Insights on Goldfish and Comet Care

Goldfish and comets are two of the most popular fish among aquarium hobbyists. In most instances, all amateur fish keepers start their journey with a pair of goldfish! 

Who Are Goldfish and Comets?

Goldfish, scientifically known as Carassius auratus and comet goldfish, also termed as Carassius auratus are both members of the family Cyprinidae. They are variations of the same species sharing a common ancestry. Goldfish were domesticated over a thousand years ago, they were originally bred from wild carp in China. Comets, a variety of goldfish, are distinguished by their longer, more flowing caudal fins, making them particularly popular among ornamental ponds and large aquariums.

Both species are hardy, adaptable, and social, making them perfect for aquarists of all experience levels. They can live in various water conditions, provided that the water quality is well-maintained. They are cold-water fish, which means they can tolerate a wider range of water temperatures compared to other tropical fish. Even though goldfish and comets are rather similar relative to movement, comets are rather faster as a result of their relatively elongated body and fins. 

Tank Conditions for Goldfish and Comets

Goldfish and comets are at their best in well-maintained tanks with proper filtration. They tend to make their tanks quite messy, so it's important to keep their tanks clean and ensure that water conditions are at their optimal. Adequate filtration and regular water changes are necessary to prevent the buildup of waste products.

They are at their best in tanks with temperatures ranging from 12°C to 22°C. Since goldfish and comets are cold-water fish, they do not require a heater, but extreme temperature fluctuations should be avoided.

A rather neutral pH level between 7 and 7.5 is ideal, and the water hardness should be between 5-19 dGH. Proper oxygenation and water circulation are also essential requirements for their well-being.

Diet for Goldfish and Comets

Goldfish and comets are omnivores.  A balanced diet is essential to ensure that they grow healthy and vibrant. High-quality goldfish pellets or flakes can form the base of their diet, but you should supplement this with fresh vegetables like peas, spinach, or lettuce. Live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms are excellent sources of protein. Goldfish food is available for purchase in-store at Melbourne Tropical Fish. 

Feeding should be done once or twice a day, but you should only provide food that can be consumed in 2-3 minutes to avoid overfeeding and water contamination. 

Additionally, fasting your fish once a week for about 24 hours can help maintain digestive health.

Goldfish and Comet LifeSpan

When cared for properly, goldfish and comets have long lifespans. On average, they live for 10-15 years in home aquariums, but some have been known to live over 20 years in optimal conditions. In outdoor ponds, where they have more room to grow and mature, they can live even longer. 

Tank Setup for Goldfish and Comets

When setting up a tank for goldfish and comets, size matters. Goldfish can grow quite large—up to 12 inches in length for some varieties—so they need ample space. A general rule of thumb is to provide 75 liters of water for the first goldfish and an additional 35 litres for each additional fish. Comets, being more active, require even more tank space to swim around.

In terms of tank setup, choose smooth, rounded gravel for layering and provide hiding spots using driftwood or live plants. However, avoid sharp objects that could tear their delicate fins. Goldfish and comets prefer to dig through the substrate, so secure any plants or decorations to prevent uprooting.

Breeding Goldfish and Comets

Goldfish and comets are prolific breeders which means they produce a larger number of offspring. They breed seasonally, typically in spring or summer when the water temperature rises. In a well-maintained aquarium upon mating, they will lay eggs on flat surfaces like plants or stones.

For breeding, you should first separate the male and female goldfish until they are ready to be introduced to a breeding tank. Once they are placed in the breeding environment, male goldfish will chase the female and nudge her to release eggs, which he will then fertilize. Fertilized eggs hatch in about 2-7 days, depending on the water temperature. After hatching, the fry should be moved to a separate tank as there is a chance the adult fish is eating the eggs.

What is it to have a “Goldfish Memory”?

Sometimes people consider themselves to have a goldfish memory when they tend to forget things within a shorter period. They say goldfish have a three-second memory. Is this true? This is far from true. Goldfish have been shown to have a memory span of several months, and they can recognize their owners, learn feeding times, and even perform simple tricks.

Aquarium Care for Goldfish and Comets

Maintaining a healthy aquarium requires consistent care and attention. Weekly water changes of around 25-30% of the total volume are recommended, especially due to the amount of waste goldfish and comets produce. A high-quality filter is essential to keep ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates at safe levels.

Regular testing of the water for pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels should be part of your routine maintenance. Goldfish are sensitive to poor water quality, and any drastic changes can lead to health problems.

Feeding Goldfish and Comets Properly

One of the common mistakes new fish owners make is overfeeding their fish. Overfeeding leads to poor water quality, as uneaten food decomposes, causing ammonia spikes. Feed your goldfish and comets small amounts of food, just enough for them to finish within 2-3 minutes. Floating pellets or flakes can cause goldfish to gulp air, which leads to swim bladder problems. Sinking pellets are a safer option. High- quality goldfish food is available to purchase at Melbourne Tropical Fish store. 

Colour Variations of Goldfish and Comets

Goldfish and comets come in an array of beautiful vivid colors. Goldfish are most commonly seen in shades of orange, red, white, and yellow, but they can also be found in black, blue, or a mix of several colors. Comet goldfish are typically orange or red with white or yellow highlights.

Special Care Tips for Goldfish and Comets

Goldfish and comets are relatively easy to care for, but they do require attention to certain aspects of their care. Clean water, a balanced diet, and enough space are the pillars of proper care. Monitoring water parameters regularly and acting quickly if levels go out of balance is crucial.

Additionally, goldfish are social creatures and do well in pairs or groups. If you plan on keeping multiple goldfish or comets, ensure that your tank is large enough to accommodate them.

• Enough tank space to swim and grow. Overcrowded tanks lead to stress, which can weaken their immune system.
• Use a water testing kit to check ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH levels frequently.
• Gradually change the water temperature and conditions when performing water changes to prevent shock.
• Along with pellets, incorporate live food to ensure they get all the necessary nutrients.

Common Diseases in Goldfish and Comets

Goldfish and comets are susceptible to a variety of diseases, many of which are preventable with proper care. 

• Ich also known as White Spot Disease is a parasitic infection that causes white spots on the fish’s body. It can be treated with over-the-counter medications and by raising the tank’s temperature slightly.
• Swim Bladder Disease is a condition that affects the fish’s buoyancy and is often caused by poor diet or overfeeding. This is easy to diagnose as the fish can be seen floating upside down. Feeding shelled peas and fasting the fish for a few days can help alleviate this issue.
• Fin Rot is a disease caused by bacterial infections, fin rot results in frayed and disintegrating fins. This could be treated with appropriate antibiotics and maintaining good water quality. 

Proper Medication

When treating diseases, always use fish-specific medications. For external parasites like ich, medications containing formalin or malachite green are effective. Antibiotics like erythromycin are useful for bacterial infections like fin rot. Ensure to follow dosage instructions carefully and remove any activated carbon from the filter before treating the tank.

Where to Buy Goldfish and Comets in Melbourne?

If you’re based in Melbourne and looking to buy high-quality goldfish or comets, check out Melbourne Tropical Fish, Which offers a wide variety of goldfish and comet goldfish, along with all the necessary aquarium supplies. Their knowledgeable staff can also provide helpful advice on how to care.