Read This Before Taking Home a Goldfish from an Indiana Festival or Fair

This past weekend, my friend posted about her daughter winning a goldfish at last year's Fall Festival, joking that she hoped a second fish wasn’t in their future. It’s funny how giving away goldfish as carnival prizes has become such a longstanding tradition, even though it seems a bit odd considering they’re living creatures.

I remember winning one as a kid and managed to keep it alive for a few years. I even turned my little setup into quite an aquatic operation!

I tried to look up the origins of this tradition but didn’t find much. I guess it must have started with someone in carnival history who had a surplus of goldfish and thought it was a fun, cheap prize that felt like a real treasure.

The sad reality, though, is that most people who win these fair goldfish aren’t prepared to care for them. Goldfish can live for up to 15 years! Instead, many folks rush to Walmart for the bare minimum—a small bowl and some fish food. If the fish is lucky enough to survive past the first day, it gets colorful rocks and a plastic plant. Unfortunately, they end up living in a tiny, barren environment with little stimulation, often because people just assume they don’t need much.

But that couldn’t be further from the truth…

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Do Goldfish Only Remember the Last Three Seconds?

Not only do goldfish remember well beyond three seconds, but they actually have impressive long-term memories! According to Live Science, studies have shown that goldfish can be trained to navigate mazes and escape nets, indicating they’re quite social and can recognize other fish. Some research even suggests they can recognize the people in their lives!

How to Enrich Your Goldfish's Life

Goldfish are intelligent creatures, and I can’t imagine spending my life in a tiny glass bowl with nothing to do. If you bring a goldfish home, treat it like a pet and provide some stimulation. There’s even a helpful thread on Reddit where goldfish owners share tips for keeping these smart fish engaged:

1. Provide a Large Enough Tank: The Spruce Pets recommends starting with a 20-gallon tank and upgrading to 50, 75, or even 100 gallons as your fish grows.
2. Create a Natural Environment: Include sand and live plants to make their habitat more stimulating.
3. Give Them Friends: Goldfish are social creatures, so consider getting more than one!
4. Buy Enrichment Items: Yes, you can buy enrichment items for your fish. They are available at pet stores and online.
5. Ping Pong Balls: You can place them on the water’s surface for the fish to play with, or drill holes in them and hide food inside for a fun challenge.
6. Play Games: Some owners suggest running bloodworms along the side of the tank and encouraging your fish to follow the trail.
7. Buy Them a Goldfish Car: just kidding - but it's fun to watch these lucky fish go for a "stroll."

By enriching their lives, we can help our goldfish thrive and show them just how special they are!

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What Should I Do If I Don't Want the Prize Goldfish?

Back in 2021, a bill was introduced in Illinois to make it illegal to give away small animals like goldfish as prizes at carnivals. Many people believe this practice is outdated and cruel. Often, these fish are jostled around and kept in water that isn’t properly tested, leading to many dying before they even have a chance to become family pets.

Sadly, some people who win unwanted fish end up dumping them, flushing them, or tossing them into ponds. It’s important to remember that goldfish can grow large and become invasive, so please avoid doing that. The best approach is to simply refuse the goldfish prize and inform well-meaning grandparents or friends who take your kids to the Fall Festival not to bring home an unwanted pet.

If you want your kids to have the experience of caring for a goldfish, please be prepared and treat the little animal with the respect and kindness it deserves. Proper care and a suitable environment can make a world of difference!