Nothing delights an aquarist more than seeing their goldfish full of vitality, swimming and exploring every corner of the aquarium. What’s the secret? Keep reading and learn how to care for a goldfish !
This is one of the most famous and beloved aquarium fish. With the scientific name Carassius auratus , it is also known as the Japanese goldfish, Japanese goldfish, goldfish and kingy. Today, you will learn everything about how to care for the Kinguio fish. Check it out!
History of Goldfish
The goldfish is originally from China, although it is classified as “Japanese”. The first records of this golden swimmer date back to 265 to 419 AD. During this period, the first mention of a goldfish among carp farming occurred.
Some historians also say that the first appearance of the animal was recorded between 618 and 907 AD. The Japanese dorado is the result of the crossing of several carps brought from all regions of China for Emperor Zhao Gou. They were placed in the same tank and reproduced.
However, it was during the Ming dynasty (1368 to 1644) that the goldfish experienced its full development: it was from this moment that the little fish entered homes in aquariums. With this, its variants began to appear, such as the Telescope Goldfish, Calico Goldfish, Rocket-tailed Goldfish and many others.
Exports to Japan only began in the early 1600s. Soon after, goldfish reached Europe and then spread throughout the Western world. Today, this small swimmer is bred on a large commercial scale. To give you an idea, in Maryland, USA, 5 million goldfish are produced each year.
Goldfish care
So, how do you take care of a goldfish? It doesn’t have many requirements, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t need care. First, you need to set up the aquarium with the correct dimensions.
The goldfish is a descendant of tank fish . Therefore, it needs a lot of space, even though it is considered a small animal. First, think about how many fish you would like to have and only then buy an aquarium of the appropriate size.
Right aquarium size
The size of the aquarium will determine the success of this project. Therefore, calculate how many liters your tank should have. Calculate this way: for the first goldfish , it is already about 70 L. For each additional fish of the same species, add another 35 L.
So, to have four goldfish, you need an aquarium of approximately 175 L! To give you an idea, the approximate measurements of this capacity are equivalent to 1 m in length, 35 cm in depth and 50 cm in height.
Aquarium filtration
Japanese goldfish produce a lot of dirt. Therefore, the filtration system must be very good. Ideally, the total volume of water should be filtered ten times every hour. Taking the aquarium calculated above as an example, the filter needs to work with 1,750 L per hour.
It is worth remembering that the filtration layers must be respected. The first must be the mechanical one, which retains the coarsest dirt. Then comes the chemical one, which absorbs the substances dissolved in the water. Finally, comes the biological one, which consumes the ammonia.
After choosing the size of the aquarium and installing the filtration system and decoration , it is time to add water and turn on the pump. Do this before taking the fish to their new home. This process is important and is called maturation. It is necessary for the growth of the microbiota that favors the survival of the new inhabitants.
Water parameters
The water in your goldfish aquarium should be neutral to alkaline, with a pH between 7.2 and 7.8. Goldfish are very sensitive to changes in these parameters, especially acidity. Therefore, it is essential to measure the pH constantly. This is an important tip on how to breed goldfish .
In addition, to maintain good water quality, perform partial water changes regularly, replacing an average of 20% of the volume every 7 to 10 days. Before replacing the water, let the liquid rest for at least three days to allow the chlorine to evaporate.
With regular measurements, good filtration, and the right size aquarium, you can be sure that your little swimmer will be healthy. By the way, do you know how long a goldfish lives ? It is one of the longest-lived aquarium fish, reaching up to 25 years!
Food
You already know how to care for goldfish, thinking about maintaining the environment. So now comes the fun part! With the goldfish in the aquarium, you need to feed them.
The goldfish has a particularity: its stomach is not functional. Therefore, food basically passes through it intact and goes to the intestine, the organ where the digestion process begins. Therefore, it is essential to know how to feed the goldfish . The food needs to be suitable for the species considering this particularity of the organism.
Goldfish need to eat at least three times a day. The ideal amount is one that can be consumed in approximately four minutes. To start, give small portions and time the meal. Soon, you will get the right amount per meal.