Lionhead Goldfish Care

A species of goldfish related to the Egg-Shaped goldfish, the Lionhead goldfish is an inhabitant of many aquariums, thanks in part to its distinctive appearance. In addition to all of the regular concerns that fish owners need to consider when it comes to caring for their pets, Lionhead goldfish owners need to pay particular attention to the breed's headgrowth or hood, an unusual feature that can cause the goldfish problems.

  1. Healthy Appearance

    • Owners can discern the health of their Lionhead goldfish by examining its body. Healthy Lionhead goldfish tend to possess plenty of fat around their bellies and well-developed flesh around their heads. Lionhead goldfish should have smooth backs, without dorsal fins; the appearance of a dorsal fin indicates that the fish is not a Lionhead but another breed, such as a Tigerhead. As with many fish, an alert Lionhead goldfish is a healthy sign.

    Food

    • Lionhead goldfish are omnivorous creatures and their diet can consist of a combination of flake and frozen foods. According to the Goldfish Care.info website, Lionheads should receive flake food each day. Other foods suitable for Lionhead goldfish include brine shrimp and tubifex worms, though owners should note that it's generally better to avoid live food, as such food can pass on infections to the fish.

    Space

    • Lionhead goldfish can grow to more than 10 inches in size, so owners need to make plenty of provision in terms of the fish's living space. The Lionhead will require at least 15 to 20 gallons of water; giving an adult Lionhead less space can result in stunted growth, since this breed requires plenty of oxygen as it grows. For this reason, it helps to put Lionhead goldfish in a tank with a large surface area. Owners keeping more than one Lionhead goldfish should provide an extra 10 gallons of water for each fish, as the Animal World website suggests.

    Living Area

    • A major consideration for any kind of goldfish is the amount of waste they produce, which is typically higher than the average fish breed. Owners need to provide efficient filtration measures to keep the Lionhead's living area free of detritus. Aquariums should feature gravel substrate on the floor, while owners should avoid filling the Lionhead's living space with ornamentation with sharp edges or points, since these can injure the fish. The Lionhead goldfish's preferred temperature is between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Animal World website; temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit are not suitable for this fish.

    Eye Problems

    • An unusual feature of the Lionhead goldfish is the fleshy hood that hangs over the creature's eyes. The size of this growth varies from fish to fish, but in some cases a large headgrowth can adversely affect the fish's vision. If this is the case, owners should hand-feed their Lionhead or place food pellets in a position the fish can easily find. Thanks to its slow feeding, Lionhead goldfish may be deprived of food by faster moving breeds that share their tank. Owners should avoid placing Lionheads in a tank with common goldfish, for example, which are faster swimmers.