If you want to know if your goldfish is an adult or a baby, follow the steps outlined in this article.
Steps
Step 1. Find out which genus of goldfish your specimen belongs to
This article is specifically about the common goldfish found in any pet store, including the common variety, Comet and Shubunkin.
Step 2. Observe the color of your goldfish
If it has a greenish-bronze color, the fish is probably less than 1 year old. If it is metallic gold in color, it is likely an adult (2-25 years old).
Step 3. Note that the adult caudal fin (the fin on the back of the fish) is forked and characterized by sharp points
The tail fin of a young goldfish is mostly rounded.
Step 4. Look at its size
Common goldfish, Comet and Shubunkin can grow to over 30cm in length. Fantails are ornamental goldfish that can grow to a similar size depending on the variety, and generally have a more rounded body. If it is smaller in size, it means that it is a younger specimen or that it has not developed adequately due to poor water conditions and / or incorrect nutrition.
Step 5. For fancy varieties, look for pictures in books or on the internet
The physical peculiarities that characterize the fancy goldfish (the coloring of the Black Moor species, the hunched back of the Ryukin) develop later with age.
Step 6. In addition, males develop small white spots on the operculum (the gill cover), called nuptial tubercles or reproductive tubercles
Tubercles occur when goldfish are of a suitable age for breeding, which is between 2 and 3 years. Some goldfish are bred to obtain curled caps.
Advice
- Fish purchased from a pet store are more likely to be of a young age.
- Make sure the goldfish you intend to buy online aren't from sites that also sell other products (they'll tell you anything to close a sale).
- A single common goldfish should be kept in at least 200 liters of water. Add an additional 35 liters for each additional fish. A single fancy goldfish can be kept in 100 liters of water, with 35 liters for each additional fish.
- Goldfish sold in pet stores are usually young. You should feed your fish at least 2 times a day, as they digest food much faster than a human. In addition, it is important to clean the aquarium and change the water once a week.
- Adult goldfish are more likely to interact with other fish.
- Plants, gravel, and sponges (live ones) can help you filter the water.
- Buy a friend for your goldfish! The company of his fellow man can make him live more peacefully.
Warnings
- Do not storing goldfish in bowls, vases or small tanks, as it will make them stunted or at worst kill them, unless you do frequent water changes. It is not so much the size of the container that causes the damage, but the accumulation of waste material that produces toxic chemicals in the water, such as ammonia and nitrates. Unless the fish becomes extremely stunted, it will outgrow it to keep it in its tank.
- Don't change all the water at once; instead, do it over a week, changing about 1/3 of the tank each time.
- When you change the water, make sure it does not contain chlorine (a harmful gas for fish). If you use tap water, wait at least one night before pouring it into the bowl.
