Many people love goldfish because they are cheap and easy to care for. I agree, but i also see many problems that most don't understand. For instance a goldfish should live to be 5 years old without a problem. Most people lose their fish in the first few years, if not the first few months or even weeks. This is because they are lead to believe that the fish is too hardy, or is too wimpy. Allow me to explain with 10 simple guidelines for getting the longest healthiest lives out of your goldfish:
1.) Those small gallon sized bowls that you get at the pet store are not enough for a goldfish. Goldfish came from the Chinese, and they would have a tradition of bringing a few select fish from the ponds inside for a center piece during special occasions. They DID NOT keep the fish in those small bowls, jars, and vases for long periods of time. A few days at the most. The oxygen levels will drop and the ammonia levels will rise.
-- the proper size is approx. 3 gallons per fish. So a 10 gallon tanks can safely hold 3 gold fish. Much less than 3 gallons per fish will cause the build up of ammonia. (goldfish go to the bathroom a lot, and they have high concentrations of ammonia in their waste)
2.) Water conditions. Temperature of the water should remain at room temperature. These fish originate from Carp. They are not Tropical, so shouldn't be above 85 degrees F. and are not cold water like trout; therefor shouldn't fall below 55 degrees F. But for fish in general, this 30 degree spread is very hardy. Keep the fish in this temperature range and they'll not only stay active and live longer, but they'll also keep a strong color! Once a goldfishes color changes, it wont change back.
In addition to temperature the water itself doesn't have to be perfect bottled water. But if you do get it from tap water be sure to let it sit in an open container for 24 hours to allow the chlorine (that we treat our water supplies with) to evaporate out. Not doing so can cause the fish to die early.
3.) Not too clean and not too dirty. Cleaning a goldfish tank weekly or even every other week is unnecessary. These fish are built for backyard ponds. There is no need for chemical cleaning, and changing the rocks is a no no. Choose your gravel or sand wisely when you get the fish, because that's what they should remain with for the rest of their lives. You can take the rocks out and rinse them, but don't use soaps and chemicals. Over time good bacteria and nitrates will build up amongst the gravel and aid to fighting off infections and diseases for the fish.
-- Instead of changing all the water and rocks every so often, simply change 25% of the water every other week.
--it's a myth that goldfish go to the bathroom more than other fish.
4.) They are fresh water fish. This means that adding salt to the tank is bad for their kidneys. Adding salt to a fresh water fish's aquarium will always cause more problems than solve.
5.) Goldfish have a stomach. Some people have gone under the impression that goldfish have no stomach, or that they have a large stomach, therefore can eat a lot. This isn't true. They eat small amounts at a time. They graze throughout the day. So feed them small amounts approx. 2 or 3 times a day. If you miss a feeding now and then, that's fine. Fish are coldblooded and therefore have a slower metabolic rate. But they still need to be fed. Forget too often, and you'll find them belly up.
6.) Goldfish are bottom feeders. They where domesticated and bred from Carp. This means they will actually suck up the food like a vacuum with the surrounding water and filter it out. So when you put the food at the top of the water it causes them to swallow air from the surface. This causes problems in their little stomachs and digestive system. This too can cause damage that will kill the fish in time, greatly shortening their life expectancy.
-- Always put the food (pellets, or flakes, or fruit pieces) in a small cup of water and wait for the food to sink, then put it in the tank so that it sinks below the surface.
7.) They need some kind of filtration. They don't always need air bubbles, if you are giving them the proper 3 gallon per fish. But proper filtration is a must. Even in ponds the water is naturally turning, and the algae is filtering out the water. Change the filter whenever it reaches the point that water is no longer flowing through as it should. If the filter is getting plugged with gunk and you are needing to change it every month or more, than you are feeding them too much.
8.) Stimulation. There are two sides to fish stimulation. The mental and the physical. Mental stimulation is a must, for instance plants, rocks, and things like bridges for the fish to interact with, and other fish. These are a must for a fish to have low stress levels, just like any animal.
Then there is the physical stimulation, such as our interacting with the fish. If you are constantly poking at the glass or kids are sticking their hands in and trying to catch them, they will panic and like any creature, their hearts will race and they'll cause stress hormones to build up and likely get them sick. Instead build up trust with the fish. Such as when you feed them, stay there and watch them calmly for a few minutes so they get use to you. Over time they'll even follow your hand around like a puppy. I have had several fish that i have even been able to pet.
9.) Don't place the tank near windows, or air vents. The temperature should change seasonally. Not daily. If the water temperature changes too much too often, this will cause stress, and kill the fish.
10.) Fish do not "grow to the size of a tank". They grow like anything else. Keeping them in too small a tank will cause them to be stunted and lead to health problems, again killing the fish.
By following these guidelines i can assure you that your fish will live long happy lives. I have several goldfish myself that are 5 years or older.
1.) Those small gallon sized bowls that you get at the pet store are not enough for a goldfish. Goldfish came from the Chinese, and they would have a tradition of bringing a few select fish from the ponds inside for a center piece during special occasions. They DID NOT keep the fish in those small bowls, jars, and vases for long periods of time. A few days at the most. The oxygen levels will drop and the ammonia levels will rise.
-- the proper size is approx. 3 gallons per fish. So a 10 gallon tanks can safely hold 3 gold fish. Much less than 3 gallons per fish will cause the build up of ammonia. (goldfish go to the bathroom a lot, and they have high concentrations of ammonia in their waste)
2.) Water conditions. Temperature of the water should remain at room temperature. These fish originate from Carp. They are not Tropical, so shouldn't be above 85 degrees F. and are not cold water like trout; therefor shouldn't fall below 55 degrees F. But for fish in general, this 30 degree spread is very hardy. Keep the fish in this temperature range and they'll not only stay active and live longer, but they'll also keep a strong color! Once a goldfishes color changes, it wont change back.
In addition to temperature the water itself doesn't have to be perfect bottled water. But if you do get it from tap water be sure to let it sit in an open container for 24 hours to allow the chlorine (that we treat our water supplies with) to evaporate out. Not doing so can cause the fish to die early.
3.) Not too clean and not too dirty. Cleaning a goldfish tank weekly or even every other week is unnecessary. These fish are built for backyard ponds. There is no need for chemical cleaning, and changing the rocks is a no no. Choose your gravel or sand wisely when you get the fish, because that's what they should remain with for the rest of their lives. You can take the rocks out and rinse them, but don't use soaps and chemicals. Over time good bacteria and nitrates will build up amongst the gravel and aid to fighting off infections and diseases for the fish.
-- Instead of changing all the water and rocks every so often, simply change 25% of the water every other week.
--it's a myth that goldfish go to the bathroom more than other fish.
4.) They are fresh water fish. This means that adding salt to the tank is bad for their kidneys. Adding salt to a fresh water fish's aquarium will always cause more problems than solve.
5.) Goldfish have a stomach. Some people have gone under the impression that goldfish have no stomach, or that they have a large stomach, therefore can eat a lot. This isn't true. They eat small amounts at a time. They graze throughout the day. So feed them small amounts approx. 2 or 3 times a day. If you miss a feeding now and then, that's fine. Fish are coldblooded and therefore have a slower metabolic rate. But they still need to be fed. Forget too often, and you'll find them belly up.
6.) Goldfish are bottom feeders. They where domesticated and bred from Carp. This means they will actually suck up the food like a vacuum with the surrounding water and filter it out. So when you put the food at the top of the water it causes them to swallow air from the surface. This causes problems in their little stomachs and digestive system. This too can cause damage that will kill the fish in time, greatly shortening their life expectancy.
-- Always put the food (pellets, or flakes, or fruit pieces) in a small cup of water and wait for the food to sink, then put it in the tank so that it sinks below the surface.
7.) They need some kind of filtration. They don't always need air bubbles, if you are giving them the proper 3 gallon per fish. But proper filtration is a must. Even in ponds the water is naturally turning, and the algae is filtering out the water. Change the filter whenever it reaches the point that water is no longer flowing through as it should. If the filter is getting plugged with gunk and you are needing to change it every month or more, than you are feeding them too much.
8.) Stimulation. There are two sides to fish stimulation. The mental and the physical. Mental stimulation is a must, for instance plants, rocks, and things like bridges for the fish to interact with, and other fish. These are a must for a fish to have low stress levels, just like any animal.
Then there is the physical stimulation, such as our interacting with the fish. If you are constantly poking at the glass or kids are sticking their hands in and trying to catch them, they will panic and like any creature, their hearts will race and they'll cause stress hormones to build up and likely get them sick. Instead build up trust with the fish. Such as when you feed them, stay there and watch them calmly for a few minutes so they get use to you. Over time they'll even follow your hand around like a puppy. I have had several fish that i have even been able to pet.
9.) Don't place the tank near windows, or air vents. The temperature should change seasonally. Not daily. If the water temperature changes too much too often, this will cause stress, and kill the fish.
10.) Fish do not "grow to the size of a tank". They grow like anything else. Keeping them in too small a tank will cause them to be stunted and lead to health problems, again killing the fish.
By following these guidelines i can assure you that your fish will live long happy lives. I have several goldfish myself that are 5 years or older.
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