Every One Need To Know About Keeping Goldfish

Many of us love goldfish; they are cute and look exquisite. That said, they are also really sensitive and a goldfish could die from anything from over feeding, poor water quality and even stress which may be brought about by poor temperatures and overcrowding. Caring for them is therefore essential and today we give you a few tips on how to ensure that you have healthy and happy goldfish.

The first thing you need to know is that goldfish spend very little time on the water surface. If you pay close attention, you will realize that when it's at the surface it's probably gasping for air and this should tell you that the water has inadequate oxygen. One of the most important things you can do is choose its home wisely.

Aquarium or Bowl?

Most people keep goldfish in bowls and aquariums. However, you should know that more goldfish die in bowls than in aquariums or even ponds. This is because of poor water quality. Bowls are tiny and do not provide enough oxygen. One goldfish should have about 10 gallons of water and this just goes to show you that you may need to change your setting to an aquarium. If you have decorations, these shouldn't take too much space. One quarter of the space is enough for decorations so as to provide three quarters of open space for the fish. Without enough space, their growth stunts and scientists trust that this is a painful experience for then.

Water Quality

When it comes to keeping good quality water, small water changes are not the best. It is better to have large and frequent water changes of about 50% every week. If you do not have the best filtration system, an 80% change of water is recommended. You must never exceed this level unless you are dealing with an emergency.Note that large water changes will not rid your aquarium of bacteria since the plants and gravel bed have the beneficial bacteria.

Water Temperature

The temperature matters a lot and though goldfish don't necessarily need heating, rapid changes kill them. Ensure that you maintain a steady temperature. These fish don't do well in extreme temperatures and chances are high that they will go into hibernation with temperatures under 54?F(12?C).

Feeding

It's important to realize that goldfish are born scavengers and they eat everything and will not stop. While pellets and flakes are good food, you need to give them a balanced diet of algae, insects, leaves and even crustaceans. You can feed them more than twice a day but with the right amounts.

Though goldfish start out quite tiny, they grow to become large and you will need to ensure they have enough space to thrive. With proper goldfish care, you could see your fish survive for more than 10 years.

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