All about goldfish

Goldfish Make Great Pets

Thinking about getting some goldfish? You're in good company. These dramatic metallic-orange fish were first developed by the Chinese, and have been kept as pets for centuries. Easy to care for, these hardy animals can live for more than 10 years. They're excellent choices for first-time fish keepers, and experienced caretakers will enjoy the challenge of setting up an outdoor goldfish pond.

Goldfish are by far the most popular coldwater species. You're probably familiar with the common goldfish, a sturdy orange-red fish that can grow up to eight inches long, but more than a hundred other varieties have been bred. Shubunkins are smaller and slimmer than common goldfish, and boast colorful splotches in various hues from blue and brown to black and orange. Orange-red comets, also smaller than common goldfish, have long, forked fins.

Types of Goldfish

The goldfish breeds discussed above have just one tailfin, as opposed to twintail types. These fancy breeds are exotic looking and more delicate than their singletail cousins, and include such characters as fantails, veil tails and moors. Among the most interesting of this group are the bubble eyes, with bulgy, buggy water sacs under each eye, and 4 1/2-inch celestials, whose eyes are upturned. (FYI, potential celestial caretakers: Because they may have trouble finding and competing for food, this breed should be kept only with their own kind.)

Goldfish Care

Although goldfish, like all coldwater fish, are generally easier to maintain than tropical breeds, you'll still need to ensure water quality with a powerful filtration system. This is especially important because these guys are not only big eaters, but messy ones, too! And you've probably seen single goldfish kept in small bowls, which fosters the completely wrong idea about what these critters need to survive and thrive. In actuality, goldfish consume more oxygen than other species, so they need a fairly large space-to-fish ratio. In other words, they require a larger tank than the same number of similar-sized tropical fish would. Also, keep in mind that it's a good idea to use fine gravel in a goldfish tank. These guys have been known to dig around the bottom of the tank for food, and if the gravel is too large or too coarse, it could cause injury to the animal's mouth.

If you've got a sense of adventure--and enough room--creating an outdoor goldfish pond may be right up your alley. Whether you purchase goldfish specifically for your pond or transfer larger individuals from your indoor aquarium, your finned friends will appreciate the larger, more natural living quarters. Depending on where you live, you can treat your pets to this good life during the summer months or, if climate permits, all year round. Ask at your aquarium shop about what kind of set-up would work best for you.