Goldfish | Carassius auratus | Goldfish facts and how to take care of them

                             

            The goldfish on record lived till was 43 years old. But most of the goldfish didn't even live a quarter that long. Most goldfish don't survive past their fifth year, and that's a major problem.  The usual culprit behind your goldfish's untimely demise is their waste. this waste contains toxins like ammonia that can burn gills and even damage their brain. In the wild, this isn't an issue. Freshwater lakes and ponds are home to armies of bacteria that break it down into less harmful chemicals. But in your home tank, there are no bacteria to be found. You have to bring it, and that's where a lot of goldfish owners slip up because you can't just buy a fish the same day you get your tank. The growing bacteria process takes patience. First, you'll need to remove chlorine from your tank water using a conditioner. Chlorinated tap water is fine for you to drink since it kills off germs, but it's not so great for the bacteria you want to cultivate. Once you've created a safe space for the bacteria to grow, they'll come from all over: the air, the of the tank, and any rocks or plants you stick in the tank for decoration. You can also buy commercially sold bacteria cultures grown in labs. After that, all they need is dinner. Fish food will do. As the food breaks down, it releases ammonia for the bacteria to eat, and finally, you wait for a while. Depending on how much bacteria you start with, the process can take about two months. That's right, two months. But then there should be enough bacteria. 

You can double-check with a simple water test kit. But, all the bacteria in the world won't keep your fish alive if the tank is too small. You see, as these bacteria gobble up its waste, they produce some waste of their own, and if it's not properly diluted, it can kill your goldfish. even the 10-gallon tank won't be enough. A goldfish needs at least twice that much of water. you'll still need to replace about 30% of the water every two weeks because besides their waste, goldfish release hormones and pheromones, which, if left unchecked, can stunt their growth. That might help goldfish to reach the size of an American football, while your last goldfish wasn't much bigger than your index finger. Once you have a big, detoxified tank, Goldie just needs one more thing: your attention. Because you're not swimming in the tank with her, it's hard to notice if something's wrong with, say, the water quality. So oftentimes new goldfish owners don't realize anything amiss until it's too late, and common diseases like fin rot, white spot disease, and fungal infections have already taken hold. So it's a good idea to pay careful attention to how the water looks and smells, and anyway, spending time with your goldfish will be worth it since you can teach Goldie to swim through hoops and eat from your hand.