What's the lifespan of a goldfish?

Goldfish have a lifespan averaging about 10-15 years, with some varieties living up to 30 years when provided with proper care. Unfortunately, many goldfish do not reach their lifespan potential due to inadequate housing conditions.

How long will a goldfish live in a bowl?

Author Note: A Goldfish living in a bowl is lucky to make it to one year. Even if you do things right and perform frequent water changes, the average lifespan in a bowl is only two to three years.

Can goldfish live for 5 years?

On average, goldfish live for 5 to 10 years. However, their lifespan varies massively depending on how well they are looked after and the conditions they live in. A goldfish kept in poor conditions will die within days or weeks. Whereas a goldfish that is well looked after can live for more than 10 years.

How long does the average pet goldfish live?

Goldfish are a favorite pet among both adults and children, but most pet goldfish are lucky to survive for just five years before kicking the bucket despite their 15-year life expectancy. But why is that? – As it would seem, the leading factor for shortened life expectancy among pet goldfish is poor tank maintenance.

Can goldfish live for 12 years?

Common goldfish can live up to 10 years but are more likely to live for 4 or 5 due to the risks of predation, disease, and competition with other fish. In captivity, they can live for 10-14 years in a tank that is at least 50 gallons.

How Long Do Goldfish Live? What Is The Average Lifespan Goldfish

Do goldfish get lonely?

Goldfish are just not the same as humans – they're not social animals in the same way that we are, and they don't have the same capacity to get bored or long for companionship. In fact, many of the longest living goldfish have been kept alone, with no obvious harm to their well being.

Do goldfish need friends?

Keeping at least two goldfish in an aquarium is recommended to provide companionship and promote activity. Solitary fish can exhibit depression and lethargy. Goldfish are generally not aggressive so they can be kept with most community fish provided the other fish are larger than the size of the goldfish's mouth.

How often do you need to change goldfish water?

A goldfish bowl without a filter should be cleaned twice a week. With a filter you can clean it every 7-10 days. How do I clean my bowl? Remove 1/3 of the water and put it in a different container.

How can you tell if a goldfish is dying?

Do goldfish like ice water?

If you're concerned about your goldfish getting too cold during the winter, you should know that common-type goldfish can tolerate water as cold as 32-40˚F. The key to cold temperatures is preventing the water from freezing completely over to ensure oxygen continues to enter the water.

Do fishes sleep?

While fish do not sleep in the same way that land mammals sleep, most fish do rest. Research shows that fish may reduce their activity and metabolism while remaining alert to danger. Some fish float in place, some wedge themselves into a secure spot in the mud or coral, and some even locate a suitable nest.

Why do goldfish turn white?

Did you know that goldfish have pigment in their skin? This pigment can react to UV light in some fish. So, your goldfish could turn white due to both a lack of sunlight or too much sunlight. In the case of too much light, fish usually respond to the dramatic change.

Why do goldfish turn black?

Ammonia changes are, by far, the most common reason why goldfish turn black. Generally, the color change starts on the fins. Over time, it can get progressively worse and spread to the body. There, it'll appear as small batches of black skin that look burnt.

Can a goldfish live without a filter or air pump?

As it has been stated, goldfish do not always require an air pump to survive. It can do well in a tank that is well oxygenated for as long as it normally can. As long as there is enough surface movement that translates to oxygen, then the goldfish can live just fine without an air pump.

How often should you feed goldfish?

Feed 2-3 times daily. It is important to avoid overfeeding goldfish as this can cause indigestion and/or contaminate the tank. In terms of the amount to feed, a good rule of thumb is to only feed an amount that the goldfish can consume in under two minutes or only feed as much as the size of the goldfish's eye.

How big can a goldfish get?

According to National Geographic, goldfish are usually around 7 to 16.1 inches long and weigh 0.2 to 0.6 pounds, but can top 5 pounds in the wild.

How do you know if a goldfish is happy?

How can you tell if goldfish are male or female?

The anal fin in males is closer to the tail compared to females. Male goldfish tend to have more flowing fins and tails compared to females. Male goldfish tend to have a slightly smaller and skinnier body compared to females. Females will have a larger and rounder body and their abdomen can appear soft.

What kills goldfish in a tank?

Chlorine and chloramine are additives in tap water that can kill goldfish as well. These get into your tank if you perform water changes and add untreated tap water to your tank. You should always use chemical additives that remove chlorine and chloramine from water before you add it into your tank.

Is it OK to feed goldfish once a day?

Until they are one year old, you should feed goldfish 2 or 3 times per day. Once they are older than one year, you should feed goldfish just once per day. There are, however, a number of factors that could lead you to adjust this schedule. Also, the type and amount of goldfish food you feed your goldfish is important.

Can goldfish live in tap water?

Goldfish can only live in tap water when it has been properly treated to remove harmful chemicals. What is this? Tap water contains chemicals that will kill all of the 'good bacteria' in your tank. Good bacteria develops through a process called cycling, which we talk about in more detail here.

What do goldfish like in their tank?

Goldfish like plants, variety in their food, a large, clean tank with a stress-free environment, lots of oxygen in their tank, nice cold soft water, other Goldfish as mates and some decorations in their tank.

How can I play with my goldfish?

You can actually interact with your goldfish by teaching them to swim through hoops and push balls around. You can also feed them with your fingers. Playing with your goldfish is a fun and engaging way to enjoy owning a pet fish.

What size tank do I need for 2 goldfish?

Based on the rules above, the goldfish tank size we recommend for two goldfish is: 42 gallons for two Common goldfish. That's 30 gallons for the first fish and 12 additional gallons for the second fish.

How do you cheer up a goldfish?