keeping pet goldfish is a rewarding and enjoyable hobby

Have you ever been deterred from keeping pet goldfish because of what other people who have owned them have said, particularly the negatives? Well, you shouldn’t, especially if you don’t know the real reason why their goldfish died in the first place. After believing the TV show myth of cheerful goldfish swimming in an adorable round bowl, the owner may have attempted to contain the fish in a bowl. Or, maybe the environment was not a bowl, but it was still confining; depending on how many goldfish the owner was keeping at a time (Goldfish need to swim in schools-that applies to just about every type of fish known to man-except “Siamese fighting fish” or Or who knows—maybe this person wasn’t being completely honest about some of the crucial aspects of maintenance. Bettas). Goldfish care is certainly not rocket science, but they too are not a “set and forget” kind of hobby-I have seen all too many perfectly good pre-owned aquariums for sale at second-hand stores and other places-It makes me sad to see that; perhaps these owners “didn’t have the time” for this hobby after awhile. It’s unfortunate to see some people give up on a rewarding hobby like fishkeeping, though I can’t speak for everyone who eventually gives it up. I don’t want that to occur to you. Let’s examine some of the subtleties of keeping goldfish as pets…

The lovely hues and patterns come first. Many out there you will find are not completely “orange”. They have patterns that are a mix of black, white, and golden yellow. These patterns will be more varied in the fancier goldfish (like fantails and moors), but even common goldfish can have eye-catching patterns. I have one that is white and orange in two tones. Additionally, you’ll discover that goldfish are sociable, perceptive, and attentive. You’ll never forget to feed them because they’ll beckon you to the aquarium as soon as it’s time!) And they eat a fairly varied diet to survive..pellets and flakes are good, but they’ve been known to enjoy spinach and shelled peas, brine shrimp and bloodworms. If you enjoy live aquarium plants, I would advise against keeping them close to goldfish because they will also eat them.

Additionally, you’ll discover that goldfish are robust and long-living—some Japanese koi can live for 20 years or longer!) Since I’ve owned the same orange and white pet goldfish for almost three years, I can attest to their durability. They are not completely immune; some goldfish diseases, such as ick and swimbladder, unquestionably call for attention and solitary quarantining. A goldfish lifespan depends on different things-but do not underestimate the “key points” which In the paragraph that follows, I’ll discuss. Their habitat comes first.

Definitely, unequivocally, yes. You MUST keep them in a tank… NOT a bowl. I would strongly advise you against purchasing one of those “mini” or “nano” tank kits if you plan on keeping goldfish-save those for your solitary The tank needs to be fairly roomy, but it doesn’t need to be enormous—in that case, you’d be better off keeping them in a garden pond in your backyard, where they will flourish in large numbers.) A 30 gallon tank, at the very least, is what many experts will advise. If you have a 29-gallon tank, this isn’t a big deal because it’s just one gallon off. There are friendly “natural” tank-cleaners like pleckos and Chinese algae eaters that can help your tank clean itself a little bit more. This larger tank’s size is justified by the fact that it will reduce the amount of water pollution. Compared to other freshwater species, goldfish waste is unquestionably higher. The frequency of water changes will increase as the tank size decreases. A reliable filtration system and an air pump are also required. Due to the fact that goldfish are less temperature sensitive than some other varieties of freshwater fish, an aquarium heater won’t be required.

Water changes should be made twice a month (every other week); the first time, you might want to siphon about 25% of the water; for subsequent changes, about half of the water should be suitable. Now, if you’re considering simply flushing that contaminated fish water down the toilet, take a cue from my brother-in-law, who has raised goldfish for longer than I have. If you are growing a garden, the bacteria found in fish waste-filled water will make excellent plant fertilizer. The soil will benefit greatly, even if only for a few indoor plants. Make sure to replace the filter cartridge as well when replacing the removed water with clean (no instant water from the tap, chlorine-free) water.

If you keep in mind all the crucial points mentioned previously, you should (and will) enjoy your pet goldfish for a very long time. Depending on whether you want common or fancy varieties, goldfish are pretty, easy to care for, and reasonably priced.) Four “common” goldfish from a pet store retailer set me back only a dollar. “Fancy” goldfish start at a dollar apiece and up from there depending on the type. When you consider how big these little guys will eventually become, they will pay you back in dividends. I hope my four-incher doesn’t get any bigger because you wouldn’t know it was once two inches long. I consider this particular goldfish the “alpha male” or the “Queen Bee” of my bunch.

You might want to research garden fish ponds if you ever want to advance this hobby. Remember that building your ideal backyard goldfish pond takes a lot of work—far more than simply maintaining a tank. But until then, I hope you will benefit the most from rearing your goldfish to be content and healthy in a lovely home aquarium!