Goldfish: care and maintenance
Goldfish are often the first pets for beginner aquarists. And no wonder, because they are very beautiful, easy to care for, and, as we know, goldfish can grant wishes! In addition, many people come up with the idea to get an aquarium just because of the goldfish. Seeing these beauties in a pet store, it is very difficult to pass by. And how can you not want to equip your own underwater kingdom with wish fulfillers right at home? But before you buy a seemingly unpretentious goldfish, be sure to familiarize yourself with the rules for keeping it, because even the most undemanding pet needs reverent care. Let’s see what should be the care of a goldfish in an aquarium.
Aquarium for goldfish should be spacious. Optimum volume: 45-90 liters. In a tiny or round aquarium, goldfish will be uncomfortable. There is a good rule: for every 10 cm of fish you need 200 cm? water surface. So you can calculate which aquarium will suit several fish.
The water temperature in the aquarium for goldfish: 15-21°C. In nature, goldfish live in temperate latitudes, which means that they cannot be settled in tropical aquariums with heat-loving inhabitants.
Control the water parameters in the aquarium. Optimal parameters:
— ammonia – 0;
— pH – 6,5-8,0;
— nitrate — 20.
The water level in the aquarium with a goldfish should be at least 25 cm.
Replacing the water in the aquarium should be carried out partially, at least 1 time per week. Approximately 25-30% of the water in the aquarium is replaced. You can add only settled water or water prepared with the help of special means. Read more about this in our article “”.
The replacement water should be the same temperature as the aquarium water.
Use specially cleaned gravel or pea-sized stones as a substrate so that the fish cannot accidentally swallow them.
Aquarium plants should be safe for the fish, as the latter will taste them from time to time. Such plants are suitable for goldfish: egg capsule, cryptocoryne, anubias, waltz, etc.
Decorations for an aquarium are best purchased at a pet store. You do not have to worry about their quality, while items not intended for an aquarium can release substances harmful to fish into the water. Carefully study the shape of the decorations: the fish should not get stuck in them.
Before placing in the aquarium, the decorations must be washed in water.
Do not forget that new fish should not be placed in the aquarium immediately. First, it must be placed in a separate container with settled water for about 2 weeks, as a prevention of severe stress and diseases.
It is recommended to feed the fish with special food for goldfish, in the form of flakes or granules, as well as with special frozen natural food (bloodworm, daphnia, etc.). Feed is given in the amount that the fish copes with in a few minutes. Remaining food should be removed from the aquarium.
In no case do not overfeed the fish, it is dangerous for their lives! The optimal number of feedings per day: 1-2.
Don’t forget to get a powerful aquarium filter. Goldfish have a great appetite, and the water in the aquarium will quickly become polluted. The filter will help to eliminate pollution in a timely manner. The filter model is selected depending on the volume of the aquarium and the number of its inhabitants.
It is also desirable to supply the aquarium with a compressor – to saturate the water with oxygen.
Of course, we have listed only the basic rules of care, but this is enough to make a rough picture of the care of the aquarium. In practice, there are many more such rules and various nuances, because there is no limit to perfection and you can enrich your knowledge endlessly. This is the path from a novice amateur to a real professional, and, believe me, it is very interesting!
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