Why You Should Get A Goldfish

by Anya Bayazitov

Hello readers! I’m sure you all have been through begging your parents for a pet- I have myself! And although I hope you succeeded, I’m sure most kids are still just dreaming of getting that dog. It’s too much responsibility! – Your Parents. Am I right? At this point, you’ve tried everything; you’ve pleaded, negotiated, and even attempted bribing your parents with extra chores, yet nothing worked. But what if you gave them an offer they couldn’t resist? What if you suggested a pet that isn’t loud, needs almost no attention, and is SUPER easy to care for? How could they say no? But there’s just one thing… this miraculous pet isn’t a dog, it’s a goldfish!

A goldfish? Yes! Contrary to popular belief, (I sound so official, don’t I?) Goldfish are very fun animals, and although you can’t go out and play fetch with them, or take them on walks, there are many other reasons why they would make a perfect pet.

First, they are great starter pets. If you are close to convincing your parents, but they just need a little nudge, this is a great way to show them how capable you are of taking care of a pet. Because how often do you hear of someone’s goldfish running away, or peeing all over the floor? I haven’t seen any Lost Goldfish signs around town lately. And if you aren’t capable of simply taking care of a goldfish, then I might have to agree with your parents that you are not ready for a dog- because honestly, what could go wrong? Goldfish can go up to 2 weeks without eating, so if you had a long day and forgot to feed them one night, you can just feed them a little extra in the morning. It is also a good pet to have when you travel, because as long as you aren’t gone for too long, they should be fine on their own. They are also usually less than a dollar, so you could show your parents how responsible you are by purchasing the fish yourself!

Don’t worry, we’re done talking about responsibility now, and we’re moving onto the exact opposite- playing! Yes, obviously I know you can not play with a goldfish, but they aren’t as boring as you might think. If you have more than one, (I have 4!) it’s funny to watch them chase each other around in the tank. And not all goldfish come in orange, some come in white, gold, and some even a mix of a few colors. I have a goldfish that changed color over time, from gold to orange and white. If you release a couple snails into the tank, they help clean the walls- just be careful, they can multiply quickly, and although a snail army sounds cool, it can get out of hand! If your tank is looking dull, you can spice it up with some colorful gravel, plants, and aquarium statues/houses, because what fish wouldn’t want a sponge-bob’s pineapple house.

So, although it might not be the pet you’ve been dreaming of, I promise that if you get a goldfish you will not regret it. Of course you need to do your research first, and definitely check with your parents, but in the end I think you’re up for the challenge!