After taking a look at a few common goldfish types, you’ve chosen the perfect goldfish for your aquarium. You also have a tank that can hold at least 20 gallons of water, and you’ve made sure to cycle it beforehand. You’re all ready to start buying goldfish.

If you’re new to fish keeping, you’ll want to buy a hardy goldfish from the start while you build experience and learn everything you can about goldfish care. You’ll also want to buy a goldfish that is already healthy without any signs of disease.

But what should you look for when buying goldfish? Where should you shop?

While you’re likely bubbling with excitement, eager to get that aquarium filled with goldfish, it’s important that you take your time. Don’t take buying goldfish lightly – you shouldn’t just buy the first goldfish you see. Look around for good specimens and consider your options. Visit several different pet stores if you have to. You’ll want your goldfish to arrive home healthy.

Local Pet Store or Chain?

It really depends.

Some hobbyists recommend to stay away from chain stores when purchasing new fish, while others (like myself) have no problems buying goldfish from a chain store. You just have to know what you’re getting into. Because chain stores like Petco or Petsmart often buy pets in bulk, some goldfish can arrive unhealthy or mistreated. Others might be misidentified and sold as the wrong breed (I once purchased a veiltail goldfish from a tank promoting black moors).

The general argument is that small local pet shops treat their fish better than large chain pet stores. But you can still get quality stock from a chain store if you stay vigilant, watch for warning signs, and take your time shopping.

I’ve bought a number of goldfish from both Petco and Petsmart, and many have continued to thrive. Silver Star, my oldest fish to date (lasted about 13 years before he died from old age) was actually purchased from Walmart! Though he was one of the fish misidentified – I bought him from a selection of black moors only to learn later that he was a veiltail! He actually caught my eye because he was different from the other fish in the tank (he was silvery brown while the others were black with protruding eyes).

If you want quality goldfish that will stay healthy for years, do your homework. Stay away from diseased sick fish and if you do happen to buy a goldfish that is sick (maybe your heart warmed to him or you couldn’t stand watching him suffer), be prepared to treat the fish… and also be aware that your goldfish may not survive.

So how do you know that the goldfish you’re buying is from good stock?

Let’s dive into what to look for when buying goldfish.

Buying Goldfish from the Pet Store

When you walk into the pet store for the first time, the first question on your lips should be: “Do staff keep this place clean?”

If you find doggy biscuits scattered all over the floor and items hastily thrown on shelves, chances are the aquariums won’t be any better. However, if you’ve made it a few steps past the door and staff had cared enough to keep everything neat and clean, go ahead and examine things further.

Go straight to the live fish, and ask yourself these questions.

• Are there strange chemical smells around the aquarium? If so, look for cover-less aquariums. Insecticides could have been sprayed, and that could spell danger for any goldfish nearby. It’s best to avoid buying goldfish swimming around in tanks contaminated by chemicals (or the stressed out fish might show goldfish disease symptoms when brought home).
• How many dead goldfish do I see? Since pet stores generally overstock to sell more fish (and staff can’t tend to everything at the same time), there are bound to be some dead goldfish in the store. But if you see more than a few dead fish in the same aquarium, take that as a warning sign that the fish are sick and stay away.
• Is the store trying to sell medicated or unhealthy fish? Look for tints in the water. These are often signs that the goldfish are being treated for some type of disease. Shop owners shouldn’t be trying to sell infected fish. If you’re interested in buying goldfish from a treated tank, ask how long the aquarium has been medicated and come back later when treatment is all done. If goldfish are being sold in poor condition, buy your fish from another store.
• How knowledgeable are the staff? Are they open to questions? Some personnel are completely clueless and that’s okay. The person you speak to may not primarily work in that particular area in the store. But it’s important that whoever is handling your fish at least, to some degree, knows what he/she is doing.
• Is there loud music playing in the background? Goldfish get stressed out if there are loud noises nearby, and stressed fish are more vulnerable to goldfish diseases. Buying goldfish from a calm, peaceful environment would be more ideal, since stress can lower the immune system of fish and make them susceptible to goldfish diseases.
• How do the actual goldfish look? Do they look healthy? Look for red veins on fins (signs of stress) or blemishes on the scales or body. Torn fins can also be signs of stress, a bacterial infection, or quarrels with other fish. If something doesn’t look right, try buying goldfish from another store. The goldfish probably aren’t being cared for properly or were bought from bad stock.

If you’re ever unsure of a certain goldfish, ask questions! Find out what the fish are fed and how often the tank gets cleaned before buying goldfish from a particular store. Take some time to observe the fish and look for erratic behaviors. If everything looks great, be confident that you bought healthy goldfish.

You’re now ready to start quarantining your new pets.

After the Purchase

When you’ve found that lucky goldfish to complement your aquarium, it’s important that you make the ride home as comfortable as possible for the new guy.

Don’t place the bag directly in the sun (if positioned near a window, make sure there’s some shade), avoid putting on loud music, and go home immediately. The bag that your new goldfish is placed in has limited oxygen as it is, so it’s important to take the shortest route home. Your goldfish will feel much better when he’s settled in his new home.

If you already have goldfish in the aquarium, remember to quarantine your new pet for at least two weeks. Some goldfish diseases don’t show right away. Quarantining reduces the risk of potential diseases spreading and your other fish getting infected. You’ll also need to give the goldfish time to adjust to the water temperature in your aquarium, so don’t dump him in the main aquarium right away. Acclimate your new fish to the water by floating the bag first.

Most of all, Enjoy your new goldfish!

Where Do You Buy Your Goldfish?

How do you feel about buying goldfish from chain stores? Any advice for new pet owners? Post your thoughts in the comment section below!

The post Buying Goldfish from the Pet Store: What to Look For appeared first on Complete Goldfish Care.

Since The Orients first developed goldfish from carp, these fascinating fish have expanded to include a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Some common goldfish types are even bred to develop special characteristics. Bulging eyes, raspberry-like head growths, eyes that gaze heaven-ward, round fluid-filled eye sacks, elaborate nostrils, and flowing fins to name a few.

Goldfish also aren’t just in gold hues. You can find common goldfish types in striking reds, yellows, whites, purples, blues, and blacks – even in calico.

And think that goldfish are just in solid colors? Think again! Common goldfish types are in a mixture of color combinations to fit your personality and tastes.

Few aquarium fish have been developed in as many varieties as the goldfish. It has been estimated that there are over 125 varieties! – Marshall E. Ostrow, author of Goldfish (Barron’s Complete Pet Owner’s Manual)

In fact, there are so many different varieties of goldfish in stores today that it can be difficult to choose which ones to bring home with you. Some common goldfish types, like celestial or bubble-eye goldfish, are even too sensitive for the beginner hobbyist just starting out. Such goldfish are better off with expert care.

Let’s take a look at the most common goldfish types available in pet stores. See any you like?

Slim-bodied Goldfish

Slim-bodied goldfish are so hardy that they are often wonderful choices for the novice goldfish owner. They can even get along well in less-than-ideal water quality and very cool temperatures, but you should still strive to make the water comfortable for your fish. Slim-bodied goldfish are also great for outdoor ponds, since they aren’t as sensitive to cold water as fancy varieties are. What’s more, these goldfish get pretty large and a pond is even recommended.

Since slim-bodied goldfish are strong, fast swimmers and competitive eaters, I don’t suggest keeping these common goldfish types with most fancy varieties. Fancy goldfish are slow-moving and can’t compete for food with slim-bodied goldfish around.

Slim-bodied goldfish are very rambunctious. Because they grow very large and are faster than fancy goldfish, they need at least 30-gallons of water (114 liters) per fish.

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  Photo by Tamaki Sono

  Common Goldfish – Some of the hardiest goldfish around, common goldfish get along well in outdoor ponds and can tolerate slightly polluted water better than most common goldfish types (even so, don’t neglect water quality). Common goldfish most resemble their ancestor, the carp, and have a forked caudal (tail) fin with a smooth body. If kept in a pond, common goldfish can grow well over a foot long. These fish are available in many colors, including red, black, orange, white, yellow, and bronze. You can also find them in a combination of colors. Common goldfish are an excellent choice for beginners as long as tank requirements are met.

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  Photo by Sheffield Tiger

  Comet Goldfish – Like common goldfish, comet goldfish have a slim body with stiff fins. But unlike other common goldfish types, these fish have much longer fins with a deeply forked caudal fin that can be almost as long as the fish’s body. While comet and common goldfish are two different types of goldfish, they’re still usually kept together in the same tank in pet stores (often sold as feeder fish). Like commons, comet goldfish are very hardy and can be kept in ponds (usually) without a problem. They also come in many colors and are excellent beginner goldfish.

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  Photo by Michael Gil

  Shubunkin Goldfish – These fish are also recommended for novice goldfish owners and are recognizable by their beautiful calico pattern (pattern includes orange, yellow, red, brown, black, grey, white, purple, and blue colors). The more blue shubunkin goldfish have, the more valuable they’re considered. Like most slim-bodied goldfish, shubunkins are very hardy, competitive eaters, and fast swimmers.

Egg-shaped Goldfish

Also known as fancy goldfish, egg-shaped goldfish are very sensitive to poor water quality conditions. For this reason, many fancy goldfish are only recommended for experienced fish owners.

Most fancy goldfish have distorted swim bladders (because of their egg-shaped bodies) that can cause problems in poor water conditions – and even cause the fish to swim at a downward angle. Fancy goldfish are not ideal for ponds, since a majority are much too delicate and can’t withstand water temperatures below 60°F (16°F).

As mentioned before, most egg-shaped goldfish shouldn’t be kept with slim-bodied goldfish. If you do keep both goldfish types together, you risk frequent fin nipping, fancy varieties not getting enough to eat, and other problems. Many fancy goldfish also have very delicate features (bubble-eye goldfish, for example) that can easily tear at the slightest nip, making it even more imperative that these goldfish are kept away from fast-moving fish.

Like all common goldfish types, fancy goldfish do just fine if water conditions are met and you take safety precautions when handling or feeding. Fancy goldfish prefer 20 gallons (76 liters) of aquarium water at the very minimum, with 10 gallons (38 liters) for each additional fish.

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  Photo by Annie Roi

  Fantail Goldfish – One of the hardiest fancy varieties, fantail goldfish can sometimes even survive fine in ponds or when kept with slim-bodied goldfish (though keep a close eye on your goldfish to make sure they’re getting their share of food). Fantail goldfish are recognizable for their split caudal fin and are typically found in orange or calico colorations, though other colors are also available.

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  Photo by Jan Smith

  Veiltail Goldfish – While veiltails are thought to be very beautiful and graceful fish, they’re also one of the most sensitive common goldfish types because of their long, flowing fins. They look a lot like fantail goldfish but with slightly rounder bodies and a more distorted swim bladder. Their long fins are very sensitive to goldfish diseases and tears. These fish are not recommended for beginners because they’re so sensitive, and they most certainly shouldn’t be kept in outdoor ponds.

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  Photo by Louis Hall

  Telescope Goldfish – Telescope goldfish have very limited vision because of their protruding eyes (which resemble telescope lenses). The body of a telescope goldfish is very similar to a veiltail goldfish. While telescope goldfish aren’t very hardy, they’re also not as weak as veiltails either. Telescope goldfish come in all sorts of colors. Because of their limited vision, they make poor competitors for food if kept with slim-bodied goldfish. These fish are usually best handled by intermediate goldfish owners.

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  Photo by Katie Brady

  Black Moor Goldfish – Black moors have a surprisingly high tolerance for cold water temperatures and are very hardy, despite the fact that these jet black fish also have telescope eyes (though the eyes don’t protrude as much as a telescope goldfish). Unlike other common goldfish types, black moors are fine pets for beginners and can even survive well in outdoor ponds.

• Lionhead Goldfish – Lionhead goldfish aren’t the best swimmers because they lack a dorsal fin (located on the fish’s back). They’re also very slow moving and should only be kept with common goldfish types that are also slow swimmers. Lionhead goldfish are named after the fleshy hood that surrounds their face, except for the eyes, mouth, and nostrils. This hood is soft to the touch but actually doesn’t tear as easily as you may think. Lionheads are sensitive fish and shouldn’t be kept in outdoor ponds with fast-moving goldfish types. They’re also not recommended for beginners.
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  Photo by Lina smiths

  Oranda Goldfish – Like lionheads, oranda goldfish have a similar headgrowth (also called the wen), though it only develops on the top of the head and slightly on the sides of the head as well. Oranda goldfish resemble fantails in body shape and are very slow moving. These fish come in a variety of colors and shouldn’t be kept by beginners.

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  Photo by Michelle Jo

  Celestial Goldfish – Celestial goldfish have limited eyesight, since the eyes are actually locked upwards (almost like the fish is gazing at the sky). For this reason, the Chinese often call celestial goldfish stargazers. Celestial goldfish should only be kept by advanced goldfish hobbyists. They lack a dorsal fin and are slow moving, compared to slim-bodied fish and other common goldfish types. They tend to feel their way around the aquarium or position their body in a way that allows them to see forward.

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  Photo by Danny O.

  Bubble Eye Goldfish – One of the most fragile common goldfish types around, bubble eye goldfish develop very delicate fluid-filled sacs beneath their eyes. These sacs cause their eyes to slant upward like celestial goldfish (though the upward slant isn’t nearly as severe). Bubble eye goldfish are probably the worse swimmers and can’t handle even the slightest currents, so I wouldn’t recommend a strong power filter for these guys. They spend most of their time resting on the aquarium bottom. When keeping a bubble eye goldfish, it’s important that you only have smooth gravel or no gravel at all. Sharp rocks can easily burst the sacs beneath their eyes and attract goldfish diseases. Like lionhead goldfish, these fish have no dorsal fin. Bubble eye goldfish are only recommended for experts.

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  Photo by Katie Brady

  Ryukin Goldfish – Ryukin goldfish are good goldfish for beginners and are recognizable by their large hump behind their head that sharply rises at an angle on their back where the dorsal fin is. Ryukin goldfish come in different colors, including orange, white, red, and calico. The most prized ryukins have long, flowing fins.

Goldfish can be fascinating, but the common goldfish types listed above aren’t the only goldfish varieties available. This article only showcases the most commonly found goldfish in aquariums, whether you’re new to fish keeping, you’ve been keeping goldfish for a while, or you’re an expert on goldfish care.

Since there are so many goldfish types available in stores today, it’s impossible not to find at least a few that attract your eye. Even if you think you might have found the perfect goldfish, you should make purchasing decisions wisely and only choose the healthiest fish in the pet store. You should also cycle your aquarium before buying your first goldfish from the pet store to ensure that your aquarium nitrogen cycle (this will make maintaining good water quality easier). Slim-bodied goldfish, fantails, black moors, and ryukins are generally recommended for goldfish owners just starting out.

After you’ve gotten the basic goldfish care requirements down, raising goldfish can be a pleasant and even exciting experience. And once you’ve been keeping goldfish for a while, you can even start looking into exotic goldfish varieties to enhance the beauty of your aquarium – or breed common goldfish types for certain traits to develop your own goldfish varieties.

Which Common Goldfish Types Do You Like Most?

Do you keep goldfish? Have any personal favorites? Suggestions on how to raise common goldfish types? I’d love to hear from you!

The post 12 Most Common Goldfish Types: Which Do You Prefer? 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.