How To Care For Common Goldfish

How To Care For Common Goldfish
How To Care For Common Goldfish

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The common goldfish is a breed of goldfish with no other differences from its living ancestor, the Prussian carp, other than color and shape. The goldfish is a domesticated form of wild carp and a close relative of the koi fish. Most of the fancy goldfish breeds are derived from this simple breed. Common goldfish come in a variety of colors including red, orange, red/white, white/black, yellow/white, blue, gray/brown, olive green, yellow, white and black, the most common variation. is orange, hence the name . Sometimes the brightness, duration and vibrancy of the colors can be indicative of a fish’s health status. 

Temperament

Common goldfish are social animals that like to live in groups. They can interact with any fish of the same species. With proper care and attention, the common goldfish can become tame. After getting used to the owner’s face, swimming towards the aquarist can be observed during feeding time and hand-feeding is possible. Small goldfish generally avoid all forms of human contact. However, this fear ends in an adult, medium-sized goldfish. An adult goldfish is more likely to eat directly from the owner’s hand without hesitation. While this behavior is welcomed by goldfish keepers, it has proven problematic in outdoor ponds where predators can eat such friendly prey. Adult goldfish will also explore their surroundings by gnawing or browsing.

If moved to an aquarium containing other goldfish, a common goldfish will often attempt to socialize and make new tank mates by rubbing against the other fish’s bodies. The most common introductory gesture is swimming next to another goldfish with its head facing forward, or swimming next to another goldfish with its head facing the opposite direction, or swimming above another goldfish in a perpendicular manner. Going to school is a common behavior when there is a new fish in the aquarium. After a while, this training behavior ceases and soon each fish will swim back and explore the aquarium on their own. Aggressive behavior rarely occurs when a new specimen is introduced into a sedentary school of goldfish.

A hierarchy is often observed during feeding, in which the largest goldfish receive most of the food. However, small goldfish can also become aggressive or competitive eaters despite the presence of larger fish, which is generally considered a good sign, as willingness to eat is an indication of the fish. Gold has good health. 

Housing

It is common to keep the common goldfish in a small bowl, but this causes the waste in the water to reach toxic levels and not provide enough oxygen. For each small goldfish/fish, ideally there should be at least 10–20 US gallons (38–76 l; 8.3–16.7 imp gal) of water. A good filter, which does not require heating, is recommended as these fish can be more than 12 inches (300mm) long. Recommended for tanks up to 75 US gallons (280 l; 62 imp gal). Small goldfish can be kept in smaller aquariums, but such an arrangement will be difficult to maintain as the fish grow older. If there are concerns the fish are not getting enough oxygen, especially in hot weather, a water pump, such as a fountain pump or mini pond pump, will suck up the CO.
2 from the bottom, push it out and the surfactant will supply oxygen to the tank or pond. Contrary to popular belief, air pumps and air rocks do not provide oxygen directly, but rely on bubbles bursting on the surface to deliver oxygen to the fish’s environment. Ideally, the water pump should push 10 times the volume of the tank or pond plus 100 lph or gph. Goldfish will die if there is not enough dissolved oxygen in the water. Prefer a filter that is capable of doing at least 10 filtration, which means that for 10 gallons or liters of water, the filter should be able to cycle through 100 gallons or liters per hour. If there is no oxygen in the water, the fish may die or pass out. The fish should be transferred to a basin filled with fresh water.

Goldfish are curious fish and will quickly get bored without other objects or fish to interact with. If placed in a naked aquarium, the goldfish will sink to the bottom and only move when fed or frightened by unexpected shocks. However, if they are placed in an aquarium with enough gravel, aquarium accessories or plants (real or fake), they will feel at home. Goldfish are not highly territorial. However, if an aquarium is already too small for one goldfish, it will most certainly be for two or more. Stress is not good for the health of any goldfish. In the worst case, one or two fish will bully the others until they starve to death. Cannibalism is generally rare (it can happen when a fish is dying or dying), but in cramped and stressful situations, goldfish can behave unpredictably. Diseases can occur whenever fish are trapped in small houses. 

When adding goldfish to a new aquarium, it is important not to place more than two at a time. This allows beneficial bacteria (which convert ammonia to nitrite and eventually nitrate) to grow. If too much is added before these bacteria grow, the goldfish will die from inhaling too much of its own untreated feces. Even after the development of a biofilter, about 20% of the water should be changed at least once a week or as needed to avoid harmful nitrate buildup. Adding live aquatic plants can reduce the number of water changes per month, but only if the plants are growing (they will take up nitrates as nitrogen sources). However, if necessary, you should also never remove all of the water from an established tank. Never change the water more than 90%, the remaining 10% will help maintain the water cycle and the remaining good bacteria will soon recover in the tank. A good trick when changing the water is not to clean the filter at the same time (the filter also contains a large amount of good), but should wait 2 days after the water change to clean the filter to maintain stability and stability. healthy balance.

Common goldfish can be kept in water gardens or outdoor ponds year round. Outdoor ponds have the same maintenance requirements as indoor pools, with some notable exceptions such as the amount of sunlight, natural and man-made environmental pollution (e.g. leaf litter, debris, flow), algae, pond mate selection (i.e. algae eaters, frogs, etc.). Outdoor ponds tend to be miniature aquatic ecosystems, attracting various species of animals and plants. In hot climates, it is important that pond temperatures do not reach dangerously high levels that can kill fish. In winter, fish can become lethargic and stop eating. This does not mean that they are sick, but that their metabolism has slowed down. The pond must not freeze and there must be space in the surface of the ice to oxygenate the water. It is also not advisable to hit the ice as this will create sound pressure shock waves that penetrate the water, scaring the fish away. 

Basic common goldfish care

When adding goldfish to a new aquarium, it is important not to place more than two at a time. This allows beneficial bacteria (which convert ammonia to nitrite and eventually nitrate) to grow. If too much is added before these bacteria grow, the goldfish will die from inhaling too much of its own untreated feces. Even after the development of a biofilter, about 20% of the water should be changed at least once a week or as needed to avoid harmful nitrate buildup. Adding live aquatic plants can reduce the number of water changes per month, but only if the plants are growing (they will take up nitrates as nitrogen sources). However, if necessary, you should also never remove all of the water from an established tank. Never change the water more than 90%, the remaining 10% will help maintain the water cycle and the remaining good bacteria will soon recover in the tank. A good trick when changing the water is not to clean the filter at the same time (the filter also contains a large amount of good), but should wait 2 days after the water change to clean the filter to maintain stability and stability. healthy balance.

Common goldfish can be kept in water gardens or outdoor ponds year round. Outdoor ponds have the same maintenance requirements as indoor pools, with some notable exceptions such as the amount of sunlight, natural and man-made environmental pollution (e.g. leaf litter, debris, flow), algae, pond mate selection (i.e. algae eaters, frogs, etc.). Outdoor ponds tend to be miniature aquatic ecosystems, attracting various species of animals and plants. In hot climates, it is important that pond temperatures do not reach dangerously high levels that can kill fish. In winter, fish can become lethargic and stop eating. This does not mean that they are sick, but that their metabolism has slowed down. The pond must not freeze and there must be space in the surface of the ice to oxygenate the water. It is also not advisable to hit the ice as this will create sound pressure shock waves that penetrate the water, scaring the fish away. 

Goldfish with white spots on gill covers

It is relatively easy to keep a regular goldfish. In breeding conditions, males will develop small white spots on their gills and females will become plump. The male will chase the female until she releases the eggs, after which the male will produce milk and they will be fertilized. The egg will then stick to any available surface. After that, it is best to transfer the eggs to a separate aquarium as adult fish are likely to eat them. When the eggs hatch and produce fry, they will need to be fed very small foods such as freshly hatched brine shrimp or pre-fried food. As they grow, they can eat fine fish food. Finally, the pieces of fish food can be larger. 

Diseases

Goldfish are generally healthy but can also get sick. These causes can be due to poor water quality, over-feeding and over-stocking. Goldfish are notoriously filthy, producing a lot of waste and constantly stirring up the substrate in their relentless foraging. In small aquariums, common goldfish diseases can quickly become fatal and require prompt and prompt treatment. A number of symptoms may indicate a fish is sick, such as a cut on one of the fins, a change in scales or eye color, discharge from the nostrils, scales falling off, or the fish frequently floating to the surface. Many specialized treatments are available in the market for the management of specific diseases. 

Some of the main diseases frequently picked up by common goldfish are:

Bubble disease develops when fish have problems with buoyancy due to a build-up of gas inside. Problems can arise when fish receive insufficient fiber, poor water quality or overfeeding. Fish “may also be swollen or swollen…”; Fish can also swim sideways or upside down. Treatment begins with testing the water to make sure the water is clean, then the goldfish must fast for three days if there is no improvement; If the fish is still having problems, feed the fish with low protein food and vegetables.

Fin rot is developed by bacteria that eat/damage goldfish fins. The disease begins with “poor water quality, overcrowding of fish, sudden temperature changes, fin biting, aggressive fish”; this will result in torn and torn fins, which can eventually break down body tissues to prevent their fins from growing back. Fin rot is known to need to be treated early to avoid further damage to fish body tissues so that the disease does not spread. The treatment starts with clean water, adding salt to the aquarium to purify the water; If the following solutions do not work, commercial products should be used along with weekly water changes.

White spot disease occurs when parasites in the water attack goldfish with weak immune systems and high stress levels causing the goldfish to develop white spots all over the body. [Goldfish develop disease mainly when the fish are introduced to a new environment, creating stress for the fish. One method, the salt and heat method, is a treatment for white-spotted goldfish which can be fatal if not treated immediately. The water should be set at 86°F, gradually increasing so that the fish is not shocked by an immediate change in water temperature. Increase the amount of oxygen due to heat (increasing will limit oxygen), then add one tablespoon for every 5 gallons of water. Use this treatment for ten days and slowly return to normal temperature by changing the water; If this treatment doesn’t work, use a commercial goldfish treatment. 

A fungal infection is a growth of a fungus that can lead to problems with parasitic infections, ulcers, or open sores; Fungal symptoms can worsen and lead to secondary fungal infections. There are “cotton-like growths along the body and fins” caused by dirty water. Treatment begins with transferring the goldfish to a hospital aquarium, followed by cleaning the environment with methylene blue if the disease is severe. However, goldfish can have a cleaner aquarium and the fungal infection should go away over time.

Ammonia poisoning is caused by high levels of ammonia in the tank. Add an ammonia-reducing chemical to the tank or, for an emergency ammonia release, do a 25% water change every day for a week until symptoms subside. Ammonia-reducing chemicals should not be added as soon as ammonia levels drop (as anti-ammonia products can damage the biofilter and cause recycling to restart).

Sea lice are a type of parasite. Sea lice move on the body of fish. These are the only visible parasites. They look like transparent white spots. These lice can have adverse side effects on the health of the fish. Try to avoid removing lice by hand; use anti-parasitic drugs. 

Lifespan

Goldfish can live for long periods of time if fed a varied diet and kept in the right water conditions. The average lifespan of a goldfish is ten to fifteen years. The longest living goldfish on record lived to be 43 years old. The longest living goldfish is Tish, which was won by a British family at a fun fair. Tish is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest living fish. Improperly cared for or kept in a bowl will greatly reduce the typical lifespan of a goldfish. 

Common goldfish as feeder fish

Common goldfish are commonly used as live prey for freshwater turtles, including red-eared sliders and other carnivorous fish, such as Oscar fish. When fully fed, eating goldfish is not a good source of nutrients