how often should i feed my goldfish?

Question

yesterday i bought my kids two goldfish, (they are gold with black spots on and lovely big white tail fins). I was wondering how often should i feed them and how often should i change their water. Can anyone help?? Also while im at it, should i buy one of those water filters?

Answer 1

And just while you're at it, buy them a 20 gallon tank setup which comes already with a filter and hood

you should feed them twice a day, as much as they will eat in under 2 minutes

here is also an article for you to read up on
http://www.fishlesscycling.com/articles/caring_for_your_goldfish.html




Hope that helps
Good luck




EB


Edit*
I assume you have them in a bowl right now or at least in a tiny tank with no filtration
so for right now, you will need to do partial waterchanges of 50% about 4 times a day, to supply them with enough oxygen



Edit*
Interesting that i get a thumb down for telling the truth, hmmm
that only shows how ignorant people are again

Answer 2

Okay, feed the fish once a day. And only as much as they can eat in about 3 minutes. You want them to eat all that you give them so as not to have excess in the tank. As far as water changes and filters, Goldfish are the dirtiest fish there are. They put off a lot of ammonia, and that is what causes the tank to get cloudy.

If the fish are in a tank that has some size to it, such as a 5 or ten gallon, I would get a good power filter. If it is a bowl type tank, I would get a sponge filter. Sponge filters will provide you with great biological filtration to help manage the ammonia. With water changes, if it isa bowl, have gallon jugs filled ahead of time with the water conditioner in them. That way the water is the same temp and with a bowl you can change all the water. If it is a 5 or 10 gallon tank, then that is a bit different. Then you would need to do a hydro-clean or gravel vac. And with that only remove about 15% to 20% of the water about every 2 weeks. Add water with the water conditioner in it. And with that you should be good.

I have had fish tanks and been in the Aquatics bussiness for 25 years. I hope you find this usefull. Good Luck.

Answer 3

I only feed my fish once every other day. Goldfish are very dirty fish as they release alot of ammonia by products into their water. Only keep a 1/2 inch of fish (not counting their fins) per gallon of water and yes they need a filter for good oxygen exchange in the water (that happens as the little bubbles the filter makes breaks the surface of the water) and for chemical filteration of waste products. Remember all the food you put into the tank that they dont eat turns into a deadly waste product and must be removed somehow from the water. As far as water changes go - if there is no filter then when the water gets cloudy remove 3/4 of it and replace with new (treated for chlorine removal) water. Sometimes the water will remain cloudy after a water change this is sometimes due to a debris settling but it can also happen if the natural bilogical filter process is distrubed. this happens if you take too much of the old water out when doing a water change. Give the gravel a quick stir and change only 3/4 of water. Make sure your water is the same temp. going back in -too cold of water or too warm of water will give the fish ick and that will cause numerous problems especially if you are keeping them in a bowl and there is no filter. So the bottomline is get a tank, get a filter and dont overfeed.

Answer 4

It's essential to have a filter to ensure good water quality.

I feed my fish a small pinch twice a day.

Once your filter is installed you won't need to change the water too much - about 25% every couple of weeks.

You can also buy a water test kit from the pet store. This will check the water quality for you. Fish illnesses and death are usually caused by poor water quality.

Answer 5

Goldfish stomachs are about the size of their eyes. Remember that when the kids start dumping food in. Once a day is enough. The water should be kept clean, but changing out a cup-full each day helps. Pour the water in from a height, it helps to aerate the water, which they need for oxygen. Goldfish are naturally white, it's sunlight that turns them gold, remember that if he's looking a bit pale. If he ends up floating on his side, you've ever-fed him. (He's not dead!) Don't feed him until his natural ballast returns.

Answer 6

i feed my fish now once a day in the morning and he seems very happy indeed. used to feed him twice but then mum started looking after him and she only does once a day. he seems much brighter for this andhealthy too. over feeding isn't good. i also used to have a water filter but stopped using it. think it broke lol can't really remember. i personally don't see the need for them. u can get real plants to put in the water that do the same job, or like me u can have nothing. just remember to clean the tank out often. mine used to need goggles sometimes lol. u will know when the water needs changing cos it gets a little murky. no need to do it when it's clean, don't make too much work for urself. changing only part of the water doesn't work either. tried that in the past in the hope it will b cleaner and doing it properly wldn't be needed, but it still looked as murky and i had to empty the tank and do a proper clean

hope this has helped a bit

Answer 7

We feed our fish about two small feedings a day. Avoid feeding too much because it just makes your tank dirty. You do need a water filter as well. Changing your water well that depends. If its clean you don't have to change it much. If it gets a bit dirty it may be due to too much food, or unclean filter. Make sure to replace your filter as recommended by the maker. It can vary from 2 weeks to a month depending on the type of tank filter.

Answer 8

The rule of thumb is always to only give them as much as they can eat within just a few minutes. Inside I often fed the fish both in the morning and the evening. Our outdoor guys generally get a handful of their pond food in the afternoon and that's it.

Yes, you need a filter. And an airstone is also a good idea. The more the water circulates and is oxygenated, the better.

Answer 9

Beautiful Fish!! I had one too but it died not too long ago. All you have to do is feed them (since you have 2) about two tiny pinches of food a day. And you should clean the tank about once a week. No you should not get as tank filter because they cost a lot and you just have two fish!! Not 5 or 6!!!!!

Answer 10

Feed them about once a day (just a pinch of food). Change about 20 - 30% of the water in the tank about once a week.

Filters are good to buy, as they get rid of rubbish from the water, you could also get a gravel cleaner for when you change the water.