how do i take care of Red Fantails? (small fish)?

Question

My nieces got two small fish that are Red Fantails. How do we take care of them. Do we use distilled water or tap water? what should the temperature be set at. what type of fish food do they eat? Please help me as both me and my nieces are new at this. thank you.

Answer 1

The person above is right about some things but the biggest thing I disagree with is changing the filter cartridges. You dont want to change them until they start to fall apart. The cartridges hold the most beneficial bacteria which keeps the tank cycled and healthy for fish, when you remove them or rinse them in tap water you start all over and have to go through a cycle again. Which means your ammonia and nitrite will rinse and could kill your fish.

For the 2 fish you should get them a 20 gallon tank. If given the chance they can get 8" long or more. Oh and I would recommend getting them a sinking pellet. Goldfish are prone to getting Swim Bladder Disorder and eating from the surface causes them to suck in the air and they will begin to float.

Check out http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/. Its a great website that will help you with everything you need to know about raising goldfish.

Have fun with them, they have great personalities.

Answer 2

Fantails are a type of goldfish, and goldfish like colder water (between 68 and 72 degrees), you can use tap water, but make sure you use a water dechloronator (which you can get at any petstore) that takes the chlorine out of tap water and makes it safe for the fish. They eat regular goldfish food, and feed them sparingly. Goldfish are among the most dirty fish and overfeeding can make the water toxic and kill the fish. Once every other day is fine. Also, make sure to keep the filter clean and change the cartridge once every 2 months to properly filter the water. Good luck :).. to add on, yes the beneficial bacteria does build up in a filter cartridge, and that helps to filter the water but if you dont change the cartiridge often, the activated charcoal inside loses its effectiveness and it will no longer remove dangerous toxins from your water. the best way to go is to have a filter that has a cartridge as well as a sponge for bacteria to grow

Answer 3

A 30 gallon tank is best though bigger is always better. You will need a good filter and an eheim classic 2217 or aquaclear 110 are suitable, goldfish are messy!To start off research. This place,http://www.fishforums.net/ is great and no I'm not advertising. You would want to use plain old tap water. BUT, use dechlorinator. Room temperature is fine though I would recommend a heater. Any good quality food is okay but i like omega one and food here http://www.goldfishconnection.com/shop/details.php?productId=2&catId=14 is also good. Just soak it. As long as you keep up with easy maintenece you'll be able to enjoy your goldfishs' especially great personalities and longevities.