Goldfish Tanks for Kids

A goldfish is a perfect starter pet for young children, as they don̵7;t require excessive cleanup, won̵7;t make noise or destroy the child̵7;s toys -- and they're amusing to watch. They also require enough work that the child learns the responsibilities required of a pet owner. Children don̵7;t need fancy aquariums to care for their first fish. A simple fish tank you allow the child to decorate will make the child feel more responsible and involved with his pet.

  1. Fish Bowls

    • Classic fishbowl fish tanks require no technical knowledge to use and can be set up anywhere, even at the child̵7;s bedside. You have to help your child regularly clean the bowl, however, as there is no filtration system in a fish bowl. Goldfish tend to be dirty, and the water can quickly become murky and unhealthy if not regularly cleaned.

    CD-Stack Container Tanks

    • A creative way to let your child customize their fish̵7;s home is to use a plastic CD stack container to build a fish tank. When you buy a stack of CDs, they often come in plastic, cylindrical containers. Empty the CDs from the container and cut the spindle off the base. Turn the container upside-down so the clear plastic container is turned up like a bowl. Fill the container with water, place the fish inside and reattach the base, which is now a lid. There should be a hole in the center of the lid where you cut off the spindle. Use the hole to feed the fish. Like a fish bowl, these containers must be cleaned on a regular basis.

    Filtered Tanks

    • If you don̵7;t want to clean a simpler fish tank as often, opt for a more professional filtered tank. Choose a simple tank with a built-in filtration system so your child can enjoy having a pet without worrying about accidentally killing the fish by forgetting to keep the water clean. Ensure the filtration system is smaller than the fish or the fish may get stuck in the tank's tubing.

    Decorations

    • Allow your child to customize his goldfish tank with decorations. Goldfish love plastic aquarium plants, rock formations and decorative rocks. Let your child pick the decorations they like and arrange them in the tank until they̵7;re happy with the fish̵7;s home. This will give your child a chance to be creative and feel a stronger connection to the fish. If you use plastic plants, watch the fish regularly to ensure it doesn̵7;t become entangled in the branches.