How to care for goldfish

Author: Ellen Moore
Date Of Creation: 20 January 2021
Update Date: 29 June 2024
Anonim
Goldfish Beginner Care Guide | Basic Care For Goldfish
Video: Goldfish Beginner Care Guide | Basic Care For Goldfish

Content

1 Get an aquarium that is large enough. Minimum aquarium volume for one goldfish is 40-60 liters (remember that these fish grow up to 25-30 cm in length, and sometimes even more!), for each next - another 40 liters. Learn about the different types of goldfish. Common goldfish, comets and other one-tailed species require artificial reservoirs or huge aquariums, as they can grow up to 30 centimeters or more in length. Don't start a one-tailed goldfish unless you have a 700 liter aquarium or enclosed body of water that you can move the fish to when it grows up.
  • It has long been thought that goldfish can live in small, circular aquariums, which is why they have a reputation for being short lived fish. However, in terms of life expectancy, goldfish are often not inferior to dogs! Without proper filtration, ammonia builds up quickly in small aquariums and the water becomes toxic.
  • The goldfish will grow to a size that its habitat will allow. However, it is not at all necessary to grow it to the maximum possible size. The tiny 2cm fish can grow to the size of your hand when placed in a spacious pond or large professional aquarium.
  • 2 Set up an aquarium front how to get fish. Creating a suitable habitat for a goldfish will take some effort and time. Here are a few steps to help you ensure that your fish is suitable for the aquarium water and habitat.
    • Fish are quite sensitive creatures, and when they change their habitat, they experience stress. Too drastic and significant changes can destroy the fish, even if the new habitat is ideal for it. Try to move the fish from one container to another less.
    • Goldfish cannot live in a tight temporary container (for example, in a plastic bag or small bowl) for an extended period of time. In such an environment, she can hold out for one hour, and several hours can already cause her stress. Do not keep your goldfish in a small container for more than a day.
    • If absolutely necessary, you can use a large plastic bag. Beforehand, it should be thoroughly rinsed and filled with conditioned water.
  • 3 Use a soil that won't get stuck in the fish's throat. Goldfish love to gulp in pebbles from the bottom of the aquarium. Either use pebbles that are large enough that the fish cannot swallow, or use very fine soil. Since goldfish love to scavenge for fallen food, it is best to use large pebbles that your fish cannot swallow.
    • Be sure to clean the soil before placing it in the aquarium. Many types of aquarium soil must be pre-washed or they can contaminate the water. Even if you purchased fresh pebbles, they should be thoroughly washed and soaked in water for one day to remove any dirt and make sure they won't harm your pets. Never use detergents when doing this.
  • 4 Make sure the aquarium is properly lit and landscaped. Goldfish are diurnal, meaning they are active during daylight hours. They need daylight to maintain a healthy daily rhythm. There is also evidence that light is necessary to maintain the bright colors of goldfish. If the fish does not sleep properly and does not receive enough daylight, its scales will fade and lose their bright colors. If your aquarium lacks natural light, light it daily for 8-12 hours to simulate day and night. Never position the aquarium so that it is exposed to direct sunlight, as this will lead to large temperature fluctuations and cause violent algae growth.
    • You can put a stone or wood block and artificial plants in the aquarium. A stone or block will provide the goldfish with nooks and crannies in which to hide, and artificial plants, unlike algae, will not grow. Goldfish don't need a lot of decorations. They are generally unimportant swimmers, so you should avoid cluttering your tank so they don't have to dodge obstacles. Place one medium or large object in the center of the tank and some plastic plants at the edges, away from the main routes, so that there is enough space for the fish.
    • The good thing about real algae is that it absorbs ammonia, nitrites and nitrates that appear in the water from fish waste. However, goldfish are omnivorous and have an excellent appetite. If you don’t have the time and resources to care for the algae and keep them from voracious goldfish, place artificial plants in the aquarium.
    • Make sure that the objects placed in the aquarium are not hollow, as harmful bacteria can grow in the cavities and that they do not have sharp edges that the fish could damage their fins.
    • Try hanging fluorescent lights over your aquarium. Halogen or incandescent bulbs will also work. Make sure that your pets have enough light - light the aquarium 12 hours a day, and turn off the lights for 12 hours.
  • 5 Install a water filter. Goldfish is necessary filter. The water filter should consist of three parts: mechanical to remove large particles (fish excrement and food debris); chemical to eliminate organic substances that cause an unpleasant odor, color water, and the like; and biological with beneficial bacteria that decompose fish waste and ammonia. In addition, the filter must be suitable for the volume of the aquarium. If two types of filters are suitable for the volume of your aquarium, it is better to purchase a larger one. Keeping the water clean and filtering it efficiently is essential for the health and well-being of goldfish. There are three main types of aquarium filters:
    • Hinged filters are attached to the edge of the aquarium wall. They suck in the water, filter it out and return it back to the aquarium. These filters are very popular and relatively cheap.
    • Canister filters are installed under the aquarium. They pump water through pipes. Canister filters are virtually silent. They are slightly more expensive, but at the same time more effective than hinged filters. Canister filters are mainly intended for aquariums larger than 190 liters and are rarely used for smaller aquariums.
    • In wet-dry filters, water is passed through an overflow tank. These filters are much larger than hinged or canister filters, so they are usually installed in large aquariums, the volume of which exceeds 190 liters.
  • 6 Fill your tank with water. After setting up the aquarium, treat the tap water with an appropriate conditioning solution and pour it into the aquarium. Distilled water can also be used.
    • Untreated tap or drinking water contains chemicals and minerals that can harm fish.
  • 7 Before introducing a goldfish into the aquarium, do at least one fishless cycle start. At the same time, ammonia is added to the aquarium water, and then the level of nitrates is monitored. This cycle ensures that the aquarium is suitable for the life of the goldfish. Unfortunately, when placed in a new aquarium, fish often die from ammonia and nitrate poisoning. Be sure to add a dechlorinating agent to the water, otherwise the chlorine in the tap water will kill the fish.
    • Before you put your fish into the aquarium, you should make sure that everything is ready to receive it. Take a pH control kit and check the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels in your aquarium water. It is necessary that the concentration of ammonia and nitrite is equal to zero, and the content of nitrate does not exceed 20. Since the test strips are not easy to use and they are quite expensive, it is better to purchase an electronic device for monitoring aquarium water.
    • When starting the cycle without fish, add ammonia drop by drop to the aquarium water. This way you run nitritny process. Eventually you will discover nitrats that are absorbed by algae. After this test cycle, the aquarium is ready for housewarming!
  • Part 2 of 3: Care and Feeding

    1. 1 Start the fish in the aquarium. If you have more than one goldfish, it is advisable that they belong to the same species. Unfortunately, goldfish sometimes eat their smaller relatives or overeat, taking food from them. If one of the fish is noticeably smaller or slower than the others, it has no chance. You can separate the bully or weaker fish from their congeners using commercially available aquarium dividers.
      • Goldfish can get along well in the same aquarium, but for this you need to carefully select the "company". Cardinals or zebrafish are good choices, as well as plecostomus. but these fish live in communities, so they should be purchased at least 5 individuals at once. Remember the basic rule: keep similar goldfish in the same aquarium.
        • Before adding a new fish to the aquarium, it must be quarantined for two weeks.In this case, the possible disease will not be transmitted to other fish.
        • Keep in mind that goldfish work in cooler water than most other aquarium fish, so if you want to add other fish or animals to your aquarium, they need to be healthy. You can also add a goldfish to an over-bred viviparous fish tank to feed on the fry and help keep fish numbers within reasonable limits.
    2. 2 Clean your aquarium at least once a week. This should be done even if the aquarium does not look dirty. Even the water filter is not able to completely purify the water from the waste products of goldfish. A clean aquarium is essential for the health and full life of your fish. Healthy and happy goldfish can live for decades! Do not use detergents, as soap is poisonous to fish and can quickly kill them. Also, do not add regular tap or drinking water to the aquarium. This water is bad for goldfish because it lacks some of the minerals that are good for them. Buy aquarium water conditioner and add in the amounts indicated on the package.
      • Avoid removing fish from the aquarium while cleaning. When you clean the pebbles with a special aquarium soil siphon, the fish can be left in their familiar environment. If, for any reason, it is necessary to remove the fish from the aquarium, try to use a plastic container for this, rather than a net. This will reduce the risk of damaging the fins of your goldfish. In addition, fish are afraid of nets, and the landing net can stress them.
      • Change 25% of the aquarium water once a week if it is normal. Change 50% of the water if the nitrate concentration reaches 20. Get some old towels for this rather dirty procedure. When changing the water, be careful not to suck any small fish into the siphon.
    3. 3 Measure ammonia, nitrite and pH levels. Remember the water test you did before you put the fish into the aquarium? It should be repeated regularly! Concentration of ammonia and nitritov should be 0 and the pH should be in the 6.5-8.25 range.
    4. 4 Feed your fish 1-2 times a day. Be careful not to overfeed your pets - give them only as much food as they can eat right away, and do not pay attention to the recommendations on the food packaging. Goldfish can easily overeat, which can be fatal. Malnutrition always preferable to overeating. If you are using food that floats on the surface, then first dip it in water for a few seconds so that it gets wet and goes to the bottom. This will reduce the amount of air the fish swallow and reduce the risk of buoyancy problems.
      • Like humans, goldfish love a wide variety of foods. Give your pets mostly pellets and sometimes live food (such as shrimp) and occasionally frozen dry food (such as mosquito larvae or red worms). Before serving frozen dry food, soak it in a bowl of aquarium water, otherwise it will swell in your pets' belly and make it difficult for them to swim.
      • Feed the fish as much food as they can eat in one minute. Remove excess food from the aquarium. Overeating is a major killer of goldfish.
      • Feed your fish at the same time (once in the morning and once in the evening) and in the same area of ​​the aquarium.
    5. 5 Turn off lights at night so your pets can sleep. Although the fish do not have eyelids and cannot completely stop swimming, they periodically fall asleep. This can be judged by a slight change in their color and reduced activity (the fish seem to stick to the walls of the aquarium).
      • Goldfish love to "sleep" in the dark. As a rule, additional lighting of the aquarium is necessary only if there is live algae in it, or the room is not bright enough.But even if you do without additional lighting, it is advisable to turn off the lights in the room so that it is dark enough in it.
    6. 6 Do not impede seasonal changes in the temperature of the aquarium water. Goldfish do not like when the water temperature exceeds 24 ° C, and seasonal changes are quite suitable for them, in which the water temperature drops to 15-20 ° C in winter. However, keep in mind that goldfish will not eat if the water temperature drops below 10-14 ° C.
      • Get a suitable thermometer to monitor the temperature of the aquarium water. There are two types of aquarium thermometers: some are placed inside the aquarium, others are located outside. Thermometers of both types are quite accurate, but some still prefer those that are placed inside the aquarium.
      • If you do not breed goldfish, you can maintain a water temperature of 23 ° C throughout the year. If you breed goldfish, simulate the changing seasons (goldfish spawn in spring). Start by lowering the temperature ("Hey guys, it's winter!") To 10-12 ° C. Then when it's time to breed, gradually raise the temperature to 20-23 ° C. Thus, you will let the fish know that it's time to spawn.

    Part 3 of 3: Troubleshooting Potential Problems

    1. 1 Check the oxygen concentration in the aquarium water. If you find that goldfish congregate near the surface of the water, this may indicate that the water is low in oxygen. Dont be upset! The oxygen content in water can be increased by lowering its temperature. Decrease the water temperature or move the aquarium where it will not be exposed to direct sunlight and the problem may go away. You can also purchase a compressor or air pump for your aquarium.
      • If you've read this far, you already know about the main problems, and you can prevent them! Maintain the correct pH, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and oxygen levels, do not overfeed your fish and clean the aquarium regularly - this way you will prevent 95% of possible problems. Not a bad result!
    2. 2 Clean up cloudy aquarium water. Sometimes even considerable effort does not lead to success. The water can turn yellow, green, and even milky white. If you are faced with a similar problem, do not be discouraged, just clean the aquarium!
      • Each color of the water indicates a different problem. The cause may be algae, bacteria, or simply rotting plant tissue. Do not be alarmed! Do another cleaning cycle, change the water and you should be fine.
    3. 3 pay attention to possible ichthyophthiriosis of fish. Ichthyophthyroidism is one of the most common diseases in goldfish. At the same time, white spots appear on the body and fins of the fish, and it becomes difficult for them to breathe. This disease is caused by a parasite and is treatable. Move the diseased fish to a hospital aquarium and use standard antifungal agents to treat it.
      • It is necessary to completely isolate the diseased fish from its fellows and various objects, including aquarium plants. The parasite can spread through any plants and living creatures.
      • If you notice white spots on pebbles or other objects in the aquarium, remove the chemical part from the filter and clean the aquarium completely. Keep sick fish separate from healthy fish as they will likely need more treatment.
      • You can also try non-chemical methods, such as raising the temperature of the aquarium water or adding more aquarium salt to it. At a water temperature of 29 ° C, most strains of the causative agent of ichthyophthyriosis die; salt will kill parasites at the rate of one tablespoon for every 4 liters of water. Heat the water or add salt to it gradually, by 0.5-1 degrees per hour, or 1 teaspoon of salt for every 4 liters for 12 hours, and continue the procedure for at least three more days after all signs of infection have disappeared.Change the water frequently afterwards to remove salt or lower the temperature of the water. Be prepared for the fish to temporarily lose their bright color and become lethargic.
    4. 4 Watch for signs of fluke infection. This is another parasite that is often found in goldfish. In the presence of trematodes, fish often rub against hard surfaces, their body becomes covered with mucus and slightly reddens, and bloating is also possible.
      • As with other parasites (for example, the causative agents of ichthyophthiriosis), you should isolate the sick fish. If you find the disease in time and start treating it, the fish will be able to return to their fellows in a few days.
    5. 5 Watch for signs of swim bladder disease. These signs are quite easy to determine: in case of dysfunction of the swim bladder, the fish swims on its side or belly up. Sometimes you can mistakenly think that the fish is dead. Fortunately, swimbladder disease is not contagious and easy to treat.
      • In this case, there is no need to isolate the diseased fish. Swim bladder disease is not associated with parasites. However, if you want to be on the safe side, move the fish to a separate aquarium.
      • Usually, no medication is needed to treat swim bladder disease, as overeating or poor diet is usually the cause. Reduce the amount of food or, even better, do not feed the sick fish for about 3 days. During this time, the fish will restore normal intestinal microflora. If symptoms persist, try changing your diet and feeding your fish foods high in fiber, such as peas and cucumbers, or medicated foods for internal infections.
    6. 6 Take appropriate action if the fish dies. The first step is to get rid of the dead fish so that it does not start to rot in the house. You can bury it in the ground or, if you don't mind, throw it in a compost heap. Don't flush the dead fish down the toilet! Wrap your palm with a plastic bag and remove the dead fish from the aquarium, then turn the bag so that the fish is inside and tie it. How you clean your aquarium depends on your situation.
      • If one fish died, and you immediately noticed its death, then there is a hope that the parasite did not have time to spread to the rest of the inhabitants of the aquarium.
      • If all fish die or die, it will be necessary to completely clean the aquarium with a bleaching solution. Simply add 1/4 teaspoon (pinch) of bleach to your aquarium water for every 4 liters of water. Wait 1-2 hours for the bleach to work and destroy all the toxic substances, then pour out the water and dry the aquarium.

    Tips

    • Healthy goldfish have bright scales and their dorsal fins are upright. When buying a goldfish, make sure it has bright scales and is vigorous!
    • Sometimes goldfish can pick up soil particles. If you catch your fish doing this, don't worry: they usually spit out soil. Just do not buy fine soil that gets stuck in the throat so that the fish does not choke on it.
    • Fish can easily go without food for a week, so it's okay if you don't feed your pet for 1-2 days.
    • In fact, goldfish do not have a three-second memory. They remember a lot, and you can easily verify this by watching how they instantly swim up, hearing the sound of the opening of the feeder. Many fish are very intelligent.
    • If your fish looks unhealthy, start cleaning the aquarium water more often. Feed your pet regularly. If the situation worsens, look for useful information, read thematic forums or take the fish to the pet store - they may be able to help there.
    • If you are feeding your fish food that won't sink, soak it for a few seconds to submerge it in the water. This will reduce the amount of air your fish swallow while eating, which will reduce the risk of possible buoyancy problems.
    • Look for signs that your fish is unhappy with something.
    • Never keep goldfish in a narrow-necked round aquarium. The spherical shape causes the fish to hit the walls of the aquarium. In addition, due to the narrow neck, insufficient oxygen enters the water. Don't judge by popular movies or think that goldfish can be kept in cramped round aquariums. It's not like that at all.
    • To keep your fish healthy, feed them peas. Heat the peas for 10 seconds in the microwave, gently peel and crush so the fish can easily swallow them.
    • Each fish requires a volume of about 75 liters. Thus, if you have two goldfish, they will need a 150-liter aquarium to live a full and happy life. If there are more than two fish, consider purchasing a 300 gallon tank.
    • If almost the entire body of the fish is covered with white spots, it means that it has ichthyophthyroidism (a disease caused by parasites). It is treated with a solution that can be purchased at your nearest pet store.
    • Don't get your fish out of the tank just because it hangs motionless in the water with your eyes open. Pisces sleep in this way: they have no eyelids, so they sleep with their eyes open.
    • Keep an eye on your fish if it has broken skin.
    • Use baking soda when cleaning an empty aquarium. Baking soda kills algae on artificial plants, aquarium walls, soil and filter. Then rinse the aquarium thoroughly with water.

    Warnings

    • Do not keep goldfish for long periods of time in a round or other aquarium with a volume of less than 75 liters. Round aquariums are not only too small, they are also difficult to filter and lack oxygen exchange. This kind of aquarium is especially easy to break down due to its unstable shape and it interferes with the growth of fish. Fish that live in round aquariums are in mortal danger due to the accumulation of chemicals that cannot be eliminated even with a good filter, and they suffer greatly from a lack of space. This seriously damages their immune systems and kills them either immediately or slowly and painfully over several years. Keeping in a round aquarium reduces the lifespan of a goldfish by an average of 80%. It's as if people only lived to be 15-20 years old!
    • Goldfish grow large (usually up to 20 cm, but decorative breeds are usually smaller - about 15 cm) and can live up to 15-30 years. Unfortunately, every year millions of them die due to improper care and myths prevailing among novice aquarists (round aquariums for goldfish, etc.). Take care of your fish, and your little friend will delight you for many years.
    • Goldfish are very voracious and can eat whatever they find, so watch what you put in the aquarium!
    • Think carefully before adding other fish to the goldfish. Look for information on species compatibility and consult your local pet store. You are unlikely to be delighted if you find the skeleton of your pet floating around the aquarium. Also, be careful when seeking advice from the seller: most of them themselves have no idea what they are talking about. The best solution is to post a question on a topic forum or purchase a good aquarium book.
    • Do not take the example of beautiful pictures that depict aquariums with many fish scurrying in them. Overcrowding an aquarium leads to many problems and significantly limits the living space of your pets.
    • When changing the water in the aquarium, it is necessary to mix the soil so that it does not thicken and harmful gases do not accumulate in it.

    What do you need

    • Aquarium
    • Water
    • gold fish
    • Food for goldfish
    • Decorative items for the aquarium
    • Aquarium soil
    • Filter
    • Thermometer
    • Kit for testing pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels in water.The API Liquid Freshwater Master Test Kit works well.
    • Net or plastic container for catching fish (never try to grab the fish with your hands)

    Additional articles

    How to change the water in an aquarium How to distinguish an adult goldfish How to make a goldfish live for decades How to properly keep goldfish How to restore impaired swim bladder function in goldfish How to Determine the Gender of a Goldfish How to breed goldfish How to save dying goldfish How to care for a goldfish How to care for a crayfish How to understand that your fish is dead How to determine the pregnancy of aquarium fish How to care for an axolotl How to understand that a guppy fish is pregnant