Prepare for your Goldfish before you buy
Goldfish enjoy companionship but they also need sufficient surface area to breathe and space to grow
Always quarantine new stock for at least four weeks
Allow tap water to stand for 24 hours and agitate the water with an aeration pump or use an additive to remove chlorine
Avoid sudden changes in temperature. Goldfish will tolerate a wide range of temperatures but not a sudden change
Water condition and feeding are critical to the well being of your Goldfish
Overcrowding, over feeding, insufficient oxygen and insufficient water changes will all adversely affect water quality
Feed sparingly but regularly. Your Goldfish should always appear to be hungry and food offered should never be ignored
Provide a variety of prepared Goldfish foods, 'live', frozen or dried foods such as water fleas (daphnia), bloodworm, and vegetation
Clean your aquarium regularly and provide at least a 20% water change each week
Provide shade from direct sunlight
Goldfish are delicate and sensitive to handling. The human hand can 'burn' a Goldfish
Always use a large smooth net and gently lift one fish at a time out of the water when transferring
Arrange appropriate care when you go on holiday - stress the need for water changes and the need to avoid over-feeding
Consider the introduction of plant life to your Goldfish's environment but be very careful if using filtration as clogging is possible
Monitor your Goldfish's behaviour on a regular basis
Gulping at the surface of the water may indicate oxygen starvation and high carbon dioxide levels, injury or disease
Goldfish in a pond will require less water change and will benefit from plant life, thus providing adequate shading