The goldfish is the most commonly keptfreshwater fish species across the globe. Proper goldfish care is essential toprolonging the life of your fish and keeping them happy.

Goldfish originate from China during theTang dynasty, when a gold color mutation was observed in normal silver carp,and these gold individuals were selectively bred for generations. Goldfish werefirst introduced to Europe as a good luck charm in the 1600s and then wereintroduced to North America in the 1800s.

Common Goldfish vs. Fancy Goldfish

After generations of breeding, there areover 200 breeds of goldfish. Most of the goldfish available to pet parents arein one of two categories: common or fancy. Both types ofgoldfish can have numerous colorations, patterns, body shapes, and fin, eye,and tail types.

Common Goldfish

Common goldfish are small, fast feederfish. They are single-tailed, meaning they have one caudal fin and one analfin. Common goldfish varieties include:

·       Comet goldfish

·       Shubunkin

·       Sarasa

Fancy Goldfish

Fancy goldfish are often bigger, slower,and bred to look more ornate than a common goldfish. Their number of finsdiffers based on their variety. Fancy goldfish varieties include:

·       Nymph goldfish

·       Tamasaba goldfish

·       Wakin goldfish

·       Fantail goldfish

·       Ryukin goldfish

·       Telescope goldfish

·       Butterfly tail

·       Pompom goldfish

·       Lionhead goldfish

·       Ranchu goldfish

·       Celestial eye goldfish

·       Bubble eye goldfish

How Long Do Goldfish Live?

The goldfish lifespan is anywhere between10–15 years, sometimes even up to 20 years when kept in excellent conditions.Great goldfish care can extend the life of your pet significantly.

What Do Goldfish Need?

Tank Size for Goldfish

The tank size for a goldfish depends on thevariety and the full-grown size of the fish. A goldfish, depending on type, canbe housed in a habitat that provides about 20 gallons of water per fish. Someof the larger varieties of fish require a larger amount of space—up to 50–100gallons.

Goldfish Water Parameters

Good water quality is critical for keepinga goldfish healthy. The pH should range between 7–8.4 and you should test thewater frequently.

If you have a freshwater fish tank, test itweekly with water quality test kits. Water aeration is vital to maintainoxygen levels within their habitat, which can be provided with an air pump and airstone.

Do Goldfish Need a Heater?

Goldfish are most comfortable around roomtemperature (72–76 F). Depending on your room setting, you may or may not needa heater to keep your tank within this range. Heating a goldfish tank higherthan this range will cause the fish to be very hungry and quickly foul theirtank water.

What's the Best Temperature for Goldfish?

Goldfish are considered a cold-water fishspecies but can also be kept successfully at warmer temperatures.

Goldfish Plants and Decorations

Enriching your goldfish habitat with plantsand decor makes it more naturalistic, but it’s important to remember thatgoldfish, as omnivores, may decide to eat or uproot some of the live plants.Some plant species that grow fast and can outgrow a hungry goldfish are:

·       Vallisneria spp

·       Anubias

·       Java fern

·       Cryptocoryne

Substrate can be used for goldfish habitatsto make the bottom of the enclosure look more realistic. It is normal forgoldfish to pick up their substrate and put it in their mouths. Some starterkits are available that will help get you started with your aquarium.

What Do Goldfish Eat?

Goldfish are predominately omnivores andcan eat a sinking pellet. The food should provide about 30% protein for agoldfish.

Pelleted food can last longer than flakefood. Take care when feeding flake food, as it often doesn’t sink. If agoldfish eats at the surface too much, they can develop buoyancy issues.

Additional dietary items that can be usedas enrichment for goldfish include:

·       Live or frozen brine shrimp

·       Daphnia

·       Krill

·       Occasional vegetables like romaine lettuce

How Often Do You Feed Goldfish?

Adult goldfish can be fed once a day.Younger goldfish may need to be fed more often as they grow.

How to Clean a Goldfish Tank

Your goldfish will need their tank cleanedregularly. Your tank cleaning schedule will depend on the size of your fishtank, the total number of pet fish, and your filtration setup. Remember toalways wash your hands before and after cleaning a tank.

Follow these steps on how to clean afish tank:

1.   Turn off your filtration, heater, and lighting.

2.   Remove all decorations and place them in separate bucket or on atowel. Scrub them using a designated scrub brush and/or toothbrush.

3.   Scrub sides of fish tank using an acrylic or glass scrub brush.

4.   Place the siphon into your goldfish tank and start the flow intoa bucket. Move the siphon up and down, taking in a small amount of substrate ateach site. Allow it to circulate for a second or two, then lift the vacuum tobreak the siphon. Repeat across the entire bottom of your tank.

5.   Remove your tank’s filter media (sponges, balls, floss, orrocks) and rinse them in the bucket of wastewater.

6.   Rinse and fill your bucket with fresh tap water. Use yourthermometer to ensure it is the correct temperature for your goldfish.

7.   Add water conditioner per the manufacturer’s instructions. Addfresh water back into the main tank, then return the decorations, lights,heater, and filtration.

Goldfish Tank Mates

Many goldfish prefer to live by themselvesand may attack other fish. It is OK for a goldfish to be by themselves,although they may interact well with friends—it all depends on the unique fishtemperament.

If interested in keeping multiple fish,goldfish are best kept with more goldfish but can also live with othercold-water community fish, such as white cloud minnows.

Goldfish can make vibrant, entertainingpets for any family and can live a long, healthy life when given the rightenvironment and care. They are a great beginner pet for anyone—evenkids—and can be a rewarding companion for years to come.  

Goldfish FAQs

How long do goldfish live?

Goldfish typically live 10–15 years whencared for appropriately.

Can goldfish live in tap water?

No. Tap water contains chlorine and chloramine,which are toxic to pet fish. Any tap water used for a fish tank must first betreated with a water conditioner to remove any harmful chemicals.

Can goldfish live in a bowl?

An old misconception about goldfish is thatthey can thrive in small bowls. This is not true. Small enclosures such asbowls limit the ability of a goldfish to thrive in captivity.

Do goldfish need friends?

Goldfish can live alone but are social andbenefit from having at least one tank mate. Goldfish like to interact with oneanother and keeping multiple fish can promote activity and companionship. Somegoldfish just do not play well with other fish and rely on their human caretakers for interaction and socialization.