How to Care for Goldfish

One of the most rewarding hobbies I’ve had throughout my life is the raising of exotic goldfish. Ever since I was a teen, I have loved to look at these delicate little dancers as they bob and swim in their beautiful home.
by floradoragirl35 December 4, 2009, in Fish & Aquariums

A couple of years ago, I bought a 75 gallon aquarium, and I now house a variety of colorful and beautiful goldfish.

Goldfish are a very common pet however they are very misunderstood by most people. Just like every living thing on the planet, the goldfish requires special care. Putting a fish into a tiny bowl is not only cruel, but the fish will die after a short period of time.

For novice fish owners, I suggest starting with a small ten to twenty gallon aquarium. The aquarium must have a canopy, preferably with a fluorescent light on top, a biological filter and a good supply of air from a pump with an air stone attached. These are crucial to these living beauties. I suggest a biological filter as it promotes healthy bacteria to grow which can fight off a number of ailments, most common of all bacterial or fungal infections which can kill your fish. Never ever flush a live fish down the toilet. It is extremely cruel, and the fish will have a horrible time before it finally dies in the sewer system.

One must also have some special chemical tests to do water testing. I suggest a pH test kit, an ammonia test kit as well as a nitrite test kit. This may be a little costly up front, but these tests last for a long time and can save you from losing your precious fish. A pH level of seven is perfect, and even trace amounts of ammonia in the water can kill off your entire stock in a short time.

Some other chemicals I recommend is a water conditioner and an ammonia neutralizing chemical such as Ammo-Lock. Also chemicals to raise or lower the pH are extremely important to have on hand. All of these above necessities can be purchased at your local pet store. Once you have put your aquarium in an ideal place and set up the pump and filter, it is a good idea to wait for at least 48 hours for any chemicals that may be toxic to your fish to evaporate from the water. Fish brought home from the pet store should remain in the plastic bag for about 30 minutes before releasing him into his new environment. If you are wondering how many fish to keep, simply go by gallons. A twenty gallon tank can house no more than four goldfish or one fish for five gallons. Any more than that and overcrowding will result. The tiny little fish you bring home from the pet store will grow fast, and putting too many little fish into a tank will only mean that you will have to upgrade the size of the aquarium.

Two great things to keep around the house are: Natural sea salt without the iodine and plain old baking soda. Baking soda is a great way to raise a low pH level. This must be done with great care, as raising or lowering the pH can put fish into shock. Remember that water to your little friends is like the air is to us. Any major changes can result in disaster. Non Iodized sea salt is a wonderful cure all for many goldfish ailments. Once again, exercise caution when adding sea salts into the tank. Too much can be harmful, while too little is ineffective.

There is a very easy way to distinguish good bacteria from the bad. Good bacteria has an earthy almost lake water smell to it. It is not very noticeable nor is it unpleasant, and it is a key element in keeping healthy fish. A bad bacterium has the unpleasant odor of rotten eggs. If you smell that, you must do a partial water change immediately and use the appropriate chemicals. If you are having a difficult time with bad bacteria, you can use a product like “Cycle” which helps increase good bacteria cultures, thus lowering the bad.

I recommend doing a bi-monthly water change of twenty percent which can easily be done with an aquarium vacuum (purchased at most pet stores) and a bucket. Removing uneaten food and waste from the bottom of the tank is a great way to keep the water clean and healthy. Also, the filter must be cleaned when it becomes clogged or it will lose its efficiency.

Goldfish are cold water fish, and do not require a heater. I do suggest using a thermometer which sticks to the glass of outside wall of the tank to make sure no fluctuation in temperature is occuring. Keep aquariums away from heaters and air conditioning units.

Decorating the aquarium can be a fun thing to do. Goldfish do not work well with live plants as they tend to eat them. I suggest silk plants with weights on the bottoms to be the best bet. Also, any decoration with sharp or rough edges should be avoided as they can tear delicate fins and cause injury to your pets.

Fish are a wonderful addition to almost any home. Just like any other living creature, they must be tended regularly and with love. A well cared for goldfish can last over ten years, while the average life span for one of these beautiful creatures is only three weeks due to ignorance by the owner.

Goldfish have many interesting traits that many people don’t even realize. I have had fish my whole life and my oldest one now is almost nine years old. When he goes to the bottom to sleep (from his age) his mate will go down after a little while and give him a nudge to see if he is okay. It is very touching to watch them chase each other and play in the water. Fish are also prone to mating up, and can even die if they are separated from their partner. Goldfish actually do recognize their owner, as the one who feeds them. They will come to the surface for food all the time, but don’t give in to their guilt tactics. Overfeeding fish can cause the water quality to decrease.

Goldfish are very messy fish to keep, and I recommend only feeding a little once or twice a day. There are a variety of wonderful foods on the market, and you will find many treats to give your little friends. Variety in diet is important for health, and just like you don’t want to eat liver and onions seven days a week, your fish doesn’t want to eat the same food every day either.

Goldfish have been worshipped in both Japan and China for thousands of years. They are a member of the carp family, and are very hardy little creatures if given the proper care. There are virtually endless color combinations and body types, and no fish is exactly like another.

Orandas are quite popular because of their facial features which are also called the “wen”. The larger and more perfect the wen, the more valuable the fish becomes. Telescope fish are known for their googly eyes. These fish are prone to losing an eye on sharp objects, so be sure that there is nothing like that in his home.

Signs of illness are:

1. Bloated body with scales standing out in pinecone fashion. AKA dropsy, usually fatal. Results from untreated bacterial infections and presence of ammonia in the water.

2. Fish sitting at the bottom of the tank, clamped fins or bobbing at the top gasping for air. Flashing or swimming rapidly in the water signifies possible poor water quality. Test the aquarium immediately and check for ammonia problems. Treat the tank accordingly.

3. Fish with strange salt and pepper spots (ick) or fluffy patches attached to them is a sign of fungal infection. Pet stores carry a variety of medicines to treat your fish.

4. Fins that appear to be rotting, or blood present in the rays of the fins. Bloody or raw patches anywhere on the body signify a serious fungal infection resulting from poor water quality.

A small five or ten gallon hospital tank is very important and should be kept in case an illness does strike. It is necessary to separate the sick fish immediately to prevent the spreading of the disease, and for the ease of treatment. Remember, that even the most careful of fish keepers can sometimes have a sick fish.

I hope that this article helps anyone who is considering starting an aquarium at home. Aquariums are proven to reduce stress, and they create a sense of calm and peacefulness that is unequaled by almost anything else. These are tips that I have learned through trial and error in my journey as a fish keeper. I hope that by sharing what has worked for me, many beginning fish owners will not make the same mistakes that I had in the past.