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Choosing
your Goldfish:
Swimming around a fish tank all day on your own can't be much
fun, so why not give your Goldfish some company and buy more
than just one? The Common Goldfish or the Fancy Goldfish such as
the Lionhead, the Oranda, the Veiltail, the Shubunkin and the
Black Moor are all the same species of Chinese carp, so they
will live happily together in the same fresh water aquarium.
Choosing the
right sized aquarium:
Once you have decided how many fish you would like, you need to
make sure your fish tank is big enough for everybody. As a rough
guide a small 8" tank will only take one Goldfish, a 12" tank
will take two fish and a 24" tank will take up to three fish.
But remember your fish will grow, so don't forget to take this
into account. Sand, rocks, plastic plants or even some fun
ornaments for your goldfish to swim around, will help it to feel
at home. They can all be bought from your fish store, but before
you place them in the tank make sure you rinse them well in
running tap water.
The big
move:
At least a day before your fish moves home, fill the fish tank
with ordinary tap water and give it time to warm up to room
temperature. This will also help the water to lose its chlorine
content. Gently lower your fish in, give it a couple of hours to
adjust to its new environment, then help it settle down by
sprinkling a few flakes on the surface.
Caring for
your fish:
Goldfish are amongst the hardiest of all fish, which no doubt
contributes to their popularity. Give a goldfish a good sized
aquarium, well filtered water, a few plants with several pebbles
and sand on the bottom and it will be much healthier, happier
and live longer. With a little care and attention the tank will
also become more interesting and an attractive focal point in
the home .
Water
quality:
Water is not only the environment in which fish live - it is the
'air' they breathe. Pay regular attention to the water and your
fish will thrive. Ideally you should allow at least two gallons
of water per fish. More once your fish grow over a few inches
long. If you don't have in-tank filtration, water changes should
be carried out every week - about 30% of the volume. Even if you
do have a good filter unit you should still carry out a 30%
water change every 2 or 3 weeks. Use tap water, ideally mixed
with a little hot water to warm it to room temperature. You
should also add tap water de-chlorinator before you pour the
water into the aquarium.
Feeding your
Goldfish:
To stay healthy, active and colorful Goldfish need a regular
balanced intake of a range of essential nutrients. The best and
easiest way of providing these is with a complete, balanced
diet. AQUARIAN Goldfish Flakes have been specially formulated to
provide all the nutrients goldfish and other coldwater fish
require-ensuring excellent growth, long life, less pollution and
reduced stress. How Often? How Much? Ideally you should
feed your fish every morning and evening. Sprinkle a few flakes
on the water. If they are eaten within a few minutes give a
little more food. If the fish stop feeding, or after about 15
minutes, remove any uneaten food with a small net.
Health care:
Many fancy Goldfish are prone to swim bladder problems. This
susceptibility is in part due to the selective breeding process,
which shortened the body and hence the swim bladder of varieties
such as the Oranda and Black Moor. This is, however, made worse
by poor water conditions, overfeeding and sometimes by low water
temperatures. Fish showing signs of disorientation can be helped
by ensuring that they are kept in good quality water, with
frequent water changes, and by installing a small heater
thermostat to keep the temperature at about 20 C.
Making their
aquarium feel more like home - living happily ever after.
A healthy goldfish is a happy goldfish. To make sure yours get
all the vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other nutrients
they need, we recommend you feed them Aquanan 2-3 times a day
(see the label for further instructions). Goldfish thrive in
clean water, so you should carry out a partial water change at
least every week (a complete water change can stress the fish).
To do this, use a jug or siphon tube, remove about a quarter of
the water into a bucket. Then simply refill the aquarium using a
mix of hot and cold tap water to help it reach room temperature.
Q, Which is
better for my fish, a bowl or a tank?
A. Most beginners start with a bowl because it not only looks
attractive, but it provides a safe and happy home for one or two
small fish. However, if your fish outgrows the size of its bowl
or you decide you want to add to your collection you need to
find a tank that's big enough.
Q, How do I
know if I'm feeding my fish enough food?
A. The easiest way to decide how much food to give your fish is
to observe them during and after feeding. If there is no food
left on the surface of the water after a few minutes, give a
little more until the fish stop eating. Then, always net or
siphon out any uneaten food.
Q, If I go
away for the weekend should I feed my fish extra?
A. No, it's actually better for your fish to miss a day or two,
rather than be over fed. In fact, they can be left up to two
weeks without being fed, as they can survive on the algae and
micro-organisms that are already present in their tank.
Q, I'm
always cleaning out my fish tank. Is there anything I can do to
keep it cleaner for longer?
A. yes, you could invest in a filter. This will help aerate the
water as well as keep it clean.
Q, How long
will my goldfish live?
A. Fancy Goldfish will live at least 10 years. However, the
Common Goldfish can live up to 20 years indoors and over 30
years in a pond.
A basic introduction. Courtesy of AQUARIAN
Fishfoods and
aquarticles.com |
