Goldfish have three characteristics that make them good pets. First of all, goldfish are very quiet. They don’t bark, howl, meow, chirp, squawk, screech, or race around the house at night while you and your neighbors are trying to sleep. Second, they are economical. You can buy a goldfish at your local pet store for about 50 cents, and a small bowl for it costs less than $3.00. Water is practically free. Also, they eat only a pinch of dried fish food daily, so their food bill is quite low. Third, goldfish are very well behaved. They don’t have teeth, so they can’t chew your furniture or bite your guests. They don’t ever go outside, so they can’t dig holes in your garden. In addition, you don’t have to spend hours teaching them commands, such as “Sit!” or “Lie down!”