Most gold fish owners would be surprised by the sheer number of things they should be doing but haven’t even bothered to do, as well as the sheer number of things they go out of their way to do but really shouldn’t be doing.
In the meantime, those who are planning on getting gold fish of their own are, for the most part, completely clueless, thinking all they need to tackle the responsibility is some water, some gold fish food, and a gold fish tank.
No worries, though. It’s not that hard to break down the process and simplify it into a short list of must-do’s; a checklist, if you will. With this list, even the most unenlightened of owners can become masters of caring for gold fish.
Below is an example of such a list. If you’ve managed to do all that you had to, congratulations. Go give yourself a pat on the back.
Contents
Hunt for your gear
There’s nothing worse than going to war with nothing in your arsenal. Just as bad, however, is finding out you’ve got the wrong gear when you’re already in the middle of the battlefield.
One of the most important pieces of paraphernalia in caring for gold fish is the gold fish tank, and trust me when I say you wouldn’t want to make a mistake when making your pick. Most people are under the impression that they should get a tank that fits in well with the living room’s theme, or at least one small enough not to get in the way.
Big mistakes, both of them
If you want to commit to keeping gold fish as pets, then their needs should outrank that of your living room’s. Gold fish need a tank large enough for them to move in and grow to their full size. Small or impractical tanks will only hinder your fish’s maturation process, so keep an eye out for the tank with the greater surface area.
Set up
Complete your gear and have it set up before buying the fish. The tank should be clean and filled with quality water, the filters should already be set up, and the ornaments already in place.
Otherwise, where are you going to put the fish when you get home from the pet store?
Test the waters
Don’t just go dumping your fish in the tank as soon as you get home from the store. Check and see if the temperatures of the water in your tank and in the store’s plastic bag are more or less the same first. Gold fish are sensitive to sudden shifts in temperature, so it’s always best to veer on the side of caution when transferring them from one container to another.
By the way, don’t ever touch your fish during the transfer. Doing so would remove its slime coat, leaving it vulnerable to bacteria, infection, and disease.
Forget about JAWS
Never overfeed your fish, no mater how much they beg. More food will only do them more harm than good. A pinch or two of gold fish food per meal should be enough. And don’t feed them more than twice a day.
Keep it clean
Clean the fish tank and replace the water on a regular basis (every week or so). Days of caring for gold fish will make you realize that they are dirty creatures, despite appearances. And since they can easily get sick from swimming in their own filth, you’ve no choice but to clean up after them.
