Of Asian origin, specifically Chinese, the goldfish or Carassius auratus belongs to the Cyprinidae family, better known as cyprinids or, commonly, as carp. They are hardy and very popular fish that are easy to care for and maintain. In this breed tab we will talk about the common goldfish although there are many different types of goldfish.
We will make a summary between its physical characteristics, the aquarium you need, the basic care, the most common diseases that can affect it or its reproduction among other particular details. Find out all about the common goldfish below:
Origin
- Asia
- China
Physical characteristics of the goldfish
As you have read before, there are many types of goldfish, but in this case we are going to focus on the common goldfish that has normal eyes, a flat head, normal scales and a simple tail. It is a deep orange color but can sometimes appear more yellow or reddish.
Dream Goldfish Aquarium
In our article on goldfish petting we explain in detail what your aquarium should look like. The goldfish is known worldwide among cold water fish but the reality is that goldfish is a very resistant fish that supports very different temperatures, always preferring temperate ones. The ideal would be to keep it in an aquarium of about 21ºC but it can support a minimum of 10ºC and a maximum of 32ºC. The water should be around 7 PH and 12 GH but it can adapt slightly.
Each specimen of goldfish must have a minimum of 40 liters that must be proportional to the number of specimens we have. Lack of space in the aquarium can cause our goldfish to be aggressive towards other fish. We will use a layer of thick gravel at the bottom, preferably calcareous gravel, such as coral sand, although we can also use neutral gravel, such as silica sand. Plants and decorations will give the goldfish aquarium a beautiful appearance.
Finally we will add that it is very important to get an aerator so that the goldfish does not have problems breathing in the aquarium. As an extra we could add a filtering system that will allow us to keep the aquarium clean.
Goldfish care
Goldfish do not require excessive care but we must be very clear about the goldfish’s diet. Up to one year of age we can base their diet on flakes, commercial compounds that we find in the market, but from that moment on we must start preparing thick “porridges” so that they do not suffer from problems in their swim bladder. In addition to increasing its longevity, you will enjoy beautiful and healthy fish.
As it is an omnivorous fish, we recommend mixing portions of fish or seafood (hake, tuna, mussels …) with vegetables (cauliflower, spinach, basil …) a variety in your diet will have a direct impact on your health. Find out more about caring for goldfish.
Most common goldfish diseases
We must pay attention and check our goldfish on a regular basis: uncontrolled floating, white spots on its body or broken fins are obvious symptoms of disease. In that case we must separate our goldfish from the other specimens to avoid contagion of a possible virus or parasite.
In general, diseases are related to poor aquarium hygiene, poor care or a poor diet. If you observe your sick fish, transfer it to a small hospital fish tank and give it good care.
