Although goldfish made their debut as pets over 2,000 years ago, their needs are not always understood by those new to fish-keeping.  Because the average pet store goldfish is small and inexpensive, they are sometimes viewed as “beginner’s pets” that need little care.  Add to this the fact that many people remember “Grandma’s goldfish that lived for years in a tiny bowl”, and it’s easy to see why most meet untimely ends (well-cared for goldfishes can live into their 20’s – and sometimes to twice that age!).  Folks who buy a single goldfish usually do not want to be bothered with a filter, but the lack of filtration is by far the main reason for failure with these otherwise hardy fishes.  However, there is a filter that needs no pad or carbon changes, and which becomes more effective with age – custom made for busy, “filter-shy” fish enthusiasts.  Today we’ll take a look at it and other simple options that will lessen your workload and improve your goldfish’s quality of life.

Goldfish Do Not Stay Small! When considering a goldfish, it’s important to realize the potential size your pet will reach.  outdoor fish tank rattanGoldfish are available in a wide variety of colors, 4 tail-shapes, 3 body-shapes and 3 eye-types, but are all of the same species, Carassius auratus auratus.  fish for aquarium onlineThose known as comets – the basic pet store or “non-fancy” goldfish – can easily reach 8-12 inches in length.  hexagonal fish tank brisbaneSixteen-inch long individuals have been recorded; where to buy big fish tankin fact, I have seen several feral goldfishes near that size in the Bronx River, mixed in with breeding aggregations of carp (I must check if hybridization is possible…).  fish tank gravel 20kg

Fantails, moors and other strains tend to be shorter in length than comets, but they get quite hefty.large fish tanks for sale in suffolk True, improperly-kept goldfishes will become stunted, and may survive in that state for several years, but this is not to be encouraged – and certainly not a lesson to be teaching the children for whom single goldfishes are often purchased.  pink fish tank backgroundsWhen fully-grown, your pet will need a 20 gallon aquarium in which to live; buying my first aquariumplan on a 30 gallon for a pair.t5 aquarium light bulbs Although now largely-ignored by hobbyists, (perhaps they are “too simple”!), undergravel filters were once considered indispensable by serious aquarists, and are still relied-upon by many public aquariums today. 

In zoos and at home, I’ve used these highly-effective filters in aquariums housing creatures ranging from seahorses to alligator snapping turtles, always with great results. When considering undergravel filters, it’s important to bear in mind that biological filtration – the breakdown (by aerobic bacteria) of ammonia to nitrites and nitrates – is the most important function of a filter (please see article below).  And it is at this aspect of filtration that undergravels excel.  Simply-put, an undergravel filter turns your aquarium’s substrate into a giant, living, biological filtration unit.  What’s more, the filter plate does not take up important living space and, being hidden below the gravel, allows for the creation of pleasing aquascapes.  Best of all, there are no cartridges or filter mediums to clean or replace! Regular partial water changes are essential to maintaining water quality and fish health…regardless of tank size, filtration method, or fish species. 

When doing partial water changes, be sure to use a manual or battery-operated gravel washer.  In this way, you will remove debris trapped in the substrate along with the water…that’s all the maintenance your undergravel filter will need! Undergravel filters have another characteristic that suits them well for use with goldfish.  Goldfish evolved in slow-moving waters, and they cannot abide fast currents; fantails, lionheads and other round-bellied varieties are especially-weak swimmers.  Yet they produce a good deal of waste, and do best in aquariums equipped with powerful filters (which usually put out strong outflow currents).  Undergravel filters discharge clean water through two tubes that reach to the water’s surface…even when very powerful air pumps are used, outflow currents remain mild.  You can check out a wide variety of air pump styles and sizes here; please post below if you need assistance in choosing a pump. Power heads can be used in place of air pumps if you need to increase water flow through the gravel bed. 

You can also set up a reverse-flow system, which will lessen the amount of detritus that becomes trapped in the substrate; please post below for details. Commercially-available aerobic bacteria (i.e. Nutrafin Cycle) can be used to jump-start your filter or to boost the beneficial bacteria populations that have developed naturally. From simple corner filters to state-of-the art canisters, there is a huge array of other filtering options for goldfish owners.  Please share your thoughts and experiences by posting below. Aquarium Filtration: Understanding the Nitrogen Cycle Making the Most of Undergravel FiltersUser ReviewedHow to Set up a Healthy Goldfish Aquarium Goldfish are easy to take care of, so long as you have a good environment for them to live in. Here is how to create and sustain a healthy goldfish aquarium.Many people choose to put their fish in bowls, but these simply don't have the capacity to let a goldfish thrive. If you can afford it, try to get at least a 20 gallon (75.7 L) tank for your first goldfish, plus another 10 gallons (37.9 L) for every new fish.

The more space your fish have, the healthier they will be. Install a filtration system. Goldfish produce a lot of waste, so a good filter is necessary to keep them healthy. There are many types of filtration, but the most effective one is the bio-wheel filter that hangs on the side of the tank. Undergravel filters are only recommended if you're on a budget or if you're keeping sharpness-sensitive goldfish (such as the Bubble Eye). Canister filters are best for large tanks, as they are a more powerful version of the bio-wheel filters. You want to provide double filtration for the tank in order to keep it as clean as possible, since goldfish create a lot of waste! For example, if you have a 20 gallon (75.7 L) tank, get a filter rated for 40 gallons (151.4 L) or two filters rated for 20 gallons (75.7 L). Decide on a heating system if necessary. Put in your gravel and decorations. Now fill your tank with water treated with water conditioner.This step is crucial to the health of your fish.

If you want to be really thorough, you can add fish food and let it decompose in your aquarium, which will bring ammonia into the water and cause beneficial bacteria to grow.Once your water tests 0 for ammonia and nitrite, but still has some amount of nitrate, you can add your goldfish. Add your fish to the tank slowly. Do weekly 25% volume water changes and check on your filter occasionally. Never put gravel in your tank which can stuck in your fish's throat. Pick gravel that is smaller or larger than your fish's throat. Some types of goldfish are incompatible with other types. You should separate different species into four categories. Pond-hardy goldfish (common goldfish, shubunkin, comets), fancy goldfish (Orandas, black moors), extremely fancy goldfish (ranchu, egg fish, dorsal-less fish), etc. Pond hardy cannot be mixed with rare, fancy cannot be mixed with extremely fancy, etc. Find out the different types and only mix goldfish from their corresponding group.

When adding your fish into a new tank, float the bag in the tank for about 20 minutes before releasing them into the water. This helps their temperatures stabilize to prevent shock. If you are going to use plants, make sure you choose hardy plants such as Java moss and Anacharis. Goldfish tend to nibble plants' leaves. Hardy plants are a very good idea, since they provide oxygen and small amounts of food for the goldfish (not a substitute for feeding!) Make sure to clean the tank regularly to prevent bacterial blooms. When adding your fish let the bag float for about 15 minutes. Add some of the water from the tank so they can get used to the temperature. Let it float for another 15 minutes. Slowly release your fish. Do not dump water from the fish store into your tank. This water could contain harmful organisms. Gently scoop the goldfish out, and the net into the water quickly. Let it swim out on its own. Only use decorations meant for aquariums, and remember to boil rocks before adding them to the tank.