Goldfish Care

Proper goldfish care is important for when you have goldfish. You don't want to end up flushing them down the toilet. I always try to take good care of my goldfish because, when I was a kid, I flushed too many down the drain.

Feeding goldfish is important for proper goldfish care. Like most fish, goldfish are what is called opportunistic feeders. If you feed them too much food, they will eat it all. Overfed goldfish can sometimes be recognized by feces trailing them. (gross right?) Moreover, this extra waste in the water can kill them. Overfeeding is the most common reason goldfish die. Goldfish should be feed no more than three times a day and only as much as they can eat during two minutes. Don't overfeed them because you may kill them by bursting their intestines. Beginner goldfish keepers who have just bought either the ryukin, fantail, Orinda, lionhead or other special goldfish should watch their goldfish carefully for a few days. You need to know exactly how much they will eat!

Goldfish food has a low protein and high carbohydrate content. It is sold in two consistencies - flakes that float at the top of the aquarium, and pellets that sink slowly to the bottom. Most goldfish owners use the flakes when they feed their goldfish.

Proper Goldfish care also requires good water. Without good water in the bowl, the fish will die quickly. Let new water sit for at least two days, so chlorine and other gases in your water solution are released and the temperature isn't too hot. Also keep in mind the PH of the water. Goldfish can adapt to almost any tap water pH so don't worry about using your local water!

Make sure you clean the goldfish tank at least twice a week! If you have gravel, make sure you use a syphon with a gravel vacuuming attachment. If you have algae on your tank, clean it off otherwise the fish will eat it. Make sure you filter the water in the goldfish tank and clean the filter element every couple of weeks. The water temperature of the goldfish tank should be about 68 degrees. Anything above 80 degress and the goldfish will become sick and die. Anything below 50 and the goldfish will be unable to eat and then starve to death.

These are the two most important things in goldfish care. If you feed your goldfish well and take care of your goldfish's water, they will last a long time. You don't want to end up watching one die just a few days after you bought it. Remember good goldfish care leads to long life!

Types of Goldfish

There are many types of Goldfish. The earliest "goldfish" were a type of the Carp found in China. The monks kept the goldfish in ponds and domesticated them to get the modern goldfish.

Goldfish can grow to a length of 22 inches and weigh up to 9 pounds. Most household goldfish live for six to eight years. When you go to your local goldfish store, look for healthy types of goldfish that are well kept and well maintained. If there are dead fish or the water is cloudy, buy your goldfish elsewhere.

Types of Goldfish

Comets- These are slender in body shape and have a long single tail fin. They are very hardy fish and will grow to 12-14" long.

Commons- Also slender in body shape but they have a short sleek tail fin. They are also hardy and will get to 12-14" long.

Shubunkins- Shubunkins are slender in body and have many colors like violet, red, and orange, yellow. These colors go to the tail. There is 2 different kinds of this fish: London and Bristols.

Wakins- Again, slender like the others but its tail fin is split.. Most come in colors of white, white and orange or just orange.

Pearlscale- This is an egg shaped goldfish and they have a mid-reigion larger than other goldfish. The scales have a pearl raised appearance and they come in many colors.

Oranda- Another fish with an egg shaped body with what is called head growth (wen). If the fish is healthy, the wen growth should be well developed. The fins are long and flowing.

Ryukin- These goldfish have a hump back that starts just after the head of the goldfish.

Moors- A black colored Goldfish with telescope eyes and an egg shaped body.

Demekin- This fish is a cross between a ryukin and a telescope goldfish. They have a high arched back and telescope eyes.

Veiltail- This fish has long flowing fins that droop off the fish's body. The fish's body is egged shaped and it comes in a variety of colors.

Lionhead- This is a beautiful fish. An egg shaped goldfish with a straight back and no dorsel fin.

When you choose your type of goldfish, make sure this type of fish is the one you can give the best goldfish care too!