Breeding goldfish at home - useful advice to aquarists

Lovers of a fairy tale about a marine resident fulfilling desires dreamed of having her at home in an aquarium. As a result, the breeding of goldfish at home was common. This is due to the beauty of the aquarium inhabitants, which can decorate any interior.

Goldfish - Species

There are a large number of species that are related to goldfish. Consider the most popular:

1. Ordinary goldfish. The breed is closer to natural form than others. The long body has compressed sides. If the conditions for breeding goldfish are met, the individuals can reach a length of 30-45 cm.
2. Butterfly jikin. The species was obtained as a result of prolonged breeding. It is distinguished by the presence of a forked caudal fin. She also has bulging eyes. The body length is about 20 cm.
3. Lionhead. These fish have a short body, so its length is no more than 15 cm, and the head is covered with velvety growths, so it is compared with a lion or raspberry. The features include the absence of the dorsal fin.
4. Voilehvost. Breeding goldfish at home has gained new momentum with the appearance of this beautiful species. A distinctive feature is a long and lush tail, similar to a ribbon. The length of the body can reach up to 20 cm.
5. Ryukin. The body resembles a ball, but because of a curved spine the back is convex. Its length does not exceed 20 cm, and the fin on the back is in a strictly vertical position.
6. Bubble eyes. In these fishes, the body of the ovoid form has a smooth transition from head to back. The length of the individual can be 15-18 cm. The individuals do not have a dorsal fin, and near the eyes there are bubbles filled with a liquid, the magnitude of which can reach 25% of the total body size.
7. Telescope. The species was artificially taken out, the breeding of such goldfish at home is not difficult. Their body is short with a shape similar to an egg, and the fins are elongated. You can distinguish from other varieties by large eyes, which in diameter can reach 5 cm.

Conditions for keeping goldfish in an aquarium

In order for fish to develop well and not to suffer, it is important to create suitable conditions for them. In addition to the right choice of aquarium, organization of lighting and aeration , it is necessary to take into account the following recommendations:

1. Conditions of goldfish include the use of soil with rounded particles. Prefer the average fraction of 6-9 mm. The primer should be neutral so that it does not change the acidity of the water. Many aquarists use granite or quartz gravel. The soil layer should be 4-7 cm.
2. As an ornament for breeding goldfish at home, you can use different snags , rounded stones and artificial decor. The selected items must be safe.
3. As for plants, choose tough species, for example, anubias and ferns. Still suitable tasteless algae, for example, krunums or giant vallisneriyu. To fish do not dig up the plants, protect them with large pebbles. When using live algae, do not forget about applying liquid fertilizers. Another option for jewelry is artificial plants.

The minimum size of an aquarium for goldfish

It is important to understand that the size of the aquarium inhabitants directly depends on the volume of the chosen vessel and the number of pets. The breeding of goldfish in an aquarium at home requires the purchase of large capacity, also because they release harmful wastes into the water, the concentration of which in large volumes of liquid is insignificant and can not cause harm. Note that for every 2.5 cm of fish should account for 15 liters. Example: if a person bought 3 goldfish, the size of which is 5-7 cm, then you need an aquarium for 120 liters.

The water temperature for goldfish in the aquarium

For breeding and comfortable existence of aquarium inhabitants it is important to ensure that the indicators do not rise above 25-28 ° C. The optimum temperature for goldfish in an aquarium depends on the size, so if the body is long, then the value should be at the level of 15-25 ° C, and if short - 22-28 ° C. Experienced aquarists recommend taking into account seasonal temperature changes, that is, in summer the value should be several degrees higher than in winter.

Do goldfish need oxygen in the aquarium?

Unlike many other underwater inhabitants, goldfish need water that is well saturated with oxygen, otherwise they may begin oxygen starvation. If they go to the surface of the water and swallow the air, then, necessarily increase the filtration and change some of the water. The correct content of goldfish at home indicates the need to install a filter that will purify water in a complex manner. The device must necessarily carry out air aeration.

Goldfish - aquarium lighting

In order to breed goldfish at home and enjoy their beauty, pay attention to proper lighting. Experts argue that the best solution is to install a lamp with a pink spectrum closer to the front glass, and to the back one with white or yellow. Goldfish, the content of which takes into account this rule, will look especially bright and attractive. To enhance the illumination, you can use reflectors for lamps.

Care for a goldfish in an aquarium

Special procedures of fish do not require, therefore breeding and care at home are no different from other aquarium inhabitants.

1. Every day, perform a partial water change. If the density of the content is moderate, then at once you can drain up to 1/3 of the volume. If the population is large, change it to 1/2. Remember that water should be kept.
2. When breeding goldfish care involves periodic cleaning of the filter and sand. In the second case, use a siphon and conduct the procedure once a month. In addition, it is necessary to remove the coating from the panes. Decorative elements are removed and then cleaned using a brush.
3. Successful breeding of goldfish at home necessarily includes proper feeding. Give food to pets better twice a day. The amount of food should be calculated so that the fish have time to eat everything in 15 minutes. If you pour a lot of food, then there is a risk of obesity and the development of diseases. Goldfish are omnivorous, so they can be given food as animal origin (bloodworm, minced meat, tube, etc.), and vegetable (bread, unsalted porridge, salad and water plants). After each feeding, the remaining parts of the food must be removed with a siphon.

Reproduction of goldfish at home

To understand which of your pets is a girl, and who the boy will have to wait for spawning, because at this time there are sexual signs: the males on the gills and pectoral fin can see the points of white, and the females will round their stomach. Reproduction of goldfish is best done for 2-4 years of life, when they have fully developed. For successful spawning at home, it is desirable that the female should have 2-3 males. The label lasts 2-5 hours and during this time it manages to sweep 2-3 thousand eggs.

Ridge for goldfish

If there is a possibility, then it is better to transplant the couple for breeding at home in a separate vessel, with a volume of 20-50 liters. There are several breeding rules that must be taken into account:

1. It is important that the water level in the spawner is not more than 20 cm.
2. Goldfish, the reproduction of which is carried out under special conditions, need fresh, unstable water. If there is a possibility, then it is recommended that it be quartzed for several hours or it should be kept under the sun.
3. There should be good lighting and aeration in the sprinkler.
4. At a distance of 2 cm from the bottom, attach a plastic mesh to protect the eggs from eating by parents. In one corner, place a piece of nylon wool.
5. Once the steam is placed in the reservoir, the temperature should be gradually increased by 2-4 ° C to accelerate spawning.

Goldfish laid eggs - what to do?

If a separate vessel was used for breeding, then after laying the eggs, the parents should be returned to their habitual residence. If the fish were to spawn in a common aquarium, then it would be necessary to move the plants on which the caviar was stored in a separate container. Many do not know what the caviar of goldfish looks like, so it is small grains and can be seen with the naked eye.

Use a one-channel compressor and a thermometer at home, as it is important for the eggs and fry to have a temperature of 22-25 ° C. The next day after the deposition, the unfertilized caviar will turn white and be covered with a fungus, and so that it does not pass to healthy eggs, the affected one should be immediately removed and clean water added. The incubation period lasts 3-4 days.

Golden fish fry - care features

In a few days, the larvae will turn into fry and from that moment they already require care, which means proper and regular feeding. We feed the fry of goldfish with the help of "Malek" forage, which has a consistency similar to flour, so it is also called "live dust". Portions should be small, but they should be given often. In addition, when breeding, it is important not to forget to aerify the water and change it every two days. For good development, the fry need light and heat.

How quickly grow goldfish in the aquarium?

After the fry appeared, watch their growth, in order to arrange the individuals in time, as you remember that they need space for growth. Finding out how to breed goldfish, it is worth pointing out that they grow very quickly, especially if all the rules for caring are observed. Six months later the fry will turn into large individuals that will already look like their parents.

The lifespan of goldfish in an aquarium

The period of life is affected by living conditions and population. If there are too many inhabitants in a small vessel, the life expectancy will decrease substantially. Experts recommend not to forget about the compatibility of rocks. The breeding of goldfish, care and creation of suitable conditions for them should be guided by the fact that they belong to cold-blooded animals, and if the temperature of the water in the reservoir is high, the metabolic processes in the organism will be accelerated, which will negatively affect vital activity.

Life expectancy is influenced by the selected type of goldfish, heredity, quality of content and transportation to the point of sale, so even experts disagree about the correct timing. Many people are engaged in the cultivation of goldfish at home, and the survey showed that individuals with short bodies survive to 15 years, and with long ones, to about 30-35 years.