In 1974 a man by the name of Keith Allies, won two goldfish at a fair and named them Fred and George. Little did he know, the fish would become his companions for the next 44 years of his life. Keith was able to share many monumental milestones with his two fish friends, including his marriage, moving into his first home, and becoming a first time father. Sadly, Fred passed away in 2017, which led to the decline of health in his friend, George, who passed away two years later, in 2019 (Middleton, 2019). Throughout their lifetime, these two old fishy souls have been mascots of the community, and one can argue, for all of Britain.
The real question is, how did those fish live for so long. It is known that most animals who live in captivity live longer lives than those in the wild but 44 years is a longgg time. Scientists and pet enthusiasts have given some helpful tips on how to extend your fish friend’s life including:
- Use the largest tank possible
- Provide enrichment for the fish
- Increase oxygen diffusion into the water
- Keep tank clean
- Allow water temperature to change as seasons change
- Properly feed your fish (Robert, 2021)
RIP George and Fred
Middleton, Lucy. “George, Britain’s Oldest Goldfish, Dies Aged 44.” Metro, Metro.co.uk, 15 Apr. 2019, https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/15/george-britains-oldest-goldfish-dies-aged-44-9210539/.
Robert. “How Long Do Goldfish Live? 5 Ways to Increase Their Lifespan.” Fishkeeping World, 28 Sept. 2021, https://www.fishkeepingworld.com/how-long-do-goldfish-live/.