any onekeep em

[bhoeschcod]

hi does anyone keep gold fish and if so what do you do?

 

[calum]

yep, i've kept fish for a while.



you can do it the extra mega easy way -
chuck 'em in a bowl of water. they'll last a few years this way if you are lucky.

or you can do it the proper way -
provide a 5-10 gal for a few fish.
get a proper filtration system
clean the water properly (de-chlorination, etc.)
and they will do better with a light, on for 5-8 hours a day. you don't NEED a light, but they will do better with one.
make sure you clean the tank if it gets too filthy. goldfish are VERY VERY dirty fish, they eat something and 10 mins later it's out the other end.
make sure there is a large enough surface area of water on the tank for gas exchanges, and provide an in-tank oxygen stone, or something simmilar.
poor oxygen flow can lead to 100's of health issues.

a good thing to do is to change 15%-30% of the water every other week or so, but treat the new water before you put it in.


and if you want to breed them, special conditions are required.

try to not to cause to much stress to them, or they may develop whitespot, which is a proper pain in the arse.

there are 100's of different products you can add to the water, go to the local pet store and they will probably have stuff.

and be carefull with floating food, it can cause problems.

the irony is that goldfish love all types of food apart from the ones you get in pet stores. they looooove livefood, like brineshrimp, plankton, etc.

you could have a goldfish love up to 20 years with the proper care.

 

[calum]

oh they also like vegies - lettuce, COOKED peas, egg (cooked), spinach, and sometimes grape.

 

[bhoeschcod]

thanks caluim and no i dont think ill beed her [only have one]

 

[bhoeschcod]

heres a vid of her not her real home though http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=h2H-CNzKPR0&feature=user

 

[calum]

can't really see anything, but you should get her a bigger tank.


as mentioned above ^^

 

[bhoeschcod]

aleady have its a big fish tank type.

 

[calum]

cool.

 

[bhoeschcod]

i might be getting some plants for it [fake ones]

 

[bhoeschcod]

Heres a vid of goldy http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=44389539

 

[bhoeschcod]

yet another vid http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=44389652

 

[bhoeschcod]

also can i put in some pepples?

 

[calum]

there should be some kind of substrate. pebbles would work, as long as they are not made from harmful types of rock.


and remember filters, etc. etc.

 

[bhoeschcod]

clam1991 said i didnt need one i clean the water once a day.

 

[GailC]

I have two fancy goldfish
Its true that they are super hardy and often will survive with minimal care but like any other animal we choose to keep in captivity, they deserve the best we can provide for them. This is a great care article http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=23740

 

[bhoeschcod]

thanks waldo.

 

[calum]

changing the water once a day because you don't have substrate? ok.....

get a filter system, some substrate, and an air stone.

 

[bhoeschcod]

one questoin whats an air stone

 

[calum]

here is a pic - http://douglasfamilyfarms.com/images/AccessoryAirStone.jpg

you stick it in the tank.

you connect it to an oxygen pump like this one - http://www.reef-one.com/accessories/pump.jpg

and it bubbles up and releases oxygen into the aquarium. it can also look very pretty to, and will help with 100's of health issues.

 

[calum]

here is a typical setup - http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=iZ4D9ntSgEE

showing airstone, filter, and substrate.