A quick introduction about goldfish will help you learn whether adding it to the home is the right choice. If you are a beginner, then the topics covered will further help you have a broader knowledge.

Let us start without wasting further time!

The History

Goldfish are domesticated, and the earliest verifiable date is around 960 A.D in China. Over the period, selective breeding helped improve their quality by the Chinese. Additionally, with the Japanese starting their bred, there evolved a variety of types. The breeding involved selective and natural mutation, which helped them evolve over the drab silver-grey finned fish into a developed variant in exotic appearances.

The Variants

Before heading to the goldfish types, let us learn about the lifespan of the fish. You will probably ask how long do goldfish live before purchasing one. The reason is that you expect them to have a good life, as your pet. On average, a goldfish has a life of about 12 years. The life of the goldfish relies on your caretaking ability, the food you feed, and the ambiance you provide.

There are over 100 types of goldfish because of breeding and natural mutation. If you are a beginner, gaining experience in handling goldfish is essential. Therefore, opting for the cheaper varieties such as the Moors, Comets, and Fantails is an excellent way to start taking care of the fish at home. Upon gaining the required experience, you can then move onto exotic types such as the Celestials, Water Bubble Eyes, and Lionheads.

The Growth Rate

The next big question is how big can goldfish get? It is crucial because you must plan all your tank, feeding, and other accessories based on the growth rate. For instance, the most extended pet recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records measures 18.7 inches in length. Although the size is unusual for goldfish, they grow big when you breed them in the right environment and maintain a healthy and balanced diet.

Will My Pet Dog Eat the Fish Alive?

If you have a pet dog at home, you will probably think about whether can dogs eat goldfish? Yes, your pet dog can eat a goldfish, provided he/she is immune to parasites and tapeworms generally found in water. If you like to keep both species at home, ensure that you keep a safe distance between the two such that the dog does not find its way to the fish tank.

The Sleeping Pattern

Fishes do not sleep as humans do at night. They need a dark and calm environment. The same applies to goldfish. If you are asking to do goldfish sleep, then the answer is yes! They startle awake when you make a noise. Therefore, ensure that you are providing an appropriate atmosphere for the fish to get enough rest.

Diet and Feeding

Before you ask what do goldfish eat, understand that goldfish belong to a diversified group. It means that every variety shares a particular diet because of their different origination from carp in Asia. The following are the foods that you can feed to your fish:

• Algae
• Aquarium plants
• Brine Shrimp
• Bloodworms
• Daphnia
• Fish Pellet Foods
• Flake Foods
• Fruit
• Frozen Foods
• Green Vegetables
• Homemade Fish Foods
• Insects
• Mosquito Larvae
• Squid
• Shrimp Pellet Foods
• Worms

Ensure that your fish is eating the food appropriately. A balanced diet is essential for your pet to thrive. If you notice that the fish stopped eating, clean the tank and try switching the food menu. It will give a good appetite and help the fish stay healthy and free from the regular food menu.

The Fin Variants

The fin of a goldfish is like that of its ancestor, the Prussian Carp. However, you will find different fins when you choose various fish, which depends on the breeding. There are three different fin variations, which are:

• Single Caudal fin
• Double Caudal fin
• Double Caudal and no dorsal fin

The three variations have their sub-specifications, which makes it a little challenging to choose the appropriate variant. For instance, you will find differences in fullness, shape, and length. Good knowledge of these will help you choose the right variant.

Goldfish Tank and Their Types

The fish tank selection depends on the growth rate, parameters, pH range, temperatures, environment, food habits, and whether the variant is susceptible to diseases. Once you decide on these factors, you can proceed with selecting the tank, where you can choose it from different shapes, dimensions, and sizes. Ensure that it suits perfectly in the home and is adaptable to the fish variant you are bringing home.

Now that you have a fish tank, you would want to know how to clean a goldfish tank? Cleaning the tank requires an algae scraper, filter, brush, water siphon, and lime remover. Use the algae scraper to clean the insides of the tank on all sides. You can remove the decorations and soak them in bleach. You can then use the water siphon to vacuum the gravel to remove debris. Now, use the lime cleaner to clean the outsides. Wait for a fortnight before cleaning the filter. You can repeat the process at frequent intervals to ensure cleanliness and a hygienic environment for a goldfish’s better growth.

Tank Temperature

Goldfish can live for a short period in cold water that is above freezing point. Goldfish can live in temperatures soaring to 38 degrees as well. However, the change in the temperature should be gradual.

The better environment for breeding and healthy goldfish is the midrange, which is between 13 degrees and 27 degrees. The fish maintain the same temperature as that of the water in the tank. While moving, ensure that the temperature does not fall below 3 degrees.

Summary

Now that you have complete information about goldfish and its care, it is time to bring home one that suits your taste. If you are a beginner, start with the cheaper variants to gain exposure and experience in maintaining goldfish as a pet.