How to Properly Care for a Goldfish: It Could Live for Over Ten Years

It has happened to us all: we find ourselves at a neon lit midway at some rural county fairgrounds. What an atmosphere! Vendors distract us with the latest trends in gaudy wares. Barkers attempt to challenge both our egos and our patience with games of skill and chance. Your stomach deceives you into believing that digesting the fine cuisine is a good idea. The squeal of delighted children with straining rusted cotter pins as they are twisted into dizzying aerial flips and turns. Fathers wield their yard sticks, given to them by long winded political hopefuls. Some guy you swore was on America's most wanted mans the Tilt a Whirl with bloodshot eyes and a bored expression, and somehow inevitably, you win a goldfish.

Now fair ground Americana has seen a treasure trove of midway prizes, from mirrors with hair band logos, bigger than life teddy bears and stale salt water taffy boxes. However no prize can compare to the fair won goldfish. Often times it is a ping pong ball toss that puts us within the grasps of our aquatic friends. Of course what the folks that run the game fail to tell you is how to care for your fish.

Goldfish traditionally are the red headed step children of the fish supply industry, and are referred to as feeders in most pet stores they are often treated as if they will not live but a week or two. However, this is not necessarily true.

A small amount preparation and consideration should be met before the purchase of winning of a goldfish.

First and foremost is the environment. Traditionally this is the one or two gallon fish bowl or tank. Creativity has no limits to fishbowls, glass slippers, wide vases and even hand dug koi ponds are often used. Since most fish feel secure when a hiding place is available, consider a plastic plant, or even a nice nook rock or fossil to provide a niche. Just remember to rinse any fishtank ornaments with water only! No soap ever!

The next thing to consider is food. Oddly enough goldfish do not have stomachs, so whatever they eat comes out as a bi product compromised heavily of ammonia .Most aquarium enthusiasts recommend a simple goldfish flake food. This is traditionally packaged in an orange container in your pet store. Flake food is compromised mainly of other dried and crushed fish with sparse bits of vegetation. A variety of frozen goldfish food is also available on the market, but it tends to be a bit expensive.

Maintaining your goldfish bowl is rather easy. First remember to feed just a small pinch of food. Give your goldfish the five minute rule, If you feed the fish and five minutes later he is still looking for flakes, step it up a pinch next time you feed. Similarly if in five minutes time your fish has not devoured his meal, cut back a little at the next feeding. Left over food becomes algae that you will have to clean.

Twice a month you should clean your fish bowl. It is important to keep approximately 1/3 of the fishes old water and mix it with 2/3 fresh water. All fish develop beneficial bacteria. Much like humans consume yogurt to achieve this benefit. If you deprive the goldfish of all its established bacteria, it will likely die of stress. Probably the most important chemical that one can purchase is a tap water dechlorifier or stress coat. This typically comes in a small bottle and is used to take out the impurities in tap water. Moreover, it is used when you purchase a fish at the pet store to help reduce the stress of the ride home. Finally any fresh water that you add to your fishes environment should be regulated. IE: room temperature so as not to shock the fish.

Besides Betta's, goldfish can be one of the easiest aquatic creatures to care for. Under the correct care, your goldfish can live many years, ten plus years is not uncommon for goldfish, and they can be quite delightful for you and your family. So the next time you are playing a game to win a goldfish, consider the needs of the fish and make sure you have the environment, dietary needs and time for such a commitment.