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| Goldfish
Carassius auratus (Linnaeus,
1758)
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| Temperment |
Sociability |
Min. Tank |
Availability
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Area |
| Peaceful |
Groups |
90 gallons |
Common |
Middle |
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The Goldfish is probably the most popular, and, unfortunately, the most
mistreated aquarium fish around. What is often not recognized is that
Goldfish are a coldwater species and thus require different care than a
tropical species. They do best in water at lower temperatures, surviving in
conditions that a neon tetra, for example, could not. They can be found
everywhere from backyard ponds to tiny (and cruel) two gallon "Goldfish
bowls."
A juvenile two-inch Goldfish requires, at the very least, five gallons of
water. When provided with less space its growth will be stunted and its life
span shortened. In a favorable environment, however, a Goldfish will live
for as long as 15 years.
If there are too many Goldfish in an aquarium, they will be seen gasping at
the surface for air. If the fish must be kept in a non-aerated container,
select the one that has the largest surface area. More oxygen will be
absorbed through this greater area. A bowl with no aeration must be cleaned
at least once a week. Even in well-cleaned tanks, Goldfish are messy.
Goldfish will generally grow to whatever size tank they are in. In a small
bowl, a Goldfish may only grow to three inches. However, this will shorten
their life span and may cause growth defects. In large ponds a Goldfish may
grow up to two feet.
If allowed to eat their fill, Goldfish will overeat to obesity. Keep in mind
that a Goldfish's stomach is normally only slightly larger than its eye.
Feed only enough to fill about "1 eye." These fish like to nibble on plants,
so keep them supplied with a kind they cannot pick to pieces. Anarchis is a
good plant for Goldfish. Feed these fish a variety of flake foods and live
foods. Feeding your Goldfish the same flake food day in and day out simply
won't keep them healthy.
These popular fish should always be kept in water that has been aged at
least 24 hours. Goldfish are sensitive to extremes of acid or alkaline pH,
so neutral is recommended. Heaters are not needed, as Goldfish do best at
room temperature. In outdoor ponds the ice may be allowed to freeze and the
goldfish will survive through the winter. Higher temperatures will encourage
infections and disease.
Goldfish can become territorial. A newcomer placed where others have become
established may get all of its fins nipped off or be chased to death. All of
the Goldfish that co-inhabit each tank should be placed together within one
month, before the territories are too firmly established. It may also help
to rearrange any decorations when adding a new fish, that way the current
fish won't feel as though it's 'home sweet home' to him.
Placed in outdoor ponds, Goldfish do quite well, existing on insects, algae,
water plants, or the food you supply them. Goldfish are usually fine by
themselves in aquariums, but in large pools they do much better in schools.
Despite their great variety of color and form, all Goldfish belong to the
same species - Carassius auratus. Some of the available forms of
Goldfish are the Comet, Lionhead, Veiltail, Celestial, Telescope, and
Fantail. Most have long fins that may be nipped by others. All of these
varieties were developed by the Chinese or Japanese except the Comet. Its
origin is America.
Breeding your Goldfish is not a difficult task. Provide a large aquarium and
keep the temperature around 72 degrees F is you wish to have the fish spawn.
Provide bunched plants and a neutral pH. With any luck a pair will form and
lay eggs which will hatch in under a week. The fry should be raised on small
live foods and will be brown in color for up to a year before they finally
develop their trademark golden scales. |
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