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Step 4: Selecting Fish

Health

Select healthy, active fish from a tank of healthy fish. If there are any sick fish in the tank, it's a good bet all may become sick. Never buy fish that float at the surface whenever they stop swimming.

Types

There are hundreds of varieties of goldfish. Pick what you find attractive. It is best not to mix wild-type goldfish and slower, heavy bodied fancy goldfish. The sleeker wild-type will get all the food in a mixed group.

Step 5: General Care

Food

Feed the goldfish as much as they can finish in two minutes, twice a day. Feed sinking food and, if it is dry food, soak it in water for a few minutes to moisten it before feeding. Supplement their diet with peas that have been popped out of their skins and blanched leaf greens.

Water Aging and Conditioning

Age new water for at least two days, so chlorine and other gases in solution are released, and so that the temperature is the same as that in the tank. If you need to treat for chloramines, follow the instructions you get carefully. In general, goldfish can adapt to almost any tap water hardness or pH, as long as changes are made slowly, over a few days. Your life will be easier if you just get your fish used to your normal conditions.

Cleaning

Use the syphon to clean the poop out of the tank once or twice a week. If you have gravel, make sure you use a syphon with a gravel vacuuming attachment and follow the instructions. If you have algae, clean it off the front glass but leave it elsewhere (the fish will nibble on it). Also use the syphon for water changing; change twenty five percent of the water each week. Finally, clean out the filter element every couple of weeks, rinsing it in used tank water (tap water could kill the good bacteria!).

Usually, doing all these things at the same time is most efficient.

Temperature

Not very critical. A water temperature of 68 degrees Farenheit is considered ideal. Above 80 degrees some fish may suffer and even die. Below 50 degrees the fish will become lethargic and should not be fed.

Step 6: Becoming a Hobbyist

If you find you enjoy your fish, consider consorting with others that feel the same! Participate in internet discussion groups, join the Goldfish Society of America, subscribe to aquarium periodicals, ... learning about goldfish and meeting new people can be an additional level of fun above and beyond keeping our finny little friends.

Russell W. Taylor

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