How To Feed Your Goldfish

Most goldfish will eat anything they can lay their fins on! So the job’s on your to ensure they get fed properly.

Goldfish are omnivores. Like us, they need protein, carbohydrates, fat, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Unbalanced diets lead to stunted growth, ill health, and a short and sad life.

What To Feed Your Goldfish?

Flakes are aplenty in the market. Buy a good quality goldfish-specific brand. The higher the protein percentage, and the greater the variety of ingredients in it, the better the quality.

Pellets aren’t so hot for goldfish. They absorb water and expand in stomachs, leading to indigestion, constipation and even Swim Bladder Disorder (in which case you should stop pellet feeding totally). If you have to, soak the pellets in tank water first for five to 15 minutes.

Freeze-dried and frozen foods make nutritious supplements without introducing disease into the tank.

While live foods are welcomed by goldfish, the parasites that come with them may infect your fish. If bloodworms, tubifex worms, brine shrimp or the like are to be fed, it’s best to raise them on your own. Otherwise, buy them from a reputable shop.

Vegetables provide vitamins and fibre, aiding digestion and preventing constipation. You can feed your goldfish fresh or frozen peas, spinach, carrots and corn that have been lightly steamed or blanched for softness. If you are feeding peas, skin them first.

The best way to balance your goldfish’s diet is to give them a little of everything. Mix quality commercial foods with fresh vegetables and freeze-dried, frozen or live foods.

How Much Food Should You Feed Your Goldfish?

Never overfeed your goldfish, even though they appear perpetually hungry! Decaying leftovers and excessive waste produced by over-fed fish pollute the tank.

Trial and error is the best way to determine feeding amounts. But generally, small meals three times daily closely mimic their natural feeding habits.

Use your discretion. Concentrated dried foods contain little water, so less is needed. Vegetables contain plenty of water, so more are needed.

It also depends on the different requirements of your fish. Fry need frequent and more nutritious feedings; spawning fish need certain nutrients for proper egg development. Larger fish need more food, but older fish less, as they are fully-grown.

You will know your goldfish has had enough once it stops rising to the top for food, swims away or grazes the gravel for scraps.

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