Im a first time fish buyer?

Question

What fish live the the longest,that are cheap.And also what are somethings your fish like in their tanks?Im looking for fish in the goldfish family.

Answer 1

If you are looking for goldfish, you need to realize a couple of things.

The first being that they are coldwater fish, so you won't need a heater. However, in the summer months, you will need to find ways to keep his temperature at less than 65 degrees.

They are fairly tolerant of pH changes and kH and gH levels.

They are HUGE waste producers, and they grow to be fairly large. You will need at least a 20-gallon tank PER FISH, and you will need a mechanical filter for your tank. As the fish gets older, he may have to be moved into a larger tank or pond.

You will need to keep an eye on your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels. If you notice the ammonia or nitrite at anything higher than 0ppm, or if you see the nitrates at higher than 40ppm, you will need to do a 20% water change. Nothing more than 20%, or you risk losing your nitrogen cycle. If you do not take care of the ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels, your fish will be more susceptible to diseases and illnesses.

You will need gravel in the bottom of the tank, as well as some plants (either fake or real). You should also put in some terracotta pots on their sides, or some other hiding spots, as your fish need places to hide.

Use tap water when filling your tank. Bottled water lacks necessary trace elements that promote fish health. You can either leave a couple of buckets of water out for a day or two to dechlorinate, or you can get a tap water dechlorinator from your pet store that instantly dechlorinates water.

If your fish are properly cared for, they can live 5-10 years, some even more.

Good luck with your new hobby.

Answer 2

Just get the regular goldfish, they are cheap, pretty and they can live a long time. Fish like plants to hide behind and perhaps a rock. Make sure to test your water for ammonia and nitrates often and clean it too. Goldfish can be dirty fish, but if you do a water change (how much water depends on the size of your tank) about once a week or once every 2 weeks (again depending on how many fish and what size tank you have), you should be just fine.

Answer 3

I've bought several different types of goldfish. The ones that I found to be heartiest is just a plain ole regular goldfish and the fantail goldfish. They are coldwater and easy to take care of. However they are nasty critters. But I love them. They are cheap cheap cheap and can live as long as a dog. They are very smart. Goldfish love to eat plants, but not just any plants. There is this one plant called a frill plant and my boys love it. It also helps to keep them from getting "bladder bloating". They have their likes and dislikes just like cats and dogs. Mine will not eat pellet food or dried shrimp. They are happy just to have goldfish flakes and frill plants. I have 3 goldfish in a 10 gal tank. I had a lot of problems trying to keep it clean until I got a 20 gal tank filter now everything is fine. Go to the pet store and in the fish dept someone there will tell you what all you need in your tank to keep the fish healthy. The goldfish are cheap, the tank and accessories are not. But they are alot of fun to have around and they make the room look pretty, especially with the lights from the tank reflecting in the room at night.
Overall they are worth the time and energy spent on taking care of them.

Answer 4

fish like to hide so try to find something that is like a cave, or even a small clear jar will work. colored pebbles are also good because they hide dirt and they are swallowed by the fish to help them digest. marbles are good too because they help decorate the tank, but anything you put into the tank will be home for the fish. BEFORE YOU PUT ANYTHING INTO A TANK, RINSE IT WITH HOT WATER TO KILL ANY BAD BACTERIA AND CLEAN OFF ANY DUST THAT MAY HAVE BEEN ON THE SHELF YOU GOT IT FROM. if you do buy a type of gold fish try to buy them all from the same tank, they can become agressive if they feel like their territory is being over crowded. make sure that you only have 1 fish per 1.5 gallons. they usually say 1 per gallon, but it is usually better to give them their space. even though goldfish are called gold fish, they come in a variety of colors. i had a black one which are pretty neat. after about a month however, you will more than likely need to invest in a plytco(an algea sucker) theyre the fish's natural vacuum cleaner and adds on to your community. DO NOT BUY A PLYTCO WHEN YOU FIRST BUY YOUR FISH. if you do he will die because there isnt anything for him to eat. you can usually buy them after a month however because being that goldfish are in the carp family, they are filthy.

Answer 5

Fancy goldfish (black moors, fantails, ryukins) are wonderful fish and live a long time with proper care. My black moor is 2 years old and my ryukin is 3. My fantail just recently died, I had him 3 years as well.
regular gravel is perfect. I mixed a few marbles in mine and it fun to hear them move the marbles.
I suggest a biological filter. The water stays perfectly clear and I change out a gallon of water once a month.
I did have plants in my tank, but my fish keeps eating them.

Answer 6

i would actually recommend tropical fish over goldfish. they can be just as hearty, just as pretty, and they're not nearly as dirty! goldfish are the dirtiest tank fish you could buy. i'd get 5-6 neons cause they're cheap in case a couple die. and theyre really pretty. good luck!

Answer 7

Goldfish are cheap and pretty. Just dont over feed them as they seems to be hungry everytime. They are quite hardy, just keep themaway from fins nibbler fishes and those sucker catfish.

Answer 8

common goldfish are long lived.they need minimal care are cheap and require no real abundance of ornaments, although i do provede a cave for them to hide.

Answer 9

goldfish and they are cheap and get a bowl with some graval and some differnet plants and they will be happy

Answer 10

gold fish don't last that long. and most fish have to have their water room temperature or it will shock and kill them. I had a beta fish and he lasted 3 years. till once again my stepdad changed his water and killed him. everytime he changed their water they died.