What to Do with a Fish from the Fairground
How to Take Care of a Goldfish You Win at the Fair
Sep 29, 2009
Goldfish are still used as prizes in funfairs. Many a parent has been presented with a clear plastic bag with an orange fish floating inside. The fish is still a creature that has needs and there are steps you can take to maximise its chances of survival past the first 48 hours.
Check Your Fish
First – take a good look at the fish. Does it look healthy? Is it free from slime, is the dorsal or top fin up not flat to the body; does it swim upright and freely (as far as it can in its bag) and is it free from injury? Check particularly for white fluffy patches on the fish as these indicate damage to the scales. If you are not happy with the state of the fish, then ask for another one.
Take your fish home as soon as possible. Make sure there is plenty of air at the top of the bag and it is tied securely. Place it in an opaque bag to minimise stress.
Supply What Your Fish Needs
If you did not expect to buy a fish, you will need to stop off at a pet shop and invest in a fish tank. Buy one big enough to take more than one fish, but do not buy a companion yet. You will need gravel, a filter, some live plants and some dechlorinator for the tap water and water conditioner. You do not need toys, but you may want to buy a light so that you can see your fish properly.
Ask advice from the pet shop assistant and if possible, talk to someone who keeps fish. Explain the situation and take his advice. Although it is not advisable to set up a tank and put fish in it the same day, it is possible as long as you do not overload the eco-system.
Set Up the Fish Tank
Take everything home and set up the tank, leaving the fish in a cool, darkened place. Follow the instructions and put everything together, taking care to add the correct amount of chemicals to the tap water. Wash the gravel to get rid of as much dust as possible, lay it in the tank then fill the tank with the treated water. Set the filter running. Add the plants.
Introduce the Goldfish to Its New Home
As the goldfish is a cold-water fish, there is no need to worry about the temperature of the water. Turn the tank light off and float the bag in the top of the water to acclimatise the temperature in the bag with the temperature in the tank. After about half an hour, you can let the fish into the tank. Keep the light off.
The fish may explore, or it may hide. Sooner or later it will begin to look round its new surroundings. Leave it alone for a while. The light may be put on after a couple of hours, but again this may scare it to begin with.
Feed it the following morning. Leave it in the tank on its own for at least a week, then you can introduce a companion. Always take into account that fish grow, and that it is better to have fewer so that they have space to swim.
Following these instructions gives your fish the best possible chance of survival. Fairground goldfish can live for many years if given a little care. They may not have had the best start in life, but you as the owner can still give them a long and happy life.
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