Why are Goldfish so underrated in the fish keeping hobby?

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FMA4ME said:
I think a lot of it is us as fish keepers wanting the sense of accomplishment. Whether your position is Goldfish are high or low maintenance, guess what? 9 times out of 10, you'll have a 'happy' hungry goldfish regardless of your approach. You almost can't kill these fish. So that makes them an awesome starter fish. Just like anything else you do, people sometimes like to show their progression in their hobbies. We know how much thought you can put put into making a goldfish happy, just as much as lots of other fish, but for some, the wow factor just isn't there, so people move on.
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WOW!
And that suffocating "look mommy, he's talking to me!" intro to the hobby really wins the kids over too!
 
FMA4ME said:
I think a lot of it is us as fish keepers wanting the sense of accomplishment. Whether your position is Goldfish are high or low maintenance, guess what? 9 times out of 10, you'll have a 'happy' hungry goldfish regardless of your approach. You almost can't kill these fish. So that makes them an awesome starter fish. Just like anything else you do, people sometimes like to show their progression in their hobbies. We know how much thought you can put put into making a goldfish happy, just as much as lots of other fish, but for some, the wow factor just isn't there, so people move on.
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So true! I had Oscars and EBJD for awhile but they lost a wow factor for me and the EBJDs were so extremely high maintenance fish for me to the point I had to hand feeding them individually. So I went back to natives and cold water fishes.
 
I don't think they(goldfish) are necessarily underrated by the global fishkeeping community. Look at how many goldfish clubs/forums there are and the prices people are paying for some of the higher end fancy varieties. Predator fish keepers may frown on goldfish a bit. I think the ability to purchase a GF for 10 cents, makes an impression on people.(but really what are you getting for .10 but a diseased/parasite infested feeder) They are such prolific breeders, they almost have devalued themselves. Also in areas they have become invasive, they tend to have a bad reputation. Overall I they are respected(worldwide) and rightfully so. They make great pond and are a huge part of fish keeping history. I know my first fish was a goldfish, my neighbor gave me for my 9th birthday.
 
Wailua Boy said:
I don't think they(goldfish) are necessarily underrated by the global fishkeeping community. Look at how many goldfish clubs/forums there are and the prices people are paying for some of the higher end fancy varieties. Predator fish keepers may frown on goldfish a bit. I think the ability to purchase a GF for 10 cents, makes an impression on people.(but really what are you getting for .10 but a diseased/parasite infested feeder) They are such prolific breeders, they almost have devalued themselves. Also in areas they have become invasive, they tend to have a bad reputation. Overall I they are respected(worldwide) and rightfully so. They make great pond and are a huge part of fish keeping history. I know my first fish was a goldfish, my neighbor gave me for my 9th birthday.
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However, millions of goldfish (fancy or not) are doomed due to being feeder, poor husbandry and tiny bowl life. Its rare to see an adult goldfish in full size nowadays but stunted goldfish are more common. Because of this, that's why the goldfish are so severely underrated, most folks just choose to not let them to grow up and the goldfish will be stunted or deformed while swimming in a gallon aquarium for 4-5 years if they're lucky. Just like most folks on here won't give a chance to the convict cichlids show their true adult size. A fully mature male convict is an amazing sight. My community college has a goldfish program, they will take unwanted goldfish/koi in and house them in either outdoor/indoor ponds. Many of them are stunted or deformed because they were donated by dorm students that kept them in bowls.
 
They're the Beagles of fish.. pretty stupid, but always moving around and happy go lucky and not much seems to phase them. And seem to have no clue when they're pissing off their tankmates.
 
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MN_Rebel MN_Rebel
I love that your school does this!!! One day I'd like to have a few Olympic pool sized ponds so I can do the same thing... One day.. When I get rich from my fish inspired clothing label.. MWUH HA HA HA!!! :D
 
Kittiee Katt said:
MN_Rebel MN_Rebel
I love that your school does this!!! One day I'd like to have a few Olympic pool sized ponds so I can do the same thing... One day.. When I get rich from my fish inspired clothing label.. MWUH HA HA HA!!! :D
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You'll need a lot of sales in up scale neighborhoods.
 
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