Goldfish and fishbowls have been popularised by many for a long time. However, the tiny fishbowl has never been the right home for these graceful water animals.
Small aquariums and unfiltered water can also cause havoc to the health and lives of your goldfish.
All goldfish types have high oxygen demands; they generate a lot of waste and grow quite large. Hence, they need the right size goldfish tank to survive and thrive.
goldfish tank Requirements
An adult Comet or Shubunkin will require a minimum of 20 gallons of water per fish, while a Fancy adult goldfish needs a minimum of 10 gallons of water per fish.
Another essential feature is the filtration system. As goldfish secretes a significant amount of waste and the filter should be over-sized to manage the waste production.
A long rectangular tank is a much better choice than a tall one for your goldfish for higher oxygen to water ratio.
Lighting is another essential feature that you need to add to your goldfish aquarium. You can choose from incandescent or fluorescent lighting. An automatic timer for your lights would be a great addition as the light for your goldfish needs to be regulated.
Plants and Tank Accessories
While choosing plants and tank decorations, it is crucial to keep in mind your goldfish's space and safety aspects. Live plants can be a good choice as it keeps the tank beautiful and helps clean the toxic waste produced by fish waste.
You can also choose to keep smooth pebbles or rocks as well as artificial plants. Just ensure that they do not have sharp edges, as this could injure your goldfish or damage their fins.
Water Quality and Temperature
Goldfish are cold-water fish, but they can be kept in heated aquariums as well. The optimum temperature you should maintain for your Common goldfish aquarium ranges between 60°F to 70°F while for Fancy goldfish, you need to keep the temperature between 65°F to 75°F.
The pH levels of the water should ideally be between 6.0 to 7.0. When it comes to temperature and water quality, it is essential to remember that sudden changes in both can affect your goldfish's health and can also be fatal.
As far as water change is concerned, you can do a 10% water change every week or a 25% change every two weeks. Remember to condition tap water before adding it to the fish tank.
Tank Substrate
One of the most favorite pastimes of your goldfish is digging up the substrate, searching for food. Hence, a sandy substrate would be the most ideal for your goldfish so that they can easily dig around.
The sandy substrate should be a thin layer that barely covers the bottom of the goldfish tank. Goldfish have big mouths, and they may swallow larger pebbles or rocks.
Conclusion
Goldfish need ideal living space, and you have to ensure you are ready to take up their responsibility. Each type of goldfish has its own requirements when it comes to living space, water temperature, quality, aquascaping, and other factors.