What are common mistakes to avoid as a goldfish keeper?

We all strive to be the best goldfish keepers for our beloved aquatic friends.

While some may choose to ignore proper goldfish care, most people genuinely care but make common mistakes.

It’s important to learn and grow as goldfish keepers to provide the best possible life for our fish.

Many new and inexperienced goldfish keepers unintentionally make these mistakes. Learn them so you WON’T fall victim as well.

1. TANK MAINTENANCE

After your tank has gone through the cycling process and your fish have settled in, it’s easy to think that occasional water changes every few months or even a couple of times a year are sufficient.

However, it’s important to remember the nitrogen cycle and the build-up of nitrates in your tank.

Normal filter media is not capable of removing nitrates, and they can accumulate over time.

While having some nitrates in a cycled tank is considered safe, with up to 20ppm generally acceptable and some feeling up to 40ppm is safe, they can become problematic if left unchecked.

If you’re not performing regular water changes and don’t have an abundance of plants in your tank, the nitrates are likely to continue building up.

This can be harmful to the inhabitants of your tank.

Routine water changes are essential to remove these excess nitrates.

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2. POOR DIET

Goldfish, like all animals, need a balanced and nutritious diet to thrive.

Commercial goldfish food is a good base for their diet as it is specifically formulated to meet their micronutrient requirements.

However, these foods lack variety and balance and only provide the minimum nutrition without necessarily satisfying their hunger.

In the wild, goldfish and their relatives graze on aquatic plants and small animals throughout the day, such as freshwater shrimp.

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3. OVERSTOCKING

Goldfish release growth-stunting hormones, which led to the belief that they won’t outgrow their environment completely.

However, small tanks can still cause discomfort and resource competition for fish, even with growth stunting.

If you have eight 2-inch goldfish in a 10-gallon tank, it’s overstocked, despite their small size.

Avoid an overstocked tank and provide enough space and resources for all goldfish and tank inhabitants.

Ensure equal access to resources like food and create a safe and comfortable environment.

4. WRONG ROOMMATES

Many people choose fish based on appearance without considering their specific needs.

Mixing fish with different water temperature preferences can lead to suboptimal conditions for one species.

For example, goldfish prefer cool water while angelfish prefer warm water.

Pairing betta fish and goldfish can cause stress and danger, often resulting in aggression and death.

Fish will eat anything that fits in their mouth, including guppy fry and adult guppies.

It’s important to research and consider the specific requirements and compatibility of fish species before making choices.

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Making mistakes as a goldfish keeper is common and unfortunately easy.

Proper husbandry requires knowledge and practice, which takes time.

Learn from the experience, fix the problem, and move forward.

It’s important for your own well-being and for the goldfish community.