How should I keep and care for my goldfish?

If you like animals and wish to have a pet at home, you may have thought of buying fish as they are easy to care for in principle, although you should not think that they all need the same care. One of the most popular fishes is the Goldfish, which are very attractive to children, so if you choose to buy one, we will explain below how to take care of a Goldfish step by step.

What is a Goldfish

If you are thinking of getting a goldfish as a pet, you have made a great choice. Goldfish are one of the most common, popular, inexpensive and available types of pet fish today, and both hobbyists and breeders have been fascinated with these brilliant creatures for nearly two thousand years, resulting in hundreds and hundreds of different varieties.

Goldfish are an excellent pet for both aquatic enthusiasts and new aquarium owners. But you should know everything about these fish so you can take proper care of them, which we explain below.

Tips for caring for a Goldfish

Let’s see now step by step how you can take care of a Goldfish in the right way so that it lacks nothing, neither food, nor a good home, nor what it needs to survive longer.

Preparing a Goldfish’s home

Common goldfish are actually one of the largest species and can grow up to 45 cm. For a single common goldfish, some experts recommend a tank with a minimum size of 150 liters, while for a Goldfish a larger one (about 200 liters) is recommended.

Although it is possible to keep a goldfish in a tank, goldfish are very dirty and you will have to change the water much more often than in an aquarium. Another disadvantage of goldfish tanks is that most of them are too small to fit a filtration system, and the rounded and conical design does not provide enough surface area for proper oxygen exchange.

On the other hand, it is better not to place the tank in a place where temperatures change and avoid much natural light as it can cause algae growth if it is too bright, and windows are often draughty.

As for the aquarium water in our Goldfish, it is important that you never put untreated tap water in your aquarium, as chlorine and other heavy metals and pollutants can kill the fish. You should keep the tank full, leaving about 5 cm of space at the top.

Goldfish prefer cold water, but are also known to live in slightly warmer water. The ideal water temperature for common goldfish is between 65 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. To make sure you get to those temperatures you should have a thermometer in your aquarium.

What can a Goldfish eat?

In the wild, Goldfish chew on aquatic plants, fish eggs, insect larvae, crustaceans, and even other smaller fish. As pets, goldfish are still omnivorous, but the menu changes slightly.

All fish foods are not created equal, and foods that are made specifically for Golsfish will have different nutrients that will be suitable for their development, so try to buy food specifically for this fish species. Goldfish food generally contains less protein and more carbohydrates than other types of fish food, so we insist that it must be specific food for them and it is strictly forbidden to give them human food.

However, as a special gift, you can feed your Goldfish with boiled vegetables (cut into small pieces of course) such as peas, carrots, oranges or zucchini, freeze-dried brine shrimp and bloodworms. Also, try to feed your Goldfish freeze-dried foods instead of live foods whenever possible to avoid disease transfer.

How often do I need to feed my Goldfish?

Goldfish are excellent pets for travelers because they can go up to 2 weeks without food. However, it is best to provide your fish with an automatic fish feeder if you plan to leave for an extended period of time.

It is also important not to overfeed your fish. Usually, a small amount of food two or three times a day will be enough, but it depends on the amount of fish. Any food left uneaten will sink to the bottom of the tank, decompose and contaminate the water. Goldfish’s metabolisms slow down and accelerate with water temperature, so if the water is cold, you may not even need to eat as often.

How to clean a Goldfish aquarium

  • If you have a large aquarium that is equipped with a water filter, you will probably need to change the water and clean the tank every two to four weeks or so. Of course, if you notice algae or contaminants in the water, you should clean them first. For small aquariums or fish tanks that do not have filters, more cleaning and water changes will be required.
  • There are many tools to clean your aquarium well, but if you opt for home remedies, it is important to know that you should never use soap or dish detergents when cleaning your goldfish tank or decoration. When cleaning your aquarium or fish tank, always remove any decorations and rinse it well with warm water. If possible, try not to remove the fish from the tank while cleaning it, as environmental changes can stress the fish and make them sick.
  • Clean the glass with a clean paper towel or aquarium cleaning tool and use a gravel vacuum to clean the gravel or substrate. When using a gravel vacuum, you will have to stop once the water level in the tank has dropped by about a third, which will give you enough time to clean most of the gravel and the entire tank.
  • When changing the water, make sure the temperature is the same as the water temperature in the tank before you fill it up.