Caring for Your Goldfish
Goldfish are long lived, with many living 10-15 years. Some have reported to have lived even longer!
Selecting the Right Goldfish
Single-tailed goldfish have torpedo-shaped bodies and include species such as comets, Sarasa, shubunkin, and koi. They can quickly outgrow smaller environments, and average approximately 18 – 25 cm (7 – 10 inch) in size.
Fantail, or double-tailed goldfish, have egg-shaped bodies with numerous different fin styles. Their colours range from red to orange, white or black, calico, or any combination in one fish. Most fantail varieties rarely have a body length exceeding 15 – 20 cm (6 – 8 in).
A Petland pet counsellor can assist you in selecting the best goldfish variety for you.
To provide a healthy, happy atmosphere for your goldfish, Petland recommends the following necessary equipment and accessories. We have listed them as their 4 Basic Needs: Environmental, Behavioural, Nutritional, and Maintenance. When your goldfishes’ needs are properly met, your hobby will be an enjoyable one!
ENVIRONMENTAL
An Aquarium – A goldfish that is placed in too-small of a container will experience life-threatening health problems. A 76 litre (20 gal) tank is capable of housing up to 2 fantails, though it is recommended to start with 114 litres (30 gal). The larger the aquarium’s size, the easier it is to maintain and the more fish you can have.
Despite common belief, bowls are not suitable homes for goldfish – only for temporary use. Their small size, limited surface area, and poor circulation lead to low oxygen levels, making them unsafe even for one small goldfish. The first sign of insufficient oxygen levels in the water are the goldfish gasping at the surface of the water.
Outdoor Ponds – If you are adding goldfish or koi to an outdoor environment, pre-made ponds are available starting at 120 litres (30 gal) or they can be designed to best suit your landscaping.
Aquarium Cover and Light Fixture – A secure cover protects goldfish and reduces temperature changes and evaporation, while LED or fluorescent lights provide bright, natural, and energy-efficient illumination. Illuminate the aquarium for 10-12 hours a day.
The Water – Typically, goldfish prefer a pH within the range of 7.0 – 7.5 for optimum colouration and proper bodily functions.
Gravel – You need gravel to simulate a natural environment. Goldfish commonly root through the gravel for food. It will retain solid debris and provide anchorage for natural and artificial decorations.
Thermometer – Goldfish can live well at room temperature, but you should use a thermometer to monitor it. They tolerate a range of temperatures but don’t handle sudden changes, so check the temperature when adding water and keep the tank away from windows and vents. Aim for 18–21°C (65–70°F). Although a heater isn’t required, it can help keep the temperature stable.
BEHAVIOURAL
Compatibility – A very important fact to remember when selecting goldfish is how their behaviours differ from tropical fish. They prefer peaceful, open areas to swim in. Keeping them with active fish or in a crowded environment (common to tropical aquariums) can cause serious stress-related problems with goldfish. Egg-shaped goldfish with double tails should not be housed with single-tailed goldfish. They swim more slowly and cannot compete for food or shelter.
Decorations – Adequate decorations are required to provide security and a place to hide. Artificial plants and decorations with rounded edges are recommended.
NUTRITIONAL
Goldfish Food – Goldfish require specialized food. They have a short digestive tract, which limits their ability to digest certain foods. Their basic diet (staple goldfish food) is available in flakes or pellets. The flakes are for smaller goldfish and the pellets are for larger ones. Their diet should be supplemented with spirulina algae-based foods for their antioxidant benefits and colour-enhancing ability.
Feeding Instructions – Feed goldfish twice daily in small portions to avoid overfeeding, which can cloud and pollute the water. Uneaten or spoiled food can cause illness and raise harmful ammonia levels.
MAINTENANCE
Goldfish produce more waste than other fish because they do not have a true stomach, and therefore quickly deteriorate the water quality. The following are easy ways of keeping your aquarium clean.
Filter System – Without a filter, a goldfish aquarium needs manual cleaning two to three times a week. Aquarium filters remove and recycle waste, improve water movement, and support better water quality and fish health. Petland offers a range of quiet filters, most using easy-to-replace cartridges that handle mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration to keep your aquarium clean.
Gravel Cleaning Siphon – A gravel cleaner works like a vacuum to remove hidden dirt, debris, and toxins from the gravel and water. Doing a partial water change of 20–25% every three to four weeks helps reduce waste buildup and is one of the most important parts of aquarium care. Without a filter system, this task will occur more frequently.
Water Conditioner – This removes the chlorine and chloramine, and neutralizes heavy metals in the water. Many also have a natural additive that replaces “slime” lost by stressed out fish.
Bacteria Supplement – A bacteria supplement boosts the biological filtration capability in new aquariums, as well as maintains optimum filtration in existing aquariums.
Aquarium Salt – This can be used to support fish health during times of stress and as a treatment from various fish diseases, making it beneficial to have on hand. See our Aquarium Salt Tip Sheet for more information.
Net – This can remove debris and transfer fish.
Algae Scraper – These aid in the removal of unwanted algae growth that appears on your ornaments and aquarium glass. Algae scrapers are available with or without handles or on magnets to make it easier to clean off the algae.
Bringing Home Your Goldfish
Travelling from one aquarium to another can be very stressful for fish. Extreme temperature changes (hot or cold) can adversely affect your fish’s health. Try to avoid exposing your new fish to these hot or cold conditions when taking them home.
During this period fish may be unable to produce or repair their slime coat. A fish’s slime coat is their natural protection against injury to skin, scales and parasitic infestations such as Ich (which can be present in established aquariums).
To help minimize the stress on your fish and protect its slime coat, adhere to the following steps:
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Wrap up your fish bag in paper or keep them inside your warm jacket. Go directly home to lessen the transport time.
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When you arrive at home, float the sealed bag of fish in your aquarium for 10 – 15 minutes to allow the water temperature in the fish bag to adjust to the aquarium’s temperature.
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While you are waiting, add new decorations or rearrange the decorations in your aquarium to create new hiding places for all your fish.
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Use an aquarium fish net to transfer only the fish from the fish bag into your aquarium. Discard the water and the bag. Then add a bacterial supplement to boost the biological filtration in your aquarium, which will benefit all your fish.
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To help reduce health problems, we recommend adding a full dose of water conditioner as a slime coat additive, and aquarium salt (if permitted) as an electrolyte booster.
Monitor your new arrivals, along with your other fish, for the first 48 hours. Look for signs of stress, such as loss of colour, clamped or frayed fins, unusual grey patches or white spots and a lack of appetite. Contact your local Petland store immediately if you have any concerns.
Pets for Life
We at Petland believe strongly in “Pets for a Lifetime”. We want our guests to be certain the pet they are adopting will remain in their family for the lifetime of the pet. However, we understand that there may be unforeseen circumstances that may interfere with your best intentions to keep your pet. For fish, setting them loose in natural waterways, such as rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, or storm drains, can have catastrophic consequences on ecosystems. The best alternative is to bring the fish back to Petland. As Petland will incur all expenses in caring for and rehoming the pet, the pet owner understands there will be no refund.
Cleanliness and Safety
All pets must be kept in a clean environment to avoid the spread of dirt and contaminants to yourself and others. Always keep your pet’s home clean, and wash your hands before and after handling your aquarium.
CHECKLIST FOR YOUR GOLDFISH
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Aquarium or outdoor pond
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Aquarium canopy and lights
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Gravel
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(Optional) Heater
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Thermometer
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Variety of goldfish food
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Plants (plastic or silk)
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Decorations (i.e. driftwood, rocks or artificial resin-based decorations)
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Aquarium filter
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Gravel cleaning siphon
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Water conditioner
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Bacteria supplement
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(Optional) Aquarium salt
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Fish net
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Algae cleaner