Are you a goldfish owner or interested in becoming one?
This site will give you the necessary information to get started.  Read this information BEFORE getting new fish!  If you are looking for info on a sick or injured fish read this and a list of medications will give you some ideas as to various ailments that effect fish!

Disease Diagram (photos)

Goldfish originated in China with several hundred varieties developing over the years.  They arrived in the United States somewhere between the 18th and 19th century and have became the most common pet found in households today! They have been kept as pets longer than any other species of fish.   Although there are many varieties, all goldfish actually belong to just one species: Carassius auratus. Because of this, goldfish are similar in their behavior, required care, and habits. Goldfish are not tropical fish; therefore, they do not require tropical temperatures such as some fish  with temperatures of 80F and higher.   

Most books and petstores tell you that it is fine to house them in tanks without heaters and that they will be fine in water that is 50F to 76F; however, I do feel they are more active when kept at temperatures of 74F to 76F year round. The more exotic types of goldfish such as Ranchus, Orandas, Bubble Eyes, etc. do better when housed in temperatures of 74F to 78F degrees. They will provide years of enjoyment if they are cared for properly.

Goldfish Success can be accomplished in 7 steps:

• Partial water changes weekly

• Adequate filtration systems for the tank size

• Temperature of 74⁰F or warmer

• Live plants (Duckweed, Anacharis, Apon, etc-a good addition to their diets)

• Lots of aeration or water movement (non-moving tanks cause problems)

• pH level of at least 7.2

• Salt at the first indication of problems(more info on using salts here)

(see general faqs/ problems)

Goldfish are quite intelligent and will recognize the person who feeds them. They will show they know you by swimming rapidly back and forth when you are near the tank or splashing. Goldfish like to play and benefit from the exercise, so having two fish is better than one. However, if your tank is not big enough to house more than one, your fish will still live happily, and in better health than if you crowded it.

There are several varieties of goldfish; however, they all stem from the original stocks developed by Chinese, Korean, and Japanese breeders. Names are sometimes a hard thing to decide on due to the fact that different cultures call the same fish by different names. 
Goldfish come in many variations with different colors, single-tails, double-tails, various body shapes, head shapes from pointed to square,  and various other mutations such as telescoped eyes.   

When you begin your aquarium, you need to keep in mind that it is a home for your fish. Goldfish require more room than other varieties of fish. Goldfish bowl dangers!!
Goldfish can be very susceptible to the effects of overcrowding. 
Follow this rule: 1 fish per 10-20 gallons of water. 
Goldfish need more oxygen, no less than 30 square inches to each fish.

Please email me with comments or questions.

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