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The size of the tank should be large enough because goldfish can “reach up to 10 inches.” There should be enough room for the goldfish to swim around; having a large tank will ensure the bacteria does not pollute the water quickly and allow the fish to grow to its potential size. Using a small bowl also increases makes the water dirty easier and increases the levels of toxins, slowly suffocating the fish. Not all water is clean and safe for the goldfish; the tap water, for example, has nitrates and chemicals that will kill the fish. The extra chemicals and bacteria in the water cause the water to be unbreathable for the goldfish and remove the good bacteria that is produced by the fish. Buying a water conditioner will dechlorinate and remove heavy metals to make the water breathable for the fish.

Goldfish diets can be a range of pellets, flakes, boiled soft vegetables, and bloodworms. Overfeeding can result into throwing off their biological balance, increasing the risks of diseases. The common goldfish should be fed “a small pinch of food two or three times a day…” to prevent extraneous amounts of food dirtying the water; this will also depend on the size of the fish of knowing to feed the fish more or less to keep healthy. Filtration will help prevent the bowl from getting dirty more quickly; this shows that a filtration system can help produce good bacteria for the fish to make the water at safe levels. There are different types of filtration systems, ranging from the store bought external or internal filters or the use of plants. The reason a filtration system becomes helpful is due to keeping the nitrate levels low; ammonia is introduced in the water when the fish excretes which develops into nitrite into nitrate, leading into possible nitrate poisoning.

Changing the water for the goldfish is one way to keep the water safe from harmful levels of nitrates and keep the tank clean. When making a water change, a third of the water should be taken out of the tank to keep the good bacteria in the tank water. Squeeze the filter sponges gently in the tank water to clean, if applicable. Using a vacuum will help clean the gravel at the bottom and remove any rotten food that has settled towards the bottom. The water should be filled with treated tap water with the same temperature as the water in the tank to ensure the water does not shock the fish. Tap water should be not used to clean the decorations, filters, and the equipment due to the tap water killing the good bacteria for the fish.

The sun is important to introduce to the goldfish frequently; due to the fish living in well lit conditions in the normal wild environment, it is necessary to keep a similar environment for the fish. The light will also help the goldfish with its sleeping cycle, giving the goldfish a healthy sleeping schedule to stay healthy. The goldfish should not be kept all day in the hot sun, as this could possibly kill the fish and make the environment hostile. A tank light is available as an alternative but not necessary.

Disease

Swim Bladder Disease is developed when the fish has buoyancy problems due to internal gas build up. The problem may be developed when the fish has had less than sufficient amount of fiber, poor water quality, or has been overfed. The fish “may also look physically swollen or bloated…”; the fish may also be swimming sideways or upside down. Treatment starts with testing the water to ensure the cleanliness, then the goldfish should fast for three days if no improvements are made; if the fish is still having trouble then the fish should be fed low protein foods and vegetables.

Fin Rot is developed from bacteria eating/ deteriorating the fins of the goldfish. The disease starts from “poor water quality, overcrowding, sudden temperature changes, fin nipping, or aggressive fish”; this will lead to town and shredded fins that could possibly deteriorate the body tissue to prevent the regrowth of their fins. Fin rot is known to be treated early to prevent further damage to the body tissue to the fish so the disease does not spread. Treatments start with clean water, adding aquarium salt to clean the water; if the following does not work then commercial products should be used along with weekly water changes.

White Spot Disease is when ich parasites in the water attack goldfish with weak immune systems and high levels of stress, resulting in white spots developing all over the goldfish. The goldfish develop the disease mainly when the fish is introduced into a new environment, creating stress upon the fish. A method, the salt and heat method, is a way to cure the goldfish from the white spots that can be fatal if not treated immediately. The water should be set to 86°F, doing this in small increments so the fish does not receive shock from the immediate water temperature change. Increase the amount of oxygen due to the heat increasing will limit the oxygen, then add one tablespoon for every five gallons of water. Use this treatment for ten days and return to the normal temperature slowly along with a water change; if this treatment is ineffective, use a commercial treatment for the goldfish.

Fungal Infection is the growth of fungus which could lead to problems regarding parasitic infections, ulcers, or open wounds; the fungus symptoms could worsen and lead into a secondary fungal infection. There are “cotton-like growths along the body and fins” which is caused by dirty water. Treatments start from moving the goldfish to a hospital tank and then clearing the environment with Methylene Blue if the condition is serious, however, the goldfish can just have a cleaner tank and the fungal infection should clear up over time.

LifeSpan

The average lifetime of a goldfish is five to ten years. The oldest living goldfish was Tish, won by a UK family at a funfair. Tish was recognized into the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest living fish.