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Garden Ponds Goldfish Goldfish Care Goldfish Ponds Pond Predator Protection

Hardy Water Lilies Pond Plants – Pond Predator Protection For Goldfish

Sooner or later wildlife will soon visit your goldfish pond and hardy water lilies and pond plants are great pond predator protection for your fish. The more places your goldfish have to hide the better chance at survival. Hardy water lilies, floating aquatic plants and other water plants are a must for any garden pond. This gives your goldfish, koi or other fish plenty of places to hide. When having an outdoor pond you need to think of ways to protect your goldfish from pond predators.

Attraction Red Hardy Water Lilies - Pond Plants & Pond Predator Protection
Attraction Red Hardy Water Lilies – Pond Plants & Pond Predator Protection

With hardy water lilies the goldfish will be able to hide under the lily pads. This won’t be a for sure way to protect your pond fish but it will make it more difficult for them at least. When there are no hardy water lilies or other pond plants in your water garden it makes it pretty easy for a bird to swoop down and snatch up a goldfish for example. Water lilies are a great pond cover for fish. There are also other water plants that add protection such as floating aquatic plants like water hyacinths, water lettuce and parrots feather. Pond plants are a great natural way to protect your pond fish and have many benefits too.

Pond predator protection is a must for the overall safety of your goldfish. When caring for goldfish in a outdoor pond you can also think of buying pond predator protection decoys. A combination of hardy water lilies, pond plants and pond predator protection devices or decoys will help in the care of your goldfish.

I hope you don’t have any issues with any pond predators. If you do though, now you know a few ways to protect your goldfish. When building a pond always have some underwater caves built with rocks. Do as much as you can as you don’t want to go out to your pond one day to find out all your fish are gone. I’ve heard many stories and it’s sad to see your prized fish gone. Check out my other blog posts to on pond predator protection that can help you.

Jamie Boyle
The Goldfish Guy
Goldfish Care Information Diseases & Treatments
“Helping Goldfish Owners With Advice, Fish Care and Fish Medication Treatments for Goldfish Diseases, Illnesses and Parasites”

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Aquarium Plants Feeding Goldfish Goldfish Goldfish Care Pond Plants

How To Grow Duckweed Aquatic Floating Plants For Goldfish Feeding

If you’re looking to cut down on cost for feeding your goldfish you should learn how to grow duckweed, floating aquatic plants. Duckweed is small tiny plants that goldfish, koi and other types of fish love to eat. Duckweed is very easy to grow and you can feed it to your goldfish, koi fish in ponds or aquariums.

Feeding Goldfish Duckweed - Pond Fish Eating Duckweed
Feeding Goldfish Duckweed – Pond Fish Eating Duckweed, Tiny Floating Aquatic Plants

How To Grow Duckweed To Feed Your Goldfish

  1. The first thing you’ll want to do is buy some duckweed from your local pet store. Most pet stores should have some available. If not a friend that has a pond and is in hobby might have a scoop to give you. It grows quick, a scoop is all you’ll need.
  2. Once you have your duckweed, grab a bucket from your house and fill it with water. If you have a pond, grab the water from there. Place the bucket in full sun.
  3. Place the duckweed in the container of water.
  4. Add some Miracle Grow fertilizer. I like to add some to the water to help with the duckweeds growth and faster reproduction. Plants need nutrients to grow and multiply.
  5. As the duckweed grows, scoop out some to feed to your goldfish.

That’s all there is to it! It’s pretty easy to grow duckweed. It’s not hard to learn how to grow duckweed and you can be feeding your goldfish these tiny floating aquatic plants in no time. Your goldfish will love it! Feeding goldfish duckweed and a variety of different foods is recommended as it will help keep your goldfish healthy. I hope you decide to grow your own duckweed for your goldfish.

Jamie Boyle
The Goldfish Guy
Goldfish Care Information Diseases & Treatments
“Helping Goldfish Owners With Advice, Fish Care and Fish Medication Treatments for Goldfish Diseases, Illnesses and Parasites”

Categories
Aquarium Care Feeding Fish Feeding Goldfish Goldfish Goldfish Care

Feeding Goldfish Duckweed – Plant Food For Pond Fish or Aquariums

There’s nothing better then feeding goldfish duckweed whether it be for pond fish or aquarium fish. Duckweed is tiny floating water plants and helps keep your goldfish healthy with good digestion. Goldfish can easily digest duckweed and offers some fresh green plants to a goldfish diet. It’s always good to feed a wide variety of goldfish food that will help towards the overall health of your fish. Plant food for pond fish or aquarium fish is an excellent food source.

Feeding Goldfish Duckweed Live Floating Aquatic Plants
Feeding Goldfish Duckweed Live Floating Aquatic Plants

Duckweed is very easy to grow and your goldfish will love eating it. Feeding goldfish duckweed is something all goldfish keepers should do. First off goldfish love it and second duckweed reproduces very quickly. This will help cut down on your cost for goldfish food too. You can feed your goldfish duckweed in both fish ponds or aquariums. Feeding goldfish duckweed in the summer is very easy to do. Simply have a small container outside and as duckweed grows simply feed a small portion to your goldfish. They will love it! As you can see in the photos the goldfish love eating duckweed.

Feeding Goldfish Duckweed Fish Pond
Feeding Goldfish Duckweed Fish Pond

If you haven’t tried giving your goldfish some duckweed to eat you should. They love eating these tiny floating aquatic plants. Next time you’re at your local pet store or local nursery buy duckweed for your goldfish. Feed your goldfish some live aquatic floating water plants such as duckweed in their diet. Trust me, they’ll devour it in no time!! Duckweed is very easy to grow and care for too.

Jamie Boyle
The Goldfish Guy
Goldfish Care Information Diseases & Treatments
“Helping Goldfish Owners With Advice, Fish Care and Fish Medication Treatments for Goldfish Diseases, Illnesses and Parasites”

Categories
Aquarium Care Aquarium Plants Goldfish Goldfish Care Goldfish Diseases Goldfish Medications Ich Fish Treatment Ich White Spot Disease

Treating Ich In a Planted Aquarium – Will Fish Medication Kill My Live Plants?

That day will come when you have to deal with treating ich in a planted aquarium and most aquarium owners are afraid of killing or harming their aquarium plants. You have every right to worry! Think of the time and money you put into your fish tank only to have some fish medication kill your aquarium plants.

What you need to do is find ich medication that is safe for aquarium plants. There is one that I’ve used that treats ich and is plant safe.  When treating for ich try using Maracide From MardelLabs which treats against ich, velvet and other external parasites. This ich medication I’ve used many times and it did not kill or harm my aquarium plants at all.

Maracide Mardel Labs - Fish Medication For Treating Ich

So next time your goldfish or tropical fish catch ich don’t worry! Use Maracide from Mardel Labs and get rid of ich fast and keep your aquarium plants safe.

Other Related Posts:

Treatment For Ich or White Spot Disease In Goldfish
Goldfish Disease- White Spot Disease- Ich (Ichtyopthirius)
Breeding Tubercles Not White Spot Disease Ich
Goldfish Medication Treatments For Illnesses, Diseases and Parasites Including Ich Medication

Sincerely,

Jamie Boyle
The Goldfish Guy
“Helping Goldfish Owners With Advice, Fish Care and Fish Medication Treatments for Goldfish Diseases, Illnesses and Parasites”

Categories
Aquarium Care Aquarium Plants Goldfish Goldfish Care

Can I Put Live Aquarium Plants In My Goldfish Tank?

Thinking of putting live aquarium plants in your fish tank with your goldfish? Go for it! Yes, you can add aquarium plants even though you have goldfish. I know many people think that goldfish will eat anything green and the live plants you add to your aquarium will be nothing but fish food. That’s not the case. You can still create a beautiful aquarium with plants and have goldfish in it too.

Goldfish do like to eat and nibble at plants but what you need to do is add aquarium plants that your goldfish won’t be interested in eating. For instance if your thinking of putting some duckweed in your fish tank, it will be gone before you know it. Goldfish love eating duckweed! What you need to do is add aquarium plants that are tough and that has leaves your fish don’t like to eat.

What I have tried over the years and have had great success with is using aquarium plants like Java Fern and Anubias. What I like to do with these plants is attach them to rocks or pieces of driftwood. These plants look amazing in an aquarium! The driftwood makes a nice centrepiece as well.

Live Aquarium Plants In Fish Tanks Look Amazing!

So if your tired of those fake artificial aquarium plants and want real live plants, give it a shot! Aquarium plants are very beneficial and they will help filter your water as well. Nothing beats natural filtration and that’s what water plants do.

So next time your at the pet store or online, pick up a few aquarium plants and add them in with your goldfish. Let me know how you make out! I guarantee you’ll love the new look that live plants do for your aquarium. You’ll also love the colours of your goldfish as it will seem so much brighter as they swim amongst the aquarium plants.

Other Related Posts:

Adding Aquarium Plants – Live Aquatic Plants For Goldfish Tank Beneficial
Goldfish Aquarium – Should I Add Real or Artificial Aquatic Plants To Fish Tank?

Sincerely,

Jamie Boyle
The Goldfish Guy
“Helping Goldfish Owners With Advice, Fish Care and Fish Medication Treatments for Goldfish Diseases, Illnesses and Parasites”

Categories
Aquarium Care Aquarium Plants Goldfish Goldfish Care

Goldfish Aquarium – Should I Add Real or Artificial Aquatic Plants To Fish Tank?

When you first get in the aquarium hobby, buy your first goldfish people often debate whether or not they should add real aquarium plants or artificial water plants to their fish tank. It really depends on you! There are many benefits of adding real live aquatic plants to your aquarium rather then buying artificial aquarium plants. Do you want the real look or the fake look? Natural looking aquariums with real water plants look amazing but don’t think for a moment you can’t have a nice loking aquarium with artificial aquatic plants either.

Live Aquarium Plants For Fish Tanks Are Very Beneficial
Live Aquarium Plants For Fish Tanks Are Very Beneficial

 

Ultimately it’s up to you! Personally I like both and there are pros and cons that might make up your decision. Here are some pros and cons for live aquarium plants versus artificial aquarium plants:

Live Aquarium Plants – Pros / Benefits

1. Helps filter your aquarium by removing harmful toxins
2. Provides you a natural looking environment for the aquarium fish
3. Provides a food source for your fish that they can nibble on and eat
4. Offers great hiding spots for baby fish to hide from larger fish
5. Produces oxygen in the water during the day
6. Helps control against algae

Cons

1. Produces carbon dioxide at night, you must ensure you have good aeration in your tank
2. Maintenance needed such as trimming live aquarium plants back so it does not take over your tank
3. Needs good lighting for aquarium plant growth
4. Can carry fish parasites, ensure they are treated or come from a fish tank that has no diseases or parasites 

Artificial Aquarium Plants – Pros

1. Less maintenance and no need to trim plants back
2. No aquarium heater needed if you have coldwater fish such as goldfish
3. Fish can not eat and destroy your aquarium plants
4. Great for new beginners on aquariums, simply place it in your tank and that’s it!
5. No chance of introducing fish diseases and parasites to your aquarium

Cons

1. Does not help filter the water to make it safe for your fish
2. Does not add oxygen to the water
3. Does not help against algae
4. Does not provide a food source for fish

No matter what you decide your aquarium will look good either way whether you have live aquarium plants or fake articial plants. Whether you have goldfish or tropical fish you can still enjoy both. Decorate your fish tank with aquarium decor, add some live or artificial aquarium plants and enjoy the hobby. Make your aquarium look the way you want. I know I like a natural looking aquarium with live aquatic plants but artificial ones look nice too!

What do you prefer to have, live aquarium plants or artificial plants? Share your thoughts and opinions.

Other Related Posts:

Can I Put Live Aquarium Plants In My Goldfish Tank?
Adding Aquarium Plants – Live Aquatic Plants For Goldfish Tank Beneficial
Treating Ich In A Planted Aquarium – Will Fish Medication Kill My Live Plants?

Sincerely,

Jamie Boyle
The Goldfish Guy
“Helping Goldfish Owners With Advice, Fish Care and Fish Medication Treatments for Goldfish Diseases, Illnesses and Parasites”

Categories
Aquarium Care Aquarium Plants Goldfish Goldfish Care

Adding Aquarium Plants – Live Aquatic Plants For Goldfish Tank Beneficial

If you decide to add aquarium plants to your goldfish tank there are many benefits to it. Live aquatic plants can help keep your fish tank healthy and safe for fish. Water plants are very beneficial as they help filter the water in your aquarium by reducing nitrates in your fish tank which is a plant fertilizer. Aquarium plants also helps reduce algae in your fish tank as well.

Do you really need to add aquarium plants to your goldfish tank?No but it will definitely help reduce aquarium maintenance, keep your fish tank healthy and help keep the water crystal clear. Live aquarium plants also add oxygen to the water during the day and goldfish can eat some plant leaves which they will enjoy.

Beautiful Aquarium Fish Tank With Live Aquatic Plants!

If your thinking of adding aquarium plants to your goldfish tank you should think of it strongly. There are many benefits to live aquatic plants versus artificial aquarium plants. Using live aquarium plants your fish tank will look amazing and create a natural looking environment for your goldfish!

Other Related Posts:

Can I Put Live Aquarium Plants In My Goldfish Tank?
Adding Aquarium Plants – Live Aquatic Plants For Goldfish Tank Beneficial
Goldfish Aquarium – Should I Add Real or Artificial Aquatic Plants To Fish Tank?

Sincerely,

Jamie Boyle
The Goldfish Guy
“Helping Goldfish Owners With Advice, Fish Care and Fish Medication Treatments for Goldfish Diseases, Illnesses and Parasites”

Categories
Feeding Fish Feeding Goldfish Garden Ponds Goldfish Goldfish Care

Check Pond Water Temperature When Feeding Goldfish In Fall

It’s September now and are you checking the water temperature of the pond when feeding your goldfish? You need to start checking the temperature as you should be now feeding your pond fish a wheat germ based food as it’s easy to digest. You need to stop feeding your goldfish a high protein food like you did in the summer. If you don’t this could lead to goldfish health problems, diseases or illnesses.

Once you start noticing colder nights and the leaves changing colours you know that the pond water temperature is changing. I know that last few nights here have been colder so I went to check the water temperature in our ponds today and it’s 62 degrees fahrenheit or 16.67 degrees Celsius. We even have a risk of frost tonight that will lower the water temperature in the pond.

You should stop feeding your goldfish when the water hits 55 degrees. When you see your goldfish slowing down or not as active as normal, you know they are getting ready for hibernation. You must pay attention to the water temperature as what you do could impact the health of your goldfish.

Have you checked your water temperature in your goldfish pond yet? If not please do! Feeding goldfish in the fall is different then summer.

Sincerely,

Jamie Boyle
The Goldfish Guy
“Helping Goldfish Owners With Advice, Fish Care and Fish Medication Treatments for Goldfish Diseases, Illnesses and Parasites”

Categories
Goldfish Goldfish Care

Goldfish Tips When Buying & Selecting Goldfish At Pet Stores – What To Look For

When buying goldfish from pet stores there are somethings you should do to ensure you are buying healthy goldfish when selecting fish at pet shops. You should first buy fish from pet stores that are known for their quality, variety and service. Buying goldfish from clean pet stores and great service are a good way at making an excellent purchase when buying goldfish.

There are always thing people should look out for before buying your goldfish from pet stores.

1. Make sure the pet store is clean, if not how well are the fish really being taken care of.

2. Never buy fish from a tank that has more then one dead fish. Dead fish are the first signs of whether or not there being taken care of well or something is wrong with the aquarium.

3. Look for any signs and symptoms of goldfish diseases or illnesses. Are they scratching on the aquarium bottom, are they sluggish, weak, bloody streaks in fins, torn fins, white spots ( ich ) or swimming erratically. If so don’t buy from these tanks, if you do you may just be bringing a headache home and infect your other goldfish at home if you have some.

4. Smell the water, the water should have no smell if it’s being taken care of properly. If there is a smell signals poor care for fish or something is going wrong with the aquarium water chemistry.

5. Avoid buying stunted fish and deformed fish. Everyone wants perfect looking fish for their aquarium and these fish may have trouble competing for food with others, they may be slower and then will develop razor back disease which is deterioration of the body due to malnutrition.

6. Never buy a goldfish from a tank that’s being treated, and they shouldn’t sell it to you either.

7. Ask all kinds of questions, if you have questions they should be able to answer them. If they don’t know, well how good are these goldfish really being taken care of.

Going into the pet store with a little knowledge is the first step in buying goldfish and making a good purchase from the pet store. Knowledge will help you in your goldfish hobby and save the headache of bringing home someone’s problem and saving some money in the meantime. Before buying goldfish make sure you do all the research you have to involved in golfish care, goldfish diseases and information, to know what your getting yourself into and know all the things needed in taking care of your new goldfish.

Sincerely,

Jamie Boyle
The Goldfish Guy
“Helping Goldfish Owners With Advice, Fish Care and Fish Medication Treatments for Goldfish Diseases, Illnesses and Parasites”

Categories
Goldfish Goldfish Care Goldfish Diseases Ich Fish Treatment Ich White Spot Disease

Goldfish Disease- White Spot Disease- Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)

Goldfish disease are very common in goldfish and one of the most common goldfish diseases is white spot disease or Ich as a short version of the scientific name Ichthyophthirius multifiliis. Ich is very common and usually occurs from either due to stressful situations like poor water conditions or a sudden chill. You can usually tell when goldfish diseases occurs as they become ill or sick by symptoms like either rapid breathing or scratching on the gravel in the aquarium can indicate signs of white spot disease or ich.

When you notice this behaviour in goldfish, look at your goldfish closely and you will probably see white spots or like small grains of salt on your goldfish. These white spots, goldfish disease, are the parasites which are feeding on the goldfish’s body fluid. White spot disease or Ich can spread quite rapidly on the goldfish if left untreated.

Here is a picture of blue catfish which is covered with ich. These look like grains of salt which are the ick parasite. You can see all the white spots or cysts that are all over their body in this photo. The blue catfish is also showing signs of stress as you can see by the clamped fins.

Blue Catfish Heavily Infested with Ich Commonly Known As White Spot Disease - Ick
Blue catfish heavily infested with ich commonly known as white spot disease, ick.

The first thing you need to understand is how the parasites life cycle operates when attacking the goldfish itself. Each cyst or white spot is the parasite which is feeding off of the goldfish. It has attached itself to them by swimming as a small microorganism. These parasites need to find a host or they die. Once the parasite finds the host (goldfish) it hooks onto the skin and begins feeding. When they first attach themselves they are too small to be seen by the eye. As these parasites feed you will then see them as small white spots usually within a day or two covered over the body of the goldfish. Once this happens these cysts or parasites break free from the goldfish and begins to reproduce very rapidly. This goldfish disease spreads quickly and proper goldfish care needs to be done right away.

 

The reproduction phase of these parasites is when it infects goldfish very quickly. As mentioned above each cysts or parasite breaks free from the goldfish, when this happens each cyst that breaks open contains about 500 new parasites for ever cyst. The numbers can become quite significant and can literally take over the goldfish’s body if left untreated. When these 500 new small microorganisms become free swimming they need to find a host. When they do the whole process begins all over again.

Controlling the population of these parasites can only be done when the life cycle of these parasites are in the free swimming stage. They can only be killed during this stage with proper chemical or ich medications. The best thing to do when treating your goldfish aquarium for ich diseases is to treat it for at least 10 days. By doing this it will ensure you totally destroy all parasites as each parasite may be in a different stage at the time of treatment. Remember ich can only be killed during the free swimming stage so make sure you treat minimum 10 days. Each cysts must break open to be exposed to the medication to eliminate these parasites.

Treating ich or white spot disease in goldfish needs to be taking care of right away as it’s a very aggressive disease that attacks goldfish. Begin treatment right away for excellent results.

Other Related Posts: