tell me how to take care of goldfishes and how to change water and how often and does the fish need light on at night?
2006-07-10 05:10:31 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
I have two beta fish... they're in separate tanks (for obvious reasons)... the thing about gold fish is, is that whatever the size the tank is, is going to determine how large they will grow. You can put them in a clear vase, and they will stay the same size, and if you put them in a pond, they will become MASSIVE. ANYWAYS, you will know when to change the water. When you can notice a hint of yellow in the tank, change the water. Your best bet is to get a pitcher of water and leave it out for a day to let it change to room temperature. Then put your fish in it and clean out the tank. I know that there is some sort of tank cleaner that you can purchase anywhere that sells fish supplies to put in the tank water. Let it sit there for a day as well to adapt to the temperature so you don't shock the fish with cold or hot water. As for the food, it depends on the size and usually there is gold fish flakes/pellets that you feed them and not too much or they'll die :( I've always wanted a fat goldfish though ;) About the light, leave it on all day and turn it off at night :)
2006-07-10 05:19:07 · answer #1 · answered by toemas05 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
OK, first off you need to know what kind of goldfish you bought, that will determine the minimum tank size. Common goldfish (the kind with a single tail) need 20 gallons per fish while fancies (the kind with double tails) need 10 gallons per fish. I have a common and a fancy in a 30 gallon tank and the common is 9 inches long while the fancy is 6. If you keep them in a tank that is smaller than the recommended it will stunt their growth and cause many health problems. This is the reason that goldfish are so short lived in many tanks. Also, filtration is very important. You need a filter for 10x the capactiy of your tank, at least. This means if you have a 20 gallon tank you need filtration that will push at least 200 gallons of water per hour. Goldfish are very messy! A water test kit will be a wonderful addition to your fishkeeping gear, it will help you decide when to do water changes. Do not leave your tank light on at night. Fish have no eyelids and they need the darkness to rest. They require about 8 hours of sleep nightly, just like me and you. The best way to change the water is to use a siphon hose and suck out about 75% of the old water, then replace it with temperature matched decholorinated fresh water. The siphon will get all the gunk and such out of the gravel (or whatever substrate you are using). Change the carbon in your filters weekly (preferred) or twice a week. Don't let the carbon get older than that, it will begin to leach toxins into the water. Also, so that you do not upset the cycle do not break down the tank and filter and scrub it all squeaky clean. You need that gunk in the filter box. It is what containes the good biological bacterial that helps get rid of the toxic ammonia that your fish will produce. Read up on the cycling of a goldfish tank, you will find great info on the link I will post in the source box below. Good luck!!
2006-07-10 05:58:49 · answer #2 · answered by kritter0101 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will be easiest for you to consult a basic fish guide. Fish for dummies is great. It'll tell you how to set up your tank.
Most important, just make sure you ive them good water. It needs to be free of chlorine and heavy metals. You can buy products to remove this stuff frmo your tap water. (Aqua Safe is a good one).
Don't add too many fish at once. One or two at most.
Make sure they've got enough room (more than a 1 gallon tank).
Do water changes at elast once a week, by using a gravel vaccuum. It'll look like a clear hose with a cylinder on the end. stick the skinny end in a bucket, and the big end in the tank. Start the siphon by sucking on the skinny end, and vaccuum with the big end.
Happy fishkeeping :)
2006-07-10 05:24:08 · answer #3 · answered by farfromfl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok. Im might be able to help you. First leave them in the bag and but the bag where the water line is in the tank. Then maybe a few minutes you let the go in the water tank. Then you have to find the right food with your parents because i cant help you with that. But you can but the light on when you wake up. Then at night turn it off.
2006-07-10 05:15:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gold fish are quite hardy, change water when u feel its dirty and do a partial water change (50%). Or if you feel like it, you can do 50% change weekly. Do not overfeed them, they seem to be hungry every time. Light is not necessary at night..
2006-07-10 16:53:25 · answer #5 · answered by keat1313 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why did you buy them if you don't know how to take care of them?
2006-07-10 06:05:20 · answer #6 · answered by Alleycat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋