What kind of water should I use for my goldfish?

Question

I just won a goldfish at a local fair last night. And I don't want to put it in tap water and it die. :\
And I don't know if I can get all the chlorine and conditioners and stuff everyone is talking about.

Answer 1

I won 3 fish from a fair over 2 years ago and not only do I still have them alive and healthy but they have bred twice. The main reasons the fish die from fairs is either too much stress or because the new owners know diddly squat about caring for them, like most people that try to answer on here.

If you can't provide it with the basic necessities like a proper sized tank, a good filter, food or even the drops to make the water safe then you should try and find it a good home. And letting the water sit out 24 hours doesn't work like it used to, now most cites use chloramines and chlorine. The chlorine can still evaporate if left out for a couple days but the chloramines do not and they are just as deadly to fish as the chlorine.

If you would like to keep the fish then it will need at least a 10 gallon tank, a filter that pumps at least 100 gph, a water conditioner (I like Prime) and of course goldfish food. Here are a couple links to help you out too, http://kokosgoldfish.com/care.html
http://kokosgoldfish.com/tensteps.html
http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/cycle.html

Answer 2

In your area, do you ever see those water vending stands, where you stick a jug under a tap and it dispenses distilled water? Get some of that water. You need at least one gallon for every inch of fish length. And if you aren't using a tank with a water filter, then you should definitely make sure your tank has an air pump to provide water circulation. The old "goldfish bowl" is not a good idea for goldfish, and is better suited to the Betta fighting fish.

I should warn you, most goldfish won at fairs are diseased, so if this one dies, don't feel too bad.

Answer 3

If you drink your water from the faucet then theTap water will not kill your fish. Most of the chlorine dissolves when it is pushed through the faucet and comes in contact with oxygen. The small amount that is left in the water WILL kill all the good bacteria in the water though. SO for now tap water is fine BUT you cannot always use tap water- IF YOU DO you will NEVER have a healthy tank.

Goldfish are delicate fish- they should live 10-40 years. Most never make it past a couple years. People consider it an accomplishment if they live two years. They are just babies at two.

A goldfish CANNOT live in a fishbowl. One goldfish needs at least 10 gallons of water with a filter designed for a twenty gallon aquarium. These fish get to be VERY big and VERY VERY dirty.

These are some of my favorite sites for beginners.
http://www.goldfishparadise.com/
http://2cah.com/pandora/Disease.html
http://www.aquariumfish.net/information/cool_water_aquariums_p2.htm#2

Be kind to your new friend. Learn how to take care of him properly. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Tap water with a drop of Aqua Safe or some other tap water conditioner can be purchased for as little as $2 at a pet store. You really don't need a ton of stuff to keep a gold fish as long as you are changing the water regularly. You can purchase a kit which includes the tank and filter for as little as $20 if you do want to take it a step further.

Answer 5

My friend had a fish she won at a local fair once and she kept it in Poland Spring water, directly from the bottle. The fish lived for four years.

Answer 6

Put it in tap water for now and work and getting the water environment right over the next few weeks.

Talk to your local pet store about purchasing a small, inexpensive fish tank.

.

Answer 7

i'm not sure why everyone is telling you not to use tap water, because i've used it for all of my fish. you just need to make sure that you let it sit out for about 24 hours so that the chemicals in it neutralize, and it also prevents the water temperature from shocking the fish b/c it will be room temperature, not any hotter or colder. goldfish are very low maintenence and really don't require all of the frills that a lot of other fish do

Answer 8

U can use bottled water or regular non tap water

Answer 9

if its in a bag pour it into a cup with the water it came wil them u can set up some water for 24 hours in a uncoverd container all the chemical will leave in the form of gas then you can put ur fish in it

Answer 10

i hate to be awful but if its from the fair it doesnt really matter as it will probably be dead by tomorrow they dont look after them right they have them in hot and cold temp like you wouldnt believe so go tio the pet shop next time its time we all stopped playing games where these poor fish are used as prizes