Caring For Goldfish

Originating in China, goldfish (Carassius auratus) are a popular choice of pet, especially for children. They are relatively low maintenance and easy to care for. Despite their name, they come in many shapes, sizes and colours. They can grow up to 20cm and live between 10-20 years.

Goldfish come in many shapes, sizes and colours. From the classic goldfish you see (left), to the fancy varieties such as Comet,  Lionhead, Fantail, Pompom, Lionchu, Oranda, Pearlscale, Ryukin,  Shubunkin, Veiltail & many more.

Aquarium vs bowl:

It is not ideal to have goldfish in a bowl, they are not large enough for the fish to swim around, quickly become dirty and do not provide the fish with adequate surface area to properly oxygenate the water. The bigger the tank the better with fish.

Setting up the aquarium:

Preparing for the arrival of your goldfish is a must. It is important to purchase and set up your aquarium prior to purchasing your goldfish. This will allow the water in the tank to settle prior to the addition of fish. I purchased some goldfish and set up the tank on the same day. This was enough to kill all the fish, so do set up the tank a few days prior. Place the aquarium on either a stand or a sturdy piece of furniture, it should be out of direct sunlight.

Equipment required:

• Aquarium (it is not a good idea to use small goldfish bowls), a larger aquarium is more suitable for them
• Aquarium hood
• Aquarium stand
• Aquarium lighting
• Water filter
• Aquarium gravel
• Goldfish food
• Decorations (rocks, ornaments, plants)
• Water conditioner
• Fish net
• Gravel siphon
• pH testing kit

Firstly, rinse the aquarium gravel extremely well. You can either place it in a clean bucket & hose it well or place it in a collander under a running tap. Stir the gravel as it's being washed. The water should run clear. Do not use soap or detergents to clean the gravel, just tap water. If you are using an under gravel filter, place in the tank and then add the gravel. If not using an under gravel filter, add the gravel to the bottom of the tank.

Add the water, slowly so you don't stir up the gravel. The water level should be an inch or two below the top of the aquarium.

Add the decorations/plants. Goldfish like to have places to hide so it is always a good idea to put in a plant, ornament or two. Make sure they are properly secured so they don't fall over or float to the surface. Plants and ornaments should be rinsed in tap water before being placed in the aquarium.

Add the water conditioner as per instructions.

Check the pH, it should be between 7.0-7.5.

Turn on the aquarium equipment (filters/lights).

Purchasing your goldfish:

Goldfish should be purchased from a specialist aquarium shop. They will be able to advise you on all aspects of goldfish care from the size of the tank required to equipment, care & disease prevention.

Look out for signs of sickness, including listlessness, pale colour, cloudy eyes, signs of parasitic or fungal infections. Always use a reputable aquarium shop when choosing goldfish.

Adding your goldfish to the tank:

When you purchase goldfish, they will come in a plastic bag filled with water. It is important to acclimatise them in the bag prior to adding them to the aquarium. Always make sure that the water pH has been tested before you place goldfish in the tank.

To acclimatise goldfish, place them in the bag, into the aquarium. This allows the temperature of the water in the bag to reach the same temperature as the aquarium water, preventing shock to the fish. Do this for 15 minutes before adding the fish to the tank.

Place the cover over the aquarium.

Caring for your goldfish:

Goldfish need very little care. 25% of the water should be changed on a weekly basis using a gravel siphon. Top up the water & add a water ager/conditioner.

The water filter should be cleaned once a month in a bucket of water.

Goldfish should never be over fed. Carefully follow the instructions on food container to ensure you feed the correct amount. Over feeding can lead to constipation and also contaminate the tank with uneaten food.

Wipe away residue algae from the side of the tank on a monthly basis. I found a sponge did the trick. NEVER use cleaning products in your aquarium.

Goldfish diseases:

Goldfish are prone to a number of diseases, the most common ones include;

• Cloudy eye
• Fin rot
• Fungus
• Dropsy
• Black spot
• Constipation
• Lice
• Flukes
• White spot

Signs of sickness in goldfish:

It is important to keep a close eye on your goldfish and watch for signs of sickness. These may include;

• Listlessness
• Jagged fins
• Swimming abnormally (upside down for example)
• Pale colour
• White spots
• Sighting of parasites on the goldfish
• Loss of appetite