In the last couple of articles I shared with you the great tips on selecting good aquarium fish and how to transport and acclimatize them to there new surroundings. Today I’m going to tell you about the right way to feed your gold fish because it is very important.

Did you know that overfeeding is the most common cause of death in gold fish? I know this is hard to believe that something so simple could cause the death of more fish than all the diseases and problems with water quality but it is one area that people overlook when is comes to gold fish.

You need to make sure you don’t over feed your fish but on the other hand they need to get enough food to be able to survive and grow healthily. Here are a few tips on how you should feed your new gold fish.

1, Feed often but sparingly. This will cut down on uneaten food that will turn into ammonia and could harm or even kill your fish.

2, Watch at feeding times and work out how much the fish can eat within five minutes. Then never feed more than that. This again will create less waste.

3, Try feeding other feeds than don’t pollute the water as much. Only feed meaty foods twice or three times a week as these tend to create the most waste.

4, Think about buying a more powerful filter. If you over feed then, the extra waste will cause a strain on your existing filter. Look into upgrading your filter if you keep having problems with ammonia.

5, Buy a few catfish or pleco’s. These bottom feeding fish eat the waste food that is left by other fish and will cut down on the end waste. Pleco’s also eat algae and keep the tank cleaner.

I hope you look into trying a few of these tips to try and avoid over feeding and ammonia problems caused by food. If you do try them out then I’m sure you will see good results and less fish deaths if you’re having problems with ammonia and nitrate levels in your tank water

Before you go out and buy some gold fish you must take into consideration a few factors. You want to get the best fish you can so I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s important to do some research and learn what to look for when you go to the pet shop to buy your fish.

I’m going to talk to you today about how to spot healthy and colorful gold fish that will help you create a stunning aquarium. Here are a few things you should look for:

1, Look for fish that come to the front of the glass when looking in the tank. If a fish hides at the back or in ornaments then that fish is not going to be a good buy. The fish must swim around freely and without any problems.

2, If been fed, look for fish that are quick to feed. These fish will grow bigger, have more color and be healthier in general. The others that take time before starting to feed are likely to be smaller fish that may be bullied by the others.

3, Don’t buy dark or very pale colored fish. These fish have a risk of having disease or been under stress and might not last long when been moved to your aquarium.

4, If buying livebearers make sure the females aren’t heavily pregnant. These fish will become very stressed when been moved and can often die as a result. Instead look for medium sized females that don’t have a big round bump.

5, Ask assistance and do your research before about fish you are going to keep together and if they are compatible. Make sure you don’t mix peaceful fish with very aggressive fish.

6, Make sure you only buy a few fish at a time. If you buy all your fish at once you will overstock your tank and cause ammonia problems which could result in deaths.

Please make sure you think about these things when looking to buy gold fish. If you follow these six things I’m sure you shouldn’t have many problems. For more information please check out my blogs.

Goldfish

Goldfish like a tank with plenty of swimming room and are not particularly fussed about the presence or absence of decorations. A 30 gallon aquarium with gravel and few river rocks is recommended. You should never keep your goldfish in a bowl or other small container.

Making partial water changes on a weekly basis is the best way to keep your fish healthy, use an aquarium siphon hose to vacuum your gravel, remove leftover food, fish waste, and other organic material.

Goldfish are one of the hardiest of all types of fish, and are able to withstand a wide range of water conditions. However, the ideal pH is neutral to slightly alkaline (around 7.5), moderate hardness, and a temperature of between 60°F (15°C) and 75°F (24°C).

Fancy goldfish, need a tank free of active or aggressive fishes, they require optimum water conditions to prevent fin damage and deterioration. They are best maintained at around 65°F (18°C); they may be susceptible to fungal infections and fin rot if kept at low temperatures for prolonged periods. At higher temperatures the water should be kept well-aerated. Goldfish can tolerate the temperature itself quite well, but may suffer due to lack of oxygen.

Goldfish are diggers and will scatter the fine sand onto leaves, injuring thin and less hardy plants, particularly fine-leaved varieties. They often dig in the gravel and can uproot plants or damage their stems. Plants grafted onto rocks or wood (e.g. anubias, java fern) are good choices.

Goldfish are omnivorous and do not require special diet as tropical fish, however you should buy food made specifically for goldfish, because their nutritional needs are not the same as those of other fishes.

Foods designed for goldfish are usually lower in protein and fat than tropical foods, and made with a fairly high content of vegetable matter. It is generally recommended not to give goldfish too much protein, as this can lead to constipation and intestinal problems. In fancy varieties a higher level of protein is desirable as this encourages the development of the fleshy head growths in Oranda and lionhead/ranchu varieties.

If you wish to grow your goldfish a higher protein diet will also result in a faster growth rate. Where goldfish are kept in small or unfiltered aquariums, it is not recommended to give high protein food.

To avoid dietary problems, it is a good idea to include shrimp-based frozen foods and vegetable-based foods as a supplement. Frozen shrimp is also good for promoting the red-gold coloration of goldfish. Flakes or granules are suitable for small goldfish, for larger fish, pellets are usually more economical.

Never give your goldfish more food than they can eat in a few minutes. Leftover food decomposes and pollutes the tank. If food remains uneaten, remove it. Feeding your goldfish a small amount at several times during the day is preferable to feeding one big meal.

Gold Fish