Help! How do I care for goldfish?

mumof3_2

Yesterday DS and DD1 became the proud winners of goldfish at the school summer fair, but I must be the only person in the history of the world, never to have had a goldfish when I was little, so I've absolutely no idea what to do with them!

They came in a very basic plastic tank (about 20cm diameter) and I bought fishfood on the way home, but I've already received conflicting advice on how often to feed them - my friend says daily, but the packet of food says 2-3 times a day.

And how often am I meant to change the water? There is currently no filter or gravel in the bottom, but they seem to be doing rather a lot of poo which one of them keeps mistaking for food! :eek:

As they are a much longed for addition to the family (by the children), the long term plan is to upgrade their accomodation, but what do we need? I want them to be comfortable without spending a fortune. Any tips please on essential items (and where to get them from) and optional additions would be greatly appreciated. :T

scared-i-jellyfish

http://www.petlibrary.com/goldfish/fishcare.htm

is a very good site.

I would advise that you find yourself a very good fish petshop - not the usual pet shop, but one that just does fish- they know everything and will advise you and help with all questions.

Good luck.

southernscouser

Well since a kid we've had goldfish that have died in days and lived for 16 odd years.

First and foremost, if you haven't got a lid on the tank get one! The blighters are prone to jumping and do jump straight out of the tank! Luckily we happened to be in the room when ours did! :eek:

Regarding food, start off with a small amount. If they don't eat it all it will go off and will reduce the oxygen levels in the water so the fish won't be able to breathe. Fish generally won't starve. They are a species where if they eat alot they will grow big but if food is sparce they will not use up much energy therefore not needing to eat alot!

Also I would get filter. Not only does it clean the water but it oxygenates it aswell.

Gravel and fake plants are good for the fish, for stimulation and for filtering purposes if I'm correct. I say fake plants as once again any real plants will use up oxygen and the fish will suffer from the reduced levels.

With a good filter I'm not really sure how often you would have to change the water but not very often. You have to remember that tap water does have chemicals in it and fish are more sensitive to these. Also regarding water temperature, if the water is to hot, yep you guessed it, oxygen levels will be low so try not to leave it in direct sunlight or by windows.

Hope this helps!

Oh and don't blame me if you do all the above and they still die!

southernscouser

scared-i-jellyfish wrote:

http://www.petlibrary.com/goldfish/fishcare.htm

is a very good site.

I would advise that you find yourself a very good fish petshop - not the usual pet shop, but one that just does fish- they know everything and will advise you and help with all questions.

Good luck.

Hey I wasn't far off! Go me! :j :T :rotfl:

mumof3_2

southernscouser wrote:

With a good filter I'm not really sure how often you would have to change the water but not very often. You have to remember that tap water does have chemicals in it and fish are more sensitive to these.
Hope this helps!

Oh and don't blame me if you do all the above and they still die!

Thanks for the advice :beer:

So the current water should be ok until I get get all the gear next weekend, but what about all the poo?? :eek:

JennyW_2

mumof3 wrote:

Thanks for the advice :beer:

So the current water should be ok until I get get all the gear next weekend, but what about all the poo?? :eek:

the filter will take care of the poo so the sooner the better then you should carry out weekly water changes (but only about a quarter of the water) - never the whole tank and you'll need to buy some liquid which we de-chlorinate (sp?) the water of all the yucky chemicals and minerals in your tap water. I've kept tropical and marine fish but the same care still needs to be done for the goldfish.

ETA - your filter may need sponges which will require cleaning and changing in time.

All this for a little goldfish eh? ;-)

ooo000ooo

mumof3 wrote:

Thanks for the advice :beer:

So the current water should be ok until I get get all the gear next weekend, but what about all the poo?? :eek:

Get some pea gravel or proper fish tank gravel for the bottom of the tank, bacteria will live in the gravel and break down the poo over time, if you know anyone that has fish, scrounge a drop out of their tank to help kick start the bacteria.

ooo000ooo

southernscouser wrote:

I say fake plants as once again any real plants will use up oxygen and the fish will suffer from the reduced levels.

IIRC real plants convert carbon dioxide to oxygen? Photosynthesis?

southernscouser

ooo000ooo wrote:

IIRC real plants convert carbon dioxide to oxygen? Photosynthesis?

Whats IIRC?

Not sure if that works underwater though! The only reason I say it is that I'm a keen angler and a lot of waters with weed and water plants, lilly pads, and trees in the water etc they often suffer from low oxygen levels!

madnlooney

southernscouser wrote:

First and foremost, if you haven't got a lid on the tank get one! The blighters are prone to jumping and do jump straight out of the tank! Luckily we happened to be in the room when ours did! :eek:

Found that one out the other night. it was on the floor not moving and thought it was dead. put it back in the water and it was just laying on the top but after about 10mins it was swimming around like nothing had happened:T

southernscouser

madnlooney wrote:

Found that one out the other night. it was on the floor not moving and thought it was dead. put it back in the water and it was just laying on the top but after about 10mins it was swimming around like nothing had happened:T

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

What you can do is hold them up right and just swoosh them through the water for a few minutes. Just gets a bit of oxygen going through their gills! :rolleyes: