What do Goldfish like in their tank? On this page, we will explore some of the things that goldfish need in their tank. We will also discuss how to create a healthy environment for your fish. So if you are curious about what things will make your Goldfish happy, keep reading.
Artificial Plants for Goldfish
Goldfish like artificial plants in their tank, as they provide hiding places. Live plants can also be beneficial, as they provide oxygen and help to remove nitrates; however, you want to be sure to get a type of plant that is safe for goldfish since Goldfish will likely try to eat them.
If you want a more natural look than plastic plants, there are artificial plants made from silk available for purchase online and at most pet stores.
MyLifeUNIT Aquarium Plants 10 Pcs and Fish Tank Decor Plants 4 Pcs Green Water Plants Bundle
The MyLifeUNIT Artificial Plants (Buy Online) bundle comes with 14 green artificial plants and 1 ceramic base. They can stand upright by themselves without any support from other objects like rocks or driftwood, which means they will be able to hold up to Goldfish who lover rearranging plants.
MyLifeUNIT Aquarium Plants, 20 Pack Artificial Fish Tank Plants for Aquarium Decorations (Green)
MyLifeUNIT Aquarium Plants (Buy Online) are made from silk which makes them safer for your goldfish to hide among the stems and leaves without getting injured by sharp plastic edges or having pieces left behind when you remove it from your tank. The ceramic base also keeps it firmly planted on the bottom of your tank even if your Goldfish try their best to move them.
Live Plants for Goldfish
Java Fern Bare Root | Microsorum Pteropus – Low Light Freshwater Aquarium Plant
Java Ferns (Buy Online) don’t need much light or water movement, and they’re easy to attach to rocks or driftwood with fishing line or thread. And these live java ferns are available online at an affordable price so that every fish lover can enjoy having a beautiful planted aquarium without breaking the bank,
AquaLeaf Florida 10 Species Live Aquarium Plants Bundle
The AquaLeaf Live Aquarium Plants Bundle (Buy Online) provides you with everything you need to start growing beautiful aquatic plants right away. This bundle includes ten different species of live tropical aquarium plant bunches ranging from 6-12 inches in height. And Each bunch has several stems so there should be enough for a medium-sized Goldfish tank.
Goldfish Tank Decorations
Goldfish like decorations in their tank. It’s important to provide them with plenty of places to hide and explore, so they don’t get “bored” or feel unsafe. Some common items that people put in a goldfish tank include live or fake plants, caves or unique themed decorations, light-up decorations, and background inserts. They also enjoy hanging out in flower pots or other homemade DIY decorations if you’re not interested in adding kitschy fish store decorations to your tank.
GreenJoy Aquarium Decorations Fish-Tank Accessories Plants – Fish Tank Decor Kit
The GreenJoy Aquarium Decoration Kit (Buy Online) has everything you need to add color and interest to your tank in one convenient package. This kit includes 12 plastic plants, 1 blue or pink starfish, 9 artificial plants, and an artificial decaying tree trunk. Plus, these decorations are made of durable resin so they look great while being completely safe for your fish.
Aeration
Goldfish like tanks with good aeration. This is because they come from lakes and ponds where there is a good amount of oxygen present in the water. Most store-bought pumps just won’t provide enough aeration to an overstocked goldfish tank (FYI which most goldfish tanks are). That’s why it’s a good idea to get a commercial air pump since they can deliver more oxygen to a greater depth, and they are less likely to fail over time.
Air Pump Goldfish
Pawfly 7 W 254 GPH Commercial Aquarium Air Pump Adjustable Quiet Oxygen Aerator Pump
The Pawfly 7 W 254 GPH Commercial Aquarium Air Pump (Buy Online) is the perfect way to provide aeration for any size goldfish tank. This air pump comes with a 4 outlet divider to manually control the airflow individually from each port, and it has a Max pressure of 0.025Mpa and it only draws 7 watts at full power. Plus, it doesn’t cost much more than a standard fish store air pump, but it literally blows them out of the water.
Airstone for Goldfish
NEPTONION air Stone Disc Aquarium Fish Tank Bubbler
The NEPTONION Air Stone Disc Aquarium Fish Tank Bubbler (Buy Online) adds oxygen to your tank by releasing tiny bubbles into the water. This helps prevent algae growth while keeping your fish healthy. and this stone disc lasts longer than other cheap air stones on the market. Plus, these bubblers are great for all types of tanks, including freshwater or saltwater aquariums.
Deep Substrate
Gravel or a clay-based planted tank substrate is usually the best choice for goldfish. However, you want to avoid sand since it can be unsafe for goldfish and can be hard to maintain.
TIP: In order for goldfish to thrive in their tank a deep clay-based substrate is necessary as it helps remove nitrates from the water when placed on top of an undergravel filter.
Learn More: Fish Tank Gravel Calculator (Click Here)
Rocks (Real or Artificial)
Goldfish like a tank that has real or artificial rocks. Real rocks provide hiding places for the fish and also help to anchor plants in the tank. Artificial rocks, on the other hand, are beneficial because they do not affect the pH of the water and they are less likely to cause problems in the long run.
Either real or artificial rocks will work, but it’s important to make sure that the rocks are stable and won’t tip over and break your tank or harm your fish. Additionally, you should make sure that rocks with holes in them are big enough so that your fish can fit through any openings without getting stuck.
PINVNBY Aquarium Resin Mountain View Decoration Artificial Rocks
PINVNBY Artificial Aquarium Rocks (Buy Online) make it easy to create a beautiful landscape for your fish without breaking the bank. And whether you want natural-looking faux rock formations you can find a wide range of artificial rocks for sale online (Click Here)
Filtration
Goldfish are messy eaters and they produce a lot of waste, so owners must be vigilant about keeping their fish tank clean.
That’s why a goldfish tank should have a deep substrate (at least 3-inches) placed on top of an undergravel filter to control nitrates. Plus, a goldfish tank will also need a powerful canister filter to remove any free-floating debris.
And don’t forget about water changes. Doing them regularly will clear out any built-up nitrates and organic waste. And the more often the better but once every two weeks should suffice if you don’t overfeed your goldfish.
Penn-Plax Clear-Free Premium Under Gravel Aquarium Filter
The Penn Plax Clear-Free Premium Under Gravel Aquarium Filter (Buy Online) is a high-quality aquarium filter with 2 carbon cartridges included right out of the box. Just clip each section together, place it under gravel, add some water and you’re ready to go. Plus, there’s no need to worry about purchasing additional parts as everything comes with this kit already included.
Goldfish Aquarium Chiller or Fan
Did you know that goldfish like their tanks in the low 60-degree F range? While this may seem cold, it’s actually just right for them. In the summer it can be hard to keep your goldfish tank cool enough in some places. That’s why we recommend looking into getting an aquarium fan or chiller if your goldfish tank reaches over 80+ degrees regularly.
Zoo Med Aqua Cool Aquarium Cooling Fan, Black
The Zoo Med Aqua Cool Aquarium Cooling Fan (Buy Online) solves fish tank overheating problems by providing constant cooling for your aquarium. It keeps your fish healthy even when it’s sweltering outside, so you won’t have to worry about them overheating during those long summer days.
Goldfish Tank Heater
Goldfish need a heater if you want to keep them active when the temperature drops. Even though they are very cold-tolerant they will start to slow down and become lethargic when the water temperature in their tank falls into the mid-’50s. This is natural for them, but it makes them less interesting and it also suppresses their need to eat.
If you want to keep your goldfish active year-round you can add a submersible heater to their tank. This will only be necessary during the coldest part of the winter if your tank is in an unheated room or a basement.
Fluval Submersible Heater
Fluval Submersible Heaters (Buy Online) automatically maintain the perfect aquarium temperature, and you just set it once and forget about it. They’re easy to install, affordable, reliable, and safe for both saltwater and freshwater tanks. Plus they look really cool with their reflective mirror finish.
Related: Try Our Fish Tank Heater Calculator (Click Here)
Fish Feeder
An automatic fish feeder can help you ensure that your goldfish have a balanced diet by providing them with the right proportions of food. Some feeders even have special programs that dispense food multiple times a day, which is perfect for goldfish since they need to eat small meals throughout the day.
Zacro Automatic Fish Feeder – Rechargeable Timer Fish Feeder with USB Charger Cable
The Zacro Automatic Fish Feeder (Buy Online) is a smart fish feeder that makes it easy to keep your goldfish fed. It’s the perfect solution for busy pet owners who can’t always be home during feeding time. And with a large 200ml capacity, this automatic fish feeder is great for multiple types of food including flakes.
Clean Up Crew
Goldfish like to live in an environment that is clean and free of algae. Some fishkeepers may want to add a nerite snail or pleco to their goldfish tank, which will help keep the tank clear of algae and uneaten food while giving your goldfish some company.
Snails
WorldwideTropicals Live Freshwater Aquarium Fish – (6) Varied Nerite Snails – 6 Pack of Mixed Nerites(Zebra, Red Spotted, Horned)
Nerite Snails (Buy Online) are one of the best types of snails for controlling algae in freshwater tanks. They eat all kinds of plant matter, including hair algae that grow on plants, as well as brown diatoms and cyanobacteria (blue-green) slime that grows on glass and decor items like rocks and wood pieces. Nerites also eat leftover food from fish meals and they don’t compete with other fish tank inhabitants for food making them great tank mates.
Pleco
Quinn’s Fins- Live Super Red Bushynose Pleco
A Super Red Bushynose Pleco (Buy Online) will keep your tank looking great by eating all the algae that grow on the rocks and plants in your tank. They are also very low maintenance since they don’t need much food or care. You can even order them online if you can’t find them locally.
Goldfish Training Games & Toys
Goldfish are intelligent creatures and they enjoy having things to do. You can keep them amused by adding some toys to their tank. In addition, you can play games with your goldfish by training them to respond to visual commands. For example, you can teach them to play with a ball or swim through a hoop. And training your goldfish is a fun way to bond with them and provides hours of entertainment for both of you.
R2 Fish School Complete Fish Training Kit
The R2 Fish School (Buy Online) is a complete training kit that shows you step by step how to train your fish using food reward training. You can teach them many different tricks like playing fetch and shooting hoops – it’s fast and easy.
This complete fish trick training kit includes everything you need to easily train your pet fish at home in simple steps with detailed instructions. There are over 25 parts included in the kit so you can create an obstacle course for your fish or just use one part at a time as desired.
