For those who keep fish, there are four kinds of water: one is new water, which is just dried tap water or newly drilled well water water. This kind of water, although very clean, is very different from the environment in which fish live in nature. Since there is no nitrifying bacteria community in the water, fish excreta, scattered food debris decompose into ammonia after corruption and deterioration, and the fish are very easy to be poisoned. Secondly, the old water is light green or light amber in color, rich in humus and beneficial microorganisms and algae, which has established a good ecological cycle system, and after the nitrogen cycle, it decomposes into nitrate which is harmless to fish. This kind of water is extremely favorable to the growth of fish. Third, green water, the organic matter content in the water is too much, so cyanobacteria, green algae and brown algae bloom, bacteria and microorganisms in the content of the surge, the water is thick green, sometimes emit a foul odor, it is very easy to cause the death of the whole tank of fish. Fourth, back to the water, also known as the bite of the water, is too much algae and microorganisms in the green water, the aquarium oxygen consumption, resulting in the death of algae and oxygen-loving bacteria, so that the water becomes clear, no oxygen and a large number of anaerobic harmful bacteria in the stagnant water.
From this we can see that not all water is suitable for goldfish life, the most suitable water for goldfish growth is old water, the so-called water is to make new water into old water process.
Nowadays, most of the water we use to raise fish is tap water, so the first step to raise water is to remove chlorine, a toxic substance in tap water. In addition to chlorine method is relatively simple, the water will be good after standing for 2-3 days, or dry sunshine for 1 day (if urgent use can be added to every 100 kilograms of water 0.63 grams of baking soda, that is, sodium thiosulphate can be used immediately).
After the new water is ready, it should be put into the tank to open the filtration, so that the pump can make the static water into flowing water, and then put the fish into the tank. Usually we use nitrifying bacteria to remove ammonia from the water. Nitrifying bacteria can be added to the water, but their survival in the water needs to be attached, if there is no suitable attachment, add more nitrifying bacteria will not work, they will die in the water, nitrifying bacteria usually attached to the filter cotton or bottom sand. In fact, the flowing water will naturally produce nitrifying bacteria after a few days, and this is the most common method we use to cultivate nitrifying bacteria. The cultivation of nitrifying bacteria is the second step of water cultivation.
The following briefly introduces you to the chemical changes in the subtle nitrogen cycle to see how nitrifying bacteria work.
When the fish enter the tank, they excrete ammonia and other wastes into the water, the ammonia concentration in the water will rise, the nitrifying bacteria in the live water can break down the ammonia, (note: it takes a week or more for the nitrifying bacteria to form, so the fish suffers more during this period of time), and when the nitrifying bacteria colony is formed, the concentration of ammonia will be reduced until it is zero.
But things are not so simple, because nitrifying bacteria can only convert ammonia into nitrite, but still have toxic effects on the fish! So you have to understand that while the ammonia concentration is decreasing at the same time the nitrite concentration is increasing. So do not think that the ecological establishment of a good can rest easy to reduce nitrite should be timed to quantitative water changes to reduce the bottom of its concentration so as to maintain a relatively stable ecological water is always in the state of the old water.
It should also be told that the old water is what we are looking for, green water for goldfish also has many benefits. For example, green water can make the goldfish's body color darker, but there is too much algae in this kind of water to see the fish and it is not suitable for viewing. And when there is too much algae the fish will be deprived of oxygen, so you should pay attention to controlling the amount of algae in the water when raising goldfish with green water.
Selection of goldfish
Selection of robust, brightly colored fish
Selection of any species of goldfish, we should choose the fish body broad and strong, pectoral, abdominal and caudal fins are complete, tail open and smooth and large. Fish without dorsal fins, dorsal spine should be selected smooth, no mutilated dorsal fins or nodules. The color of the fish should be selected red delicate red, white pure white, blue blue, black ink black, flower color harmony, pattern detailed, there must be blue can be called five flowers. Some fish body is half red and half black or body red and the edge of the fins of the black, the eye is very beautiful, in fact, will soon become all red, to be foreseen.
In the selection of fish, the best in terms of characteristics, body shape or color are unique, should be selected to observe and cultivate.
Select healthy and disease-free fish
Generally speaking, in the pool (basin), active swimming, grouping, full-bodied, pectoral and abdominal fins open and often paddling, no white spots on the body, no white fluffy mucus, the tail, scales, no blood, ulceration, and do not often float on the surface of the water, and do not lie on the side, upside down, sinking, stools black and coarse for the health of the fish, there are foraging for food, fish, the above can be boldly purchased.
1 filtration system: As the density of family fish farming is generally larger, it is difficult to remove impurities and waste in the water by simply relying on the decomposition of the water itself. Establishing a good filtration system can effectively maintain water quality. A good filtration system can synthesize chemical, biological, physical filtration methods. Chemical filtration is to rely on special drugs to the water will be tiny suspended impurities cohesion, so that their precipitation or be physically filtered out. Biological filtration is by the beneficial biological flora in the water to decompose the waste in the water, and decompose the harmful substances into harmless. Physical filtration is to adsorb and filter out the impurity particles through the tiny pores of the filtering substance. For the characteristics of goldfish and the conditions of home fish keeping, you can use the following ways to establish a filtration system. Depending on the size of the aquarium, configure an external filter, either overhead or in a filter bucket. The flow rate of water can be found in the description of the pump. In general it is appropriate to circulate the water about 7 times per hour, e.g. for an aquarium with a length of 80, a width of 40 and a height of 40 with a volume of 128 liters, a filtration pump with a flow rate of 900 liters per hour is appropriate. For larger aquariums, it is recommended to install a built-in filter at the water inlet to prevent the water from flowing too strongly, and to increase the bends at the water outlet to minimize the impact of the water flow on the goldfish. Place biochemical sponges and activated carbon in the filter box (bucket) and replace them according to the degree of water pollution. But too frequent replacement is not conducive to the establishment of beneficial biological flora, generally replaced once a month.
2 biological decomposition: in the natural environment, the flow of the river through the place attached to a large number of beneficial flora, they can be produced by living organisms in the water metabolites and foreign pollutants decomposition. To keep the water clean and harmless. The establishment of beneficial bacteria in the aquarium can maintain the water quality for a long time without frequent water changes. Adding nitrifying bacteria in the aquarium is a shortcut to establish a biological decomposition system. Nitrifying bacteria sold in the market are mainly divided into two categories, active nitrifying bacteria and artificial nitrifying bacteria. Activated nitrifying bacteria are based on living bacteria as the main substance. Artificial nitrifying bacteria are substances that promote the growth of nitrifying bacteria already in the water. Activated nitrifying bacteria have a short time to work, according to the water temperature usually in 2-5 days, the water temperature in 25-30 degrees the most obvious effect. But the preservation time is short, usually not more than 12 months. Artificial nitrifying bacteria do not contain active strains, long storage time, usually about 2 years. But the onset of action is longer. It can be used in combination with a water clarifier before establishing a biological system.
3 fish density: even larger aquariums, the number of its breeding of goldfish is also limited, goldfish lively and active, can eat and pull. Water quality is more difficult to maintain with small tropical fish. Reasonable breeding density is important for beginners. Usually each goldfish 1 age fish to occupy 10 liters of water. In other words, an aquarium with a length of 80, a width of 40 and a height of 40 has a volume of 128 liters, which can hold 12 age 1 fish. Any higher density will make it difficult to maintain water quality for a long time. In addition different goldfish species for breeding density requirements are different, pearl, butterfly tail, blisters and other valuable varieties of breeding density to be smaller.
4 feed selection: feed for goldfish also has a great relationship with the maintenance of water quality. Goldfish are omnivores. Food range is very wide. It mainly includes: water flea, nematode, blood red worm, pellet feed, powder feed, flake feed and so on. Live water fleas are the best choice. Not only in feeding, Daphnia can suck the organic suspended matter in the water. And the metabolites produced by goldfish are not easily dispersed. Nematodes, blood redworms, and powdered feeds or not conducive to clean water because they will be parasitized in the sand bed or suspended in the water. High quality synthetic feeds will contain yeast, which can make the metabolites of goldfish decompose quickly, which is beneficial to maintain water quality. While poor quality synthetic feeds are not only devoid of nutrients, but also contain artificial colors that can discolor the water. It is also best not to use edible fish feed, such as carp feed for goldfish, which will also spoil the water quality. Turn off the filtration system during the feeding process so that it will not be sucked into the filter box, which will not only cause waste, but will also mold and produce toxic substances in the filter box.
5Fish environment: light, scenery, etc. to maintain water quality in the aquarium also has a certain relationship. Too much light will make the water a lot of algae. Appropriate curtains to cover, as well as regular cleaning will be effective management. Placing a sand bed at the bottom of the aquarium will also help to clean the water. Not only can adsorb impurities, but also to provide a breeding ground for nitrifying bacteria, the general thickness of about 4 centimeters, particles in about 4 millimeters, the sand bed is too thin to play a role in adsorption; sand bed is too thick will make the bottom of the sand bed lack of oxygen caused by the corruption of organisms. The particles are too large to make the feed sink into the crevices, not conducive to goldfish feeding; too small for the particles between the water flow and oxygen transfer, not conducive to the growth of nitrifying bacteria.
1Choose the timing. Goldfish are different from tropical fish, commonly farmed outdoors in fish farms, after thousands of years of breeding, has established its own biological clock, depending on the geographic area, spawning in the spring of each year from February to June. Generally in September-November is the best time to market goldfish, this period of goldfish has 3-6 months of age, can already highlight some of the characteristics of the species, and the fading color has been completed, with preliminary ornamental features. In July-August can be seen in the market fish farms out of 2-4 years of breeding fish, and the next year of goldfish, in which there is no lack of fine. However, the supply is low due to high temperatures, which are not conducive to long-distance transportation of goldfish.
2Choice of species. Depending on personal preference, you can choose from any of the dozens of varieties available. However, it is best to understand the differences between the various varieties before choosing, so that it is beneficial to keep a good goldfish. For example: leather ball pearl due to the variation is too large, short intestinal tract, swim awkwardly, much more stringent environmental requirements, need to be kept in clear water, shallow water, feed requirements of fine and easy to import. Blister goldfish are not suitable for mixing with other goldfish and kept in bare tanks without any ornaments to avoid blister breakage. For those who are new to keeping goldfish, you can start with goldfish that are easy to keep and inexpensive. Such as: Wenjin (Liujin), dragon eyes, etc..
3 Choose good products. Although Chinese goldfish have been selected and bred for thousands of years, it is still too short for a species. As a result, many goldfish varieties are not yet very stable, and the yield rate of individual new varieties is in the range of a few ten thousandths. A goldfish at home for months or even years, choose a good goldfish, you can get more beauty to enjoy. The general principle is to choose a variety of obvious characteristics, swimming freely, well-proportioned body shape, no disability goldfish.
The following table is for each species of goldfish good quality should have varieties of characteristics:
Category varieties of characteristics of disadvantages
Dragon species of dragon eye eyes for the checkerboard, symmetrical, colorful body. Four-leaf tail type floating varieties are not valuable
Butterfly tail full-bodied, short body length, tail type wide, as open-screen peacock into the fish tail easy to sag
Wen species of lion's head head head tumors plump and not loose, can be partially wrapped around the eyes, swim freely, tail type long head tumors are easy to ulcerate
Hat head tumors plump and tight, do not flare out to the gill cover and the body of the fish, high-bodied, swim freely head tumors easily ulcerated
Hat head tumors plump and tight, not expanding to the gill cover and fish body, high-bodied, swim freely head tumors are easy to ulcerate
These are the most important characteristics of the species.
Pearl scales protruding obviously, no lack of scales, swim freely, body like a round ball, mouth pointed, tail shank fine scales easy to fall off
Wenjin head is small, back bulging, body fat, tail type floating. Colorful without obvious defects
Egg seed blisters blisters large, symmetrical, transparent. Fish body is short, tail type long blisters easy to break
Watch the sky eyes upward, the body is fat, smooth dorsal type is not suitable for aquarium viewing
Tiger head tumor plump, full-bodied, short tail type, swim freely into the fish is easy to plant the head
LanShou head tumor plump and close to the body, the body of the full, dorsal type into a rounded arc, the caudal fin and the spine into a 90-degree angle into the fish is easy to plant the head
Not only that, the good goldfish should be complete fins, the back of the egg seed fish is smooth, foraging enthusiastically, swimming freely. Choosing a good product is like choosing jade from a stone, which is also the fun of choosing fish.
4, choose the age of the fish. Domesticated goldfish life expectancy of most of the 4-6 years, 2-3 years is the best ornamental fish age, this stage of the goldfish species features obvious, strong body, swim freely. 4-6 years is an old goldfish, body color receding, lazy, weak appetite, very easy to get sick. As for goldfish within 6 months, because the body development has just begun, the characteristics of the species are not obvious, and the color is not stereotyped. The rate of defective products is very high, and it is not easy to raise them because they are limited to family breeding conditions. Therefore, it is most suitable to choose goldfish of 6-18 months old. This stage of the goldfish, appetite, swim freely, species characteristics of the initial appearance, and the price is reasonable, can be kept at home for about 2 years
5 choose color. Goldfish color is very rich, red, black, blue, purple, bronze, white, five flowers, and so on, as well as two or more colors can be matched to produce more combinations and interesting patterns. Such as: three colors, magpie flower, jade seal head, crane red and so on. You can choose the color according to your personal preference and environment. The color of goldfish is grey in the juvenile stage, which is also a kind of biological protection color. The color is usually removed within 6 months of age. It is easier to produce some excessive colors and patterns before 2 years old. White and red are the most stable colors. Other colors may change depending on the age of the fish and the environment in which it is kept, especially in older goldfish.
Goldfish - Facilities
To do a good job, you need to have a good set of tools. Having a good set of facilities for keeping goldfish not only reduces the difficulty of keeping them, but also enhances their ornamental qualities. Currently in the ornamental fish market can be seen from all over the country, and even around the world production of fish breeding facilities, purchase is very convenient. It is necessary to match a good set of facilities according to the habits and characteristics of goldfish.
Facilities for raising goldfish mainly include: containers, filtration systems, oxygenation systems, and water changing devices.
Containers: Traditional goldfish breeding using ceramic pots, wooden pots (commonly known as "wooden sea"). Modern breeding more aquariums. Goldfish larger, swimming space requirements are also larger. Therefore, it is necessary to use more than medium-sized aquarium breeding, the smallest tank should be more than 60 centimeters. Goldfish have been bred artificially for thousands of years and are adapted to shallow water growth, so the depth of the aquarium should not be higher than 40 centimeters. The aquarium can be appropriately placed on the surface of the smooth small ornaments, but be careful not to leave dead ends, or swimming clumsy goldfish will be stuck in the inside causing damage. Aquarium can add top lighting to make up for the lack of light, but also easy to watch goldfish. For families with a large number of fish, it is important to prepare a holding tank to isolate sick fish and change the water to clear the tank for turnover.
Filtration system: Goldfish have a high activity level and metabolism. Therefore, the filtration system often adopts external filtration system. Including the top filter box and filter bucket. Filter box (barrel) placed in the biochemical sponge, activated carbon. The volume of the filter box (bucket) should be large, so that it can put enough filter material. It is important to use a brand-name pump head that not only makes less noise but also has a long service life. The pump head should be disassembled and cleaned regularly to enhance the filtration efficiency. The filtration system can be set up by referring to the content of "Home Goldfish - Water Maintenance".
Oxygenation system: the oxygen consumption of goldfish is very large, generally a 60-centimeter tank to keep two 10-centimeter goldfish, if there is no oxygenation system one night will lack of oxygen "floating head". Generally often used oxygenation equipment is an air pump. The air pump sends out the air through the air stone expansion dissolved in the water. The power of the air pump should not be too large, otherwise it will affect the habit of goldfish to live in still water. The air conduit of the pump should have a non-return valve to avoid water overflow through the conduit in case of power failure. For more "delicate" goldfish breeding, it is recommended to use the air pump as a kinetic drive biochemical sponges (commonly known as "water goblin"), oxygen filtering.
Goldfish - feed
Goldfish are omnivorous fish, a wide range of food. This brings great convenience to the feeding of goldfish. But to achieve good feeding results, you need to carefully understand the habits of goldfish and the characteristics of the various feeds, in order to make you raise bright colors and robust. Good goldfish feed ingredients should include: protein, fiber, fat, various vitamins and trace elements.
Feeds for goldfish are divided into two main categories: aquatic biological feeds and synthetic feeds.
Aquatic feed includes live or dried aquatic plants and animals that goldfish can ingest. Including: water fleas (commonly known as "red bungee"), cyclops (commonly known as "green bungee"), bloodworms (commonly known as "red worms"), water worms (commonly known as "nematodes"), floating weeds and so on. "
There are a number of different types of water worms in the world.
In all aquatic organisms feed, through practice, the nutrition of water flea is the most comprehensive, but also all the feed is the most suitable for feeding goldfish. When fed with Daphnia, goldfish not only love to eat, but also digest well and produce metabolites that are not easy to muddy the water. And the water flea live body can also devour the water suspended small dirt, thus playing the role of water purification (commonly known as "take water"). However, water fleas are generally dependent on nature's output and are affected by the seasons and weather. Therefore, Daphnia can only be purchased from April to November each year, which cannot meet the needs of domesticated goldfish throughout the year. In addition, live daphnia are not easy to preserve and will deteriorate in a day, so for modern people who are busy with work, it is not easy to rely entirely on daphnia to feed goldfish. It can be frozen or sun-dried to extend the preservation time, but it will also lose a lot of its nutrients.
Other aquatic feeds are not as nutritious as daphnia and tend to carry germs that can cause goldfish to fall ill, so it is important to avoid these drawbacks by sterilizing and alternating feeds.
In the past decade, the market gradually appeared synthetic feed, and the ratio of ingredients tend to be reasonable, the use of synthetic feed instead of the traditional aquatic biological feed fed goldfish, not only health, convenience, and as long as you master the feeding method, you can also achieve very good results.
Synthetic feeds can be categorized into four types according to the different forms: pellet feed, powder feed, flake feed and patch feed.
Pellet feed: is the most common goldfish feed. Generally floating on the type of the majority. After inputting the feed, the pellet feed floats on the surface of the water, and the goldfish need to swim to the surface and open their mouths to swallow it. It is especially suitable for feeding watchtowers, which can maintain the watchtowers' eyes upward feeding pattern, thus maintaining the breed characteristics. Since the pellet feed does not sink, it is not easy to leak into the crevices of the sand at the bottom of the aquarium and rot. However, for goldfish that can only forage underwater due to their body shape and species, they will starve because they can't find food.
Powdered feed: Fine particles can be used to feed young fish, commonly found in edible fish feed varieties. After putting in the feed, the powdered feed sinks slowly and the goldfish can eat strongly during the sinking process. However, if there is a paved bottom sand, it may fall into the crevices, making it difficult for the goldfish to eat it. General ornamental fish with powdered feed, will be puffed powdered particles. So that it can be suspended in the water for a longer period of time. The disadvantage of powdered feed is that it is easier to muddy the water.
Flake feed: also known as flake feed, is the ideal form of feed. After feeding, part of the flakes float on the surface of the water, part of the suspension in the water, and part of the sinking to the bottom of the water. However, due to the large surface area, it is not easy to leak into the crevices of the bottom sand. The palatability of goldfish is good, and even species with poor foraging ability, such as pearls, blisters, and tiger lions that have their eyes covered by head sarcomas, can be easily eaten. But the selling price is relatively high.
Patch feed: You can paste patch feed on the aquarium glass, and the goldfish will come over and eat it actively. You can clearly watch the eating process of the goldfish. It is suitable for feeding goldfish species with active swimming and strong body. But for blisters, pearls and other relatively "delicate" species, in order to prevent blisters, pearl scales in the scramble damaged, should be avoided. In addition, the patch feed is generally used as a supplement to other feeds.
Regardless of the form of synthetic feed, its composition must fully meet the needs of goldfish growth. Good goldfish feed ingredients should ensure that: protein is not less than 40%, crude fiber is not higher than 4%, crude fat is not less than 4% but also add natural astaxanthin, spirulina, water purification bacteria, as well as vitamins and trace elements and other substances. And in the purchase should pay attention to the shelf life and choose the regular factory products.
Feed tips: synthetic feed suitable for home feeding goldfish. Flake feed, is the ideal form of feed. Feed ingredients are important.