Taking care of goldfish may sound simple, but if you don’t do enough research the lifespan of your fish could drop dramatically!
There are a number of things to consider when setting up a tank and caring for your pet fish.
Continue reading this guide to find out more about fancy goldfish care.
1: Understand Your Fancy Goldfish
A fancy goldfish differs from the yellow-orange fish you’re used to seeing at pet stores in that it is a separate type of goldfish. That yellow-orange fish is a type of hardy goldfish appropriately called a common goldfish. Fancy goldfish have a rounder shape than hardy goldfish and come in a larger variety of colors and patterns.
There are 15 types of fancy goldfish! Each fish has a distinct physical appearance, and they can have different traits and behaviors. For example, telescope and bubble eye goldfish have terrible eyesight. Some fancy goldfish have extra delicate fins.
Understanding these kinds of traits of your goldfish is an essential part of caring for them. It’s also important to always make sure the appearance of their body, fins, and swimming matches the healthy description. If it doesn’t, they could be sick.
Go to https://www.unusualpetvets.com.au/services/ if you think your fish is ill.
2: Choose the Right Tank Size
Surprisingly, fancy goldfish can grow quite large. Their max length is 6 to 8 inches. This requires a big tank for just one fish.
The rule is – 20 gallons for one fish and 10 gallons for each fish after that. It may seem like too much, but if the tank isn’t the right size it’ll clog with waste and ammonia, killing your fish.
3: Never Forget to Clean the Tank
You will hurt your pet fish if you forget to clean their living space!
You can choose from an external or internal filtration system. Some options are HOB filters, sponge filters, canister filters, and wet/dry filters.
You may need an aquarium air pump if you have a lot of fish in your tank.
4: Choose the Right Lighting
Goldfish don’t have eyelids, so they have no choice but to sleep in whatever lighting environment you give them. The tank shouldn’t be in direct sunlight or it’ll get too warm, and algae will grow in the water. This also means you shouldn’t use a very bright or hot lamp.
Follow a day-and-night cycle that is similar to a human’s cycle. Turn off the lamp during the night. Your goldfish need 8-12 hours of darkness.
5: Choose a Safe Habitat
If your fish has delicate fins, don’t decorate your tank with any sharp objects. Don’t crowd the area with things they can run into if their eyesight is poor.
6: Feed Them Properly
Goldfish should be fed 2 or 3 times a day. Their basic diet must be goldfish granules and flakes.
You can add a number of things to this: live and frozen brine shrimp, daphnia, and vegetables, or small invertebrates, scalded peas, and duckweed. Make sure to soak any freeze-dried food beforehand.
7: Get the Right Tank Friends
Fancy goldfish swim slowly, and should never be with fast swimmers. They will eat any fish that is smaller than them. Research your specific fish to see if there are any kinds of goldfish you should avoid as tank mates.
Pay Attention to Goldfish Care
Keep track of these tips and, most importantly, your fancy goldfish. Do as much research as possible.
Goldfish care isn’t necessarily simple, but it can be manageable. It’s vital everything is done the right way, or you could seriously harm your pet.
Use this guide to help you care for your new fancy fish!
