How to Care for Goldfish

These colourful creatures can be rewarding pets, especially for children. They are also relatively easy to keep and can bring much enjoyment at a low cost. These guideline will teach you how to look after a goldfish properly -- it could live up to 20 years or more with the right care.

One of the common myths about goldfish is that they can thrive in a small fishbowl. Not true! You should always allow 20 litres (five gallons) of water for each goldfish you keep, so use a tank rather than a traditional bowl.

Goldfish have to swim in their own waste, and polluted water will make them sick. Even traces of the ammonia in their urine can be deadly to them.

• Use a small net to regularly skim off any fish waste or leftover food flakes. (Once or twice a day is ideal.)
• Getting a filtration system is the best thing you can do for your fish (aside from feeding it the correct type of food.) Look for a canister or hang-on filter. If you're not sure what to buy, or have a specific budget, just ask for help at your local pet store.
• Every two weeks, replace a third of the water with treated water, of the same temperature as that in the tank.
• Buy a siphon to vacuum dirt from the gravel. Make sure any equipment that you use with the fish is kept as clean as possible.
• Add plants to the tank. Living plants oxygenate the water, while plastic ones attract algae, an additional feeding source for the fish. Living plants also make for a more interesting and natural environment.

• Buy food specifically prepared for goldfish from a pet shop or supermarket.
• Don't overfeed; leftover food will go off in the water.
• If you have to go away for more than a couple of days, ask someone to feed your fish.