How I kept my fair fish alive.
I have had so many fish growing up. Fair fish specifically. They always died after a couple days. I now have a fair fish that is about to be 4 years old. Here’s how:
Temporary tank:
Have a glass bowl ready. Use purified water to fill it. Change water every 12 hours until you get a more permanent, filtered tank.
What to get at the pet store:
Getting a $5 fish at the fair is fun but can be costly if you want it to survive. There are a few things that are necessary to have a fair fish live a lasting life. Get a 5-10 gallon tank to start. Ideally, a 10-20 gallon tank will be best. I started with a 5 gallon tank. Make sure the tank comes with a filter pump. If it doesn’t, you need to purchase it separately. I have found that a bubbling filter works best. Make sure to get a couple extra filters, because you’ll need to replace it every 3-5 weeks. Get goldfish flakes. Rocks for the bottom of the tank. Get some decorations to make the tank more comfortable for them as well as pretty to look at. I like getting real water plants. These will produce oxygen for your fish. You will also need to get water conditioner to make tap water safe for your fish. This is pretty much all you need to create a healthy environment for your fish!
Daily Maintenance:
Make sure to feed the fish once a day. A pinch of food will do. Make sure the filter is working properly.
Weekly maintenance:
Change out 25% of the water in the tank every week to ensure clarity and cleanliness of water. Make sure to use the water conditioner in the water you put back in. Check the filter every week to gauge when to change it.
Monthly maintenance:
I clean the whole tank every month. Take the fish out of the tank. Brush the sides of the tank to get any algae off. Dump water. Clean the rocks and decorations with hot water. Brush the decorations with a toothbrush if needed. Rinse the filter pump off and change the filter. I use a sponge filter that just needs rinsed every week. Fill the tank and put in water conditioner and decorations back in. Make sure to have the water temperature room temperature. Let the tank sit for 10 minutes before turning the filter on. Let the filter run for at least 30 min before putting the fish back in.
Tips:
Keep an eye on appearance of fish and make sure to assist to any possible sickness.
When you decide on a 20 gallon tank, get them a friend!
Do not put anything that is not compatible with a goldfish in the tank. Larger fish and beta fish are not compatible.
I am not a professional by any means. This is what I have done to keep my fish alive and well. If you have any questions, I will do my best to answer!
Maintaining a healthy environment for your fair fish is essential for their long-term survival. In addition to the daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance routines described, understanding fish health and water quality parameters can further improve their lifespan and well-being. Firstly, monitoring water temperature is key. Fair fish, like goldfish, thrive best in cooler water between 65°F–75°F (18°C–24°C). Sudden changes in water temperature can stress the fish and make them more susceptible to diseases. Using a reliable aquarium thermometer ensures you can maintain stable conditions. Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels in the water should be checked regularly using test kits available at pet stores. Ammonia and nitrites are toxic to fish even at low concentrations, so ensuring your tank is properly cycled before introducing the fish is crucial. Beneficial bacteria in the filter convert harmful ammonia to less toxic nitrates, which should be kept low by partial water changes. Overfeeding is a common mistake that can deteriorate water quality quickly. Feeding only a small pinch of goldfish flakes once a day avoids leftover food decomposing and contaminating the tank. When selecting tank mates, compatibility is vital. Goldfish are generally peaceful but produce a significant bioload, so avoid housing them with aggressive or tropical fish requiring different care conditions, as noted in the original content. Regularly inspecting your fair fish for signs of illness—such as white spots, frayed fins, lethargy, or abnormal swimming—enables early intervention with appropriate treatments. Quarantining new fish before adding them to the main tank prevents introducing diseases. Finally, patience and consistency in care routines will reward you with a long-living, vibrant fair fish. By combining proper filtration, oxygenation from live plants, water conditioning, and attentive feeding schedules as outlined, you create a thriving aquatic habitat that supports your fish’s health for years. These additional tips complement the original guidance and help fishkeepers bring the joy of watching their fair fish live well beyond the few days commonly experienced by beginners.
