Widely regarded as one of the best starter pets - a pet goldfish is relatively easy to look after, fun and incredibly rewarding. While goldfish might be one of the most popular pets around, there’s so much more to them than just swimming in circles all day. Despite their reputation as a beginner-friendly pet, goldfish need more than just a bowl and a sprinkle of food now and then.
With the right set-up and a bit of TLC, goldfish can live long, happy lives. So, if you’re ready to dive into goldfish care, then read on as we’re going to take you through all you need to know - from picking the right tank to what nutritious foods will keep them healthy.
Are goldfish easy to take care of?
Goldfish aren’t considered a starter pet for no reason! They’re much easier to care for than, say, a cat or a dog, or even other, more delicate, species of fish, such as an angelfish. You don’t need to walk them, you can leave them unattended when you go on holiday (with the right equipment), and you can avoid those costly vet bills.
However, just like any pet, goldfish still need proper care and maintenance in order to live long, happy lives. To help you better understand what goes into goldfish care, below you can find top tips on everything they need for a healthy habitat.
What kind of environment do goldfish need?
Creating a suitable environment is the first step in proper goldfish care. Not only will it contribute to a long and healthy life, but a happy one as well. They require specific conditions to thrive. Some general conditions your goldish will require include:
Temperatures - Temperatures are very important, as a tank that’s too cold or too hot can be harmful, as well as sudden temperature changes. Typically, your goldfish tank will thrive between temperatures of 18°C and 24°C.
Type of water - Goldfish require clean, dechlorinated freshwater with a pH level between 7.4 and 7.9 to ensure their environment supports their health and comfort.
However, it’s not just the water that matters. Your goldfish will need enough space for a happy life. So, the first thing to consider is the tank itself, and with so many options to choose from, we know how intimidating it can be - especially for beginners. Below, we’ve included some good tanks for goldfish as well as some top tips for creating a happy home for your new pet.
What kind of tank is good for goldfish
Before buying a tank, you need to know the size of your goldfish and how many you plan to have. These may seem like trivial questions at first, but it’s incredibly important to the happiness of your fish to know how much space they need (which will change depending on size and amount).
Typically, an average goldfish will need a 30L fish tank. We recommend a tank such as this Superfish Qubiq 30 Aquarium that comes equipped with LED lights, a perfect choice for first-time fish owners. On that basis, if you want two goldfish, for example, you’ll need a 60L fish tank such as this Aquael Ultrascape 60 Aquarium Set to ensure both fish are comfortable and happy with enough space for each of them.
Superfish Qubiq 30 Aquariums (with LED Lighting) - £77.45
Aquael Ultrascape 60 Aquarium Set - £339.98
If you want to learn more about tank space and how many goldfish are suitable for the size of the tank you have, then you can read through our full guide on how many fish should you put in a fish tank for more information.
What do goldfish need in their tank?
Now we’ve discussed the water to goldfish ratio and tank recommendations for the beginnings of a healthy environment, we need to build the tank with high-quality equipment using filters, aeration and lighting to ensure your goldfish have a clean and balanced home life.
1. An aeration device
Goldfish need well-oxygenated water to thrive. Aeration devices help circulate the water and boost oxygen levels, making it easier for your fish to breathe. This can be anything from air stones to air pumps.
We would recommend trying a pump such as the Interpet Aquarium Air Pump AP to ensure that your aquarium has constant, sufficient oxygen levels so you can sit back and relax with complete peace of mind.
Interpet Aquarium Air Pump AP2 - £16.92
2. Filters
Filters help keep your water clean and the levels balanced; they are an essential part of any healthy aquarium, so it’s important to choose a reliable one. In turn, using a filter also reduces the risk of illness for your fish as well as how often you need to clean your tank. We recommend a filter such as the Hagen Fluval U2 Internal Filter, it’s easy to use and runs quietly with a powerful and economical filtration that allows quick and easy maintenance. Of course, you’ll still have to clean your fish tank regularly, but this powerful tool reduces the amount of time you spend scrubbing away algae and other dirt.
Hagen Fluval U2 Internal Filter - £45.95
3. A thermometer
A great tool for beginners who are nervous about water monitoring. Aquarium thermometers will help give you peace of mind when it comes to your aquarium temperatures. Common goldfish breeds can withstand a range of cold temperatures, and are usually most comfortable living in 18-20°C conditions. With a thermometer, it’ll be easy to ensure that the temperatures are within range of what your finned friend needs.
Try this Juwel Digital Thermometer, the digital display makes it easy to read, even from across a room, so you can easily check that your goldfish tank is at a comfortable temperature throughout the day.
Juwel Digital Thermometer 3.0 - £22.45
4. Lighting
Not only a great way to show off your beautiful fish, but an essential way to stimulate a healthy day and night cycle for your pet goldfish. Aquarium lighting offers a wide range of benefits, and it is a must for an aquarium with live plants.
Some aquariums already come with a lighting system built in for ease, but if yours doesn’t, then we recommend the Fluval AquaSky 2.0 LED Lighting, as the Bluetooth control means you can adjust the lighting at any time of the day straight from your mobile phone, and it comes with a wide range of high tech features such as a programmable 24 hour light cycle, to make goldfish care a breeze.
Fluval AquaSky 2.0 Bluetooth LED Lighting - £59.99
If you still find that you want more support and guidance with aquarium lighting in order to create the best environment for your goldfish, read through our guide on aquarium lighting.
5. Decorations
More than just making your tank nice to look at, aquarium plants and ornaments offer your goldfish places to hide and explore, encouraging a fun and happy lifestyle. As prey fish, goldfish need these spaces in order to feel a sense of safety from predators, even when there aren’t any real predators to speak of in your home. There are many types of tank decorations you can pick out, and it can be a great creative project, with many going as far as creating fun themes for their aquariums.
If you need some inspiration for how to decorate your fish tank, then you can read our guide at Aquacadabra for expert tips and creative ideas.
What to feed goldfish
As with any fish, goldfish require a healthy and nutritious diet. Goldfish need plants and vegetables as part of their diet. Pellets and fish flakes are full of vegetables and proteins to ensure they’re getting a balanced intake. Take these Aquarian Goldfish Flake Fish Food or these Goldfish Floating Pellets made with a nutrient-rich blend to provide your goldfish with a complete diet and plenty of protein for optimal growth.
Aquarian Goldfish Flake Fish Food - £11.95
Goldfish Floating Pellets FISH SCIENCE - £5.95
Goldfish should be fed once or twice a day with smaller, more frequent meals. If you’re feeling unsure, you can check the manufacturer's guide on the back of the food box.
How to clean a goldfish tank
A large part of good goldfish care is regular maintenance that will help protect the water quality and cleanliness of your tank. If you want to learn more about how to clean your tank, then read our guide on how to deep clean your fish tank, but some general tips include:
1. Clean your goldfish tank once a week
This includes everything from cleaning the decorations, wiping the glass, sifting the gravel and substrate and removing algae. For this, you’ll need special aquarium cleaning equipment, such as aquarium-safe cleaning solutions like the Seachem Aquarium Cleaner and a vacuum for cleaning your substrate and gravel, like the Aqua One Vac a Tank Gravel Cleaner.
Seachem Aquarium Cleaner - £9.99
Aqua One Vac a Tank Gravel Cleaner - £8.50
2. Perform partial water changes once a week
This is important for maintaining the quality of your tank's water and should include a partial water change of around 15-20% each week. It’s most efficient to time these along with your weekly cleaning schedule, allowing you to clean, remove and replenish your tank’s water all at the same time.
When refilling the removed water, it's important to ensure you’re using dechlorinated water treated with a goldfish-safe water conditioner such as this Aqua One Water Conditioner to reduce the risk of contamination.
Aqua One Water Conditioner - £6.85
3. Regularly test the water quality of your goldfish tank
This can be a more fun and interesting part of your weekly fish care routine. You’ll need to regularly test your water for pH changes, temperature and additional water quality parameters such as ammonia levels. This can feel like a fun experiment for children as well, if you want to get them involved. For this, you’ll need some aquarium test kits like these Dymax Water Quick 7 In 1 Dip Tests, perfect for ensuring your water is perfectly balanced and goldfish safe.
Dymax Water Quick 7 In 1 Dip Test - £13.75
FAQS
How long do goldfish live?
When taken care of properly, goldfish can live decades - contrary to popular belief. Goldfish are often seen as hobby pets where you can enjoy them for a year or two, but in reality, goldfish can live longer than some cat and dog breeds. On average, they should live around 10-15 years, although if they’re very well cared for, some could live up to 30 years.
Can you keep goldfish in a bowl?
While technically goldfish can live in a bowl, it doesn’t provide a healthy environment for them, as it can limit long-term health and stunt their growth. Bowls lack the efficient space they need and will have even less space for essential equipment such as filtration and aeration systems. However, there are some modern fish bowl alternatives you can use instead.
Do goldfish need a filter?
Yes, an efficient filtration system is an important part of any aquarium. Not only do filters help to keep the water quality at good levels, which in turn reduces the risk of illness, but they can also help to reduce the frequency that manual cleaning duties are needed, saving you time and effort in the long run.
Discover all your goldfish care essentials at Aquacadabra
Once you get the basics, caring for a goldfish can be a fun and rewarding experience, no matter if you’re starting out as a beginner or want to introduce your children to your hobby in an accessible way.
If you’re ready to jump in and get your own pet goldfish, then make sure you have all the right tools to ensure your finned friend lives a long and healthy life. Browse everything from our 30L fish tanks to find something perfect for both your home and your fish, and our aquarium decorations for adding the finishing touches.