Goldfish are one of the most popular pets. They’re small, they don’t need a lot of care, and they come in lots of different colors!
But did you know that goldfish are really hard to keep alive? While some people will say it’s because they have short lifespans (they only live for about 3-5 years), there are actually many reasons why goldfish can be difficult to maintain as pets.
There are a lot of ways for people who want Goldfish pets but have no idea how to take care of them. The first step should always research what fish will work best with your lifestyle and living space so you know beforehand if it’s even possible for you to have one at all.
In this article, we’ll explore all the various factors that make keeping goldfish so challenging.
Goldfish are not quite as hardy and easy to care for as people would think. The most popular misconception about goldfish is that they can live in a bowl, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth, it’s actually one of their biggest hardships because it leaves them susceptible to water quality problems like pollution, overfeeding, and change in temperature.
Goldfish are not the best option for a beginner pet owner and they should only be kept by an experienced aquarist that understands how to care for them properly. If you want Goldfish as pets, it’s important to do your research first!
And now we’ll explore all the reasons why it can be so hard to keep the Goldfish alive.
Table of Contents
Goldfish Are Sensitive To Water Quality
The most common reason why goldfish are difficult to keep alive is that they’re sensitive to water quality. Goldfish need clear, clean, and warm water in order for them to thrive.
If the temperature of their tank drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit or if it becomes too murky with algae (due to lack of proper care), then your fish can start developing health problems that will eventually lead them to death.
Some people might say that this challenge only applies when you have a small aquarium – but even large tanks can suffer from similar issues as well! This makes keeping goldfish challenging for anyone who wants one as a pet.
You can also get a water conditioner to keep the water clean.
They Need A Lot Of Oxygen So You Should Use An Air Pump And Bubbler
In a small aquarium, it’s almost impossible to provide them with enough oxygen.
In a larger aquarium, they can use the filter to get more air (but it isn’t guaranteed). If you don’t take care of this problem, then your fish may die from suffocation.
This is important because when the water starts to become stagnant, it can lead to high levels of ammonia building up in the tank – which can have a negative impact on our fishy friends.
The best way to prevent this from happening? Keep changing out some water once every week or so. You’ll want to use a siphon tube (which you can buy at most pet stores) when doing this activity as well.
This helps ensure that there’s less work for you down the line while also clearing away any debris hiding near the bottom of your container. Be careful not to overfeed them either.
Feed Goldfish Regularly With The Right Food And Avoid Overeating
This is important because overfeeding your goldfish can lead to increased levels of ammonia in the water and then death. When you feed it, make sure that you’re using enough food so that they don’t eat too much or else this will happen.
But on the flip side, if you starve them with minimal food for long periods of time, they’ll die as well. We want a happy medium.
One way to ensure this? Feed more often (2-3 times a day), but with less food.
The key is to find the perfect balance for your goldfish so they can live a long and happy life. When we get close to that point, it’s easier to maintain them too because there will be less work you need to do in order for them not just to survive but thrive.
Goldfish Are Sensitive To Water Temperature
Goldfish are pets that require a lot of care and maintenance to stay alive, but luckily there is some good news.
The first thing people need to know about goldfish is that they are sensitive to water temperature. This means that the amount of salt in their tank and how clean or dirty it is can affect them greatly.
The best water temperature for a Goldfish is between 68 and 74 degrees Fahrenheit. (source – https://www.aqueon.com/information/care-sheets/goldfish)
To warm up the water in their tank, you can get a heater. This is an easy and safe way to regulate the water temperature in their tank, but it’s important that they don’t get too warm either. You must follow the instructions on the heater to make sure they are not too warm or cold.
An aquarium thermometer is also a good way to make sure the water temperature is at a safe level.
They Need A Lot Of Space For Swimming
There is a lot of fish that don’t require a lot of space to live, but goldfish are not one of them. They require a big tank with at least 20 gallons per fish.
Goldfish need a lot of space. The tank also needs filtration because the water will become dirty quickly with these fish in it.
As I mentioned above, if they don’t get enough oxygen from their environment, it can lead to diseases like swim bladder disorder or constipation which are both painful and potentially fatal for your pet.
To summarize, it is very difficult for goldfish owners to keep their pet fish alive because they need a lot of water and space.
They also eat so much food which means that you have to feed them every day.It can be hard for some people who don’t know how or just neglect the work of caring for their pets but with enough care and research one should be able to take good care of these finny creatures.
I hope this article helped you learn more about why keeping goldfish is hard work!
