Goldfish

Proper filtration and a good feed are all that it takes for your beautiful Goldfish to stay healthy and happy. Now the important question is what to feed your Goldfish. Goldfish require a good amount of protein, along with minerals and vitamins in their diet. The fat content should be less.

Today you have a wide variety of formulated goldfish food available, such as TetraFin Goldfish Flakes, Wardley Goldfish Pellets, Wardley Total Goldfish. You get them in both flakes and pellets form. All you need to do is choose which would be best for your Goldfish.

Apart from these formulated foods you can also give them leafy vegetables, brine shrimps, bloodworms or earthworm flakes. This would be different and your Goldfish would enjoy it.

Feeding Goldfish

Whatever food you choose to feed your Goldfish, offer just a small quantity. Do not feed them in excess. Splitting the feed into several smaller ones than a single large one is better. Goldfish have a unique digestive tract. So avoid feeding them to much.

After a feed make sure you remove all the excess food. If not, it would decay in the water and pollute the water.

Goldfish love to eat and will very quickly learn to zoom to the top of the tank to beg for food when they see you pass by.

Goldfish are omnivorous and should be fed a variety of foods. They must have a balance of both protein rich foods and vegetation. Too much protein in the diet will not be utilized and will result in excess waste.

Goldfish should only be fed once a day (more often for babies and fry) and only as much as they can eat in 2 minutes. If there is left over food in the tank, in the gravel or floating around you are feeding too much!!! Cut back so you don’t cause water quality problems with rotting uneaten food. One day a week of fasting, or not feeding anything is recommended by many fish keepers to rest and clear out their digestive system.

Food specifically formulated for Goldfish will have a higher carbohydrate and lower protein content.

Trails of waste that hang from your Goldfish is a sign of overfeeding or constipation. A proper and varied diet will prevent this.

I recommend pre-soaking all dried foods in a small cup of tank water for 2-3 minutes before pouring it slowly into your fish tank. This is because fish can overeat dry foods and then become bloated as the dry food absorbs water in their intestinal tract. It is also important to do this so that your fish does not swallow large amounts of air while eating, which can lead to swim bladder disease.

Choosing Good Goldfish Food

Goldfish always appear hungry and will automatically eat if you constantly feed them. Overfeeding can lead to discomfort and illness for your little fish. If you notice a string of feces trailing behind your fish as it swims, this is a sign that you are overfeeding it.

Only feed them twice a day at the very most and only put in as much food as they can consume within 2-3 minutes. Goldfish are cold-blooded creatures so they don’t need to metabolize a huge amount of food to create energy.

So what exactly should you feed your new Goldfish? This is an extremely simple question to answer because goldfish love variety. They are considered to be omnivores. This means that they will eat anything they can find. The most common foods can be picked up at any local pet store.

Dry Food for Goldfish

Dry pellets are a fine choice but you should remember to soak them in the tank water for about 3 minutes to let them expand before the fish eat them. If you don’t, then they will expand inside the fish and this could cause constipation. It is recommended that you feed your fish approximately 5-10 pellets per day.

Dry pellets can also cause problems with the fish’s swim bladder. The swim bladder is an organ that fills with air that allows a fish to rise and sink in the water. Dry food pellets can block the swim bladder and cause the fish to swim sideways or upside down. Most fish foods come in the form of flakes and the Goldfish also enjoy dining on frozen, live, and gel based foods.

Bloodworms and Brine Shrimp for Goldfish

Blood worms and brine shrimp are tasty treats that your Goldfish will. You should not feed your fish these delicacies too often as they are very high in protein and could cause digestive problems. Also opt for the freeze-dried varieties portions rather than fresh as there is less chance of introducing parasites into your fish’s environment.

Vegetables for Goldfish

Vegetables are a favored cuisine as long as they are blanched. This means that they should be partially cooked or steamed and then cooled before feeding them to your pets. Romaine lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, peas, and carrots are some healthy choices to add to your fish’s diet.

Bad Food for Goldfish

A fish’s digestive system is not equipped to break down foods containing lactose, such as cheese. Other foods like ground beef are also not a good food choice as it doesn’t contain the necessary nutrients for your goldfish.

If this is what you decide to feed your fish it will become malnourished and then eventually die. Even if your fish don’t eat this food, they can develop infections by the bacteria and germs that are introduced into the water.

Types of Goldfish Food:

Flakes:

• PROS: Easy, inexpensive, large variety.
• CONS: Processed, lots of varieties contain large amounts of filler, fish swallow a lot of air by eating from the surface which over time may lead to swim bladder problems.

I recommend putting your flakes in a small cup of tank water for 3 minutes to soak before pouring them slowly into the tank. This ensures that the food is already moist and it will slowly sink rather than floating at the surface.

Pellets:

• PROS: Easy, better than flakes for large goldfish.
• CONS: Should be soaked before feeding or it can be hard on digestion over time.

There are both sinking and floating pellets, and small and large sized pellets available. Pellets are a good overall staple food.

Freeze Dried:

PROS: Easy, its a whole food item
CONS: Should be soaked before feeding or it can be hard on digestion over time.

Freeze dried Tubifex, Krill, Plankton, Brine Shrimp, and Blood Worms provide high protein foods.

Frozen:

• PROS: High quality food for superb health, convenient compared to fresh, growth and color
• CONS: Expensive, messy, time consuming.

Frozen foods are available in both blister packs and solid slabs. I recommend the individual serving sizes in the blister packs over the single frozen slab because its much easier to grab what you need.

Fresh:

• PROS: High quality food for superb health, its a whole food item
• CONS: Time consuming, expensive

You can feed your Goldfish fresh chopped leafy greens, chopped fresh peas (will outer skin removed), chopped fresh earthworms and night crawlers, chopped fresh mealworms, and hatched brine shrimp.

Providing your fish with a proper diet will allow them to live longer and ensure that they are healthy. You will be able to enjoy observing your beautiful pet for many years to come.

For people who want a pet but don’t have time, a goldfish is the perfect choice for you. Goldfish care and maintenance is perhaps least time consuming and demanding of all pets. No grooming, no training, no walking- just clean a bowl and drop in some food.

Originating in China, goldfish were once highly valued pets of people royal blood or status, and people who resided outside of the palace were prohibited to keep them. They originated as the common carp, but somehow developed a genetic mutation which gave them the gold color. The Chinese began to breed the new gold colored fish and this is where we get our goldfish of today.

Goldfish have been bred for pets for thousands of years. They are fun to watch, easy to care for, and can be very striking in appearance. Goldfish are very sociable animals and they prefer to swim in groups rather than live a solitary existence. They are the very first fish to ever be domesticated as household pets.

How to Identification Goldfish Gender?

If you do decide to keep goldfish as pets, there are very simple ways to distinguish between the males and the females. Male goldfish have a narrower body and appear to be more symmetrical than the females. Their anal opening is inverted in contrast to the female whose opening protrudes slightly.

Another way to differentiate the two genders is to observe their behaviour during breeding. The males will be actively pursuing the females around the tank. Goldfish reach their sexual maturity around nine months to year years of age.

Here are a few clues that you can look for when trying to determine if your Goldfish are boys or girls:

• Males tend to have a firm abdomen while a female’s abdomen is much more pliable.
• Male goldfish tend to have a longer pectoral area in addition to a stiff fin ray. Females have more rounded pectorals and their fin rays are shorter.
• Male goldfish develop small white spots on their pectoral and gills, also known as “breeding tubercles” during breeding time (in the Spring).
• Do some of your fish chase the others? The male tends to be the chaser. This is a natural thing that the fish tend to do from time to time.
• Female goldfish on average are slightly larger then males, and obviously look even larger when they are full of eggs!
• One major feature that is typically absent in females is that males have midline ridges on their undersides reaching from their vent opening up to the back of their pelvic fins.

Spawning time is the best time to tell the sex of your fish. This occurs in the Spring. The female’s opening looks larger and larger as the eggs begin to ripen. This leads her to look bigger and heavier. It is also possible to see white breeding tubercles on the male fish, since goldfish reproduce through external fertilization.

How Much do Goldfish Weigh?

Goldfish can grow quite large. It’s not uncommon for one to weigh 5 lbs. They can even grow up to 10 lbs if conditions allow. The main determining factor in the overall size and weight of your goldfish will be the size of their environment.

If your goldfish lives in a small aquarium, then it will stay small. If your goldfish lives in a medium size outdoor pond then it is certainly possible for it to grow 14″ in length and weigh several pounds. A common 10 gallon tank will probably yield a 4″ goldfish. In a larger tank, it is possible for the goldfish to grow up to 8″ and weigh nearly 1 pound.

Do Goldfish Have Ears?

No. Goldfish do not have ears. Instead they have internal ear bones known as otolith which allow them to feel vibrations. This is why at pet stores there are signs saying, “Do not tap the glass.” Tapping on the glass can stress your goldfish and possibly even kill them.

Do Goldfish Have Lungs?

No. Goldfish do not have lungs like a human. Instead they breathe underwater with gills. They take water in through their mouth and force it through their gills. The oxygen is drawn from the water and absorbed by the fish. When the water leaves the gills of the goldfish it takes with it carbon dioxide and ammonia.

Can Goldfish Get Sick?

Yes. Like any living creature, goldfish can get many diseases and illnesses. From constipation to bacterial gill disease, eye disease to velvet disease. This is why it’s important to learn how to properly care for your goldfish. Keep your pet healthy and happy!

Can Goldfish Survive in Cold Water?

In an outdoor pond, goldfish can survive water temperatures around 40*F (5*C) and sometimes lower. When the water gets that cold goldfish go into a partial hibernation state. They don’t swim or eat very much. Instead they congregate at the bottom of the pond seeking out the warmest water. Even if your pond freezes over during winter it is still possible that your goldfish will survive.

What Can I Do With Dirty Aquarium Water?

Not surprisingly, the fish waste and nitrates in the old aquarium water makes great fertilizer for your household plants and gardens.

Is it Possible to Overfeed a Goldfish?

Yes. Overfeeding your goldfish can make it sick from constipation. In some cases, the fish can die from a burst stomach. A goldfish that eats too much also produces a lot of waste which makes the water dirty. So, it’s bad for the fish and creates more work for you.

Fish are amazing creatures. They are fun to watch, easy to care for, and comparatively inexpensive. But those aren’t even the most interesting points of owning a goldfish. Did you know goldfish have been kept as pets for over 1,000 years?

Interesting Goldfish Facts

• They come in many colors from gold to black and white.
• There are more than 2 dozen species of goldfish.
• The goldfish is an Asian carp.
• Goldfish arrived in the United States between the 18th and 19th centuries.
• Goldfish symbolize good luck or fortune.
• Keeping goldfish as pets began in China for use in ornamental ponds and watergardens.
• Goldfish can see ultraviolet and infrared light.
• Goldfish can live 10 years. Some have been known to live up to 25 years!
• Comet Goldfish can grow up to 30 inches long.
• The common goldfish can grow up to 40 inches!

A lot of goldfish diseases can be completely prevented if you take the time to pick out healthy stock in the first place. However, that can be a difficult task in itself if you haven’t been keeping Goldies for very long – especially if you’re trying to sort through a tank that has a couple dozen Oranda Goldfish in it.

What to Look for Before Buying any Type of Goldfish

There’s a lot more to check than simply making sure it’s swimming!

Examine the overall appearance of the Goldfish

When I do this I’m looking primarily at the color – is it dull? Does it appear sickly or malnourished? If the color is very pale compared to the rest of the fish the one in question is probably suffering from some kind of stress or illness. You also want to pay very close attention to the belly – a fish with a very sunken appearance to its stomach is likely carrying internal parasites.

I also like to take a quick look at the shape of the body – in general, I avoid Goldfish that have a very distorted, deep body because I don’t want to deal with buoyancy problems later on.

Observe the way the Goldfish is swimming

This should only take you a few minutes – all you are doing is watching the way the Goldfish swims in comparison to the rest of the Goldies in the tank. You should avoid purchasing a Goldfish that is bottom sitting or scratching against objects. Likewise, I don’t recommend purchasing a fish that is already showing signs that is has difficulty maintaining buoyancy. For instance, avoid the ones that have an apparent tilt or occasionally stop to float on one side.

Examine the fins on the Goldfish and its tank mates

This is a very easy step because there really isn’t a lot that you need to look for. However, the condition of the fins can tell you a lot about the health of a fish. For instance, you do not want to purchase a Goldfish that has any red streaking or white cottony growths along the edges of the fin. If the fins have a very shredded appearance or look like they are being eaten away by something do not purchase anything from that tank!

Examine the feces if possible

You are ideally looking for a Goldfish that has solid strands of poop, not one that has clear or very stringy poop. However, many Goldfish at the pet store are already suffering from a mild case of constipation because they are only offered flake food, so I would not be terribly concerned with a bubbly or clear strand of poo – instead, I would just fast the fish once I got it home and then offer it organic whole peas for a few days.

While you are observing the feces, make sure you also take a quick look at the vent (where the poo is coming from). You do not want to purchase a Goldfish that has a bloody or very swollen, irritated vent. The vent area of a Goldie should gently slop upwards toward the tail.

Look the Goldfish over to see if it is missing any scales

The scales on a Goldfish act like a layer of armor in respect to its immune system – these are the first things that any bacteria or parasite come in contact with. If the barrier is compromised in any way, like a patch of missing scales, the fish is left very vulnerable to infection and disease.

Generally, a Goldie that has patches of missing scales will also show other signs of being unhealthy as well. However, occasionally I overlook a missing scale or two because it’s very apparent that they are being picked on by the other fish which isn’t a rare occurrence in an already overcrowded sales tank.

Look for any growths, lesions or fuzzy patches on all of the Goldfish in the tank

This one is pretty self-explanatory – you do not want to purchase a Goldfish that has any open wounds, ulcer-like markings, or fuzzy patches on its body/fins. You should also be on the lookout for fish that look like they have been sprinkled with salt – if any fish have this appearance do not buy anything from the tank.

Observe the other Goldfish in the tank

After you have taken the time to examine the Goldie you want to buy, take a couple minutes to look at all of the other fish in the tank. You ideally want to find a tank that doesn’t have any dead Goldfish floating around.

However, please keep in mind that it will be almost impossible to find a tank that meets that criterion if you are shopping in a large chain pet store. The tanks at these stores are grossly overstocked which makes dead fish an inevitable reality. Instead, make sure that the other Goldfish do not have any visible external parasites, growths or signs of fish ick.

The goal of the above check list is to help you pick out a healthy Goldfish; however it is not implying that you should be rigorously examining the fish to make sure it fits show quality standards. For instance, if the fish you like has a minor flaw, like a bent fin, but otherwise appears healthy then go for it!

The health of the fish is the most important consideration. Just make sure that the new Goldfish will be compatible with your other Goldies and have proper place to living.

Goldfish Will Not Survive Life In a Bowl

Unfortunately, many new goldie owners are led to believe that goldfish live happily in bowls – and this couldn’t be further from the truth!

A goldfish that lives a whopping four months in a bowl didn’t even come close to its full life expectancy, yet most people think that’s normal and just keep replacing Bubbles.

There are many different types of goldfish, and every single one of them will outgrow a bowl – in fact, most of them will even outgrow a 20 gallon aquarium as well. For the purpose of this discussion, we’re going to group goldfish into two categories – fancy and single-tailed.

The fancies have a double tail and a very round, egg-shaped body that can grow as large as a softball. Single-tailed goldies are a very stream-lined fish that can grow up to a foot in length, and sometimes over! An example of a fancy goldfish is an Oranda, and by single-tail we are referring to breeds like Comets and Shubunkins.

But I’ve Always Kept Goldfish In a Bowl?

There are many reasons why your new goldfish can’t live its life in the confines of a glass bowl. Here are some of the most important ones.

Goldfish are very messy fish in general

If you were to keep a baby goldfish in a bowl, you would be doing multiple water changes per day in an effort to keep the water quality pristine. Unfortunately, most people don’t have the time to dedicate to such an endeavor.

Goldfish are not only very messy when they eat but they are also constantly grazing which leads to quite a bit of fish waste throughout the day. It’s hard enough to keep the ammonia levels from breaching deadly toxicity in an adequately sized fish tank – imagine how much more work a bowl is going to be.

Goldfish grow very large, very quickly

Goldfish don’t stay small for very long, and as they grow that tiny bowl won’t be enough room for them to comfortably turn around in. Expecting a goldfish live in a bowl is similar to buying a dog crate with your Chihuahua in mind, and then deciding that you’d rather put a Great Dane in it.

Goldfish need oxygen and plenty of it

Goldfish rely heavily on well-oxygenated water to function properly. A bowl just cannot provide this for them. Once you place them in an environment where the oxygen is limited they will begin gasping at the surface and showing signs of distress.

The surface area is a large factor in aerating the water – a bowl does not provide a very long or wide surface and thus does not have good potential for aeration. Just remember, the bubbles from your air stone do not magically put oxygen into the water – the disturbance at the surface of the water does.

Goldfish need a good filter, it’s not an option

Because they excrete so much ammonia throughout the day a goldfish needs a good filter that can remove the waste from the water. A good filter should be able to filter at least twice the amount of water you have in the tank, and it should provide all of the three types of filtration – biological, mechanical and chemical. It would be impossible to find a filter that meets these requirements and still fits on the side of a fish bowl.

Some Final Considerations About Having Goldfish Live in Bowls

Aside from the above reasons, keeping a goldfish in a fish bowl is just cruel. You wouldn’t subject any other kind of pet to this kind of inhumane abuse, so why would you be willing to let a goldfish live in an environment that forces it to swim around in its own waste?

Provided that it receives good care, that tiny goldfish has the potential to live a couple decades. They may not be able to come out of the water and sit on your lap or kiss your face, but they do recognize their owners. If you aren’t willing to commit to the level of care that a goldfish requires then you should probably consider a different type of pet that doesn’t require as much space and maintenance.

If you’re interested in caring for a goldfish, you might want to start thinking about the different types of goldfish and which ones you prefer to keep. Contrary to popular belief that goldfish all look alike with the shimmering, gold scales and flowing tails and fins, there are many different variations and each type has a slight variation from the usual goldfish look.

How to Identify Goldfish Types

To make the classification easier, there are types that are identified based on appearance. The types of goldfish are the following: single tailed goldfish, double tailed goldfish, double tail with dorsal fin goldfish and the double tailed with no dorsal fin goldfish.

The Single Tail Goldfish

Comets, Commons and Shubunkins fall under the single tailed goldfish classification. The species under this classification usually have slender bodies and a single tail that varies in size.

The Double Tail Goldfish

The double tailed goldfish has Watkins goldfish and Jikins Goldfish classified under it. These types of goldfish have slender bodies just like the single tailed goldfish. However, the distinction comes in their tails where it looks like it was divided making it appear as if it has two tails.

The double tailed with dorsal fin goldfish, unlike the previous types, have egg shaped bodies. Examples of goldfishes under this classification are Fantail, Pearlscale, Oranda, Ryukin, Moors Telescope, Pompom, Demekin, Veiltail. Aside from being egg shaped, this type possesses single or double dorsal fins.

The double tailed without dorsal fin goldfish have egg shaped bodies but does not possess any dorsal fins. Examples under this type are Bubble Eye Goldfish, Phoenix Eggfish/Egg Goldfish, Celestial goldfish and Lionhead goldfish.

As you can see, with these many different types of goldfish, you will never get bored with your goldfish aquarium!

Bubble Eye Goldfish

The bubble eye goldfish is easily recognized by the bubbles around it’s eyes. As its name implies, it has two fluid-filled sacs in its eyes that resembles a bubble. The sacs are made up of a membrane that easily breaks when punctured. Interestingly, the punctured sacs grow back. Although the sacs appear to be burdensome to the activities of the bubble eye goldfish, they do not cause any disadvantage at all.

Just like all goldfishes, the bubble eye goldfish posses the distinctive flowing tails and fins. They also come in metallic, shimmery scales. There are some bubble eye goldfish that has patterns all over its body such as red and white; and gold and calico combinations. Some come in plain colors such as red and black.

Bubble eye goldfish eye

They have the same needs than that of other types of goldfishes. However, they require greater degree of care when it comes to their eyes. As mentioned earlier, the bubble eyes can be punctured easily. There’s a need to get rid of sharp decorations placed inside the tank. It’s also not a good idea to place them together with aggressive types of fish.

The average size of the bubble eye goldfish is six to eight inches. The bubble eye gold fish looks like a normal goldfish at birth. The sacs will only start growing and later on become noticeable at three months.

Paying attention to the details inside the tank is important when caring for this type of goldfish. Clean the tank regularly and maintain a temperature not more than 90°F.

The Oranda Goldfish

Many people think that all goldfishes all look alike. This is partly true. They all share a specific look that sets them apart from all other aquarium pets. However, there are many types of goldfish available and each bears a distinct characteristic.

One of the more common types of goldfish is the Oranda goldfish. The Oranda goldfish is known for its distinctive hood called the wen. The wen is a fleshy growth on the top of its head. It is most appreciated when fully developed in two to two and a half years.

The scales of the Oranda goldfish are large and round. It shimmers as it moves. It has a long, flowing tail that fans out when it stops. It grows approximately from six to seven inches.

This kind of goldfish is referred to as the “flower of the water” in China and “Oranda Shishigashiri” in Japan.

Care for the Oranda Goldfish

Being omnivorous in nature, the Oranda Goldfish can thrive from the nutrients it could gain from any type of fish food such as flakes and worms. This type is not very tolerant to pollution. Regular maintenance and care such as cleaning and filtration is necessary. Otherwise, the goldfish will have low chances of survival. Some illnesses common to this type of goldfish are parasitic such as flukes, lice and anchorworms.

Proper care for the Oranda Goldfish is a must. Feed quality fish food and properly maintain the aquarium environment to prolong the life and enhance the appearance of the Oranda Goldfish.

The Black Moor Goldfish

The black moor goldfish is a great addition to any aquarium. Its eye catching black and velvety color makes for an interesting view. Although the black color may fade as the black moor ages, they stay with the same color for a long time. There are very few variations of black moor. They vary in terms of caudal fins.

Goldfish of this species has large eyes that give them slight vision impairment and is also prone to damage. This makes it difficult for them to find food. That’s why the best thing to do is to keep them with fishes that have the same vision impairment so that feeding time will not be a problem later on. Otherwise, fishes that swim faster will consume all the food and the black moor will be left with nothing.

Black Moor Goldfish Care

Black moors feed on the same food as other goldfishes. They are also omnivorous. Feeding it with quality flakes and pellets will give it sufficient nourishment but occasional feeding of brine shrimps and bloodworms will also nourish your black moor. Vegetables cut in small pieces can also be fed to the black moor.

Of course, aside from keeping the tank clean and safe from sharp and spiked decorations, the black moor will do well in an aquarium with a temperature of 65-72 degrees F. Aquatic plants are better alternatives for decorations inside the tank.

If given the proper care, the black moor can grow for approximately ten inches. It has an estimated life span of twenty-five years.

The Fantail Goldfish

The fantail goldfish is best identified by its tail and fins. Its tails and fins are noticeably large and split. The split in the tail is believed to be the indicator of the breeding quality of the fantail goldfish. The more splits the tail has, the better.

This type of goldfish does not require much maintenance, which makes it a good choice for beginners. It is known to survive colder temperatures. They can be kept either in indoor tanks or in outdoor ponds. If chosen to keep in an aquarium, make sure that there is sufficient space for the goldfish to swim in. They should always be kept with other fishes.

Fantail Goldfish Breeding

If you’ve decided to breed your fantail goldfish, make sure that you provide breeding grounds such as grained beds and weeds as the parents have the tendency to eat their young. Increase chances of survival by adding java moss in the tank. Giving variation to their diet makes breeding optimal. Gradual changing of water temperatures can also trigger breeding in fantail goldfish as it will simulate changes in season.

Feeding the fantail goldfish is not much of a problem. Just like all other types of goldfishes, they will eat anything. Feed them with flakes, pellets, vegetables, worms and brine shrimps. A good diet will prolong the life of your goldfish and also increase its breeding condition.

Generally, this type does not grow as big as other types of goldfish. The maximum size of the fantail goldfish reaches only six inches.

There are many goldfish diseases, that our friendly and likeable pets can catch. Our pet fish are like any other living creatures, and are susceptible to falling ill from time to time. The biggest and best way to ensure that your wonderful fish are healthy is to make sure that their living environment is the best it can possibly be. If their water world is dirty and polluted, then they have a higher chance of getting sick.

Some general goldfish diseases

I’m a big believer in preventative medicine, and I think we should use some of the same principles for our pets. The water in the tank needs to be changed regularly. Cleaning their water is easy. If you put this job off, you have to remember, you’re putting their health in jeopardy. You also need to use simple tools, like water conditioner, which removes excesses toxins from the water, a filter, aerator, and time.

Fin Rot

Goldfish fin rot is mainly caused when your pet fish are put under stress. This stress can come from many areas including: infrequent cleaning, not enough oxygen, strange conditions, overcrowding, and being handled too much. If whatever is causing the stress is stopped quickly your pet goldfish can quickly recover, before the disease does too much damage.

Ick

Goldfish ick, or ich, is a very common parasitic disease. It’s also known as White spot. This common name comes from being able to see very small white spots on your pet fish. Please examine your goldfish closely to see if you can see any of the signs that they have been infected with this horrid goldfish disease.

Fungus

This fungus is caused when your pet fish has already had some type of health problem like White spot or Ick its health has already been compromised and is still in a weakened state, and that’s just the way this fungus likes it. This disease needs to be treated quickly as it can be deadly for your goldfish.

Constipation

When we are have constipated we know we have to add more fruits and vegetables to our diet, and the same philosophy applies to your goldfish. It needs more fibre in its diet. You can feed your goldfish spinach, peas, lettuce, zucchini, and other green leafy vegetables. We don’t like to have constipated and neither does your goldfish. It’s mainly caused by feeding your fish too much processed food, or too much floating food. A lack of variety in diet can also cause this painful and uncomfortable problem.

Dropsy

Goldfish dropsy sounds cute, but it’s an ugly bacterial infection that can prove fatal for your goldfish. You know that your fish has goldfish dropsy when you notice its body is swelling, and is larger than usual. When this infection is at its worse, your pet can swell so much its scales stick out. Your goldfish’s eyes could bulge too. You need to catch this infection early. The longer the bacterial infection is left the higher the chances your fish will die.

The water in your fish tank should be at room temperature and an eighth a teaspoon of Epson Salts added to ever five gallons of water. The Epson Salts help to draw out the toxins from your goldfish’s body.

Pop Eye

This is a perplexing disease. You know if your pet has this problem if one or both eyes protrude or pop out more than usual. You need to remember that certain varieties of goldfish are meant to have distinguishing eyes such as Black Moor’s, and Bubble Eye’s. But as mentioned if your fishes eyes seem as though they are popping out more than normal action needs to be taken.

Pop Eye can be caused from several different sources which include: parasites, tuberculosis, bacterial infections and the beginning of Dropsy. You need to make sure that your water in the fish tank is clean. This disease can be easily treated with antibiotics.

Anchor worm

This is a disgusting parasite. These parasites can attach themselves anywhere on your fish but they really like to aim for muscles and organs. The female Anchor Worm, can grow up to an inch long. She has an anchor like head which digs into your friendly pet, and attaches herself to your fish. Your goldfish knows that there is something wrong and will try to rub up against fish tank ornaments to get rid of it. Unfortunately that doesn’t work.

The female parasite has two egg sacs. If the infestation is not dealt with and the eggs are allowed to hatch the new parasites will re-attack your fish. These parasites are so tenacious that they even stay attached to fish when they are dead. Dimilin is a liquid that can be easily added to your fish tank’s water. This treatment interrupts the life cycle of the parasite, and will kill it. It won’t harm your loveable pet, or your aquatic plants.

Fish Lice

They are sneaky parasites as they are small, flat, disc shaped critters, who are see-through. Being clear, they take on the color of your fish making them hard to detect. Fish Lice have clasp like antennae which allow them to hold onto the fish. They have needle like mouths which allow them to bite into your pet goldfish and suck on their blood. Plus, they have hair like legs which give them mobility. Having mobility allows them to swim in your aquarium, and to crawl all over your fish finding a juicy spot to bite into.

Because of all this biting and blood sucking going on, it’s not surprising to realize your pet fish will have wounds which can be easily infected. If this isn’t bad enough, the female parasite loves to lay her eggs on hard surfaces within your aquarium. Thankfully there are products on the market that can help.

Dimilin is a liquid that doesn’t harm your pet or your aquatic plants, but what it does do is interrupt the parasites life cycle and puts a stop to there reproduction.

Swim Bladder

This problems will cause your goldfish to act very strangely. Are your fish floating at the top of the tank, or sunk to the bottom? Are they having problems rising, or do they try to wedge themselves under your ornaments to stop themselves floating to the top of your aquarium like a helium balloon?

If so, they have Swim Bladder problems. The swim bladder is a gas filled sac in the dorsal area of your fish. This is what allows your goldfish to swim freely. The strange behavior of your lovable pet is caused by over eating or constipation.

Your pets need to go on a fast, for a few days. Don’t worry they can live over a week without food. Fasting should help solve both types of problems. You then need to give them a variety of different foods, such as peas, (peas seem to be the wonder food for your fish) spinach, lettuce and cucumber, as well as their fish pellets or flakes.

If you give them pellets, pre-soak them before giving them to your fish. And last of all, don’t over feed your goldfish. Too much food is bad for them.

Skin and Gill Flukes

These are small worm like parasites that have hooks on one end, sometimes called Shimmies. They use these hooks to anchor themselves onto your goldfish, and begin feasting. They will crawl and wiggle all over your fish to find a better and tastier spot. And of course, the more parasites your goldfish has to deal with the more lesions and tissue damage your pet will have.

Your pet fish can get these horrid annoying parasites from overcrowding, unclean water, and stress. If the infestation continues your goldfish will become lethargic and in time will lie on the bottom of the fish tank with its fins pulled close to its body. If your fish act in this way, they are seriously sick.

How do we treat the problem?

• Salt baths for 2-3 days will help. They’ll also help heal any lesions and wounds your fish may have.
• Once you’ve finished with the salt bath treatment, you can try an ammonia compound product.
• Malachite and Formalin can also be used.

Hole-in-the-head

This disease, sounds like this problem has just walked off an old gangster movie, but it is as serious as it sounds. It’s caused by a protozoa parasite called Hexamita or otherwise known as HITH (Hole-in-the-head). This infection is very slow, which makes it all the uglier. As this disease’s name indicates, you can notice pitted holes on your fishes head and nasal area. These holes aren’t red like you’d expect, they are white or gray in color.

Bad, dirty, and unclean water is paradise for the parasite, and hell for your goldfish. You need to clean your fish tank regularly. Also, stress can be the cause for many goldfish diseases. Stress can be caused by having too many fish in your aquarium. A bad and unvaried diet will give anyone stress, and your fish too. Make sure you add peas, lettuce, spinach, and other green leafy vegetables to their diet of fish flakes or pellets.

It’s never fun to be sick, so catching the problem as soon as possible, can help stop your goldfish from feeling strange or worse dying. Your fish is a delight to have in your home that can live for many years, so if you suspect that they aren’t their usual active selves, you need to look closely at them and see if you can find out what’s bothering them.

Usually the solution to goldfish diseases is a simple one, so don’t fret and worry too much.

Some people believe that having an aquarium inside their house will bring luck to them, while some others think that running water will bring wealth to them. Whatever it is, watching shimmering movements of goldfish will always make us happy. They even respond to our whistling or call which forms an emotional attachment towards them.

Though goldfish is sensitive to long-drawn-out exposure to low water temperatures, it’s still considered as a suitable fish for aquarium and pond environments. So we can keep goldfishes in our aquariums, just for the sake of mental pleasure or by taking it as a hobby.

Goldfish Facts

Goldfish, belonging to the genus Carassius, can attain a reasonably good size if we give adequate space and food. As it is considered as a hardy fish, it can live happily in an aquarium or pond for more than 10 years. We can see goldfishes mostly in colors ranging from light orange to bright red, other than brown, blue and other eye catching combinations. Goldfishes also exist in a variety of beautiful outer coverings including silver and metallic textures.

This beautiful fish is one of the earliest fishes that man started domesticating and this captive breeding started from its native home China, mostly during the reign of the Sung Dynasty. When man started educating yourself about this fishes, they also tried to raise different breeds within the species. Thus, goldfishes served as a gateway for taming exotic fish species.

Common Goldfish Varieties

Some of the commonly found goldfish varieties are Comet, Black Moore, Ryukin, Fantail, Lionhead, Bubble eye, Pearscale and Oranda. These fishes are omnivores and often feed on vegetables, protein mixtures etc. Comets are very daring and active, and it will grow up to 30 inches. Meanwhile, Black Moores can grow up to 7 inches long and Fantails can develop up to 8 inches.

As Black Moore is a very mischievous fish, it’s always advisable to keep this fish with another goldfish so that it will feel more comfortable. We can see Ryukins in calico, red and white colors. It can grow up to 6 inches and can live more than 14 years. This fish can be identified easily as it has a short, round body, and a high humped back.

Goldfish Water and Aquarium

As goldfishes are cheerful, long-lived and visually pleasing, we must ensure proper care for them. Most important decisions regarding this is checking the quality of the water. We should not forget that goldfish must eat, swim, breathe and drink in the same water they are living, so water quality for the fish must be taken seriously.

Some of the parameters we should check while setting up an aquarium includes ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH levels. We can also decorate the tank or the aquarium with different colored rocks or ornamental plants; this will offer the fish a hiding spot or a play area to reduce their stress.

As a properly fed goldfish will be livelier, brilliantly colored and resistant to diseases, flake food will be preferable to pellet food. It is better to give food that will float on the top of the water, because this will make it easier for the fish to find.

How to Care for Goldfish

Goldfish are relatively easy pets to care for compared to dogs, cats, or even hamsters. You never have to take a fish for a walk, you don’t have to worry about them leaving a mess on the carpet to pick up, and they will never cause a commotion and disturb the neighbours.

It is important to take proper care of both your goldfish and its habitat in order to ensure that it is able to enjoy a lengthy and healthy life. Goldfish are very sensitive animals and the slightest change in temperature or environment can prove to be stressful and harmful.

Is it a Good Idea to Cuddle Goldfish

Never touch your fish unless out of necessity. They are prone to stress, injury, or infection if you try to pet them. This careless action may destroy come of their scales and this can also cause injury or infection. Also, when feeding your fish, place the food in the water. Don’t feed them by hand.

You may carry dangerous germs and infections that can ultimately kill your pets. If you do need to add or remove any of the decorations in the tank, be sure to wear a pair of aquarium gloves to avoid transferring any bacteria or germs.

When it comes to decorating your pet’s new home, be very careful what materials you decide to use. Avoid using any wood, shells or rocks that have been collected from ponds, lakes, or rivers. These will certainly make your fish habitat appear realistic, but you may be subjecting your new pets to parasites and diseases.

Instead, choose ornaments specifying that they are for aquarium use only. Plastic, silk, or real plants as well as ceramic shells and driftwood are perfectly acceptable. Also choose gravel for the bottom of the tank that will be too big for a fish to swallow. Smaller pieces may get lodged in the fish’s throat and choke it.

Do Goldfish Need Companions?

Be attentive and research what types of fish are compatible to share the tank with your precious new friends. Some fish will bully others and nip at their fins, which can cause stress and injury. Algae eating fish aren’t always the best companions for goldfish either as they tend to suck the slime coat off of fish and leave them susceptible to infections.

Be careful not to stock too many fish into one tank as this will deplete the amount of available oxygen and your fish won’t thrive as well. Fish all produce waste which is usually excreted in the form of ammonia. If too much ammonia develops in a fish tank, this could cause harm to other fish by causing disease and infection.

Different types of goldfish should also be set in separate fish tanks as they all have assorted needs and requirements. The more common goldfish are more aggressive and quick and they tend to take control of the food supply before other fish can have a chance to eat.

Putting them in the same tank as fancy goldfish would be detrimental to the latter. Also, fancy goldfish prefer slightly warmer water than common goldfish do.

If we keep right climatic conditions, goldfish is a fantastic species of fish to keep, especially for the budding fish enthusiast. Creating ornamental varieties from a common goldfish become a hobby for many people.

Common goldfish tend to live in groups as they are quite social and have proven over time to be a popular pet not only for children but also for adults.