always show a bit more interest in it the next time you see it, say that you're into fish keeping and what not. Then ask if they have anyone who looks after it? If it's a hassle for any of the staff to clean it, you'd be more than happy to do the maintenance as you enjoy the hobby so much (lay it on thick ). If they agree to that, leave it at that for a few weeks, and then broach the subject that keeping goldfish in small tanks is very out dated, and then suggest to them either upgrading the tank or switching to fish that will be more interesting for the kids?

Really, the minimum size tank that will be suitable for a pair goldfish is going to be around a 3 foot with a good filter system. Goldies are such messy fish! So trying to convince them to go tropical would be best.

Depending on tank size, you could always get a male betta (for colour and personality) and then a small group of dithers (neons or similar, movement and colour), and then some shrimp (for that wow factor for the kids)- ammano/yamato would probably be best, you could try cherries but there's a good chance they'll end up a tasty snack for the betta, and a snail?

 

[mossonthemoon]

The only LFSs that I know of are the type to sell goldfish in tiny tanks. I am taking a wild guess that the tank there is around 18 inches. That is a very random guess as I haven't been going long and I have a rubbish memory. I do worry that they will end up leaving that and going to a fish bowl. I know it is completely unsuitable for them to be there, but it would be better than a bowl or one of those children's tanks... What are they, six inches?

I will do some snooping first. It could be a caretaker but it doesn't really look like it is, and council schools don't really have budgets for things like that as far as I know.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

It was the same at my son's nursery. They have 2 4 inch fantails in a 20 litre tank. I am baffled as to why they aren't dead!

 

[mossonthemoon]

Exactly! And more than that, they don't look obviously deformed. Lucky them... I guess. I wasn't able to go in today, but will try to get more information tomorrow.

 

[brian1]

Goldfish are very resilient, go back to the day's of rag and bone men and fair grounds, I had one in a bowl that lived for years as a lad, and new nothing about cycling etc; most fish today only know tank life and have grown to like it.......And adapted.........

 

[PrairieSunflower]

The first fish I got when I took up keeping fish again as an adult was goldfish... and I couldn't keep them alive and they were constantly disease ridden! I nearly gave up but decided to try guppies and they were fine. So, that baffles me when I see nursery school fish.