Rules For Beginners For Caring Goldfish
Goldfish are famous as 'first pets' for any kid.
But that does not mean they are easy to care! Many times goldfish are given as prizes or gifts.
However most of them die soon because people accepting them do not have any idea about their care.
You will not have nay frustration or disappointment later if you have some prior knowledge about the kind of tank you should keep for your goldfish, the maintenance of such tank and testing of the water inside.
You should also know the technique of introducing the goldfish in your tank.
Here are top ten golden rules for beginners - 1.
You should have an aquarium big enough to accommodate your goldfish.
The classical approach of keeping goldfish in a bowl is no more considered appropriate.
The bowl will have limited water and a very limited water surface which will provide much less oxygen and will suffocate the fish quickly.
You should provide at least 10 gallon of water per 1 inch of goldfish.
So if you are thinking of introducing a pair of one inch goldfish, you should consider a tank of about 20 to 30 gallons.
Do not think that big tanks will require more effort for their maintenance.
They require comparatively less time and their maintenance can be done less frequently than smaller tanks.
2.
Goldfish cannot breathe by coming to the surface of the water.
They take the required oxygen from the water itself.
So you need to buy an air pump when you buy your tank.
3.
You should not be economizing on buying the tank accessories.
You should always think of laying gravel at the bottom of the tank.
The gravel provides an opportunity for the bacterial colonies to grow and will help to keep the levels of ammonia down.
The only thing you should consider about the gravel is its size.
If the size is very small, goldfish will try to eat it! 4.
Before introducing goldfish in the tank, test the water, reduce the levels of toxins, allow the bacterial colonies to form on the filters and make the tank an ideal place for your goldfish.
This is also called the 'fish-less cycle'.
5.
You should buy right food for your goldfish.
The flake food is a great choice but at the same time you should think of something creative also.
Offer them peas, some boiled lettuce or pieces of boiled eggs.
They are all healthy varieties of food for your goldfish.
6.
You should never over-feed your goldfish.
They will always be eager to come to the surface of the water and accept whatever food you offer them.
However over-feeding will result in many problems.
The food which is leftover will contaminate the water and will be responsible for increasing the levels of toxic chemicals in the tank.
Goldfish will also over-stuff themselves which is not good for their health.
7.
You should take out some time regularly to test the quality of the water inside the tank.
You should check the levels of ammonia, nitrates and nitrites in the water and try to keep them at the lowest.
Test strips are available in the market which can be a very convenient method to check the water factors quickly.
8.
Always keep an aquarium thermometer near the tank.
Goldfish are cold-water fish but they require constant temperature range.
If you provide 70° F continuously in the tank, they will be healthy and active all the time.
9.
You should change the water inside the tank gradually but continuously.
You can change around 20 per cent of the water at one time and continue this process over 4 to 5 weeks to change the entire water stock from the aquarium.
Never add tap water directly into the tank.
Keep that water aside for some time so that the chlorine and all other gases dissolved in the water will be released.
Then treat the water for lowering the levels of toxins.
After that, you can add it to the tank.
You should remove the fish before commencing the process of changing the water.
10.
Consult your pet shop about the diseases goldfish are prone to.
Make an on-line search also for common diseases.
Understand the symptoms and the treatment options from the show personnel so that you can treat your goldfish in time.
It is always a fun to keep goldfish at your home but it requires a little effort on your part to provide these beautiful creatures proper environment.
It will keep them healthy and happy for a long time.
But that does not mean they are easy to care! Many times goldfish are given as prizes or gifts.
However most of them die soon because people accepting them do not have any idea about their care.
You will not have nay frustration or disappointment later if you have some prior knowledge about the kind of tank you should keep for your goldfish, the maintenance of such tank and testing of the water inside.
You should also know the technique of introducing the goldfish in your tank.
Here are top ten golden rules for beginners - 1.
You should have an aquarium big enough to accommodate your goldfish.
The classical approach of keeping goldfish in a bowl is no more considered appropriate.
The bowl will have limited water and a very limited water surface which will provide much less oxygen and will suffocate the fish quickly.
You should provide at least 10 gallon of water per 1 inch of goldfish.
So if you are thinking of introducing a pair of one inch goldfish, you should consider a tank of about 20 to 30 gallons.
Do not think that big tanks will require more effort for their maintenance.
They require comparatively less time and their maintenance can be done less frequently than smaller tanks.
2.
Goldfish cannot breathe by coming to the surface of the water.
They take the required oxygen from the water itself.
So you need to buy an air pump when you buy your tank.
3.
You should not be economizing on buying the tank accessories.
You should always think of laying gravel at the bottom of the tank.
The gravel provides an opportunity for the bacterial colonies to grow and will help to keep the levels of ammonia down.
The only thing you should consider about the gravel is its size.
If the size is very small, goldfish will try to eat it! 4.
Before introducing goldfish in the tank, test the water, reduce the levels of toxins, allow the bacterial colonies to form on the filters and make the tank an ideal place for your goldfish.
This is also called the 'fish-less cycle'.
5.
You should buy right food for your goldfish.
The flake food is a great choice but at the same time you should think of something creative also.
Offer them peas, some boiled lettuce or pieces of boiled eggs.
They are all healthy varieties of food for your goldfish.
6.
You should never over-feed your goldfish.
They will always be eager to come to the surface of the water and accept whatever food you offer them.
However over-feeding will result in many problems.
The food which is leftover will contaminate the water and will be responsible for increasing the levels of toxic chemicals in the tank.
Goldfish will also over-stuff themselves which is not good for their health.
7.
You should take out some time regularly to test the quality of the water inside the tank.
You should check the levels of ammonia, nitrates and nitrites in the water and try to keep them at the lowest.
Test strips are available in the market which can be a very convenient method to check the water factors quickly.
8.
Always keep an aquarium thermometer near the tank.
Goldfish are cold-water fish but they require constant temperature range.
If you provide 70° F continuously in the tank, they will be healthy and active all the time.
9.
You should change the water inside the tank gradually but continuously.
You can change around 20 per cent of the water at one time and continue this process over 4 to 5 weeks to change the entire water stock from the aquarium.
Never add tap water directly into the tank.
Keep that water aside for some time so that the chlorine and all other gases dissolved in the water will be released.
Then treat the water for lowering the levels of toxins.
After that, you can add it to the tank.
You should remove the fish before commencing the process of changing the water.
10.
Consult your pet shop about the diseases goldfish are prone to.
Make an on-line search also for common diseases.
Understand the symptoms and the treatment options from the show personnel so that you can treat your goldfish in time.
It is always a fun to keep goldfish at your home but it requires a little effort on your part to provide these beautiful creatures proper environment.
It will keep them healthy and happy for a long time.
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