Goldfish is a domestic fish of the carp family. It is among the aquarium fish loved by many households. Just like any pet in the house, goldfish needs a good care for it to look good. There are various ways of taking care of your goldfish from the way you feed it to the way you maintain the aquarium. Your goldfish needs a conducive environment for it to survive well. Taking good care of your goldfish is no easy task and it requires great commitment. The following ideas and tips will help you in caring for goldfish:
1. Always keep the right oxygen levels inside the aquarium
Caring for goldfish starts with the good care of its environment which is the tank or the aquarium. Remember for your goldfish to survive it is important to maintain the right oxygen levels in the aquarium tank. If there is a low oxygen concentration in the tank, your goldfish will hang on top of the water. The oxygen levels in the tank can be controlled by keeping the tank in a cool place to lower the temperatures, when the temperatures are lowered the oxygen levels inside the tank will raise. Remember your goldfish can die to low oxygen supply inside the tank. Do not keep your tank in areas with extreme temperatures, since high temperature will lead to low oxygen concentration inside the tank. The temperatures should not be kept so high or so low, maintain the right minimum temperatures.
2. Always keep the aquarium water clean
The water needs to be kept clear all the time. Anytime you notice a color change in the water it is important to clean the tank, by changing the water, this will get rid of all the bacteria and other decaying material in the water. Clean water makes the oxygen circulation in the tank more efficient. Clean the tank more often to get rid of waste excreted by the goldfish. Do not clean your tank using soap water, since soap water is poisonous to your goldfish and can lead to death. Remember to replace the water more often. You can clean your tank and replace the water once in every two weeks.
3. Give your goldfish time to rest and sleep
Goldfish just like any other pet needs time to relax and sleep. At night it is important to switch off the aquarium light and let the goldfish sleep. Ensure that the aquarium lighting is appropriate, because proper lighting helps in fish breeding. To keep the original color of your goldfish expose it to natural light. However, it is important to note that you should note over light the tank or under light the tank, it is good to keep the optimum light inside the tank.
4. Feed the goldfish three times a day
Feed your goldfish in the morning, during the day and in the evening. Feed them with the special gold fish foods. Do not over-feed the goldfish because this poses a risk of death. Always feed your goldfish with all the necessary nutrients.
5. Observe your goldfish for diseases and parasites
Just like other pets, goldfish are also at a risk of being attacked by diseases and parasites. It is important to be observant and in case you notice any of the parasites and disease symptoms you need to take the necessary steps.
Some of the common diseases that attack goldfish are:
- Goldfish ich
This happens when the goldfish develops white spots on the body and fins and also gets difficulties in breathing. This is caused by a parasite, but don’t worry the disease is curable.
- Swim bladder disease
Another common disease is the swim bladder disease, which is identified when you see your goldfish swimming sideways or upside down, the disease is curable and it is important to separate your goldfish from others if you notice these symptoms because the disease is contagious and can affect the other goldfish.
6. Make sure the tank or aquarium is big enough
The aquarium must be big in size; this gives your goldfish a bigger swimming space. Oxygen circulation is also good in a larger tank. The goldfish gets enough breathing and breeding space inside a larger tank rather than in a smaller tank. Goldfish like a lot of water and a bigger tank has enough space to fill with much water. A larger tank is less likely to be contaminated by bacteria or fish waste.
7. Observe optimum temperature
Always observe and keep the right temperatures inside the goldfish tank. The temperatures should not be kept so low or extreme. Extreme temperatures might lead to low oxygen levels, which might lead to suffocation of goldfish, low temperatures might lead to loss of original goldfish color. Remember the right temperatures are paramount to the breathing of the goldfish.
8. Decorate your tank
By decorating the tank or aquarium you provide a good environment for the goldfish to hide in when it feels tired. Nowadays there are many wonderful and incredibly beautiful things for tanks, just do a little research and find the best things.
9. Ensure the tank has good gravel
The gravel you put under the tank provides a good breeding environment for bacteria, which acts as fish food; the gravel should not be too small, since the goldfish will tend to swallow small gravel. The gravel also helps the goldfish to camouflage when it sense danger. Also, the gravel should not have pointed edges that can hurt your goldfish.
10. Make sure your tank or aquarium is well covered
Make sure that your aquarium has a cover on the top to prevent your goldfish from jumping out. The cover also prevents foreign material from falling into your tank. This helps in keeping the water clean and your goldfish safe.
11. Ensure that your tank is fitted with air stones
Air stones release bubbles into the water which keeps the water surface active, this ensures that the water is well oxygenated and fresh all the time. It prevents the water from going stagnant and stale.
Follow these tips and you will provide your goldfish with a great living and breathing environment, and keep it free of disease and parasites. Do you have any other tips for caring for goldfish? Feel free to share them with us!