Did you know that goldfish can be trained to do exercises? You can truly interact with this fish by teaching it to swim through a circle and push balloons; it can even get food out of your hands. Playing with him is fun and represents an interactive way of keeping this fish.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using Food to Encourage Him to Play
Step 1. Feed it from your hands
Once it gets used to being in the aquarium for a few weeks, the goldfish is able to eat from your hands; this behavior allows you to teach him games, offering him food as a reward.
- Give him different types of food.
- This fish likes freeze-dried, pelleted, flaked food and fresh or frozen vegetables.
- Be careful not to overfeed him, otherwise you could cause him the ailment known as swim bladder disease. the fish begins to swell and float on the surface of the water. The solution in this case is to leave it on an empty stomach for a couple of days or give it only cooked beans or peas.
Step 2. Use food to encourage him to behave in a certain way
You can train him to do specific things, like crossing a circle. In fact, just like you would a puppy, you can teach him tricks using a tasty reward system; to do this, you can use a hollow stick to insert the food into to give it more quickly.
- Show him what you want him to do by guiding him through the game with the food held with the stick or fingers.
- For example, if you have installed a circle in the water, hang a treat on the opposite side of the fish and only feed it after it has swum through the circle.
- Repeat this training routine with any type of exercise you want it to do.
Step 3. Use a stick to feed him
This technique can stimulate him better than anything else to perform particular movements, because the stick allows the food to remain in the water and does not hinder the movements of the fish; you can make a training stick yourself by sticking a few treats into the end of a skewer.
If you don't have this type of sticks, simply put the pellets on the surface of the water; if the fish eats from your hands, you can give him the reward this way
Method 2 of 3: Adhere to a Training Regime
Step 1. Get a training kit
It is possible to teach the goldfish to play some games, but you have to be as consistent with him as you would be with the dog. One way to proceed is to buy a specific kit, usually with games, a manual and a stick to reward him with food more quickly.
- Watch the DVD and read the manual included in the kit, in order to learn the correct training technique.
- Some models come with a hoop, basketball court, tunnel, soccer goal, limbo shaft, and so on.
Step 2. Plan a training routine
If you don't intend to buy a video with the various instructions, you can still teach fish games. He begins to include the exercises in his daily schedule; choose a moment of the day that you can constantly dedicate to this commitment (a few minutes are enough). Do your training sessions at the same time every day.
Remember that goldfish must be at least 5cm long, as specimens that meet this minimum size respond best to training
Step 3. Enter one exercise at a time
Do not expect the fish to be able to immediately play all the games you have in mind; proceed gradually, one trick at a time, and move on to the next one only after he has become good at the first one.
Eventually, you might as well add more than one game to each training session
Step 4. Make up your own pastimes
If you don't have a specific kit, think about what tricks you can teach your little friend. For example, place a rubber band on the bottom of the ball so that it rests on its side; drag food through the ring to entice the fish to do the same and give him a food treat every time he swims through the circle.
You can also consider placing a carefully washed ball in the water and encourage your pet to push it into the tub
Method 3 of 3: Create a Playful Environment
Step 1. Use smooth, coarse gravel
Goldfish love to swim close to the bottom and for this reason you need to make sure that the crushed stone is big enough not to be ingested; also make sure that the pebbles are not sharp or prickly to prevent the animal from hurting its mouth.
- Make sure the gravel is treated so it doesn't alter the chemistry of the aquarium.
- The best thing to do is to buy the crushed stone at a pet store.
- If you need to collect stones from your property, boil them before placing them in the aquarium; check that they are large and smooth.
Step 2. Arrange the artificial plants
Goldfish love to swim around them, but they also love to nibble on them. If you are setting up an aquarium for this species, you should buy the plastic plants at a pet store; avoid cheap ones for outdoor decorations, as they can release chemicals into the water.
Step 3. Add some wood
This material makes the aquarium environment more interesting and realistic; as it must be treated so as not to pollute the water, do not take the twigs or sticks that you find outdoors, but buy those specific for aquariums or artificial ones at a pet store.
- You can add twigs and small hollow logs.
- These objects become structures around which the fish can swim during the day.
Step 4. Be careful when entering news
The aquarium accessories market is full of items you can add to your little friend's tank; however, these cheap plastic toys can be dangerous to water quality. Make all your purchases at a reputable aquarium shop.
These accessories can be pirate ship wrecks, colorful corals, divers and so on
Step 5. Avoid small cavities and caves
The presence of hiding places and holes to swim through is always appreciated by goldfish, but you have to make sure that the openings are not too small, otherwise the animal can scratch its belly or sides, which can affect the health of the skin.
- Instead, evaluate the width that the animal can reach as it grows, discussing it with the shop assistant; the size of the goldfish depends on the variety to which it belongs.
- The length varies from 15 to 40 cm.
- Buy caves and ravines that are larger than the diameter of your fully grown friend.
Step 6. Give the fish plenty of room
This specimen grows fast and produces a lot of excrement, so make sure it has 4 liters of space for every 5 cm of its length; you should therefore set up a 40-liter aquarium for a fish, even if it may appear very empty.
- The fish reaches its maximum size within two years; take this detail into consideration when purchasing the bathtub.
- A large aquarium is also more suitable for exercise as it provides plenty of room for swimming.
- Goldfish can reach a variable length between 15 and 40 cm, depending on the variety to which they belong.
Step 7. Insert another copy
Goldfish love to play with their own kind; however, as they are also very sensitive to the water they live in, do not place specimens that need warmer or saltier water in the same environment. For example, goldfish shouldn't live in a tropical fish tank.
- Tropical animals are bad playmates for this type of fish, because they need warmer waters and eat more protein.
- Remember that it is not necessary to include species that keep the aquarium clean, as goldfish love to eat algae.
Step 8. Understand what your friend doesn't like to do
There are several things this animal cannot or does not want to do; knowing his limitations and abilities, you avoid harming him or being disappointed that he does not perform certain tricks. For example, he doesn't like to live in a small bowl and he needs space to be comfortable.
- Doesn't like being touched, bright lights and loud noises.
- Don't tap the aquarium to get its attention; is able to perceive the vibrations through the water and those generated by your gesture can be very annoying.
Step 9. Observe what he likes to do
This animal loves to explore its environment; therefore provide him with lots of space, a varied diet and a fellow man with whom to share his existence; when both fish have become accustomed to your presence, you can use food to make them interact with you. Hold the food over one side of the aquarium and then move it to the other side before offering it to them; in this way you encourage them to follow you.
Advice
- Make sure you have a method for oxygenating the tub water.
- Bring your eyes very close to the aquarium and observe the fish as it approaches and examine your face.
Warnings
- Feed it every day.
- Never touch it, as you may damage its mucous lining which protects it from infection.
