Gold Fish Care

Feeding Goldfish

Goldfish aren't fussy eaters and will eat just about anything you feed them. However, you will have to Gkeep a couple of things in mind. One, make sure you don't overfeed them and two, put only fish with the same swimming and physical capabilities in the same tank.

Watching your Goldfish feed can be very relaxing. Once your fish recognizes feeding time, it will approach the tank wall as you approach it. They might even put on a swimming show just for your benefit. A hungry fish will rush to the food as soon as you drop it.

Although a diet of only flaked goldfish food should be enough to sustain your Goldfish, a varied diet including vegetables, pellets, etc., makes a happier and healthier fish. You will have to keep track of the amount of food you are feeding your fish, as not only could overfeeding be lethal, but the leftover food also makes the tank murky. You could feed your fish twice a day but you could feed fish food only once a day. Each time, add only a pinch of fish food per fish. Do not forget to presoak pellets and flakes to prevent choking and constipation. You should drop food at the same time and spot in the tank/pond everyday. Remove excess food with a net after the feeding session, to avoid polluting the water. It is necessary not to feed your adult fish for a day every week.

Once you bring your fish home and get it settled into its new atmosphere, you will then have to determine its feeding habits. If you find that the new fish is willing to eat but unable to do so due to the competition from other fish in the tank then a separation might become necessary.

If you find your fish is still not eating, then try changing its diet. If you watch closely, you might notice your fish tasting something you dropped into the tank, but later rejecting it. By trial and error, you can figure out the food your fish likes and the ones it doesn't. Fish prefer to eat small portions all through the day. So if it is convenient for you, feed them many small meals several times a day instead of just one large meal once a day. But remember that you shouldn't feed them more than two mouthfuls everyday. Get the incharge at the pet shop to show you just how much you should feed your Goldfish.

If you Goldfish suddenly stops eating for days together, then you should take this as a sign of illness. It is safest to show your fish to a vet in such a situation.

You should also feed your Goldfish live food from time-to-time. Not only are they nutritional, but are also good for conditioning your Goldfish and work as natural laxatives. You can't give your fish just anything, but should be careful and make sure that the organism you are giving it isn't harmful. Many of the live foods are available as frozen foods. A list of goldfish-safe live foods is given below:

Brine Shrimp

Brine shrimp of the Artemia species eggs are packaged and sold all around the world. They are ready to hatch and good for all small fish. The other advantage with brine shrimp is that they do not carry fresh-water parasites or other organisms. Brine shrimp flakes are also available at pet stores and these make a good supplement if you are unable to hatch them at home.

Daphnia

This is the most popular live food as the fish love it. Daphnia is a generic name and they are available in many sizes. Choose the size best suited to your fish.

Infusoria

Not visible to the naked eyes, the infusoria is a protozoan and make excellent food for baby fish.

Micro Worms

Micro worms are thread-like organisms and are also good for baby fish. They are predominantly used if brine shrimp is unavailable.

Mosquito Larvae

The best thing about mosquito larvae is that they can be preserved longer than other live feeds. Just make sure you don'tlet them hatch into mosquitoes.

Goldfish are classified as cold water fish and don't need to have a diet that is high in protein; however,they will do better with a diet high in carbohydrates. Goldfish are not picky eaters; however, the greater the variety offered, the more active and colorful they will become.You should feed your fish once each day. But, do not overfeed.

Live foods

Daphnia, Brine shrimp, Tubiflex worms, Meal worms, Wax worms , Blood worms (I recommend using bloodworms cautiously as they will burrow into the gravel). Staple foods- shrimp pellets, flakes in a variety of types, algae wafers, etc.

Nutrafin Max Goldfish Flake Food

Goldfish, koi and other coldwater fish will benefit from the complete and balanced nutrition in these easily digestible flakes.

Bio-Blend Goldfish Food

Offer your Goldfish maximum daily nutrition with these slowly sinking, moist wafers. Enriched with Bio-Guard to boost immunity.

San Francisco Bay Brand Krill

Krill makes an excellent alternative to feeder fish for large freshwater and marine tropicals. 100% natural, with no additives or fillers.

Top Fin Shrimp Pellets

A nutritious, high-protein treat, ideal for all Goldfish and bottom feeders. Made exclusively for PETsMART.

Tetra Nature's Delica Brine Shrimp

A convenient way to offer your fish the fresh taste they love in an easy-to-serve, nutrient-rich gel form.

Tetra Baby Shrimp Sun Dried Treat

Treat your larger fish to the nutrition of these whole baby shrimp in the shell. Feed in addition to a Tetra staple flake food.

San Francisco Bay Brand Shrimp Flakes

Give your fish the taste they crave with these 100% nutritionally complete and balanced brine shrimp flakes.

Hikari-Makes a decent pellet as well. It offers many types. Freeze dried foods- Krill, Pacific plankton, brine shrimp, blood worms, etc.

Frozen foods- Brine shrimp, blood worms, etc.

Greens and Plants- There are many different types of plants to feed your fish. Mine just loves Anacharis. Romaine lettuce is good too. The best way to see what is available is to look on the shelves and in the freezers (for frozen food) at the local pet stores.Now these are only suggestions. I have given my fish 'pieces of cucumber and zucchini' on a suction cup clip for years, and they absolutely love it. (If you have snails, they will find it through smelling and sit on it until it is gone--kinda a neat sight to see!)