Thank you everyone for such amazing responses to my goldfish disease symptoms guide. As you know, it’s very important to catch common goldfish diseases early. The guide received over 100 responses, and I was so happy to help so many goldfish hobbyists create healthier environments for their fish.

I originally wrote a follow-up article about common goldfish diseases and how to prevent them, but the article was nearly 6,000 words of content. So I decided to make this article a three-part series instead.

• The first part in the series covered goldfish disease symptoms and gave you a list of fourteen behavioral and physical signs to look for when observing sick goldfish.
• This is the second part in the goldfish disease series, and here we’ll examine seven of the most common goldfish diseases that affect freshwater aquariums and ponds.
• The third part in the series covers goldfish disease prevention and ways you can find and combat problems that may result in infection.

If your goldfish are acting strangely, rubbing against objects in the aquarium or resting listlessly at the bottom of the tank, you know something is wrong. It’s especially alarming when your goldfish start developing cotton-like growths and discolored patches along the scales and fins.

Goldfish are hardy. It is unusual for them to get sick. – David E. Boruchowitz, author of Aquarium Care of Goldfish

Some goldfish are so good at withstanding common goldfish diseases that they can safely be kept in freshwater ponds. So what’s going on?

Goldfish may be hardy, but they’re not invincible.

Goldfish will fall victim to parasites, bacterial infections, and fungal diseases if kept in poor water conditions. If not treated and left to spread, these common goldfish diseases can take over your fish until their weakened bodies have exhausted themselves fighting.

The good news: If you catch common goldfish diseases early and treat them quickly, your goldfish will thank you by staying happy and healthy for years.

But be careful! Stay observant. Never medicate the aquarium without knowing for certain what the problem is.

Are Your Goldfish Actually Sick?

Certain types of goldfish have been bred to develop strange, yet very fascinating, traits. As your goldfish mature, they may develop special characteristics specific to their breed.

But don’t confuse these qualities with common goldfish diseases!

If you don’t know what you’re getting into, you might mistake the elaborate noses of pompom goldfish for fungal infections. If you treat the poor little ones unnecessarily, you’ll stress them out and they might become infected with real goldfish diseases as a result!

Medicating the aquarium with a treatment your goldfish don’t need is stressful. This stress will then lower the immune system and your goldfish might actually start developing common goldfish diseases when they really were quite healthy before.

Know your goldfish types. Most importantly, do your research!

Below are five goldfish with qualities that might be mistaken for common goldfish diseases.

• Pompom Goldfish – Pompom goldfish (also referred to as pompon goldfish) are known for their nasal outgrowths on the right and left side of their head. The puffy growths can become so elaborate that they resemble cheerleader pom-poms. But rest easy. These outgrowths are normal. Don’t mistake them for fungal infections!
• Lionhead Goldfish – Lionhead goldfish develop a pretty impressive head growth that looks somewhat like a lion’s mane (hence the name). The head growth not only develops on the top of the head (like an oranda), but it also grows on the cheeks and gill plates. As your goldfish age, their head growths will become much more defined (and can get quite large). Again, this unique characteristic shouldn’t be confused with common goldfish diseases.
• Oranda Goldfish – Like the lionhead, oranda goldfish have fleshy raspberry-shaped growths on the top of their head. This head growth is called the wen (or hood). While normal for oranda goldfish, the wen can grow so large that it sags down over the eyes and blocks the goldfish’s vision. Some hobbyists even confuse the wen for common goldfish diseases.
• Bubble Eye Goldfish – Bubble eye goldfish are named after the fluid-filled sacs that develop beneath their eyes, similar to large but fragile balloons. You might notice that these fluid-filled sacs keep growing. Sometimes the sacs can become so enlarged that it almost appears as though the eyes are looking directly up at the aquarium lights. The sacs under their eyes can easily break if there are sharp objects or rough substrate in the aquarium.
• Telescope Eye Goldfish – Telescope eye goldfish are known for their protruding eyes that almost resemble telescope lenses. But don’t confuse these swollen eyes with a bacterial infection, one of the many common goldfish diseases that affect freshwater aquariums. Unless one eye is abnormally larger than the other, your goldfish are probably just fine.

As you keep goldfish and observe how they interact with their environment, you’ll learn more about their characteristics and traits, what they like and dislike. You’ll become so accustomed to their normal behaviors that you’ll be able to tell right away when something goes wrong.

If you’re on this page, most likely you know your goldfish are sick. And they need help.

Let’s pinpoint the problem and treat those common goldfish diseases.

Effective Treatments for Common Goldfish Diseases

Photo by Mikhail Esteves (Flickr)

Your goldfish aren’t acting the way they should. What should you do?

First, remove the sick goldfish.

Unless the whole tank is infected, quarantine sick goldfish and place them in a hospital tank. This will make treating common goldfish diseases much easier. As mentioned earlier, you don’t want to treat healthy fish unnecessarily. Doing so can cause your goldfish stress (and stress should always be avoided whenever possible).

If the goldfish disease is contagious, like white spot disease and most parasite infections, you can safely treat the infected aquarium without quarantining your fish. Of course, especially sick goldfish can still be placed in a hospital tank for special treatment if they’re in pretty bad shape.

After your goldfish are quarantined, you’re ready to begin treatment. Let’s take a brief look at 7 of the most common goldfish diseases that impact aquariums and ponds.

Goldfish Disease #1: White Spot Disease (Ich)

Very common in aquariums, white spot disease usually affects new goldfish that are stressed out after a long car ride (or shipment) home.

• Causes of Ich – White spot disease is caused by ich parasites in the water. These parasites attack stressed out goldfish with lowered immune systems, especially recently purchased fish. Anything that causes stress can make your goldfish susceptible to common goldfish diseases, so keep your aquarium water healthy and avoid drastically changing water temperatures.
• Ich Symptoms – If your goldfish are covered with what appear to be small grains of salt, the aquarium is probably infested with ich. Goldfish with white spot disease will also breathe heavily and scratch themselves against tank objects, even the aquarium walls.
• Ich Treatment – I suggest treating your goldfish with the salt and heat method mentioned in my ich treatment guide before looking into commercial medications. If you don’t notice improvement after a week of the salt and heat method, use Mardel’s CopperSafe (make sure there aren’t any invertebrates in the aquarium). You can find detailed instructions on how to treat your fish in the ich treatment guide above.

Keep up treatment for a minimum of 3 to 5 days after the last signs of white spot disease. Sometimes white spots can reappear if you stop treatment prematurely.

Goldfish Disease #2: Floating Problems (Swim Bladder Disease)

Fancy goldfish are commonly observed with buoyancy problems, and sometimes these floating problems will be incorrectly termed as swim bladder disease. Often, floating issues aren’t caused by a swim bladder problem at all and instead a result of other common goldfish diseases.

• Causes of Floating Problems – Your goldfish might experience floating problems if they are overfed, fed poor quality food, or not fed enough fiber. Dry floating pellets can sometimes cause fancy goldfish problems when the pellets absorb liquids and expand in the digestive tract. Constipated goldfish or goldfish with excess internal gas may also experience difficulty swimming. Genetic floating problems can even occur after a spawning (in this case, there is no treatment).
• Floating Symptoms – If you notice your goldfish swimming erratically, swimming sideways, or even swimming upside down, your goldfish are having buoyancy problems. Goldfish may also look physically swollen or bloated.
• Treatment for Floating Problems – Test the water and make sure the water is clean, since unhealthy water is one of the main causes of common goldfish diseases. In part three in this series, you’ll find out how to solve problems with poor water quality. After water conditions are healthy again, fast your goldfish for 3 days. If your goldfish are still having trouble swimming, try feeding them veggies and low-protein foods. I recommend frozen peas (see my guide here. Some hobbyists also recommend daphnia to treat constipation.

Complete weekly water tests with a freshwater test kit (I use API’s Master Test Kit) and keep a watchful eye on ammonia, pH, nitrite, and nitrate levels. Continue feeding veggies and daphnia to your goldfish. Your goldfish should be swimming fine within a few weeks.

Goldfish Disease #3: Fin Rot (Tail Rot)

Goldfish under a lot of stress might develop fin rot, a bacterial infection also known as tail rot. Fin rot is usually a secondary infection that may infect your fish if they’re already stressed from another goldfish disease or injury.

• Causes of Fin Rot – Stress will make your goldfish susceptible to certain types of bacteria. Common goldfish diseases, poor water quality, overcrowding, sudden temperature changes, fin nipping, or aggressive fish can all cause the immune system to lower and fin rot to develop.
• Fin Rot Symptoms – Your goldfish will show signs of fin rot if they have ragged, torn, or red-streaked fins. If allowed to get worse, the edges of torn fins will become white as bacteria eat away the fins on your goldfish. The bacteria infection might become so bad that it will completely deteriorate fins to the body tissue. If the disease is allowed to spread to the fin base, your goldfish cannot regrow their fins. So treat fin rot early!
• Fin Rot Treatment – Good water quality is a must! So test that water. Your goldfish cannot start the healing process if water quality is poor. After the water environment is healthy again, treat the water with 1 teaspoon of aquarium salt per gallon of water. If you don’t notice an improvement after 5 days, move on to commercial treatments. Before treating, take out the active carbon from the filter. I recommend Maracyn-Two. It works great for many bacterial infections and uses minocycline as an active ingredient. Once you’re done with treatment, change out 25% of the water to get rid of excess salt. Continue your weekly water changes as usual.

Treat fin rot early. Don’t allow the bacteria to completely deteriorate the fins or your goldfish will not be able to grow them back. If treated quickly, you should notice signs of healing after a couple weeks.

Goldfish Disease #4: Fungal Infection

Your goldfish may develop fungal infections if water quality is poor. Fungal diseases can also affect goldfish that are already sick from other common goldfish diseases.

• Causes of Fungus – Stress and a lowered immune system will prompt fungus to grow. Goldfish suffering from parasitic infections, ulcers, or open wounds have a higher chance of also becoming infected with a secondary fungal disease.
• Fungal Disease Symptoms – Cotton-like growths along the body and fins are sure signs of a fungal infection. Fungal infections can be fatal if given enough time, as it will spread and attack other areas on the goldfish.
• Fungal Disease Treatment – As mentioned earlier, move infected goldfish to a hospital tank before treatment. Fungal diseases are not contagious. Take out the active carbon from the filter and treat the aquarium with Methylene Blue. Methylene Blue works great on sensitive fish and can be very effective when combined with aquarium salt to help your goldfish rebuild their slime coats.

Fungal infections should clear up after a couple of weeks, as long as you continue to keep the aquarium water healthy. Feel free to move your goldfish back to the main aquarium once all signs of fungus have disappeared.

Goldfish Disease #5: Gold Dust Disease (Velvet)

Very similar to white spot disease, gold dust disease or velvet resembles small grains of dust and starts on the backs of goldfish. These small parasites are smaller than ich and can be difficult to detect.

• Causes of Velvet – Like many common goldfish diseases and parasite infections, gold dust disease is usually found in tanks where new fish are present. Your goldfish might also be susceptible to velvet if water quality is poor or your goldfish are under stress.
• Velvet Symptoms – Goldfish with velvet might have a whitish-yellow film on their skin and what might appear to be golden specks of dust. Velvet will often start on the backs of goldfish before spreading to the body and gills. Velvet causes your goldfish to scratch against objects in an attempt to get the parasites off. If allowed to get worse, it might almost appear as if the slime coats on your goldfish have thickened or are even peeling off. Affected goldfish may also have clamped fins or show signs of heavy breathing or weight loss.
• Velvet Treatment – Since velvet parasites receive a portion of their energy from photosynthesis, cover the aquarium with a blanket and turn off the aquarium lights during treatment. Raise the water temperature to 80 °F (26 °C). This will quicken the parasite’s life cycle. Add 1/2 teaspoon of aquarium salt per gallon of water and remove the active carbon from the filter. Remove any invertebrates from the aquarium and treat the water with Mardel CopperSafe for 10 days. Once you’ve finished treatment, do a 25% water change and continue routine water changes as usual.

Continue treatment several days after the last signs of gold dust disease to ensure all parasites are exterminated. You should notice signs of improvement after a week of treatment.

Goldfish Disease #6: Anchor Worm (Lernaea)

Despite its name, anchor worm is not caused by a worm at all. One of the most common goldfish diseases in freshwater ponds, anchor worm is caused by Lernaea copepod crustaceans.

• Causes of Anchor Worm – Anchor worm can develop in tanks with recently purchased goldfish. If you don’t quarantine new fish or plants (purchased from tanks where fish were present), you may notice an outbreak of anchor worm after a week or two. You could also also be at risk of other common goldfish diseases if you don’t quarantine.
• Anchor Worm Symptoms – Look closely and you may notice whitish green hair-like creatures hanging from the bodies of your goldfish. The attached areas are also usually red and inflamed, often with raised ulcers around the wounds where female parasites embed themselves deep into the muscle tissue. Your goldfish may attempt to get the parasites off by rubbing against objects in the aquarium.
• Anchor Worm Treatment – Treat the aquarium with 1/2 teaspoon of aquarium salt per gallon. The salt will help prevent secondary infections and future parasite re-attachments. It will also guard against other common goldfish diseases. Now you’re ready for treatment.
  • Remove the active carbon from the filter. Then treat the aquarium with a commercial medication to kill off the parasites and stop eggs from hatching. I recommend Parasite Guard to cure anchor worm.
  • Some goldfish hobbyists also recommend using tweezers to remove Lernaea parasites from the fish. Be careful. Sometimes these parasites can burrow so deeply into the goldfish to cause harm. If using tweezers, I recommend using medication in the aquarium first to kill off the parasites before gently taking them out of the fish (gripping the parasite as close the wound as possible). Slip your goldfish underneath water every so often so they can catch their breath.

It might take a couple of weeks before signs of anchor worm disappear. Though, you may notice improvement (reduced redness and swelling) after a few days of using Parasite Guard. After treatment, change out 25% of the water to remove excess salt and continue routine water changes as normal.

Goldfish Disease #7: Fish Lice (Argulus)

Fish lice, also known as fish louse, are from the Argulus species of parasite crustaceans. They’re very common in goldfish ponds. They’re uncommon in freshwater aquariums though, unless new fish are brought in from an outside source.

• Causes of Fish Lice – Fish lice like to hop a ride on new goldfish that haven’t been treated in a quarantine tank. So make sure you always quarantine new goldfish to prevent common goldfish diseases.
• Fish Lice Symptoms – Fish lice have round greenish-brown, disk-shaped bodies. They’re often seen moving around the stomach, throat, and bases of fins. When lice attach to your fish, small red spots may be noticed around the wounds. Infected goldfish will try to rub against objects in the aquarium in an attempt to get the fish lice off.
• Fish Lice Treatment – Raise the water temperature slowly to 80 °F (26 °C) to speed up the fish lice life cycle. Add ½ rounded teaspoon of aquarium salt per gallon of water to help your goldfish guard against parasite re-attachments and other common goldfish diseases. Now you can treat the aquarium with medication.
  • I recommend Parasite Guard, as it works very well with external parasites. Parasite Guard includes Dflubenzuron as an active ingredient, which is very effective against fish lice.
  • In addition to medication, goldfish hobbyists recommend using tweezers to remove visible adult lice on goldfish. As with anchor worm, be careful when doing this and make sure you medicate the entire tank beforehand to exterminate free-swimming lice and prevent eggs from hatching.

A complete fish lice life cycle can take longer than that of many other parasites. So treatment for fish lice in an aquarium or outdoor pond may take up to a month. You should stop noticing signs of common goldfish diseases within a week though, often sooner.

Keep Your Goldfish Tank Disease Free

If you’ve followed the steps outlined in this article, your tank is on its way to staying completely free from common goldfish diseases. But it isn’t there yet!

You may have successfully battled nasty goldfish diseases this time around, but are you taking preventative measures to keep your goldfish safe? It’s important to determine what causes common goldfish diseases so you can take strives to prevent future tank nightmares.

We’ll talk more about this in part three of the goldfish disease series. Until then, maintain a healthy aquarium environment for your goldfish.

Photo by 22Lauren (Flickr)

Remember: One or two goldfish require at least 20 gallons (75 liters) at the very minimum to thrive (read more about this in my goldfish tank guide). In addition to a large aquarium, goldfish need routine water changes, weekly water testing, a nutritional diet, and a good filter to manage all that waste.

You should also be quarantining all new fish for a minimum of two weeks before introducing them to your healthy fish. After all, you don’t want your new pet to infect all of your goldfish if parasites decided to hop a ride before the drive home.

Goldfish care shouldn’t be taken lightly. Just like any pet, your goldfish need your ongoing love and attention. If you can give your goldfish the care they crave, they’ll reward you many times over with years of enjoyment. And it will go a long way to prevent common goldfish diseases.

How Do You Treat Common Goldfish Diseases?

What is your preferred method for battling common goldfish diseases? Have you successfully treated common goldfish diseases in your aquarium? What tips can you give other goldfish hobbyists? Write your responses in the comments below!

The post 7 Common Goldfish Diseases: Are Your Goldfish Sick? appeared first on Complete Goldfish Care.

The Internet is flooded with goldfish myths and misinformation. Just browse the Web, and you’ll see tons of advertisements and catalogs featuring goldfish bowls (you do know pet goldfish shouldn’t be kept in bowls, don’t you?). In fact, most goldfish won from carnivals or bought from pet stores are dropped into small glass bowls without a second thought.

Photo by Erik Charlton (Flickr)

With so much bad information circulating the Net, it’s sometimes hard to separate fact from fiction. I was just talking to someone the other day about why most goldfish and tropical fish shouldn’t be kept together in the same tank.

Of course, going through all of this information and siphoning out the truth from the myths is a whole different story and deserves a new article of its own. The fact of the matter is: You can’t always trust what you hear. And one wrong move can be detrimental to the well-being of your goldfish.

Take it from a fish keeping veteran. I’ve been raising pet goldfish for over 10 years and have seen my share of misinformation. But one thing I’ve learned from all these years of fish keeping is how important it is to do your research beforehand – don’t just depend on what you hear and don’t just raise goldfish blindly. If you want to get it right the first time, you have to know what to expect.

Goldfish care is a complex topic and many people end up buying pet goldfish without really knowing how to care for them. They’ll make mistakes and those mistakes will cost the fish their lives.

5 Reasons Why You shouldn’t Buy Pet Goldfish

I’m going to set it straight, right here and now.

By the end of this article, my hope is that you’ll have a better understanding of what is required at the very minimum to actually care for pet goldfish, the dos and don’ts of goldfish care, and what is expected from you (as the fish owner) before you buy your first goldfish. And if you don’t think pet goldfish are right for you after reading this, that’s fine too. There are plenty of other freshwater fish that have less requirements and aren’t as taxing on your time (bettas are another personal favorite!).

We covered the benefits of goldfish care already, so I won’t talk about those here. But let’s take a look at some goldfish care disadvantages.

• Pet goldfish need a large tank and plenty of space to swim around. It isn’t just about size. While goldfish do get pretty big, they also excrete more waste than other species of fish. In fact, goldfish are known for the mess they make and such mess can quickly pollute a 5-gallon or even 10-gallon tank with dangerous levels of ammonia. Unless you plan to upgrade your tank within the year, a single goldfish should never be in an aquarium with less than 20 gallons. Each additional fancy goldfish should then receive 10 more gallons of water (two goldfish can fit comfortably in 30 gallons, three in 40 gallons, and so on). You can read more about this in my goldfish tank guide. Of course, aquariums can be pretty pricey. It’s okay to start small and upgrade your tank as you move along. But never, ever put pet goldfish in a bowl. There are goldfish specific kits available at pet stores that advertise goldfish bowls, but these are generally very bad for your fish – some folks even go so far as to call them cruel!
• Goldfish need a powerful filtration system (or even multiple filters for large tanks). Because pet goldfish excrete lots of waste, they require a power filter in order to keep oxygen circulating and ammonia levels down. While tropical fish do quite well with those regular filters packaged in aquarium kits, goldfish really need more than those kits will offer you. I recommend a filter with at least 10 times your aquarium volume. For example, a 20-gallon tank would need a flow rate of 200 gph (gallons per hour). I personally use a Marineland Penguin Power Filter and haven’t ever needed to replace it (it has lasted me years). Just rinse the filter out with warm water from time to time and you shouldn’t run into trouble.
• Pet goldfish can quickly destroy a planted aquarium. Goldfish are primarily plant-based and love nibbling on and uprooting aquatic plants. So if you already have an aquarium set up with lots of green scenery or if you plan to add live plants to your tank later on, you should be aware that those plants will likely just become a salad bar feast. Of course, there are other ways around this. You can most certainly keep aquatic plants with your goldfish without worrying that those plants will disappear before the week is out.
• Goldfish have sensitive digestive systems. Goldfish don’t have real stomachs and so can quickly develop problems if they eat too much food at one time or food isn’t prepared in a certain way. In fact, fancy goldfish are especially known for their swim bladder and buoyancy problems. You can help aid digestion by feeding your goldfish lots of greens and quality goldfish food. Not all brands of goldfish food have equal nutritional values, and many commercial brands will include fillers that offer very low nutritional content (Hikari Lionhead pellets, Omega One Sinking Pellets, and New Life Spectrum Pellets are trusted brands that I use and offer only the highest nutritional value). Overfeeding can also cause problems, both with the water quality and your goldfish. Just remember never to feed your goldfish outside of feeding sessions, no matter what begging antics your goldfish will try to soften your resolve.
• Goldfish can’t be kept with tropical fish. Goldfish are actually coldwater fish and require cooler temperatures to thrive (around 65°F or 18°C). Despite what many people think, pet goldfish should never be kept with fish that enjoy warm water temperatures (read my article explaining why). Ideally, you’ll want to keep your goldfish with other goldfish of the same size and body shape. For example, fancy varieties shouldn’t be kept with common or comet goldfish because they have different body types (fancy goldfish are slower swimmers and won’t be able to keep up during feeding time).

If you want your pet goldfish to live long, healthy lives, you need to commit to providing them quality goldfish care. Arrange to feed your goldfish on a daily basis and set time aside during the week for water changes. Organize a tank cleaning schedule and regularly check to make sure aquarium equipment is functioning properly. Your goldfish depend on you for their care. They can’t do it themselves, so you need to be open and committed to getting it right the first time.

What Do You Think?

Do you have pet goldfish? If you do, what tips can you offer new pet owners? Write your responses in the comments below!

The post 5 Pet Goldfish Disadvantages: Are Goldfish Right for You? appeared first on Complete Goldfish Care.

Why goldfish?

There are both pros and cons of raising pet goldfish. But while caring for goldfish can have some amazing and wonderful advantages, you need to keep up with a routine cleaning and feeding schedule for proper goldfish care. You also need to prepare your aquarium first before actually introducing your goldfish to their new home. This includes buying a good-sized goldfish tank, along with aquarium decorations and plants.

In the end, if you take the time to really learn the fundamentals of goldfish care, you’ll understand why goldfish make such great pets and your aquarium will quickly become the highlight of any room.

Dive In: Why Goldfish Make Great Pets

Goldfish are captivating, with their many arrays of colors and completely unique personalities. Since you’re here, you’re probably thinking about buying a goldfish at some point.

But why goldfish? Why should you raise these colorful freshwater fish and how can you make the most of them?

Let’s take a look.

• Goldfish are easy to maintain. You don’t need to take sick goldfish to the vet. Your goldfish won’t go on a barking frenzy and wake the neighbors. Your goldfish don’t even need routine walks around the block in freezing cold weather. When you go on vacation, you don’t need to hire anyone to look after your fish – there are automatic feeders just perfect for those long getaways. In fact, goldfish don’t even need a heater unlike most tropical species who depend on warm water temperatures to thrive. And unlike the betta, goldfish aren’t fussy eaters and will eagerly gobble up anything you throw into the aquarium (though it’s up to you to give your fish quality, nutritional food). What’s not to love?
• Goldfish are cheap and available everywhere. I don’t know of a pet store that doesn’t have at least one goldfish for sale. Goldfish are everywhere! And some goldfish, feeder fish mostly, are priced as low as 50 cents. And a majority of fancy varieties only cost a couple of dollars! Though you’ll need to buy the appropriate aquarium equipment, caring for goldfish isn’t nearly as expensive as raising other pets. In fact, their affordable price is one reason why goldfish are found in so many homes across the globe.
• Goldfish aquariums can reduce anxiety and lower blood pressure. Stressful day at work? Why not set up an aquarium? Studies have shown that there is a noticeable decrease in anxiety when in the presence of an aquarium (source 1 and 2). Even by setting up a goldfish tank without adding any fish, you can experience calm and tranquility (though the effects are reduced compared to an active aquarium with goldfish). This is one of the reasons why goldfish are found in large aquariums situated at the very center of many waiting areas.
• Watching goldfish can improve your appetite. According to this Purdue University study, exposing yourself to an aquarium can increase your food consumption by 17%. So if you’ve lost your appetite or you’re having trouble eating, goldfish can help with that! This same report states that keeping an aquarium can also make you feel more relaxed and alert.
• Keeping goldfish is a wonderful learning experience. Teach your children the importance of goldfish care and how to raise fish of their own, including how much to feed and when to change the aquarium water. By raising goldfish, children learn responsibility and discipline as they maintain the aquarium and keep up with feeding. Caring for goldfish can be so fun and rewarding, it’s hard not to see why goldfish offer a great learning experience for children. Encourage creativity when setting up the tank for the first time, and let the imagination run wild! Make maintaining the goldfish tank a family event and the whole family will come closer together.
• Goldfish inspire creativity. How many aquariums have you seen that looked exactly alike: same tank setup, same species of fish, same aquarium plants and ornaments? Most likely, none! No two goldfish tanks are exactly alike, just like all aquarium fish behaviors and habits are unique in their own little way. And there are simply so many goldfish types to choose from, with breathtaking arrays of colors and shapes. In fact, a goldfish aquarium can look particularly stunning in a dark, gloomy room.
• You can make money with your fish keeping hobby. While I only recommend this for advanced goldfish hobbyists, you can breed your goldfish for desired traits and sell the results on eBay or your own website. Don’t want to breed goldfish? Why not build a business cultivating aquatic plants?
• Goldfish are great for busy folks. Fish are relatively low maintenance and don’t require much besides routine water changes and a regular feeding schedule. And with so many incredible benefits, who wouldn’t want a goldfish? So get out there, and set up your first goldfish aquarium!

Goldfish are beautiful, peaceful, and mesmerizing. There are so many goldfish varieties available, which is why goldfish have become such popular pets. But they also need loving care and attention just like any pet. Are you prepared to give your goldfish what they need to thrive? Read more about the care demands of pet goldfish.

What About You?

Do you have goldfish? Have you discovered why goldfish make great pets? What amazing benefits have YOU noticed?

The post Goldfish Care Benefits: 8 Reasons Why Goldfish Are Good Pets appeared first on Complete Goldfish Care.

Can you meet the needs of goldfish and tropical fish in the same aquarium? Or is this just a recipe for disaster?

Your betta is lonely, so you add two goldfish to keep him company. Or maybe you already have a goldfish tank set up, and you’re planning to buy neon tetras for a little more variety.

But can goldfish and tropical fish really thrive together in one tank?

After all, you don’t want to subject your goldfish to more stress than they can handle. Or worse, come home to find satisfied and bulging bellies but no goldfish to be seen!

For some pet owners, goldfish get along fine with tropical fish. Others have tried relentlessly to keep their goldfish in a tropical environment, only to discover fish go missing, torn fins, disease outbreaks, and a number of other problems – all problems that could have been prevented if their goldfish had their own separate tank.

So what’s going on?

Are Goldfish and Tropical Fish Compatible?

In short, no.

I definitely wouldn’t recommend keeping goldfish with tropical fish, and I know several fish hobbyists who wouldn’t either. Goldfish aren’t tropical.

It isn’t just a matter of how goldfish get along with other tropical fish. Goldfish and tropical fish have different requirements and to meet both requirements in one tank is just impossible. You can’t do it. You might come close, but you can’t give your fish all of the recommended goldfish care they need in a tropical aquarium.

You’ll have to make compromises to keep both your goldfish and tropical fish happy.

• Maybe you can’t give your goldfish a complete nutritional diet because you also have to meet the needs of your tropical fish.
• Maybe you can’t provide your goldfish with a powerful enough filter to reduce waste and maintain high oxygen levels because the water flow would irritate sensitive tank mates.
• Or maybe you can’t maintain the comfortable temperature conditions your goldfish prefer because your tropical fish are too sensitive to cooler temperatures.

If you’ve been keeping goldfish and tropical fish together for years, you might think this article doesn’t apply to you.

Think again. Your fish appear to be getting along fine, but what’s really happening in the aquarium that you don’t know about?

8 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Mix Goldfish and Tropical Fish

• Goldfish and tropical fish have different temperature requirements. Goldfish – coldwater fish – prefer cooler temperatures around 65°F (18°C), while tropical species like their water toasty warm (72 to 85°F or 22 to 29°C). Yes, a goldfish can stand warmer temperatures temporarily (when they’re kept in a pond during summer months). But they won’t feel comfortable kept in warm water all the time. And if you try keeping tropical fish in cold water, they’ll just become lethargic and refuse to eat. One of the many benefits of keeping goldfish is that they don’t need a heater; most tropical tanks do.
• Goldfish and tropical fish have different temperaments. Goldfish are peaceful, while many tropical fish can get very aggressive. Some fancy goldfish varieties also have long, flowing fins that other tropical species love nipping on. Since goldfish are rarely ever aggressive, it’s not uncommon for several smaller fish to bully larger goldfish. And if you have territorial fish in the aquarium (angelfish, for example), it’ll be a living nightmare for your goldfish. Your goldfish could become seriously hurt or even killed.
• Goldfish and tropical fish have different disease tolerances. Some diseases affect fish differently. Since tropical fish are a completely different species, there’s a good possibility that your goldfish will get sick from a disease that won’t necessarily impact your tropical fish. Goldfish also get diseases more readily under warmer temperatures than they would under cooler, more comfortable temperatures.
• Goldfish and tropical fish have different diets. Without the right nutrients, your goldfish may not thrive. Many may even become malnourished, which can lead to all sorts of goldfish diseases. Goldfish require more fiber-rich foods in their diet to prevent constipation (very common in fancy varieties). Young and fancy goldfish also require protein-rich foods to develop and grow. To top that off, goldfish are primarily plant-based and so need plenty of veggies. Since goldfish don’t have “true” stomachs, they often run into digestion problems. Tropical food is harder for goldfish to digest than food specially formulated for goldfish.
• Goldfish are ravenous eaters. Goldfish won’t think twice before gobbling up every morsel of food you drop into the tank – and greedily pushing aside slower fish that stand in their way. Unlike bettas, goldfish aren’t picky at all. And because they feed so quickly and thoroughly, some tropical fish (especially the smaller ones) won’t stand a chance during feeding time.
• Goldfish are messy. Goldfish excrete lots of waste that can quickly pollute a smaller aquarium (which is why they’re kept in large tanks). Most tropical fish don’t need the extra space goldfish do and so are usually content in smaller aquariums. And because many tropical tanks have filtration systems that can’t keep up with the high levels of waste your goldfish excrete, you’ll soon find yourself with devastating and dangerous ammonia spikes that can cause serious problems – even killing your fish.
• Goldfish are very large compared to many tropical fish species. Most fancy goldfish varieties grow up to 6 or 7 inches long (15 or 18 centimeters), while common and comet goldfish can grow to a foot long (30 centimeters) and even more. Though there are exceptions, tropical fish tend to stay small. By the time your goldfish reach adulthood, your tropical fish may turn into tasty snacks.
• Goldfish love the company of other goldfish. While goldfish don’t form very tight schools like neon tetras, they are still quite social and like to be around other goldfish. In fact, you may notice that your goldfish stick together and will often follow one another around the aquarium. Even so, certain goldfish varieties still shouldn’t be mixed; goldfish do best when they’re with other goldfish similar in size and shape.

Still in Doubt?

Think about this: You wouldn’t go to the beach on a hot summer’s day in a winter coat. And why would you? You’d be much too warm, sweaty, and very stressed out.

Putting your goldfish in a tropical aquarium is going against their nature.

Just like you wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing a coat in 80-degree weather, your goldfish could go through all kinds of stress in a tropical aquarium. And shouldn’t you provide goldfish with an aquarium habitat as close to their natural environment as possible? After all, you don’t want the hassles of sick or lethargic fish.

It’s ultimately up to you whether to mix goldfish with tropical fish, but remember: Your goldfish depend on you for their care. If you want happy, healthy fish with vibrant colors and long-lasting lives, you’ll think twice before throwing goldfish into a tropical tank.

So What Do You Think?

Should you mix goldfish and tropical fish together? Should goldfish care be compromised to satisfy tropical fish needs? Or should goldfish be kept in separate tanks with other coldwater fish?

Join the debate! Add your thoughts, feedback, and goldfish care tips to the comments below.

The post Can You Keep Goldfish and Tropical Fish Together? appeared first on Complete Goldfish Care.

Goldfish care can be difficult to get right, especially for a new pet owner. Yet millions of goldfish are bought each year.

It’s easy to see why.

Goldfish are a delight to watch as they bump against one another to chase after the next morsel of food, often nipping at fins and shoving their greedy mouths straight up to the water surface. And there are so many goldfish varieties, in all sorts of colors and shapes, that it’s hard to choose which ones to bring home!

Goldfish are the most popular domesticated aquatic life in the world and there are over 125 varieties – more varieties than any other fish species. – Carlo DeVito and Gregory Skomal, authors of An Owner’s Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet: The Goldfish

Goldfish have their share of benefits. Simply watching their day-to-day activities can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and even improve how well you eat meals at the dinner table. That’s why you’ll usually see an aquarium smack in the middle of waiting rooms.

But sadly, most goldfish don’t live to see their first year. In fact, a majority die young!

Goldfish care requires so much more than simply filling an aquarium with water.

If given quality goldfish care and the proper environment needed to thrive, goldfish can actually live 10 years or more. And there are records where goldfish have grown to be over a foot long!

Our goal is to walk you through the process of raising goldfish that not only last, but flourish in their aquarium environment. If you want your goldfish to give you years of entertainment, you’ll need to get those basic requirements right. Because so many things can go wrong in a small glass bowl.

Complete Goldfish Care focuses on seven key areas.

Goldfish Care Tip #1: Set Up a Healthy Goldfish Tank

Maintaining a healthy aquarium environment where goldfish can thrive is crucial.

You’ll want to…

• Buy the largest aquarium you can afford
• Enhance the beauty of your aquarium with substrate, artificial or live plants, and aquarium ornaments
• Treat fresh water with a tap water conditioner
• Test the water on a weekly basis with a freshwater test kit
• And practice routine water changes

If you don’t look out for the health of your goldfish, your fish will become sick. And if you’re not too careful, stunted growth might be in your goldfish’s future, along with a host of other problems!

Goldfish, especially fancy varieties, are very susceptible to diseases if forced to live in unhealthy conditions. Prevent diseases before they can infect your fish by learning which goldfish tank to buy and how to keep it running.

Goldfish Care Tip #2: Discover Goldfish Types

Selecting the right goldfish types for your aquarium, personality, and lifestyle is the first step to keeping goldfish that thrive. And since all breeds have their own special goldfish care requirements, you should find out what those requirements are before you make the mistake of buying a fish you can’t keep.

Learn more about…

• Unique goldfish types available (and rarities too)
• Special eating patterns and diets
• How to establish a goldfish community
• And why goldfish shouldn’t be kept with tropical fish

Before going to the pet store, learn everything you can about the goldfish you’re interested in.

Goldfish Care Tip #3: Find Goldfish for Sale

Ready to buy your first goldfish? Or looking to compare prices?

If you purchase a goldfish from poor stock, one that’s already stressed out and exposed to disease, things may get ugly – quickly – once you take that fish home. Avoid the risk altogether and be aware of telling signs that something’s amiss.

Find out…

• Where to buy healthy goldfish
• How to buy goldfish online
• What goldfish cost
• All about goldfish breeders
• And signs that your goldfish are healthy before you make the purchase

Goldfish are so popular that it’s hard to find any pet store that won’t have them in stock. But you should know what you’re getting into before you visit the pet store.

Goldfish Care Tip #4: Buy Quality Goldfish Food

To feed your goldfish on a regular basis, you need goldfish food.

Don’t just buy the first brand you see either. To meet all of the nutritional and dietary needs of your goldfish, you’ll need to know what to look for.

Not all commercial brands are created equal. If your goldfish are malnourished, an overwhelming disease outbreak might be around the corner. Goldfish need particular nutrients to thrive. Young goldfish and many fancy varieties especially need protein-rich foods to develop and grow.

Goldfish are also ravenous scavengers. Many times, they’ll swim right up to the aquarium glass and nuzzle their noses, begging for an additional meal. But don’t let their begging antics fool you!

Goldfish have sensitive digestive systems. If fed too much too soon, there might be even bigger problems than a hungry goldfish.

Learn all about…

• Goldfish nutrition
• Recommended brands
• Foods unique for certain goldfish types
• How often to feed your goldfish and when
• And the importance of food variety

There are many different kinds of food available, but the key is finding the right brand for the dietary needs of your goldfish.

Goldfish Care Tip #5: Prevent Goldfish Diseases

Goldfish are hardy creatures. But even under the worst conditions, they can’t withstand disease. Don’t take their hardiness for granted – things will go downhill fast. And when your goldfish do get sick, it’s important to know how to treat goldfish diseases quickly and effectively.

Of course, it’s also useful to learn which diseases will potentially infect your goldfish before they get sick (and take measures to prevent possible outbreaks).

Get the nitty-gritty on…

• Which goldfish diseases to look out for
• Signs your goldfish is sick
• How to treat common goldfish diseases (and even rare infections)
• And how to prevent deadly outbreaks from impacting the aquarium

If your goldfish tank is properly maintained and regularly cleaned, chances are your goldfish won’t get sick at all. But if/when they do, you want to take action immediately.

Goldfish Care Tip #6: Explore Goldfish Breeding

Goldfish breeding is a fun and worthwhile experience if you’ve been raising goldfish for a while. You can even make a side income just breeding and selling goldfish fry (once they’ve matured of course). Goldfish breeding is also an incredible learning experience, and hatching your first batch of fry can be exhilarating.

Learn the fundamentals of…

• Goldfish breeding basics
• How to prepare your goldfish for mating
• How to hatch your first batch of fry
• What to do when those babies hatch
• And how to raise young goldfish

If you want to explore goldfish with different traits or even show off your goldfish at local shows, breeding is an excellent first step.

Goldfish Care Tip #7: Build a Goldfish Pond

Goldfish, like koi, are wonderful pond fish because of their large sizes and hardiness. Some goldfish varieties were even developed to be looked upon from above (celestial eye goldfish, for example).

But while most goldfish with streamlined bodies are fine kept in ponds, other fancy varieties do best indoors because of their sensitive, exaggerated features.

Get detailed advice on…

• Which goldfish types are best kept outdoors
• If a goldfish pond is right for you
• How to develop a pond environment
• How to care for goldfish in a pond
• What to feed your pond inhabitants
• And what to do over the winter before the pond freezes over

Keeping goldfish is a wonderful experience. But it’s up to you to take the actions necessary for long-lasting, healthy fish.

Since goldfish can’t care for themselves, they depend on you for their goldfish care. It’s up to you to maintain a healthy goldfish tank, feed your fish quality goldfish food, prevent (or treat) goldfish diseases, and even take your goldfish hobby to the next level by setting up an outdoor pond or hatching your first batch of fry.

Remember: You control the lives, happiness, and well-being of your goldfish. If you give these amazing creatures the goldfish care they deserve, they will thank you for years and years to come.

The post Goldfish Care: There’s More to It Than You Think appeared first on Complete Goldfish Care.