Most people underestimate the joys of owning goldfish. In theory, goldfish have a bad rap, relegated to their roles as carnival prizes or reptile food when in fact, these delightful specimens make excellent aquarium companions. If you are looking for a relatively cost-effective and entertaining way to step into fish-keeping, then  our goldfish care guide may be for you. Here, we provide instructions for caring for these much-underrated creatures.

Consider the Breed, Plan Tank Size Accordingly

When making your breed selection, think about what size aquarium you plan on keeping. Although most of us consider the standard small goldfish of our youth, there are many kinds of goldfish that grow to all different sizes. Do not place a goldfish in a filterless bowl or container, as they generate a significant amount of waste.

Common Goldfish, Comets and Shubunkins can be kept alongside Koi fish in outdoor ponds or in a 20 gallon tank.  You might even consider a fancy goldfish, the most popular beginning ones include Fantails,  Black Moors and Ranchus. These can live in a 10 gallon or more tank with decorations and other peaceful fish.

Goldfish Water Equipment

For a thriving tank, you’ll need a filter system, a siphon to assist in water changes, an aquarium light, sand or soft substrate and live plants. Decorations with jagged or crush edges may tear delicate fins or the eye sacs of some types of goldfish. Some goldfish can be kept in heated aquariums, ranging from 68º to 74ºF. Monitoring the pH regularly and performing routine water changes are essential to keeping the tank safe for your goldfish.

When it comes to a healthy tank environment, you’ll need to maintain water quality. Be sure to use dechlorinated water or add a water conditioner to ensure the tap water is safe for your pets. Some water districts now use Cloramine in the water, this means you need a water conditioner that not only removes chlorine, but also breaks the chloramine bond and removes the chlorine and ammonia which result and fill all the way up to your filter. Hikari® offers an easy to use water conditioner that instantly “ages” water allowing you to enjoy your pets at a quicker rate.

Finally, the Goldfish

Getting any type of new pet can be thrilling. When it comes to selecting your new goldfish, you’ll want to opt for those that look like they are healthy in the store tank. This means that they are actively swimming around and look perky. You’ll also want to check to ensure that the fish you pick out look physically healthy without any obvious genetic defects like missing fins or collapsed mouths. Additionally, scope out the other habitants of the tank to check for sick or dead fish. You don’t want to spot any fish that are struggling to swim (whether sinking or floating) or otherwise have noticeable health conditions.

Maintaining a Healthy Goldfish Diet

Most of the joy of fish ownership is in being privy to watching these beautiful creatures thrive. Goldfish are omnivores, which means that their diet should consist of high quality ingredients. Hikari^® offers a wide variety of goldfish diets that have been scientifically formulated to meet the needs of a wide variety of goldfish keepers.  Whether you decide on a regular or fancy goldfish,  Reach out to our expert team if you desire more information!