Gold fish for pond | tropical-hobbies

1-Gold Fish for ponds :

Goldfish, the Most Popular Pond Fish

Despite the illustrious honor of being a carnival prize or swallowed on a dare, Goldfish (Carassius auratus) are the most popular choice of fish for a water garden. These fish are well suited for almost any pond size. The unfortunate reputation that follows goldfish is that of the fish in a bowl that dies in 2 days. Even in a small bowl (although not recommended because of limited surface area) goldfish, if cared for, can live many years.

DIFFERENCE IN KOI VS. GOLDFISH

courtesy to : animals.mom.me/difference-koi-vs-goldfish-4966.html

By Elle Di Jensen

Koi and goldfish have plenty in common. Their feeding needs are about the same, as are their breeding habits. Both are popular fish for stocking outdoor ponds, and both can be kept indoors. Koi will end up costing you more money, though. Not only do they require filtration systems for the water, they can be priced in the thousands of dollars, whereas goldfish may cost $5 to $50 or even just a little change. They may seem identical, but they have plenty of differences.

Coloring :

Goldfish can display coloring besides the familiar golden orange. Goldfish can be black, red, white or a combination of these colors. In his book "Goldfish: Your Happy, Healthy Pet," Dr. Gregory Skomal noted that koi have coloring very similar to that of goldfish, but the patches of contrasting color they display tend to be larger than those of goldfish.

Physical Features

Many of the physical characteristics of a fish will help you determine whether you're looking at koi or goldfish. Their dorsal fins differ. Starting at the top, the dorsal fin of the koi is curved out; it's curved in on the goldfish. If that isn't obvious enough, consider the whiskers. Koi have barbels around their mouths and chins, feelers that resemble whiskers, while goldfish have no barbels. The body shapes and sizes of the two fish differ, too. Fully matured goldfish are typically 8 to 12 inches, growing to 16 inches at their largest. Koi that size would be considered very small, as they grow to full sizes of 18 inches to 4 feet. As for body shape, koi are shaped essentially the same; goldfish, on the other hand, can have different tail and body shapes and may have one of three different eye types.

Different Purposes

Goldfish have been kept as pets much longer than koi have. Around 11 A.D., people in southern and central China began breeding them for their beauty and the tranquility and harmony they engender. Koi were initially kept as a source of food because they were easy to raise and care for. Koi farming started in the 1820s in northeastern Japan.

Keeping Koi

Both types of fish can be kept in outdoor ponds or in tanks indoors. The biggest difference in keeping koi is that they need aeration and filtration, and enough room to stay happy and healthy. Stephen Meyer of FishChannel.com recommends planning for 100 gallons for each 12-inch koi you want to keep, but the number you can keep per every 100 gallons of water decreases as their sizes increase. If, for instance, you will be keeping 6-inch koi instead of 12-inch, Meyer advises nine of them will do fine in the same 100 gallons of water required for one 12-inch fish.

Goldfish in Ponds and Tanks

Goldfish do not have the aeration and filtration requirements that koi do, and the calculation for figuring their water volume needs, whether in a pond or a tank, is based on weight rather than length. For both types of fish, it's absolutely necessary to change the water weekly if you'll be keeping them indoors in a tank.

Goldfish Ponds - Add a Splash of Color to Your Water Landscape

courtesy to : www.everything-ponds.com/goldfish-ponds.html

Goldfish ponds are an excellent introduction to the hobby of keeping fish in a pond. Not to be confused with Koi fish, goldfish are a popular pond fish due to their small size, inexpensive price tag, and hardy ability to withstand a variety of climates. Goldfish as we know them today were developed in China beginning over 1000 years ago, and over time many distinct breeds have developed. As a result, goldfish come in a variety of pleasing colors, shapes and sizes.

Goldfish vs. Koi

Although both Koi and goldfish are part of the carp family, they are from different genus, which makes them quite different fish. For small ponds and water gardens, goldfish are a good choice since they don't grow as large as Koi, and thus don't need quite as much water for proper biological breakdown of waste. As a general rule, goldfish can survive in a pond of 500 gallons or less, where Koi really begin to thrive in a pond of around 1000 gallons. However, for the best biological conditions with either type of fish, the more water the better. Click here to read about Koi Ponds instead of goldfish ponds.

Climate :

Goldfish ponds can work in a large variety of climates. In warmer climates, the fish will stay quite active all year round with the warm weather. In colder climates, the fish may become less active and will eat less during the winter months, spending the majority of their time at the bottom of the pond. This behavior is completely normal and as the weather begins to warm up in the spring, the fish will become more active. In very cold climates, goldfish can even survive short periods of time if the surface of the pond is allowed to freeze. However, this should be avoided if possible by breaking the ice up, or by heating the water slightly to prevent ice from completely covering the pond. If ice is allowed to cover the pond, then there is no way for the water to re-oxygenate itself as the fish gradually use up the oxygen in the water.

A Lionhead Goldfish

Plants in Goldfish Ponds

Goldfish are compatible with a wide variety of plant life, and will usually not disturb the plants in the pond. Koi on the other hand have been known to eat certain types of plants, or dig in submerged pots, which can result in a plant becoming uprooted or damaged. However, there are ways to prevent Koi from damaging plants, either by placing ballast rocks in the tops of submerged pots, or by choosing certain types of plants that are more resistant to Koi. For more information on the types of water plants available, please see our page on plants for ponds. For more information on 'planting' water plants, please have a look at our page entitles 'How to Water Garden'.

A Shubunkin Goldfish

Pumping and Filtration

There is certain equipment that is necessary to keep the water quality in goldfish ponds to a high enough standard to house fish. As the fish eat, they will naturally excrete waste into the pond, which left unchecked will eventually harm or kill your fish. Along with regular water changes, a healthy goldfish pond will make use of one or more pumps, filters, skimmers and pond liners.

Taking Care of Goldfish in a Pond

courtesy to : pets.thenest.com/taking-care-goldfish-pond

By Brenna Davis

A pond is an ideal habitat for goldfish.

Goldfish can grow 10 inches or longer, so they require lots of space. A pond provides goldfish with a large, natural environment that has plenty of exposure to natural sunlight. Even the ideal enclosure of a real pond requires upkeep, though; there are several things you must do to ensure proper care for your fish.

Basic Pond Setup

Goldfish require about 20 gallons of water per fish. While a pond can never be too large, it can easily be too small if you have several very large goldfish. The fish should be able to easily swim in the pond without bumping into one another or into pond ornaments. Because goldfish are cold-water fish, they generally should be in a pond that is shaded. If you live in a very cool area, however, direct sunlight may help maintain pond temperatures. Goldfish do not need substrate, but substrate can add to the pond's appearance and provide a good location to plant pond plants. River rocks are ideal, and many pet stores sell them. Rinse the substrate with hot water before putting it in your tank, and avoid using substrate you found or that you purchased somewhere other than a pet store, as it may not be clean or suitable for fish.

Pond Maintenance

A pond filter will ensure that your water remains clean and free of potentially dangerous bacteria. Filters are usually marketed according to tank size, so determine the size of your pond in gallons and choose a filter accordingly. You may need to regularly remove debris from the pond even if you have a capable filter. Ponds tend to establish their own ecosystems over time, but for the first year or so you should drain 10 percent of the water and replace it every week. Add dechlorinator to any tap water you add to the pond, and regularly check the water's pH. Goldfish prefer pH levels to be slightly above 7, usually around 7.4.

Temperature

Goldfish are cold-water fish that thrive at temperatures between 62 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In the hot summer months, you may need to provide a habitat for your fish indoors. Check the water temperature regularly and provide your fish with ample shade. Goldfish hibernate when water temperatures drop, but if the pond freezes over, they can die from insufficient oxygen. Provide your fish with an air stone and feed them plenty of food in the months leading up to winter. This ensures they have sufficient fat stores to survive hibernation.

Feeding

Goldfish are omnivorous scavengers that will eat a wide variety of foods. Brine shrimp, mosquito larvae and bloodworm are ideal sources of protein. Give your goldfish fruits such as chopped grapes and blueberries, and vegetables such as mustard and collard greens. While fish can subsist on fish flakes, they thrive on a varied diet.