Goldfish! Goldfish are the most common aquarium fish, however they display unique characteristics that set them apart from other species. They are active and curious, constantly checking out what’s going on in the tank.
Their vivid colors and playful nature make them quite popular and an excellent choice for a first-time fish owner. The pet-fish industry sells more goldfish than any other species of fish.
The history of these beautiful fish is really quite fascinating, and when given the right care, can live for a very long time. If you’re thinking about getting a goldfish for your home aquarium, read on for details regarding the proper care you need to know.
Goldfish! Ready Reckoner
Basic Information
Goldfish, also known as Carassius auratus, are a freshwater fish belonging to the carp family Cyprinidae. Goldfish are native to China. They have been bred in captivity for hundreds of years, and there are now many varieties of goldfish available.
The first recorded breeding of goldfish occurred during the Jin dynasty in China, which lasted from 265–420 AD.
The many different colors that goldfish can come them a in, making them a popular pet. Goldfish can be orange, yellow, red, white, brown and black, with shades in between.
They can also be bi-colored or tri-colored. Some varieties have patterns on their bodies such as calico and marble.
Goldfish were known to control mosquito populations because they eat mosquito larvae that live in ponds. They also help keep water clean by eating dead plant material and uneaten food that falls into the pond or aquarium where they live.”
Types
Goldfish are one of the most popular pets among aquarium owners. There are around two hundred varieties of goldfish. More varieties are being named as we speak.
This is because different types of goldfish are breeding with each other, resulting in new and exciting colors, shapes, and personalities.
Goldfish come in many different colors including orange, red, yellow, white and black. Some of these fish have patterns on their bodies.
Goldfish also come in different body shapes including long-bodied or short-bodied fish. They have been kept by people for centuries. The classification of goldfish varies in different places.
For example china has just 5-6 classifications. While in some other countries, each goldfish is known by its name.
There are different classifications of goldfish based on their body shape, head and fins. Even the tails and eyes are a basis for classifying the goldfish.
Appearance
The appearance of a goldfish depends on its age and environment. In indoor aquariums the growth of goldfish depends on the size of the tank. A goldfish can grow between 4.7 to 16.1 inches long.
In indoor aquariums the growth of goldfish depends on the size of the tank. The appearance of goldfish changes as they grow older. The longest gold fish measured so far is 18.7 inches. The heaviest goldfish weighed so far is 4.5 kg.
The appearance of the goldfish also depends on its type. As shown in the chart above, the each type has a different and distinctive feature.
Few Facts
- Did you know that goldfish can grow larger in the wild than in small aquariums?
- Goldfish have been found in brackish water too.
- Goldfish vision is the most studied aspect of their biology, and they can distinguish four primary colors.
- Goldfish are able to survive short periods of anoxic situations (a lack of oxygen supply) without any ill effects, as long as they are given plenty of clean water and oxygen after the period.
- Goldfish also produce their body pigment in response to light. So if kept in the dark they will eventually lose color.
- They are able to survive because of their ability to produce waste through their gills as well as store oxygen in their blood and tissues.
- A group of goldfish is known as a troubling!
Gender Differences
First, let’s talk about how to differentiate young goldfish. It is difficult to differentiate young goldfish. Gender differences are visible only in adults.
Female gold fish are rounder and thicker than males. The body shape during the breeding season varies: the female may bulge more on one side, but this is not always the case.
The female has a protruding vent.
In contrast, male gold fish have an elongated vent which is concave when compared to females. Male goldfish develop white spots near their gills called tubercles.
However, this is not always present so it cannot be used as an indicator of gender. Males have a lean and streamlined body in comparison to females.
Males have a midline ridge, and in females it is almost invisible. Another way to determine gender is by watching how they interact with each other. Males will chase females during breeding season and attempt to mate with them.
Behavior
Goldfish are known to be intelligent. They can easily distinguish between humans and tend to beg for food. Goldfish have a great memory, they can be trained and are very friendly towards other goldfish.
Goldfish can also be trained to do tricks like swimming through hoops or jumping through hoops!
They react to mirrors as they think that there is another fish in the tank. They also are fin nippers, which means that they nip the fins of other fish in the tank.
Goldfish are a delight to have in your home. They’re friendly, and entertaining—and they’ll keep you on your toes! They love to swim around in groups and get along with other fish of all kinds.
Goldfish also compete for food—they’ll eat everything that gets thrown into the tank, including plants and each other’s poop! So make sure there’s plenty of food for everyone!
Goldfish are not only beautiful, but they’re also perceptive creatures. They have been known to recognize their owners’ voices and can distinguish between people by sound vibrations.
Goldfish also enjoy interacting with humans, and are capable of coming up to you and gently touching your fingers.
Water & Tank Requirements
To keep your goldfish happy and healthy, you need to know what water and tank requirements to follow.
First of all, the minimum tank size for a goldfish is 20 gallons.
The idea of keeping goldfish in small bowls is not correct. Goldfish excrete lot of waste and the water in the bowl can become toxic and kill the fish. Even in the case of aquariums, water changes need to be performed frequently.
It cannot withstand rapid changes in temperature. Water of the same temperature must be added if you want your fish to survive.
The goldfish cannot withstand extreme temperatures either; only in some cases gradual temperature increase is required to help fight infestations. The optimal temperature for your goldfish is between 68-72 degrees F (20-22 C).
Goldfish can live up to ten or fifteen years and are not suitable for planted aquariums. They need slow-moving waters with a pH between 6.0 and 8.0, hardness levels between 5.0 and 19 dGH. Kh must be a minimum of 80 ppm, but it is better at 160 ppm.
Goldfish are not suitable for planted aquariums, as they will uproot plants and nip the leaves.
Goldfish need a lot of water. In addition to being able to swim around and play, your goldfish’s water will be used up by respiration and excretion. As such, you should change at least 25% of the water every week or so.
They also cannot thrive in tanks with excessive levels of ammonia or nitrite, which is why it’s important to test your tank regularly for both of these substances.
Be sure to choose a substrate material that won’t hurt your fish’s fins (sand or gravel). This is important because goldfish have the tendency to search for food in the gravel and scoop and spit out gravel.
Goldfish need 12 hours of moderate light to ensure they retain their pigmentation. They will not only be more colorful, but they’ll also be able to produce vitamin D3.
Tank Mates
Aquariums often have an ecosystem that includes plants and snails; these creatures help maintain the water quality by eating algae and keeping debris levels low.
These ecosystems have been responsibly designed so that all of its inhabitants will thrive together—but this isn’t always the case when it comes to goldfish tanks!
Goldfish are not great community fish. While they’re fun to keep, they are fin nippers and so it’s best to avoid putting them in a tank with any kind of fish at all.
However, gold fish can be hosted with a few fish like Rudd, Tench and Koi. Orfe are also good to have since they control the goldfish population and Ramshorn snails to clear algae.
Care
Goldfish are known to be a very hardy fish, but they still need a little help to survive. They require constant feeding, but you should be careful not to overfeed them. If you do, their intestines will get blocked and they’ll die.
Goldfish also need very good filtration since they produce so much waste. They need lots of oxygen, too, so make sure your tank has good aeration.
You should not keep them in bowls or narrow containers. Goldfish are curios and love exploring their home. They need space to swim around.
Diet
Feeding your fish is an important part of keeping them healthy and happy. The right diet will help them grow big and strong, while the wrong one can cause health problems and even death.
Do you want your goldfish to live a long, happy life? Of course you do!
But in order to make sure your fish is happy and healthy, it’s important that you know what they eat, and how they should be eating it.
Goldfish are omnivorous are known to eat almost anything. Insects, plant matter and meaty foods. But did you know that goldfish need less protein & more carbohydrates? Blanched green leafy vegetables are good for them.
Green peas also used to treat bloated goldfish. They also like eating Bloodworms and brine shrimps which are used during breeding.
It is always best to use food made specifically for goldfish than use general fish food.
Breeding
Breeding is not difficult, but it does require a good deal of space and patience. A pair of fish will breed when they have grown to maturity and are ready for breeding.
When one or both fish are ready, you will notice them swimming around more energetically than usual with bulging stomachs. Only the female carries eggs in her body – she lays them directly into the plants or spawning mounds that you have provided.
The male fertilizes the eggs as they are laid.
Goldfish are egg layers, meaning they reproduce by laying eggs. The eggs hatch any time between 3 to 7 days.
Males chase the female and bump into her, prompting her to lay eggs. Then the males fertilize the eggs. It is better to allow the fish to mate themselves than trying artificial breeding called hand stripping.
Feed the newly hatched with brine shrimps.
Are Goldfish Carps?
Goldfish belong to the carp family, (cyprinidae) but they don’t have all the features of the main species in that family, mainly the barbells near their mouths.
Carp have barbells. They have prominent upper jaws. But since goldfish don’t have these features, it’s safe to say that they are modified Carps.
Do Goldfish Eat Betta Fish ?
Yes, they can. Large goldfish are capable of eating small Betta fish.
Why do you ask? Do you have a goldfish and want to know if it will eat your Betta fish? There are some things that you should know before you go any further.
First of all, if you have a large goldfish and a small Betta fish in the same tank, then yes—your goldfish may try to eat your Betta fish. That doesn’t mean it will always succeed or that it will be able to do so every time, but what it does mean is that there’s a possibility that your larger fish might try to eat your smaller one. The risk always remains. More so when the goldfish is an omnivore.
Conclusion
Goldfish are a good alternative to more expensive fish. They have been kept as pets for over three thousand years. People who have kept goldfish will tell you that they are wonderful pets. They are fun to watch; they make interesting subjects for photography, painting, and decorative sculpture too. More than all of this, they love interacting with their owners which a unique feature amongst fish. This apart they are said to bring good luck. So if you plan to bring in a goldfish as a pet, then good luck!!!
