The Dos and Don’ts Of Taking Care Of A Goldfish
Goldfish are one of the most popular pets in the world, and while they’re relatively low maintenance (they don’t need to be walked or fed a lot), there’s still a lot you can do to make their lives healthier and more enjoyable. Here are some tips for taking care of your goldfish.
Do Set Up A Healthy Environment For Your Goldfish
Like any other living being, your goldfish needs a healthy environment to thrive. The size of your tank is one factor, because a large enough tank ensures that it won’t run out of oxygen or become too cold (Goldfish are tropical fish).
Other important factors include water parameters and filtration. The water in your tank should be filtered to remove waste and supply fresh oxygen. It should also have the right pH balance, temperature, and water hardness.
Don’t Under Feed Your Fish Or Give It Too Much Food
One thing that you should never do is overfeed your goldfish. Goldfish have a fast metabolism; if your goldfish eat more than their bodies can process, they will die. If you notice extra food in the tank or your goldfish aren’t growing as quickly as they could be, try cutting back on how much you feed them.
They can also become constipated if they’re fed too much food, so you should only feed your goldfish a pea-sized amount of food at a time. If the fish refuses to eat for more than three days, take it to a pet store that specializes in aquatic life.
Don’t Keep Goldfish With Other Species Of Fish
Many owners of freshwater fish mix different species in their tanks, but this is one instance where it’s important to follow the rules. Goldfish are natural scavengers that eat pretty much everything they can find, so keeping them with smaller and more vulnerable fish could lead to a disastrous situation.
Other species of fish can also make your goldfish sick if they eat the wrong foods. If you have to feed both species of fish together, only put healthy food into the tank and monitor closely what happens.
Do Get Your Goldfish Some Friends
Goldfish are social animals. They’re happiest in schools. If you only have one goldfish, give it lots of space so that it can swim freely. A large school of several goldfish is even better for an environment that’s conducive to goldfish growth and health.
At the same time, don’t overcrowd the aquarium. Goldfish produce a lot of waste, and an overcrowded tank might make the water more contaminated than it should be.
Don’t Forget About Temperature Or Light Sources When Taking Care Of Your Fish
Goldfish are relatively simple to care for, but they still need temperatures within the range of 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit (18 and 35 degrees Celsius). They also require light, preferably full-spectrum light that simulates natural sunlight.
Do Make Sure To Clean The Tank Every Week And Change The Water Bi-Weekly
You’ll also want to make sure the tank is clean. A dirty fish tank can lead to illness in your goldfish, so you must do regular water changes or use other methods for keeping the tank clean. Ideally, you should clean the tank every week and change about one-third of the water every two weeks.
If Your Goldfish Gets Sick, Do Take It To The Vet
Goldfish often get ill because they’re kept in small spaces with tons of other fish. If your goldfish gets sick, you should take it to a pet store or a veterinarian who specializes in exotic pets. Either way, an illness can be fatal if not treated right away.
Don’t Buy An Expensive Aquarium With Lots Of Decorations
This can be dangerous to small fish. Goldfish aren’t as hardy as other fish, so if you buy a tank that’s too large for them (or put goldfish in a tank with decorations they can get stuck on or hurt themselves on), there’s a good chance your fish will die.
This is more of an issue than it might seem. Unfortunately, many pet owners think goldfish are so hardy that they don’t need to worry about them dying in an aquarium. Goldfish can hurt themselves on decorations by getting stuck on decorations or bumping into them and getting injured.
Do Make Sure You Have A Backup Filter In Case One Breaks Down
If you’re relying on one filter to take care of your tank, it can be a disaster if something goes wrong with it. Ideally, if you do have one filter that’s handling all the work for the aquarium, you should also have a backup in case the primary filter breaks down.
If you’re a goldfish owner, make sure to follow these dos and don’ts for taking care of your pet. Goldfish are one of the most popular pets because they are easy to take care of and do not require much space or attention. That doesn’t give you an excuse to neglect them. Like any living thing, they will thrive with the proper care. Once they do, as an owner, you’ll feel the pride to see them do well.
