How to Feed Goldfish
Many people believe that feeding goldfish is the simplest part of the fish care process. However, this is not the case. Goldfish are one of the most common breeds to die from excessive overfeeding. Overfeeding your goldfish may cause them to eat themselves to death, though may also result in bacterial growth from uneaten food. Here is a guide to help you understand how to feed goldfish.
Purchase the Right Food
Many people mistakenly believe that all fish food is the same. However, goldfish often do much better when fed a diet specifically designed for their breed. Goldfish-specific food usually isn’t that expensive, and is available at most pet supply stores in the “fish care” section.
Using Fresh Food
A goldfish will be much healthier if you add some variety to its diet. This can be accomplished by using live food (such as brine shrimp or blood worms), or leafy vegetables. When feeding your goldfish live food, be sure that the food that you purchased is from a reputable source. Low-quality live food may contain bacteria, which may harm your fish.
Schedule Feeding Times
In order to prevent your fish from overeating, try to schedule two feedings per day. You should try to adhere to a standard time for these feedings as much as possible, since it will help your fish to get into a routine. Once your fish realize that each mealtime occurs at a set time each day, they will be less likely to overeat.
Clean Your Aquarium
In order to prevent excess food from lowering the quality of the water in your aquarium, it’s highly recommended that you clean out any debris on the bottom of your tank. This cleaning should take place on a weekly basis, and can be done with a small water siphon hose to remove the debris.