A pet that will make you feel loved: A goldfish

The goldfish is a freshwater companion who belongs to the family Cyprinidae. It is of the most domesticated fish in the world. A goldfish is one amongst the tiny member of the carp family and is native to East Asia.

It was first selectively bred in ancient China more than 1,000 years ago, further developing other similar breeds. Goldfish breeds differ mainly in size, shape, body, coloration (multiple combinations of yellow, white, red, black, and orange), and fin configuration.

According to various researchers, goldfish are the most beautiful fish that people like to keep in the aquariums. The goldfish is the first thing that pops in mind when people think of keeping a fish. One of the saddest things that we have come across is that this valuable and sacred fish has become so common that people consider it as disposable. They have had a long trip to reach our domestic tanks from the wild waters.

In the information given below, we will discuss the history of goldfish, feeding it, taking care of it, and other such aspects if you are planning to keep it as a pet.

History

In ancient China, people were breeding carp fish to get it in the market as a source of food. They were generally greenish or grey. These fishes somehow produced a red, yellow, or orange-colored mutation and looked terrific. People then selectively began to breed fish for this unique color and keep them in their aquariums. They would often be presented to the guests as they were more appealing than the rest.

They would spend most of their lives in a typical pond, and while showing them to the customers, they got shifted to a more secluded smaller lake. According to various researchers, researchers saw the mutation process during the Jin Dynasty (256-420 AD).

People constructed a unique pond during the reign of the empress of the Song Dynasty. In 1162, as the commoners got forbidden from keeping the yellow or gold-colored fish (yellow being the color of royalty), the pond was established comprising the red and gold variety. However, the breeders targeted on the orange-colored type more as it was appealing.

By 1276, snow-white fish, gold, silver, and other colors were being bred and sold at Hangchow in China. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), people began to raise the fish indoors. The occurrence of fancy tailed goldfish happened during this dynasty.

In 1603, the beautiful fish got introduced to Japan. In 1611, it was further added in Portugal and from there to the rest of Europe.

European people believed that the goldfish was a symbol of good luck and fortune. Lastly, the goldfish reached the USA in 1850 and quickly became popular amongst masses.

Feeding your Goldfish

To keep goldfish healthy and disease-free, you need to ensure feeding it with tasty feed, and a proper diet. The fish has omnivorous characteristics, so they feed on leaves, plants, algae, insects, worms, and even small fishes in the wild. It would be best to replicate what goldfish would eat in the wild with the fish-feed that is available in the market.

Remember that overfeeding and feeding the wrong type of food must be avoided as these are the common mistakes that fish owners make. People often overfeed their fish that leads to the shortening of their lifespan. When a fish dies, you will see it floating upside down. Extra food gets embedded beneath the gravel and decay, resulting in harmful toxins in the water, which are not suitable for the fish.

Underfeeding, on the other hand, results in nutritional deficiencies and, therefore, would hinder the growth of your fish. Consequently, you need to keep it balanced for the little one and feed according to the instructions you get from the seller.

So, what, and how much should I feed my goldfish? The following points shed light on the same:

• Feed twice or thrice daily: As we have discussed earlier, overfeeding must be avoided. Therefore, feed an amount that can be consumed by the fish within two minutes. You can also take the feed estimation according to the size of the eye of the goldfish.

• Small Pellets: For pet owners who have more than one fish in the aquarium, need to make sure that all the fishes get their share. Sometimes we ignore after feeding the fishes, but all must eat well.

• Avoid Mammalian fats: Fats generated from beef heart, offal, meat, etc. must be minimalized as this type of food is not easily digested by the fish. To maintain good health and proper nourishment, you should always go for specific goldfish feed.

• Besides fish food: Apart from regular fish food, the following treats can be added to the diet every week or in a gap of 3-4 days. Watermelon slices, orange slices, boiled corn, boiled cucumber, skinned, and chopped grapes. These are amongst healthy treats that you can give your pet to show your love and affection. However, do not feed bread to your little one as specialists do not advise it.

• Can see more colors: Human eyes can see a combination of three primary colors- blue, yellow, and red. Goldfish, on the other hand, can see four different colors. They can sense movement in the water, and thus, it helps them to find food quickly. You can catch their attention by slightly patting on the top of the beaker or aquarium. 

How to take care of the goldfish

Goldfish are easy to maintain and make a perfect pet for first time owners. It is quite simple to take care of a goldfish and raise a healthy and happy pet by learning a few necessary steps. A common myth is that goldfish will grow to adjust the size of their enclosure. However, it’s completely wrong. You can read the following points to know more about taking care of your pet:

Setting up the correct tank: As per an equation, for every 2.5 cm of goldfish length, you will need 11 liters of water in the tank. Secondly, there must be room for oxygen in the container. It may seem significant, but the goldfish are not known for their cleanliness. The solid waste excreted by the fish generates by-product and consumes precious oxygen. For multiple fishes, the above equation must be kept in mind. Also, remember that a bowl is not an ideal environment for this type of fish. 

Breeding Goldfish

The Goldfish is a popular aquarium freshwater fish species. They are easy to maintain, comparatively cheap, and pleasing to the eye. A good tank with favorable water conditions, a natural environment, and adequate filtration will result in a proper breeding ground for Goldfish.

According to researchers, they breed rapidly; therefore, you must keep extra tank space for the future goldfish generations. goldfish babies are born alive and not from the eggs. They retain the eggs inside the body to do so. Males and females kept together, can quickly reach a dozen offspring in no time.

Goldfish mature rapidly, which is the primary reason why they are popular amongst breeders. The babies, known as fry, are born fully formed and require no help from the parents. They learn to feed on their own and quickly get mature. The male goldfish have a fin at their behind that develops into a sexual organ that helps in transferring sperm to the female goldfish. Female goldfish can give birth to multiple broods without male insemination. It happens because the female can store sperms in their genitals for later use. 

The following signs indicate that the goldfish have reached maturity.

Colour – Male Goldfish are brighter and more vivid in color as compared to their female counterpart.

Anal fins – Known as a gonopodium, male Goldfish develop ridges that serve the purpose of reproduction. Developing this means that the male is ready to mate.

On the other hand, females have a dark spot near their anal fin that gets darker during pregnancy. Another factor is that males are smaller than females in size.

Proper water conditions:

Goldfish can survive in varied water conditions ranging from salt to freshwater. Just like betta fish, goldfish must not be kept in small bowls or aquariums. A recommended temperature for goldfish to thrive ranges between 72 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit (22-25 degrees Celsius). 

The act of goldfish breeding is quite to the point and quick. When the conditions are favorable, the male goldfish tries to approach the female goldfish. The female remains in motion while the action is taking place. It repeatedly happens to ensure that the female gets fertilized. As soon as the female gets pregnant, the length of pregnancy is between 23 and 28 days. 

goldfish can be bred at homes by beginners also. By being a favorite among hobbyists for many years, the beginners and experts can share the joy of keeping and breeding a goldfish all by themselves. 

Tank Essentials and maintenance:

Spending 30minutes every week on fish tank maintenance would help prevent the most common problems in the future. Few essentials must be kept in mind while doing so. You need to provide a pleasant atmosphere and adjust the temperature according to the requirements.

• Temperature: Over time, goldfish have adapted temperatures ranging from cold to tropical. It should not mean that the domestic goldfish must adjust to these extreme temperature conditions. They require a heater that must be at around 20 degrees Celsius (68 F), ensuring stability in the tank temperature. During winters, you need to ensure that the heater is working efficiently and maintains a consistent temperature. In case the temperature rises beyond the requirement, you might lose your pet.

• Filtration: You need a powerful aquarium water filter as goldfish generate a massive amount of waste. The main aim is to filter the tank water without creating huge water currents excessively. Goldfish thrive in alkaline-based water, so we recommend a PH level between 7-7.4. Ensuring a clean environment will help the fishes grow in every aspect.

• Gravel: It lines the bottom of the tank and is a breeding point for good bacteria. Fishes often put gravel in their mouth and spit it out. Therefore, provide them with the right amount of gravel and see them entertaining you sometimes.

• Filter: It catches all the excrements and solid waste released by the fish. As it is an additional accessory, you can clean it as per your convenience and requirement.

• Plants: You can choose from live or artificial plants to set in the beaker. Plants make the glass look attractive, and fishes love to spend time around them and play.

• Decorations: The opportunities are vast to decorate the tank for your pet. The only purpose that these decorations serve is that they look appealing to the human eye. Make sure these are safe and must not be dangerous for the fish. You should use them minimally, leaving ample space for the fish to swim. 

How Often Should You Change the Water and how much?

Changing water is an essential part of fish tank maintenance. It is as simple as it sounds. The aim here is to replace water that has nitrate in it with the water that does not have it. Few people would recommend changing the water once in a month, some would say you must do it weekly, and some even claim to change it daily. They all are correct and wrong at the same time. Every tank has its water changing schedule. You can determine this by the number of fishes in the tub and how much feed they consume. Higher the number of fish would lead to more amount of waste. More waste would result in a higher level of nitrates, further increasing the need to change the water more often.

We recommend a water change of 25%-30% whenever it is required. Water change in a large quantity would result in discomfort for the fish. You must do it by keeping in mind the health of the fish. If it is causing stress to the fish, then your goal is not achieved.

On the contrary, if you have a filter installed, the monthly cleaning of the device is also recommended.

Then, the question arises of what type of water you must use? Using tap water can be dangerous as it contains chemicals like ammonia and nitrite, which are harmful to the fish. The usage of aquarium water conditioners ensures that the water is safe and chemical-free. So, use the relevant type of water so that your fish feels comfortable even if you change it regularly.

Common goldfish diseases

Quite often, poor water quality, incorrect or overfeeding, and a few other factors can lead to diseases amongst goldfish. As they are known to produce much waste, the water quality around them gets deteriorated much quickly. Dirty water can cause illnesses that can become fatal if not acted upon immediately.

You need to pay close attention to the fish and the container regularly. You need to monitor the signs like abnormal swimming, rubbing against objects, gasping for air at the surface, scales falling away, shaky body, etc. These warning signs, if sorted in the initial days, would result in a healthy and happy fish. 

Let us have a look at a few common diseases amongst the goldfish:

1. Fungal Infection: The leading cause of such infection is dirty and unchanged water. If you do not take instant action, it may further lead to parasitic infections. The symptoms include cotton-like molds forming on the scale or the fins. However, you can treat it by shifting the fish to a cleaner tank.

2. Poisoning due to Ammonia: A high level of ammonia causes this in the water tank. The poison is not suitable for the fish and can be lethal for them. Using conditioners is recommended here to save their lives. Another way to ensure clean water is to change it frequently, as mentioned earlier. 

3. Ich (pronounced Ick): It is a parasitic disease, also known as white spot disease. It can be visible on the goldfish’s skin, where you can see the formulation of salt granules like white spots. Symptoms include scratching against an object. The prevention is quite simple, where the temperature of the tank is raised to a certain level (27 degrees Celsius), causing the parasite to die. Adding a few recommended salts is also advised to get rid of Ich.

4. Flukes: It is another type of parasite common amongst goldfish. These are blood-sucking insects that are invisible to the human eye. Most fishes bought from the pet stores can have flukes. Fishes with flukes will often twitch their fins and rub their body to an object to scratch. Flukes often enter the gills as well, resulting in gasping while breathing. Anti-parasitic medications will help in getting rid of flukes.

5. Tumors: Just like humans, goldfish can get tumors too. These can be cancerous or non-cancerous. They can happen both on the inside and outside of the body. It often leads to blocking the eyesight, causing the fish to stop seeing things. The growth can be white, pink, or even black. The fish suffering from tumor often does not eat. Poor water conditions, along with the presence of preservatives in the diet, may lead to its development. We will recommend you to visit the veterinarian to get rid of it sooner. 

6. White Eye: Also called cloudy eye is quite common amongst goldfish. It can happen due to an injury resulting in an attack by bacteria. Ammonia present in water is another reason for the development of this condition. Providing perfect water conditions would prevent such disease. 

7. Ulcers: It starts with a red-colored spot and rapidly evolves into broad and deep sores. It requires treatment before reaching vital organs. Again, visit your veterinarian for advice on this as it is easily treatable.

Interesting goldfish Facts

We have now known that humble goldfish are easy to maintain and is loved all over the world. The following are a few goldfish facts that might interest you.

• The most common aquarium pet in the world: They are one of the most popular pets in the world alongside dogs.
• Discoloration might occur: Some people say that if kept away from light, goldfish might lose their color. It happens because the sun is essential to produce pigment in the skin.
• Cannot blink: Due to their lack of eyelids, goldfish are unable to close their eyes.
• Can be trained: You can provide training to your goldfish to do certain tricks such as obstacle courses, pushing a ball through hoops, etc. 
• A vast number of varieties: China alone has numbered over 300 varieties of goldfish. 
• Can survive without food for up to 3 weeks: Being highly adaptive, they can store fats in their body. But, it does not mean that you do not feed them at all.
• Do not get pregnant: Female goldfish lay their eggs to get fertilized by the male. They stay outside the body until they hatch.
• Multiple colors: No two goldfish have the same color combination.
• No stomach: It is the reason they are sensitive towards overfeeding because they lack a stomach.
• No tongue but taste buds: The goldfish do not have a tongue but have taste buds in their lips and inside of the mouth.

FAQ’s about Goldfish

Now, let us have a look at some frequently asked questions about the goldfish.