Goldfish are famous as “first pets” for any child. But that doesn’t mean they’re easy to care for! Goldfish are often given as prizes or gifts. However, most of them soon die because the people who accept them have no idea of their care.
You won’t have any frustration or disappointment later if you have some prior knowledge about the type of tank you should have for your goldfish, the maintenance of such a tank, and the testing of the water inside it. You should also know the technique of introducing the goldfish in your fish tank.
Here are ten golden rules for beginners:
1. You must have an aquarium large enough to accommodate your goldfish. The classic approach of keeping goldfish in a fish tank is no longer considered appropriate. The container will have limited water and a very limited water surface which will provide much less oxygen and will suffocate the fish quickly. You must provide at least 10 gallons of water per 1 inch of goldfish. So if you are thinking of introducing a couple of inch goldfish, you should consider a tank that is about 20 to 30 gallons. Do not think that large tanks will require more effort to maintain. They require comparatively less time and can be maintained less frequently than smaller tanks.
2. Goldfish cannot breathe when they come to the surface of the water. They take the necessary oxygen from the water itself. Therefore, you must purchase an air pump when you purchase your tank.
3. You should not save on the purchase of accessories for the tank. You should always think about placing gravel in the bottom of the tank. The gravel provides an opportunity for bacterial colonies to grow and will help keep ammonia levels down. The only thing to consider about gravel is its size. If the size is too small, the goldfish will try to eat it!
4. Before introducing goldfish into the tank, test the water, reduce toxin levels, allow bacterial colonies to form on the filters, and make the tank an ideal place for your goldfish. This is also called the ‘fishless cycle’.
5. You must buy suitable food for your goldfish. Flake food is a great option, but at the same time you also have to think of something creative. Offer them peas, some boiled lettuce, or pieces of hard-boiled eggs. They are all healthy varieties of food for your goldfish.
6. You should never overfeed your goldfish. They will always be eager to surface from the water and accept whatever food you offer them. However, overfeeding will lead to many problems. Leftover food will contaminate the water and be responsible for increasing the levels of toxic chemicals in the tank. Goldfish will also get too full, which is not good for their health.
7. You should regularly take time to test the quality of the water inside the tank. You should check the levels of ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites in your water and try to keep them to a minimum. Test strips are commercially available and can be a very convenient method of quickly checking water factors.
8. Always keep an aquarium thermometer near the tank. Goldfish are cold-water fish, but they require a consistent temperature range. If you provide 70°F continuously in the tank, they will be healthy and active all the time.
9. You must change the water inside the tank gradually but continuously. You can change about 20 percent of the water at a time and continue this process for 4 to 5 weeks to change all the water in the aquarium. Never add tap water directly to the tank. Keep that water aside for a while so the chlorine and all other dissolved gases in the water are released. Then treat the water to reduce toxin levels. After that you can add it to the tank. You must remove the fish before beginning the water change process.
10. Ask your pet store about diseases goldfish are prone to. Do an online search for common diseases as well. Understand the symptoms and personal program treatment options so you can treat your goldfish in time.
It’s always fun to have goldfish in your home, but it requires a bit of effort on your part to provide these beautiful creatures with a suitable environment. It will keep them healthy and happy for a long time.