Why do goldfish die?

United Press International ^ | 2/17/2003 | Alex Cukan

[Charles Henrickson]

Why do goldfish die?

I think the article tells us:

. . . it's impossible to tell if a goldfish is male or female. . . .

I know that would kill me.

[Rebelbase]

The first funeral my sons ever attended was when we buried Jack, their goldfish, followed later by Roger and Danny....also goldfish.

I played taps on the harmonica and the kids shed a tear and said a prayer......That was 10+ year ago and sounds totally stupid, but it is a tender memory that comes to mind everytime I weed-eat around the tombstones in the flower bed.

[col kurz]

Ah, yes. When my young son, in distress, asked for an explaination, one goldfish floating, the other on the floor. My wife, under her breath to me, "MURDER-SUICIDE"....

[Jeff Chandler]

(from Kohler website)

...buried at sea...

[T Minus Four]

I managed to convince my kids that "burial at sea" was the only honorable way for goldfish to go. It's a couple pairs of hamsters and gerbils, and one unfortunate guina pig that are buried in the flower garden, inside size 2 shoeboxes, cushioned with kleenex and wilted flowers. Silly as it sounds, and as grieved as their little hearts were, it is a tender memory of their innocence. (Sigh)

[T Minus Four]

"MURDER-SUICIDE"....

LOL!!!!!!

[Enough is ENOUGH]

Never, never dump them down a toilet. They make good fishing bait and it teaches the kids how to be resourceful.

[socal_parrot]

I lost one of my Shubunkin Goldfish out of my pond to a Snowy Egret this weekend. Two years old and about 7 inches long. I saw the Egret fly away with the goldfish's tail hanging out of its mouth. Pretty sad.

[dogbrain]

"...they just basically swim around in circles for their entire lives in a tiny tank."

I like my fish.
They make me feel like I have a life.

But seriously, they're very relaxing to watch.
I've become quite attached to them.
Well worth the 1-2 hrs. of pond work per week.
(maybe 3 during warmer weather)
They're much quieter than the neighbors dogs & kids too...

[cartoonistx]

"It is appointed to all fish once to die and, after death, the toilet."

[col kurz]

To quote the late, great Jean Shepherd..."Kidhood rule #1, never own a pet you can't flush".......

[Mjaye]

Re: Size of 40-Something year old goldfish:

I believe it was about 5" long.

[dware]

Well, my goldfish used to die because they had the misfortune of being placed in a tank with three Piranha.

LOL - thats what ususally happens when I stick goldfish in my piranha tank, too!