the Life Span of Goldfish

Goldfish are thought of as one of the easiest pets to care for that you can get. But in fact they are a complicated and varied species. Their life span in particular can vary a lot depending on the level of care that they receive and their living environment. But because they are often thought of as an ideal first pet for a child they are often treated without due care and attention, causing them to lead shortened lives.

When you buy a goldfish form a pet store they have usually been there a while. Sometimes even as much of a year before they are removed. They tend to be smaller then they should be for their age due to the fact that they are often in a tank with many others and so are competing for food and space. So getting a goldfish when it is at its youngest is a good idea as this may well help them to live longer.

Goldfish are one of the many species that will grow larger depending on the space that they are in and the amount of food that they are given. Although the oxygen levels in the water are another factor in cases of competition. This being the case if you have a larger tank, abundant food supply and oxygen rich water then they are going to grow larger and love longer than they would being kept in a cramped stagnant fishbowl.

If you win one from a carnival or fairground then it is quite common for them to die pretty soon after. They are rarely fed very much and the trauma of being kept in a bag for days on end is usually enough to finish them off. They will often look underweight and sickly and if they do survive then they are usually doing so with a reduced lifespan to what they would normally have.