Feeding your Goldfish
To stay healthy, active and colourful Goldfish need a regular balanced intake of a range of essential nutrients. The best and easiest way of providing these is with a complete, balanced diet. AQUARIAN Goldfish Flakes have been specially formulated to provide all the nutrients goldfish and other coldwater fish require-ensuring excellent growth, long life, less pollution and reduced stress.
How Often? How Much? Ideally you should feed your fish every morning and evening. Sprinkle a few flakes on the water. If they are eaten within a few minutes give a little more food. If the fish stop feeding, or after about 15 minutes, remove any uneaten food with a small net.
Health care
Many fancy Goldfish are prone to swim bladder problems. This susceptibility is in part due to the selective breeding process, which shortened the body and hence the swim bladder of varieties such as the Oranda and Black Moor. This is, however, made worse by poor water conditions, overfeeding and sometimes by low water temperatures. Fish showing signs of disorientation can be helped by ensuring that they are kept in good quality water, with frequent water changes, and by installing a small heater thermostat to keep the temperature at about 20 C.
Prevention is always better than cure:
- Make sure that you don't introduce infestation and disease into your aquarium - only buy from a reputable dealer who quarantines all stock before sale.
- Water pollution is probably the main cause of health problems. Poor water quality puts pressure on the body systems of the fish, creating stress, which, in turn, lowers resistance.
- Correct feeding is critical. With the right balance of nutrients fish will be less prone to health problems. The palatability of the food is also important -uneaten food simply adds to water pollution problems. -Keep careful watch over your fish. Should you notice any body sores or degeneration of fins it is possible they need a special treatment. Your aquatic retailer will advise on the range of proprietary treatments available. If in doubt you should always consult your veterinary surgeon.
Making their aquarium feel more like home - living happily ever after
A healthy fish is a happy fish. To make sure yours get all the vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other nutrients they need, we recommend you feed them Aquanan 2-3 times a day (see the label for further instructions). Goldfish thrive in clean water, so you should carry out a partial water change at least every week (a complete water change can stress the fish). To do this, use a jug or siphon tube, remove about a quarter of the water into a bucket. Then simply refill the aquarium using a mix of hot and cold tap water to help it reach room temperature.
If you have any questions
Aquarian have a dedicated team of experts just waiting to answer them. So, if there is anything you'd like to ask you can write to them at Aquarian Advisory Service, Waltham Aquacentre, P0 Box 5059, Melton Mowbray, LE14 4ZN, England.
In the meantime, here are just a few of the most common problems our experts have been able to answer:
Q, Which is better for my fish, a bowl or a tank?
A. Most beginners start with a bowl because it not only looks attractive, but it provides a safe and happy home for one or two small fish. However, if your fish outgrows the size of its bowl or you decide you want to add to your collection you need to find a tank that's big enough.
Q, How do I know if I'm feeding my fish enough food?
A. The easiest way to decide how much food to give your fish is to observe them during and after feeding. If there is no food left on the surface of the water after a few minutes, give a little more until the fish stop eating. Then, always net or siphon out any uneaten food.
Q, If I go away for the weekend should I feed my fish extra?
A. No, it's actually better for your fish to miss a day or two, rather than be over fed. In fact, they can be left up to two weeks without being fed, as they can survive on the algae and micro-organisms that are already present in their tank.
Q, I'm always cleaning out my fish tank. Is there anything I can do to keep it cleaner for longer?
A. yes, you could invest in a filter. This will help aerate the water as well as keep it clean. You should also try using Aquarian fish food because it contains specially selected natural ingredients, which are easily digested by the fish. This reduces the amount of waste that the fish passes into the water and helps to cut down pollution.
Q, How long will my goldfish live?
A. Fancy Goldfish will live at least 10 years. However, the Common Goldfish can live up to 20 years indoors and over 30 years in a pond.
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