Right then you have just set up your first tank, you have got the conditions just the way they should be for your fish.
What type of fish should I buy, hmmm there are loads to choose from some very easy for new fish keepers, there are dull ones, bright ones, every colour and shade you can think of.
But stop a minute what about the good old goldfish, you what you say after going to the expense of rigging up a new tank do you think I am going to keep B***** goldfish.
Why not I bet you have all had a goldfish at one time or another, and you kept it in a little glass bowl, how long did it live days weeks sometimes months.
It just shows how easy they are to keep, and even more so how tough they are, if given the chance to live in a proper tank in good conditions, they can live for many years.
But I know Geordie I hear you say, but they are just well gold aren’t they.
Well as it happens no they are not, they come with many different markings, shades and colours including the obvious gold, white orange and black.
You don’t believe me have a look in your local pet shop, ok they can come down with swim bladder disease, but keep them in a tank and you will alleviate most of the problems, sometimes swim bladder disease is a genetic problem, especially with the fancy goldfish.
1. You will need to change the water as you would with any fish, I tend do change it on a monthly basis, this is not a big deal because you do not want to be taking all of the water out. Remember it takes a while to get the conditions right, so you don’t want to be altering the balance drastically.
2. Remove about a third of the water from the tank, but do not put tap water straight in if you do not like the idea of using a chemical to get rid of the chlorine, keep the tap water in a separate container for a few days the chlorine will dissipate naturally.
3. A useful tool to have is a gravel cleaning siphon, they are reasonably cheap from your pet shop. Simply fill it with water and swirl it around in the gravel the dirt and debris can be sucked up and drained into a container for disposal. This is not a difficult procedure plus there will be instructions on the siphon when you buy it.
Do feed them on high quality fish food, try to buy it in small containers, once open the food tends to dry out, so be fair to your fish you wouldn’t want to eat stale bread would you.
We will briefly recap on a few tips we have learned.
* Do not keep your goldfish in a small glass bowl, can you imagine how boring this must be with no room to even swim.
* Perform frequent partial water changes, not to much though remember the balance.
* Feed the fish twice a day but not to much because it will only lay in the bottom of the tank rotting.
And do not worry to much enjoy your hobby, if your fish decide they like you like your tank and are having a happy life, they may outgrow their quarters. If they do put them in a garden pond and re stock your tank.
So go on people give them a chance they are a smashing pet, and they can get really friendly allowing you to feed them.