Monday, November 19, 2012

How To Take Care of Your Goldfish


We all wish that there was no care needed for pets, but even fish need to be taken care of with food, cleanings, and filtration. It all sounds intimidating, but if down properly your goldfish could live a very long and happy life. There are many different variations or opinions on how to take care of a goldfish, typically goldfish owners keep their goldfish in a bowl, but actually they are supposed to be kept in a filtered tank. Of course that regime of care varies from each type and some pet “experts” can tell you differently, but the steps I have below seem to be the best I have found so far.

The Five Steps of Taking Care of a Goldfish:
1.   The Tank

The suggested minimal tank size for a goldfish is 5 gallons, if you add to your collection for every goldfish another 5 gallons is recommended.
2.   The Environment-Gravel

Natural bottom-feeders, goldfish, require gravel to borrow in and out of, but you never want to choke your goldfish. To ensure your goldfish’s safety you must either choose big gravel or extremely small gravel so your goldfish does not swallow and choke on them.
3.   Water Changes

The importance of a filter is repeatedly suggested, yet if you do not own a filter water changes are even more important to manage. ½ 0r ¾ of the tank’s water should be switched with clean water every 2-3 days. When cleaning the tank make sure that no soap enters the tank, because soap is poisonous to fish and it will end in death. Another tip while cleaning or changing the tank’s water is preferable using bottled or gallon water, because it is softer water for the fish to adapt to weekly. If you choose not to do so, it is recommended to but water conditioner and add what is listed on the bottle.
4.   Feedings

Feedings should be twice a day and the goldfish should only be provided enough food that it can consume in a minute.
5.   Filtration

If you do have a filter, never clean it in new water whether it comes from a bottle or the tap. When cleaned it should be done in the tank water, enabling the good bacteria on the filter to stay in the tank.

 

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow this is interesting! Keep on dreaming Alyssa, your ambition and youthful spirit is an inspiration to us all!

Unknown said...

I have had many fish and some of them have been goldfish. All of them have died whether it was within the first couple days, a few weeks, or a year or two. They have probably died because I didn’t follow the five steps you described. I got the fish thinking they wouldn't need much care other than feeding it. I did not know how much care it would actually need. Next time I’ll make sure to get a tank with a filter to ensure a clean environment for the fish. Have you had many fish before? If you did, did you keep them in a tank?