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Goldfish: Freshwater Fish, Behavior, Diet, Goldfish Aquarium And Care
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Published: January 14, 2008
Goldfish are the most popular aquarium fish in the world. Due to their hardiness and abundance, goldfish make excellent family pets. Although many people believe goldfish have a short lifespan, they can actually live 20 years or longer. In fact, the oldest goldfish lived to be 43 years old. Because they can provide such companionship, goldfish deserve only the best treatment.
The key to healthy goldfish is a spacious, clean aquarium. Although goldfish bowls are popular both in the office and at home, these are not decent housing for goldfish. The shape of the bowl makes it more convenient for the human watching than the fish itself; the round shape and tapered sides allow little oxygen to the be absorbed into the water. Therefore, a 20-gallon rectangular tank is the most appropriate for these freshwater fish. With each goldfish, 10 additional gallons need to be added. Goldfish grow in relationship to their environment; therefore, if they remain the same size they were at a juvenile age, they have not had adequate space.
Regular maintenance is required to keep the tank clean. Providing and replacing the filter is regularly is essential in removing the animal’s waste from the water. Also, at least 25% of the tank’s water should be changed every week to remove harmful ammonia, nitrates, and phosphates.
Because goldfish are prey in the wild, their naturally cautious behavior requires hiding places inside their tank. Rocks, plants, and other varieties of substrate provide excellent cover for fish. By supplying them with decorations that are both practical and aesthetically pleasing, these freshwater fish will be much more comfortable in their home.
In addition to their habitat needs, goldfish also require a well-rounded diet. Goldfish are omnivorous which means they will eat just about anything. Owners may be tempted to overfeed their pets because they always appear ravenous. But this is typical behavior for goldfish because they are natural scavengers and will eat food when it is available. Flakes, pellets, and granules are available at the local pet food store to provide their needed nutrients. Owners need to feed their fish only once a day. Goldfish should be able to eat all their food within two minutes. Overfed goldfish are more likely to suffer from disease, and leftover food will deteriorate the tank’s water quality.
Live food can also be used in goldfish diets. They may enjoy grazing on edible plants or the algae that forms on the tank. Insects and larvae can also be very nutritious. However, owners need to be careful when introducing other organisms to their pet’s tank because they may be carrying diseases.
Their cute but hardy natures make goldfish the most popular household pets. By providing and maintaining the right environment, goldfish will live happily for several decades. Because of their potential as long-term freshwater friends, goldfish should be given only the best care.
Sources:
“A Guide for Proper Care.” Foster & Smith. 1997-2008. 11 Jan. 2008. http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=16& ;cat=1922&articleid=2650.
Seyffarth, Keith. “Goldfish Care Basics.” Firsttankguide.net. 10 Dec. 2006. 11 Jan. 2008. http://www.firsttankguide.net/goldfish.php.
Sharpe, Shirlie. “Q&A: Most Popular Aquarium Fish?” About. 2008. 11 Jan. 2008. http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/fishspecies/l/bl will0001.htm.
Related Articles
The key to healthy goldfish is a spacious, clean aquarium. Although goldfish bowls are popular both in the office and at home, these are not decent housing for goldfish. The shape of the bowl makes it more convenient for the human watching than the fish itself; the round shape and tapered sides allow little oxygen to the be absorbed into the water. Therefore, a 20-gallon rectangular tank is the most appropriate for these freshwater fish. With each goldfish, 10 additional gallons need to be added. Goldfish grow in relationship to their environment; therefore, if they remain the same size they were at a juvenile age, they have not had adequate space.
Regular maintenance is required to keep the tank clean. Providing and replacing the filter is regularly is essential in removing the animal’s waste from the water. Also, at least 25% of the tank’s water should be changed every week to remove harmful ammonia, nitrates, and phosphates.
Because goldfish are prey in the wild, their naturally cautious behavior requires hiding places inside their tank. Rocks, plants, and other varieties of substrate provide excellent cover for fish. By supplying them with decorations that are both practical and aesthetically pleasing, these freshwater fish will be much more comfortable in their home.
In addition to their habitat needs, goldfish also require a well-rounded diet. Goldfish are omnivorous which means they will eat just about anything. Owners may be tempted to overfeed their pets because they always appear ravenous. But this is typical behavior for goldfish because they are natural scavengers and will eat food when it is available. Flakes, pellets, and granules are available at the local pet food store to provide their needed nutrients. Owners need to feed their fish only once a day. Goldfish should be able to eat all their food within two minutes. Overfed goldfish are more likely to suffer from disease, and leftover food will deteriorate the tank’s water quality.
Live food can also be used in goldfish diets. They may enjoy grazing on edible plants or the algae that forms on the tank. Insects and larvae can also be very nutritious. However, owners need to be careful when introducing other organisms to their pet’s tank because they may be carrying diseases.
Their cute but hardy natures make goldfish the most popular household pets. By providing and maintaining the right environment, goldfish will live happily for several decades. Because of their potential as long-term freshwater friends, goldfish should be given only the best care.
Sources:
“A Guide for Proper Care.” Foster & Smith. 1997-2008. 11 Jan. 2008. http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=16& ;cat=1922&articleid=2650.
Seyffarth, Keith. “Goldfish Care Basics.” Firsttankguide.net. 10 Dec. 2006. 11 Jan. 2008. http://www.firsttankguide.net/goldfish.php.
Sharpe, Shirlie. “Q&A: Most Popular Aquarium Fish?” About. 2008. 11 Jan. 2008. http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/fishspecies/l/bl will0001.htm.
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