Goldfish aren't perfect for beginners and can be rewarding.goldfish require the same amount of care and equipment as most aquarium fish, but an aquarium that is too small will eventually kill your finny friend.Here are instructions on how to make your fish happy and healthy for a long time, if you're looking to breed goldfish, have one as a pet, or just curious about what it might be like.
Step 1: Get a big tank.
The minimum tank size for a goldfish is 30 gallons.If they don't have enough space, a survival mechanism can start making it so they will stop growing, but there is a catch: their organs will continue to grow.If you don't have a large tank, look for another fish.For each additional goldfish, you will need to add 15 U.S. gallons onto that.Do your research on different types of goldfish.Common goldfish, comet goldfish and other single tail goldfish need ponds or huge tanks as they can grow up to a foot or more in length.If you have a 180 U.S. gallon tank, you can transition them when they get too large.goldfish have a reputation of having short life spans because they were promoted as being able to live in small bowls.goldfish can live as long as 20 years.The environment becomes toxic if ammonia builds up quickly in a small space.The amount of space available will affect the growth of Goldfish.You don't have to grow them to their full potential.If you own a large pond or professional aquarium, your one-inch goldfish can grow to the size of your arm.
Step 2: Before buying fish, set up the aquarium.
It can take some time to set up a proper goldfish habitat.There are a number of steps that need to be taken to make sure the water and living conditions are good for the fish.Fish get stressed when they go from one environment to another.If the environment is ideal, too much change can kill the fish.Don't transfer your fish from one container to another.Goldfish can't live in small temporary environments for very long.An hour is fine, several hours not very good, a day or so maximum for a small water container.A large plastic bucket with a rinse well and water conditioner works well in an emergency.
Step 3: Gravel won't get stuck in your fish's throat.
Goldfish have a tendency to get gravel caught in their mouths.Use either large gravel or very small gravel.Large gravel is better for goldfish because it doesn't get caught in their throat and they like to dig into it to find food.You should clean your gravel before putting it in the tank.Your aquarium will be cloudy or dirty if you don't rinse it.Even if you just bought it, a good rinse and soak in some water for a day will draw out some of the impurities and help ensure that your goldfish are getting the best environment to flourish in.Don't use soap.
Step 4: The tank should have some scenery and light.
Buy tank hoods with installed lights or any other aquarium specific light; normal old lightbulbs or lamps may not have the right requirements.Goldfish are active during the day.They need light to wake and sleep.Light is needed to keep your fish's colors bright.If fish can't sleep or get enough sunlight, they will lose their color and become dull.If you don't get natural sunlight, keep your aquarium lit for around 12 hours a day.If you put your tank in direct sunlight, it could cause large temperature fluctuations and contribute to rampant algae growth.You could put a rock or wood centerpiece in your aquarium.Artificial plants won't accelerate plant growth in your tank and the rock or wood will give the goldfish nooks and crannies to explore.Goldfish have minimal decoration.Having fewer obstacles means they can swim more freely.One medium to large statement piece in the center of the tank and a few plastic plants outside the swimming pattern will give your fish the most usable space.Real plants help absorb nitrates that accumulate in the aquarium because of waste and natural wear and tear.goldfish are omnivores.Don't use artificial plants until you have the time and resources to keep real plants safe.If you choose decorations that are hollow or have sharp edges, your fish might tear its fins, and it's a breeding ground for potentially harmfulbacteria.Use fluorescent lights for your goldfish.The lights will also do.goldfish like light and darkness, so pay attention to how much light you give them.
Step 5: The water filter needs to be changed.
A filter is needed for Goldfish.The 3 stages of a water filter are mechanical, chemical, and biological to break down fish waste and ammonia.It should be rated for the size of your tank.It is better to go with the larger filter if your tank is on the borderline.Your goldfish's content will be healthy if you have clean water and a functional device.Hang on back filters, which hang on the rim of your tank, are one of the most popular types of filters.They are popular, reasonably priced and give you the most bang for your buck.Canister filters sit underneath your aquarium and are used to filter water.Canister filters are a little more expensive than HOB filters, but they are more efficient.Smaller tanks are usually not available for canister filters because they are made for tanks in excess of 50 gallons.The overflow box is used for wet/dry filters.Wet/dry filters are larger than HOBs and can only fit into aquariums that hold at least 50 gallons.
Step 6: Put water in the tank.
You should fill your tank with tap water that has been treated with a water conditioning solution.You could use distilled water.There are chemicals and minerals in the water that could harm the fish.
Step 7: Go through at least one fish-less cycle.
A fish-less cycle involves adding ammonia to a tank and keeping track of the nitrate levels to make sure the water is safe for your goldfish to live in.Many fish die when they are introduced into a new tank.The chlorine in tap water will kill your fish if you don't add de-chlorinator.You need to make sure the environment is ready for fish.Pick up a kit and test the tank for levels of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.Zero ammonia, zero nitrite, and less than 20 nitrate is what you want.Test strips can be difficult to use, and tend to be more expensive, so get a liquid test kit.Adding drops of ammonia continuously is what's going to happen.That will start the process.If you keep doing what you're doing, you will eventually see nitrates which are consumed by plants.It's fish time when you do a lap.
Step 8: Put your fish in it.
If you have more than one goldfish, they are all the same type.goldfish are known to eat other smaller fish and can keep food from their peers.It doesn't stand a chance if another fish is smaller or slower.A commercially available tank divider can be used to keep your fish separate from the other fish.Goldfish can be a decent fish.Good roommates need to be selected carefully.White Cloud Mountain Minnows are a good choice.If you're buying extra fish, you need to buy an extra half dozen.Keep your goldfish with other goldfish.New fish should be kept in an aquarium for at least two weeks.If they have diseases, you don't want them to spread to your fish.goldfish like colder water than most community fish, so any other species you add to the tank should be hardy.Adding a goldfish to a tank with too many livebearers could help keep your fish numbers in check.
Step 9: Even if it doesn't look dirty, at least once a week.
Even your water filter may not be able to completely remove the waste produced by the Goldfish aquarium.A clean tank is good for the goldfish.A happy goldfish can live for a long time.Don't wash your tank with soap because it will kill fish quickly.Don't use regular tap water to put in your tank.Some of the minerals in water are good for goldfish.Put the amount on the label if you buy a water conditioner at a pet store.You should not remove the fish from the tank.The gravel vacuum can be used to remove debris from the fish's habitat.If you have to remove the fish, use a plastic container instead of a net.Nets are more likely to hurt goldfish fins than containers are.They can cause stress by being scared of nets.If you have stocked your tank, you should perform a 25% water change weekly.When the nitrates reach 20 do a 50% water change.It is possible to have some old towels around for this messy process.Don't vacuum up any fish while you change the water.
Step 10: Measure ammonia, nitrite, and pH.
Do you remember the test you did before you got your fish?You have to keep that up!Ammonia and nitrite levels should be zero.The range of pH is fine.
Step 11: Feed your fish twice a day.
Feed them what they can eat in a minute, the label on the food is wrong, and be careful not to over feed them.Goldfish can die if they are too much.Overfeeding is always preferable to underfeeding.Before feeding floating food, soak it in water for a few seconds.This reduces the amount of air the fish swallows while eating.goldfish are similar to humans in that they want diversity of nutrition.Feed your goldfish pellet food most of the time, live foods such as brine shrimp, and freeze-dried foods, like mosquito larvae or blood worms, every once in a while.If you don't soak freeze dried food in a cup of aquarium water, it will expand in the goldfish's stomach and cause it to have problems swimming.Feed your fish what they can eat.Excess food should be removed.More goldfish die from eating than from anything else.Feed your goldfish at the same time each day, once in the morning and once at night.
Step 12: Allow them to get some sleep by turning off the light.
They don't really stop swimming, but their bodies are inactive.When there is a slight change in color and activity, you can tell.Goldfish like to sleep in the dark.You don't need an aquarium light if you're growing plants or the room is poorly lit.If you don't have an aquarium light, it's a good idea to turn it off.
Step 13: As the seasons change, let the water temperature change.
Goldfish like seasonal changes where the temperature dips to the high 50s or 60s in the winter.goldfish won't eat below 50-55F.This is pretty easy if you have a good thermometer.There are two types of hanging: inside and outside.I like the ones that hang on the inside.A steady temperature all year-round of 74F is golden for your goldfish.If you own a goldfish, prepare for the seasons.Start by lowering the temperature.It should be between 50 and 54F.Gradually, when it's baby-making time, up it to between 70 and 80 degrees.The goldfish will lay their eggs.
Step 14: The oxygen level in the tank needs to be checked.
Chances are there isn't enough in the water if you notice your goldfish congregating to the surface.Good news!Oxygen levels will go up when the temperature goes down.Hopefully, the crisis will be avoided if you lower the temperature or get your aquarium out of the sun.You can buy an air pump and a bubbler.You can avoid the most common problems if you've read all of this page.99% of your pets' possible problems have been solved if you maintain appropriate pH, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, and oxygen levels.Good for you!
Step 15: Fix cloudy aquarium water.
Things can go awry even when we put forth our best efforts.Water can be yellow, green, or white.It's not a big deal if you notice it immediately.Do you get to clean your tank?There is a different problem with each color of the spectrum.It could be anything frombacteria to decaying plant matter.Don't be alarmed!Your fish should be fine with another cycle and a water change.
Step 16: You should watch for goldfish.
Ich is a disease where the fish have little white spots on their bodies and fins and have difficulty breathing.It's a disease that can be cured.Put your fish in a hospital tank and use a commercially available fungicide.The most important thing to do here is to keep your fish away from plants.Any plant or animal can be affected by the parasites.If you notice white spots on your scenery, remove the chemical stage of your filter and treat the whole tank.The sick fish will need more medical care than the healthy fish.Adding high levels of aquarium salt or increasing the water temperature can be non-chemical alternatives.Most strands of Ich will be killed by the temperature of 85F (29C) and the amount of salt per gallon.Make sure to increase the temperature or add salt slowly over time, no more than 1 to 2F (0.55 to 1.1C) per hour or 1 tsp/gal per 12 hours, and continue treatment for at least 3 days after all signs of infection disappear.Frequent partial water changes can be performed to remove salt or reduce temperature.You should be prepared for a loss of color in your fish.
Step 17: There is a monitor for the Flukes.
There are many parasites that are a common culprit.If your fish is bitten, it will scratch against surfaces, develop an outer mucus, and possibly get a swollen belly.Quarantine your fish, just like with any fish parasites.If you tackle it head on from the beginning, he can be swimming with his friends in a few days.
Step 18: There is a disease called swimbladder disease.
Your fish will be swimming upside-down, so it's easy to identify.You would think he was in heaven, but he wasn't.It can be easily fixed because it's not contagious.You may not need to keep your fish indoors.There is a disease called swimbladder disease.If you want to be cautious, do so.Over- or improper feeding is the most common cause of swimbladder diseases.Put your fish on a fast for 3 days and reduce the amount of food you give them.This gives your fish time to get used to it.If symptoms persist, consider changing their diet to include more high-fiber foods like peas or cucumbers.
Step 19: The proper measures should be taken if a fish has died.
The first thing to do is to dispose of your fish in a way that won't stink up the house.You can either bury it or throw it in the compost heap.Don't flush the fish down the toilet.Take it from the tank with a plastic bag around your hands and tie it up.Depending on your situation, how you clean your aquarium depends on you.If only one fish died, you should be able to see the parasites quickly so that they don't spread to the other fish in the tank.You'll need a bleach solution to clean out your aquarium if your fish are dying or dead.A dash for every gallon of water should do the trick.If you want to get rid of the toxins, soak it for an hour or two.Let the water dry out.