Happy fairground goldfish

[Narbadingi]

Hi folks. Advice welcome. My little cherubs won a goldfish each at the local fair, and of course I've now got to look after the things. What do they need for a happy life? They're currently in a circular perspex bowl (wider at the top than the base, filled about halfway up with washed gravel at the bottom), and seem OK, but I'd guess it's a bit small, and the water seems to cloud up quite quickly. Apart from feeding them once a day, I've no idea how to look after them. A bit of websearching seems to indicate part changing water once a week, and full change every month, but thereafter I'm clueless. I have no idea about aquaria (no good telling me 'needs to hold x gals' - I need dimensions), or filtration, or indeed anything at all even a little bit.

What do I need to make 2 goldfish live happy lives in the minimum possible space? Advice from fishy eggheads welcome. Ta.

[stonekicker]

even for tiddly goldfish you need to treat the water and some sort of filtration system is desirable. if you don't look after them, they will die. go to your local bug pet store or aquarium centre for advice and equipment. isn't cheap doing it properly, mind!

[pug100]

Hi,
Cloudy water usually means you are over feeding them. One or two flakes a day is usually enough, the only other thing you could provide is something for them to hide in or under ( a tunnel or shell, your local pet / fish shop will have a wide selection ). The poeple at the pet shop esp. if they specialise in fish will be happy to give you more advice on keeping goldfish.

[wildwood]

A proper rectangle tank is always better. 9"X9"X18" is the minimum for two but 24 X12"X12" would be ideal. Basically the bigger the better and the bigger your fish will grow. You need to wash the gravel thoroughly under running water to stop it clouding the water. Get some plastic plants to make the fish feel calmer, also some ornaments if you wish.
If you are going for a filter get an undergravel one, although not necesarry for just two.
Feeding; watch them when you feed to ensure that they will eat all you feed in 5 minutes or so. Uneaten food leads to all sorts of problems. Once a while get some live fish food as a treat and to balace their diet a bit more. Many will appreciate a cooked green pea (split so they can get to the inside - not too often though as it may cloud the water.
Fish eat surprisingly little.
Placement of the aquarium is important to prevent it from turning into a green algae mess. As much light as possible without the sun shining into it.
Depending on where you live, get some water treatment to neutralise the water before adding fish. Keep a covered bucket of water somewhere out of the way so it can 'mature' and you can use that to refresh about 10% of the water weekly. Never replace all the water if you can help it.

Cleaning; Once a week keeps the tank in good condition. One of those pads from the fish shop to clean the glass - some come with a magnetic piece for the outside so you don't need to get your hand wet but they don't work as good and leave a lot of gunk in the corners.
Get a 3' piece of 10mm hose and carefully siphon the muck from the gravel - this takes practice without sucking up the stones but you'll soon get the hang of it. Keep siphoning until the water has dropped 2" or so. Replace the water with that from the bucket and refill the bucket for next week.

Have fun.

[Narbadingi]

Many thanks for your help, folks.

I invested in an 'aqua-one 320' starter tank and a couple of plants. I was amazed at the fishes' reaction when they were first introduced - it really did look like they were having fun, racing about the place and chasing each other, almost dancing with joy as they explored. I would never have known fish could express emotion, but I could swear that they did. I think I've got happy fish now.

Haven't tried the dreaded cleaning rota yet, but I'm sure I'll manage.

Thanks again for your advice folks. Just one thing - what kind of live food do you feed goldfish?