CATDOLL : CATDOLL: How to build an indoor fish pond?

How to build an indoor fish pond?

1. Use ordinary cement or white cement to build the shape of the fish pond (or use red bricks);

2. Waterproofing must be done inside the pool and on the red cliff (using SBS or rigid waterproofing, etc., to exceed the horizontal surface height).

3. Make a water circulation system and install a circulation pump (now there are many small artificial landscapes with circulation pumps, such as those in flower, bird, insect and fish markets).

4. It is best to use stones, tiles, mosaics or pebbles on the surface of the pool, and add some small landscapes, which will create a very atmospheric and delicate look.

Introduction:

Fishpond

[fishpond] A place where edible fish are raised. In most places, it is called a fish pond! In fact, fish pond and fish pond have the same meaning, but the dialects in some places are different. In Shaanxi, many people who raise fish call fish ponds fish ponds!

Using the base of a fish pond to grow bamboo is a traditional courtyard production method in my country. The proverb that raising fish and growing bamboo can bring a thousand times the profit shows that bamboo-based fish ponds are very profitable. They also have great environmental benefits.

In areas of my country that have the environment for fish farming and bamboo planting, the habit of planting bamboo on the surface of fish farming has naturally formed. Due to historical reasons, bamboo-based fish ponds once disappeared. Since my country's reform and opening up, the comprehensive utilization of bamboo, bamboo shoots are a popular food among the masses, and bamboo handicrafts and bamboo shoots can be exchanged for foreign exchange, which has improved economic benefits. Bamboo-based fish ponds have a trend of recovery and further development in the Pearl River Delta and some hilly and mountainous areas. Fresh young bamboo shoot shells are directly fed to herbivorous fish, and the old parts can also be used to ferment fertilizer for fish farming.

According to a survey by researchers at the Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, the bamboo planting cycle in Foshan City, Guangdong Province is 8 years, and the peak period for bamboo shoot production is between the 4th and 6th years. The highest bamboo shoot production per mu of land is 2,000 kg, and the lowest is more than 1,500 kg. The net profit from bamboo shoots alone is 800-1,000 yuan. If the bamboo shoots are further processed into canned food, the profit will increase.

In addition to bamboo shoots, 3,500-4,500 kg of bamboo poles can be harvested per mu of surface each year. Bamboo poles can be processed into daily necessities and handicrafts, and can also be used for fish farming. In addition to being used as cutting bundles, they can also be used as building materials for livestock and poultry breeding sheds, fences, etc. in comprehensive fish farming systems.

In particular, a courtyard-style bamboo-based fish pond can also beautify the family living environment.

What should you pay attention to when raising fish indoors?

Ornamental fish

There are many aspects that novices need to pay attention to when raising fish for the first time. The most important one is the water used by the fish. Because fish cannot survive without water, special attention should be paid to the water used by the fish. When raising fish, the water temperature should be adjusted according to the species of fish. Let’s take a look at what else novices should pay attention to when raising fish.

1. First decide what species you want to raise, and then decide what fish tank to buy.

2. Prepare the necessary equipment, including a fish tank, a scoop net, a bag of fish food and a bag of sterilization salt.

3. After preparing the necessary equipment, you can now go to the fish market to buy your favorite fish. Generally, when choosing fish, you should pay attention to: there are no obvious external injuries on the fish's eyes, head, scales, tail, etc.; when catching fish, choose fish under the water, as these fish generally swim faster; and fish that look normal to the naked eye.

4. Pay attention to the water used for fish farming: ordinary household tap water will do, but tap water contains chlorine. We need to use a fish tank or other water basin to fill with tap water and leave it for at least 24 hours to wait for the chlorine in our hands to evaporate. This is healthy.

5. Put the purchased fish into clean water and sprinkle a little fish sterilization salt to sterilize the water.

6. Pay attention to the feeding of fish. Fish are not afraid of hunger but cannot stand fullness. If you keep feeding fish, they will keep eating until they die of fullness. Normally, you only need to feed fish once every 2-3 days.

7. Don’t raise too many fish at one time. If your fish tank is small, too many fish will cause oxygen in the water. It would be best if you buy a small air pump specifically for raising fish.

8. When you first buy fish, please note that you should not change the water or feed them for 2-3 days;

9. Change the water for fish once every 5-7 days, and feed them once every 3-4 days. Fish are not afraid of starvation, but they cannot stand being full.

10. It is best to use soda water to clean the fish tank. If you don’t have soda water, just use clean water or tap water. Never use soap or detergent to clean it.

11. Goldfish and koi are cold water fish, while the others are all classified as tropical fish. All tropical fish must be heated to keep the water temperature at least 20℃.

12. A large tank can raise big fish as well as small fish, but a small tank can only raise small fish.

13. Considering your financial ability and the area where you want to place the fish tank, the larger the fish tank, the better. Small round tanks, cylindrical tanks, and flat tanks are not recommended.

14. If you are raising fish, it is okay to have stronger light. The bottom sand is very important and must be selected well. The fish tank cannot be too high.

15. Filtration is necessary, but the bigger the better. The tolerance of fish and grass must be considered.

16. If you want to raise an animal but don’t know what is suitable for you, then goldfish is the right choice.

17. Catching fish is troublesome and expensive, so don’t think it is too easy.

18. Add less unnecessary things into the fish tank. Many times, fish do not die from illness, but from being exhausted.

19. If you find abnormalities on the body or head of your fish, or white or yellow spots, there may be too many bacteria in the water. You should sprinkle some bactericidal salt on the abnormal parts and replace them with clear water in time.

20. If they are pets, please give them enough care.

Newbies don't need to worry about not being able to raise fish well when raising them for the first time. Just prepare all the necessary supplies before raising fish. When choosing fish, focus on healthy fish. When raising fish, pay attention to the water quality and feed, and there won't be too many problems.

When raising fish indoors, pay attention to the oxygen content in the water to avoid hypoxia for the fish.

When raising fish indoors, you should also pay attention to the pH value of the water. If it is tap water, you need to dry it in the sun for two days in advance.

When raising fish indoors, you need to supplement the light, and you can use a fill light.

The glass tank should be placed near a window where it is well ventilated and has sunlight. Pay attention to the stocking density and arrange it reasonably according to the size of the container. It is better to keep fewer fish than more. Because the indoor air is not well circulated, if you keep too many fish, the water will become turbid, which may cause the goldfish to die due to lack of oxygen. If you have an air pump, you can keep more fish. If you find that the goldfish are floating, you need to turn on the air pump to add oxygen, especially at night.

Live fish worms are the most ideal bait for fish farming. The water quality is not easy to deteriorate. Dried fish worms and artificial synthetic pellet feed can also be used. Live fish worms are now available on the market, but it is troublesome to buy them every day. For the dried fish worms sold on the market, choose fresh ones with loose particles to feed the fish. Do not buy old and moldy dried fish worms to feed the fish. It is better to use complete feed with complete nutritional ingredients for artificial pellet feed, which is available on the market.

In order to keep the water pure, the amount of feed should be strictly timed and quantitative. Usually, it is advisable to feed once or twice a day. Each amount of feed should be eaten within half an hour. Do not feed too much. There are two harms of feeding too much: first, the fish will be full, the metabolism level will increase, and the oxygen consumption will increase, which may cause the goldfish to die of suffocation due to lack of oxygen; second, the leftover feed will easily rot and ferment, causing the water quality to deteriorate, which will also cause lack of oxygen. In fact, goldfish are relatively resistant to hunger, and there will be no problem if they are not fed for a week or two.

It is very important to keep the water pure when raising goldfish. You should often use a latex tube to suck out the accumulated residue, the feces, leftover bait and turbid water at the bottom of the glass tank, and then slowly add new water that has been placed for a day. If the water plants float up or the rockery is knocked down during the operation, you should restore it to its original state in time.

The longer you keep fish, the more sediment will accumulate. Even if you clean it every day, you can't remove it all. If the sediment increases and affects the clarity of the glass tank, you must completely change the water and clean the glass tank to keep the water pure, easy to watch, and maintain a good living environment for goldfish.

The rectangular glass tanks generally used are small in size, so you cannot keep too many fish. It is better to keep fewer rather than more. For example, in a container that is 40 cm long, 25 cm wide and 30 cm high, you can keep 6 to 8 goldfish that are 5 cm to 7 cm long. Adult fish that are more than 8 cm long should not be kept in small glass tanks, but in luxurious large glass tanks or ceramic tanks, and equipped with a small oxygenator to prevent hypoxia. The above stocking density is only a reference. It also depends on the water temperature, the size of the fish and the quality of the water. It cannot be determined mechanically. Generally speaking, if the fish is large, you should keep fewer fish; you can keep more fish in winter and less fish in summer; you can keep more fish when the water temperature is low and less fish when the water temperature is high.

Selecting Goldfish

Choose fish with strong bodies and bright colors

When choosing any kind of goldfish, you should choose one with a broad and strong body, complete chest, abdomen and tail fins, and a wide and open tail. For fish without dorsal fins, choose those with smooth backs and no broken dorsal fins or tubercles. As for the color of the fish, choose red ones with delicate red, white ones with pure white, blue ones with deep blue, black ones with dark black, and those with harmonious colors and delicate patterns. Only those with blue can be called five-colored. Some fish have a half-red and half-black body or a red body with black edges of the fins. They look beautiful now, but in fact they will soon become completely red. You should be prepared.

When selecting fish, those that are unique in characteristics, body shape or color should be selected as an exception and observed and cultivated.

Choose healthy fish

Generally speaking, fish that swim actively, get along well with each other, have a plump body, have open and paddling pectoral and pelvic fins, have no white spots or white fluffy mucus on their bodies, have no bloodshot or ulcers on their tails and scales, rarely float on the water surface, lie on their sides, stand upside down, or sink to the bottom, and have black and thick stools are healthy fish. Fish that are looking for food can be purchased boldly.

Choose fish with obvious characteristics

All kinds of fish have the characteristics of their species: for example, when choosing species such as Shouxingtou, Lionhead, Crane's Red, and Goose's Red, they are all famous for having tumors on their heads, so we should choose the ones with the most developed and wide tumors on the gill cover. In addition, the fish with red tumors such as Crane's Red and Goose's Red are the best with square red tops (the top of the head is darker when young). When choosing pearl scale fish, we should pay attention to the fact that there are two types of tails, large and small, and the large tail is better. But no matter whether it is a large or small tail, we should choose a small pointed head, thick and intact pearl scales, and arrange them neatly to the back, but the scales cannot stand upright, otherwise most of them are scale standing diseases. The abdomen is swollen and round, and the tail is smooth. This feature is purebred. Water bubble or dragon eye is named after the characteristics of the eyes, so we should choose water bubbles that are round, large and symmetrical, and the bubble is soft and transparent. When choosing dragon eyes, we should choose those with large and protruding eye discs like chess pieces.

It has become an indisputable experience that raising fish starts with raising water. How to "raise" a tank of clear, non-toxic water at home is extremely important. Raising fish at home is different from raising fish in a fish farm. The water space is small, and the water quality must be clear and transparent for viewing goldfish. Raising fish in a fish farm is to make goldfish grow quickly. There are professional fish workers to monitor the water quality at all times. The water body is large and suitable for goldfish to grow. Raising goldfish at home has its own advantages. For example, water temperature. Since family fish are generally raised indoors, they are not affected by wind and rain. In addition, since the amount of water in family fish is small, it is convenient to observe water quality and control drugs. The water quality of home goldfish is mainly related to the following five factors.

1. Filtration system: Due to the high density of fish farming in households, it is difficult to remove impurities and wastes in the water simply by relying on the water's own decomposition. Establishing a good filtration system can effectively maintain water quality. A good filtration system can integrate chemical, biological, physical and other filtration methods. Chemical filtration relies on special drugs to condense tiny suspended impurities in the water so that they are precipitated or physically filtered out. Biological filtration is the decomposition of waste in the water by beneficial biological flora in the water, decomposing harmful substances into harmless substances. Physical filtration is the adsorption and filtration of impurity particles through the tiny pores of the filter material. According to the characteristics of goldfish and the conditions of household fish farming, the following methods can be used to establish a filtration system. According to the size of the aquarium, configure an external filter, which can be a top-mounted filter or a filter barrel. The water flow rate can be found in the instructions of the water pump. Generally speaking, it is appropriate to circulate the water body about 7 times per hour. For example, the volume of an aquarium with a length of 80, a width of 40, and a height of 40 is 128 liters, and the flow rate of the filter water pump should be selected at 900 liters/hour. For larger aquariums, in order to prevent the water flow from being too strong, it is recommended to install a built-in filter at the water inlet and add a bend at the water outlet to reduce the impact of the water flow on the goldfish. Place biochemical sponges and activated carbon in the filter box (bucket) and replace them according to the degree of water pollution. However, too frequent replacement is not conducive to the establishment of beneficial biological flora. Generally, it can be replaced once a month.

2 Biological decomposition: In the natural environment, a large number of beneficial bacteria colonize the places where rivers flow through. They can decompose the metabolites and foreign pollutants produced by aquatic organisms. To keep the water clean and harmless. Establishing beneficial bacteria in the aquarium can maintain water quality for a long time without frequent water changes. Adding nitrifying bacteria to the aquarium is a shortcut to establish a biological decomposition system. Nitrifying bacteria sold on the market are mainly divided into two categories, active nitrifying bacteria and artificial nitrifying bacteria. Active nitrifying bacteria use living bacteria as the main substance. Artificial nitrifying bacteria use substances that promote the growth of existing nitrifying bacteria in the water. Active nitrifying bacteria have a short onset time, usually within 2-5 days depending on the water temperature, and the effect is most obvious when the water temperature is 25-30 degrees. However, the shelf life is short, usually not more than 12 months. Artificial nitrifying bacteria have a long shelf life because they do not contain active strains, usually about 2 years. But the onset time is longer. Before establishing a biological system, it can be used in combination with a water clarifier.

3. Fish density: No matter how big the aquarium is, the number of goldfish that can be raised is limited. Goldfish are lively and active, and can eat and poop. The water quality is harder to maintain than that of small tropical fish. Reasonable breeding density is very important for beginners. Usually, each one-year-old goldfish takes up 10 liters of water. That is, the volume of an aquarium that is 80 cm long, 40 cm wide, and 40 cm high is 128 liters, which can raise 12 one-year-old fish. It will be difficult to maintain water quality for a long time if the density is higher. In addition, different goldfish species have different requirements for breeding density. The breeding density of precious species such as pearls, butterfly tails, and bubbles is smaller.

4. Feed selection: The feed given to goldfish also has a great impact on maintaining water quality. Goldfish are omnivorous animals. The food range is very wide. Mainly including: Daphnia, nematodes, bloodworms, granular feed, powdered feed, flake feed, etc. Live Daphnia is the best choice. Not only during feeding, Daphnia can absorb organic suspended matter in the water. And the metabolites produced by goldfish are not easy to disperse. Nematodes, bloodworms, powdered feeds or because they will be attached to the sand bed or suspended in the water, it is not conducive to the cleanliness of water quality. High-quality artificial synthetic feeds will contain yeast, which can quickly decompose the metabolites of goldfish and is beneficial to maintaining water quality. Inferior synthetic feeds are not only without nutrition, but also contain artificial pigments, which will discolor the water. In addition, it is best not to use edible fish feed, such as crucian carp feed to feed goldfish, which will also spoil the water quality. During the feeding process, the filtration system should be turned off to avoid being sucked into the filter box, which will not only cause waste, but also mold in the filter box to produce toxic substances.

5. Fish breeding environment: Lighting, scenery, etc. also have a certain relationship with maintaining the water quality in the aquarium. Too strong light will cause a large number of algae to grow in the water. Properly covering with curtains and regular cleaning will effectively control it. Placing a sand bed at the bottom of the aquarium will also help clean the water. It can not only absorb impurities, but also provide a breeding ground for nitrifying bacteria. The general thickness is about 4 cm and the particles are about 4 mm. If the sand bed is too thin, it will not have an adsorption effect; if the sand bed is too thick, the bottom sand bed will lack oxygen and cause biological corruption. If the particles are too large, the feed will sink into the gap, which is not conducive to goldfish feeding; if they are too small, it will not be conducive to water flow and oxygen transmission between particles, and it will not be conducive to the growth of nitrifying bacteria.

By paying attention to the above points, you will definitely have a tank of clear water and create an ideal living space for your beloved fish.

Tips for water conservation:

Quickly establish good water quality: add water stabilizer to tap water, wait for the water temperature to reach the same level as the old water, then pour it into the aquarium. Add active nitrifying bacteria, and after 1-2 days, add water clarifier to filter. After that, add artificial nitrifying bacteria every week.

Goldfish is known as "flowers in the water". Having a tank of pleasing goldfish is the dream of many fish lovers. China is the hometown of goldfish. Goldfish can be seen in the ornamental fish markets of large and medium-sized cities. The ancestor of goldfish is crucian carp. After thousands of years of artificial breeding, it has gradually mutated. The main classifications include: dragon fish, represented by dragon eyes and butterfly tails. Wen fish, represented by lion heads, pearls, and hats. Egg fish, represented by bubbles, tiger heads, and sky-gazing fish. In the past 20 years, with the joint efforts of the majority of breeders and enthusiasts, some new varieties of Chinese goldfish have emerged, such as: Fuzhou Ranchu, red-headed tiger heads, crown pearls, etc. As a goldfish enthusiast, you can choose goldfish from the following five aspects.

1. Choose the right time. Goldfish are different from tropical fish. They are generally raised outdoors in fish farms. After thousands of years of breeding, they have established their own biological clocks. Depending on the region, they lay eggs in spring from February to June every year. Generally, September to November is the best time for goldfish to be put on the market. During this period, the goldfish are 3-6 months old, and some of the breed characteristics have emerged. The fading has been completed, and they have preliminary ornamental characteristics. In July and August, you can see 2-4 year old breeding fish eliminated from fish farms and goldfish from the previous year on the market, and there are also fine products among them. However, due to the high temperature, it is not conducive to the long-distance transportation of goldfish, so the supply is relatively small.

2. Choose a variety. Depending on your personal preferences, you can choose any of the dozens of existing varieties. But it is best to understand the differences between the varieties before choosing, which is beneficial to raising goldfish. For example, due to its large variation, short intestine, and clumsy swimming, the ball pearl has stricter requirements on the environment. It needs to be raised in clear and shallow water, and the feed must be excellent and easy to eat. Bubble goldfish is not suitable for mixed breeding with other goldfish. It should be raised in a bare tank without any decorations to avoid damaging the bubbles. For beginners, you can start with goldfish that are easy to raise and cheap. For example: Wenjin (Ryukin), Longjing, etc.

3. Choose good quality. Although Chinese goldfish have been bred for thousands of years, it is still too short for a species. Therefore, many goldfish varieties are not very stable, and the quality rate of some new varieties is only a few ten thousandths. A goldfish can be raised at home for months or even years. Choosing a good quality goldfish can give you more aesthetic enjoyment. The general principle is to choose goldfish with obvious variety characteristics, free swimming, symmetrical body shape, and no disabilities.

The following table shows the characteristics that each type of goldfish should have:

Classification Variety Characteristics Disadvantages

The eyes of the dragon species are chessboard-shaped, symmetrical, and colorful. The four-leaf tail type is elegant and not precious.

The butterfly tail has a plump body, a short body, and a wide tail, like a peacock with its tail spread out. The tail of an adult fish tends to droop.

The head tumor of the Wenzhong lion is full and not loose, which can cover the eyes and swim freely. The tail-shaped long head tumor is easy to ulcerate.

The head tumor is full and tight, does not extend to the gill cover and body, is tall, swims freely, and the head tumor is prone to ulceration

Pearl scales are prominent, not missing scales, swimming freely, body like a ball, pointed beak, fine scales on tail peduncle fall off easily

The Wenjin has a small head, a bulging back, a fat body, and a flowing tail. It has bright colors and no obvious defects.

The egg-shaped fish has large, symmetrical and transparent bubbles. The fish has a short body and a long tail, and the bubble is easily damaged.

The eyes of the gaur are upward, the body is fat and the back is smooth. It is not suitable for viewing in an aquarium.

Tiger head has abundant head tumors, plump body, short tail, and swims freely. Adult fish tend to fall headfirst

Ranchu has a plump and tight head, a plump body, a rounded back, and a caudal fin at a 90-degree angle to the spine. Adult fish are prone to head-diving.

Not only that, a good quality goldfish should have complete fins, a smooth back, be eager to feed, and swim freely. Choosing a good quality goldfish is like choosing jade from stone, and this is also the fun of choosing fish.

4. Choose the age of the fish. The life span of domestic goldfish is mostly 4-6 years, and 2-3 years is the best age for ornamental fish. At this stage, the goldfish have obvious breed characteristics, strong body, and can swim freely. 4-6 years old is considered old goldfish, with faded body color, lazy swimming, weakened appetite, and easy to get sick. Goldfish under 6 months old have just started to develop physically, so the breed characteristics are not obvious and the color is not fixed. The defective rate is very high, and it is not easy to raise them due to limited family breeding conditions. Therefore, it is most appropriate to choose goldfish aged 6-18 months. At this stage, goldfish have a strong appetite, swim freely, breed characteristics are initially revealed, and the price is reasonable. They can be raised at home for about 2 years.

5. Choose the color. Goldfish have a wide variety of colors, including red, black, blue, purple, bronze, white, mottled, etc., and two or more colors can be matched to create more combinations and interesting patterns. For example: tricolor, magpie flower, jade seal head, crane top red, etc. You can choose according to your personal preferences and breeding environment at home. Goldfish are gray in color when they are young, which is also a biological protective color. They usually fade within 6 months of age. It is easier to produce some transitional colors and patterns before the age of 2. White and red are the most stable colors. Other colors will change according to the age of the fish and the breeding environment, especially for old goldfish.

Color quality characteristics Aging color changes

The red color is bright red, which is the best. When it is matched with other colors, the edges of the color blocks are clear.

The blue color is bluish green, similar to blue-black ink, commonly known as ink blue. The top grade is off-white

The black is as black as ink, and the belly is also black and grayish white

Purple color is brownish red, body color is uniform yellowish red

The five-color pattern is mainly based on a light blue background, with black, red, yellow and white distributed, and the color particles are uniformly red and white

If you want to keep the color for a long time, you need to improve the feed, water quality, light, etc. This will be described in another article.

Tips for choosing fish:

September to November is the best time to choose goldfish. Beginners can ask friends for advice or go to a large fish store to buy. The variety of goldfish is also very important.

Goldfish-Feed

Goldfish are omnivorous fish, and they eat a wide range of food. This makes it very convenient to raise goldfish. However, if you want to achieve good feeding results, you must carefully understand the habits of goldfish and the characteristics of various feeds, so that the goldfish you raise are brightly colored and strong. Good goldfish feed ingredients should include: protein, fiber, fat, various vitamins and trace elements.

Goldfish feed is mainly divided into two categories: aquatic biological feed and artificial synthetic feed.

Aquatic biological feed includes live or dried aquatic plants and animals that goldfish can eat, including: water fleas (commonly known as "red fleas"), sword fleas (commonly known as "green fleas"), bloodworms (commonly known as "red worms"), water earthworms (commonly known as "nematodes"), duckweed, etc.

Among all aquatic biological feeds, it has been verified in practice that Daphnia is the most comprehensive in nutrition and the most suitable feed for goldfish. When fed with Daphnia, goldfish not only like to eat it, but also digest it well, and the metabolites produced are not easy to muddy the water. In addition, living Daphnia can also swallow small dirt suspended in the water, thereby purifying the water quality (commonly known as "taking water"). However, Daphnia generally depends on the output of nature and is affected by seasons and weather. Therefore, it can only be bought from April to November every year, which cannot meet the needs of domestic goldfish for growth throughout the year. In addition, living Daphnia is not easy to preserve and will deteriorate in one day. Therefore, for modern people who are busy with work, it is not easy to rely entirely on Daphnia to feed goldfish. Freezing or drying can be used to extend the storage time, but its nutrients will also be lost in large quantities.

The nutritional components of other aquatic animal feeds are not as comprehensive as those of Daphnia, and they often carry pathogens that can cause goldfish to become sick. Therefore, disinfection and alternating feed feeding methods should be adopted to avoid the above shortcomings.

In the past decade, artificial synthetic feed has gradually appeared on the market, and the proportions of ingredients have become more reasonable. Using artificial synthetic feed instead of traditional aquatic biological feed to feed goldfish is not only hygienic and convenient, but also can achieve good results as long as the feeding method is mastered.

Artificial synthetic feed can be divided into four types according to its shape: granular feed, powdered feed, flake feed and patch feed.

Granular feed: It is the most common feed for goldfish. Most of them are floating feed. After feeding, the granular feed floats on the water surface, and the goldfish needs to swim to the surface and open its mouth to swallow it. It is especially suitable for feeding the celestial goldfish, which can keep the celestial goldfish's eyes looking up to find food, thus maintaining the breed characteristics. Since the granular feed does not sink, it is not easy to leak into the gaps in the bottom sand of the aquarium and become corrupt. However, for goldfish that can only find food at the bottom of the water due to their body shape and breed, they will starve because they cannot find food.

Powdered feed: The particles are small and can be used to feed young fish. It is commonly found in feed varieties for edible fish. After being put into the feed, the powdered feed slowly sinks, and goldfish can force themselves to eat it during the sinking process. However, if there is bottom sand, it may fall into the gaps, making it difficult for goldfish to eat it. Generally, ornamental fish use powdered feed, which will expand the powdered particles. This allows it to be suspended in the water for a longer time. The disadvantage of powdered feed is that it is easier to muddy the water.

Flake feed: also known as thin flake feed, is the ideal feed form. After feeding, some flakes float on the water surface, some are suspended in the water, and some sink to the bottom of the water. However, due to the large surface area, it is not easy to leak into the gaps in the bottom sand. Goldfish have good palatability, and even species with poor foraging ability, such as pearls, bubbles, and tiger heads and lion heads with eyes covered by head tumors, can easily eat them. However, the price is relatively high.

Patch feed: You can stick the patch feed on the aquarium glass, and the goldfish will come to eat it. You can clearly watch the goldfish eating process. It is suitable for feeding active and strong goldfish. But for relatively "delicate" species such as bubble and pearl, it should be avoided to prevent bubble and pearl scales from being damaged in the fight. In addition, patch feed is generally used as a supplement to other feeds.

Regardless of the form of artificial feed, its ingredients must fully meet the growth needs of goldfish. Good goldfish feed ingredients should ensure: protein not less than 40%, crude fiber not higher than 4%, crude fat not less than 4%, and natural astaxanthin, spirulina, water purification bacteria, as well as vitamins and trace elements. And when purchasing, pay attention to the shelf life and choose products from regular large manufacturers.

Feed tips: Artificial feed is suitable for home feeding of goldfish. Flake feed is the ideal feed form. Feed ingredients are very important.

Goldfish-Facilities

If you want to do your job well, you must first sharpen your tools. Having a good set of goldfish raising facilities can not only reduce the difficulty of raising goldfish, but also enhance the ornamental value of goldfish. Currently, fish raising facilities produced from all over the country and even all over the world can be seen in the ornamental fish market, and it is very convenient to buy. A set of facilities needs to be matched according to the habits and characteristics of goldfish.

The facilities for raising goldfish mainly include: containers, filtration systems, oxygenation systems, and water changing devices.

Container: Traditionally, goldfish were kept in ceramic basins and wooden basins (commonly known as "wooden sea"). Modern goldfish are mostly kept in aquariums. Goldfish are large in size and require a large swimming space. Therefore, medium-sized or larger aquariums should be used for keeping goldfish, and the smallest fish tank should be more than 60 cm. Goldfish have been raised artificially for thousands of years and are adapted to shallow water growth, so the water depth of the aquarium should not be higher than 40 cm. Small ornaments with smooth surfaces can be placed in the aquarium appropriately, but be careful not to leave dead corners, otherwise the clumsy goldfish will get stuck in it and cause damage. Top lighting can be added to the aquarium to make up for the lack of light and facilitate viewing of goldfish. For families with a large number of fish, a temporary tank should be prepared to isolate sick fish and change water and clean the tank for turnover.

Filtration system: Goldfish are active and have a high metabolism. Therefore, the filtration system often uses an external filtration system. It includes a top filter box and a filter barrel. The filter box (barrel) is filled with biochemical sponges and activated carbon. The filter box (barrel) should have a large volume so that enough filter materials can be placed. It is important to choose a famous brand pump head, which is not only quiet but also has a long service life. The pump head should be disassembled and cleaned regularly to enhance the filtration efficiency. The establishment of the filtration system can refer to the content of "Home Goldfish - Water Cultivation".

Oxygenation system: Goldfish consume a lot of oxygen. Generally, if a 60-cm fish tank is used to keep two 10-cm goldfish, they will be deprived of oxygen and "float" overnight without an oxygenation system. The commonly used oxygenation equipment is an air pump. The air sent by the air pump is dissolved in the water through the air stone. The power of the air pump cannot be too large, otherwise it will affect the habit of goldfish living in still water. The air delivery duct of the air pump must be equipped with a check valve to prevent water from overflowing through the duct during a power outage. For the breeding of more "delicate" goldfish, it is recommended to use an air pump as kinetic energy to drive the biochemical sponge (commonly known as the "water fairy") for oxygenation and filtration.

Water changing device: The water body for goldfish is large and the water needs to be changed frequently. For goldfish at home, you need to prepare several large plastic buckets to dry the water and change the water. The water inlet of the water pipe used for pumping water should be equipped with an isolation net to avoid disturbing the goldfish when pumping water.

Facility tips: Choose fish farming implementation based on the habits of goldfish.

Goldfish-Prevention and Treatment

The beloved goldfish is sick, and the newly bought goldfish dies. These are the troubles that almost every beginner goldfish breeder will encounter. However, most pet hospitals do not provide goldfish treatment services, so it is very necessary to master one or two methods of treatment. Goldfish illness is caused by the following factors: environmental factors, physical damage, viral infection, etc. The following is my opinion on the prevention and treatment of these pathogenic factors:

1. Environmental factors: Goldfish live in water and are very sensitive to changes in light, water quality and water temperature. Especially for changes in water temperature, the maximum sudden change in water temperature that goldfish can withstand is 4 degrees Celsius. Exceeding this limit will inevitably cause illness or even death. Therefore, when changing water and changing the tank for goldfish, pay attention to the changes in the new and old water temperatures. In addition, sudden changes in water hardness and pH will also affect the goldfish's biological protective film, causing the goldfish to become sick. The correct approach is: before changing the water, air the new water for 3 days to make the water temperature within 1 degree Celsius of the old water, and volatilize the chlorine in the water. Keep the amount of water changed below 1/2, and slowly inject new water. In an emergency, you can add a water stabilizer to the new water to quickly remove harmful substances in the water. Add boiling water and use a thermometer to measure the water temperature until it rises to a temperature close to that of the old water. However, it is not suitable for precious species to be used frequently. If the light is too weak or too strong for a long time, it will also affect the body color and growth of goldfish. The dissolved oxygen content in the water is also a key factor. If the dissolved oxygen content is too low, it may cause "floating heads" at best, or even cause suffocation and death at worst. The easiest way to solve the dissolved oxygen problem is to use a special air pump for aquariums. And choose the appropriate power according to the water volume. In addition, the use of external circulation filtration can also increase the oxygen content in the water. Harmful substances produced by goldfish metabolites can be solved by changing water and adding nitrifying bacteria.

2. Physical damage: When moving goldfish, it is easy to cause damage to the goldfish's body surface, and in severe cases, it may cause the goldfish's internal organs to rupture and cause death. In addition, if there are sharp ornaments in the aquarium, such as coral stones, plastic water plants, etc., bubbles may be punctured and pearl scales may be scraped off. Even the excessive suction of the water pump or the excessive water flow rate may cause the risk of physical damage. Therefore, it is recommended to use a water scoop to scoop the goldfish when moving it. The action should be light and fast, otherwise it will be damaged by the goldfish's struggle. In addition, when transporting goldfish, the best transportation route and means of transportation should be selected to shorten the transportation time and bumps as much as possible. The equipment and ornaments in the aquarium should have a smooth surface or soft material. The water inlet of the water pump can be equipped with biochemical filter cotton (commonly known as "water fairy"). The water inlet of the filter is equipped with a bend pipe to reduce the impact of water flow.

3. Bacteria infection: Goldfish live in water. Since the space of water is limited and the water is still, it is easy to breed bacteria. Goldfish purchased from different places may also bring viruses. In addition, rotten food can also cause enteritis in goldfish. Diseases caused by bacteria infection should be observed frequently, treated early, and isolated early. Sick fish that are seriously ill should be eliminated decisively.

1. Common treatment methods for fish diseases at home mainly include: medicated bath, medicated bait, mechanical correction

Medicinal bath: Usually a certain concentration of medicinal liquid is used to soak the fish body. For fish diseases caused by bacterial infection, a low concentration of liquid is often used to spray the whole tank. The more commonly used drugs include: salt, furazolidone, potassium permanganate, methylene blue, mercurochrome, etc. The above drugs are less toxic and suitable for home use.

Medicated bait: Chinese and Western medicines, such as oxytetracycline and allicin, are mixed into feed to feed sick fish. Finished products can be purchased from the market.

Mechanical correction: For goldfish with swim bladder disease, you can tie foam plastic to the fins to help the goldfish swim.

2. Observe whether there are parasites on the goldfish's body surface, white hair, white spots, bleeding, ulceration. The judgment of goldfish's body surface diseases is relatively complicated, and the dosage of the medicine is complicated. There is no need to learn anything special for family fish farming. You only need to follow the following "local methods" for prevention and treatment:

Drug name concentration treatment

3/1000 salt for treatment. 1/1000 salt for prevention. Bacterial diseases on the body surface

Add a match head-sized amount of furazolidinone powder to 40 kg of water and dissolve it with a small amount of liquor.

Remove the fish with potassium permanganate, add old water until the water turns cherry red, soak for half a day and then change the water in the whole tank.

Methylene blue added to water turns it sea blue Bacterial diseases on the body

Apply the red medicine directly to the affected area and keep it away from water for 10 seconds until it ulcerates.

In addition to the traditional medicines mentioned above, you can also purchase commercially available special medicines under the guidance of an expert and strictly follow the dosage instructions.

3. For goldfish that float on their backs for a long time due to swim bladder problems, you can tie a foam plastic of appropriate size to the base of the third fin ray of the dorsal fin so that the fish can float and swim freely.

In spring (March to May in the Gregorian calendar), the temperature gradually rises, generally between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius, and the water temperature environment is more suitable for the growth and reproduction of various pathogens, especially April to May is the peak season for fish diseases - barley yellow. When the fry are hatched in early spring, the fish eggs are susceptible to Saprolegniasis; the fry are mainly susceptible to wheelworms, Ichthyophthirius, Dactylopius, Diplostomum, fish lice and other fish diseases; in spring, adult fish are susceptible to microbial fish diseases, such as viral hemorrhagic disease, enteritis, gill rot, printing disease, and silver carp iodine spore disease.

In summer (June to August in the Gregorian calendar), the temperature is generally between 26 and 28 degrees Celsius, and fish diseases are slightly less common than in spring. At this time, fish species gradually grow up and their disease resistance is enhanced. Therefore, ciliate and flagellate fish diseases gradually decrease. In addition, according to surveys, microbial fish diseases in spring continue to exist in summer, including gill rot, hemorrhage, red skin, enteritis, and printing disease. At this time, anchor fish disease is more common among parasites. In midsummer, high-yield ponds are often prone to flooding.

In autumn (September to October in the Gregorian calendar), the temperature gradually drops, and the temperature is generally between 23 and 15 degrees Celsius. The water temperature environment is basically similar to that in spring, especially August to September is the peak season for fish disease - "Bai Lu Xin". Summer fish species mainly suffer from wheelworms, Ichthyophthirius, Dactylopius, complex trematodes, fish lice and other fish diseases. In autumn, large-sized fish are prone to microbial fish diseases, such as viral hemorrhagic disease, enteritis, gill rot and other diseases.

In winter (December to February in the Gregorian calendar), the temperature is relatively low, generally between 3-6 degrees Celsius, and fish diseases are rare. Winter is the period for stocking fish, and fish bodies are often scratched by netting or transportation, and Saprolegniasis may also occur; when the water temperature is high, it is possible to develop tricholoma and Ichthyophthirius; when the water temperature of overwintering fish is below 10 degrees Celsius, the temperature difference between the air temperature and the water temperature in the wintering room is too large, and the fish will float to the surface due to lack of oxygen, causing frostbite on the top of the head.

There are 12 common fish diseases that can be caused by the change of temperature in spring, summer, autumn and winter. Among them, there are 7 main parasitic diseases: trichodinasis, Ichthyophthirius, Dactylopius, anchorhead mycidiella, fish lice, silver carp iodine spore disease, and Chinese mycidiella; there are 5 main microbial diseases: hemorrhagic disease (red skin disease), enteritis, gill rot, printing disease, and saprolegniasis. As the saying goes, "If you don't raise fish plague, you will be rich." In fish farming, once fish diseases occur, mild cases will affect the growth and development of fish, and severe cases will cause the death of some fish. Therefore, it is necessary to attach importance to the prevention and control of fish diseases and actively implement the policy of "early prevention when there is no disease and early treatment when there is disease."

You can identify the gender of fish based on their size, shape, color, tail whiskers, fins, etc.

There are many types of fish. If you cut open a fish's belly and see a belly full of eggs, it's a female fish; if there's no eggs but a milky white "white" inside, it's a male fish. But if you were given a live fish, how would you tell the sex of the fish?

Or identify it from the appearance.

Look at the fish's fins. The female loach's pectoral fins are blunt at the end, while the male's are pointed. The male carp's pectoral fins are larger than the female's. The male's dorsal and anal fins are longer, and there are some yellow-green spots on the pelvic fins, while the female's do not.

Look at the size and shape of the fish. For carp and crucian carp, female fish of the same age from the same origin are always larger than male fish. For tilapia (also called African crucian carp), the reproductive pore and urinary pore of female fish are separate, while those of male fish are combined, so female fish have one more pore than male fish, but are smaller in size. Female silverfish are transparent and scaleless, while male silverfish have a row of scales above the base of the anal fin. Female anchovies are large and full-bellied, while male fish are small and thin.

Let's look at the color of the fish. Many fish can change color. The male fish originally has a gray-black back and a silvery-white belly. During the breeding season, the body will turn sky blue with a hint of red and yellow, which is colorful and very beautiful. When the male fighting fish fights, the color of the whole body will suddenly change. During the breeding season, it will also put on a beautiful coat, shining with golden light, which is a "wedding dress"; the female fighting fish is not so gorgeous, with some gray stripes on the brown body. Male goldfish will have some fine sand-like particles on their gill covers and fins - "chasing stars", but female fish do not.

To raise fish, you must first raise water

For fish farmers, there are four types of water: the first is new water, which is freshly dried tap water or newly dug well water. Although this water is very clean, it is very different from the environment in which fish live in nature. Since there is no nitrifying bacteria community in the water, the fish's excrement and scattered food residues will decompose into ammonia after decay and deterioration, and the fish are very likely to be poisoned. The second is old water, which is light green or light amber, rich in humus and beneficial microorganisms and algae, and has established a good ecological circulation system. After nitrogen circulation, it decomposes into nitrates that are harmless to fish. This water is extremely beneficial to the growth of fish. The third is green water, which contains too much organic matter in the water, so blue algae, green algae and brown algae multiply in large numbers, and the content of bacterial microorganisms increases sharply. The water is thick green and sometimes smells bad, which can easily cause the death of the entire tank of fish. The fourth is the return to clear water, also known as biting clear water. It means that there are too many algae and microorganisms in the green water, which consume the oxygen in the aquarium, causing the death of algae and aerobic bacteria, and making the water become extremely clear, dead water without oxygen and with a large number of anaerobic harmful bacteria.

From this we can know that not all water is suitable for goldfish's life. The water most suitable for goldfish's growth is old water. The so-called water cultivation is the process of transforming new water into old water.

Nowadays, most of the water we use to raise fish is tap water, so the first step in raising water is to remove the toxic substance in tap water - chlorine. The method of removing chlorine is relatively simple. After the water is collected, let it stand for 2-3 days, or dry it in the sun for 1 day (if it is urgent, you can add 0.63 grams of baking soda, that is, sodium thiosulfate, per 100 kg of water and use it immediately).

After the new water is dried, it should be put into the tank and the filter should be turned on. Let the pump turn the still water into flowing water, and then put in the fish that break into the tank. "Breaking into the tank" means putting a few cheap, strong and easy-to-raise fish into the new tank. After a few days, the fish feces will decompose ammonia in the water, which is the same as the ammonia in tap water. Too much ammonia will kill the fish. Therefore, the most important thing in raising water is to remove the ammonia in the water. Usually we use nitrifying bacteria to remove ammonia in the water. Nitrifying bacteria can be added to the water, but they need attachments to survive in the water. If there is no suitable attachment, adding more nitrifying bacteria will not work. They will die in the water. Nitrifying bacteria usually attach to the filter cotton or bottom sand. In fact, flowing water will naturally produce nitrifying bacteria after a few days. This is also the most common method we use to cultivate nitrifying bacteria. Cultivating nitrifying bacteria is the second step in water cultivation.

The following is a brief introduction to the subtle chemical changes in the nitrogen cycle and how nitrifying bacteria work.

After the fish enter the tank, they will excrete ammonia and other wastes into the water. The ammonia concentration in the water will increase, and the nitrifying bacteria in the running water can decompose the ammonia. (Note: it takes a week or more for nitrifying bacteria to form, so during this period, the fish are seriously harmed.) When the nitrifying bacteria community is formed, the ammonia concentration will decrease until it reaches zero.

However, things are not that simple, because nitrifying bacteria can only convert ammonia into nitrite, which is also toxic to fish! So everyone should understand that when the ammonia concentration decreases, the nitrite concentration increases. So don't think that you can sit back and relax after the ecosystem is established. If you want to reduce nitrite, you must change the water regularly and quantitatively to reduce its concentration. This is the only way to maintain a relatively stable ecosystem and keep the water in an old water state.

I should also tell you that old water is what we pursue, and green water also has many benefits for goldfish. For example, green water can make the body color of goldfish darker, but there are too many algae in this water, and the fish cannot be seen, so it is not suitable for viewing. Moreover, when there are too many algae, the fish will lack oxygen, so when raising goldfish with green water, you must pay attention to controlling the content of algae in the water.

1. Observe frequently and treat early

Generally, after fish are infected or invaded by pathogens, there is a period of time and some signs, such as the sick fish are slow to move, often swimming slowly on the surface of the water, not gathering in groups, and if disturbed, they will sink slightly and then float to the surface. Some fish also swim wildly and quickly when they first become ill, or their body color is gray and their scales fall off. For example, after the occurrence of white crucian carp hemorrhagic disease, small wild fish in the fish pond died in the early stage. When signs of fish disease are found in the fish pond, timely measures should be taken to treat them to avoid the spread of the disease.

2. Correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment

First, we will conduct field investigation and analysis based on the climate characteristics, water source conditions, fish species sources, mixed breeding ratio and density management, the epidemic patterns of fish diseases over the years, the appetite, movement, body color of fish, etc. Then, we will conduct naked eye or microscopic examination on the body surface, gill filaments, muscles, internal organs and other parts of the dying fish or the dead but not decayed fish carcasses. We will check whether there are large parasites such as Chinese mullet and anchorhead mullet on the body surface, or bleeding spots, scale shedding, rotten fins, red and swollen anus, etc. The gills and gill covers are congested and corroded, the color and amount of mucus of the gill filaments are parasitic, and the gill filaments are rotten and muddy. After opening the fish abdomen, we will check whether there is ascites, intestinal inflammation, congestion, and congestion of organs such as the liver and spleen. We will peel off the fish skin to check whether the muscles are bleeding, etc. According to the specific symptoms of the examination, we will first diagnose parasitic, bacterial, viral diseases or complications, and then make a comprehensive analysis based on the performance of the sick fish to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe the right medicine.

3. Accurately measure and use the correct dosage

Accurate measurement and accurate dosage are another key to the effectiveness of fish disease treatment. For external medication, the whole pond should be sprayed, and the volume of the pond water should be accurately calculated, and the influence of water quality characteristics and water temperature at that time should be taken into account. For example, when there is a lot of organic matter, the water quality is relatively rich, and the water temperature is low, the dosage should be more. The volume of the pond water should be calculated based on the actual water surface and the average water depth. The average water depth should be calculated based on the average of several depths of different depths in the pond. The dosage of oral medication is expressed as the amount of medication consumed per kilogram of fish body. There are usually two specific calculation methods: calculation by weight and calculation by feeding rate, which should be used flexibly. When most fish in the pond eat vigorously, it is more accurate to calculate by the total weight of the pond fish; when the pond fish are seriously ill or the climate is bad, resulting in loss of appetite, the drug should be mixed into the bait at a higher ratio based on the estimated feeding rate to ensure that the sick fish that can still eat eat enough medication. When preparing the bait, the loss of the drug in the water should also be considered. Pay attention to estimating the total weight of pond fish, taking into account the proportion of growth and weight gain at each stage, and do not calculate the amount of bait fed based on the number of fish species released.

4. Understand the characteristics of drugs and use them scientifically

Commonly used drugs for fish diseases have their own physical and chemical properties. When storing and using them, attention should be paid to rationalization to avoid the failure of drugs due to improper storage and use. For example, which drugs can only be used externally, which drugs have good oral effects, and which drugs cannot be used together. Which drugs will have better effects when used together, and which drugs will be affected by environmental factors. The bait should take into account the living habits of fish, and make different baits such as floating, sinking, and microparticles. Generally, if the disease occurs in black carp, carp, and crucian carp, sinking bait should be fed; it is better to feed floating bait or mix the medicine on water plants when the disease occurs in grass carp; microparticle bait should be fed when the disease occurs in silver carp, and a certain amount of adhesive should be mixed when making it to prevent the drug from being lost in the water. The drug should be fully dissolved and evenly sprayed throughout the pond. The best time for spraying is in the afternoon, because the water temperature is high in the afternoon and the drug efficacy is high. When spraying the drug, spray it from the upwind side to the downwind side step by step. The undissolved drug residues after spraying cannot be poured into the pond. Otherwise, the fish will be poisoned and die if swallowed.

5. Take a full course of treatment according to the type of disease

The course of treatment is the fundamental guarantee for curing fish diseases. Without a sufficient course of treatment, the pathogens cannot be completely eliminated and the medication will not be effective. Therefore, a sufficient course of treatment is an important link to completely eliminate pathogens and consolidate the treatment effect. In practice, the length of the course of treatment should be based on the specific type of disease the fish suffers from. For example, invasive diseases are caused by parasites. Generally, insecticides are used for a course of treatment of 1 to 2 days to achieve the purpose of treatment; for bacterial and viral diseases, a course of treatment is generally 3 to 5 days. As for how many courses of treatment are used, it should be determined according to the severity of the disease and the urgency of the course of the disease. For diseases with severe conditions and long duration, two to three courses of treatment must be used, otherwise the effect will not be thorough and there is a possibility of recurrence of infection.

6. Some points to note

1. Stop feeding for one day before using medicated bait to keep the fish in a hungry state so that they can eat the medicated bait quickly.

2. During the treatment period and immediately after the treatment, it is not advisable to change water or catch fish in large quantities, so as not to irritate the fish, cause a stress response, aggravate the condition or cause a recurrence.

3. To treat fish diseases, a combination of internal and external medications should be used. Simply relying on oral medications cannot achieve the effect of attacking both inside and outside.

4. When treating fish diseases, the same drug cannot be used alone multiple times to avoid the pathogen developing resistance to the drug. The drugs should be used alternately.

5. Once the disease occurs, no matter how effective the treatment is, losses are inevitable. Therefore, it is necessary to adhere to the prevention and treatment principle of prevention first and treatment second.