Q&A for How to Take Care of Your Carnival Goldfish

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Will goldfish eat meat?

Doug Ludemann
Professional Aquarist
Doug Ludemann is the owner and operator of Fish Geeks, LLC, an aquarium services company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Doug has worked in the aquarium and fish-care industry for over 20 years, including having worked as a professional aquarist for the Minnesota Zoo and Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. He received his Bachelor of Science in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from the University of Minnesota.

Doug Ludemann

Professional Aquarist

Expert Answer

They're omnivores, so they may snack on some meat if they can get their hands on it. I would absolutely not recommend feeding your goldfish a carnivorous diet, though. Stick with the goldfish pellets or flakes.

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Question

Do goldfish need clean water?

Doug Ludemann
Professional Aquarist
Doug Ludemann is the owner and operator of Fish Geeks, LLC, an aquarium services company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Doug has worked in the aquarium and fish-care industry for over 20 years, including having worked as a professional aquarist for the Minnesota Zoo and Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. He received his Bachelor of Science in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from the University of Minnesota.

Doug Ludemann

Professional Aquarist

Expert Answer

Yes, you'll need to keep your goldfish's tank clean to keep it healthy. Dirty water may make your fish sick or could even kill it.

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How do I know if I overfeed my goldfish?

Doug Ludemann
Professional Aquarist
Doug Ludemann is the owner and operator of Fish Geeks, LLC, an aquarium services company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Doug has worked in the aquarium and fish-care industry for over 20 years, including having worked as a professional aquarist for the Minnesota Zoo and Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. He received his Bachelor of Science in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from the University of Minnesota.

Doug Ludemann

Professional Aquarist

Expert Answer

If you're feeding your goldfish properly, it'll finish eating its food within 3 minutes. If there is food left, you're overfeeding your fish. Reduce how much food you're giving your fish until there isn't any left over after the 3 minute feeding window.

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Question

How do I know if my fish is sleeping or dead?

Community Answer

If your fish is dead it will float to the top of your tank. If it's sleeping, it will normally keep to one side of the tank and appear to be swimming very slowly.

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Question

I got a gold fish at a carnival. I am feeding it goldfish flakes and it's producing a lot of waste and I need to clean it frequently. Is there a way to not have clean so often?

Community Answer

Maybe you feed it too much, or you could get a filter, assuming you don't already have one.

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Question

Should I avoid putting my fish in direct sunlight?

Community Answer

Putting a fish tank in direct sunlight will help algae to grow faster, which means you have to clean the tank much more often. Tropical fish could do with some natural heat, however, avoid putting your tank in direct sunlight for too long.

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Question

I won a fish at a carnival, we've just been keeping it in a container, is it too late to put it in a tank?

Community Answer

It's not too late, and a fish tank is a much healthier option for your fish, so you should definitely move it right away.

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Question

I don't have a water filter or an air pump in my fish bowl, so how often should I change the water?

Community Answer

You should change the water daily until you can get a bigger tank. The goldfish will live a very short life kept in this tank.

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Should goldfish be in complete darkness or some light?

Community Answer

Some light is good, just not too much direct sunlight, since direct sunlight promotes algae growth.

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Question

How long can a goldfish live?

Jake

Community Answer

Under proper care, a goldfish can live up to 15 years. In bowls, they usually only live a year or less.

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Should I cover my fish tank at night?

Caeiia

Top Answerer

No, they'll be fine. If you're worried about jumping, get a hood (includes light) or a mesh cover.

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Question

Should I get more than one fish or will one be fine alone?

Community Answer

Goldfish live in schools in the wild, so at least two is recommended. Just make sure they have enough tank space per fish.

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How can I tell if my fish is female or male?

Community Answer

It's almost impossible to tell. You would need to pay an expert to view the fish.

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Question

Do I really need a 20 gallon tank for my three inch goldfish? I am on a budget.

Community Answer

The minimum size tank for a goldfish would be 2 gallons. A 10 gallon tank would provide enough space and you can find them at WalMart. Bigger is better though so I would recommend a 20 gallon.

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Question

What do I do if I want to breed my goldfish?

Community Answer

It's a little complicated, you will need to follow the steps in this article: Breed Goldfish .

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Question

How much would a fish bowl cost?

Community Answer

You can get a small fishbowl for as little as $20.

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Question

Won goldfish at the fair, got tank on the way home, and set it up following directions. Fish are all multicolor (gold, white, black on each). Turned off light at night, and next morning were more black. Turned light on, and a lot of black went away. Same 2 nights in a row. Why?

Starripple

Community Answer

Fish colors can change a lot overnight. However, this may be due to stress or ammonia issues.

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Question

How can I switch the water in the tank without the fish dying?

Community Answer

You can take the fish out of the tank and put it in a bag (with water from the tank) while changing the water or cleaning the tank.

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Question

I have a goldfish, and I want to know if it recognizes me at all?

Community Answer

It's not really possible to know for sure, but scientists do believe this is possible, yes. There is a myth that goldfish have very poor memories, but this has been disproven. They can recognize other fish, and likely humans as well.

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Question

Right now I don't have fish food for the goldfish I won from the carnival. How many days can it go without eating?

Community Answer

It will take 2 weeks to starve if it's healthy, but should be fed within a few days.

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Question

Will my goldfish die if there is no filter in its tank?

Community Answer

No, but you do need to clean the tank regularly. Once a month should be fine. But having a filter is best!

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Question

Can I have multiple carnival goldfish?

Community Answer

Yes, as long as they have enough room. Goldfish can get big, so be sure to plan their tank space for growth.

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Question

My fish came in a bag with blue food dye in the water, is that why it died?

Community Answer

No. It's not blue food dye, it's probably medication. A lot of fish at fish stores are in blue colored water because they were being treated for something. The reason it died has nothing to do with it. It may have died because you did not properly cycle your tank.

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Question

If I use plants for aeration, is that okay?

Community Answer

No, a filter is mandatory as it helps clean the water even though you should definitely do regular water changes. Plants are good decor and oxygen producers so your fish will be happier but are not essential.

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Question

I went to my friend's birthday party and the party favours were fish. I keep them in my room with the doors closed, so my cat doesn't eat it. I keep a night light on for the two of them. Is that safe?

Community Answer

Get an aquarium, 10 gallons, but preferably at least 30 gallons. Cycle the tank with goldfish poop using test kit until nitrates are at 5-10ppm. Get a filter while you are cycling and 100 watt heater. A night light won't work for light. Purchase an LED strip light. Fish can only be kept successfully with proper care and planning. You'll need to read up some about how to keep fish.

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Question

I just won a goldfish at a carnival and dumped it in a big tank. Is it going to die from that?

Community Answer

How big is the tank? The most common fish die is because of water conditions. If you didn't accllimate him or added him too fast, or if the water is unsafe, he could die. Always condition new water with something like Prime. Get API freshwater mast test kit and make sure water conditions are ideal. Goldfish do best in bigger tanks, despite the myth of them being fine in a bowl. They actually prefer at least 30 gallons, but 10 or 20 gallons would be sufficient.

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Question

How can I tell if my goldfish is hungry?

Community Answer

It will always look hungry, if you come over, or open lid, it should hover towards the top. But it is best to limit food you give it. A few pellets/flakes per day, only once per day. It is too often that they get overfed and develop bloating, digestion problems, dropsy or swim bladder. Only a few pieces every day.

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Question

If I accidentally poured too much food at night, should I skip feeding my goldfish in the mourning?

Community Answer

Yes, you can skip a feeding. I always feed my goldfish two times a day and that for 6 days a week, I like to skip the feeding on Sundays. But you can always skip a feeding a day or two because a goldfish can survive for two weeks without food.

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Question

How does Aqua Safe work?

Community Answer

Aqua Safe works by removing the chlorine and chloramines that are fatal for your fish.

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Question

I won a goldfish at the state fair and paid extra for a "buddy tank". Should I get an aquarium, or should I keep it in the tank?

Community Answer

The buddy tank is far too small for a goldfish. Put it in an aquarium.

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