I was contemplating the eventual future, when my commons must become pondfish... probably a year or two down the road, since they're not even 2" yet. So I wandered Craigslist, seeing how common (no pun intended) posting offers of giving away pondfish would be.

I ran across an ad from a fourth-grade teacher, that was looking for a donation of an aquarium, potentially fish to go with it...

...And I've been meaning to get rid of one of my two tanks, the twenty-gallon one... so...

Am I crazy for emailing her and offering to donate the tank, two fish, and filter? The entire thing is cycled, and I know it's large enough for the two fish I'd be sending with... I don't think they plan on adding any more.

Or am I crazier for feeling a little pang of regret on the hard decision of who to send? I don't really have room in my place for two tanks, and once work gets more hectic, maintenance time will be a killer...

...But still...

Is it better to stick with a fish, or give the class a chance to experience responsible fish ownership while they're young?

Personally I would not donate it to a class room for the simple reason that I'll be worried whether the fish will suffer without proper care. The cycled filter will go waste and more than that the fish you've been looking after so dearly...

That was my concern as well.

I was contemplating typing out a mini fact-sheet, keep it simple, nice pretty goldfish picture at the top.

Just a single, really simple page on how often to feed goldfish, change the water, clean the filter in the tank water, that kind of thing... I'll be talking to the teacher face to face, and she strikes me over email as a very reliable person.

Any suggestions on what to put on it, if so, or how to phrase things?

You could send her a link to kokos. Especially the cycling link. If the teacher understands theat you have cycled the tank- and what that means- I hope she would understand the value of keeping up the water changes to preserve it.

You may find that she will care for the fish well, dont assume all schools will be terrible at it. Sadly many are but.. there is a high school teacher member here (sarah-elizabeth)who looks after her school fish well for example. And I've heard of others. You could also make sure she keeps it covered- one of the worst things is when kids drop things in the tank- pencil shavings, gum whatever- can't be too careful with crowds of kids

I do understand its a hard decision for you

I think I would email her and talk to her. Some teachers are truly looking for something that can be a learning experience for a class and you will have the opportunity to help further goldfish love and care by touching the minds of a couple dozen youngsters if you donate.

You may also find that the teacher simply wants something "prett" and distracting for the room, and you do not wish to donate.

You will never know until you talk to her, though. I would give it a shot....

You never know. I am a teacher, and as a result of visiting this site, I currently have no fish! I'm waiting until I can afford a proper tank for them. (I have a 10-gal and 100 gph power filter, but would rather not start with the bare-bones minimum.)

Thank you, Zelanie, for teaching. My eldest daughter teaches. I know it is not always a very easy course to follow - but it can be rewarding. (Frustrating, infuriating, low-paying and sometimes dangerous - but rewarding!)

The future citizens of this nation are better for your efforts.

I am also a teacher and plan in the future to have a fish tank in my classroom. I teach Special Education/Biology and have encorporated animals into my daily lesson plans. I have no doubt I could encorporate the fish and caring for them into my lesson planning with ease I'm sure. I love bringing living things into the classroom and the kids love it as well.

Half of the time I am in the building on a weekend picking something up or attending a play, game or something else anyway and with proper planning I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem. As a teacher I'm aware of who really runs the show most of the time anyways...The secretaries and the custodians, last year I made sure I sent various treats such as pizza, cupcakes (whenever I had a party I just ordered a bit extra)to the custodians in appreciation and they always made sure I was taken care of. So in that case I'm sure they'd look in on my little guys.

Awesome suggestions and personal accounts, guys and gals.

Many thanks for your input! I have a phone number for her, so I'll most likely be calling her in the next couple days just to feel out what her stance is.

And of course providing a link to Koko's articles on cycling and a few other things. As resources, not making myself out to be an official advocate from the site.

Good to hear that it's not necessarily a case of letting the inmates run the madhouse, so far as the fish's treatment are concerned... I do get the impression she plans it as part of an overall enrichment campaign, rather than just a pretty bit of background. But I'll definitely be calling her.

Thanks again!

I would also personally not give a fish and/or tank to a classroom. I would worry the fish wouldn't be looked after. Like Trinket said, kids can be careless or downright cruel. I also think it's a really hectic environment that could possibly stress the fish.

I wouldn't rush to condemn children and teachers of animal cruelty. The elementary school in my neighbourhood has a beautiful goldfish tank, it's huge, and it's inmates are healthy, happy, thriving, and very well taken care of. The tank is in the main entrance of the building, and it's wonderful to see how the children all treat the goldies as though they were their friends.

I would contact the teacher you are considering directing your donation to, and outlining some of your concerns. You could let her know of the amount of work involved with maintaining a tank, and then ask her to take some time to consider whether she is willing to take on the responsibility of your tank. Then the ball will be in her court to decide if she's up to the challenge.

Good luck with your descision!

Dana.

I am a teacher and got started with goldfish when a parent gave me 17 baby goldies from her pond for a 20 gallon tank. I immediately surfed the net and found Koko's. I have worked very hard and spent over $500 to make decent homes both at school and at home for the fish(55gal, 40 gal, and 20 gal), and so would 99% of teachers that I know. Even if they couldn't spend what I have, they would do the right thing.

You would be a better source for the tank and fish than an lfs, because you know how many fish will live well in the 20 gallon tank. If you want to make sure that the teacher knows what is involved, respond to the ad and talk to the teacher. You might get a new member of Koko's in the process.

Many teachers want to teach responsible pet ownership, but are limited to fish, because of all the allergy problems. If I had my way, I would have a dog, cat, bird, rabbit, and the fish in my classroom. It's just not possible - especially in the public schools.

Work with the teacher, at least long enough to introduce him/her to Koko's.