Goldfish Quick Care Facts:

Environment: Non-Tropical 20 °C – 22 °C (68 °F – 72 °F)
pH: 6.5-8.25
KH: 70 to 120ppm
Diet: Omnivorous
Breeding: Egg-layer

The budding fish enthusiast usually starts with a goldfish. Such fish are colorful, relatively easy to care for, and are long-lived. Too often, though, they perform their entertaining antics in only a small fish bowl. There are basic care requirements to follow to keep your goldfish healthy, comfortable and happy.

Preparing the Best Environment

While not as delicate as tropical fish, goldfish still have requirements to keep them comfortable. Set up the home aquarium before purchasing the fish. Start-up aquarium kits provide everything needed, including the tank, a hood with light, a power strip, a filter, gravel siphon, thermometer, air stone and tubing. Add ornaments and plants for hiding places, and gravel for the bottom of the tank.

Goldfish need room to swim. A ten gallon tank, for example, would be suitable for only one goldfish. The temperature of the water should be between 65° and 68° F (18° and 20° C).

Feeding Your Goldfish

While goldfish will eat almost anything, it is best to feed them a balanced diet. Commercial goldfish food preparations are ideal. Flake food is preferable as it floats on the surface, making it easier for the fish to find and easier to clean.

Once a day, provide only as much food as the fish will eat in a few minutes and remove any leftover debris. Do this to prevent polluting the tank. A properly fed fish will be livelier, more colorful and more likely to remain healthy.

Breeding Goldfish

It can be difficult to ensure you have both male and female goldfish. Males seem to have thinner concave vents compared to rounder concave vents of females. Try to mimic the mating environment of an outdoor pond by establishing similar temperatures and conditions in the aquarium. It is helpful to make sure there are many plant roots to host eggs in which fry can feed and grow.

Keeping Them Healthy

Keeping a goldfish healthy requires clean and cool water. Regular small water changes and removal of debris is necessary. Be sure the filter is working properly, and water temperature is correct. Keep a close watch on your fish, as it is easier to treat a problem in its early stages. Check internet sites for descriptions and pictures of potential problems. There are many medications available that can quickly treat many of the diseases goldfish are likely to develop.