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Goldfish |
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Goldfish, species of soft-finned, freshwater fish also known as Carassius auratus. Goldfish usually measure about 8 to 15 cm (about 3 to 6 in) in length, although some have attained a size exceeding 30 cm (12 in). Goldfish are exceptionally long-lived and have been reported to reach an age of 43 years. Caring for your Goldfish Most goldfish keepers believe that
for goldfish to thrive, they require at least 10 gallons per fish with more
always better. In ponds, 30-50 gallons per fish is better. Goldfish are also
used to much lower temperatures than tropical freshwater fish, so usually a
heater is not required, however if you use one, it is recommended to keep it set
between 50 or 60 degrees Fahrenheit (60°F or slightly higher for fancier
varieties). Never set the heater over 75°F, they do not like these higher
temperatures, however they can tolerate these temperatures, even into the 90's
for a few days, for only the length of a normal hot spell in summer. Compared to your smaller tropical fish, goldfish produce a lot more waste. It is usually recommended not to keep goldfish with your tropical fish because of this. The waste creates higher levels of ammonia which are extremely poisonous to tropical fish. Goldfish tend to have a bit more tolerance for these higher levels of ammonia, because of their increased levels of waste. Therefore, in the case that you have goldfish in a smaller aquarium, you will find yourself maintaining it more often, including more water changes. Having sufficient filtration is also very much recommended to help reduce the amount of maintenance that you have to perform on your aquarium.
Keeping your Goldfish Happy Goldfish grow large if given proper room and food. Common goldfish with 50+ gallons to swim in, grow easily to a foot long. When a goldfish is in a bowl, many conditions, such as those below, can stunt the growth of the goldfish, and hence the saying that goldfish only grow as large as the area they are in. Aquarists often say that goldfish need stimulation which is why they do poorly in a small bowl or tank. While all fish need stimulation to thrive, goldfish seem to especially need it. Mental or intellectual stimulation arises from having other fish to interact with; things to play with like plants, rocks, etc.; a variety of foods to eat; places to explore; etc. In a tank, to provide the fish with more excitement, about once a month, rearrange the fake plants and ornaments in the tank. Also, provide a variety of foods from flakes to pellets to live foods to frozen to freeze dried. Ponds over a few hundred gallons provide plenty of excitement with new places to explore, live food around every corner, and other fish. Physical stimulation comes from having room to swim, other goldfish to touch, and a chance to spawn. Without both types of stimulation, a goldfish may become ill, swim little, or generally do nothing (act bored or, personifying it, seem depressed). More Information See some of different types of goldfish in our 'Fish Types' section. Get information on diseases of goldfish at our 'Disease and Medicine' section.
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Your
fish will be happiest and healthiest in an aquarium with a filtration and
aeration system. It is not recommended that you keep a goldfish in a bowl
due to several factors, some in which are listed in the paragraph below.
Although goldfish can live several months in a bowl or small aquarium, most
bowl-kept goldfish die an early life because of the water conditions, and other
accompanying factors. If you decide to keep fish in a glass bowl, choose a fish
such as a betta that can breathe at the surface of the water.