Common goldfish
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Country of origin | China |
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Type | Single tailed |
Classification | |
BAS | [1] |
The common goldfish is a breed of
Temperament
Common goldfish are social animals that prefer living in groups. They can coexist with any coldwater fish, as long as they're tame and sociable. With the provision of general care and attention, common goldfish can become tame. Once familiar with the face of its owner, swimming towards the fish keeper during feeding time can be observed, and hand-feeding becomes possible. Small goldfish will normally avoid any form of human contact. However, this fear ceases in a middle-sized and mature goldfish. A mature goldfish is more likely to eat directly from its owner's hand without evident hesitation. While this behavior is welcomed by goldfish owners, it may be problematic in outdoor ponds where predators may eat such friendly prey. Mature goldfish will also explore their surroundings through nibbling or grazing behavior.
If transferred into a tank with other goldfish, a common goldfish would normally try to communicate and familiarize itself with its new tank mates by rubbing up against the body of other fish. The most common introductory gesture is by swimming side by side with another goldfish with its head facing forward, or by swimming side by side with another goldfish with its head facing the opposite direction, or even by swimming above another goldfish in a perpendicular fashion. Schooling is a common behavior when there is a new fish in the tank. After some time, this schooling behavior eventually ceases, and soon every individual fish will swim and explore the aquarium on its own. Aggressive behavior is uncommon when a new specimen is introduced into a settled school of goldfish.
Hierarchy during feeding is commonly observed, in which the larger goldfish receives most of the food. However, small goldfish may become aggressive or competitive feeders despite the presence of larger fish, which is usually considered a good sign, as a willingness to feed indicates a healthy goldfish.
Housing
It is a common practice to keep common goldfish in a small bowl, but this allows waste in the water to build up to toxic levels and does not provide enough oxygen. For each small/young goldfish, there should be a minimum of 10 US liquid gallons (38 liters; 8.3 imperial gallons) of water.[3] A good filter, with no heater, is recommended because these fish can get larger than 12 inches (300 mm). Tank mimimum recommendations range up to 75 US gallons (280 L; 62 imp gal), although there is no maximum size. If there is concern about the fish not getting enough oxygen, particularly when it is warm, a water pump, such as a fountain pump or mini pond pump will pull the CO2 water from the bottom, expel it, and the surface action will oxygenate the tank or pond. Contrary to popular belief, air pumps and airstones do not oxygenate directly and rely on bubbles breaking the surface to transfer oxygen to the fish's environment. Ideally, the water pump should push 10x the volume of the tank or pond plus an extra 100lph or gph. Goldfish will die without sufficient dissolved oxygen in the water. A filter that can do at least 10x filtration is best, which means that for every 10 gallons or liters of water, the filter should be able to cycle 100 gallons or liters per hour. If the oxygen in the water runs out then the fish may die or become unconscious. It is advised to move the fish to a basin of water full of freshwater.
Goldfish are curious fish that will quickly become bored without items in their tank or other fish to socialize with. If placed in a bare aquarium, goldfish will settle to the bottom and only move when fed or frightened by sudden jolts. However, if put in a tank with sufficient gravel, aquarium accessories, or plants (real or fake), they will make themselves at home.
Goldfish are not very territorial. However, if an aquarium is already too small for one goldfish, it will certainly be too small for two or more. Stress is not healthy for any goldfish. In a worst-case scenario, one or two fish will bully the rest to starvation[citation needed]. Cannibalism is usually rare (occurring maybe when a fish is dying or dead), but in cramped, stressful situations, goldfish may behave unpredictably[citation needed]. Disease is possible any time fish are stuck in small homes.
When adding goldfish to a new tank, it is important to place no more than two at a time[
A good tip when doing a water change is not to clean the filters at the same time (filters hold a good amount of helpful bacteria as well), but instead to wait two days after a water change before cleaning the filters out to keep a consistently healthy balance[citation needed].
Common goldfish can be kept in water gardens or outdoor ponds throughout the year. Outdoor ponds have similar care requirements as indoor tanks, with some notable exceptions such as amount of sunlight, natural and artificial environment pollution (i.e. dead leaves, debris, runoff), algae, selection of pond mates (i.e. algae eaters, frogs, etc.). Outdoor ponds tend to become miniature aquatic ecosystems, attracting various animals and plants (see water gardens for more information). In hot climates, it is important that pond temperatures do not rise to dangerously high levels that will kill the fish.[1] In the winter, fish may become sluggish and stop feeding. This does not mean they are sick, but rather that their metabolism has slowed. The pond must not freeze solid and there should be an open spot in the surface ice to allow oxygenation of the water. The ice should also not be struck, as this sends shock waves of sound pressure through the water, scaring the fish.
Basic common goldfish care
This section is written like a manual or guide. (June 2021) |
Mature goldfish will require a minimum tank size of 20 gallons per fish to allow ample swimming room and create a "buffer zone" that will delay the effects toxins like
Goldfish have a varied diet that can include pellets, flakes, vegetables, and blood worms. Overfeeding should be avoided as it can disrupt the biological balance and increase the risk of diseases. The recommended feeding amount is what the fish can consume in 2–3 minutes, once or twice a day, depending on the size of the fish. Filtration systems help keep the tank clean and remove toxins, while also promoting good bacteria growth. It is important to choose the right filtration system to keep nitrate levels low and prevent nitrate poisoning.
Regular water changes are crucial for maintaining a clean and safe tank environment. It is recommended to change a 10-25% of the water at a time to avoid removing good bacteria from the tank. Cleaning the filter sponges and vacuuming the gravel can help remove debris and rotten food. Treated tap water at the same temperature as the tank water should be used to refill the tank. It is important to avoid using tap water to clean decorations, filters, and equipment as it can kill good bacteria.
Goldfish require adequate exposure to light to promote healthy sleeping patterns and maintain a similar environment to their natural habitat. While sunlight is beneficial, it is important to avoid exposing the fish to direct sunlight for extended periods as it can be harmful. A tank light is needed.
Breeding
Breeding common goldfish is relatively easy. In breeding conditions the male develops small white spots on his
Diseases
Common goldfish are hardy, but can contract diseases. These can be caused by poor water quality, overfeeding and overstocking. Goldfish are notoriously dirty, producing much waste, and continually stir up the substrate in their infinite search for food. In small aquariums, illnesses in common goldfish can quickly become fatal and require prompt treatment. Symptoms that indicate sick fish include cuts on any of the fins, a change in scale or eye coloration, excretions from the nostrils, scales falling off or the fish frequently rising towards the water surface. Many specialty treatments are available in the market to manage specific diseases.
Diseases frequently seen in common goldfish include:
Swim Bladder Disease is developed when the fish has buoyancy problems due to internal gas build-up.[4] Swim bladder disease may be caused by insufficient fiber, poor water quality, or overfeeding. The fish "may also look physically swollen or bloated..."; it may also swim sideways or upside down. Treatment starts with testing the water to ensure cleanliness, then the goldfish should fast for three days if no improvements are made. If the fish still seems ill, then it should be fed low-protein foods and vegetables.[4]
Fin Rot is developed from bacteria eating or deteriorating the fins. The disease originates from "poor water quality, overcrowding, sudden temperature changes, fin nipping, or aggressive fish"; this leads to torn and shredded fins that could deteriorate the body tissue and prevent the regrowth of their fins. Fin rot must be treated early to prevent further damage to the body tissue, so the disease does not spread. Treatments start with clean water, adding aquarium salt to clean the water; if that does not work, then commercial products should be used along with weekly water changes.[4]
White Spot Disease is caused by the
Fungal Infection is the growth of fungus, which could lead to parasitic infections, ulcers, or open wounds. The fungus symptoms could also lead to a secondary fungal infection. There are "cotton-like growths along the body and fins", which is caused by dirty water.[6] Treatments start by moving the goldfish to a hospital tank and then clearing the environment with Methylene blue. If the condition is serious, however, the goldfish can just have a cleaner tank and the fungal infection should clear up over time.
Ammonia poisoning is caused by high levels of ammonia in the tank. Add ammonia reduction chemicals to the tank, or for an emergency release of ammonia, change the water 25 percent daily for one week until the symptoms decrease. Ammonia reduction chemicals must not be added as soon as the ammonia levels drop, as ammonia removers can starve the biological filter and cause the cycling process to start over.[7]
Bacterial diseases can be deadly, but treatments are available at local fish stores.
Lifespan
Goldfish can live for long periods of time if they are fed a varied diet and housed in proper water conditions. The average lifespan of a goldfish is ten to fifteen years.[citation needed] The longest-lived goldfish on record lived to age 43.[8] The oldest living goldfish was Tish, won by a UK family at a funfair.[9] Tish was recognized into the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest living goldfish. Improper care or life in a bowl greatly reduces the typical lifespan of a goldfish.
As feeder fish
Common goldfish are often used as live prey for freshwater turtles, notably red-eared sliders, and carnivorous fish such as oscars. When fed exclusively, feeder goldfish are a poor source of nutrients. They can introduce unwanted pathogens into the home aquarium, as they are usually given minimal care before being sold.
Confusions with comet goldfish
The common goldfish are often confused with comet goldfish, a distinct breed. The two breeds are often mixed together at many pet stores and aquarium stores. They breeds differ in the relative size of the body and fins. The comet goldfish has longer fins but a shorter and slender body size, and thus resembles tracing comets. The most recognizable difference is their tails. Usually, a common goldfish has a short stubby tail, and the comet's tail extends over half of the body length. The common goldfish usually resembles the wild carp more closely than the comet goldfish. Comets are sometimes said to display a wider variety of colors, but common goldfish also display many of the same types of colors, including red/white, blue, red, orange, yellow, and other two-toned colors like black/orange.[10]
References
- ^ a b Miller, Jack (22 October 2023). "Beginner Goldfish Care Guide: Tank Setup, Diet, Health, and More". www.splashexplore.com.
- ^ "Common Goldfish". petgoldfish.net. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
- ^ "How much water do goldfish need?". 12 September 2009.
- ^ a b c "7 Common Goldfish Diseases: Are Your Goldfish Sick?Complete Goldfish Care". completegoldfishcare.com. 6 January 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ^ "Goldfish Ich Disease (White Spot) Treatments". www.about-goldfish.com. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- ^ "7 Common Goldfish Diseases: Are Your Goldfish Sick?Complete Goldfish Care". completegoldfishcare.com. 6 January 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
- ^ "Tips for Cycling Your New Aquarium". firsttankguide.net. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
- ^ "Oldest goldfish has his chips". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
- ^ "BBC News | UK | Oldest goldfish has his chips". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
- ^ "Comet Goldfish: Size, Lifespan, Care Guide and More…". Fishkeeping World. 11 September 2018.