Goldfish can actually live for well over 30 years…if their tank is kept properly and they are taken care of. There’s a goldfish in a town near me that made the local newspaper for being over 40! (Yeah, yeah, local news, slow news day, but still.) They are carp; carp and koi and goldfish are all long-lived creatures, naturally.
Unfortunately, most pet goldfish have a short and miserable life because they’re sold to people who have no clue about fish-keeping in tanks way too small for them. :(
Oh, and yes, you can train them. A goldfish’s working memory, in the absence of reinforcement, is three to four months.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3JFmrlgWAk
….I feel so sorry for most goldfish; they have such a bad life, and got such a bad rap.
Goldfish will grow to 8 to 12 inches if given a healthy environment. Their growth will be stunted if kept in a cramped, bad environment. Hate to say it, but while Chaz and Camille might be nice to cats and dogs, they are bad goldfish owners.
My two goldfish from PetSmart are a few years old; still growing. Their predecessor lived to be 5 or 6; I gave her a nice burial in the yard when she passed away suddenly. They’re trained, you should see them approach the top of the tank when they see me, hoping for a handout. Keep the bowl clean and don’t overfeed. Treat the water with anti-chlorine and use an aerator. I’ve had the same 10-gallon tank for years.
DennisinSeattle Premium Member over 6 years ago
Sad but true. Especially with Poncho around.
Kaputnik over 6 years ago
Which must make old Goldie here practically a Fishthuselah.
Lyons Group, Inc. over 6 years ago
Nancy doesn’t mistreats her Goldie like Poncho does.
keltii over 6 years ago
I have one of these goldfish, and she’s trained. http://blackmoorgoldfish.org/
lbatik over 6 years ago
Goldfish can actually live for well over 30 years…if their tank is kept properly and they are taken care of. There’s a goldfish in a town near me that made the local newspaper for being over 40! (Yeah, yeah, local news, slow news day, but still.) They are carp; carp and koi and goldfish are all long-lived creatures, naturally.
Unfortunately, most pet goldfish have a short and miserable life because they’re sold to people who have no clue about fish-keeping in tanks way too small for them. :(
Oh, and yes, you can train them. A goldfish’s working memory, in the absence of reinforcement, is three to four months.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3JFmrlgWAk
….I feel so sorry for most goldfish; they have such a bad life, and got such a bad rap.
ericbutts74 over 6 years ago
Goldfish will grow to 8 to 12 inches if given a healthy environment. Their growth will be stunted if kept in a cramped, bad environment. Hate to say it, but while Chaz and Camille might be nice to cats and dogs, they are bad goldfish owners.
tcayer over 6 years ago
It’s hard to disobey when you’re confined to a 1 gallon bowl!
pcolli over 6 years ago
What are you carping on about, Poncho?
zippykatz over 6 years ago
My two goldfish from PetSmart are a few years old; still growing. Their predecessor lived to be 5 or 6; I gave her a nice burial in the yard when she passed away suddenly. They’re trained, you should see them approach the top of the tank when they see me, hoping for a handout. Keep the bowl clean and don’t overfeed. Treat the water with anti-chlorine and use an aerator. I’ve had the same 10-gallon tank for years.
josephz2va over 6 years ago
Tiny bowl, with 12 purple cats and a dog, and the water is barely changed or filtered. I’m curious as to how he’s still alive.