Goldfish Feeding - Avoid overfeeding of your Goldfish

Many fish owners want their goldfish to grow faster. They have this habit of feeding the fish more than their pet really needs. They have this notion that the more food the fish takes, the healthier it will get. Usually, goldfish is recommended to be fed two mouthfuls twice a day.

Overfeeding will just create a polluted environment to the goldfish. Leftover food decomposes rapidly, and this will ultimately release plenty of organic and inorganic compounds that will adversely affect the living condition of the goldfish.

Your aquarium will quickly develop cloudy water, sooner algae growth, occasional growth of little patches of fungus or mold, sudden appearance of tiny worms, and low dissolved oxygen, high nitrates, declining pH and other chemical problems.

Below are some feeding habits to remember to avoid overfeeding of your goldfish:

1.     Time your feedings. Carefully observe your fish when you feed them. Watch how long and how much will they be able to eat the food you give them. This way, you can adjust the amount of food the next time you feed them.

2.     Feed often but in moderation. Keep the feedings under control. You can feed your goldfish often but sparingly. But, fish experts typically recommend that you feed them twice to three times a day to avoid overfeeding. Other fish owners, especially those who keep several fishes, use an automatic fish feeder. This will allow them to set the feeder with the sufficient amount of food at a certain time.

3.     Feed the fish, not the fish tank. Do not be naive about getting your fish to grow fast and big by feeding them too much. Keep in mind that too much food is not good to the fish or to your aquarium.

4.     Feed your goldfish with appropriate fish food only. Visit your local fish store to inquire on what food to feed your goldfish. Flake foods may be too small to large-mouthed fish, or pellets may be too large for your tiny pets. Be cautious also when giving live foods to your goldfish. There are worms that carry harmful bacteria that could kill your fish.

5.     Introduce new foods carefully. Give new type of foods warily and in small amounts only. Feed very sparingly and allow them to adjust to their new diet before feeding sufficient amount of that food. Discontinue if you notice something strange regarding the fish’s eating habits.

6.     Remove uneaten food immediately. Getting rid of leftover fish food from the tank will reduce wastes that are harmful to your goldfish. A clean and clear aquarium can also provide a pleasant viewing experience not just to the fish owner but also to his visitors.