How can I take care of my Gold Fish?

Question

I recently brought 2 gold fish but one of them died. Could some one tell me why she died and how can I take care of other gold fish. What are the things I need to put in water? How often do I need to change the water.

Answer 1

The reason your fish are dying is most likely because you didn't cycle the water and give adequate space and filtration. Goldfish have a fast metabolism, which means that they create a lot of poop. A lot of poop translates to high ammonia levels in the water. As such, goldfish cannot be kept in a bowl. Goldfish need 10 gallons of water per fish up to 4 inches. They need 20 gallons of water per fish up to 8 inches, and it can get to be as much as 60 gallons of water per fish around 12 inches in length. Water must be cycled before you add goldfish to the water. Cycling is a process that turns the toxic ammonia into almost as equally toxic nitrites which then turn into nitrates, which aren't too toxic for fish and gets the water balanced and healthy. You can start this process by adding fish food or other protein-based food, ammonia or a packaged bacterial agent to the water like Cycle or Bio-Spira. This is called the fishless cycle. You will also need to learn how to test the water so that you know whenthe water is safe to add fish. Get a master test kit that tests for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Goldfish need a lot of filtration, not only to remove the gunk in the water but also to provide lots of oxygen in the water. The rule for goldfish is that you buy a pump that can pump 10X the gallons per hour for the size of your tank. So, if you have a 10 gallon tank, you need a filter that pumps a minimum of 100 gallons of water per hour. Once your tank is cycled, you can then add your fish. You also need to do weekly water changes of only about 25% and replace it with water that you've added a dechlorinator/detoxifier such as Amquel. You only need to feed goldfish once a day and only what they will eat in five minutes. Remove all uneaten food. Whether you feed flakes or pellets, you need to soak the food before feeding so that the goldfish don't get air in their stomachs. They also like food such as frozen or freeze-dried brine shrimp, plankton and freeze dried bloodworms, scuds, tubifex, daphnia, cocktail shrimp, dark green lettuces (not iceberg) and spinach, thawed frozen peas or fresh boiled peas with the skins removed, chopped boiled eggs, cucumber, zucchini, boiled broccoli flowers, boiled cauliflower, fruits such as oranges, skinned grapes, kiwi fruit, melons, bananas, strawberries, etc.

Answer 2

Just print out this list and take it to the pet shop. The people there will help you pick out everything from this list.(* note that these instructions are for regular goldfish ONLY)

These are the products you will need:
1.Aquaplus water conditioner
2. Cycle
3. aquarium filter ( i recommend a top filter)
4. Bubbler ( one of those bars that gives out bubbles)
5. Air tubing
6. Air pumb
7.Fish food pellets ( i recommend floating pellets)
8.Gravel aka decorative stones ( optional)

STEPS:

Setup
-First when setting up the tank, place gravel in. Then place water in. Depending on how much water is in, place appropriate amounts of water conditioner.

-Let the water sit for about a day. Set up the air bubbler( which uses the air pump and tubing to work) and the top filter.

-Buy the fish the next day. Buy only one or two. When taken home, place them with their plastic bags on the water in the aquarium for about 45 min. This lets the fish's body temperature become regulated with the water temperature of the aquarium. After 45 min, open the plastic bag and let the fish swim in their new aquarium.

-Add cycle as instructed on the bottle to ensure that the water is conducive for the fishes living conditions.

Feeding:
-Feed twice a day in proportions that the fish can consume in 2 minutes- too much food will clog filters.

Water maintenance:
-Every week do a water change and remove 10- 15% of the water in the tank. Make sure that the new water that is placed in is also conditioned with the water conditioner.

-Every month, clear the filter in the top filter to ensure that the water remains sparkling clean.

-Add cycle as instructed on the bottle to ensure that the water is conducive for the fishes living conditions.

Adding fish:
In the weeks that come, you can add more fish if all the fish in your tank appear healthy. Remember that this should be done slowly.

-Add 1 fish every 2 weeks until you're tank is maxed out.

-To calculate the max no. of fish possible in your tank, remember that 1 fish requires 5 gallons of tank space. (ie . a 20 gallon tank can hold 4 fish)

This might look like a lot of steps but in a while it will get very easy and your goldfish will start living for years like mine.

Cheers

Answer 3

Go get a book or two on how to keep goldfish. They are not the easy beginner fish everybody says they are. The fancy ones especially are as hard to keep as any tropical fish. First you need a suitable home, they need ten gallons per fish. They need a heater, keep the temp mid to high 70's and keep it the same. They need 25 -50% water change per week. They need a filter. They need an airator, one bubbler per 20 gallons. Filter cleaned and carbon refurbished monthly. Wash foam pads or bio-media in tank water. There is too much to put in this blog.

Answer 4

First it would depend on the size of your tank. Goldfish should not be kept in bowls. They require at least three gallons of water for every inch in length. Also they need lots of filtration.

To start you should add a de-chlorinater and a probiotic to the water. For water changes there are two schools of thought on the matter. Some will say to change 10% of the water every week. Others will say to change 25% every month. Both ways work, it's up to you. Make sure that when you do water changes that you use water that is the same temp as your aquarium and that you treat it as well

For more info, I would siggest buying the goldfish handbook from you local pet store.

Answer 5

Each goldfish needs 20 gallons all to itself.
Seriously, if you don't believe me look here.
www.kokosgoldfish.com
It has something to do with oxygen in the gills, and the fact they poop alot. A filter and an airstone won't help. They need space.
After that, all then need to be happy is de-clorinated water (cold is preferable to warm) and good food and they're all set. They love oranges. Slice some and put it in for them. It's a little messy but they love it and it keeps their colors bright.

Answer 6

You might want to dechlorinate the water.You can buy the stuff to do this just about anywhere that sells fish and fish products.

Answer 7

by feeding it, and changeing the water in the tank every week

Answer 8

What you should've done is research them before you buy. Sorry about your goldfish.