Tips on taking care of gold fish.

Question

i just won a gold fish at a carnival. Does anyone know any tips on taking care of it?

Answer 1

I've read alot of information on gold fish today. We are doing a school project and needed a good source for information. I've been an aquairist for about 30 years.I have to say I am apalled at all the misinformation out there! I'm also apalled at the reaction people have to good information. Most of the people that get nasty when you tell them they need an aquarium are just angry they can't get away with a cheap fix. Carnival goldfish are usually baby comets. Comets get large! They need a tank, not a tiny bowl. You may think the bowl is big when you first get your fish, but they grow... and if cared for properly they will grow fast. 10 gallons is the smallest I would go and that's only until they get to be 2 or 3 inches. They do not need a heater, but a filter is a must. If you understand the nitrogen cycle, you would know why your fish die shortly after they are introduced to their new home... even if it is a 10 gallon tank. If you don't know about the nitrogen cycle, Iwill try to explain it simply. Fish p**p and pee in their water. this is ammonia and nitrite and is toxic to fish even at low levels. Bacteria develope on the aquarium surfaces. The bacteria eat the ammonia and nitrite and convert it to nitrate. Nitrate can also be toxic in high amounts... that's why we do partial water changes. If you clean the tank completely, you wash all the bacteria away. Then ther is no bacteria to eat the ammonia. the ammonia and nitrites go up and your fish die while they wait for a new bacteria colony to establish. They may olny be fish to you, but they are living, breathing creatures and deserve to be treated as such. Do your research, or better yet, join an online fish club and check with the people who really know how to care for fish.

Answer 2

clean their bowl twice a week and feed them goldfish flakes. if u do this they should live and be healthy