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new home. It is best not feed them for about 8 hours after they first arrive. They will be under stress for the first 48 hours, and it is not advisable to burden their digestive systems. goldfish are better underfed than overfed. They will overeat, and they can bloat up and die. There are many excellent products that help to reduce the effects of environmental changes and keep gills healthy. Make your own inquiries-we are still learning four years later. Some things to consider for keeping your pond and everything in it healthy and thriving:

(a) Fish need care and attention. I was appalled by one person's attitude when I asked them what they were going to do with their fish over the winter. They casually said, "Just let them freeze, I will buy some more in the spring." I am sorry this cavalier attitude about wildlife is part of the reason we are losing them at an alarming rate. Granted fish are not as cuddly as a kitten or a puppy, but they are a life form and just like other plants and animals, they need certain things in their environment to flourish.

In our case we discovered the fish had grown dramatically in our large outdoor pond. This required a 135-gallon aquarium to over-winter our seven that survived out of the ten we had. A number of them are doing very well, and we have never placed them outside again. It is stressful for them to be moved back and forth in the spring and fall. Like any other pet, they need care and attention, and if you like to get away on weekends-who is going to look after your pond life then? We were called home from a camping trip because our pond sprung a leak. Thankfully, we were within driving distance from home, but had we been in Kenora-the fish would all be dead.

Some of the other challenges that come with fish (apart from regular feeding) are that goldfish generate a lot of waste. The filters and purification systems need to be closely monitored so they do not clog up. Good filtration systems can be costly, but the fish cannot survive without them. The filter removes excess particles from the water. The pump re-cycles water to the surface of the pond. This is necessary to keep oxygen in the pond so the fish can breathe properly. They breathe in the water so if the water is unhealthy, the fish die.

(b) As mentioned above, fish also need wide leafed plants like water lilies for shade from the hot sun. These plants are fairly expensive, and can be tricky to over-winter. It can be a challenge to find the proper balance in

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