Goldfish Eggs - Essentials to Healthy Fry

At the time of breeding, it is easier to see the changes in the male goldfish. The male develop breeding tubercles that are white and of the size of pin head. The female goldfish cannot be recognized easily. The female has a bigger and full abdomen. When the male goldfish is ready to breed, the fish performs the ritual of spawning chase. The male swim closely following the female and hit her abdomen repeatedly for several hours.

At the prime age, female goldfish lays anywhere between five hundred and one thousand goldfish eggs. The male spray milt on the goldfish eggs and make them fertile immediately. These eggs are released in batches.

The eggs should be transferred to another goldfish aquarium immediately. New goldfish aquarium contains water maintained at the same temperature. Before this process, the goldfish eggs are normally rinsed with water with the same temperature of the previous tank. The optimum temperature is 20ºC for breeding. Transferring at once is possible as the goldfish eggs are fertilized already.

The fertile goldfish eggs look clearer but the unfertile eggs look furry. The danger of fungal attack is imminent on the unfertile eggs can be on the fertile eggs also. To avoid this goldfish eggs are observed with rapt attention. The water can be only six inches deep. The fish fry after hatching can not take more water pressure. To ensure this the water can be only about six inch deep. This water being shallow allows the fish fry to swim with ease.

It is normal for the fish fry to sink down to the bottom of the tank once the goldfish eggs are hatched. The new born fish are attached with full yoke sac that is translucent. This sac will sustain the fish fry for twenty four hours. After twenty four hours, the fish fry swim around in search of food.
If you want to learn more about goldfish or more specifically goldfish eggs then check out http://www.secretsofgoldfish.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dane_J_Stanton

Goldfish External Anatomy

                                Goldfish External Anatomy

Anal Fins: Helps to keep the fish stable in the water and keep it from from rolling over.

Caudal Fins: Tail fins are used for propulsion (to push the fish forward). Goldfish are bred to have many different types of tailfins. Common goldfish have single tails and the fancy goldfish have different types of double tails.

Caudal Peduncle: Where the tail meets the body.

Dorsal Fin: provide stability when swimming. Wild type goldfish (and most common goldfish) will have a long dorsal with about 13-19 rays. The rays starts like spines and branch out at the end. Not all goldfish breeds have dorsal fins. Ranchu and Lionheads are two of the most common breeds without this fin. Some veiltail varieties have a very tall dorsal fin. For fish with a dorsal fin, this this fin should be erect (a sign of good health), however in some breeds with tall dorsal fins, the dorsal will bend.

Eyes: Goldfish use their eyes to see. Goldfish have fairly good eyesight. Some breeds however are bred to have "bug eyes" (i.e. telescope goldfish like moors) and cannot see that well. Some people believe that black goldfish are normally almost blind. Fish do not have eyelids, so you should turn your tank lights off every evening so they can get some sleep.

Lateral line: Is a sensory organ (a series of fluid-filled canals just underneath the skin) that helps fish detect water current, pressure and movement.

Mouth: The mouth opens at anterior end of head. The upper and lower jaws are equal in size and are slightly slanted. Golfish don't have barbels. Goldfish do not have teeth in their jaws, but they do have pharyngeal teeth found in the back part of the oral cavity.

Nares: There are two pairs of nares on each side of the snout. The front and rear nares are connected by a U shaped tube. Water flows through the nares through the olfactory tube and receptors embedded in the epithelium detect odors in the water. Behind the front nares, there may be a flap of skin called the narial folds or nasal septa which directs water into the front opening. Pompon goldfish are known for their large frilly narial folds or nasal septa.

Operculum: The flap covering the gill also known as gill cover. Males will develop small white spots on the gill cover which are called breeding stars or breeding tubercles. Breeding stars are not seen until the goldfish is old enough to breed, somewhere between the age of two and three years. Some goldfish are bred to have curled operculums.

Pectoral Fins: The two pectoral fins are used for steering. Male goldfish, when they reach sexual maturity will often develop white bumps called nuptial tubercles or breeding stars along the leading ray of their pectoral fins. Some people say that the first ray of the pectoral fin is rather thick and stiff in male golfish (compared to those of female goldfish). Some people also believe that male goldfish have longer pectoral fins that do female goldfish. If the goldfish is ill, it may clamp the pectoral fins close to its body.

Pelvic/Ventral Fins: The two pelvic fins provide stability and help with steering. For breeders the shape and length of the vental fin is very important. Japaneese breeders in particular often specialize in fish with long ventral fins.

Vent: (or anal opening) External opening to digestive, urinary and reproductive tracts. Some people believe that females have rounder covex vents while males have thinner concave vents. During spawning, male golfish will try to butt the female anal area.

Wen: Rasberry-like growth (skin folds) on top of the head of some breeds of goldfish such as orandas, and lionheads. Sometimes also known as a hood, cap, crown or goosehead. As the wen grows, white pimples may sometimes occur. These are generally nothing to be concerned about.
Article Source: http://thegab.org/Articles/

Fish Make The Greatest Pets

Aren’t the children always begging for a pet or another pet?

You don’t want a cat – there’s that whole litter box thing. You don’t want to train a puppy, plus what about when you want to go away for the night? Birds make such a mess and can be quite noisy. And then there’s those “rodent” things.

When we found out we were expecting our first child we decided to decorate the nursery in tropical fish decor. Then we thought a fish tank in the room would be perfect for the “white noise” and for a nice little night light. So we bought a 10 gallon tank set that cost about $40 for everything but the fish. We had no clue about caring for fish, so we only got a few fancy guppies that were about $3 each. How cheap!!

Who knew we’d become addicted? Well, me anyways. We learned that guppies are live bearers, meaning that they have “live” babies instead of laying eggs and they can be all sorts of pretty colors. Needless to say, we learned a few things about raising guppies and haven’t spent any more money buying fish (well, except for a few more different colored guppies and a bigger tank to start breeding our own)!

Fish are so easy to take care of and are rather inexpensive to keep. We clean out their tank a little bit each month and spend about $2 on food for them that lasts about 3 months. The kids all love the guppies – their pretty colors and especially watching the babies grow. I love the guppies because they’re cheap, relaxing, neat, quiet and they teach the children about responsibility with having a pet.

So before you jump down their throats about not having a pet, tell the kids to consider some guppies. If you’re looking to do some more research on them, check out www.guppies.com . There are plenty of tips and people there that are willing to answer all of your questions.
Jennifer is the owner of http://www.MomOnABudget.com, a resource for money saving tips and ideas, quick and easy recipes, how to decorate on a budget, work at home ideas and so much more.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Shircel

Goldfish Feeding

The main issue with feeding goldfish is how much. Goldfish will typically eat just about everything that is given to them. Apparently in the wild this is no problem, but in captivity domestic goldfish basically will not survive if fed to anywhere near their capacity to eat. There are exceptions; very young fish need to be fed a considerable amount to get reasonable growth rates and some foods that are essentially only roughage can be fed quite freely. But in general it is necessary to limit the amount of food provided to your goldfish. 

What happens if you overfeed your goldfish? Many people have described the digestive track of the goldfish as basically a straight tube. In the simplest scenario, if you feed too much, food being pushed in the front end of the "tube" pushes food out the back end ... before it is fully digested. If your goldfish's poops look just like his food, this could be an indication of overfeeding. 

For robust, wild-type goldfish overfeeding's main problem is water quality; the semi-digested food makes it harder to keep the water of sufficient cleanliness without frequent massive water changes. This may explain why overfeeding is not a problem in the wild. However, for fat-bodied fancy goldfish, that straight tube tends to have a few kinks in it; just like with people, lack of roughage and too rich a diet can cause significant problems. For more information, see the discussion on swimbladder problems. 

All right, now that you're convinced that whatever amount you are feeding is probably the wrong amount, what is the right amount? The quick answer is that if you don't have water quality problems, don't have problems with your fish floating, and the fish seem active and healthy, you are probably doing just fine. And, uh, scatologically, if the poops are in quarter to half inch sinking chunks, this is good too. Otherwise you probably are overfeeding or not feeding quite the right diet. 

A common recommendation is to feed goldfish two mouthfuls twice a day. I was troubled for a long time about what is, exactly, a goldfish mouthful. I believe it is as much as a goldfish will take in its mouth before it stops "gobbling" and starts chewing. Determining the correct amount of food for your fish is then relatively easy; toss in units of food until everybody stops chasing and then figure about double that for a feeding. This actually ends up being quite a bit of food. 

It has been suggested that goldfish are naturally grazers, eating small amounts continuously. It does seem that goldfish have fewer problems with many small meals than they do with one large one per day. So, if you can conveniently do it, a regime of one mouthful four times a day will be better that two mouthfuls twice daily. And, conversely, feeding four mouthfuls in one feeding will probably give you problems. 

Unfortunately, it is pretty clear that the most entertaining thing in a goldfish's life is eating. Most owners would like their fish to be as intellectually stimulated as is, uh, possible. This can lead to overfeeding. I won't go overboard on the anthropomorphization here, but, like people, low calorie high-roughage foods can be fairly freely fed without digestive problems. Romaine lettuce is a good example: it is reasonably nutritive (much better than iceberg lettuce), but is also mostly water and fiber. A leaf clipped inside the tank will last days if submerged and the fish will nibble away on it. The only downside is that the resulting lettuce puree in the tank can plug filters pretty quickly. But otherwise this is an excellent option, I think.

Article Source: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/4468/feeding.html

Ten Steps To a Healthy Goldfish

Tank
1. A 10-20gal tank for one goldfish. Goldfish grow to be 6 to 8 inches in length and therefore they need a big tank for just one fish. 

A filter

2.Reason: Goldfish are very dirty fish when they process thier food it goes through thier system fast since thier organs are squished into a tight space. 

Setting up the new tank
3. Goldfish love to pick up rocks so in my opinion you should use river rocks (you can find them at a Home Improvement store)that way the rocks are to big for the goldfish to get in there mouths and get one stuck in there. Make sure when you get your rocks that you rinse them well with water to get rid of any debris. Then add your rocks carefully in to the tank. Next use water that you have let sit out in a jugs or buckets for 24 hours so that the toxins have had a chance to evaporate from the water (chorine, bleach, ect....) to fill up the tank with. When you add the water to your tank place a flat dish in the bottom of the tank on top of your rocks so it doesnt splash the water so much. When done remove the dish. 

Lights and Heaters
4. Goldfish need light just like you and I. Also you will need light if you get live plants in the tank. Heaters are not necessary in a goldfish tank goldfish can live in temps from 78 to just below freezing. So unless you want your tank at a constant temp goldfish don't need a heater. 

Additives in the water
5. When setting up a tank or doing water changes you need to add some type of water clarifier (like Amquel) to help get rid of more toxins in the water, since goldfish have to breath the water any type of chorine or bleaches can kill your goldfish. 

Test Kits
6. This is a tip for all that are starting a goldfish tank. It is very important to have test kits like the ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. You need to check the water before every water change. This is expecially true when a tank is first cycling, the ammonia levels and the nitrites are the first killers of most tanks that are just starting out.. Also if you are going to use Amquel for a water conditioner you will need a test kit that is "salicylate" based, because the "Nessler" based kit will give false readings when using Amquel..... 

Plants
7. You can use real plants if you like but goldfish are nibblers so you plants wont live very long. There are some plants that goldfish don't really like to nibble on like Java ferns and the grass like plants (the wider the leafs the better). If you don't want to spend a a lot of money to maintain the looks of the tank I would go with the fake plants. 

Selecting Your Fish
8. Now that you have had the tank up and running now for a week or two you can start looking for a good and healthy goldfish. 
What to look for: 
a. Look at the tank the goldfish are in. Are there any dead ones in the tank? If there are that normally means there is something wrong with the fish or tank and in any way the goldfish is most likely to be sick. 
b. Look at the fish you want. Is the fish you want aware of his/her surroundings? Is the fish moving around looking and nibbling at things or just staying in one spot. Goldfish that look more aware of what's going on are the better ones. 
c. Look at the fish's eyes. Are the eyes clear not foggy. If foggy the goldfish could have a disease or just blind. 
d. Look at the fins. The fins should be erect. If the fins are always in the down positions the fish could be stressed out. 
e. Look at the fish over all. Make sure the fish doesn't have any times of parasites (ick, anchor worm, ect......) on them or any type of disease (fungus, fin rot, ect......) on the fish. 
f. Now you have chosen your fish When you get you fish make sure the pet store places the goldfish in a plastic bag , then in a brown paper bag, so the fish will not get stressed out by seeing what is going on around him. When you get the fish to his tank make sure you float the bag in the tank for 5 mins so that the fish will get used to the temperature in your tank with out stressing out if you just put him in there. After floating in the tank open the bag and slowly let the water from your tank enter the bag and let the bag again float for about a min. Then let the goldfish out and keep a close eye on the goldfish for a couple of days to see if there are any problems with the goldfish. 

Feeding Your Goldfish
9. Now there are many foods out there for your goldfish and many people think this one is better than that one. If your going to feed you goldfish any pellets or flake food, please soak them in water from the tank for at least a min. Un-soaked food will expand in the stomach (just like if you ate rice or bread) and the goldfish will eventually get swim bladder disease (some times irreversably) and the goldfish will not be able to eat and swim correctly. Feed your fish once every day, what they can eat in 5 mins or the food will spoil the tank. 

Water Changes
10. Now you've had your goldfish in your tank for a week you need to do a water change. Once a week you need to change at least 10% to 20% of your water. When you change the water make sure you are replacing the water with water that has been sitting in a jug for at least 24 hours. When you're starting to change the water, use a gravel siphon to get a lot of the waste the filer hasn't picked up from the bottom. Now add the water that you had sitting out for 24 hours to the tank, also add your water conditioner (Amquel) if needed. At this time its a good idea to check your filter to see if its dirty and them clean it out. 

Cycling
When you have your tank up and running you will need to understand the general rule of cycling the tank. This is very important to have a tank that is cycled or the fish can get sick or die. Very important to read.
Article Source: http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/tensteps.html

Goldfish Food

There are many different kinds of fish foods out there and many kinds of home foods that you can give to your fish. Some fish foods help with wen growth, while others help in the general growth of the fish. On this page I will try to explain the different foods and what they help with. Also I will show you the different home foods you can give your fish as treats.

1.Flake Fish Food

Flake fish foods come in many different types example for the growth of wens, color enhancer and other things. Flake fish foods can be a problem for some fish. When most people feed the flake fish food they will just place it in the tank, this will make the fish go to the top and when trying to get the fish food they gulp in air at the same time. For some fish this can cause swim bladder disorder. So if this food is good for you then a good tip is due, soak the fish food for at least 1 min then give it to the fish. This will cause the fish food to sink to the bottom and no air in the fish's stomach.

2. Pellet fish Food

Pellet fish foods come in many different types example for the growth of wens, color enhancer and other things.They also come in sinking (my favorite) and they floating kind. Pellet fish food should be soaked before giving them to the fish. When they are made they are compressed but there is air still in the food, just watch them when you place them in some water, you will see air bubbles coming out of the fish food. This is what is going into your fish and some fish cant handle this. I strongly suggest soaking any floating or sinking pellet fish foods for atleast 2 mins.

3. Frozen fish Food

Frozen fish foods come in all sorts of flavors and are a great treat for the fish. You should be careful when feeding them frozen fish foods, look for the ones that say bacterial free because they could cause problems if they hadn't been handled correctly. Most of them need to be soaked first for easy eating but some of them you can just drop in and let them nibble on the fish food as they thaw in the tank.

4. Gelatin fish Food

Gelatin fish foods are harder to find in most pet stores. Formula one and two foods made by Ocean Nutrition is a good one if you can find it. You can make it your self too if you have the time. Gelatin fish Food Make sure that when you are feeding it to your fish that you thaw it out in bowl of tank water and then crush in your hand as you drop it in your tank this makes it easier for the fish to eat it.

5. Home fish Foods

Some fish foods that you and I eat the fish can eat to for example: Romaine lettuce, Peas cooked, earthworms, eggs, cucumber, insect larvae, grapes,oranges, and spinach. This is just a short list of some of the foods. For more foods check out This list

6. Medicated fish Food

There are several medicated fish foods out there but I have found that two of them are the best for goldfish, these are only found on Goldfishconnection. They should only be used when a fish is very sick over using them can cause the parasite or bacteria to be resistant to the medication and your fish to remain sick.

Article Source: http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/food.html

Why Are My Goldfish Not Eating?

There are many reasons why goldfish may not be eating and there are certain things people should do to take care of their goldfish and make sure they're okay.
Here are several reasons why your goldfish may not be eating:

1. Poor water quality, polluted water- make sure test the water
2. Water chemistry such as PH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate may be off the scale, check levels
3. Filter may be dirty, causing stress and poor conditions resulting in fish not eating.
4. There may be dead goldfish in the tank causing bad conditions resulting in fish not eating.
5. Goldfish may have disease or illness's resulting in lack of interest for food and eating. Sickness is one of the top reasons why goldfish don't eat. Pretty much the same as humans, when we're sick the thought of food doesn't interest us.
6. Food may be old or stale, lack of nutrients.
7. Goldfish may be showing lack of interest in the same food, try feeding your goldfish a different food.
8. Make sure there is no chlorine in the water, make sure you always add AquaPlus Water conditioner when performing water changes.
9. There may be an organic matter build up in your aquarium. Make you stir up the aquarium gravel with a aquarium gravel cleaner to make sure aquarium bed is clean.
10. Your goldfish do sleep, maybe there resting and full resulting in lack of interest in eating.
11. If you've recently purchased goldfish from a pet store, they still may be getting used the their new surroundings. Usually it may take a day or two to get used to their new surroundings as stress is a big reason why as well goldfish are not eating.

By cross elimination you can figure out why your goldfish may not be eating. Once you've determined why they're not eating, fix the situation and they will begin eating right away. Usually its something simple. Think about it, would we like eating the same food everyday, same goes for goldfish. Offer your goldfish a variety of different foods to make sure they stay healthy.

ArticleSource: http://goldfish-care-information.blogspot.com/

How Fast Do Goldfish Grow

How fast do goldfish grow is a question on every ones mind. Goldfish growth really depends on certain factors that will influence how fast they will grow. Some factors that directly influence goldfish growth is:

1. How clean is the water for your Goldfish?
2. How big is the environment, goldfish bowl, goldfish aquarium or goldfish pond?
3. What kind of goldfish food are you feeding your fish?
4. The genetics (DNA) of the goldfish parents passed on to their offspring.

How fast do goldfish grow is really a tough question to answer really. As mentioned above these factors will influence the growth potential of your goldfish. For example the how clean your water is impacts how fast they will grow. If the water is too clear then lacks algae and food to feed on. Second if water quality is not kept up with proper maintenance causes stress on goldfish which may impact the goldfish desire to eat. If goldfish don't eat, they don't grow, therefore growing slower then normal.

The environment or home for your goldfish plays a big part on how fast goldfish will grow as well. For instance if you put a goldfish in a goldfish bowl it won't grow as much as it would if it were in an aquarium or garden pond. The environment plays a major part in goldfish growth. Goldfish will only grow to the size of their environment in which it can handle. Also the more space a goldfish has will help increase the size of your goldfish and won't stunt your goldfish from growing. When goldfish have big aquariums or tanks to grow in it will make less maintenance for you and much happier goldfish. Another reason goldfish grow faster in larger environments is there is more food readily available to eat. There is always food in an aquarium to eat for goldfish especially in ponds. Goldfish will grow fast due to abundance of algae to eat and also the live microscopic animals and insects to feed on. Goldfish basically have a buffet at anytime they want with the amount of food they will find to eat living in ponds. Goldfish will grow extremely fast as well if the water is green like pea soup or they are grown in mud ponds. You will see your goldfish grow fast.

The goldfish food that you feed them plays a part in their growth as well. If you want your goldfish to grow fast consider feeding them a wide variety of food. Also high growth food will help as well maximizing the growth of your goldfish. You can also feed them several times a day just make sure they eat all the goldfish food that you give them within 2 minutes other then that discard uneaten food as it will foul your water. Goldfish food will play a part in their growth as well.

So to really answer the question, "How Fast Do Goldfish Grow" really has too many factors to really answer. Also genetics plays a part in this as well. If you look at some people today some are skinny, some are large, medium, petite, tall and short. Everyone grows differently and the same goes for goldfish. For example I'm 6'4" while my parents are like 5'6" so I grew taller. Usually if you come from a tall family you will have tall kids which happens most times through DNA passed on to kids. So goldfish genetics and DNA sometimes will impact how fast goldfish grow as well. Really a question with no true answer but definitely things people can do to grow goldfish faster by doing several things. Biggest thing that will help grow your goldfish fast is give them the space they deserve don't confine goldfish to small tanks go bigger and you will have bigger goldfish.

Article Source: http://goldfish-care-information.blogspot.com/

Goldfish 101

Goldfish are hardy freshwater fish. While most people know about them, they do not necessarily know all about them. This article attempts to tell you a lot more. They originated from the Gibal Carp. Over the past 2000 years, beginning in China, Goldfish were the result of breeding and early genetic like experimentation. Unlike many other species, various genetic traits can be changed over 3-4 generations with Goldfish. 

Wild “Goldfish” live in an environment of ponds, lakes, and other water holes and can be found in Moving and still water ranging from 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit / 10 to 32 degrees Celsius. The largest types of goldfish can grow to be upwards of 12 inches/ 30 cm and with weights around 5 ½ pounds / 2.5 Kg. 

In the wild, their colors tend to be darker and paler which seems to be a direct result of the amount of light in their environment. Their colors actually include gold, bronze, and pink. They have a couple sub-hues of the sort too, metallic and calico.

It is time to shatter a myth, a dream about keeping goldfish. Those cute little bowls that are often sold containing goldfish are not the right environment for Goldfish. They need more room, as they can grow large and need high oxygen levels in the water. Something that is hard to maintain in a bowl. Small aquarium tanks are never wise for aquarists, as they can have more drastic (and fast) changes in the water quality. This means that the water very fast can turn toxic and kill your goldfish. You sometime hear people being proud that my new goldfish has lived for 3 or 6 month or something like that. A six month old goldfish is really nothing to be proud of as these fish can become 30 and even 40 years old with the proper care.

For a Goldfish aquarium tank, it is advisable to have a tank with a lot of surface area as that allows more water contact with the air which means more oxygen in the water. For every inch of Goldfish, you should have 30 square inches of surface area. Do not forget that they will grow, and some variety can become as large a foot / 30 cm. 

Goldfish should be kept in freshwater and can in some areas be taken directly from the tap. Check with a local fish store to se if the water in your area is good enough to house fish in and use a good water preparation chemical. Make sure that new water that you add to the aquarium keeps the same temperature as the old water in the aquarium. You should always let your aquarium stand for about a week after first adding water to it before adding any fish. This process is called cycling and makes the water more suitable to support life.

Gravel on the bottom is wise, as it will help the Goldfish to feel more at home. About 1/8 inch is good. It is a good idea to avoid dyed gravel, as it might have contaminants that your Goldfish will not appreciate in terms of health.

Filtration are not, with good water changes, as necessary for Goldfish as they are with many other fish, though still a good idea and strongly recommended, as it will make your task a bit simpler and help you keep the water conditions good. The filtration will also start a current which increase the oxygen levels in the aquarium tank which is beneficial 
Oxygenating is a good thing as well. It will help release some harmful chemicals in the water, and helps oxygenate the water as well. A simple air stone, and pump for your Goldfish will help them live happier and healthier, and the cost are worth every penny of it. 

Goldfish, like most other fish, do enjoy some environment to play in. Places to hide and find shade in. One other aspect, it is wise to have at least 2 goldfish, as they do like company. Loners in the fish world probably are not that much different from those in the human one. Do not leave your precious pet alone without someone to play with. Make sure all things in the tank are meant to be in a fish tank, and that they are clean, so they don’t add harmful chemicals. Don’t use any detergents to clean the fish tank and/or any part of decoration and equipment.

Lighting will help the fish to maintain the best color. Florescent Normal Output bulbs do well for Goldfish, although high output bulbs can make your goldfish colors look and be even brighter.

You should take care bringing the Goldfish home. Darkness, room temperature, and gentleness are a great idea, as they will help lessen the stress on the goldfish during the move. Another aspect is that it is wise to dim the lights before adding them to the tank to further reduce stress. Before releasing them into the tank you should let the bag float on top of the aquarium for a while. (At least 15 minutes) you should thereafter open the bag and but about a cup of water in it and than wait another 15 minutes. You should repeat this process 4 times before you release you fish in their new home. This will give the goldfish the possibility to slowly adept to the new water conditions. 

Once things are up and running, you should change some of the water in the tank weekly. This helps remove stale water and clean out some debris. You should siphon about 15% of the water out and from the bottom at the gravel where the debris fall. Then replace the removed water with the fresh water, make sure that the new water has the same temperature as the water in the aquarium. If the water changes causes big changes in the water values it might stress the Goldfish.

Goldfish have special nutritional needs that are often available as “Goldfish Food.” For example, Goldfish need more carbohydrates in their diet than many other fish species. It is wise to only add enough food for them to eat fully in 5 or 10 minutes. Any more will likely be waste resting at the bottom and worsen the water quality. It is better to feed them 2-3 times a day then it is once a day.
Click on the link to learn more about goldfish or some other fish species.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=William_Berg

Are Your Fish Sick?

Keeping a fish tank is a wonderful and relaxing hobby, but it can turn stressful if your fish start to die off. The most common cause of fish disease is poor water quality so it is vital that you perform regular maintenance on the tank, making sure you do a partial water change periodically and clean out any waste or uneaten food so it does not decay and poison the water.

Many fish disease can be halted if you provide treatment as soon as you see any signs of your fish being sick. Therefore, it is important that you monitor your fish each day to see if there are any signs of illness.

Some common symptoms of disease are listed below.

White dots – sometimes fuzzy looking, almost like grains of salt on your fish. This disease is called Ichthyophthirius), or simply Ich. It is a rather common disease and is caused by poor water quality or can effect your fish when it’s immune system is not functioning up to par due to stress. It can be treated easily if you catch it in time. There is a special solution you can buy at the pet store to medicate your tank and, hopefully, get rid of this problem.

Gray patches on the skin, looks cottony and can be around the gills. This is a fungus also caused by excess fish waste and food decaying in the bottom of the tank. You can buy treatment for it and it should clear up easily unless you have let it go too far. In the future remember to clean the tank each week so you do not have a reoccurrence.

If your fish seem like they are gasping for air, this could be simply due to lack of oxygen in the water and not necessarily a disease. You could add an airstone to see if that helps the problem. Make sure you do not overcrowd the tank with too many fish.

If you see your fish scraping itself agains the bottom of the tank or the decorations, it’s possible that he has a parasite called Flukes. These attack the gills and skin and are rather difficult to get rid of once your tank is infected. Again, poor water quality will make this much worse. They do sell medication for the tank and you may be able to clear it up if you treat the tank at the first sign of trouble.

Rotting fins are sometimes seen if the fish is under stress and also if the water quality is substandard. It is a bacteria that is attacking the fins and you must treat the tank at the first sign of this problem. If possible, isolate the affected fish to another tank to prevent the bacteria from spreading.

To insure that you always have healthy fish, you should keep the tank clean and religiously perform partial water changes. This will not only keep your fish happy but will make for a better looking tank as well!
Lee Dobbins is a pet lover and owner of Fish Tank Guide.com where you can learn to setup your freshwater aquarium. Visit the site and learn more about fish disease.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Dobbins

Goldfish Analysis

When goldfish swim up to the glass of the tank, does it mean they are smart enough to recognize people?

Goldfish sure are smart not in the sense as dogs are, but they are smart. They will swim up to meet you probably because they think you are going to feed them. They might not be able to differentiate between one person and the other but they do know that the people they live with are the caregivers. Know that they depend on you and hence love you.

Why is a new goldfish not moving in its bowl, when he is very much alive? 
Well first of all, he probably hates being in a bowl. Goldfish do not like bowls even though humans think the bowls are cute. Put him in a tank with a compatible companion goldfish. Meanwhile watch the fish. Is he coming up to the top of the tank when you feed him? If he is then, he’s probably just getting used to the new bowl. If it looks like he has difficulty swimming and that he keeps sinking to the bottom he might have a swim bladder disorder caused by too much dry food and bad water.

Why is a goldfish swimming to the top every once in a while? 
Goldfish keep swimming to the surface of the tank because that’s where they get their oxygen. Always make sure that there is enough empty space at the top. Do not fill up the tank to the brim, as leaving space will give them the required oxygen. If your fish are normally active, swimming and chasing each other a round, don’t worry if they swim to the top every once in a while.

Why do goldfish always seem starving?

That’s because they are greedy! Don’t get tempted enough to feed them whenever they ask for it because overfeeding will cause them more harm. Besides, goldfish can never starve to death; they are always nibbling away at something or the other.

Why would one goldfish lie motionless most of the time whilst the rest swim around? Is it a social outcast?

If you have different varieties of goldfish, make sure they are compatible. The slower fancy varieties might get stressed out by the faster ones like comets. Yes, they might feel like outcasts and keep to themselves. Some goldfish might even get aggressive with another and in that case you need to one that is being badgered to another tank.

Why are all the goldfish so lifeless and tend to stay at the bottom of the tank most of the time, like they are very tired?

If they aren’t swimming as they usually do, something is definitely bothering them.

If you tank is brand new and the goldfish are having a problem because the tank has not been cycled. Wait a while and watch. Make sure you cycle the tank before you put them in because a new tank cannot deal with the ammonia that the goldfish produce.

If you tank is an old one and the goldfish are suddenly more still than usual it could be that the toxicity of the water is bothering them. So change the water. When your goldfish seem inactive, you must check the water for nitrites and the pH level.

If you would like to find the answers to more Goldfish related questions such as - What is the reason why some Goldfish attack eachother? or, What can I do to save my Goldfish from dying when suddenly it turns on its side? - Please visit my site to find the answers these questions plus a great deal more information relevant to everything Goldfish. Click here to visit.

Dane Stanton - www.goldfish-secrets.com
Dane Stanton is an expert on goldfish health care. To visit his website visit http://www.goldfish-secrets.com for more information on Goldfish care and other aquarium related topics. *Recommended*
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dane_Stanton

How Many Goldfish Can I Put In My Aquarium?

This is one of the top questions that aquarium hobbyist have getting into the goldfish and aquarium hobby. Everyone wants to know how many fish they can put in their aquarium when setting up their tank or even pond in fact. The biggest thing that people don't want to do is overcrowd your aquarium by adding too many fish. What happens when you overcrowd a fish tank, it causes too much stress on the fish itself and also the filter as well. Not only does it cause these problems but will also end up creating poor water quality as a result of all the waste being created by your goldfish. With poor water quality and ammonia spiking it will end up causing your goldfish to get sick with diseases and possibly even death. In such crowded conditions it wouldn't take long for goldfish diseases like Ich to quickly take over a tank. The reproduction rate of parasites would drastically increase and start infecting other goldfish.

Generally speaking people should only put one inch of fish per gallon of water. Now this is a general measurement but doesn't always apply to all fish really. When people have larger goldfish you are definitely going to need more water for that size fish. A good example of that is say you have a 10 inch goldfish and you place it in a 10 gallon aquarium it would look quite ridiculous. You need to give larger fish more room and water to live in to be healthy. The 10 inch goldfish is not the same as ten one inch goldfish. So the general rule of thumb that you hear does not really apply to all fish. The bigger the goldfish they will need a bigger environment as a result of not only their body size and length but how much waste they will produce as well. For bigger goldfish you need to allow more water per inch of fish. I would say go about 1 inch per 3 gallons or if not more. The more water the better and your fish will love you for it. By allowing more water per inch your water chemistry will stay good resulting in less chances of stress on fish causing goldfish diseases and the healthier they'll be.

With proper filtration and maintenance on water quality will help ensure your goldfish stay healthy. It is in your best interest to follow this simple guideline and adjust accordingly to the size of goldfish you have to be sure not to overcrowd your tank. So how many goldfish to put in your tank really all depends on you and how big your aquarium is able to hold using this simple rule.

Jamie Boyle is an online author who writes and maintains his Goldfish Care Information blog to help people answer questions involving goldfish. If you need more information on goldfish please visit http://goldfish-care-information.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jamie_Boyle

Knowledge to Have Before You Buy Goldfish

Knowing where to buy goldfish is important. Usually, your best bet is to buy goldfish in a store that specializes in fish. The store will be able to provide knowledge about how to care for your goldfish and their fish will have a tendency to be healthier. They will also be able to advise you on how often to feed goldfish.

Goldfish are usually easier to care for and are hardy. Their life span can be up to 25 years. If provided enough room, they can grow up to two feet in length. This is an inexpensive fish to buy, but there are varieties of the fancier goldfish that can cost up to $1000.

There are 125 types of goldfish available. They range from common to fancy varieties. The comet is the most common type. The shubunkin is blue and speckled in color and is straight tailed. They are both easy to care for and can grow quite large if enough space is provided. The bulging eyed goldfish is not a pretty fish, but is valuable to most breeders.

Fancy goldfish are usually smaller and have a rounder body and long fins. They are not as hardy and are susceptible to getting ill, especially with bacterial infections. Keeping the water in good shape will aid in keeping your fish healthy.

Common goldfish and fancy goldfish can be kept together, but it is not recommended. Since the straight-tailed fish can swim faster, they will often bully the fancy fish.

Watching for the following things will help you when you buy goldfish -

• The dorsal fins should be erect. If not, the fish may be sick.
• Don't buy the fish if they can't swim to the bottom of the tank easily.
• Compare size of the fish in the tank. They should be relatively the same size for the same age. Don't buy a fish that is smaller.
• When buying a bulging eyed fish, make sure that eyes are not too small or large. It can interfere with how they are able to swim later.
• If a fish is ill in a tank, don't buy from that tank, as that fish can pollute the water and cause the other fish to be ill.

When you buy goldfish, make sure to remember to keep a well-maintained tank. It will ensure the health of your fish. The size of the tank is important too. It is recommended that your tank be at least a 20 gallon tank. Use de-chlorinated water and a good filtration system. No gravel is needed for the tank. If goldfish are provided with an adequately sized tank that is maintained well, they can live seven to ten years and grow six to fourteen inches in length.

If you want to learn more about goldfish or more specifically buy goldfish then check out http://www.secretsofgoldfish.com 
Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dane_J_Stanton

Goldfish Types - A Fish Keeper Guide

Variation in color, looks, and shapes of head differentiates Goldfish types. Some Goldfish have special eyes that are bulged or looking up. The fins' placement is a special feature that differentiates goldfish types. The shape of the tails helps in classification. Some have single tails while others have double tails and split tails. Fish like fantail goldfish have a very unique tail.

Goldfish of different varieties identified by a set of unique features are found elsewhere in the world. Goldfish types are sensitive to several factors. Hence the owner has to exude utmost care. Several groups exhibit different body lengths. Some fishes live in cold water, some live in warm water. Varying methods of breeding are followed for Goldfish types.

Comets Goldfish among several other varieties can live in extreme cold conditions. Some fish varieties live for 20 years. Some Goldfish types can be bred in fish tanks of aquarium but others need larger out door ponds in the garden. Goldfish in general discharge large amount of waste. The water purifying filter must have the filtering capacity of almost 10 times of the tank.

Regular maintenance and constant care is a prerequisite for goldfish of any variety. Certain gold fish types are extremely sensitive to pollution and can be termed as delicate for the understanding of the fish keepers. Not all the goldfish varieties can be bred by beginners though some are seen as beginners' fish.

Certain varieties such as Celestial Eye goldfish have to be handled with care. The Celestial Eye goldfish with bulging eyes and the pupil on surface has limitation in its vision. Goldfish types with limitation of vision should be grouped together for sustenance. Care should be taken on artificial decorations to avoid damage to fishes on movement. The bed of the tank should be prepared with large grained natural resources to help the goldfish to lay eggs for breeding.
If you want to learn more about goldfish or more specifically goldfish types then check out http://www.secretsofgoldfish.com 
Article Source:  http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dane_J_Stanton

Goldfish Nutrition Part 2: Food and Nutrition By Betty

The major components of food are proteins, carbohydrates, fats (lipids), vitamins, minerals (ash) and moisture (water). 

Protein Protein is needed for growth of tissue and is used an a source of energy. Body tissues are made up of 23 amino acids. Fish can't make 10 of the amino acids. These are called essential amino acids and must be supplied by the diet. Proteins should be a complete source of amino acids and should be digestable (plant sources of protein are often incomplete and less digestable). The essential amino acids are - Phenylalanine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Tryptophan, Valine, Arginine, and Threonine. 

There are various recommendations as to how much protein is needed: 
Koi: 32-28% protein (KHA nutrition module) 
carp: 38% (Fish Feed Technology) 
carp: 25%-38% (Feeding of Fish and Shrimp) 
Goldfish: (based on dry weight from Goldfish Nutrition):
60 to 80 percent protein for rapidly growing baby fish (under one inch) 
40 to 60 percent protein for young fish and females that are developing eggs 
30 to 40 percent protein for older fish on essentially maintenance diets 
Goldfish and Koi: (Meyer)
Up to 1 Year - 40-45% 
1 to 3 Years - 35-40% 
Over 3 Years - 25-30% 

I generally aim for around 50% protein in my gel food (based on weight of dry ingredients) because the vegetables contain protein that is less digestable and the gelatine doesn't contain all the essential amino acids. If feeding fresh foods, I feed one part protein to 3 parts veggies. 

I use fatty fish in my home made gel foods because they're higher in essential fatty acids: e.g. mackerel, herring, salmon, whitefish, sardines, oysters, lake trout, albacore tuna. Shrimp, krill and live foods are also good sources of protein. 

Other Protein Info: 
Younger fish because they are growing, need more protein than older fish. 
Fish/shellfish-based proteins are more digestable than proteins from plant sources. 
Fish/shellfish-based proteins are more likely to contain all the essential amino acids than plant sources. 
The breakdown of protein results in ammonia which is excreted primarily through the gills. 

Lipids (fats) 
Lipids are a source of energy and are stored in the body for future use. Lipids are also important components of cell membranes, nerve cells and some hormones. Essential fatty acids (n-3 and n-6) have to be included in the diet because goldfish can't make those themselves. They are often called Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids or linolenic and linoleic fatty acids. These essential fatty acids should comprise at least 1% of the diet. 

I shoot for a mix where fats makes up 5-10% of the diet with Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids of at least 1%. Good sources of essential fatty acids (grams of omega 3 fatty acids per 100 grams of oil) include: flaxseed oil (53.3g), salmon oil (32.3g), menhaden oil (23.2g), sardine oil (22.1g), cod liver oil (18.8g), and fatty fish (e.g. mackerel, herring, salmon, whitefish, sardines, oysters, lake trout, albacore tuna). 

Carbohydrates 
Carbohydrates make up 3/4 the of the mass of plants and can be broadly classified as sugars, complex carbs, and fiber (undigestable carbs). Glucose is the end product of carbohydrate digestion and is absorbed from the GI tract into the blood. Feeding a diet high in simple sugars can result in high blood sugar in goldies. 

Goldfish don't have the digestive enzymes to break down some carbs that are found in legumes (e.g. soy), however, bacteria in their GI tract can digest these starches and this releases gasses which can contribute to bouyancy issues. Sprouting the seeds prior to feeding reduces the amounts of these starches present in the seeds. Heat treated starches are more digestable. 

There is some controversy over whether goldfish need carbohydrates in their diet. Given their natural diet, I believe they do need carbohydrates in their diet--primarily digestable carbohydrates (not simple sugars) and fiber. Digestable carbs spare protein for growth (tissue building) and fiber may contribute to a healthy digestive tract because food isn't just sitting there in the digestive tract. 

I generally choose green and red vegetables that are highest in vitamins, carotenes and minerals and low in sugar. e.g. mustard greens, turnip greens, collard greens, spinach, endive, seaweed, kale, chard, broccoli, lima beans, green beans, etc. and feed aquatic plants (e.g. duckweed, azolla, salvenia, etc) or hair algae daily. 

In my gel foods, I shoot for a mix of carbohydrates that is mainly digestable carbs and fiber, with 5% or less of the total carbohydrates that are simple sugars. 

Vitamins 
Vitamins are needed for enzymes to work and are essential to breakdown of carbohydrates, protein and fats into energy and the formation of body tissues. Some vitamins can be be synthesized, but most are obtained from the diet. They can be further classified into water-soluable vitamins or fat-soluable vitamins. 

Water-soluable vitamins have a major role in growth, physiology and metabolism. The B complex vitamins are thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, niacin, biotin, folic acid and vitamin B12. Choline, inositol, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) are other essential water-soluable vitamins. See Fish Feed Technology, Chapter 6. Vitamins, for specifics on the role each vitamin plays and symptoms of vitamin deficiencies. 

Water-soluable vitamins are excreted when there are more in the diet than fish need. 

Fat-soluble vitamins are vitamins A, D, E, and K. Fat-soluable vitamins can be overdosed which can cause health problems. 

Minerals 
Minerals are involved in a wide range of functions that include formation of bones, osmoregulation (control of water balance between the fish and the water), acid-based balance of the blood, gas exchange, energy transitions, muscle activity, cell membranes, etc. Some minerals can be obtained from the water, however, others must be obtained through the diet. The essential minerals are calcium, phosphorus, sodium, molybdenum, chlorine, magnesium, iron, selenium, iodine, manganese, copper, cobalt, zinc, fluorine and chromium. 

Also, some vegetables contain oxalic acid which may interfere with the absorption of iron and calcium in foods. 

Other 
Carotenoids are a family of pigments the fish can't make themselves and are obtained as part of the diet. These pigments result in red, yellow and orange colors. Fish have cells called chromataphores. Those cells convert lutein and carotenes into astaxanthin which is the red pigment. 

Sources include: shrimp, krill, spirulina, marigold flowers, paprika, sweet red peppers, yams, carrots, pumpkin 

Commercial foods 
In general, when you look at the nutritional breakout of commercial fish foods, the percent of each nutrient is based on the total grams of food (including moisture/water). This is somewhat misleading because water provides no nutrients. They also may not provide a complete nutritional breakout. For instance, some old goldfish flakes I have sitting around list: 42% protein, 8% fat, 2% fiber, 6.5% moisture, That adds up to 58.5%, so they aren't listing 41.5% of the nutritional content of the food (ash and carbohydrates). Note the low fiber content. Commercial fish foods typically are low in fiber to reduce the amount fish poop. That's great for reducing the amount of poop in the tank, but I'm not convinced it's great for the fish digestive system. 

Fish food manufacturers heat treat soy, wheat and corn to make the vegetable protein more digestable because it's a less expensive source of protein. Often on food labels you'll see separate ingredients listed like corn meal, corn gluten, corn middlings, etc. That's called ingredient splitting and is done so they can list the fish/shrimp-protein as the first (largest) ingredient when in fact it's not. 

Soybean meal is often added as a protein source, however it has high levels of a certain type of starch that goldfish don't have the enzymes to digest. They do have bacteria in their intestine that can digest the starch, however that can result in gas production. 

Commercial foods should be stored in a cool location (60F or lower) in containers that don't let light in and which are airtight. They should be fresh because oils can become toxic (rancid) and vitamins will be lost over time. Since commercial pellets and flakes are usually low in moisture content, a common recommendation is to soak the food before feeding so that it can absorb water and expand prior to being eaten. This may cause vitamins to leech out of the food. Soaking the food in a vitamin mixture may counter this problem. 

I don't believe that a diet composed totally of commercial pellets and/or flakes is healthy for fancy goldfish. Fish food manufacturers are out to produce the cheapest food they can make, and that means adding less digestable heat treated vegetable proteins. Given that fancy goldfish are predisposed to bouyancy issues because their swim bladders are all squished up in their rounded bodies, feeding some types of starches typically contained in commercial pellets and flakes can result in gas in the digestive tract which can make staying upright more difficult. Unlike with pellets and flakes, in a natural setting, most food that goldies would eat would be high in moisture and they would be grazing on various small water creatures, plants and algae which contain lots of fiber and digestable carbs. If you must feed pellets or flakes, read the ingredient list and look for pellets that contain the most fish/shellfish proteins and suppliment with fresh veggies and protein. 

Mazuri makes several good aquatic gel foods that are easy to make. If your goldfish can not tolerate commercial foods (is having gassy poop and bouyancy issues), I'd recommend Mazuri Aquatic Gel Diet (5M70), the Mazuri Aquatic Gel Diet w/Krill Meal & Astaxanthin (58LK), or the Mazuri Herbivore Aquatic Gel Diet (no corn 5ZJ3). 

A more natural diet 
Given, the natural diet of goldfish, I believe it is best to feed high quality commercial foods only sparingly along with homemade goldfish gel food and a mix of fresh and live foods. Multiple small meals are better than fewer large meals. When feeding fresh foods, I believe it is best to feed one part protein and three parts vegetables. For very young goldies or for conditioning goldies for breeding, you could increase protein levels by feeding 1 part protein to 2 parts veggies. You can find my gel food recipes here and here. I also recommend feeding a variety of foods to try and make sure you cover the nutritional requirements and because it is more like their natural diet. Since I feed few pellets or flakes, my goldfish get close to 10 different vegetables/plants and two types of fish/shellfish protein daily. See the GAB Goldfish Diner for more ideas on healthy foods for goldfish. 

There are a couple of sites online where you can look up the nutritional content of foods. I use the USDA Nutrient Database to pull nutritional content of various foods to use when working up the nutritional breakout of my home made gel food. Here is another site that will let you sort foods by their nutrient content and let you click thru to the nutritional breakout of specific foods or search for specific foods.                                                                           Article Source: http://thegab.org/Articles/GoldfishNutrition2.html

Goldfish Nutrition Part 1: The natural diet and digestive processes By Betty

One of the keys to healthy and long lived goldfish is their diet. To understand what constitues a healthy diet, one has to understand what goldfish have evolved to eat and how they digest their food. 

In a natural body of water, goldfish (who are omnivores) would be browsing continually, eating small amounts of all sorts of foods: algae, plants, insects, insect larvae, and invertibrates. 

Goldfish have nostrils located above their mouth and have a good sense of smell. The small flap of skin directs water through the front nostril opening and it flows out the back opening. 

In a natural habitat, they would consume floating plants/algae, mosquito, midge fly larvae and unlucky bugs near the water's surface. Further down in the water column, they would find daphnia, tadpoles and small fish. Rooting around on the bottom, they would sift through the mud for various aquatic organisms, worms (e.g. blackworms), freshwater shrimp and snails, ingesting some mud, bacteria and fungi along the way. They would also eat submerged aquatic plants and the roots of emergent plants. Their digestive tracts have evolved to be able to digest a wide variety of foods. If it will fit in their mouth, they'll taste it and see if it's edible. 

Digestion starts in the mouth where they grind their food into small particles at the back of their mouth. They also have small hollows at the back of the gill arches that trap food in the water. Mucus is secreted by the lining of the oral cavity and mixed with the food. From there, food moves down through the esophagus to what would be the stomach if they had a stomach (which they don't). Muscles in the esophagus squeeze excess water out of the food. The goldfish intestional tract is a long tube. Food gets broken down by digestive enzymes as it passes through the intestine. Proteins are broken down into amino acids. Carbohydrates are broken down into sugars. Fats are broken down into fatty acids and glycerol. These nutrients (as well as vitamins and minerals) are absorbed into the blood stream by the intestine. The last part of the intestine has lots of mucus producing cells. Undigested food comes out the back end encased in mucus and is usually a similar color to the food that was consumed. See our internal anatomy article for detailed images of his digestive system. Warning these pictures are of the internal anatomy of a goldfish and may be disturbing to some, however, I believe they will help you to have a better understanding of goldfish digestive anatomy. 

Goldfish body temperature is the same as their environment. Warmer temperatures speed up metabolism and colder temperatures slow metabolism (and digestion). 

There are several practical lessons to be had from from looking at how goldfish would eat in their natural habitat and from studying the digestive process. 

Because of the lack of a stomach, multiple small meals are better for goldfish because that is closer to how they would eat in a natural habitat. If you feed large meals, a lot comes out the back end only partially digested which makes keeping your water happy more difficult. Lots of undigested food provides plenty of food for the bacteria that break down debris in the tank. Those bacteria consume oxygen, and release ammonia increasing the bioload on the tank and ultimately raising nitrAte levels. 

Giving goldfish a variety of fresh and live foods would also mimick their natural feeding behavior more closely. For instance duckweed can be grown in in your other tanks (or even in goldie water in a tub with decent lighting) and fed to goldies daily. If you have hair algae in your other tanks, that can be fed to goldies. Fresh and frozen veggies such as squash, green peas, green beans, various greens, etc are also good additions to the diet as are various fish and shellfish (e.g. cocktail shrimp, clams, whitefish, sardines, herring, salmon, etc). Culturing redworms, daphnia, mosquito larvae, midge fly larvae, blackworms, freshwater shrimp or snails could be potential sources of live foods. 

For goldfish kept outside, when the water temperature drops to 50 degrees, their digestive processes slow, so stop feeding them until the water warms back up.                                

Article source: http://thegab.org/Articles/GoldfishNutrition1.html

Your Goldfish Color Is

Conceptually it seems as if it would be one of the easiest skills to acquire. As mentioned main you regard marketing everywhere. How tough can it be to stay on your activity and ice with the population you meet who you are and what you are about? But realistically marketing often is not taken seriously especially by owners of very small and home based businesses. When one does not have a retail storefront or office in a physical office space, it is especially important that one should not be sloppy or a minimalist in their presentation. Marketing is about the consistent advertising of oneself, one's services and one's products.

The chief antecedent that guides a top marketing new wrinkle is ensuring your customer attains a participation with your energy that breeds mind in their perception to do business with you. This means the more your customer is exposed to your message the more likely they are to acknowledge your company and eventually purchase from you. You must be patient, persistent and professional in your presentation. A few minor things that you can do to help polish your presentation and your brand are as follows:

1. First Impressions:
Make positive that your mission logo is professionally designed and your deal cards are printed by a bully printer. While it may charge a manifest vim more money up front than a do it yourself job, it will be worth it especially if you will not be printing a company brochure.

2. The World Is Your Audience:
Reserve a state adduce (i.e. http://www.mycompany.com) for your company. If you effect not have a prominent internet support
provider I would sell that you attack a search for registration companies like 1and1 or godaddy. Your company website or blog is a great alternative to a paper brochure and almost a required necessity in business these days and affords you email with your company domain name. This gives you a more polished look as opposed to using an 'AOL' or 'Yahoo' email address. Additionally, you can reach a larger audience for significantly less money.

3. If You Can't Be On Time, Be Early:
Keep yourself organized with a Day Planner and a Rolodex to govern your agility contacts (if you perform not lock up a computer). If you achieve obtain a computer, boon a customer relationship manager software such as Outlook, ACT! or Dovarri. Always keep your to do list and customer information in a centralized place. Your clients are your business, so having a record to their contact information is crucial to success. They are your best and least inexpensive marketing resource when you want to launch a new product or when you are looking for new business through referrals.

4. Follow-Through, Follow-Through, Follow-Through:
Always be timely in your operation and perform jobs and vim on or before the promised date. The makeup of your vigor should always gather or exceed your clients expectations. Remember to send your customer a thank you card, with another one of your business cards about ten to fourteen days after the transaction has been completed to confirm they are pleased with the work.

5. Be Yourself:
People pleasure in to reach work with riffraff they have fun and trust. Regardless if your burden is 1 element or 101 persons, do not focus on your size and what your limitations are, but instead focus on your core competencies. What value do you bring to the relationship and how can you help your customer resolve their issues? This is what wins customers over.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/

Goldfish The First Choice For Most of Us

Goldfish are one of those fish that even people who have no interest in aquariums will recognize. Of course the color is a giveaway, but they are just so popular that most people will be aware of them. Most of us have had a goldfish at some time or other. Not only are they nice fish, but they have great coloring and are really easy to keep. Goldfish were originally bred from Carp, probably in China. But these days they are a kind of Everyman's fish, with even those that would never dream of calling themselves fish enthusiasts keeping them.

The real contradiction is that not all Goldfish are actually gold. They have been bred for many years to have a wide variety of colors and are available in such distinctive colors as yellow, orange and white as well as a deep black. But of course the most popular is the real, traditional Goldfish. But even among the gold colored Goldfish there are great many different varieties.

The Wen variety for example has a much more elaborate back fin and a grander tail. The Dragon Eye Goldfish has very strange eyes that stick out from the head and there are many more variations. The egg variety has no back fin and also contains such species as the Bubble Eye. There are so many varieties to choose from that there be is sure to be something for everyone.

But Goldfish are not just for the aquarium, there are many varieties that are very hardy and can be kept in a pond for the whole year. One of the best types for this is the Japanese bred Shunbunkin variety. They are much stronger than most types of Goldfish and should survive happily in most outdoor situations.

There are many real enthusiasts for this humble little fish and they have their own dedicated societies in many localities. There are a lot of elaborate varieties to choose from, but many people who are not fish enthusiasts just like them for their simplicity. They are easy to keep and for the person that just wants a couple of fish and doesn't have a great deal of specialist knowledge they are ideal. Of course you still have to learn how to look after them well and clean and feed then regularly but if you get the basics right then Goldfish are the ideal fish for beginners.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/goldfish-the-first-choice-for-most-of-us-35689.html

Is Your Goldfish Constipated?

I recently read a story online about a goldfish that died at the ripe old age of 43. I marveled at the story because my goldfish only seem to last a couple of months. What caused this fish to live so long? No doubt he received great care and was raised in optimum water conditions.

Goldfish are actually hardy fish but they are many diseases that they can die from including constipation. If you want your goldfish to live a long and healthy life you need to make sure that you treat the aquarium properly. Goldfish can be a bit messy and you need to make sure that you clean their water diligently vacuuming up all feces and uneaten food on the bottom and doing partial water changes often. Also it is important not to overcrowd the tank as this can cause the water quality to go downhilll fast.

Here's some aquarium diseases that your goldfish might be prone to:

Constipation
while, this is not a disease per say it does have to do with what you are feeding the fish. if you notice that your goldfish is trailing feces behind him, then he is probably constipated. This means that you are not feeding him the right kinds of foods, perhaps his diet is too fatty or just not varied enough. Just like in humans, you can remedy this by giving him more roughage. Try feeding him spinach, peas or even tubifex worms. You should also soak dried fish foods before letting your goldfish feed on them and this will help with his digestion.

Swim Bladder Disorder
swim bladder disorder happens more in the fancy goldfish and is a problem with him swimming where he will seem to be floating up near the top of the tank or down at the bottom. This happens more often and tanks that have bad water quality so keep your tank In good condition.

Dropsy
Dropsy is a bacterial infection that attacks the fish from the inside. The symptoms are that your goldfishes scales will look like they are sticking out from his body. This is a very serious aquarium disease and by the time you notice your fish have it, it's probably already too advanced treat.

Ich
Ich is a common aquarium disease which is actually a parasite that attaches itself to your fish. It is often called white spot because It looks like little white dots, like tiny grains of salt on the fish. If you leave this unchecked it can get quite bad as the spores multiply excessively.

Fin Rot
Fin Rot is another bacterial infection which attacks the fins of your goldfish. this will cause his fans to look ragged and you will notice over time that it progresses up the fin until nothing is left. This can be treated successfully if caught early on..

Most all goldfish disease can be avoided by keeping your tank clean. Remember to do periodic water changes and don't crowd to many fish in the tank. Watch your fish for signs of constipation and other disease and you too might have a goldfish that lives to the ripe old age of 43!
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/

Basics of Keeping Goldfish

Keeping goldfish is the most hassle free hobby. It's very popular too for the same reason. Watching goldfishes swimming in the aquarium has beneficial and calming effect on the mind. Keeping goldfish releases stress and tension. It's pleasurable to watch them go about their lives. These interesting species live for 30 years if proper care is taken. When there is so much benefit from them, goldfish owners should look after them well.

The size of the aquarium is one of the many concerns in keeping goldfish. Blue goldfish does well in outdoor ponds. First buy a tank and then bring the goldfish home. Do not keep goldfish in the plastic bag that you probably got the fish in. Each grown up goldfish requires 20 liters of water.

Goldfish owners have to ensure this otherwise the goldfish will die in the water polluted by their own toilet. The water has to be changed frequently to have clean water in the aquarium. Also the aquarium has to be cleaned regularly. Snails can keep the walls of the aquarium clean.

Create a comfortable setting in the aquarium by planting plastic or natural plants, rocks, reefs, and sand. Goldfish should have place to hide and play around. Air pumps and filters should be installed in the aquarium to provide clean air and water. Diet plays an important role in keeping goldfish.

Goldfish do not digest meat and shouldn't be fed even white meat. They require little amount of food on a daily basis. Live feed can pass on disease causing parasites to the goldfish so they should be avoided. These things should be taken care of in keeping goldfish. Many or all goldfish in the aquarium will live for nearly full life if these things are looked after while keeping goldfish.
If you want to learn more about goldfish or more specifically keeping goldfish then check out  http://www.secretsofgoldfish.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dane_J_Stanton

How Many Fish Will My Aquarium Hold?

Have you got yourself a new aquarium? If so, you need to have a plan on how you are going to fill it with those beautiful fish.

Before you work out exactly which fish you want, you need to work out have many inches (or centimetres) of fish you can accommodate in your new aquarium.

The fish will obviously have more room to swim and set up their territories in a larger aquarium, but more important than the size of the aquarium is the shape and proportions of the tank. A long, shallow tank will hold more fish than a short deep tank, even if they have exactly the same amount of water in each.

The reason for this is that the oxygen content of the water depends on how easily it can be supplied. The only place this can happen is where the air meets the water, which is at the surface of the tank, so the larger the surface, the more oxygen available. Similarly, the carbon dioxide that the fish exhale has to be expelled from the water, and this also happens at the surface.

So, to work out the capacity of an aquarium, you need to multiply the length of the aquarium by the depth to get the water surface. For instance, if your aquarium is 24in (60cm) long by 12in (30cm) deep, the answer is 288in2 (1800cm2).

The next thing you need to know is how many inches (or centimetres) of fish you can accommodate, and this will depend on the type of fish.

Freshwater Tropical Fish – 12in2 per inch body length
(75cm2 per cm body length)

Freshwater Cold Water Fish – 30in2 per inch body length
(187.5cm2 per cm of body length)

Marine Tropical Fish – 48in2 per inch body length
(300cm2 per cm body length)

So, in our example tank above you could fit:

24 inches (60cm) of Freshwater Tropical Fish
10 inches (25cm) of Freshwater Cold Water Fish
6 inches (15cm) of Marine Tropical Fish

To calculate the number of inches (or centimetres) of your fish, measure from the mouth to the start of the tail, and don’t forget that the fish you see in the shops are normally juveniles and are not fully grown, you need to allow for the size they will become!

Get this right, and you’re well on the way to having a successful aquarium. 
Source:http://www.articlecircle.com/pets-and-animals/how-many-fish-will-my-aquarium-hold.html

Starting Up a Gold Fish Aquarium

There are many reasons to keep a gold fish aquarium. Your child may be looking for a first pet and a gold fish seems like the right choice or maybe you just like gold fish. No matter what your reason is, it is important to know how to make a healthy environment for your new gold fish.

This will ensure that your gold fish will have the best chance for survival. Not taking the time to learn about setting up your gold fish aquarium can cause your fish to end up sick or maybe even die. Having this knowledge will help you to set up your new gold fish aquarium and give you much more enjoyment and pleasure in the process.

The first thing you should do is to visit several different pet stores in your area. If they specialize in fish, that is even better. Be sure to check out all of the different size tanks, air pumps, filters, foods and gold fish that they have available. Asking lots of questions from the staff in a good fish store will help you to figure out what aquarium set up is right for you.

When doing this, take into account the goldfish size that you are buying. When you get the tank home, you will undoubtedly have many questions and if you have developed a good line of communication with the store who sold your gold fish to you, they will be willing to help you to set your gold fish aquarium in the best way.

Take plenty of time to set up your new tank. Bring the tank home and set it up. Fill it with water and let it set up long before you bring the new fish home and add it to the tank. It needs time to acclimate itself for approximately two weeks before you add fish to it. Doing this will help to give the gold fish aquarium good balance, chemically and temperature wise. When your gold fish aquarium is ready, it will be safe to bring the new gold fish home. Then you will know that the environment is safe and healthy.

If you want to learn more about goldfish or more specifically gold fish aquarium then check out http://www.secretsofgoldfish.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dane_J_Stanton