Optimal Feeding Schedule for Goldfish: How Often?

How to Properly Feed Goldfish

Feeding goldfish correctly is essential for their health and wellbeing, as the feeding frequency and amount can vary depending on their growth stage:

1. Newly Hatched Goldfish (within 3 days): These tiny fish are equipped with a yolk sac that serves as a nutritional powerhouse, so they do not require feeding during this initial period.

2. Juvenile Goldfish: After three days, the fry will start to feed on their own. Their delicate digestive systems demand careful feeding. It's crucial to select the right starter food, as it significantly impacts their future health. Typically, a wellcooked egg yolk, wrapped in cheesecloth and finely crushed, can be offered. This should be gently stirred in the water for the fry to consume. Feed them twice a day, but only in small quantities. As the fry grow and can swim to the surface, you can introduce tiny brine shrimp or, if necessary, continue with the egg yolk. Once the fry reach 12 weeks old and are over 1 cm in length, you can start feeding them fish flakes or appropriate artificial food. During this juvenile stage, you can also offer them plankton like rotifers, paramecia, and daphnia.

3. Adult Goldfish: As goldfish mature, their diet can be more varied. Suitable foods include red worms, earthworms, daphnia, and bread worms of appropriate sizes, along with algae like yellow, diatom, green algae, small pondweeds, and aquatic plants. Artificial fish food can be the staple, with occasional treats of insects, aquatic plants, bread, bean cakes, algae, and bran. However, it's important to control portion sizes and feed them regularly. Generally, adult goldfish should be fed once daily, with the amount they can consume in about 5 minutes.

Additional Considerations:

Goldfish's appetite and food intake are influenced by various factors, such as weather, water temperature, water quality, environment, and their health. Here are some tips:

1. Weather: On sunny days, goldfish are usually more active and hungry. On cloudy or hot days, their appetite may decrease. Additionally, lower temperatures can also reduce their appetite.

2. Water Temperature: Goldfish are highly sensitive to water temperature changes, which can severely impact their appetite and even lead to illness. The ideal temperature range is 2028 degrees Celsius. When changing water, ensure the new water is within 2 degrees Celsius of the old water, and avoid feeding immediately after a water change.

3. Environment: When introducing new goldfish to their tank, it's best to let them acclimate for about 57 days before feeding. This allows them to adjust to the new water conditions. Different goldfish may have varying acclimation times.

By understanding and implementing these feeding guidelines, you'll be able to provide your goldfish with a balanced and healthy diet, ensuring they remain happy and healthy in their aquatic home.