Goldfish Koi Keeping and more
Goldfish Koi keeping is a topic that is widely discussed, and everyone seems to have a different opinion. GFE practices organic methods of fish keeping, and hopes to share the knowledge collected over the years with other fish keepers
Post here to discuss, share or ask questions about the care and maintenance of goldfish and Koi
Worms aquarium pond are unsightly Worms aquarium pond are unsightly, but if you can see them, they're probably harmless. The two common types of visual worms are planaria (flatworms) and nematodes, which are round and wiggley. Visual worms are can be brought into your fish house by plants or even your hands after digging in a garden. Natural pea gravel which sometimes comes in a muddy bag may be the source. Rinse everything thoroughly before adding to your fish house. Plants should be dipped in salt or bleach water Parasitic worms are difficult to see, unless you have a magnifying glass. They don't survive outside of the intestines for long, although your fish may pass them on occasion if infected. Symptoms of parasitic worms are extreme weight loss, even though plenty of food is available, and the fish eating Fish tank worms Another common worm is the anchor worm. It lives outside of the body, attaching itself to the fish, feeding on it. These worms are visual, but you must look closely to see them Excluding parasitic worms are easily eliminated by feeding our gel food with natural antibiotic or shelled peas marinated in garlic water. Feed nothing else but for 10 days straight to destroy them. Wait for twenty days and repeat. Parasitic worms depend on a slow moving and unhealthy tract to thrive. Feed less food more often, and feed a variety of food that includes vegetables, such as blanched spinach and shelled peas. Feed in a spreading motion so that your fish has to work for its supper. Gorging causes constipation which also leads to bad bacteria infection and floating issues Worms aquarium pond All other types of worms depend on an unhealthy environment to thrive. They prefer water low in mineral and oxygen value Use our Sea salt and garlic remedy to eliminate anchor worms or the Garlic remedy if you've recently salted your fish house. A second, and perhaps even a third round may be required to eliminate hatching larvae Visual worms may be more stubborn, but the same remedies should work if your water quality is improved. Another tip is to reduce the amount of food you feed, which may encourage your fish to eat the worms, although smaller goldfish may not be able to eat worms larger than their mouth. Some fish show no interest, due to the fact they're simple not used to eating live food pH 8. max pH is a combined reading for carbonate mineral (KH) and oxygen. If low, test KH value. If KH is low, buffer to 120 using bicarbonate of soda. Test pH after buffering. If low, remove top if aquarium is enclosed and increase water movement by adding a pond pump KH 120 max Carbonate mineral measures alkalinity, and gives water the ability to support oxygen. This critical mineral should is best kept at the high end of the comfort zone GH 300 max General hardness is a combination of magnesium and calcium, but most [...]
Goldfish Vase My brother and his girlfriend have left me their vase (!!!) of three small goldfish for 5 days. The vase has some plants inside and some pebbles at the floor but no pump or filter. They usually do a 50% water change every few days and feed once to twice daily. The fish have been I would like to get them a proper tank and water pump, but I am concerned that suddenly changing the environment will shock the fish. I don't think that they will take home a tank greater than 10 gallons. What do you think of this pump? I don't see a water intake area for a sponge though... Fish now in five gallon aquarium
Fish proof aquarium pond to keep them safe Fish proof aquarium pond to keep goldfish and Koi safe hazardous mechanics, sharp fake plants and decorations. Countless a fish will die after being injured by a filter or pump. Water is pulled into a pond pump and then pushed back out in a powerful jet stream that shoots from the floor to the surface creating a fountain. The same holds true for H.O.B filters, only the water is pulled up through a pipe and falls down to the surface creating a water fall effect Goldfish care Only the smallest fish could be pulled through the intake and injured by the blades that push water, however, even not so small fish are at risk if the intake is exposed Every exposed intake must be covered with a sponge for more than one reason. The sponge acts as a filter keeping the water clear and the pond pump running smoothly, however, sponges also protect fish from getting injured. Even the down spout intakes must have sponges Goldfish information Fish proof aquarium pond Use aquarium safe sponges or natural sea sponges. Make certain the entire intake area is well covered. The slightest exposure of the intake could cause injury Use natural pea gravel as a substrate instead of painted pet shop gravel. Painted gravel begins to peel and chip after a few short years; not good for goldfish. Avoid the use of sand, as it irritates gills and harbors bad bacteria The fish is not fooled by the silk plants in the photo below, but friends will be Fish proof aquarium pond Safe goldfish aquarium Plastic plants are popular, however, pointed leaves may be sharp enough to injure the fish. If you prefer fake plants, try silk. The move more fluidly with the motion of the water, looking very real Goldfish House All rights reserved Author: Brenda Rand
Feeding Goldfish Koi is fun for the entire family STEP 10 Buy the Books Feeding goldfish Koi is a little more complicated than sprinkling flakes on the water surface once or twice a day. We should be feeding our fish close to the same way and the same foods they would eat in their natural environment. In the wild, goldfish spend most of their time nibbling and grazing; eating food as they come across it. These foods consist mostly of vegetation, fish eggs and small fish. In the wild, food is scarce Competition is fierce in the wild. Fish eggs, small fry and worms are few and far between. Vegetation makes up for the biggest part of their diet because it's plentiful. Because of these habits, goldfish have evolved with stomachs the size of their eye. We could almost say they don't have stomachs. The food they eat digests very quickly, leaving their system within a few short hours Feeding goldfish Feed less more often 4 to 6 times a day The goldfish swim bladder organ is connected to the intestinal tract where carbon dioxide is exchanged. Co2 is a gas created from waste. This gas exchange allows fish to rise or sink at will. Improper feeding leads to an impacted or slow tract, which can trap the gas in the bladder, leading to floating issues Feed less more often to keep the tract moving Offer similar types of food found in their natural habitat. There is no fruit or pork; no beef or chicken, and certainly no dairy products, however, you will find an abundance of vegetation Keep smaller fish separate from larger fish. Goldfish will eat anything they can fit in their mouths including their tank mates Goldfish, just like humans need a varied diet because feeding a limited diet of flakes and pellets leads to an impacted tract, contributing to digestive disorders. Choose a food brand that contains less filler, such as ash. Ash consists of low grade seafood parts: scales and bone used as fillers. Feed less flakes and pellets. Flakes and pellets contain additives. Even though these food products provide the nutrition our fish need, with a little extra labor and a little added expense, our fish could be fed a healthy diet with less processed foods Goldfish care Feeding only once or twice a day causes gorging Bottom dwellers by nature, this is where our fish feel safe from predators. Goldfish eyes are located in a position where it's difficult for them to see below, and because of it, feeding at the surface may cause stress. Most new goldfish keepers make the mistake of sprinkling flakes on the surface. Surface feeding causes fish to gulp air which often leads to air bubbles in their pooh or air bubbles being released through their mouth and gills. Taking in air leads to serious issues that can easily be avoided by feeding properly Feeding goldfish Koi Gather the entire amount of food to be fed in hand. Hold food beneath water surface to moisten. Release in a spreading motion over a large area to [...]
Water Changes reduce nitrates, increase oxygen and mineral value STEP 8 Buy the Books Water changes must be performed frequently to keep oxygen levels up and nitrates down in our goldfish house. We've learned that beneficial bacteria are responsible for the nitrogen cycle. Without these friendly bugs, goldfish would be poisoned by their own waste. Keeping fish safe in captivity would be a challenge if not impossible without this miracle of nature Without the nitrogen cycle, life would not exist as we know it Nitrates are the third and final conversion in the cycle; tolerated by goldfish at low levels. This toxin can only be removed by means of a partial water change. If the environment in your goldfish house cannot support beneficial bacteria, then it will support harmful bacteria. If bad bugs flourish in your tank or pond, your goldfish won't. It's that simple Cleaning goldfish aquarium Exchange less water more often to keep nitrates at consistent levels Water changes Another reason to perform frequent water changes; goldfish emit a growth hormone dangerous at high levels. Goldfish in overstocked tanks are at risk of being poisoned by these hormones which may stunt growth. These same hormones cause cancer, heart disease and even death Add plants to your set up. Plants feed on nitrates keeping levels at bay. There is one plant that forms naturally in the right conditions with no maintenance, and that's algae Fish are at risk of ammonia and or nitrite poisoning if the cycle has not completed If your tank has not cycled, perform daily water changes between 20% to 30% (depending on stocking levels) for the next 8 to 10 weeks. Use water treatment (enough for entire tank size) that eliminates ammonia, nitrite, chlorine and chloramines Refer to Step 5: Water Treatment: to determine recommended dosages required for making conversions Never perform a 100% water change. Along with the bad bacteria and toxins, you'll be throwing out water that provides nourishment for good bacteria also If your tank has cycled perform bi weekly water changes of 10% to 20% depending on stocking levels. Eliminate chlorine or convert chloramines using water treatment if present Water changes aquarium An overstocked tank requires increased amounts of partial water changes Test fish water before every water change; adjust water changes accordingly. The comfort zone is 20 to 40 ppm with the lower end of the scale being preferred; a buffering zone in case of a spike Here are some tips to keep water changes easier Make sure water buckets have strong and secure handles Keep the buckets light so they're easy to carry; don't over fill Take your time. Don't rush through bailing water; slow and steady Keep a towel beneath buckets while removing or adding water Keep filters and pumps in fish water at all times Never use detergents or cleaning agents on goldfish house or equipment Work water over to remove supersaturated gases from tap water Never add water treatment or any other substances directly to goldfish tank Keep a watchful eye on running water from a faucet unattended How [...]
Pond pumps belong in every goldfish and Koi house STEP 7 Buy the Books Pond pumps belong in every goldfish and Koi house. There are many fancy and expensive filtering systems available in all price ranges, some costing hundreds of dollars. Pet shop filters are designed for tropical fish; not goldfish. Standard filtering systems are located at the top of the aquarium where there is little or no waste. Even though there's an intake extension that comes close to the floor, the intake is slow, and it sits to the side of the tank Filters and pumps do much more than push water and filter it, they house beneficial bacteria Goldfish create a lot of waste which accumulates at the bottom of the tank where they rest and feed. Friendly bugs feed on the ammonia created by their waste. The home they live in should be located in the same proximity, encouraging them to build strong colonies, making for a strong cycle Boost pH by performing water changes Water filter verses pond pumps New fish keepers use carbon in their filters, assuming it will keep the cycle from forming; referred to a cycle free tank, but products and others like it are not predictable. Your fish are at risk in a cycle free environment Encouraging consistent pH levels, oxygenated water is the key to a healthy ecosystem pH; Potential of Hydrogen How pond pumps work Pushing water from the bottom to the surface; a simple, submersible pond pump creates a powerful jet stream that clears Co2 from water. No goldfish set up is complete without one, because no other filter or pump provides the necessary action to clear a body of water Goldfish Care Pond pumps typically come equipped with water volume controls. These settings may be turned up or down to obtain the desired action. When cleaning tank or sponges, a higher setting should be powerful enough to clear a cloud in the water quickly Switching from a standard filtering system to a pond pump is easy. Leave your old filter up and running for two to three months after installing a pond pump. If your old filter has a volume control, turning it down will be discourage beneficial bacteria from forming in it, and encourage them to form in the new pond pump. Friendly bugs prefer pond pumps because they move water faster, making for increased oxygen levels. They sit close to the waste, which produces their food source. Remove the old system after the waiting period, and you're good to go Cleaning goldfish aquarium Friendly bugs require heavily oxygenated water and complete darkness for reproducing Water filters verses pond pumps Wrap an aquarium safe sponge around the intake of your pond pump. The sponges filters free floating debris from water, and keeps the pump running smoothly. Rinse sponges in old tank water. Even though the sponge may appear clean at the top, grunge accumulates mostly at the bottom. Vacuum beneath the pump. Perform this task weekly; depending on your stocking levels How maintain pond pumps Warning: Make sure sponges completely cover intake valves. Exposed [...]
Water treatment for aquariums and ponds STEP 5 Buy the Books Water treatment is used to neutralize chlorine and chloramines. Cities add cleaning agents to prevent harmful bacteria growth, making water safe to drink, however, both chemicals are dangerous to fish and friendly bugs that create the nitrogen cycle Combined ammonia; referred to as chloramines; gives the agent staying power in large cities Chlorine is a liquid gas, and is easily eliminated from water by exposing it to fresh air; Add a simple pond pump to your freshwater bucket. Oxygen destroys chlorine on contact. The process takes up to 24 hours Chloramines, also referred to as combined ammonia, is just that, ammonia combined with chlorine. The only difference between the ammonia used to disinfect our tap water, and the ammonia created from waste is the latter is ionized. Ammonia becomes ionized when enzymes are present. Enzymes initiate change, which allows beneficial bacteria to feed on it. The insignificant amount of ammonia found in chloramines will not injure your fish, and will quickly become consumed by friendly bugs. Whether you have chlorine or chloramines in your tap, water treatment does not need to be used to convert either one Goldfish care Chemicals found in water treatment: Sulfur dioxide, bisulfites, hydrosulfites, aqueous solution buffered at pH 8 with ameliorating ingredients and reducing agents are all chemicals used to create water treatment Although relatively safe in low amounts for healthy fish, these substances burn fish that have little or no slime coat due to living in an unhealthy environment. Use a product that enhances or builds slime coat when using increased amounts of water treatment. Slime coating can be increased by giving the fish a Sea Salt Remedy Salt irritates their skin, causing them to secrete a protective coating Read more about slime coat Aloe Remedy is another means of increasing the slime coat as your fish receive many other benefits as well A healthy slime coat helps reduce the risk of infection as well as avoid poisoning by water treatment. Goldfish with a healthy slime coat are more tolerant to low levels of ammonia, high KH levels and disease in general Warning: Do not use Stress coat water treatment for increasing slime coat when cycling a tank or pond. Stress coat contains only trace amounts of aloe and increased amount of treatment may put the fish at risk Read the label of your water treatment bottle. Some treatments convert only chlorine and chloramines while some convert metals as well. Other treatments convert ammonia, nitrite and nitrates. You may combine water treatments if caution is used to avoid overdosing Type water treatments There are water treatments that raise or lower general and carbonate hardness levels, while some treatments lower these same mineral values. This can also be done by using products found at the grocery store. Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) raises (GH) general hardness. Distilled or R.O. water lowers GH levels. Bicarbonate of soda raises (KH) carbonate mineral hardness. Vinegar lowers KH levels Nitrogen cycle Noted on treatment label; water treatment has the capacity to bind to a specific amount of substance per [...]
Freshwater Source should contain important minerals Step 4 BUY the Books Freshwater source should contain carbonate mineral, magnesium and calcium. Know your freshwater source, because it's a matter of life and death. Tap water is recommended as a freshwater source for goldfish because it contains important minerals necessary to support good health. General hardness gives our fish good health and vigor. Carbonate mineral gives water the ability to support life. Combined, general hardness and carbonate hardness make up the value of total hardness GH; general hardness is made up of two parts magnesium and one part calcium KH is just that; carbonate hardness Mineral amounts vary according to what region you live in Every body of water has a pH value or potential of hydrogen. In simple terms, pH is a measurement of oxygen and carbonate minerals combined. To support life, water must have a pH reading between 6.0 to 9.0 ppm, however, the comfort zone for goldfish is 7.4 To 8.4 ppm. The higher side of the zone offers a healthier environment. Don't settle for less Goldfish care pH is a combined reading of O2 and KH Carbonate mineral (KH) alone is responsible for how alkaline or acidic water is. KH gives water the ability to hold on to the O2 molecule, although, it will take more than a healthy KH reading to oxygenate water. There are a multitude of reasons that keep water from supporting oxygen, and most of them have to do with clouds or gases. You'll learn more about oxygenating water if you continue reading the 10 Steps Bottled water goldfish aquarium Distilled or R.O. (reverse osmosis) bottled water has no value, with little buffering capability. Goldfish keepers use R.O. water due to freshwater source containing bad bacteria or high levels of toxins. Bottled water that contains value may offer a better starting place for building value in water. This is where the term 'mineral water' comes in to play. Goldfish and humans alike share the need for minerals Boost pH by performing frequent water changes Tap water with low mineral value may be caused by a filtering system Mother Nature is hard at work, whenever and wherever possible. If your tap water contains ammonia, nitrites or nitrates, consider collecting rain water as your freshwater Humans and goldfish alike cannot tolerate nitrates at high levels. The preferred reading for both of us is 12.5 ppm; difficult to accomplish in a goldfish aquarium. The fact is, all animals can tolerate levels up to 20 to 40 ppm if not super sensitive Use Water Boost to increase magnesium, carbonate mineral and O2 value of water Goldfish aquarium water Cleaning agents in our tap water Both agents destroy formation of unfriendly bacteria, however, they also destroys the friendly kind. Eliminate cleaning agents from your freshwater source before adding to fish house Freshwater source Cities add chlorine and sometimes chloramines to our drinking water to keep it free of harmful bacteria Most cities use only chlorine which can be eliminated naturally by using Oop Boost Large cities often combine ammonia with chlorine (chloramines) giving it staying power [...]
GRAVEL vacuum substrate with every water change STEP 3 Buy the book Gravel vacuum substrate in your goldfish aquarium or pond. Goldfish spend most every waking moment in search of food. There's nothing they love better than pecking through gravel and shoving stones around in hopes of finding an uneaten morsel. It's sad to see a goldfish in an aquarium without gravel; there's nothing quite as unnatural for a goldfish. Investing in a gravel vacuum is a must if you have a stone substrate Cleaning goldfish aquarium Because of this instinct; pecking through the gravel, a stone may become lodged in the fish's throat, although it's rare. There's less risk if natural pea gravel is used due to the irregular shape. Round, pet shop gravel is the culprit here. Most fish are able to expel the object on their own; this may happen within a few minutes or a few hours. If not, action may have to be taken to remove the stone Lodged Stone Using gravel as a substrate makes for clear water by keeping waste and uneaten food from floating freely in the tank, giving it a place to settle. Use a gravel vacuum to remove the debris from the bottom of your goldfish tank. Since we know that friendly bacteria prefer building their colonies in filters and pumps, we can assume that unfriendly bacteria build their colonies in stagnate locations. We also have learned that performing a 100% water change will destroy good and bad colonies alike, but this makes removing debris and waste that has settled in the gravel difficult unless we use a gravel vacuum Gravel vacuum substrate Using a gravel vacuum also helps to reduce carbon dioxide that forms and hangs heavily in the depths of our tanks and ponds. Carbon dioxide is created from the waste your fish produce. Pond pumps do most of work in eliminating these harmful gases that take up space pushing oxygen out Python or siphon A gravel vacuum is actually a short hose or tubing that comes in a few various sizes with a wide mouth on the end of it. Smaller tanks require smaller hose widths to reduce the flow rate Place the mouth of the vacuum at the bottom of your tank. Using a suction device attached to the center portion of the hose, squeeze repetitively. A motorized pump (python) may also be obtained for simplifying the procedure or you may choose to siphon with your mouth to get the action going How use gravel vacuum Have a bucket handy for the old tank water to spill into, and be careful not to suck small fish into the mouth of the vacuum. Very gently, so as not to pollute the water, rake the mouth through the gravel pulling it backwards; not by pushing it forwards; this will clog the mouth of the vacuum and stop the flow of water. When you have completed the task, gently lift the mouth up as you remove it from tank, allowing the [...]
What kind of goldfish house is right for you and your fish? STEP 1 Buy the book Goldfish Koi House can be any container that's clean, appropriately sized and strong enough to hold water. What size goldfish house do your fish need? Goldfish average 16 years living in a healthy environment, however, some live for much longer, growing much larger. Start with a goldfish house adequately sized. Goldfish will easily reach 2" their first year, averaging 1" per year Recommended STOCKING LEVEL 2.5 gallons of water per 1" of body Recommended water minimum DEPTH; body length of largest fish from nose to tail base Koi grow three times as large, requiring three times the space Size fish house appropriately, so that water parameters remain consistent. With proper care and proper housing a common goldfish could easily out live your dog or cat Goldfish Housing There are many styles and sizes of aquariums on the market today, however, keep in mind when choosing a fish house that goldfish require less depth and more surface area. The majority of aquariums are designed for tropical fish; not goldfish Goldfish houses with small surface area compared to the body of water need increased water movement. Depth of water should not be less than the length of the longest fish from nose to tail Suitable tank mates for goldfish Separate the smallest fish from the largest. Goldfish are omnivorous. They will eat anything that fits in their mouth, including other goldfish. The same holds true with Koi. Even though these fish form attachments to other fish, their natural instinct to survive in the wild drives them to nibble at anything and everything. They just can't help themselves Goldfish care Goldfish have been known to jump out of their water. Avoid accidents by lowering the water table. The gap between the surface and the top should match the body length of your longest fish, and yet another reason to have a larger container for your goldfish. Most aquariums come equipped with lids, however, goldfish fare much better in open topped tanks with the water surface exposed to fresh air. If you feel more comfortable with a top consider a screen Goldfish keeping It's fun to play around in your tank or pond. It's hard to resist beautiful decorations, and sometimes we have a tendency to overdo it. Make certain that the decorations you place in your goldfish house are aquarium safe before adding. If quarters are tight make sure that the object is not taking up valuable space the goldfish need. Goldfish are easily injured on sharp objects, especially the fancy varieties. Some materials, such as plastic, metal, fresh concrete or wood will affect the water quality Type plants goldfish aquarium There's a variety of fake plants to choose from, although silk ones are safest. Plastic plants can injure delicate fish. Be prepared to replace plants regularly if you choose real vegetation. Goldfish enjoy nibbling on plants, and some fish are very aggressive with their nibbling. Make sure the plants you place in your aquarium are [...]
