A goldfish may seem like a quick and easy pet — just toss it in a tank and make sure you feed it! But there is much more to goldfish care if you want your fish to live a long and healthy life. Ten years or more is not an unusual lifespan for a well-cared-for goldfish.
Tank Tips:
- Pick a tank that has a hood — it keeps the fish from jumping out and keeps debris out of the tank.
- Pick gravel that isn’t too sharp — you don’t want your goldfish to hurt himself searching for food.
- Fish love places to hide! Pick decorations without sharp edges that are specifically designed for fish tanks.
- A temperature between fifty and sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit is ideal.
- Try to provide ten gallons of water for each fish so your tank won’t be overcrowded.
- Place your tank in an often-used room. The more you watch your fish, the sooner you’ll know when something is wrong.
- Keep the tank out of direct sunlight or you’ll have algae problems!
Experts suggest NOT buying your tank and your fish at the same time. Buy your tank first and get it set up. It will take a few days — up to two weeks — to prepare the water for your goldfish.
Feeding Tips:
- Stick to prepackaged fish foods if you are a fish beginner.
- Goldfish have different nutritional needs than other fish. Pick a food specifically made for goldfish.
- Goldfish need more carbohydrates than other fish!
- Don’t overfeed your fish! Give them enough food for a few minutes of eating and no more.
- Remove leftover food from the tank — it can pollute the tank as it decomposes.
Adding new fish to your tank? You should quarantine new goldfish for at least thirty days before placing them in with your existing fish. A second quarantine aquarium will be useful in this situation! When you are ready to add your new fish, take them out with your hands, rather than a net — this helps preserve your goldfish’s slime coat. The slime coat protects a goldfish from harmful bacteria in the water.