Few questions on Calico Fantail goldfish.?

Question

Hi, I recieved a calico fantail fish couple of weeks ago. It's in a small plastic container, I know this sounds awful. THe thing is my little daughter got so attached to it and I'm unable to get rid of it, and yet I have absolutely no idea how to take care of it. I have done few researches regarding that matter but I still have lots of direct questions. Any help is much appreciated.

20 gallon tank, how many litres does that take?

Do I need to get her all the filters and other extras if she was to be kept alone in the tank? (I am sorry if this sounds bad the thing is I am so short on money right now but I want her to survive with the minimal budget)

Do they need light at night? do they get scared without light or with dim light?

Sometimes she seems to look ok but some others she keep moving from side to side very quickly, does this mean she's stressed?

I have also noticed that sometimes she keeps getting to the surface and looks as if she's eating. Does it mean shes hungry?

Answer 1

Here is an exelent site when you have all sorts of goldfish.

http://www.your-goldfish.com/different-t...

Enjoy ur day!

Answer 2

20 gallons is 75.7082357 litres

yes you need a good quality filter

no they dont need lights

probably means she is stressed

she needs goldfish flake food

if you can not offer a healthy and suitable life

sell her

Answer 3

A 20 gallon tank is roughly equal to a 120 liters give or take a few.

You will need a filter but depending on where you live you will not need a heater (only if where you live gets extremely cold and your house is kept lower than 72 degrees). You may need a aerator but I doubt it if you get a filter that hangs on the back.

Fish do not need light...the lights on aquarium were added strictly for our viewing purpose and if you get a tank with one should only be left on for a maximum of 12 hours, because it will stress your fish.  However you could just turn the light on when you are in the room with the fish and turn it off and that would be enough. Or the light from your room (if it was sitting next to a desk lamp) would be enough.

It is probably because she is stressed from being in such a little container and could be getting ammonia poisoning...you need to get a bigger tank ASAP.

She probably doesn't have enough oxygen in her water. She should stop when you move her to a bigger tank.

Only feed a goldfish a small pinch of food twice a day because if you feed them more they will gorge themselves to death.

Also, you are going to want to invest in a water testing kit. Test your water weekly or on a needs-to-needs basis (fish looks or acts abnormal, water is cloudy) whichever comes first. If the water parameters are off (especially ammonia and nitrites) do a 50% water change. If everything is testing okay then only do a 15-25% water change.

Everything you need to get should be less than $100 starting cost and then after that will cost you very very little.

Edit: I am not saying the fish will need no light but not as much as you might think....minimal light is needed to keep them happy. Also just a hint, if you avoid chain stores and stick to small local fish store you might be able to save money on equipment or even buy a good used tank for cheap. I got my 30 gallon from a local fish shop and it cost me $80 total (with filter, heater, flourscent lighting, and aquarium) the tank itself was brand new and cost me $50

Edit 2: Yes, they are sensitive to loud noises especially if exposed for prolonged period of time. It will cause them to get stressed. Two other things I want to add since I think you are a first time fish owner 1) Never use soap when cleaning out aqaurium, gravel, decor (which you will want to do before setting up your aquarium the first time).

2) Make sure you add dechlorinator anytime you add new water to an aquarium and always add it to the new water

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