Goldfish are fantastic, low-maintenance pets. Before you jump in with both feet, though, you have to know how to properly care for them so that they don’t end up in the big fishbowl in the sky.
The world’s oldest goldfish lived for 41 years, although there are no guarantees, and ordinary healthy goldfish generally live for two to three years, having them as pets requires a serious commitment. Although they’re relatively low-maintenance, they still require some care and attention.
THEIR HABITAT
Goldfish can be kept in a simple bowl, no air pump or filter is needed. They do very well at room temperatures, too, so you won’t need a heater. It’s important that you keep their bowl away from direct sunlight and air vents; the water temperature could change drastically, and too much sunlight contributes to an overgrowth of algae, which will make your goldfish unhealthy.
Since goldfish are notoriously messy, their water needs to be changed frequently. Each week, you should empty 20% of the water from their bowl and replace it with clean, fresh water. Every fourth week (once a month) you should transfer your goldfish to another bowl and thoroughly clean the one they live in, and this includes rinsing all of the gravel on the bottom.
FEEDING
Feeding goldfish is easy, they’ll eat almost anything, although in the wild they prefer vegetarian meals. A basic flake food will be more than sufficient for your goldfish. They only need to be fed twice a day, and when you do feed them, only give them what they can eat in a five-minute period.
SOCIALIZATION
Goldfish in the wild sometimes stay together in schools. They’ll be happy if they have a few playmates in the bowl, but mixing them with other fish isn’t always a good idea. Since goldfish are notoriously slow swimmers, they can be picked on by bigger, more aggressive fish. Most algae eaters will get along with goldfish, but be careful: if there isn’t enough algae in the tank, they’ll sometimes try to suck the slimy coating off your goldfish.
Since goldfish are so easy to care for and so much fun to watch, they make a great first pet for children or a pleasant distraction at home. By taking good care of them, you can ensure that they’ll stick around for quite a while!
The lifespan of a properly cared for goldfish can be 15-20 years. Keeping a goldfish in a bowl is the human equivelent of keeping a person in a box. They can live there for a while, but it isn't comfortable and eventually could lead to an untimely death.
The ideal situation for a goldfish is 10 gallons of water per fish and a large surface area tank for plenty of oxygen. There should be plenty of filtration and frequent partial water changes and chemical monitoring to maintain the proper balance.
I am not an expert, but this article is misleading. Yes, goldfish may be inexpensive "pets" but they still deserve to be properly cared for and the opportunity for a long life.