Goldfish are known as a classic "first pet" for kids. So they should be easy to care for, right? Not exactly. Many goldfish won in carnivals, given as prizes at summer camps or bought as gifts don't live more than 3-4 days.
But knowing what kind of aquarium or fish tank to buy, how to set it up properly and test the water, when to add fish and how to feed and care for them right from the beginning can save beginner goldfish owners lots of trouble...and prevent trips to the bathroom for "burials at sea"!
Top 10 Goldfish Care Tips for Beginners
Setting up a goldfish aquarium takes time and patience - and novice goldfish owners may be surprised at just how scientific the process is. But it can be a great learning experience (and chemistry lesson!) for kids and adults too.
- Buy a big enough goldfish aquarium: The classic round goldfish bowl with the narrow opening at the top is actually one of the poorest choices for keeping fish alive and healthy, according to many experts, who recommend adding no more than 2-3 inches of fish per gallon of water. So 2 goldfish would do fine in a 2-gallon tank, but more than that would lead to crowded, messy conditions - and more work for the owner. Bigger tanks, oddly enough, require a lot less work and less frequent water changes than tiny tanks.
- Buy a water filter with an air pump: Goldfish need highly oxygenated air because unlike betta fish, they can't breathe air from the surface of the water.
- Buy the right aquarium accessories: Gravel for the bottom is great - it provides a place for beneficial bacteria to grow, and those bacteria can help keep harmful ammonia at a low level. Just make sure the gravel bits are not too small, because the fish might try to eat them!
- Do a "fishless cycle" before adding fish: As described here, a fishless cycle that includes setting up the tank, introducing ammonia and encouraging the growth of friendly bacteria is a kind way to prepare the goldfish's new home before they ever leave the pet store.
- Feed goldfish the right food: Goldfish flakes that are formulated for their dietary needs are a great choice for their regular feedings, but they are omnivores who also like a little creativity. Small bits of boiled romaine lettuce, cooked peas or even bits of hard-boiled egg are all healthy goldfish treats.
- Don't overfeed the goldfish: It's fun to watch goldfish darting around after their flakes, but they should not be fed any more than they can eat in about 3 minutes. A good way to figure out how much food is needed is to time them the first time they are fed and see how much food is consumed in 3 minutes, then remove anything they haven't eaten in that time. There are two reasons for this: one is that goldfish love to eat and will overstuff themselves, which is not healthy; the other reason is that leftover food can rot and lead to toxic chemicals in the water.
- Test water regularly: Once the fish have been added, do regular tests for the pH (which should be in the 7-8 range) and levels of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Ammonia and nitrite are very harmful, so anything over 0 ppm is bad. Nitrate is okay up to about 40 ppm. It is possible to buy handy test strips that test for most or all of these water factors at once.
- Use an aquarium thermometer: Goldfish, unlike tropical fish, are more of a cold-water fish that thrive when the water temperature is about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. But the water should not be much colder than that, or goldfish will become sluggish and stop eating.
- Change the water regularly: For a 1- or 2-gallon goldfish tank, about 25-30% of the water should be changed once or twice a week. Run the replacement water into a clean container, add water conditioner (which removes chemicals like chlorine from tap water) and let it sit overnight. Try not to remove the fish during the water change if possible. Also, 100% water changes are not recommended because they remove the healthy bacteria that help keep harmful chemicals in check!
- Learn about goldfish diseases and how to treat them: Ich, velvet, constipation, "pop eye" and other common goldfish diseases can kill goldfish off quickly - but not if their owner knows how to spot symptoms in time and treat them.
Owning goldfish can be a fun and rewarding hobby that's worth all the research and preparation that the owner puts into creating a healthy, interesting and beautiful goldfish talk or aquarium.
Natalie Cooper - Natalie Cooper is a freelance writer and mother of three small children, which has given her experience with not only parenting, but ...
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