SOMETHING FISHY: Freshwater Tropical Fish Profiles: Goldfish
GOLDFISH are possibly the most widely-kept fish species due to their hardiness and availability. They come in all different shapes and sizes - from the mutant looking to the fancy varieties. They are a highly versatile fish species, capable of living in temperatures close to freezing. They are also not fussy about water conditions and will accept all manner of foods.
It is often recommended that goldfish shouldn't be kept with other tropical fish varieties. One reason is that they are very messy fish that produce a lot of waste and will also uproot and eat plants. Another reason is that the metabolism of goldfish increases the warmer the water is in which they are kept. This can cause a gluttonous appetite resulting in the goldfish growing quicker and perhaps eating more than their fair share of food.
There is also the risk of overfeeding goldfish in an aquarium. They can become constipated if they eat too much, which can cause swim bladder. Goldfish can lose their balance if they get swim bladder and may be found floating upside down. A lot of amateur goldfish keepers assume their fish is dead and often flush or bury it while it's still alive! If a goldfish with swim bladder is left for a day or two they will often right themselves.
Hobbyists interested in keeping goldfish should also know that it is a long-term commitment. Many varieties can live up to 30 years and will also grow quite large if kept in a heated aquarium. Below are two of the more popular goldfish varieties.
Tropical Fish Profiles: Fancy Goldfish
Lifespan: 10 – 30 years- Temperature: 5°C – 27°C
- Tank Region: All over the tank
- Temperament/Behavior: Very peaceful
- Size: 8-13 cm (3-5 inches) but can get bigger
- Diet: Omnivorous. Will gladly accept most fish foods.
- Origin/Habitat: China originally, then Japan and Asia.
- Breeding: Lay their eggs on vegetation on the bottom of the tank.
- Gender: Males have small white spots called tubercles around their gills when ready to spawn. Females are noticeably larger when swelling with eggs and the males may start to chase the females around the tank.
The Goldfish is a favorite for many. They are usually very hardy - capable of living in temperatures ranging from 4°C to 32°C. Being Chinese, Goldfish have extremely long lifespans if cared for properly, so getting one can be a long-term commitment. Many varieties of Goldfish are available with varied markings. Fancy varieties and colours include gold, orange, white and black.
Tropical Fish Profiles: Black Moor Goldfish
Lifespan: 10 – 30 years- Size: 10 - 25cm (4 - 10 inches)
- Tank Region: All over the tank
- Origin/Habitat: Central Asia and China.
- Breeding: Egg layers that spawn readily in the right conditions.
- Temperament/Behavior: Very peaceful and a great community fish.
- Temperature: Very hardy. Can tolerate temperatures close to freezing.
- Diet: A very happy eater. It is not hard to get your Black Moor Goldfish into accepting all kinds of food.
- Gender: Although is it impossible to sex Goldfish when they are young and not in breeding season, the male is usually smaller and more slender that the female.
The Black Moor is a type of goldfish that has a beautiful velvety look and bulging, telescopic eyes. Most Black Moors stay black but their colour can change with age. They can be gray or black and they can revert to a metallic orange when kept in warmer water. Since their eye-sight is far from perfect, they may need a little extra help to find their food.
Goldfish generally produce a lot of waste, so good filtration is essential for maintaining the water quality of the aquarium. Regular water changes are strongly recommended to keep these fish healthy. Goldfish are very social animals and thrive in a community. Not only are they a great community fish, but they are great scavengers as well. Provide a large gravel substrate to keep your Goldfish occupied and they will help vacuum your substrate.
More Tropical Fish Care Posts:
- Simple Guide to Hatching Brine Shrimp
- Freshwater Tropical Fish Profiles — Exotics
- Freshwater Tropical Fish Profiles — Cichlids
- A Beginner’s Guide to Keeping Tropical Fish
- Freshwater Tropical Fish Profiles — Bottom feeders
THINK of a band or solo performer that instantly brings to mind a personal highlight from the memorable history of SA’s longest-running music festival and chances are they’ll be on the roster at Splashy Fen in Underberg this Easter weekend, 9 - 13 April..jpg)
Syd Kitchen is perhaps the most recognisable of all contemporary local musicians, plus he hasn’t missed a single Splashy Fen since the first, pioneering gathering in October 1990.
Nibs van der Spuy is another maestro with deep Splashy roots, who has performed at an amazing 11 festivals thus far, either in a solo capacity or as an integral part of former bands, Plagal Cadence and Landscape Prayers. He described the idea of sharing a stage with other pioneering musicians, many of whom he hasn’t seen in a long time:
Miriam Backhouse harks back to the earliest days and has played at over 10 festivals since then. The former is an icon of the UK’s folk renaissance during the early 70s, whose enduring popularity led in recent years to the CD release of her ultra-rare first album, supported by regular UK tours and opening doors to a whole new audience.
Shawn Phillips will be gracing the Splashy stage for the second time. The 66-year-old Texan globetrotter who currently lives near Port Elizabeth has accumulated an enormous worldwide fan-base and catalogue of albums since releasing his first long-player in 1965.
MC-in-chief will be the somewhat outlandish Dorien du Toit, who stamped his particular brand of humour on the festival and will be remembered by many Splashy veterans for his eight stints during the 90s.
