Goldfish Care Sheet

Goldfish are coldwater pet fish that are easy to care for and come in a variety of color patterns and sizes. Some varieties of goldfish can grow to be 18 inches in length and can live as long as 10 years. Proper goldfish care includes providing the proper habitat, feeding correctly, and caring for fish during illness.

  1. Setting Up the Aquarium

    • Since goldfish are coldwater fish, they need cold water temperatures. The temperature of the water must be between 64 and 72 degrees F. The water should also have a pH greater than 7. Provide at least 2 gallons of water per inch of each fish's length. The aquarium also needs a water filter that cleans the entire volume of the aquarium 10 times per hour. If you choose to use a gravel bottom, the gravel should be made of particles small enough to pass through the fish if they swallow it. Treat the water with a water conditioner that removes metals.

    Feeding

    • Feed dried food specifically formulated for goldfish, which require more carbohydrates than other fish species. The food can be in flake or pellet form. Goldfish will also eat dried krill and live worms. The fish must eat one to two times a day. Do not overfeed -- overfeeding can lead to illness and a dirty tank resulting from the increase in waste. If it takes your fish more than 3 minutes to eat all the food, you are overfeeding.

    Maintaining the Tank

    • Test the pH of the water once a week. Replace 25 percent of the water volume every two weeks to keep the water clean. Don't remove all of it, or you'll alter the pH. Remove the filter and rinse it under tap water twice monthly to remove waste particles. If you use fine gravel in your aquarium, vacuum half the gravel bed when you change the water to remove any food or waste particles trapped in the gravel. Keep decorations clean and small in number.

    Treating Common Illnesses

    • Common goldfish illnesses include fungal infections and "ich" infections. White patches or spots on the fins or body are signs of disease. The fish may also swim in an awkward pattern or rub against the tank. Commercial treatments are available for these infections. If you have more than one fish, quarantine the sick one in a separate tank while you treat the infection.