CATDOLL : CATDOLL: Goldfish's life habits

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.

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 edible fish feed. After feeding, the powdered feed slowly sinks. Goldfish can

Water Source and Water Quality Maintenance Series

1. Water source

(1) Tap water: Tap water is the water used in our daily life. It is easy to obtain and, after certain technical treatment, is the best water for raising freshwater ornamental fish. Tap water is a disinfected water source. It contains too much chloride ions and cannot be used directly for fish farming. Generally, the cooling method is adopted. Tap water is placed in an open and ventilated place. With the help of air circulation and sunlight, the residual chlorine in the water is volatilized and the dissolved oxygen content in the water is increased. The cooling time is more than 24 hours in summer, more than 48 hours in spring and autumn, and longer in winter. In addition, chemical treatment can also be used, that is, sodium thiosulfate is used to neutralize the chlorine in the water. Generally, 2-3 grams of sodium thiosulfate are needed per cubic meter of water or 5-6 grains are needed per 10 liters of water. If baking soda is used excessively or in high temperature weather, the water quality often becomes turbid and deteriorates, so special attention should be paid.

(2) Well water: Well water is groundwater with hard water quality and constant water temperature. Well water needs to be exposed to the sun for more than 12 hours before use to balance the water temperature with the surface water temperature and increase the dissolved oxygen content in the water.

(3) River water: natural water, soft but turbid. It must be purified and precipitated in a reservoir or filtered before use. River water contains many natural baits, which can make the color of ornamental fish more natural and bright.

2. Water quality maintenance

In an open-air environment, the water color for goldfish and koi varies from clear water, green water, old green water, clarified water, and brown water. However, in an aquarium, due to the use of circulating filtration equipment, the water quality is clear all year round.

(1) Clean water: Clean water refers to colorless, odorless, transparent water with sufficient dissolved oxygen and very little plankton. It can effectively increase the appetite of fish and promote their growth and development.

(2) Green water: Green water contains many green algae, including Chlorella, Navicula, and Grape Drum Algae, which are all supplementary baits for goldfish or koi. Green water has stable water quality, can promote bright color of fish, can keep warm and provide bait, and is the best water source for the healthy development of fish.

(3) Old green water: It develops from green water. A large number of algae in the water die, and the water color changes from bright green to light green. Because there are a large number of dead algae at the bottom of the tank, the water quality may deteriorate day by day. Old green water is mostly used in winter. Due to the low water temperature in winter, the algae grow slowly and the water quality can be maintained for a long time.

(4) Clear water: Clear water is transformed from clear water or light green water. It is extremely soft and has high transparency. The growth and consumption of algae in the water reach a dynamic balance. The water quality is stable and the water color is clear. It is a good water source for the growth and development of ornamental fish.

(5) Brown water: Diatoms in the water multiply in large numbers, beneficial algae decrease, and the stability of water quality decreases. It is necessary to replace the water in time.

Goldfish breeding water quality management

"To raise fish, you must first take care of the water." This old saying highly summarizes the importance of water quality management. Only with good water quality can goldfish have a good living environment and live healthily in it.

(I) Water source: tap water is the main source of water for family fish farming. Tap water contains a large amount of free chlorine, which can easily damage the gills of goldfish and affect their breathing. It must be exposed to the sun for 2-3 days or treated with sodium thiosulfate before use. The easiest way to raise fish at home is to use dechlorinated tap water. Fish farms sometimes use natural water sources, such as river, lake, and pond water. When using it, pay attention to whether the water is clean, whether there are toxic substances, and whether there are pests and diseases. It is best to use it after disinfection and exposure to the sun.

(ii) Water change: It is best to change the water once a day. The time for water change may vary depending on the water quality. 1-2 hours after feeding each day, remove the feces and residual bait, and then add new water of the same temperature. For large aquariums (with filtration systems) and fish ponds, generally change part of the water every week.

(III) Maintenance of the filtration system: For an aquarium with a filtration system, it is not necessary to replace the water every day. The filter material in the filter box should be cleaned about once a month, and the activated carbon can generally be replaced about once every three months.

How to change the water for breeding goldfish

Goldfish breeders have long had the experience of "raising water first before raising fish", which shows that the quality of water will directly affect the normal growth and development of goldfish. The purpose of changing water is to remove dirt (garbage, fish feces, leftover feed, stale impurities) in the water, keep the water clean, adjust the water temperature, and increase oxygen in the water, thereby stimulating the growth and development of goldfish.

If you want to raise goldfish well, you must have a preliminary understanding of fish water:

1. Raw water

Refers to tap water or well water that has just been released and has not been aired. The water temperature is often quite different from the water temperature in the fish pond (tank), and it contains more chlorine, which is extremely harmful to goldfish.

2. New water

It is tap water, well water, or spring water that has been dried and left to settle for about 2-3 days, and has a clean water temperature equal to or similar to that of the water in the fish pond (tank).

3. Chen Shui

It is the dirty water at the bottom of the fish pond (tank) containing feces and dirt, including the feeding water in the pond (tank) that has not been changed for a long time.

4. Old water

It is a general term for the clean water in the fish pond (tank) that is light green, green, old green or green-brown. The light green water is the best. There are more green algae floating in the old water, which are also a good supplementary feed for goldfish. There is less organic matter in this water that has been decomposed and more dissolved oxygen. Fish are often raised in light green and clean old water. The fish raised in this water have the strongest appetite, strong body, bright color and fast growth.

5. Return clean water

If you find that the old green water in the pond (tank) suddenly turns into clear water, and many green algae settle at the bottom of the tank, this phenomenon is called returning to clear water. This kind of water is easy to cause fish diseases and needs to be replaced completely.

(I) Under normal water changes, especially in hot summer, you only need to use a hose to gently suck out 1/10-1/5 of the feces and dirt at the bottom of the fish pond (tank) along with the stale water, remove the dust and floating feces on the water surface, and then slowly inject new water of equal temperature along the wall of the pond (tank) to keep the water clean. This water change method is not easy to hurt the fish, the method is simple and safe, and is most suitable for home fish tanks or small pond fish breeders.

(II) Partial water change This water change method is mainly carried out in two situations. One situation is in the hot summer and early autumn, when the water in the fish pond (tank) has been changed for only a few days and the water color turns green very quickly (due to insufficient feed), and the water quality is still clean, in order to prevent the goldfish from scalding their tails, all the goldfish in the pond (tank) can be taken out, and then the water in the pond (tank) can be rotated in a spiral shape. After it is still for a while, 1/3-1/2 of the dirt and stale water in the center of the pond (tank) can be sucked out with a rubber tube, and then new water of equal temperature and volume can be injected, and the goldfish can be taken back to the original pond (tank) for breeding.

Another situation is that the water in the pool (tank) has been changed only a few days ago, and the water color is still good, but because of excessive feeding that day, the fish appear to float, and emergency measures must be taken. The method of changing water is the same as mentioned above.

If it is a large fish pond in a fish farm, there is no need to scoop the goldfish out. Instead, use a foldable net to surround the fish and gently rotate the water in the pond with the net for tens of seconds. Wait for the water to stand still for a while and then open the drain gate to slowly release the water or use a straw to remove excess fish worms, feces and stale water in the center of the pond (tank), or use a fish net bag to scoop out excess fish worms from the center, then release 1/4-1/2 of the stale water, and finally inject an equal amount of new water at the same temperature. This method is commonly used in fish farms or homes as an emergency method when too much food is fed.

(III) Complete water change This water change is often combined with turning the pond (tank) and selecting young fish or adult fish. It is often used when the water quality is seriously deteriorating or moss is too long, and the fish are too dense. There are two specific methods:

1. If there is no spare pool, you have to put all the goldfish into a basin or put the net cage into the water of the adjacent pool for temporary storage, and add an aerator to the basin or net cage to increase oxygen. Then, brush off the moss on the wall of the original pool, rinse it thoroughly, refill with new water of the same temperature, let it stand for a while until the water temperature is equal, and then put the fish into the original pool (tank).

2. If there is an empty pool and new water, just scoop all the goldfish into a basin or net cage, select and handle them separately, and move the goldfish into the new water for breeding after the water temperature is equal for the pools that need to be divided. This water change method should pay special attention to the water temperature, and it is best to choose a sunny morning before 9 o'clock. However, this method is generally only suitable for adult fish or larger young fish, and it is not suitable for fry. If conditions permit, before completely changing the water, you can first fill the spare pool (tank) with water, and then scoop the fish directly into the spare pool (tank). In this way, the water temperature changes little, and the fish can easily adapt to the new environment, so that the fish will not suffer from being squeezed in the basin or net cage. This water change method is generally carried out once every half a month in spring and autumn. In summer, when the weather is hot and the water temperature is as high as 28℃ or above, the water color is very easy to be dark and the water quality is very easy to be turbid, and the water should be completely changed once every 5-7 days. In winter, the water temperature drops to around 4℃. Goldfish move slowly and have less appetite. The water quality is not easy to deteriorate. Unless there are special circumstances, the water is generally not changed.

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How to choose goldfish

(1) Health status: The health status of goldfish sold in the market is quite complex. Choose individuals that swim in groups, with their fins stretched out, the fish body can float up and down freely, and the swimming posture is correct. Do not choose those that are lying alone, or those with their tails hanging upside down or those with imbalanced bladders. Healthy goldfish have bright colors, shiny bodies, and smooth skin. Red fish are bright red like fire, black fish are dark black like ink, purple fish are purple like chestnuts, blue fish are shining blue, and colorful fish are surrounded by colorful bodies. If the body color is dull, the skin is rough, the scales fall off, or there are white spots or mold on the body surface, and there is too much mucus on the body surface when you pick it up with your hands, then do not choose such individuals. Healthy goldfish have plump abdomens, beautiful curves, moderate fatness, symmetrical bodies, and active foraging. This indicates that the daily management is good, the nutrition is balanced, and the physical fitness is excellent. If the fish is thin, the movement is stiff, and the abdomen is thin, it means that the daily feeding is insufficient and the body resistance is weak. Try not to choose such individuals.

(2) Breed characteristics: In addition to having a good posture and a healthy body, the beauty of goldfish lies in its breed characteristics. Lionhead goldfish require a thick and plump head tumor that covers the face and cheeks. Dragon-eye goldfish require two eyes that are bulging and protruding, and the two eyes are symmetrical and of the same size. Pearl-scale goldfish require a pointed head, a large tail, and a round belly, with neatly arranged abdominal scales and each one protruding. Bubble-eye goldfish require two symmetrical and round bubbles, transparent vacuoles, a flat mouth, and a smooth back. Tiger-head goldfish require a plump head tumor that covers the cheeks, a smooth and arc-shaped back, a short tail, and a plump belly. Butterfly-tail goldfish require a straight tail fin, fin rays that are like an open folding fan, and a tail fin length that accounts for 2/3 of the body length. Pom-pom goldfish require two pom-poms of symmetrical size and large round pom-poms.

(3) Feeding of purchased goldfish: A common problem encountered when raising goldfish at home is that newly purchased goldfish are prone to death. The reasons are as follows: First, due to improper feeding and management, the goldfish in the retail store have deteriorated in physical condition and have become unwell. Second, the goldfish sold in the market are mostly transported from the farms over short or long distances. Due to the frequent changes in water quality, the goldfish have already become unwell to varying degrees. Third, the newly purchased goldfish have not been properly cared for or the feeding techniques are not up to standard. Before placing the goldfish purchased from the market in the aquarium, it should be soaked in salt water or low-concentration potassium permanganate solution for 10-15 minutes. After placing it in the aquarium, it should be observed for two to three days. If the goldfish is active normally, then feeding can be started. When feeding, the amount of feed should be gradually increased from a small amount to a normal amount. As long as it is carefully cared for, the goldfish will pass the discomfort period and resume normal activities.

Goldfish need to be intensively domesticated before transportation. They are required to be placed in new water, and they are required to stop eating for 1-2 days in winter and 3-4 days in spring, summer and autumn. This method can help goldfish excrete waste from their bodies. Goldfish can be transported in plastic barrels for short-distance transportation, and can be transported in plastic bags with oxygen for long-distance transportation. First, put two 90*45CM plastic bags together, and put about 7 kg of water in the bag, which accounts for about 1/5-1/4 of the volume of the plastic bag. Put the goldfish in, slowly shrink the bag mouth, expel the air, and slowly fill it with oxygen. Tie the inner and outer plastic bags tightly and put them in a cardboard box.

Packaging density of goldfish for long-distance transportation (90*45CM bag)

Length (CM) Quantity (tail) Length (CM) Quantity (tail)

5-6 400-500 11-12 80-90

6-7 350-400 12-13 70-80

7-8 250-300 13-14 50-60

8-9 200-250 14-15 35-40

9-10 150-160 15-16 30-35

10-11 100-120 16-17 20-30

Newly introduced goldfish generally need to stop eating for 2-3 days. You can use low-concentration furazolidinone solution to spray the whole pond, or use low-concentration potassium permanganate solution to soak and wash. Newly introduced goldfish should be kept in clean water and observed for their feeding activities. If everything is normal, you can start feeding them on the second to fourth day. At first, feed less, and each time the feed is fed, it is best that the fish can eat it within 10-30 minutes. The purpose is to adjust the appetite of the fish and adapt to the new feed and feeding method as soon as possible.

Key points for choosing goldfish

1. Variety characteristics:

1. Egg fish: Choose individuals with smooth and flat dorsal fin, no broken fins, no scars, short and plump body, small and short tail, and a straight and well-proportioned body.

2. Dragon eyes: Choose individuals with abacus-shaped eyeballs that protrude from the eye sockets and are symmetrical on both sides.

3. High head: The more developed the tumor in the center of the head, the better. It is generally divided into high head (the top of the head is covered with flesh), hat head (the top of the head is covered with a thick layer of tumor, and the cheeks are clear), and lion head (the head tumor is plump and thick, covering the cheeks).

4. Pom pom: Choose individuals with slender fleshy stems, dense, round and large spheres, and bilateral symmetry.

5. Blisters: Choose individuals with soft and translucent blisters, large and symmetrical bubbles, and normal swimming without tilting.

6. Looking up at the sky: You should choose a person with large eyeballs, tilted 90 degrees upwards, with both eyes symmetrical and located on a horizontal line.

7. Pearl scales: Choose individuals with round bellies, large tails, clear and full scales, neatly arranged scales, and no lost scales.

2. Fin shape:

The tail, pectoral, pelvic and anal fins of goldfish are all symmetrical, with a tall back like a sail and a large tail with a four-open tail. The short tail fin requires the tail peduncle to be dark in color, becoming thinner and lighter towards the end; the long tail fin requires the color to be light, thin and transparent, like a cicada's wing; the butterfly tail requires the edge of the tail fin to be straight and the entire tail fin to be like an open fan.

3. Color:

Red fish should be as red as fire from head to tail; black fish should be shiny black and never fade; purple fish should be dark purple and have a stable body color; five-color fish should have a blue base and all five colors; redfin bream should have a silvery-white body and a bright red tumor on the top of its head; and jade-sealed bream should have a bright red body and a silvery-white tumor on the top of its head just like a jade inlay.

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1. Animal bait

(1) Daphnia: commonly known as Daphnia. It is a cladoceran copepod in the arthropoda. There are more than 100 species of Daphnia distributed in various parts of my country, with body colors of brown, reddish brown, gray, green, etc. Daphnia grow seasonally and are divided into summer worms and winter worms. Summer worms reproduce in large numbers around the Qingming Festival. They are blood-red in color, large in size, and have high nutritional value. They mostly live in flowing rivers. Winter worms are fewer in number, have a blue-gray body color, and have low nutritional value. They mostly live in still water ponds or lakes. Daphnia are the main bait for freshwater ornamental fish. Goldfish and tropical fish feed on them throughout their lives.

(2) Water earthworms: Also known as red silkworms and red nematodes, they are aquatic oligochaetes among annelids, with bright red or blue-gray body color. They mostly live in the mud on the banks or riverbeds of rivers, densely packed on the surface of the mud, with one end fixed in the mud and the other end trembling in the water out of the mud. Once disturbed, they immediately retract into the mud. Water earthworms have extremely high nutritional value and must be repeatedly rinsed in clean water before feeding. They are a favorite bait for goldfish and koi, and are also the main bait for eel fry. After the Huangpu River in Shanghai recedes, a large number of water earthworms grow in the mud on the banks, and people catch them in large numbers every spring and autumn.

2. Plant bait

(1) Duckweed: Commonly known as duckweed or giant algae, it is a perennial floating plant that lives in still water ponds or rivers for many years. According to relevant information, dry duckweed contains 45% protein, as well as a variety of vitamins and trace elements such as cobalt. It is an auxiliary bait for freshwater ornamental fish. During the annual fishing season, when fish and insects are scarce, duckweed is often used as a substitute for bait.

(2) Chlorella: Chlorella is bright green in color and resembles millet in the north. Each grain is about the size of a millet. It contains high levels of protein, fat, vitamins and trace elements, and has extremely high nutritional value. It is a good green feed for goldfish. If it is mixed with animal feed, it can effectively promote the rapid growth of fish. Chlorella mostly lives in still water ponds or streams. They often grow together with duckweed. It is rare to find Chlorella growing alone in natural waters.

(3) Floating algae: There are many types of phytoplankton, including golden algae, yellow algae, dinoflagellates, diatoms, naked algae, green algae, blue algae, etc. Some of them are supplementary baits for ornamental fish. According to relevant information, green water or blue water containing algae can be used to feed fish fry, and the effect is also very good.

3. Artificial pellet feed

In view of the seasonality and instability of the quantity of natural fish bait, which restricts the normal survival and development of fish, processed fish bait came into being. They reasonably arrange the nutritional formula according to the fish species, size and growth needs of different stages, adopt the mechanism production line, and process, shape and dry in one stop. The pellet feeds of various specifications are produced, which are nutritionally comprehensive and can completely replace natural baits. At present, the common raw materials of artificial pellet feeds are fish meal, egg pupa powder, barley flour, bran, yeast powder, vitamins, green fodder, etc. They are mixed in a certain proportion and processed into pellet feeds of various sizes. Artificial pellet feed is an auxiliary bait for goldfish, the best substitute when natural bait is in short supply, and the main bait for red crucian carp and koi.

2. Baiting

(1) Foraging habits: Goldfish are cold-blooded animals, and all their activities are closely related to changes in water temperature. Most of the activities of goldfish are foraging in the water. They live in peace and have no habit of occupying territory. In goldfish farms, goldfish are often seen foraging along the edge of the pond at dawn. When the breeder approaches, they will swim forward in unison, commonly known as begging for food. At this time, when bait is put in, they will immediately swarm in and grab the bait. When the water temperature is above 15 degrees Celsius, the goldfish's foraging activities are more active. When the water temperature exceeds 30 degrees, the goldfish will stop foraging. When the water temperature is below 5 degrees, the goldfish's foraging activities will significantly decrease. When the water temperature is between 18 and 25 degrees, the goldfish's appetite is the strongest and the fish's body growth and development is also the fastest.

(2) Tips for feeding: In spring and autumn, the water temperature is mostly around 15-25 degrees Celsius. It is the season when goldfish have the strongest appetite in the year. At this time, the amount of feed is large, and the fish should be fed as much as possible. If the goldfish still seeks food after one feeding, you can feed it a second time. In midsummer, the water temperature is mostly around 25-30 degrees, and sometimes the water temperature will exceed 30 degrees. At this time, the appetite of goldfish decreases, and the amount of feed should be reduced. Keep the goldfish 70-80% full. Feeding time should be advanced to around 7-8 am, so that the goldfish can eat all the feed before the water temperature rises. In winter, the water temperature is mostly below 7 degrees, and the goldfish's foraging activities are less, so the amount of feed is less. Feeding time is mostly chosen at noon when the light is strong. When the water temperature reaches 1-2 degrees, you can also stop feeding.

(3) Feeding principles: One-year-old goldfish eats about the same amount as its head size; two-year-old goldfish eats about half the amount of its head size; goldfish over three years old eat about one-third the amount of its head size. For home ornamental fish, you can feed them once a day, with an amount of food that is enough to make them 70% to 80% full. For production ornamental fish, in spring and autumn, when the water temperature is suitable, you should maintain a sufficient amount of food. When you just change the water, feed a little less in the first one or two days. When the water color turns green, feed the goldfish in a fixed amount to make sure they are full. For goldfish in the breeding season, the amount of food you feed is 1/2-1/3 less than the normal amount. For weak and sick fish, the amount of food you feed is 2/3 less than the normal amount. For fish that need to be transported long distances, change them into new water and stop feeding for 1-3 days.

Goldfish food selection and feeding method

Goldfish are omnivorous and do not require much food. In addition to artificial bait, some natural baits, such as bloodworms, earthworms, shrimps, egg yolks, noodles, rice grains, bread, etc. can be used as bait. Just be careful not to pollute the water quality. It is best to feed animal bait, and the feeding should be scientific, with one guarantee and three determinations.

(I) Quality preservation: The bait must be fresh and nutritionally balanced. Do not feed rotten or spoiled bait. Natural bait can be disinfected with potassium permanganate and rinsed with clean water before feeding.

(2) Timing: Feed goldfish once or twice a day at a fixed time. Do not change the time. Generally, feed them in the warm noon in spring and in the cool morning and evening in summer.

(3) Quantity: Goldfish are quite greedy, so just feed them until they are 80% full each time. If you keep the fish outdoors, feed them less or not at all on cloudy days.

(iv) Positioning: Each time feeding should be done in a fixed position, and the specific choice depends on the environment.

Feeding and feeding goldfish

Goldfish is a completely domesticated omnivorous fish. Since ancient times, people who feed goldfish have almost always used materials from anywhere. Bean cakes, rice bran, dough, shrimp powder, animal viscera, etc. can all be used as bait, which shows that goldfish are not picky eaters. However, the living environment of modern people has greatly improved, and it is difficult to obtain traditional feeds. In recent years, natural baits are limited to bloodworms or threadworms, but these two types of animal baits cannot keep fish well. Therefore, if possible, it is best to use commercially available granular dry feed, which can not only take into account balanced nutrition, but also keep the water clean. Why not? The more common question is how much should be fed to be the most appropriate.

Since goldfish do not have stomachs like other animals, but absorb nutrients directly from their intestines, careful observation will reveal that goldfish often eat and excrete at the same time. Based on this reason, I personally believe that the particles of artificial feed should not be too large to facilitate digestion and absorption. Based on the breeding experience of goldfish farms, the best way to feed is to feed small amounts of food frequently, that is, each time you feed, try to let the fish finish eating in a short time (such as 10 minutes), and repeat it every one or two hours. In this way, you can feed 3-5 times a day to ensure that the goldfish are fat and healthy.

Key points for feeding in four seasons

(1) Spring: The temperature in spring is suitable, and it is the breeding season for goldfish and koi. The breeding work of goldfish mainly focuses on the spawning of broodstock and the care of fry. When the water temperature is between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius, broodstock will chase each other in breeding activities. Generally, broodstock are replaced with new water in the afternoon or evening, and spawning activities will occur at dawn the next day. Goldfish before giving birth should be kept in green water, and the sexual activity of broodstock can be controlled by the stability of water color and water quality. After spawning, broodstock should be kept in light green water, or some green water can be added to clear water to maintain the normal development of broodstock gonads. Generally, the second spawning can be carried out after 7 to 10 days. During the breeding period, broodstock should be fed with live bait as much as possible. In the Jiangnan region, there is a plum rain season around June every year. It is rainy and cloudy, and various harmful bacteria and parasites multiply in large numbers. This is the season for goldfish to get sick. Both broodstock and young fish should be raised in green water, with fewer water changes, stable water quality, and minimal stimulation. Feeding should also be reduced, especially on days with low air pressure and hot weather. Pay special attention to the amount of feeding. If you encounter sick goldfish, you should isolate them in time and use drugs to prevent them in advance.

(2) Summer: In summer, the temperature is high, and the water temperature is mostly above 25 degrees Celsius. The harmful bacteria and parasites in the water are significantly reduced, and goldfish rarely get sick. Due to the high water temperature, the algae in the water increase significantly, the water turns green faster, and the dissolved oxygen in the water decreases. At this time, the focus of feeding is to prevent goldfish from heatstroke and hypoxia. Around noon, use shade nets or reed curtains to cover 2/3 of the pond to prevent the water temperature from rising too quickly and provide a place for the fish to escape the heat. At night, pay more attention to observation, especially around 3-5 o'clock in the second half of the night, which is the time when fish are most likely to suffer from hypoxia. If you encounter a fish pond with severe hypoxia, add water or change the water in time. If there is an oxygenator, it should be turned on in time after dusk. If you find that the feeding water turns green or there are fish with scalded tails during the day, you should change the water in time. For koi raised outdoors, pay more attention to changing the water in time, and turn on the oxygenator in the evening.

(3) Autumn: In autumn, the water temperature is suitable, and the young fish produced in spring have reached the adult stage. At this time, the focus should be on increasing feeding to keep the ornamental fish plump and beautiful, so fattening is the focus of breeding in autumn. When the water temperature is between 18 and 22 degrees, harmful bacteria in the water multiply vigorously. Observation and drug prevention should be strengthened to avoid large-scale disease and death of ornamental fish. Since autumn rarely has dozens of days of continuous rainy weather like the mildew season, the disease degree of ornamental fish is relatively mild. However, due to the suitable water temperature, autumn is the season when ornamental fish are more likely to get sick. As long as active prevention is taken, they can generally get through it safely.

(4) Winter: In winter, the temperature is low, the water temperature is mostly below 10 degrees, and the morbidity of ornamental fish is low. At this time, it is difficult for the fish to grow longer, but the fish can become fatter. The ornamental fish have already developed and this is the busiest season for the purchase and sale of ornamental fish. The key point of breeding during this period is to maintain stable water quality and keep the ornamental fish healthy. When the water temperature is low, the goldfish should be moved indoors or to a greenhouse for the winter, or the water level of the fish pond should be deepened to 40-50 cm to prevent the fish from frostbite. In the north, since the temperature is often below 0 degrees, ornamental fish must be moved indoors or to a greenhouse for the winter. For goldfish that spend the winter indoors in the north, it is best to keep the room temperature above 7 degrees so that the goldfish can forage for food. Feeding can be done every other day or every three days. If the water temperature is raised to 18-22 degrees, the goldfish can reproduce in advance in the greenhouse.

Managing Goldfish in Spring

In the south, spring is the breeding and spawning season for goldfish. In the north, goldfish can be moved out of the wintering room and raised in the open air from late March to early April, that is, after the Spring Equinox and before the Qingming Festival. This is commonly known as "out of the basin". The temperature changes greatly at this time, and goldfish are most susceptible to disease, and the mortality rate is also high. During this stage, you must pay attention to weather changes. You must cover the fish with reed curtains at night to prevent cold, and lift the curtains during the day to expose them to the sun.

If goldfish overwinter under low temperature conditions, they are generally not fed. After they are taken out of the basin, they can be fed, but not too much. Every morning, pick up the fish worms, rinse and remove the dirt, and then feed them to the goldfish. Feed less at first, and after one week, you can feed more. At about 3 pm every day, remove the dust and other dirt floating on the water surface with a cloth bag, commonly known as "skinning". Then use the cloth bag to gently rotate along the water of the fish tank and pool for 2-3 circles. After the dirt in the water settles to the bottom of the tank and pool, use a rubber hose to suck out the sediment. The amount of water absorbed is about 10% to 40% of the total amount. If goldfish overwinter at low temperatures, the fish body is relatively thin after being taken out of the basin, so be especially careful when absorbing water. Then add an equal amount of fresh water, about 4/5 of the basin depth, to maintain a certain water temperature. The water is usually changed once every two weeks. When changing the water, first take out the fish, wash the fish basin, replace all the water with new water, and then put the fish into the basin. If the container is large, you can first release part of the sewage, then catch the fish, wash the container, and remove the dirt. Do not completely remove the moss accumulated on the ceramic basin or cement wall. When scrubbing, only remove the impurities and mucus on the surface, and protect the moss bottom. Because the moss wall can produce oxygen under photosynthesis during the day, it can also protect the surface of the fish from being scratched. The mucous membrane on the surface of the goldfish has a protective effect against the invasion of bacteria. The smooth and soft moss can also regulate the water temperature, beautify the environment for goldfish to swim, and is conducive to the survival of goldfish. It is normal for the water in the pool and basin to turn green.

Goldfish safe wintering technology

Goldfish are weak and delicate. How to safely overwinter in the harsh conditions of very low temperatures is related to the breeding and reproduction of goldfish in the next year. Therefore, the wintering management of goldfish is very important. The wintering management methods are briefly described as follows.

1. Wintering in the pond

As the temperature drops, the goldfish left over from the autumn sale and the goldfish kept as broodstock will begin to hibernate and enter the winter management stage. In winter, the water temperature is low, the fish have little activity, and consume less oxygen. For the convenience of management, goldfish are usually concentrated in deep pools or indoor greenhouses to hibernate. The time for merging ponds is earlier in the north, generally around the frost; it is later in the south, generally between the heavy snow and the winter solstice. Before merging ponds for hibernation, first of all, autumn cultivation should be strengthened, and more live water fleas should be provided to promote their growth and development, accumulate protein and fat in the body, and prepare for hibernation. At the same time, for broodstock, it is beneficial to the development of their gonads. The daily feeding time can be appropriately extended from 7 to 8 am to 2 pm. Secondly, new water should be injected before hibernation, because there will be a lot of goldfish feces and dirt deposited in the pond, and the water quality is old water. In addition, a layer of ice forms on the surface of the water in the north in winter, and the water is isolated from the air, which can easily cause the goldfish to die of lack of oxygen and suffocation. When filling water, the water depth should be raised to about 80 cm. The surface layer is frozen, and the water temperature in the middle and lower layers is still maintained at about 4℃. Goldfish are basically in a dormant state and rarely move, so there is generally no big problem. In clear and windless weather, the surface ice should be chiseled and scooped up on the south side to allow the water to contact with the air and replenish the dissolved oxygen in the water, so as not to be hypoxic. After snowing, the snow on the ice layer should be cleared to avoid insufficient photosynthesis of plankton and hypoxia in the water. Finally, it is necessary to pay attention to timely and reasonable stocking. The water temperature should be between 5℃ and 10℃ when stocking. If the pools are combined too early, the water temperature is too high, and the density of wintering is large, it is easy to make the water turbid and cause hypoxia; if the pools are combined too late, goldfish will often get frozen and sick. Generally, the time for wintering goldfish should be before ice forms, and the stocking density can be higher. Calculated per square meter, 12 to 15 large goldfish with a body length of 15 to 20 cm can be stocked; 45 to 60 goldfish with a body length of 10 to 15 cm can be stocked; and 75 to 100 goldfish of the same year with a body length of 5 to 10 cm can be stocked.