Hi all! I am so glad we finally have a goldfish/coldwater topic forum that I thought I would write-up a general advice column about these awesome fishies.
General
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Goldfish are likely the first and most common fish variety sold for a few really simple reasons... they have high tolerance for variable water conditions.
Breed in captivity for centuries, goldfish have adapted to most water conditions, but they still need good fishkeeping practises to ensure they not only survive but flourish.
Goldfish can live for twenty years under proper conditions, a characteristic I love about keeping them because they really become pets and develop their own traits as they get older.
Size
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Most goldfish will grow to at least 6" in size, and some even larger (like 18" long). Yes, even the baby fantail you bought a few days ago is genetically pre-programmed to get that large, and your tank size will not change their genetic pre-disposition to grow to full sized.
So why do some goldfish stay small... well, mostly that has to do with environmental issues, like water quality, physical space, and food quality. Stick a goldfish in a bowl and it will always be subject to poor water conditions, which will stunt (deform) their growth, limit muscle-mass development (no room exercise), and generally shorten their life-span anywhere from 10 to 17 years.
Some rules of thumb say you need 10 to 20 gallons per goldfish. Fancies can get away with 10, comets need 20. Personally, I tend to limit fish quantity based on the tank dimensions of what I have (or am willing to buy). To really get the most out of your goldfish, your tank should be at least 33 gallons for 3 fancies, 50+ for 4 or 5 comets. Any less space will limit their growth early-on.
Equipment
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Heaters are not necessary, goldfish do well at room (or even below) temperature.
Filters... heavy mechanical (floss/sponge), at least enough capacity to filter twice your tanks water volume per hour. Goldfish produce a lot of waste, so get a filter that is easy to replace the floss every couple weeks.
Food
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Vegetarians, so the first ingredient should be vegetable-based. Par-broiled lettus, cucumber, zuchinni, even peas are a favourite treat for goldies. Flaked foods are fine, just don't overfeed goldfish. They always act hungry, so just regulate feeding twice a day.
Plants & Decorations
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Goldies eat most live plants, except for a few broad-leafed ferns.
Plastic plants are fine, and give goldies a sense of protection.
I prefer coarse gravel over sand for goldies, easier to clean-up the larger-sized waste they produce.
Any other decorations should have smooth edges, goldfish are large, powerful swimmers that can easily bump into sharp objects inside the tank if spooked.
About my Goldies
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I have been keeping coldwater fish for three years. My seven goldfish (see my signature), most have been with me since the beginning. They started off in a 10 gallon, then a 17 gallon, then a 40 gallon, then a 50 gallon, then a 80 gallon, and now live in a 180 gallon pond during summer, and a 220 gallon tank in the winter.
Tips
----
Take a lot of time choosing your goldfish from the store before you buy them. Even feeders can be great fish, provided they are not already deformed or sick. Look for smooth, nicely proportioned bodies, without sunken bellies or deformaties like bent spines, deformed gills. Make sure they are swimming well and don't worry about color on young fish, they all change colors when they age.
Hope you find this helpful. Happy goldfishkeeping!
General
-------
Goldfish are likely the first and most common fish variety sold for a few really simple reasons... they have high tolerance for variable water conditions.
Breed in captivity for centuries, goldfish have adapted to most water conditions, but they still need good fishkeeping practises to ensure they not only survive but flourish.
Goldfish can live for twenty years under proper conditions, a characteristic I love about keeping them because they really become pets and develop their own traits as they get older.
Size
----
Most goldfish will grow to at least 6" in size, and some even larger (like 18" long). Yes, even the baby fantail you bought a few days ago is genetically pre-programmed to get that large, and your tank size will not change their genetic pre-disposition to grow to full sized.
So why do some goldfish stay small... well, mostly that has to do with environmental issues, like water quality, physical space, and food quality. Stick a goldfish in a bowl and it will always be subject to poor water conditions, which will stunt (deform) their growth, limit muscle-mass development (no room exercise), and generally shorten their life-span anywhere from 10 to 17 years.
Some rules of thumb say you need 10 to 20 gallons per goldfish. Fancies can get away with 10, comets need 20. Personally, I tend to limit fish quantity based on the tank dimensions of what I have (or am willing to buy). To really get the most out of your goldfish, your tank should be at least 33 gallons for 3 fancies, 50+ for 4 or 5 comets. Any less space will limit their growth early-on.
Equipment
----------
Heaters are not necessary, goldfish do well at room (or even below) temperature.
Filters... heavy mechanical (floss/sponge), at least enough capacity to filter twice your tanks water volume per hour. Goldfish produce a lot of waste, so get a filter that is easy to replace the floss every couple weeks.
Food
-----
Vegetarians, so the first ingredient should be vegetable-based. Par-broiled lettus, cucumber, zuchinni, even peas are a favourite treat for goldies. Flaked foods are fine, just don't overfeed goldfish. They always act hungry, so just regulate feeding twice a day.
Plants & Decorations
--------------------
Goldies eat most live plants, except for a few broad-leafed ferns.
Plastic plants are fine, and give goldies a sense of protection.
I prefer coarse gravel over sand for goldies, easier to clean-up the larger-sized waste they produce.
Any other decorations should have smooth edges, goldfish are large, powerful swimmers that can easily bump into sharp objects inside the tank if spooked.
About my Goldies
----------------
I have been keeping coldwater fish for three years. My seven goldfish (see my signature), most have been with me since the beginning. They started off in a 10 gallon, then a 17 gallon, then a 40 gallon, then a 50 gallon, then a 80 gallon, and now live in a 180 gallon pond during summer, and a 220 gallon tank in the winter.
Tips
----
Take a lot of time choosing your goldfish from the store before you buy them. Even feeders can be great fish, provided they are not already deformed or sick. Look for smooth, nicely proportioned bodies, without sunken bellies or deformaties like bent spines, deformed gills. Make sure they are swimming well and don't worry about color on young fish, they all change colors when they age.
Hope you find this helpful. Happy goldfishkeeping!
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one of the goldies seems to swim at a 45 degree angle to the tank he seams quite happy in himself apart from the weird angle. also what other cold water fish can i keep in with them sommat samll that wont get eaten.
