We have a new pet!
Last Saturday morning, K went to a summer fair at the local youth club. A couple of hours later, he returned — looking slightly guilty — with one hand behind his back and a story about winning a prize at one of the fair booths. Eventually, the hand came out from behind his back to reveal a goldfish!
Panic stations! Whilst inwardly cursing about people giving away live fish as prizes to children, we rushed around and found the largest mixing bowl in the house (about 2 litres) and filled it with room temperature water. Then, over the next 30 – 45 minutes, introduced the fish to his temporary new home.
The following week was taken up with buying goldfish food & water treatment drops and reading up on looking after goldfish. Then the search was on to locate and buy a suitable tank (and filter etc.). In the meantime, the rather cramped temporary fish accommodation meant that about 25% -30% of the water had to be changed daily.
The new tank arrived on Friday and “Weasley” took up residence shortly thereafter. Yes, I know you’re supposed to cycle a new tank for a few days before introducing any fish but, frankly, an increasingly polluted 2 litre mixing bowl was a far greater risk to fishy life than a new tank that was only cycled for a few hours. Forty-eight hours later, he seems fine. Very active and eating well. Now we just have to make sure that K takes all the responsibilities of pet ownership seriously.
Goldfish can live for up to 20 years, so this one better last a few years at least. So far, this prize on a £1 fair game has cost us the best part of £55!
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